November’s Cozy Classroom Reads: Celebrating Gratitude and Stories

November invites a season of gratitude, community, and reflection—making it a wonderful time to bring picture books to life in your classroom. From stories of kindness and thankfulness to moments of humor and adventure, these books offer opportunities to connect with students while celebrating the season. This month’s selections are full of charm and inspiration, sparking meaningful discussions and unforgettable classroom moments.

• The Verts by Elizabeth Pulford
  An engaging story of a family who experiences the world in shades of green, sparking a celebration of nature and unique perspectives.
• Leo’s First Vote by Thea Feldman
  A timely introduction to civic engagement as Leo learns about the importance of voting through a relatable first-time experience.
• If I Were President by Catherine Stier
  A thoughtful exploration of the responsibilities and joys of being president, perfect for fostering civic curiosity and big dreams.
• Leafy Landmarks: Travels with Trees by Nancy Shapiro
  This fascinating journey explores famous trees and their historical significance, connecting students with nature and the world around them.
• Nerdycorn by Andrew Root
  Fern the unicorn loves science and solving problems, but she learns the importance of balancing her passion for STEM with friendship and self-expression.

• America’s White Table by Margot Theis Raven
  This moving story introduces the tradition of the white table set to honor fallen soldiers, perfect for teaching gratitude and remembrance.
• Thank You, Mr. Falker by Patricia Polacco
  Polacco’s heartfelt story of overcoming struggles with reading and the life-changing influence of a caring teacher inspires students to value perseverance and kindness.
• Where’s My Butt? by Donald Budge
  A silly, laugh-out-loud adventure as a curious character embarks on a quest to find their missing butt, sparking imagination and fun.
• Cranberry Thanksgiving by Wende and Harry Devlin
  A cozy tale of unexpected friendship, where a secret cranberry bread recipe becomes the centerpiece of Thanksgiving lessons on generosity and kindness.
• Pocket Full of Colors by Amy Guglielmo and Jacqueline Tourville
  The inspiring story of Mary Blair, a Disney artist who used her creativity to brighten the world, encourages young readers to follow their passions.

• The Great Thanksgiving Escape by Mark Fearing
  Gavin and his cousin Rhonda turn Thanksgiving into an epic adventure as they escape the dreaded kids’ table. With humor and relatable family dynamics, it’s a hit for giggles and connection.
• I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Pie by Alison Jackson
  This playful Thanksgiving twist on the classic cumulative rhyme will have students laughing as the old lady’s appetite spirals out of control.
• My Papi Has a Motorcycle by Isabel Quintero
  This heartwarming story celebrates family, culture, and community as a young girl takes a ride with her papi, discovering the beauty of her hometown.
• Blueberries for Sal by Robert McCloskey
  A timeless tale of parallel adventures, where a little girl and a bear cub unknowingly swap places with their mothers during a blueberry-picking trip.
• Turkey Bowl by Phil Bildner
  Ethan dreams of the annual Thanksgiving Turkey Bowl, but when a snowstorm threatens the tradition, he learns the true meaning of togetherness and fun.

These November reads warm the heart and ignite curiosity, encouraging students to think deeply about gratitude, community, and creativity. Whether it’s a laugh-out-loud moment or a lesson in empathy, these stories bring a special magic to the classroom. Which of these books will you share first to inspire your young readers this season?

Ramona Recommends partners with affiliate platforms where commission may be earned based on clicks and or purchases, and I would love it if you decided to use the links above! Affiliate links help bloggers like me to fund the free content that we provide on our blogs.

The post What We Read in November appeared first on Ramona Recommends.

Let’s explore the books that made October unforgettable in my classroom, and how they can bring magic to yours!

On Account of the Gum by Adam Rex
A hilarious chain of events unfolds when gum gets stuck in a child’s hair. Packed with absurdity and giggles, this book is a hit for discussions about problem-solving and creative thinking.

Creepy Carrots by Aaron Reynolds
A delightfully spooky tale of Jasper Rabbit and his paranoia about the carrots following him. This humorous book is perfect for October fun, with clever illustrations that add to the suspense.

My Name is Sangoel by Karen Lynn Williams and Khadra Mohammed
Sangoel, a refugee, navigates his new life while holding onto his identity. A powerful story about resilience and the importance of names, sparking meaningful conversations on diversity and inclusion.

Rot, the Cutest in the World by Ben Clanton
Rot, an adorable mutant potato, enters a cute contest with hilarious results. This book delivers an important message about self-confidence and loving who you are.

Amara and the Bats by Emma Reynolds
A heartwarming tale of Amara’s love for bats and her efforts to protect their habitat. It’s a perfect blend of environmental awareness, activism, and a passion for nature.

Something Beautiful by Sharon Dennis Wyeth
This touching story teaches students to find beauty in their surroundings, even when the world seems bleak. It’s a powerful conversation starter about hope and change.

I Want to Read All the Books by Karin Johnston
An inspiring tale of curiosity and determination as a child embarks on a quest to discover every story ever written—a celebration of the joy of reading!

Lila and the Crow by Gabrielle Grimard
This beautifully illustrated book addresses bullying and self-acceptance as Lila learns to embrace her unique qualities.

The Snurtch by Sean Ferrell
A humorous yet insightful look at managing emotions, following Ruthie as she battles her mischievous “Snurtch.”

Stacey’s Extraordinary Words by Stacey Abrams
A heartfelt tale of perseverance and the power of words, this book showcases the magic of language and finding your voice.

Why Not? by Mindy B. Holte
A charming tale of endless possibilities, encouraging young minds to embrace creativity and ask questions.

Mr. Fox’s Game of No by Erin McGill
An engaging story about problem-solving and resilience as a group of animals outsmarts a tricky fox.

Monster Hands by Laura Leuck
A playful exploration of monsters and manners, perfect for some lighthearted October fun!

Bonaparte Falls Apart by Margery Cuyler
Bonaparte’s humorous quest to keep himself together (literally!) makes this a favorite for laughter and lessons on friendship.

Ice Boy by David Ezra Stein
A quirky adventure of a rebellious ice cube finding his place in the world.

Creepy Crayons by Aaron Reynolds
A spooky yet silly tale about a mischievous set of crayons that will have students giggling and guessing.

The Yellow Bus by Susan Green
A warm story of adventure and the community built through a daily school bus journey.

Picture Day Jitters by Crystal Allen
Navigating picture day anxieties, this relatable book is full of humor and heart.

I Need My Monster by Amanda Noll
A fun and imaginative twist on the classic monster-under-the-bed story.

Dear Dragon by Josh Funk
This rhyming gem chronicles an unlikely pen-pal friendship between a boy and a dragon.

Be Kind by Pat Zietlow Miller
A tender story about small acts of kindness and their ripple effects, perfect for building empathy.

Gustavo, The Shy Ghost by Flavia Z. Drago
This sweet tale of a ghost overcoming shyness is a Halloween treat with heart.

Pick a Pumpkin by Patricia Toht
A cozy celebration of pumpkin picking and fall traditions, ideal for seasonal storytelling.

Poultrygeist by Eric Geron
Packed with puns and humor, this ghostly chicken tale brings laughs and a touch of spookiness.

She Made a Monster: How Mary Shelley Created Frankenstein by Lynn Fulton
A fascinating introduction to Mary Shelley’s life and her creation of Frankenstein, inspiring budding writers.

Leila the Perfect Witch by Flavia Z. Drago
Leila learns the value of imperfection in this enchanting story about embracing oneself.

Our Day of the Dead Celebration by Ana Aranda
A vibrant introduction to the Día de los Muertos traditions, celebrating family and remembrance.

These books made October magical for my students—and they can do the same for yours! Each title invites young readers to explore new ideas, relate to diverse experiences, and celebrate the joy of storytelling. Which one will you dive into first?

Ramona Recommends partners with affiliate platforms where commission may be earned based on clicks and or purchases, and I would love it if you decided to use the links above! Affiliate links help bloggers like me to fund the free content that we provide on our blogs.

The post What We Read in October appeared first on Ramona Recommends.

Unpopular Opinion- I actually do not like pie!

…and neither does Peyton, the main character of “Peyton Picks the Perfect Pie”!

In Peyton Picks the Perfect Pie, join Peyton on a deliciously fun adventure as she bravely searches for a pie she can finally enjoy—even though she’s the pickiest eater around! With colorful illustrations and mouth-watering pie options, this story celebrates trying new things and reminds us that sometimes the “perfect” choice is the one you never expected!

How relatable is this book?! Kids are the PICKIEST of eaters and, just like in “Just Try It!,” reading this to your class may just encourage at least one of your students to go ahead and try something new all while you’re covering key reading comprehension skills in an engaging way! Win- Win! (parents will thank you, truly!)

Some Ideas:

• Connect to your kids with the morning meeting questions. Spark an interest in the topic and get kids talking! Class discussions warm my heart and you can learn so much about each other this way. 
• Character Development- Peyton is a dynamic character to follow through the plot because she has great interactions with family members along the way and displays a change by the end of the story. Students can typically really make a text to self connection with Peyton and really be descriptive in their responses to show understanding.
• Listening and Speaking- Do you struggle to track this or be sure to engage students in these tasks? Your students can verbally answer pre-planned questions to each other out loud to practice these crucial skills!
• Build Vocabulary- Encourage students to learn something new and boost their word bank. Pulling words from a text is so meaningful and applicable!
• Overall, boost comprehension of a literary text. Include multiple ways to show understanding of the story with questioning and writing.

Grab your Print-and-Go Picture Book Companion Here!

BONUS: Do you have involved families that would support a pie treat?! Have students bring in a pie to share as a little classroom “Friendsgiving” and encourage them to try something new!

[I got this AMAZING pie from an allergy-friendly baker, Julie’s Table – SO YUM!]

Need more Ideas for Thanksgiving Books?

• “Our Table” follows a girl who brings her family closer by helping them rediscover the joy of sharing meals together.
• “Who Will Bring the Turkey?” The turkeys are all hiding…how will these friends find one? Can you spot it on each page?
• “A Plump and Perky Turkey“ is a funny tale about a clever turkey who outsmarts a town determined to make him their Thanksgiving dinner.

Find More Here!

Ramona Recommends partners with affiliate platforms where commission may be earned based on clicks and or purchases, and I would love it if you decided to use the links above! Affiliate links help bloggers like me to fund the free content that we provide on our blogs.

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4 Tips to Share with Adults for Reading at Home

Do you tell the adults in your students’ lives to read with them, or have them read, at home each night?

Have you provided them with what that can look like? Many parents may not actually know what to do when you say this. Today I want to offer you some ideas you can share with them to bring the reading alive at home, too! Bonus: Peep the freebie you can send home with students at the end!

Pick Books together
Head to the library, head to a cute little book store, head anywhere and pick out books WITH the kids. Read them with or around each other and TALK about them! What’s your favorite part? Who are the Characters? Are they like anyone you know? What do you like about this type of book? All of these questions can get a great convo going and help guide the selection of future books!

Audiobooks! 
Are you on the go driving the kids around? Audiobooks totally count as reading! Sure, it’s not YOUR voice, but you are sharing in the stories or information together and it can open some wonderful and meaningful conversations with each other. There are some GREAT kid options out there. Comment below or email me if you need some ideas!

Read in New Places 
You don’t have to be in any one spot! Go on your porch, in the backyard, in a car, on a bus, at the park! Reading in new places can be so fun! Change it up and try somewhere new together each week.

Let them see you read 
Come on adults, pick up those books (kindles, headphones…) and let the kids see you read, too! Share what you’re reading about with them…tell them books you’ve liked in the past and why. It could spark a curious bone in their body to get them to try the genre, too!

Show the Pictures
Take the time and talk about what is going on in the picture. Wonder aloud about something you see that may not be so obvious but is important to the plot later on. “I wonder why that _____ is here.” “Are there clues you see that might let us know what could happen next?”

You can also talk about the different types of illustrations from book to book. Any little creatives could LOVE learning more about the styles of drawing, painting, mix use, etc!

But picture books are for little kids!

No
They
Are
Not!

Say it with me everyone, ANYONE can read picture books and I hope you will pick one up today to love and enjoy, with or without kids around!!

I’ve included some of the suggested questions parents (…teachers, babysitters, caregivers, siblings, guardians, etc!) can ask kids while reading, but there’s so, so many more! Check out this list of 30 Comprehension Questions you can print and send with your students for whoever wants to engage in reading with them outside of school!

Ramona Recommends partners with affiliate platforms where commission may be earned based on clicks and or purchases, and I would love it if you decided to use the links above! Affiliate links help bloggers like me to fund the free content that we provide on our blogs.

The post Tips for Reading at Home appeared first on Ramona Recommends.

If we want our students to read with intonation we must model all year long. Make the read aloud in your classroom the reason your students become readers. 

Please understand, I do not think you have to be a broadway star to read a picture book, but you need to have some confetti in that voice. 

If you are a first year teacher, student teacher, or a teacher who does not want to be on broadway, this blog post is for you! Let me help you feel confident when you are reading aloud in your classroom. 

I teach fifth grade and I would say 95% of my students love it when I read picture books. This last week, I had my students fill out a rating form about their 5th grade experience thus far, and SO many said their favorite part of the day was Open The Magic. It made my whole week!

Speaking of my students, in the past I have asked them, “What do I do that makes you engaged during read alouds?” Here are their responses summarized.

“you are SO excited about picture books! It’s like giving EXCITEMENT VIBES.”

“You do cool voices!” (bless them, I try!)

“You raise and lower your voice at the perfect time”

“You find books that we can learn from or relate too.”“You find funny books, remember when you read, Where’s My Butt?.”

I teach fifth grade and I would say 95% of my students love when I read picture books. This last week, I had my students fill out a rating form about their 5th grade experience thus far, and SO many said their favorite part of the day was Open The Magic. It made my whole week!

Speaking of my students, in the past I have asked them, “What do I do that makes you engaged during read alouds?” Here are their responses summarized:

“You are SO excited about picture books! It’s like giving EXCITEMENT VIBES.”

“You do cool voices!” (bless them, I try!)

“You raise and lower your voice at the perfect time”

“You find books that we can learn from or relate too.”

“You find funny books, remember when you read, Where’s My Butt?.”

Here is what I do when I want to have a solid read aloud. 

#1 Read the book ahead of time.

Reading aloud takes practice. Sometimes you have to pull your inner broadway star out of you, but I promise it is worth it. I understand that time is vital; you do not always have the time. I get it, I am a teacher too. Just try your best! If you are using a book to teach a lesson, I highly recommend reading the book beforehand. This will help you utilize all the teaching confetti inside. I am the type of teacher that has to prep before I do an activity in front of my students. My brain works better that way. If you are not sure which picture books would hit in your classroom, be sure to check out The Confetti Bookshelf, where I give you picture books I read each month in my own classroom.

#2 Do not sound like a robot.

I ask you to please not read like you do not like to read. The kids notice and then they are not engaged. I have learned from over the years when I make reading a confetti moment is when I get the most buy in about books. I have had multiple parents tell me that their child did not like reading until they came into my class. If we want our growing readers to thrive we must model for them how to read, the importance of reading, and showing the excitement we get from reading a book we love. 

I provide a  free training where I walk you through how to engage your readers during a read aloud and how to not be nervous when reading. Grab it here. 

#3 Explain the confetti.

Make the read aloud fun and engaging so your kids buy in. I typically share why I choose the books we read during Open The Magic. When I am selecting the books for the week, the first thing I will do is look up the national days for the week. I will try to match a national day with a book. For example, October 22nd is National Color Day. I will most likely read the book Mixed: A Colorful Story. I have a detailed blog post about National Days that are kid friendly and I share which books pair well with every holiday.

I also share new books that have not been released yet, the kids LOVE this. They feel so cool. Mini perk of Ramona Recommends. Oh! We always start off with looking at the picture book wallpaper and to see if there is a secret cover. Yes, I have 5th grade boys begging to have me check if there’s a secret cover even before I sit in my yellow chair. 

Here is your plan for your next read aloud.

-Grab a book from my suggested list. 

-Read it aloud or in your head. 

-Think of 1 way this book will connect to your students.

-Go shine, bookstar!

Ramona Recommends partners with affiliate platforms where commission may be earned based on clicks and or purchases, and I would love it if you decided to use the links above! Affiliate links help bloggers like me to fund the free content that we provide on our blogs.

The post How to Read Aloud to Kids appeared first on Ramona Recommends.