Happy (almost) New Year! Have you made your resolutions yet? If you’re still working on your list of goals for the new year, we put together some of our favorite titles that are sure to inspire you to get involved in your community, be informed about current political issues and their origins, and even stay fit and active no matter your age!
Bird Count
Written by Susan Edwards Richmond
Illustrated by Stephanie Fizer Coleman
Ava is preparing to participate as “citizen scientists” in the Christmas Bird Count, and she gets to record the tally this year! Using her eyes and ears and the birding ID techniques she’s learned, Ava eagerly identifies and counts the birds she observes around the town. This charming and informative story is the perfect book to introduce young readers to birdwatching. The text offers simple explanations of the identification methods used by birdwatchers, and a section in the back provides more information about how young readers can get involved in their own Christmas Bird Count.
Madeline Finn and the Shelter Dog
Written and illustrated by Lisa Papp
In this companion to the award-winning Madeline Finn and the Library Dog, Madeline Finn finds a way to help more dogs and read more stories after visiting the local shelter. Madeline Finn shows her human and animal community that there are lots of ways for small people to make a big difference. This heartwarming exploration of life in an animal shelter will inspire young readers to get involved in their own communities.
Fault Lines in the Constitution (Revised)
The Framers, Their Fights, and the Flaws that Affect Us Today
Written by Cynthia Levinson and Sanford Levinson
Many of the political issues we struggle with today have their roots in the U.S. Constitution, and we’re still experiencing the ramifications. Husband-and-wife team Cynthia and Sanford Levinson take readers back to the creation of this historic document and discuss how contemporary problems were first introduced—then they offer possible solutions. This timely and thoughtful exploration of the Constitution’s creation will encourage exploration and discussion from young and old readers alike.
Visit the Fault Lines in the Constitution blog to continue the conversation.
Age-Defying Fitness
Making the Most of Your Body for the Rest of Your Life
Written by Marilyn Moffat and Carole B. Lewis
There is no doubt that our bodies change with age, but many of the problems attributed to inevitable age-related changes are often lifestyle-induced and reversible. Two of the nation’s top physical therapists show how to assess fitness levels and create a specific profile to achieve optimum physical health. More than a simple how-to book, Age-Defying Fitness encourages you to take responsibility for your physical well-being, and offers an easy everyday approach to achieving better health in the new year.
What Works with Children
Wisdom and Reflections from People Who Have Devoted Their Careers to Kids
Written by Marshall P. Duke and Sara Duke
From university professor Marshall Duke and learning disabilities specialist Sara Duke comes a collection of thought-provoking, inspirational, sometimes humorous essays on raising our children. Teachers, pediatricians, social workers, guidance counselors, youth leaders, coaches, psychologists, clergy, and others across the country offer observations and insights gained from a life devoted to working with children, and what emerges is the powerful message that a lifetime with children changes and challenges our ideas of what is of real importance—and what is not.
* The authors and editors of this book are proud to donate their royalties to Save the Children.
Leave A Comment