elementary school | Page 3 of 7

Classic Adventures Treasure Island, the ‘classics’ that ages 7 and up will want to read.

Go read the classics, that’s what you think to yourself as you navigate the literary world of your elementary school student. You think that until you realize the number of distractions that they have, you didn’t. Now, factor in that the classics you wistfully want them to read are at a reading level that’s too advanced and can be a little boring at times for those eight-year-old readers. Classic Adventures’ Treasure Island is by Robert Louis Stevenson, but this version is adapted by Jacqueline Dembar Greene and it’s got illustrations that were done by Carlo Molinari.

Classic Adventures Treasure Island presents the classic book in an intelligent way for ages seven and up to experience on their own.

Classic, and not in a Bill and Ted kind of way

A Dinosaur Named Ruth, old soul, patient story telling with charm

I wanted more. That is not something that you think to yourself after many books. A Dinosaur Named Ruth brings up that thought as soon as you read the last word on the final two pages that show a young girl, and a dinosaur, looking wistfully into the prairie. It’s also not the story that you know. The dinosaur was called Sue, wasn’t it? Well, a dinosaur was called that, however, this story has more numerous subjects, and one that plays out in a more patient manner. It’s also worth noting that Ruth (the dinosaur) was discovered by its more famous T-Rex dinosaur who was found just down the road.

A Dinosaur Named Ruth is the story that you think that you know, but instead is patient tale about knowing what you have.

A dino tale that elementary, illustrated book fans haven’t heard

Kick Push, an illustrated book that runs with enthusiasm to kids 6 and up

A book that reaches out and grabs the nape of your neck is a rare thing. It’s not something that you’re expecting as it slams your senses, wakes up your eyes, and takes you on a trip to a place that you’ve never been before. Kick Push is an illustrated book that lovingly yells at you until you pay attention. At first, it seems like that manic, out-of-control student whose only goal is to distract the teacher from the lesson of the day. But then, after you spend a couple of pages with Kick Push you realize that it’s a picture book that’s unlike anything you’ve seen before and will challenge you in all the right ways.

Kick Push is an illustrated book that screams at just the right volume. It grabs readers’ attention, makes them curious and entertains, all while teaching a lesson.

Kinetic action in a book that teaches a lesson

Tales of Ancient Worlds, fun history in an archeology wrapper

People of a certain age will credit or blame Indiana Jones for their interest in archeology. For me, I am somewhere in-between the two. Archeology is a subject that I toyed with in college, played with after graduation, and have it littered about in my house. It’s based on that background that I was incredibly surprised by how immersive and varied Tales of Ancient Worlds, Adventures in Archeology was. It’s an illustrated book that’s meant for mid-elementary students but has the breadth on some level to add content to papers or conversations for those much older.

Tales of Ancient Worlds is short, non-fiction blurbs that elementary kids need, in a package that they can handle and want to read.

History wonks unite, gateway for elementary-aged archeologists!

Rescuing Titanic, an illustrated book look at the RMS Carpathia

Often times the story that’s behind the story is as interesting and sometimes more interesting than the main one. Rescuing Titanic, A True Story of Quiet Bravery in the North Atlantic is an illustrated book that takes the line and runs with it. It’s an oversized, illustrated book that looks at the story that third graders and up to know about, but examines the after-effects and how they were dealt with.

Rescuing Titanic is the story behind the story about its sinking and subsequent rescue mission by the RMS Carpathia, great for middle elementary readers.

Mid to upper elementary readers will love this story, behind the story

Tilda Tries Again, fabulous art and guilt-free fun on never giving up

There a couple of ‘feelings’ books that are out there for the illustrated book audience, and they all aren’t created equal. If you’re new to the emotional book game or simply want to dig into some books that place an equal balance on entertaining, as well as the message then you need to read the series by Tom Percival. Tilda Tries Again is in the Big, Bright Feelings book series. It’s an oversized illustrated book that deals with emotions that any kid experiences.

Tilda Tries Again by Tom Percival is a brilliantly illustrated, succinctly worded and a go-to for elementary kids who need to know it’s normal to try again.

This art and the words are more than the sum of its parts

Quiet!, a quirky, old soul, illustrated tale with deft art

I read Quiet! to a second-grade classroom the other week. It was storytime, but one reason for reading Quiet! to them was that I just simply wanted that. One of the great ironies about teaching elementary school children is that in order to have peace and sanity is that you are the one who has to speak, even it’s at a quiet, yet energetic volume as you read to them. Quiet! is the sort of illustrated book that bathes in allegory and has pictures to help younger readers infer what’s happening. It’s also gorgeously illustrated with visions of a city that feels Parisian but has an anywhere appeal that’ll make young readers’ thoughts go wherever.

Quiet! is an illustrated book that doubles down on the allegory in words and art, paying off in a story that kids will understand and enjoy.

Mina, an illustrated book of whimsy and mirth that’s one of the year’s best

Lo, and the boat shall not be missed twice. In my mind, Vincent Price is saying those words to me as I read Mina. Mina is by author and illustrator Matthew Forsythe, the creator of one of our favorite illustrated books of all time, Pokko and the Drum. That book was released in 2019 and was on every one of the Top 10 Children’s Booklists that we saw from that year for good reason. Mina is the follow-up to that book and will receive many of the same accolades. They’re also well deserved. The combination of beautiful art, with the sublime, simple, and silly story will have audiences four and up in stitches.

Mina is an illustrated book for ages four an up that dances between gorgeous art, concise words, great story and big smiles.

Only nine more in our top-10 list for 2022 to go