Croco by Azul López Translated from the Spanish by Kit Maude Winner of the 2026 Mildred A. Batchelder Award Poor Croco. This crocodile is going about his business when he stumbles into a large hole. Although many jungle animals offer Croco advice, none of it is quite right for him. This simple story is elevated to the […]
Some months ago, my children did not know Bluebeard. I told them the tale, making it as spooky as possible. Dinner-time talk is a struggle. None of my children can reliably respond to “how was your day?” in a convivial manner. Before our heroine opened the forbidden door, I paused dramatically. Around the table, six […]
Author studies examine one author’s work using multiple sources. Author studies are undertaken by a whole class, small group, or even just the educator. These studies pack in multiple opportunities to explore reading, writing, and critical thinking. They expose learners to both literary and information texts. They deepen our reading while providing an opportunity to […]
I first fell in love with the work of Matthew Cordell when I read his 2018 Caldecott acceptance speech for Wolf in the Snow, followed by the book itself. Cordell says, On the other end of this human spectrum, children rather terrified me. With their keen, sometimes brutal insightfulness, their unpredictability, and their unrelenting energy. […]
Throughout the school year, I compile a list of award-winning and starred picture books. You can read more about my sources here. Although I’ll keep updating the list until the end of the school year, I thought it might be helpful to those making purchases for next year to see the list so far. Anything […]
Rachel Vogus' Habits and Hobbies 