Hey everyone. Welcome back to the Rena loud classroom podcast. I’m so excited for today’s episode, because this is something that I’m carrying over from our YouTube video days. I knew that when I switched from YouTube videos into podcasting, that this was one thing that I wanted to stick with. And that’s sharing with you, the brand new books that are being released every month. Because I know as a teacher, we want to share those brand new books with our students, but sometimes it’s hard to keep up with all of them.
There is so many amazing picture books that are being released every week and it’s hard to keep track. So I love to be able to share those with you every month. And then at the end of the year, I like to look back and reflect on which one of those were my absolute favorites from the whole year. So today I want to jump into books that are being released in February, 2025. And even if you’re listening to this later on, you can always take note of these books and use them in your classroom, even if they aren’t brand new to you. So let’s get started.
I have quite a few share with you today. The first book that I want to share is I am Sally ride by Brad Meltzer. Now. If you know, any of Brad’s of books, you know, that they’re wonderful treasure trove. Of. Information about different people. Famous people. And it’s so great that he’s sharing one about Sally ride, especially for women’s history month coming up.
So as you know, Sally ride was a, the country’s first female astronaut, and she inspired generations of young people to follow their own dreams of space exploration. So this book takes us from childhood where she was at daring adventure and where her parents encouraged her to really pursue the thing she loved.
That includes science and math. Going on fast rides and even the stars in the sky. We learn how those passions and hard work lead her to NASA. And again, becoming the country’s first female astronaut. One of my favorite things about these books is that it includes a lot of those nonfiction elements, such as timelines and photos and facts about the person. But it does it in such an interesting and engaging way for students.
Those comic book style illustrations. Make students really engaged and want to learn more about that person.
So definitely grab the new, I am book from Brad Meltzer.
The next book that I have that’s coming out in February is you are a wildlife warrior by Bindi Irwin. Now we recognize that name. She is the daughter of a Steve Irwin, the crocodile hunter. And she has become a world renowned conservationist, and she’s sharing her message with kids about how you can help protect the planet and all of the animals and creatures that call it home. It includes photos of her family and fun facts about animals. And we step into the Australia zoo with her and see all the things that nature has to offer. They’re at lemurs and rhinos kangaroos.
And of course, crocodiles. So she takes you on a tour, through, out the zoo and you learn about the amazing animals and their habitats, and you observe how they live in grow. So it really. Not only gives information about these animals and their habitats, but also. Encourages students to take care of our planet.
This is a perfect one a for earth day coming up in April. So definitely grab it for that.
This next book might have a familiar character. This one is a bitsy bat team star by Kaz. Lynneness. Bitsy bat was that famous character from Betsy bet school star, which I know so many of you really loved. In this book, she meets a non-speaking student at school and really learns the importance of being a star teammate and a friend. In this CQL to her first book. So she’s a star student and the only fantastic flyer at her school until Enzo owl arrives and all of a sudden he’s out flying her during recess. She wears her friends won’t think she’s special anymore.
So she’s determined to be Enzo.
But when her friend needs help during the race, bitsy must choose between winning. And being a star teammate. So in this sequel, it is told from an autistic perspective and celebrates how our differences make each of us shine brightly on our own. And as part of a team.
This next book is the second picture book in the cranky series.
This one is cranky makes a friend well, cranky is feeling extra cranky when a new crane joins the crew.
So there’s a new crane on the construction site and he is the opposite of cranky. He is smiley talkative. Tell jokes. This Crain’s name is a lefty and everything he does makes cranky feel extra cranky. But everyone else seems to love him. Cranky. He’s a little nervous that his friends are going to like lefty more than him.
This is a gray bow for two, talking with students about self acceptance and having a supportive crew. Two. Help out each other and to make friends. And it’s a really touches on those big feelings. And friendships, which is a great one, especially for the younger students with this series.
The next new book that is coming out in February, 2025 is eight. I eat for NILAH and this one’s by Nisran afar.
Farrukh.
And this is a cute book, which is shares about a community preparing for and celebrating aid. But through the eyes of a curious neighborhood cat. So NILAH is making her usual visits to the homes on her streets. But. Something is very different today. She’s noticing that families are creating decorations are making food.
They’re trying on new clothes and decorating their hands. And everyone’s really busy, but they won’t let NILAH help. Why doesn’t anyone have time to play? We’ve finally realized that the whole community is coming together for a naive celebration. Where everyone is welcome is specially NILAH. But this is a great introduction for students to this celebration and gives that background information on what. Goes into celebrating this holiday and how families do celebrate it.
This next book reminds me of a sick day for Amos McGee.
If any of you haven’t read that book. This one is called Gus and it’s written by Liz Marie. And it’s about a lifelong friendship between a crocodile and a boy who becomes, , his zookeeper. So Gus is the crocodile and he is the star of the reptile house. And. Edward goes to the reptile house and he sees Gus.
And not only do they share a bond, but they also share a birthday. So Edward goes to visit Gus often and eventually becomes a zookeeper. Looking after not only all the reptiles, but especially Gus. And over the years, they spent all their birthdays together. And then one day. We’re doesn’t show up for their birthday celebration. So Gus decides to leave the zoo and find him. But don’t worry. Edward is okay. But Gus is determined to make sure he stays that way.
And it’s a celebration of. Having people who care for us and. Showing the different ways that we care for others, especially our friends, whether they be humans or reptiles.
These next two books. Uh, it was a little hesitant to share. , they are both by drew de wall and you know, he is the author of the Kranz books. He has written happy father’s day and happy mother’s day from the Crans. They’re two separate books. , I know sometimes father’s day or mother’s day can be. A difficult holiday to talk about in the classroom because students come from all different types of families. But what I love about these books is they both touch on different ways that we celebrate. The father figures in our life, not necessarily our father, whether we have two fathers or stepfather or a grandfather that steps in as that father figure. And the same thing for the mother’s day book.
But each of the Koreans celebrates those father figures on father’s day or those mother figures. And even if that father figure is their mama, maybe they don’t have a father in their household. And. I really like how drew de Walt shared all of these different ways that we can celebrate those people in our lives. Not just the traditional father role.
So look them over before you share them with your class, but they are definitely more inclusive than many of the traditional father’s day and mother’s day books.
The next book that is being released in February, 2025 is called hope jar. This is written by Deborah Mar Sarah. This is a companion to the books in a jar and out of a jar. In the story, a little bunny and his friends collect their hopes and their dreams for their future in their jars. And they have all sorts of different dreams, such as small ones like learning how to ice skate or visiting a friend. Some of their dreams are really big, like going to the moon, becoming a ballet dancer or a wildlife photographer. And their dreams are so precious that the bunny has placed them in jars for safekeeping. But what happens when a storm comes and destroys their collection of jars? What’s the point of dreaming.
If everything could be lost is what the characters in this book think.
This is an important book that shows perseverance and resilience. It talks about setbacks, loss and grief and shows how with the help of friends and loved ones, we can find the strength to start again. I think these are all important topics to be talked about with your students in your classroom. This might be a good book for the end of the year. As students are coming up with their hopes and their dreams for the years to come.
Next we have Kwesi and Nana Ruby learned to swim. By Cobina, comi. Quest. He doesn’t know how to swim and he discovers that his grandmother doesn’t either. Can they conquer their fear of water together. With the help of the west African legend mammy water. Not sure if I’m pronouncing that correctly.
And what we learned throughout this book is that Nana Ruby tells him that they’re going to call on the strength of Mami water.
This is the sea creature of west African legend, and it will help them conquer their fields fears together.
This is really a touching intergenerational story. The teaches the importance of naming, acknowledging and facing those fears. Which isn’t really an important topic when we’re diving into those SEL skills with students that I think this book will address. It also includes some end notes that include more information on west African cultures. And teaches kids about the history of segregation, of public pools and beaches. In an accessible way.
So definitely a powerful book to add to your collection in your classroom.
I have so many books on my list this month. I feel like some months there, just a few that I want to share with you. And some. I don’t even include all of them because it would just make a really long episode. But we are on, I believe the 11th book of the month. Mr. Norton’s new hat by Huey Lewis Jones.
One Monday morning, horse Norton finds that mouse has made a house in his hat. That’s kind of a surprise, but it’s only the start of a wild week for Mr. Norton.
Each day, he notices that more and more animals have moved in with him from birds and his bicycle basket to squirrels in his shoes. And cat’s curled up in his coat. What will he do when these animals take over his bathroom, his bed, and even his beard. This is a fun, silly book that your students will definitely enjoy.
This next book celebrates the joy of Creole culture, community, and the love of a wonderful grandparent. This book is called soggy like cush, cush. Bye Carly pier. In this book, rain is falling outside. And the ground is soggy and petite. Marie thinks she’s going to have to spend all day in doors. But grand mama takes petite Marie on this unexpected journey around town. Soon they’re having this magical day filled with friends, delicious Creole cooking. Lots of care and kindness. And she discovers that any day can be beautiful, no matter what the weather.
This next book is a book about one of our favorite authors.
This one is called Janie, writes a play. Jane Yoland first grade story. And it’s written by her daughter, Heidi. Stemple. So this book is based on a true story and it takes us back to the beginning of Jane Yoland career. She talks about how she loves to read, write dance, and sing. And so when her teacher announces that her class will perform a play, Jane is thrilled. But there’s just one problem. She feels like the play is boring.
So with the support of her teacher and her classmates, Jane rewrites the play and results in a hit classroom at musical. I think this is such an inspiring story for those. Creative kids in your classroom who just want to share their love of singing and performing, even writing. And it will definitely inspire them to become writers or performers when they grow up.
Now this next one, I think your students are going to get a kick out of it’s called worm mix a sandwich by Brian Farley. This book. The topic might not seem terribly interesting. It is a book about the process of composting. But it is hilarious and engaging because it’s told from the perspective of a little worm who really wants to help. So meet worm.
He might be little, he might not have hands, but he would love to make a sandwich just for you. So to get started, he needs one thing. Garbage. Garbage like apple cores, mushy grapes. Carrot tops, drippy cucumbers. We’re minutes friends like to eat the garbage and then they do what everyone else does. Is they poop? The poop goes in the compost. And that goes into your garden where the vegetables of your sandwich come from. So your students will definitely think this is funny, but we’ll be learning about this important process along the way.
Another new release in February, 2025 is called every Monday.
Mable by Oh one. Now this young girl’s favorite day of the week is Monday. Every Monday, Mabel wakes up early and peaks out her window to make sure she didn’t miss the one thing she’s been looking forward to.
So she drags her chair down the hall, light past her sister passed her mom and dad out the door and weights.
What is she waiting for? According to her, it’s the best thing in the world, but no one else in her family seems to understand. , until they see what’s coming down the street. You’ll have to read it with your students to find out just what makes Monday so magical for Mabel.
Another book that’s being released is the gift of the great Buffalo by Carole Lindstrom.
Now Carolyn’s firm has released many amazing picture books over the past few years. And this one is no exception.
So in this story, she shows readers how life was lived. By indigenous communities and offers the true history of a life on the Prairie.
In this story, a young girl named rose has a family who has traveled a far for the bi-annual Buffalo hunt. The ritual of this haunt has been practiced for generations and each hunt helps the community through the next six months. But in recent years, the Buffalo population has dwindled. And after days on the hunt, there are none to be found. We’ll rose be able to help her family find the herd that will enable them to survive the long winter.
You’ll have to read this book with your class to find out.
Next we have smiling eyes by Linda Sue park.
In this book and enthusiastic little boy. Is.
Going through an ordinary day, that’s filled with joys and surprises of seeing and being seen. He notices all around him, that people are using their eyes. Big eyes, small eyes, eyes that are open wide or shut tight, or even winking. This book full of rhymes, invite students to learn all about these different types of eyes and how great we are to have them.
This next book is another great one for celebrating earth day. This one is called good golden sun by Brendan Wenzel.
This book celebrates all the different ways that the sun helps the world around us. From flowers to insects, to soil, to the people. And how it transforms all of us throughout the day.
So it’s such a neat one and the ways that the sun affects us and how powerful it is. So again, another great book. If we’re celebrating earth day.
And our last new release for February, 2025 that I wanted to share with you is called Ramadan on Rama road, its own recipe, storybook by Rosina. Omar got up.
So throughout this story, we’re going to travel to the houses of Rama road. To see what everyone is cooking for the annual potluck.
And throughout the story, we see all the different ways that the families are celebrating and what they’re creating and the different recipes that they’re making and planning on sharing with the rest of the community.
And so not only is this a wonderful story about the holiday, we also get 25 different recipes. In this book that your students can try out. And.
It also includes end notes that include information about Ramadan. As well as additional recipes from every character’s kitchen in this book. So not only a great. Story, but lots of recipes to include and share with your students as well.
So that was quite the collection of read alouds that you can share that are coming out in February, 2025. And to celebrate the relaunch of this podcast, I’m doing a giveaway. Two winners will receive a $25 gift card to Amazon. To enter. All you need to do is screenshot your favorite episode. I had the screenshot to your Instagram stories and tag me at the colorful apple. The winner will be announced on Valentine’s day, February 14th, 2025. Thank you so much for listening and I can’t wait to check back in with you on the read aloud classroom on Monday morning. Have a great weekend.
