Myself & Others Book Two Read-Aloud Set

Wee Gillis by Munro Leaf is a Caldecott Honor book that tells the story of a young Scottish boy who must decide whether to be a Highlander who stalks stags or a Lowlander who raises long-haired cows. Wee Gillis spends a year in the Lowlands learning how to call the cows, and his lungs get very strong. Then, he spends a year in the Highlands learning how to hold his breath so as not to frighten the stags. This makes his lungs even stronger! When the time comes for Wee Gillis to choose whether to be a Highlander or a Lowlander he chooses to be a bagpiper instead and uses his powerful lungs to make music with the biggest bagpipes in Scotland.

In Emily by Michael Bedard, a young girl lives in the house across the street from Emily Dickinson and her sister. The reclusive woman is a mystery to everyone in the town, and she is often called "the Myth." One day, the girl's mother is invited to play piano at the yellow house where the Dickinson sisters live, and the young girl is invited to come along. The girl slips away up the stairs and gives a gift to Emily who writes her a poem in return. A copy of this authentic poem is included in the book.

From the publisher: "King of the barnyard, Chanticleer struts about all day. When a fox bursts into his domain, dupes him into crowing, and then grabs him in a viselike grip, Chanticleer must do some quick thinking to save himself and his barnyard kingdom."

In Blaze and the Forest Fire, Billy and his pony Blaze are riding through the green woods one day when they notice a small flame in the brush quickly spreading to become a raging forest fire. Billy and Blaze race to warn the countryside. They jump high walls, leap over brooks, and plunge over barbed wire fences. Together, Billy and Blaze are able to warn the local farmers of the danger in time to put out the fire. Billy and Blaze are celebrated as heroes and rewarded for their bravery!

From the publisher:

Everyone gets angry, so it’s never too early for children to learn to recognize feelings of anger, express them, and build skills for coping with anger in helpful, appropriate ways. Children learn that it is okay to feel angry—but not okay to hurt anyone with actions or words. They discover concrete social skills for anger management: self-calming, thinking, getting help from a trusted person, talking and listening, apologizing, being patient, and viewing others positively. Reassuring and supportive, the book helps preschool and primary children see that when they cool down and work through anger, they can feel peaceful again.

Presented in a social story format, the book includes a special section for adults, with discussion questions, games, activities, and tips that reinforce improving social skills. For all homes, childcare settings, and primary classrooms as well as special education, including settings with children on the autism spectrum.

Lucy's Summer by Donald Hall tells the story of Lucy and Caroline who live on a farm with their parents. Through the summer, the girls help their mother can, watch her make hats for the ladies in town, and see exciting new things. Lucy even has the chance to visit Boston with her mother. The unique illustrations by Michael McCurdy evoke the sense of simpler times and perfectly capture the beauty of New England Americana.

The 1967 Caldecott Medal book, Sam, Bangs & Moonshine, tells the story of a fisherman's daughter named Samantha but called "Sam" who loves making things up. Her favorite story to tell is that she has a baby kangaroo, but her father tells her these stories are just "moonshine." When Sam's stories nearly end in disaster for her friend Thomas and her cat Bangs, Sam has to learn what moonshine is good moonshine, and when it's better to stick to what's real.

From the publisher:

Empathy is key to positive, healthy relationships. In clear, child-friendly words and illustrations, this book helps children understand that other people have feelings like theirs—and different from theirs. It guides children to show they care by listening to others and respecting their feelings. Includes questions to discuss and empathy games to play.

The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams tells the story of the velveteen rabbit who is given to a little boy at Christmas. The little rabbit lives in the nursery and is teased by the mechanical toys, but he learns from the Skin Horse what it means to be Real. The horse explains that a toy becomes Real when it is really truly loved by a child. When the boy's nurse gives him the rabbit to sleep with, the rabbit comes to love the boy, and the boy tells the rabbit he is real. However, when the boy becomes very sick with scarlet fever, the grownups must burn all of the boy's toys, including the rabbit. As he lies in a rubbish heap waiting, the nursery magic fairy appears and turns the velveteen rabbit into a truly Real Rabbit, just like he always wanted.