JoEllen McCarthy’s Bookshelf

We can make our read-alouds do double— even triple—work, inspiring lessons in reading, writing and life. When we layer our academic and affective standards, books can plant the seeds for conversations that grow over time. Such powerful picture books can become our co-teachers for literacy and life lessons, and as “Heartprint books” they can have the potential to leave footprints on our hearts and lasting impressions on our learning communities.  The following selection includes books that invite conversations to nurture caring learning communities, opening hearts and minds with stories that affirm who we are and who we may become. Consider texts and the ways sharing stories can promote a love of oneself, a love of learning, and reflect limitless possibilities for both!

Please enjoy a special discount of 15% off the titles of your choice using the code JoEllen15.

Listen by Gabi Snyder

Walk in the Words by Hudson Talbott

Layla's Happiness by Mariahadessa Ekere Tallie

Girl Like Me by Angela Johnson

I Can Write the World by Joshunda Sanders

Beautifully Me by Nabela Noor

Keeper of Wild Words by Brooke Smith

All We Need by Kathy Wolff

Be Strong (Be Kind #2) by Pat Zietlow Miller

What I Am by Divya Srinivasan

Plenty of Hugs by Fran Manushkin

Who Will You Be? by Andrea Pippins

Why Do We Cry? by Fran Pintadera

Mi Casa Is My Home (English With Some Spanish) by Laurenne Sala

House for Every Bird by Megan Maynor

JoEllen McCarthy is a lifelong learner, educator, and literacy specialist who spends her days teaching and learning alongside students, teachers, and administrators. As a literacy consultant and a Book Ambassador for The Educator Collaborative JoEllen always connects her work to powerful picture books that honor the lived experiences of all children. She champions the power of read alouds and explores her vision for this work for teachers, families, and students in the book, Layers of Learning: Using Read Alouds to Connect Literacy and Caring Conversations.