Shannon Miller

Mom Wife. #VanMeter Innovation Director of Tech & Library. #FutureReadyLibs Spokesperson. LJ Mover & Shaker. ISTE Making IT Happen. AASL Leadership Luminary.

We may earn commissions for purchases made via this page

Book Recommendations:

SM

Recommended by Shannon Miller

@Alex_Glade It’s an amazing book filled with awesome resources and stories. 😊 (from X)

Kids everywhere are deciding they can’t wait to become adults to change the world. They’re acting right now to fight hunger and poverty, promote health and human rights, save the environment, and work for peace. Their stories prove that young people can make a difference on a global scale. Like Barbara Lewis’s groundbreaking The Kid’s Guide to Social Action, this book includes real-life stories to inspire young readers, plus a rich and varied menu of opportunities for service, fast facts, hands-on activities, user-friendly tools, and up-to-date resources kids can use to put their own volunteer spirit into practice. It also spotlights young people from the past whose efforts led to significant positive change. Upbeat, practical, and highly motivating, this book has the power to rouse young readers everywhere.

SM

Recommended by Shannon Miller

I love this beautiful new picture book from @SleepingBearBks by @frankmurphy2009 & Kayla Harren ❤️This story is one for everyone as it celebrates all the wonderful ways to be a boy. I can’t wait to share it with our kids at #VanMeter 😊#kidlit #kidlitart #futurereadylibs #tlchat https://t.co/aTTET7jrYi (from X)

A Boy Like You book cover

by Frank Murphy, Kayla Harren·You?

2020 "Rise: A Feminist Book Project Top Ten" winner (ALA) & Winner of the 2019 Eureka! Gold Awards There's more to being a boy than sports, feats of daring, and keeping a stiff upper lip. A Boy Like You encourages every boy to embrace all the things that make him unique, to be brave and ask for help, to tell his own story and listen to the stories of those around him. In an age when boys are expected to fit into a particular mold, this book celebrates all the wonderful ways to be a boy.

SM

Recommended by Shannon Miller

My @briannamcua reading a new @ChronicleBooks book I gave her. I love this sweet story about moms and their kids. ❤️#kidlit #kidlitart #futurereadylibs #tlchat https://t.co/WOCrtffrTp (from X)

A celebration of the bond between mothers and daughters A touching tribute to parenthood that goes straight to the heart: The joy of being a mom is palpable in this touching tribute to parenthood. Whimsical illustrations capture the poignant moments that make motherhood so special: pinning up a daughter's hair, getting messy during playtime, reading quietly side by side, and, above all, cherishing precious moments together. This lovely testament to the inimitable mother/daughter bond will delight parents and children in a celebration of a supremely meaningful relationship. Heartwarming book is a perfect Mother's Day gift, a gift from mother to daughter on her wedding day, or a year-round way of simply saying, "I love you."Bright pops of Pantone coral infuse each illustrated spread and a purple cloth spine adds an irresistible specialness. Miguel Tanco is the author and illustrator of more than 40 books, including You and Me, Me and You—which has been translated into 8 languages. Fans of the You and Me, Me and You series of books and those who want to honor the mother/daughter relationship will love Mom and Me, Me and Mom. Whimsical illustrations perfectly capture the special moments of motherhoodSimple text perfectly articulates the everyday yet extraordinary moments of motherhood Memorable gift to give or receiveDepicts the unique connection between mothers and daughters

SM

Recommended by Shannon Miller

I’m loving “Launch” from the amazing @spencerideas & @_ajjulian 🎉I’m taking a class this month that is based around this @dbc_inc book. It’s focused around design thinking & creativity...perfect for our kids & teachers at @vanmeterschools ❤️#LAUNCHbook #vanmeter #futurereadylibs https://t.co/emjvdnI36L (from X)

Something happens in students when they define themselves as makers and inventors and creators. They discover powerful skills-problem-solving, critical thinking, and imagination-that will help them shape the world's future ... our future. If that's true, why isn't creativity a priority in more schools today? Educators John Spencer and A.J. Juliani know firsthand the challenges teachers face every day: School can be busy. Materials can be scarce. The creative process can seem confusing. Curriculum requirements can feel limiting. Those challenges too often bully creativity, pushing it to the side as an "enrichment activity" that gets put off or squeezed into the tiniest time block. We can do better. We must do better if we're going to prepare students for their future. LAUNCH: Using Design Thinking to Boost Creativity and Bring Out the Maker in Every Student provides a process that can be incorporated into every class at every grade level ... even if you don't consider yourself a "creative teacher." And if you dare to innovate and view creativity as an essential skill, you will empower your students to change the world-starting right now. Look, Listen, and Learn Ask Lots of Questions Understand the Problem or Process Navigate Ideas Create Highlight What's Working and Failing Are you ready to LAUNCH?

SM

Recommended by Shannon Miller

Oh, this looks like an incredible book from @DiscoverKelpies and @ljlittleson 🦄Our readers love unicorns, magical adventures and learning about new places so I know it will be a hit! Check it out, friends. ❤️#futurereadylibs #tlchat #kidlit #vanmeter https://t.co/hJrQPbeNOj (from X)

Away from home at sleepaway camp, Lewis and his best friend Rhona discover that unicorns don't just belong in legends and fairy tales. Real unicorns do exist and they need help! The two friends find themselves caught up in a dangerous adventure to save the world's last herd of wild unicorns. Sneaking out of camp at night, they must track down the captured unicorns, help them escape to safety in the ancient and mysterious forest, and keep them secret so no one can harm them ever again. Fighting against real-life poachers, and harnessing ancient magic, can they rescue the legendary creatures in time?

SM

Recommended by Shannon Miller

New post about one of my favorite new books! Little Sock by Kia Heise and Chris Park....A sweet new picture book from @SleepingBearBks for every reader and library. <3 https://t.co/i4AamXJHz8 #tlchat #futurereadylibs #kidlit #kidlitart #iowatl https://t.co/ZnbSQcxFqG (from X)

Little Sock book cover

by Kia Heise, Christopher D. Park·You?

Little Sock is tired of his routine. Day after day, it's the same old thing. He gets worn, he gets dirty, and he gets washed. Nothing ever changes. The other socks in the drawer don't seem to mind but Little Sock wants something different. He has heard of a place, Sock City, where everything is new and exciting, so one night he makes his escape from his drawer. Will Little Sock reach his destination? And what will he find there?

SM

Recommended by Shannon Miller

It’s here!!!! I am in love with this new @The_Pigeon book, The Pigeon HAS To Go To School! This will be the perfect book to share in our “You’ve Been Book’d” Bags at @vanmeterschools when school starts! ❤️#kidlit #kidlitart #futurereadylibs #tlchat #vanmeter https://t.co/3CDWL3VgNi (from X)

Why does the Pigeon have to go to school? He already knows everything! And what if he doesn't like it? What if the teacher doesn't like him? What if he learns TOO MUCH!?! Ask not for whom the school bell rings; it rings for the Pigeon!

SM

Recommended by Shannon Miller

This is so sweet and what a wonderful book to kick off the first day of school! ❤️🦋I know our readers would love this one at @vanmeterschools 😊 https://t.co/Fm5Md5kYJP (from X)

Butterflies on the First Day of School book cover

by Annie Silvestro, Dream Chen·You?

The first day of school is exciting—but it can be scary, too! Meet Rosie, a brand-new student who just happens to have butterflies in her stomach. “Silvestro and Chen take a common figure of speech and transform it, literally, into a lovely expression of a universal experience.” —Kirkus “A cheering first-day story.” —Publishers Weekly Rosie can’t wait to start kindergarten—she’s had her pencils sharpened and her backpack ready for weeks. But suddenly, on the night before the big day, her tummy hurts. Rosie’s mom reassures her that it’s just butterflies in her belly, and she’ll feel better soon. Much to Rosie’s surprise, when she says hello to a new friend on the bus, a butterfly flies out of her mouth! As the day goes on, Rosie frees all her butterflies, and even helps another shy student let go of hers, too.

SM

Recommended by Shannon Miller

I love this new book and activity to kick off the school year in the fall....Forky In Craft Buddy Day by the amazing @DrewDaywalt https://t.co/EzhW7za3Tb #steam #makerspace #ToyStory4 #futurereadylibs #tlchat #ISTElib #arted https://t.co/9fTp8I8hUJ (from X)

Toy Story 4: Forky in Craft Buddy Day book cover

by Drew Daywalt, Wayne McLaughlin, George McClements, Stéphane Kardos·You?

Featuring stylized illustrations from a Pixar artist and a hilarious story by Drew Daywalt, this picture book will welcome fans into the world of Toy Story 4 through the perspective of a brand-new breakout character.

SM

Recommended by Shannon Miller

Oh, how awesome!!!! We love the Family Is A Superpower book and can’t wait to share these posters with all of our teachers at @vanmeterschools #vanmeter this fall! The perfect addition to our classrooms and school. ❤️❤️❤️ https://t.co/OBhZQe008T (from X)

BATMAN, SUPERMAN, and WONDER WOMAN have many extraordinary abilities, but their greatest superpower of all? Family! In this new addition to the bestselling DC Super Heroes Picture Book series, the diverse family structures of the World’s Greatest Heroes mirror the lives of real-life children and their equally diverse families. Along with bright, bold illustrations and poetically spare text, award-winning author Michael Dahl (Bedtime for Batman, Good Morning, Superman, and Be a Star, Wonder Woman) makes all families—no matter how big or how small—feel SUPER!

SM

Recommended by Shannon Miller

I love this picture book from @MacmillanKids about the creative process of designing and building Frank Lloyd Wright’s, Fallingwater home. It’s beautifully written with amazing illustrations and will leave readers wanting to learn and research even more. ❤️ #kidlit https://t.co/SjndRxh0X9 (from X)

Fallingwater: The Building of Frank Lloyd Wright's Masterpiece book cover

by Marc Harshman, Anna Egan Smucker, LeUyen Pham·You?

In Bear Run, Pennsylvania, a home unlike any other perches atop a waterfall. The water's tune plays differently in each of its sunlight-dappled rooms; the structure itself blends effortlessly into the rock and forest behind it. This is Fallingwater, a masterpiece equally informed by meticulous research and unbounded imagination, designed by the lauded American architect Frank Lloyd Wright. This book guides young readers through Wright's process designing Fallingwater, from his initial inspirations to the home's breathtaking culmination. It is a exploration of a man, of dreams, and of the creative process; a celebration of potential. Graceful prose and rich, dynamic illustrations breathe life into the story of Frank and Fallingwater, a man and home utterly unlike any other. A Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books 2017 Blue Ribbon Book A National Council for the Social Studies Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People

SM

Recommended by Shannon Miller

New post about an awesome new book from @PenguinBooks and how to tie it into @CapstonePub #PebbleGo and augmented reality too! https://t.co/34sglcqXV1 #futurereadylibs #tlchat #iowatl #edchat #elemed #kitlit #vanmeter #ARVRinedu https://t.co/TN1Wn0JzDa (from X)

Dinosaurs find their ideal vehicles in this hilarious, crowd-pleasing read-aloud, perfect for fans of Dragons Love Tacos and Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site. It's the perfect gift for dinosaur lovers and fans of cars, trucks, and all things that go! When a stegosaurus, a pterodactyl, and a triceratops all show up at Uncle Otto's car lot, he doesn't have a clue how to help them. After all, he's never sold a car to a dinosaur before. Luckily, Ava and Mickey--two kids with a lot of dino knowledge--are there to help pair each customer with the perfect vehicle. But here comes the T. Rex, and he wants to buy a car too! And he's surprisingly hard to please... So what kind of car does a T. Rex drive? A microcar? A convertible? A minivan? You'll just have to read to find out! "A delightful blend of dinosaurs with things that go, sure to entertain aficionados of both." --Booklist "Only the extinct would fail to enjoy this kicky amalgamation of dinos, deals, and automobiles." --Kirkus Reviews "Smashed cars, expert kids, dinosaurs! Customer satisfaction guaranteed!" --The Horn Book Magazine

SM

Recommended by Shannon Miller

I love this new picture book from Olympic Medalist @IbtihajMuhammad with @skalibooks and art by @metahatem which comes out September 2019 from @littlebrown It’s such a beautiful story and one I can’t wait to share with our students and teachers at @vanmeterschools ❤️#kidlit https://t.co/v1rj6831n5 (from X)

The Proudest Blue: A Story of Hijab and Family (The Proudest Blue, 1) book cover

by Ibtihaj Muhammad, S. K. Ali, Hatem Aly·You?

THE INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER! A powerful, vibrantly illustrated story about the first day of school--and two sisters on one's first day of hijab--by Olympic medalist and social justice activist Ibtihaj Muhammad. With her new backpack and light-up shoes, Faizah knows the first day of school is going to be special. It's the start of a brand new year and, best of all, it's her older sister Asiya's first day of hijab--a hijab of beautiful blue fabric, like the ocean waving to the sky. But not everyone sees hijab as beautiful, and in the face of hurtful, confusing words, Faizah will find new ways to be strong. Paired with Hatem Aly's beautiful, whimsical art, Olympic medalist Ibtihaj Muhammad and Morris Award finalist S.K. Ali bring readers an uplifting, universal story of new experiences, the unbreakable bond between siblings, and of being proud of who you are. **Discover more of Faizah and Asiya’s stories in The Kindest Red, a story of hijab and friendship; and The Boldest White, a story of hijab and community!