Mychal Threets, Ross Greene, more... 2 March, 2026
books, literature & art that invite us to live compassionately
Women (3 in a series of 14)
by Joanna Selby, age 6, 2024
Colored pencil on paper
No genre of humanity is better at paying attention than kids. Their artwork is captivating—marked by honesty, moodiness, humor, and a knack for unexpected details and surprising themes. Artists like Judith Raphael place children — especially girls — in roles that reference identity and agency, reimagining children with strength, presence, and depth rather than primarily passive innocence. Children see the world with a beauty and perceptiveness that invites us to slow down and learn. How we care for and nurture the children in our communities truly matters.
The Kids Who Aren’t Okay: The Urgent Case for Reimagining Support, Belonging, and Hope in Schools by Ross W. Greene
From a New York Times bestselling authority on education and children’s mental health comes a groundbreaking guide to navigating classroom challenges through an approach that is aimed at meeting kids where they’re at and being responsive to the developmental variability inherent in every classroom.
[LISTEN to a conversation with the author about this book]
Mychal Threets is an American librarian, author, and advocate known around the world for spreading “library joy” — positivity, literacy advocacy, and mental health empowerment. With millions of followers on social media and a growing presence on PBS (including hosting a Reading Rainbow reboot), Mychal uses stories from the library and heartfelt messages to remind people that you belong. Follow him on Instagram: Book Joy Talks with Mychal
[Check out the Reading Rainbow reboot here.]
[ READ an interview with the author of this book ]
The End of Education: Redefining the Value of School by Neil Postman ***Only $4.99***
[Buy Now]
Bonus Poem!
I recently came across this poem from 2018, words from my 3 year old that I transcribed as she drew one of her favorite joys: the night sky. (I didn’t have easy access to the photo that goes along with it. I’ll let your imagination suffice.)
A fuuuuuuuuull full moon and a star
This is a little booboo.
These are called rains,
little drops of rain.
These are called some little stars.
I see the stars in the night,
a bright bright star.
A little bubble star.
Here’s a Jupiter star and Mars.
This is called the Venus.
Love this with my whole heart. I wasn't familiar with Judith Raphael--beautiful.
Emily Saw a Door is one of the best picture books I've read in awhile. I love it.