Most Popular Books by Kalli Dakos

In this delicious companion volume to If You’re Not Here, Please Raise Your Hand, thirty-seven poems and miniplays celebrate elementary school life and the funny, poignant, wondrous, and telling moments that can happen only in a classroom.

There is the person who tells the story. This is the storyteller. And there is the person who listens to the story. This is the story friend. As a child treks across the land in search of someone to tell his sad story to, he meets a gruff mountain man who can’t stand unhappy stories, a too busy to be bothered farmer, and finally, the old woman who tells stories herself, who is willing to listen. The act of telling the story leads the child to look at the other side and make what was dark lighter and full of hope and positivity. The true potency of needing to express one’s unhappiness and the power of having someone else listen and help is a strong message for young readers. Like a favorite teacher or mentor, they may not be around forever, just for a short but meaningful time.

The Blue Frog looked at his reflection in the water and asked, “Why am I blue?” The Green Frog didn''t know. Dandelion had no answer. And Fish? No idea either! Being different from one’s peers can be hard. We all want to be part of a group and to be accepted and loved by others. We might struggle with whether to embrace our differences or hide them in order to fit in. In this story, the Blue Frog wonders why he is blue, and not green like other frogs. He feels confused, sad, and different, and seeks to answer the question “why am I blue?” Eventually hearing a simple, but profound explanation, the Blue Frog begins to embrace his blueness and accept being different than his friends. Includes a Note to Parents and Caregivers by Gayle E. Pitman, PhD, that discusses how children experience differences throughout childhood and how adults can guide children toward an understanding and acceptance of differences and similarities they will face throughout life. From the Note to Parents and Caregivers: Some differences can be a source of positive self-esteem for children. They could have qualities that are cool, quirky, and respected by others. For example, if a child is especially talented at something, like art, music, or athletics, they might feel respected by their peers, even though their talent sets them apart to some extent. Moreover, if this quality is nurtured by family members and teachers and through extracurricular activities, these differences can enhance self-esteem in a powerful way. Differences don’t always work that way, though. Some differences involve characteristics like disability, gender identity, or race, qualities that have been used throughout history to justify inequality and mistreatment. If differences aren’t valued by the individual or by society, a few things can happen...

I button my shirt and my coat up too, and I think of the work that buttons do. In this adorable, brightly colored board book, a little girl discovers the magic of buttons. From buttons at home to buttons at school, kids will see buttons in new and fun-loving ways as they learn about the world. And at the end, children will be delighted to find one very special button that all children have and love—their belly buttons! Buttons will inspire little fingers to join in all sorts of new daily activities, but watch out! Because kids love pressing buttons, no matter what the buttons do!

For every student who’s ever worried about spending a lifetime in the third grade and for every teacher who’s faced a class where nobody remembered to bring milk money, these thirty-eight poems capture the excitement, challenge, heartbreak, and wonder of life in elementary school. Through her fresh, lively word pictures, Dakos manages to find surprises in every corner of the school.

Kalli Dakos''s twenty-three playful poems explore the secret lives of school lunches, jungle gyms, pencils, and more! Mike Reed''s comical artwork perfectly brings to life everyday classroom objects. Beginning readers will relish finding out what really goes on at school. 00 Children''s Choices (IRA/CBC)

2012 IRA-CBC Children''s Choices 2012 Children''s Choice Book Award Finalist My teacher''s pretty slick, Has a hundred teaching tricks. Even in the bathroom stalls, She hangs poetry on the walls, And while I''m there all alone I can''t help but read a poem. From "Gross" and "Flushophobic" to "There''s a Sock in the Toilet," these poems will have kids laughing all the way to "The Bathroom Dance!"

Recess in the Dark is a unique collection of poems that offers a new perspective on how students live in the Canadian North, where the sun doesn''t shine for a long part of winter. This anthology, inspired by kids in the Northwest Territories, comprises silly, quirky, mysterious, and reflective poems brought to life by stunning illustrations of Canada’s natural beauty.

Discover a silly, fun, and at times touching collection of school-themed poems for beginner readers. Using simple vocabulary and intuitive rhyme and rhythm, these poems address everything from writing tests to hiding in the bathroom!

In September, when the school principal promises to kiss a pig if the students read 10,000 books, a girl volunteers Hamlet, her unwilling, Shakespeare-quoting pet pig. But poor Hamlet wants nothing to do with such foolishness.

A collection of thirty-two poems celebrating life in school.

Ms Churn''s class makes up silly poems mixing up letters and numbers. Poetry book. 4-7 yrs.

Kalli Dakos, a teacher and popular school poet, lends her verse to celebrate teachers and the important work they do. These poems range from lighthearted glimpses of classroom life to selections that will inspire teachers to share their unique gifts and talents with children. ,,,,Kalli hopes teachers will laugh and cry through these poems, and ultimately be inspired to celebrate the poetic moments in their own classrooms.

Récréation dans le noir est un recueil unique de poèmes qui offre une nouvelle perspective sur la façon dont les élèves vivent dans le Nord canadien accompagnés par des illustrations époustouflantes de la beauté naturelle de notre pays. Partagez la magie de la poésie avec la prochaine génération de jeunes auteurs et auteures.

Put your eyes up here, put your eyes on me! Ms Roys asks for her students'' attention, but she doesn''t really need to. Who can ignore a teacher who wears silly hats and colorful skirts, has a graveyard for used-up pencils, believes in magic and ghosts, and has special eyeballs that let her see the things that make her students unique? In this collection of fun, lively poems by Kalli Dakos, you''ll explore the world of Ms. Roys''s classroom -- and you may not want to go home!

"A selection of poems on mental health topics including emotions, bullying, failure, illness, war, immigration, and goodbyes"--

A collection of poems that reflect the varied, sometimes funny, sometimes serious activities and emotions of the school year.

An exuberant child celebrates being one year older, calling out body parts from head to toe that have grown since their last birthday. When you''re young, every inch grown feels like a huge achievement. You''re not just one year older, you''re one year bigger, too. Spirited rhyming text and active illustrations highlight body parts and share the joy of celebrating a birthday. Written by veteran children''s poet Kalli Dakos and illustrated by Luciana Navarro Powell''s warm and expressive art, Happy Birthday, Belly Button! is a delightful picture book to read with toddlers and preschoolers growing up.

A collection of poems for and about teachers and teaching.

A collection of thirty two poems celebrating life in school.

A collection of thirty-two poems celebrating life in school.

While playing follow-the-leader with Clifford and T-Bone, Cleo learns that playing fair is the best way to play.

When Charley and Emily Elizabeth decide to work the ice cream machine themselves, things go smoothly until the lever gets stuck and they find themselves knee-deep in ice cream.

"Poem about Experimental Farm in Ottawa"--