Lovely Read Alouds for the Month of February

February is one of my favorite months of the year. We celebrate Groundhog's Day, Valentine's Day, President's Day, and Black History Month. Here are a few of my favorite books that I love to read aloud to my students during this month.

1. Groundhog Day! by Gail Gibbons

Summary: Every year on February 2nd, people all across America watch groundhogs come out of their burrows-- especially in the town of Punxsutawney-- trying to figure out if the weather will stay cold, or begin to warm up. In Groundhog Day!, children's nonfiction master Gail Gibbons delves into the history behind this unusual holiday and examines the ancient traditions that evolved into our modern holiday.

2. Groundhogs Day Off by Robb Pearlman

Summary: Every year, people ask Groundhog the same, boring old question. Is spring around the corner? Or are we doomed to more winter? Sure, they care about his shadow, but what about him and his interests? He’s had enough! Groundhog packs his bags and sets out for a much-needed vacation. Now the town is holding auditions to find someone to fill his spot. None of the animals seem right for the job, though. Not Elephant, not Ostrich, and most certainly not Puppy. No one has Groundhog’s flair for the dramatic, but is it too late to woo him back into the spotlight?

3. Love is My Favorite Thing by Emma Chichester Clark

Summary:

Plum has lots of favorite things—catching sticks, her bear, her bed—but really, LOVE is her absolute favorite thing. She loves her family and all the things they do together. Sometimes, Plum’s exuberance causes trouble, and she just can’t help being naughty. But fortunately, love is such a great thing that Plum’s family still adores her even when she makes mistakes.

4. Love is by Diane Adams

Summary:

This beautifully illustrated book tells the heartwarming story of a little girl and a duckling, who both grow to understand what it means to care for each other as they learn that love is as much about letting go as it is about holding on. A little girl finds a duckling who has wandered away from the park onto the city streets and takes it home to care for it. The baby duck requires constant attention—early morning feedings, bathing, and tidying—until the time comes to say goodbye. When her pet has grown too big for the bath, the girl takes the full-grown duck back to the pond. Afterward, she misses it and wonders if it remembers her. One day, the duck comes back—with six ducklings of her own.

5. Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch by Eileen Spinelli

Summary: Mr. Hatch leads a lonely life until one Valentine's Day when the postman delivers a huge, heart-shaped box of candy with a card reading "Somebody loves you." Knowing he has a secret admirer gives Mr. Hatch a bright new perspective on life -- until it turns out there's been a terrible mistake. But Mr. Hatch's new friends rally to show him that a lot of somebodies love him.

I Am Book Series by Brad Meltzer

We can all be heroes. That’s the inspiring message of this lively, collectible picture book biography series from New York Times bestselling author Brad Meltzer. Each book tells the story of one of America’s icons in an entertaining, conversational way that works well for the youngest nonfiction readers, those who aren’t quite ready for the Who Was series. Each book focuses on a particular character trait that made that role model heroic. For example, Abraham Lincoln always spoke up about fairness, and thus he led the country to abolish slavery. This book follows him from childhood to the presidency, including the Civil War and his legendary Gettysburg Address. This engaging series is the perfect way to bring American history to life for young children and to inspire them to strive and dream.

6. I am Abraham Lincoln

7. I am George Washington

8. I am Rosa Parks

9. Ruby Bridges Goes to School: My True Story by Ruby Bridges

Summary: The extraordinary true story of Ruby Bridges, the first Black child to integrate a New Orleans school -- now with simple text for young readers! In 1960, six-year-old Ruby Bridges walked through an angry crowd and into a school, changing history. This is the true story of an extraordinary little girl who became the first Black person to attend an all-white elementary school in New Orleans. With simple text and historical photographs, this easy reader explores an amazing moment in history and celebrates the courage of a young girl who stayed strong in the face of racism.

10. The Story of Ruby Bridges by Robert Coles

Summary: The inspirational true story of Ruby Bridges. The year is 1960, and six-year-old Ruby Bridges and her family have recently moved from Mississippi to New Orleans in search of a better life. When a judge orders Ruby to attend first grade at William Frantz Elementary, an all-white school, Ruby must face angry mobs of parents who refuse to send their children to school with her. Told with Robert Coles' powerful narrative and dramatically illustrated by George Ford, Ruby's story of courage, faith, and hope continues to resonate more than 60 years later.

Hope you enjoy sharing these books with your class!