Our Projects

Welcome! The grade levels and ages listed here are estimates, simply meant to guide you. You know your kids and students best—every reader grows at their own pace. Many books are wonderfully universal and work well across multiple age groups, and some titles remain a perfect fit for readers who may still be developing their skills, especially with a bit of guidance or support. And remember: nonfiction picture books can be powerful tools at any age—even in high school—as supplements, mentor texts, or just great stories worth encountering. Thank you for sharing books with young people, embracing beautifully diverse stories, and keeping the magic of reading alive.

Feel free to use and share any of the educator materials provided here—just kindly credit Room 228, and please note that none of our resources are permitted for resale. Read away!

Educator Guide for Brenda Faatz’s & Peter Trimarco’s Now What?

Now What? It’s the essential question for all kids when they are having a play-filled day moving at warp speed from one activity to another. The latest Lizzy adventure includes this classic dilemma, and Lizzy and company’s approach does not disappoint. Her creativity and out of the box thinking fills her day with fun, adventure, and creative problem solving. This treasure trove of activities dips into the arts, critical thinking, and problem solving. Each activity helps readers interact with the book on a deeper level. Jump into the day with Lizzy’s crew and enjoy!

Download

Author’s Guide: Jacqueline Woodson

Woodson’s mastery of examining sophisticated topics through age-appropriate story-telling is inspiring. This author study guides educators through many of Woodson’s chosen techniques so students can analyze, evaluate and practice them in their own reading and writing.

Download

Educator Guide for Kevin Hart’s Marcus Makes a Movie

This was a ridiculously fun educator guide to work on! Kevin Hart’s middle grade book is so funny and has so much heart (pun totally, absolutely intended). It’s gut bending and warm at the same time. This educator guide celebrates creativity and allows for ample opportunity for the young people in your classroom or in your life to shine. Check out the step-by-step movie-making adventure!

Download

Educational Bundle for It Was Supposed to Be Sunny by Samantha Cotterill

It Was Supposed to Be Sunny is a gentle story that provides a wonderful opportunity to help children identify feelings, navigate unexpected changes, and learn coping strategies. While not explicitly stated, like Samantha Cotterill’s other Little Senses books, the story touches on neurodiversity and aims to develop empathy in all who read it. This educational bundle of materials is designed for all learners: kinesthetic, visual, auditory, and tactile. Use it to support children and families across a variety of settings in their quest to understand emotions and navigate change.

Download

It’s Just So…Book Series by Brenda Faatz and Peter Trimarco

This educator (and parent!) guide includes a variety of hands-on, creative, and fun ways to interact with the It’s Just So… picture book series written and illustrated by Brenda Faatz and Peter Trimarco. The interdisciplinary activities in this guide welcome and encourage all styles of learners to explore the concepts in the specific titles and in the series as a whole while also offering virtual learning adaptations (Virtual Boosts) and suggestions for reaching learners of a variety of ages (Enrichment Extras). Theater, dance, art, writing, and other experiential activities abound! The protagonist of this series, Lizzy, is imaginative, expressive, relatable, and oh so lovable.

Download