June Picture Book Recommendations

Do you know that I also run a music page all about picture books? Read this post and then head on over to @musicroomreads on instagram and give us a follow. I run this page alongside the wonderful Alessandra @teachfromthestage ! We started this page because we both have a passion for picture books and between our two collections, we have so much to share!

This is the first time we have put together a monthly calendar with book recommendations and we are loving it! For the month of June, we are putting a spotlight on Pride and Indigenous People, as well as highlighting some important holidays that happen throughout the month. Each of these books are great to use in the music room and easily can be incorporated into your lessons! Below is a list of dates, the names of the books and links to each of them!

June 1: My Heart Fills With Happiness by Monique Gray Smith

June 2: All Are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold

June 3: All You Need Is Love by John Lennon and Paul McCartney

June 4: Music All Around by Gema Sirvent

June 5: Ada’s Violin by Susan Hood

June 6: Soldier Song by Debbie Levy

June 7: LPBD Prince by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara

June 8: Nibi’s Water Song by Sunshine Tenasco

June 9: Pride In: The Arts by Emilie Dufresne

June 10: One Love by Cedella Marley

June 11: LPBD: David Bowie by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara

June 12: Pan de Sal Saves the Day by Norma Olizon-Chikiamco

June 13: The Story Orchestra: The Four Seasons by Jessica Courtney-Tickle

June 14: Peace Train by Cat Stevens

June 15: LPBD: Rupaul by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara

June 16: The Story of Rap by Lindsey Sagar

June 17: Playing From The Heart by Peter Reynolds

June 18: Freedom, We Sing by Amyra Leon

June 19: Sing A Song by Kelly Starling Lyons

June 20: Of Thee I Sing by Barack Obama

June 21: Jingle Dancer by Cynthia Leitich Smith

June 22: Play This Book by Jessica Young

June 23: The Girl Who Heard Colors by Marie Harris

June 24: I Am Yoga by Susan Verde

June 25: We Are The Beatles by Zoe Tucker

June 26: LPBD: John Lennon by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara

June 27: Moses Goes To A Concert by Isaac Millman

June 28: LPBD: Elton John by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara

June 29: Because by Mo Williams

June 30: We Will Rock Our Classmates by Ryan T. Higgins

*these are not affiliate links

Curious about what our favourites are from this month?

One of this month's spotlights is on Pride. Pride Spotlight is a time to celebrate and educate those about the LGBTQ+ community. There are many ways you can incorporate Pride Spotlight into your lessons and specifically in the music room. These Little People Big Dreams books are a great place to start with your Pride Spotlight! They currently have 10 musician stories available and for this spotlight, you can share with your students the stories of Elton John, David Bowie and Rupaul. Their stories along with others are really important for us to be sharing with our students.

June is National Indigenous History month, and June 21st is National Indigenous Peoples Day in Canada. During this month and on June 21st, we celebrate, recognize and honour the heritage, cultures and valuable contributions by First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples.

This story “The Song Within My Heart”, written by Métis author David Bouchard and illustrated by renowned Cree painter Allen Sapp, delivers a beautiful story of a young First Nations boy preparing for his first pow wow. Through the inspiring text and stunning artwork, the story describes a young boy’s Nokum (his beloved grandmother) guiding him through the exciting day.