The Teachers I Loved Best

By Emanuel Berger | May 10 2023 | Blog

Educator and acclaimed poet Taylor Mali honors the magic of teachers and mentors in this joyful, energetic, uplifting gift book.

Easy teachers who gave easy tests are not the teachers I loved the best….

Perfect for Teacher Appreciation Week and graduation, here is an inspirational, rhyming picture-book ode to the extra-special teachers we remember all those years later.

Children will love seeing themselves and their favorite teachers in scenes bursting with positivity, highlighting not just academics but sports, drama, art, music, and community. And teachers will appreciate seeing their honored profession depicted with love and gratitude.

With gorgeous and whimsical illustrations by Erica Root, here is a book that celebrates the commitment and diversity of the special people who mentor, lead, and inspire our children.

Enjoy this Teacher Appreciation Week Activity Sheet

 

TAYLOR MALI is a poet, an educator, a four-time National Poetry Slam champion, a TED “Best of the Web” speaker, and the author of What Teachers Make: In Praise of the Greatest Job in the World and the children’s book The Teachers I Loved Best. He spent nine years in the classroom and now performs and lectures for teachers around the world, helping them share a love of poetry with their students. He has performed or taught poetry in forty-two countries and in every state of the U.S. (except Wyoming!). Taylor is the former president of Poetry Slam, Inc., the nonprofit organization that oversees all poetry slams in North America. Learn more about Taylor’s work at taylormali.com, and follow him on Twitter at @TaylorMali and on Instagram at @taylor_mali.

ERICA ROOT is a Philadelphia-based artist and designer. Learn more about her work at ericaroot.com, and follow her on Instagram at @illustrate_this_life.

 

9780593565230
Educator and acclaimed poet Taylor Mali honors the magic of teachers and mentors in this joyful, energetic, uplifting gift book.
$18.99 US
Mar 07, 2023
11 x 9
Hardcover
32 Pages
Doubleday Books for Young Readers
Age 3-7 years

9780525581130
Winner of the 2021 Ezra Jack Keats New Writer Award! In this moving story that celebrates cultural diversity, a shy girl brings her West African grandmother--whose face bears traditional tribal markings--to meet her classmates. This is a perfect read for back to school!
$18.99 US
Jun 16, 2020
10-1/2 x 10-1/2
Hardcover
40 Pages
Anne Schwartz Books
Age 4-8 years

9781524770846
This fun role-reversal picture book will help reluctant students get excited to go back to school!
$17.99 US
Jul 16, 2019
8-1/2 x 11
Hardcover
40 Pages
Random House Books for Young Readers
Age 3-7 years

9780593425428
A heartwarming picture book about a Chinese-American girl who grows to appreciate the traditional dishes her parents prepare for her and finds a way to share her lunch with her classmates.
$18.99 US
Feb 07, 2023
11 x 9
Hardcover
40 Pages
Knopf Books for Young Readers
Age 3-7 years

9780593305669
It's the first day of school and Little Tortoise is worried. Can she get there on time?
$17.99 US
Jul 19, 2022
10 x 9
Hardcover
40 Pages
Random House Studio
Age 3-7 years

A Teacher Appreciation Gift
9780375868450
In a poignant and heartfelt letter, an exuberant former student who had difficulty reading reminisces about her ever-patient second grade teacher.
$18.99 US
Apr 04, 2017
11 x 9
Hardcover
40 Pages
Schwartz & Wade
Age 4-8 years

Where Kindness Matters Every Day
9780593484623
Written by kindergarten teacher and Instagram influencer affectionately known as the Tutu Teacher, comes a picture book about a class that creates a kindness pledge to ensure that their class is the kindest it can possibly be.
$18.99 US
Jun 21, 2022
11 x 10
Hardcover
40 Pages
Random House Studio
Age 4-8 years

9780593434901
It's back to school with Kristen Bell and Benjamin Hart! Learn how to paint your school purple with this follow-up to the #1 New York Times bestseller The World Needs More Purple People.
$18.99 US
Jun 21, 2022
10 x 10
Hardcover
40 Pages
Random House Books for Young Readers
Age 3-7 years

9781524765590
Wouldn't it be fun to bring your pet to school? Now imagine if EVERYONE brought their pet to school! That's exactly what happens in this hilarious picture book! A lighthearted, perfect read for back to school--no matter what that looks like!
$17.99 US
Jul 02, 2019
10 x 10
Hardcover
40 Pages
Random House Books for Young Readers
Age 3-7 years