1 . Our brains process information differently: It's a good idea to talk to your children about the ways our minds function. Here are some picture books that teach children about neurodiversity(神经多样性).
My Brain is Magic: A Sensory Seeking Celebration
Prasha Sooful(Author), Geeta Ladi(Illustrator) Age: 5-9
A sensory-seeking child describes and celebrates their wonderful life in this book that highlights sensory processing and neurodiversity in a positive way for children to enjoy. Through the power of magic and imagination, different animals and insects represent sensory scenarios. The book includes a note for parents to help make sure their children's sensory needs are met.
Some Brains: A Book Celebrating Neurodiversity
Nelly Thomas(Author), Cat McInnes(Illustrator) Age: 4-8
Let's celebrate neurodiversity! This book does just that. Some Brains encourages readers to examine the strength and power of having a wonderfully unique brain! Additionally, MeInnes filled the pages with vividly inclusive illustrations so that children actually see the beauty of our diverse world.
Too Sticky: Sensory Issues With Autism(自闭症)
Jen Malia(Author), Joanne Lew-Vriethoff(Illustrator) Age: 4-8
Although Holly loves science experiments, she's unsure how she'll feel about making slime(烂泥) because it is sticky! Holly's family and teacher help her find accommodations, and she learns that slime isn't so bad after all. What's great about this book is that the author is a neurodivergent parent of three neurodivergent children, making this an essential "own voices" story to add to your collection.
Brilliant Bea
Shaina Rudolph and Mary Vukadinovich(Authors), Fiona Lee(Illustrator) Age: 4-8
Beatrice uses a tape recorder to tell stories because she can speak her words and say them back. She is dyslexic(读写障碍) and shows her classmates how using a tape recorder helps her learn and keep stories. Brilliant Bea is set in EasyReading, a dyslexia-friendly font.
1. Which book explores the idea of neurodiversity through a sensory seeking child's perspective?| A．Brilliant Bea |
| B．Too Sticky: Sensory Issues With Autism |
| C．Some Brains: A Book Celebrating Neurodiversity |
| D．My Brain is Magic: A Sensory Seeking Celebration |
| A．Ways to deal with different brain conditions. |
| B．The differences between normal brains and unique brains. |
| C．The importance of accepting neurodiversity. |
| D．Techniques for understanding the complexity of the brain. |
| A．Their main characters have a love for science. |
| B．They focus on kids with disabilities. |
| C．They emphasize the power of imagination. |
| D．They tell stories about celebrating neurodiversity. |
2 . “Why does grandpa have ear hair?” Just a few years ago my child was so curious to know “why” and “how” that we had to cut off her questions five minutes before bedtime. Now a soon-to-be fourth grader, she says that she dislikes school because “it’s not fun to learn.” I am shocked. As a scientist and parent, I have done all to promote a love of learning in my children. Where did I go wrong?
My child’s experience is not unique. Psychologist Susan Engel notes that curiosity — defined as “spontaneous (自发的) investigation and eagerness for new information” — drops greatly in children by the fourth grade.
In Wonder: Childhood and the Lifelong Love of Science, Yale psychologist Frank C. Keil details the development of wonder — a spontaneous passion to explore, discover, and understand. He takes us on a journey from its early development, when wonder drives common sense and scientific reasoning, through the drop-off in wonder that often occurs, to the trap of life in a society that denies wonder.
As Keil notes, children are rich in wonder while they are rapidly developing causal mechanisms (因果机制) in the preschool and early elementary school years. They are sensitive to the others’ knowledge and goals, and they expertly use their desire for questioning. Children’s questions, particularly those about “why” and “how,” support the development of causal mechanisms which can be used to help their day-to-day reasoning.
Unfortunately, as Keil notes, “adults greatly underestimate (低估) young children’s causal mechanisms.” In the book, Wonder, Keil shows that we can support children’s ongoing wonder by playing games with them as partners, encouraging question-asking, and focusing on their abilities to reason and conclude.
A decline in wonder is not unavoidable. Keil reminds us that we can accept wonder as a positive quality that exists in everyone. I value wonder deeply, and Wonder has given me hope by suggesting a future for my children that will remain wonder-full.
1. How does the author introduce the topic of the passage in paragraph 1?| A．By listing some statistics. | B．By presenting an explanation. |
| C．By making some comparison. | D．By asking some questions. |
| A．They annoy their parents too often. |
| B．They ask too many strange questions. |
| C．Their desire for fun disappears quickly. |
| D．Their desire to learn weakens sharply. |
| A．They control children’s sensitivity. |
| B．They slightly change in early childhood. |
| C．They hardly support children’s reasoning. |
| D．They develop by children’s questioning. |
| A．A news report. | B．A book review. |
| C．A research paper. | D．A children’s story. |
3 . Bill Gates isn’t doing much light reading this summer. For his annual list of reading recommendations for the season, he’s picked four books that you can really sink into on vacation.
Upheaval, Jared Diamond
Diamond examines how people react to the different crises in their lives. Specifically, he looks at how six countries responded to big challenges, and learned how to adapt in the face of adversity. Gates writes. “I finished the book even more optimistic about our ability to solve problems than I started.”
Nine Pints, Rose George
Gates glowingly recommends this deep dive into what you ever wanted to know about the stuff in your veins (静脉). He thinks everyone should know more about this topic. “There is nothing that more people have in common than blood,” he writes.
A Gentleman in Moscow, Amor Towles
It’s 1922 and Alexander Rostov has been sentenced to spend the rest of his life under house arrest in a Moscow hotel. Even though this book is sure to please anyone who is interested in learning more about Russia, Towles goes beyond just politics in his best-seller. “The book is technically fiction,” Gates writes.
Presidents of War, Michael Beschloss
Beschloss studies how presidents dealt with nine different US conflicts from the War of 1812 to the Vietnam War, and makes critical connections about their decisions and power as leaders. “It is hard to read about today’s conflicts without thinking about how they might connect to the past,” Gates writes.
1. Which book would most appeal to those interested in serious politics?| A．Upheaval. | B．Nine Pints. |
| C．Presidents of War. | D．A Gentleman in Moscow. |
| A．Tricks of diving. | B．Illustrations of blood cells. |
| C．A thorough study of blood. | D．A glimpse of blood function. |
| A．It’s impossible to solve all the problems. | B．It’s critical to make far-sighted decisions. |
| C．It’s difficult to understand today’s conflicts. | D．It’s necessary to connect the present to the past. |
4 . 4 Poetry Collections to Read and Enjoy
In honor of National Poetry Month, celebrated every April, we’re sharing a roundup of poetry collections that have been published within the last year.
Black Girl You Are AtlasBy Renee Watson,
illustrated by Ekua Holmes
Renee Watson, the best-selling author of Ways to Make Sunshine, draws from her childhood for some of these poems, which include haiku and free verse. The subjects range from racial injustice to self-love. The artwork is spectacular.
Ages 12 and up
In and Out the Window
By Jane Volen,
illustrated by Cathrin Peterslund
In addition to being the author of more than 350 novels, Jane Yolen is an esteemed poet. This new collection includes more than 100 of her works on popular childhood topics including school, animals, and sports. One title: “On My Toes: A True Story. ”
Ages 8-12
Poetry Comics
By Grant Snider
illustrated by Leo Dawson
The dozens of short poems in this collection are written and illustrated in comic panels. The book contains four chapters—one for each season of the year. Titles for the spring poems include “Bubbles,” “Balloon Story,” and “Tadpole.” The subjects for the poems feel fresh and fun.
Ages 8-12
She’ll Be the Sky
By Ela Risbridger,
illustrated by Anna Shepeta
Dozens of female poets, including Amanda Gorman, contributed to this collection. Topics range from animals to activism. Most poems are accompanied by a full-page color illustration.
Ages 8 and up
1. Which book is tailored for readers who are over 12 years old?
| A．Poetry Comics. | B．She’ll Be the Sky. |
| C．In and Out the Window. | D．Black Girl You Are Atlas. |
| A．Animals and activism. | B．Four seasons of the year. |
| C．Popular childhood topics. | D．Racial injustice and self-love. |
| A．To fascinate poetry-goers. | B．To advertise 4 poetry collections. |
| C．To celebrate National Poetry Month. | D．To comment on 4 poetry collections. |
5 . Environmental Books For Kids
City Green, by DyAnne DiSalvo-Ryan (1994)It is a great book on how anyone can take action and make a difference. In it, Marcy, a young girl, wants to plant a garden in the vacant lot(空地) of her city block. The book describes every step of building a community garden for everyone to share. It comes with a handy guide on how you can start your own community garden!
Kate, Who Tamed the Wind, by Liz Garton Scanlon (2018)This book is a wonderful story of problem-solving and perseverance (坚持不懈), as it tells the story of a young girl who decides to stop the wild wind from blowing by planting trees. It is a great read explaining the important role of trees in our lives and the planet as well as the importance of nature-based solutions.
We Are Water Protectors, by Carole Lindstrom (2020)If you want to learn more about native people and the importance of protecting water, this is the book for you. It is a story of a young girl who stands up for environmental justice (正义) and becomes an activist who fights to protect the world from pollution.
Pangolina, by Jane Goodall (2021)A pangolin is to be unlawfully sold at the market. Luckily for her, a little girl, who knows that pangolins are friendly animals with feelings just like humans, asks her mother to buy Pangolina and set her free. If you love animals and you want to learn more about the problems of wildlife traffic as well as the importance of protecting endangered animals, this wonderful book is a good choice.
1. Which book would you recommend to someone interested in gardening?| A．City Green. | B．Pangolina. |
| C．We Are Water Protectors. | D．Kate, Who Tamed the Wind. |
| A．In 1994 | B．In 2018. | C．In 2020. | D．In 2021. |
| A．DyAnne DiSalvo-Ryan. | B．Liz Garton Scanlon. |
| C．Carole Lindstrom. | D．Jane Goodall. |
6 . It’s no secret that reading good news feels a lot better than reading bad news. Like, would you rather bite into a lemon, or sip on a fresh glass of lemonade?
In fact, good news, known as solutions journalism, is becoming more popular, as publishers and news stations discover the benefits of sharing positive stories. Good Good Good is one of them.
“If it bleeds, it leads.” has long been a saying used in the media to describe how news stories about violence, death and destruction draw readers’ attention.
| A．Share good news with people around you. |
| B．It’s just that we don’t hear as much about them. |
| C．But the “bad news” has its place in the world. |
| D．It provides a more balanced view of the world. |
| E．And so, negative news stories are everywhere on news media. |
| F．Heartwarming stories make you cry and feel good. |
| G．The news media company is devoted to providing good news intentionally. |
7 . “Hello. You are you and I am I. We are people, also known as humans. This makes us different from most of the things on Earth.” This fairly straightforward observation is the opening spread of Like, written by Annie Barrows. It establishes a somewhat odd yet matter-of-fact tone with a young boy addressing the reader.
Matters get more quizzical-or philosophical (哲学意义的), if you prefer—on the following spread, which carefully thinks about the ways in which people are different from one specific thing on Earth, “We are not at all like tin cans. We are not shaped like tin cans. We cannot hold tomato sauce like tin cans. If you open up our lids, nothing good happens. We are not at all like tin cans.” The target audience will no doubt be amused, as was I, and perhaps reassured.
Like next matches people with the swimming pools, “We are a little bit more like a swimming pool than a tin can. We have water and chemicals and dirt inside us. But unlike a swimming pool we don’t have people splashing around inside us.” Mushrooms, we learn, differ from tin cans and swimming pools by being alive, and by growing and reproducing-human traits, too! Mushrooms, however, don’t have mouths and brains. But wait: Hyenas have all that. They run around really fast, like we do... But hyenas don’t say words. They don’t tell stories. They don’t get embarrassed, even when they’re caught eating something off the ground.
Where to go from there? “Look at all these people, the text exclaims over the illustration full of people of seemingly every size, shape, color, age and means of mobility. They are not exactly like us. But they are more like us than they are different.”
“I am more like you than I am like most of the things on Earth, the narrator concludes. I’m glad. I’d rather be like you than a mushroom-an appealing and inarguable understanding.”
1. What does the underlined word “quizzical” mean in the second paragraph?| A．Definite. | B．Consistent. | C．Unusual. | D．Ambiguous. |
| A．Hyenas. | B．Tin cans. | C．Mushrooms. | D．Swimming pools. |
| A．By describing in details. | B．By making comparisons. |
| C．By analyzing causes and effects. | D．By presenting problems and solutions. |
| A．An animal encyclopedia. | B．A story entry. |
| C．A philosophical textbook. | D．A book review. |
8 . As we close out the final days of this year, treat yourself to a deliciously distracting new book —a book that you can dip into and out of throughout the holidays. Read up, rest up, and enjoy yourself.
Yoga for Pregnancy, Birth and beyond
A must-have guide for yoga-loving mamas, Yoga for Pregnancy, Birth and Beyond offers helpful relaxation techniques and breathing exercises that are tailored to each pregnant woman. The book also lays out valuable techniques for labor and staying in touch with your body as it continuously changes.
Mindfulness Activities for Kids
We could all use a little more peace in our lives. Uniquely suited for children and parents to do together, the 40 mindfulness exercises recommended here —from pausing to fully enjoy a tasty sandwich to taking chalk walk together—will not only teach children calm and gratitude, but also bring grown-ups and their littles closer together.
Before She Disappeared
Frankie Elkin is a recovering alcoholic who devotes her time to solving cold cases, especially those involving people of color. A new investigation brings her to Boston, searching for a Haitian teenager who disappeared months ago. But as Frankie starts asking questions, someone else will stop at nothing to keep the answers hidden.
Oak Flat
Lauren Redniss’ Oak Flat tells the story of the land near the San Carlos Apache Reservation through an Apache family fighting to protect the land which the U. S. government and two world-power mining enterprises are attempting to seize and destroy for its copper resources. Visually striking and deeply reported, Oak Flat tells a larger story of endless westward expansion and native resistance.
1. Which book can help to improve family relations?| A．Oak Flat. |
| B．Before She Disappeared. |
| C．Mindfulness Activities for Kids. |
| D．Yoga for Pregnancy, Birth and Beyond. |
| A．It’s a brief account of mining enterprises. |
| B．It centers on an Apache family’s struggle. |
| C．It sings high praise of the US government. |
| D．It supports westward expansion and native resistance. |
| A．Teenagers. | B．Men. | C．Kids. | D．Grown-ups. |
9 . About a decade ago, Lawson was at a beach in Virginia watching his kids build castles right next to the waves.
“I kept trying to get them to come back because I thought it was a terrible idea,” he remarked. He wanted them to build their sandcastles closer to the dunes. But they found it more exciting to build right where the waves hit, seeing their sandcastles get destroyed, and then rebuilding them with whatever debris washed up from the ocean. “It seemed so symbolic, somehow, of how life works more than just building your perfect sandcastles,” said Lawson. When he decided to turn that sunny day into a children’s book, the idea came to just use pictures. “It seemed like it would work beautifully without words,” he said.
A Day for Sandcastles is illustrated by Qin Leng. It’s the second wordless picture book for Lawson and Leng since 2021’s Over the Shop. Leng’s illustrations stay pretty true to real life. Three siblings spend the day building sandcastles and watching them get destroyed by a flying hat. “To me it’s a celebration of childhood and the simple joys of life. These are the things I like to capture,” said Leng.
Leng spent part of her childhood in France, and she was inspired by European comic books. “What I love to do when I illustrate a picture book is add side stories to the main storyline. I always think about the readers and the longevity of the book, and I want them to be able to discover something new every time they revisit the book,” Leng explained.
At the end of the day, the sleepy-eyed kids pile into the bus that will take them home. “Those last pages are some of my favorite. They capture that feeling like at the end of the day on the beach, when it’s getting dark and you feel completely exhausted,” Lawson said. It must be a universal childhood feeling: happy with sand, sticky from the salt, hot from the sun, and ready to fall asleep the moment you get into the car.
1. Why does Lawson mention the scene where the kids built sandcastles?| A．To suggest a way to enjoy leisure. | B．To remind readers of the childhood. |
| C．To convince us of how life works. | D．To tell us the inspiration for his book. |
| A．They are purchased by kids universally. | B．Readers can only find pictures in them. |
| C．They carry no elements of comic books. | D．The stories are literally works of fantasy. |
| A．Relieved. | B．Pleased. | C．Disturbed. | D．Exhausted. |
| A．Childhood in sandcastles | B．Beautiful childhood memories |
| C．Popular illustrated books | D．Explore the mystery of nature |
10 . Some libraries use unique architecture to encourage visitors to settle down with a new book, or use roving (流动的) libraries to bring books to hard-to-reach populations. However they achieve it, these novel libraries are keeping the magic of reading alive.
Macquarie University Library (Sydney, Australia)Featuring a green roof, this building, made from recycled materials, was designed to imitate the look of a eucalyptus tree. It is also an art form, using robot cranes to bring requested books to the front desk.
The Camel Library Service (North Eastern Province, Kenya)To deal with low literacy rates in the desert of Kenya, the government created a roaming library composed of nine camels bringing books to villages. The library travels four days a week serving the region’s disadvantaged people.
Bishan Library (Singapore)With glass pods of various colors sticking out of the building randomly, this library, built in 2006, is meant to create comfortable yet airy nooks (角落) for reading throughout the building. At the same time, a more wide-open children’s room on the basement level invites interaction while preventing noise from filtering (过滤) upward.
Seikei University Library (Tokyo, Japan)Libraries are usually known for their quiet atmosphere, but this one encourages conversation. Pritzker Prize-winner Shigeru Ban designed the library with space-age, free-standing soundproofed pods (系统) to respect those who need uninterrupted study, while also being beneficial to other methods of learning; they serve as perfect spots for study groups and lively discussions.
1. Who would probably choose to visit Macquarie University Library?| A．Animal lovers. | B．Talkative people. |
| C．Noisy children. | D．Environmental protectors. |
| A．Bishan Library. | B．Seikei University Library. |
| C．Macquarie University Library. | D．The Camel Library Service. |
| A．They ban lively group discussions. | B．They have special sound-proof design. |
| C．They provide a space for kids to read. | D．They win prizes for designing in architecture. |
