Welcome to Guides by Deb, a website consisting of over 300 standards-aligned educators guides crafted for the best books written for children and young adults in the business.

My name is Debbie Gonzales. I am an author, educator, Pinterest marketing specialist, and the creator of all the content featured in this website.

Thank you for your interest in the following collection of books and educator guides honoring love in all its various shapes and sizes. Access the links below to find information about the book and the author, purchase links, and access to the free downloadable educator resources.

It is my hope that you consider including one or all these books as part of your Valentine’s Day curriculum. You’ll be oh-so-glad you did!

While you’re at it, poke around the Guides by Deb website. There are plenty of treasures here, something for every kind of reader – young and old. Also, if I can be of service to you, let me know.

Top 10 Guides by Deb Love Stories

I chose BUDDY: THE STORY OF BUDDY HOLLY because of the love of life Buddy Holly expressed in his music…love songs that live in the hearts of rock-n-rollers, even today.

From his childhood days through his untimely death, a picture book biography offers a look at the life, times, accomplishments, and inspirations of this celebrated guitarist, singer, and songwriter from the Lone Star state.

The standards-aligned Discussion & Activity Guide consists of in-depth pre-reading and post-reading discussion questions, a historic timeline, linked music samples, a box guitar craft, and Buddy Holly glasses making project. Access this link to read more about THE STORY OF BUDDY HOLLY. Links to purchase the book and to download the teacher guide are also available.

I chose A VOICE FOR THE SPIRIT BEARS as part of this year’s Valentine’s day collection because it is a story of how a boy’s deep love for the enchanting Spirit Bear inspired him to reach beyond his physical and emotional limitations to establish an organization to save and protect them.

As a child, Simon Jackson found navigating the world of the school playground difficult. He felt most at home in the woodlands, learning about and photographing wildlife. As a teenager, he became fascinated with spirit bears, a rare subspecies of black bear with creamy white fur. These elusive creatures were losing their habitat to deforestation, and Simon knew he had to do something to protect them. He decided he would become the voice for the spirit bears. But first, he would have to find his own.

The CCSS and NGSS standards-aligned Press Release Guide consists of in-depth pre-reading and post-reading discussion questions and an activity guiding young readers through an analysis of the Spirit Bear habitat. Access this link to read more about A VOICE FOR THE SPIRIT BEARS. Links to purchase the book and to download the teacher guide are also available.

I chose THIS IS OUR BABY, BORN TODAY as part of this year’s Valentine’s day collection because it is a story of the love of an extended family ready and eager to receive a newborn elephant into the fold.

With a loving mama, a trumpeting herd, curious cousins, and even some dancing peacocks heralding this little one’s arrival, it is apparent that the joy and wonder a new baby brings is shared by all!

The CCSS and NGSS standards-aligned Press Release Guide consists of in-depth pre-reading and post-reading discussion questions and a lesson in creating a family tree. Access this link to read more about THIS IS OUR BABY, BORN TODAY. Links to purchase the book and to download the teacher guide are also available.

I chose THE SEA KNOWS as part of this year’s Valentine’s day collection because it is the story of Mother Earth, her ever-wise ocean, and their love for all creatures, everywhere.

In this playful, rhyming celebration of the marine world, readers can explore all the wondrous things the sea knows. It knows huge whales and small krill; it knows short crabs and tall giant kelp; it knows brightly colored starfish in shallow pools; and in the inky depths it knows the alluring jewel of an anglerfish’s glowing lure. Discover all the strange and magnificent underwater creatures in this accessible tribute to the power and mystery of the ocean.

The CCSS and NGSS standards-aligned Discussion & Activity Guide consists of in-depth pre-reading and post-reading discussion questions, a rhyming words match activity, a vocabulary crossword puzzle, and several science-related activities inspired by the storyline. Access this link to read more about THE SEA KNOWS. Links to purchase the book and to download the teacher guide are also available.

I chose PAPA BRINGS ME THE WORLD as part of this year’s Valentine’s day collection because it is a long-distance love story between parent and child celebrates inclusivity, imagination, and the richness of global cultures.

Most parents drive a car or ride a bus or train to work—but not Lulu’s papa. He navigates mountains, deserts, and oceans, each time returning home with pockets full of treasures. There’s an ancient calculator from China, a musical mbira from Zimbabwe, and a special game from Sumatra. But the best treasures are special stories Papa tells when he comes home—tales of playing peekaboo with rare birds in the Andes and befriending dragons in the Irish Sea.

The CCSS aligned Discussion & Activity Guide consists of in-depth pre-reading and post-reading discussion questions, a mystery bag activity, a folder game, a secret messages lesson, instructions to create your own journal, and a lesson about the intriguing Hamsa hand. Access this link to read more about PAPA BRINGS ME THE WORLD. Links to purchase the book, a video interview with the author/illustrator, and a link to download the teacher guide are also available.

I chose STEALING MT. RUSHMORE as part of this year’s Valentine’s day collection because the story is based on the undying love and devotion of siblings who must cleave to one another when parental guidance is no where to be found.

It's the summer of 1974. Nellie's turned thirteen. Her best friend, Maya, has a crush on a boy. President Nixon might get impeached. And her mom's run off. The money for their family road trip to see Mt. Rushmore is missing and her dad's crawled into bed and won't get up.

Nellie's sure the trip out West will fix her family, and she'll do almost anything to come up with the cash. But she begins to wonder why it's always her, the girl, who's stuck with the dishes and everything else. And how can a mom just up and leave with no note, no forwarding address, no nothing?

The CCSS aligned Discussion & Activity Guide consists of in-depth pre-reading and post-reading discussion questions, an interview with the author, hopscotch instructions, a historical scavenger hunt, and a lesson on the personal attributes required to become immortalized. Access this link to read more about STEALING MT. RUSHMORE. Links to purchase the book and a link to download the teacher guide are also available.

I chose A KISS MEANS I LOVE YOU as part of this year’s Valentine’s day collection because it celebrates nonverbal expressions of love and affection.

A kiss means I love you, a wave means hello, a smile means I'm happy, a tug means, let's go " Featuring engaging photographs of real children and sweet rhyming text, this fun read-aloud teaches little ones about nonverbal communication.

The CCSS aligned Discussion & Activity Guide consists of in-depth pre-reading and post-reading discussion questions, a rhyming dominoes game, emotion charades, a vocabulary crossword puzzle, and a lesson in sensory poetry. Access this link to read more about A KISS MEANS I LOVE YOU. Links to purchase the book and a link to download the teacher guide are also available.

I chose LOVE, MAMA as part of this year’s Valentine’s day collection because it is perfect for Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, and any day when a child needs a reminder of the strength of a mother's love.

When Mama leaves her young penguin Kipling, he knows she'll return home soon―yet he still can't help but miss her. After all, Pillow Mama won't read, Picture Mama won't laugh, and Snow Mama is too cold to cuddle. Kipling knows that no matter where Mama is, he is loved. Soon, Mama comes home, and Kipling ends the day where he belongs―right in her arms.

The CCSS and NGSS aligned Discussion & Activity Guide consists of in-depth pre-reading and post-reading discussion questions, an interview with the author/illustrator, a rock sorting exercise, a letter writing lesson, and an ecosystem project. Access this link to read more about LOVE, MAMA. Links to purchase the book and a link to download the teacher guide are also available.

I chose HOME IS A WINDOW as part of this year’s Valentine’s day collection because it’s the story of what home really means. That home isn’t a location or structure. But rather, home is created by the love between the people that dwell within.

Home can be many things--a window, a doorway, a rug . . . or a hug. At home, everything always feels the same: comfortable and safe. But sometimes things change, and a home must be left behind.

Follow a family as they move out of their beloved, familiar house and learn that they can bring everything they love about their old home to the new one, because they still have each other.

The CCSS aligned Discussion & Activity Guide consists of in-depth pre-reading and post-reading discussion questions, a “window watching” compare-and-contrast activity, a quilt square matching activity, and poetry exercise. Access this link to read more about HOME IS A WINDOW. Links to purchase the book and a link to download the teacher guide are also available.

I chose WHEN YOU LOOK OUT THE WINDOW as part of this year’s Valentine’s day collection because it’s the story of impact that love shared by two people can have on their community and, ultimately, the entire planet.

WHEN YOU LOOK OUT THE WINDOW tells the story of Phyllis Lyon and Del Martin, one of San Francisco's most well-known and politically active lesbian couples. Describing the view from Phyllis and Del's window, this book shows how one couple's activism transformed their community — and had ripple effects throughout the world.

The CCSS aligned Discussion & Activity Guide consists of in-depth pre-reading and post-reading discussion questions, a collage-crafting activity, a historical timeline, and a vocabulary crossword puzzle. Access this link to read more about WHEN YOU LOOK OUT THE WINDOW. Links to purchase the book and a link to download the teacher guide are also available.