It’s July, and your kids have another month for summer reading (and maybe even time this fall!).They may be searching for some new titles and I just might have a solution. Instead of books from long ago, I’m focusing on books from the recent past. These titles are books I’ve reviewed and adored, but because they are older, you may not know about them. You may know the authors from their more recent books, but their earlier ones are books you’ll also want to know (and books you’ll find on your library’s shelves!). What are some of your favorites from the past? Please let us know in the comments.

The Space Between Lost and Found This story helps us to understand those diagnosed with Alzheimers, and how it affects everyone in the family.

The Boy at the Back of the Class a book that will help all who read it to understand the meaning of what a refugee truly is and how important it is that refugees are treated with respect and kindness

Dan Unmasked a story about comic books, superheroes, baseball, grief and most of all the power of friendship.

The Lonely Hearts of Maybelle Lane a story about friendship, family and gaining the understanding that taking care of someone else not only helps the recipient, but also yourself.

We Could Be Heroes this memorable tale about two delightful neurodivergent children who find friendship for the first time, will grab your heart

The List of Things That Will Not Change A book about divorce, step families, therapy, gay parents

Camp Clique story about friendship, acceptance and trust

Here In the Real World a touching tale of friendship, family, the knights’ code of chivalry and heroes. 

There are so many children’s books about the problems Black kids face in their day to day lives. It’s vitally important to share these with our children to allow them to see themselves in a book or to give children a window into children’s lives which are different from their own. However, Black kids are just like all children who try to find joy with their families everyday. These stories are about kindness, fears, family outings and joy. You’ll smile, you’ll laugh and you’ll discover loving, diverse families who are finding happiness in their daily lives.

Jabari Jumps

By Gaia Cornwall @gaiacornwall

Published by Candlewick Press

Jabari reminds me so much of myself when I was his age. I was terrified of jumping into a pool, even though my mother had sent me to countless swim lessons. To stand on the side of a pool, let alone a diving board as everyone was expecting me to jump, was completely overwhelming. Even though Jabari feels the same, he announces to his dad “I’m jumping off the diving board today.” Of course, though, that’s a little easier said than done! Gaia Cornwall’s illustrations capture his fear, but also his determination and courage. I loved that every page included “pool turquoise” in some way, whether it was the sky, the water or the surrounding trees. This helped me feel like I was standing right there on the board with Jabari as he curled his toes around the edge. If you have a little one who may be wondering if they have the courage to jump in, this is a wonderful book that might provide just the encouragement they need to succeed.

Saturday

Written and illustrated by Oge Mora @oge_mora

Published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

First of all, look at this cover. Do you see the pure love and delight between Ava and her mother? After a long week of being apart, they get to spend one entire day together, just the two of them without interruptions. But one disappointment after another greets them as they move through their day. First, story time was canceled, then an exploding puddle ruins their new hairstyles, the park is too noisy and finally Mommy loses the tickets for the puppet show. But as the long day draws to a close and they return to their apartment, they realize something rather amazing. Their day was truly splendid because they were together.

This small moment story will draw you in with it’s vibrantly colored collage illustrations, as you feel the warmth and love of Ava and Mommy’s day. It’s a true joy to read and you’ll want to share it with someone special in your life.

The Thing about Bees: A Love Letter

Written and illustrated by Shabazz Larkin @shabazzlarkin

Published by Readers to Eaters @readerstoeaters

This delightful journey describes a day in the life of a black family when they go on a picnic in the park. You see the joy on the faces of Dad and his sons as they chase a balloon and fly a kite, as well as their distress when they encounter some bees. Yes, dad says, there are bees in the park, and they can be annoying and their sting can hurt, but he points out without the bees all of the yummy food on their overflowing picnic table wouldn’t exist; no strawberries, no watermelon, no apples for pies, no cucumbers for pickles, no fruit for smoothies. And then he makes my favorite observation in the book. He lovingly compares his boys to bees, reminding them they can be a bit annoying, too, but he never stops loving them. 

This book came to be because the author always had a “ridiculous fear of bees.” When his sons were born he was determined NOT to pass his fear along to his children. To accomplish this, he learned all he could about bees, and as he did the less scary they seemed. Not only did he create this sweet story, but he also included simple drawings illustrating what happens when “a bee and a flower love each other,” which are perfect for teaching your little one the importance of bees in our world. Finally, he has included lots of information in the back matter including bee etiquette and types of bees from “kind to kinda mean”.

Me and Mama

By Cozbi A. Cabrera

Published by Denene Millner Books/Simon Schuster Books for Young Readers

One rainy morning a little girl creeps down the stairs to find her mama. She’s hoping for some quiet time just with mama, while her brother and Papa are still asleep. The word choice and the vibrant, expressive illustrations immediately invite you into the little girl’s world. You feel the coziness of the home and the smell of cinnamon in the air. You hear Mama’s cheerful voice as she calls out good morning and then optimistically finds joy in the rainy day, when she declares “the perfect day for boots and puddles”. You understand the little girl’s joy in their familiar everyday rituals they do together. You see her happiness when they help each other choose their clothes and dress, eat breakfast together, brush their teeth, take their dog for a walk and splash in the puddles. 

All in all, it’s a book about joy and family. It’s a book your little ones will find familiar and comforting as you share it together.

hair love

By Matthew A. Cherry      @matthewacherry  

Illustrated by Vashti Harrison @vashtiharrison

Published by @kokilabooks

It’s a very special day and Zuri’s hair needs to be perfect. There are only two problems. First, her curly, kinky hair has a mind of it’s own. Secondly, her daddy is exhausted from getting her to school, working, bringing her home, going on a bike ride and fixing her dinner, so Zuri really doesn’t want to disturb him. Soooo, Zuri and Rocky (her faithful cat) decide to take care of it themselves. All is well, until she drops her tablet and wakes Daddy. That’s when Daddy swoops into to save the day. After MANY attempts and some online help, Zuri has the perfect hairdo.

The love between this little girl and her daddy is a joy to see. Even though Zuri has doubts about her hair, Daddy assures her it is truly beautiful making her beam with pride.This reminded me of some everyday moments with my daddy very long ago. When I was doubting myself and lacking confidence, he assured me I truly was beautiful and I just needed to be myself. It’s a reminder that these small moments are so important to our children. 

You will love the illustrations, too. The love between Zuri and Daddy pours out of every page. Their eyes, especially, are full of adoration and joy. These, along with the sweet story, will speak to all children and make lots of little girls think of special times with their daddy.

you matter

Written and Illustrated by Christian Robinson @theartoffun

Published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

This gentle book is for all of us, young or old, any color, any gender. The lovely diverse illustrations, along with the simple text remind all of us that we matter. Even if we fall down, even if we need to start over, even if we feel lost or alone, even if we are small or old, we matter. It’s a story that will touch your heart and make you pause. It’s a story to share with your children and discuss with your children as you remind them, they do indeed matter.

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2020 picture book and mg favorites!

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If you’ve been following me for a while, you will know I frequently share middle grade books which I refer to as #windowsandmirrorsbooks or #kidsneeddiversebooks. These are stories that allow the reader to either see themselves in a book or to see the story through the eyes of a child who is different from themselves. They are stories that not only show the struggles these children face, but also the joy in their day to day lives. And best of all, these stories offer hope. Today, I saw a post by Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg, which perfectly described my thoughts. These are her words. “We need diverse representation, not only so every kid can see themselves as the hero of the story, but that that every kid can understand the *other* kinds of kids are *also* the heroes of the story.” *Different kinds of kids* might be children of color, immigrants, LBGTQ children, children with physical or learning disabilities or neurodiverse children. Thankfully, today’s authors are writing some amazing books which do just that. Today I want to share some of my favorites.

Genesis Begins Again 

By Alicia D. Williams

“This is the story of a thirteen-year-old girl who is filled with self-loathing and must overcome internalized racism and a verbally abusive family to finally learn to love herself.
There are ninety-six things Genesis hates about herself. She knows the exact number because she keeps a list. Like #95: Because her skin is so dark, people call her charcoal and eggplant—even her own family.”

This story will break your heart a bit, but you will also come away with so much admiration for Genesis and her mom. A must read!

Black families, racial prejudice, verbal abuse

we could be heroes

By Magaret Finnegan 

Oh,  WE COULD BE HEROES is one of those stories you’ll be thinking about for a very long time. This memorable tale, about two delightful neurodivergent children who find friendship for the first time, will grab your heart. It allows us to view the world through their eyes and to  experience their feelings as they struggle to understand it. (more)

autism, eipilepsy and elder care

roll with it

By Jamie Sumner

I smiled, I cheered, I clinched my fists in frustration and I felt a warm cozy feeling as I read this sweet story about a spunky, determined girl. Not only did Ellie have to deal with the usual middle school angst (lunch table drama, living on the “wrong” side of the tracks, giving a how-to speech) she also had to deal with CP and spending her life in a wheelchair. (more)

Physical disability; dimentia

the boy at the back of the class 

By Onjali Q. Raúf 

Suddenly there’s a new boy, Ahmet, in their class and the rumors are swirling. Why doesn’t he speak? Why doesn’t he go to recess? Why doesn’t he go to lunch? Does he have a super contagious disease? Is he too dangerous to be with the other students? This doesn’t stop four best friends decide to be his friends. And they have no idea what that decision will mean in the weeks to come. ⚽️
This amazing book offers a child’s perspective of the refugee crisis. It’s about bravery, compassion, empathy and friendship, inspiration and most of all hope. (more)

Refugee crisis, immigration

clean Getaway

By Nic Stone

In CLEAN GETAWAY William Lamar (or Scooby Doo, as Grandma fondly calls him) shares the story of the road trip through the south with his grandma in her Winnebago. It’s a story about the history of the the fight for Civil Rights and it’s a story about racial discrimination in the ’60s and how it continues today. It’s a story about the importance of the GREEN BOOK. But it’s also a story about the love and support between a grandma and her grandson and how the black child and white grandma repeatedly face discrimination during their adventure. It’s a story with lots of heart and lots of laughs, too. (more)

racial discrimation, civil rights, multigeneration families

blended 

By Sharon M. Draper

Eleven year old Isabella’s mom is white and her dad is black. And they’re divorced. She keeps a calendar in her room to help her keep track of which week it is. Is it the week she’s living with Dad in his big, fancy house along with his girlfriend and her 17 year old son, or will she be with Mom and her mom’s boyfriend in the small house she grew up in? The exchange happens every Sunday and many times is not a happy one. Besides trying to keep track of where she’s waking up each day, Isabella also has another big question. Is she black or white? These are huge questions for a sixth grader to face. (more)

racism, divorce

fish in a tree

By Lynda Mullaly Hunt 

This story of a girl desperately trying to fit in as she hides her disability from the world will break your heart. But the friendship, the caring family and most of all the understanding and supportive teacher will have you cheering as you read each chapter. 

Those of us who are teachers and teacher librarians feel so overwhelmed and helpless at times. The days are long as we face the demand that test scores rise, while at the same time dealing with our shrinking budgets. But it’s those small moments of success that inspire us. The moment when “the lightbulb goes on” on the face of your kids who has been struggling to understand a passage in a book and they suddenly understand. Or when a student runs into the library and exclaims they loved the book you suggested, and can’t wait to read another by that author. Or when an older student returns to say hello and thanks you for caring. (more)

learning disability

You Don’t Know Everything, Jilly P!

By Alex Gino

This story seamlessly encompasses so many issues of our world including LGBTQ, Black Lives Matter and the Deaf. Jilly’s favorite aunt and her wife have two biracial children, her baby sister, Emma, is unexpectedly born deaf and her friend, Derek, is a Black ASL (American Sign Language) user. ~
I admired how Jilly immediately jumped in to learn all she could about how to best help Emma once the family learned she was deaf. In the process we learn a lot about ASL and the different philosophies concerning the education of deaf children. Should Emma have a cochlear implant; should she learn to sign? I also admired Jilly’s courage when she bravely defended her aunts and explained how some family members careless words about Black Americans were hurtful. (more)

LGBTQ, racial discrimation and Deaf education

Nowhere Boy

By Katherine Marsh

This compelling book tells the terrifying saga of fourteen year old Ahmed and his father who flee war torn Syria. During their long, perilous journey across the sea and Europe, Ahmed’s father disappears and Ahmed is alone. He finally makes it to Brussels, but has nowhere to live and nothing to eat. That is, until he meets Max, a thirteen year old lonely American boy, who along with his family, is spending the school year in Brussels. 
In this fast paced adventure story, we experience Ahmed’s year in Brussels. We understand his yearning to go to school, to play soccer and to find friends, but we also feel his crushing sadness and grief about missing his family and his homeland. And we have a window into the loneliness and terror he constantly feels about being discovered by the police. (more)

refugee crisis, immigration 

other words for home

By Jasmine Warga

Jude lives in Syria with her Mama, Baba and her older brother. It’s the only home she’s ever known and it’s always been a happy one. But now the fighting is getting closer and closer, her brother has moved out to join the freedom fighters and her mama is pregnant. It’s decided that she and Mama will go to America to live with her uncle’s family. They move into her uncle’s 100 year old house on tree lined street in Cincinnati with her uncle who is a doctor, her aunt who loves to garden and create healthy meals and her less than friendly cousin. Her aunt and uncle offer them a warm welcome, but her cousin Sarah, would rather they not be there at all. 🌼
This story, which is beautifully told in verse, offers a true glimpse into the world of an immigrant. You see the world through Jude’s eyes as she navigates the halls of her new middle school, struggles to understand the American colloquialisms she constantly hears and feels an overwhelming loneliness. You begin to understand the haven of the ESL classroom where she finds other kids, who like her, are doing their best to learn not only English but also the customs of American preteens. (more)

Immigration, refugees

the truth as told by mason buttle

By Leslie Connor

Mason is in seventh grade, lives in a “tumbledown” with his grandma and his uncle (his mom died in a traffic accident years before), is very large for his age, has dyslexia and lost his best friend a little over a year ago. Mason and Benny were inseparable and stood together against the neighborhood bullies. Their refuge was always their treehouse in Mason’s family’s apple orchard. At least it used to be their happy place, until one day Mason found Benny in a heap at the bottom of the ladder, dead. And Mason’s life has never been the same. The police suspect it was his fault, as do most of the town’s people, and the lieutenant won’t let him be, even though Mason has truthfully told him his story many times. (more)

learning disability, bullying, grief

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Last week I shared my favorite middle grade books from 2019. I promised to share my favorite picture books from 2019, so here they are! Remember, these may not have been published in 2019, but I discovered them this year and loved every one. These are the ones I can’t stop thinking about. Also, please keep in mind, picture books are for EVERYBODY! They will teach you so much, give you so much enjoyment and possibly most importantly, touch your heart.  I hope you’ll find some titles to add to your shopping list. These special books deserve to be in your kids’ stockings. Happy Holidays to all of you!

a House that Once Was

By Julie Fogliano @juliefogliano

Illustrated by Lane Smith #lanesmith

I’ve always loved making up stories about something I discover as I’m out walking, so when I first learned of this book, I was quite certain this intriguing and mysterious story would be a perfect choice for me. I wasn’t disappointed! This picture book gets all the stars!! On the first page, we meet a pair of children who discover an obviously long ago abandoned house, as they wander through the woods. They immediately begin to create stories about the house and it’s occupants after they crawl through the window to explore. (more)  

big cat, little cat

Written and Illustrated by Elisha Cooper

So many times I’ve received text from a friend with the sad news that a dear family pet has died. Understandably, they, along with their children are devastated. After all, the beloved pet has always been a part of their children’s lives, so now how do they face the emptiness they all feel; how do they move on? And then because many of my friends believe just as I do, that the answers to life’s really hard questions can often be found in books, they ask for one that will help their young children understand. This gentle book is a perfect choice. (more)

rosie and crayon

Written and illustrated by Deborah Marcero

First of all, I have to write about the illustrations. Oh, my!! I’ll begin by describing the title page. Deborah Marcero has created the words of the title completely out of drawings of crayons! And then we move onto the story. Rosie and her dog, Crayon, are utterly charming. Their love for each other and their appreciation for the world is immediately apparent. On each page they joyfully discover another color and in the process introduce us to some fascinating vocabulary. There are fluttering yellows, simmering reds and and smoldering pinks. You and your little one will delight in their happiness as you talk about each new description. (more)

i used to be famous

By Tara Luebbe and Becky Cattie

Illustrated by Joanne Lew Vriethoff

Many thanks to Blue Slip Media for sharing this book with me. I very much appreciate it!

I loved the author’s first book, I AM FAMOUS. It reminded me of so many families who simply can’t get enough of the new star in the family, especially if it’s child number one! The camera is never still and every move is recorded for all of posterity in the memory book. But then… baby number two arrives and nothing is quite the same for child number one. Where are the cameras, the accolades, the personal attention?! Where is the fame? This is the story of I USED TO BE FAMOUS.  (more)

because

By Mo Willems

Illustrated by Amber Ren

This remarkable picture book will touch your heart, especially if you’re a music lover. It made me think about my own children who both became music lovers at a very young age, just as it happened to the little girl in Because. I always wondered what prompted my boys to pursue music. Was it my constant singing when they were small? Was it their aunt’s piano playing? Was it the intriguing piano at Grandma and Grandpa’s house that was like a magnet to them when they walked through their door?  (more)

we are (not) friends

By Anna Kang @annakangbooks

Illustrated by Christopher Weyant @christopherweyant

Again, many thanks to Blue Slip Media for sharing this book with me. I very much appreciate it!

All of us knows how it feels when you and a friend are having a great time, just the two of you, until suddenly someone else joins in. This can happen if you’re 3 or 73, or anywhere in between! Once the third friend appears, things are just not quite the same. 🔸
Our two fuzzy bear friends encounter the same problem when a new friend bounces in and wants to play. They soon discover three’s a crowd! Feelings are hurt, tears are shed and voices are raised as alternating twosomes face off against the third. The imaginative bears create game after game, but each one is only for two friends. This continues until they finally realize MAYBE exciting games can be imagined for three players instead of two, so three bears CAN actually be friends. (more)

max attacks

Words by Kathi Appelt @kathi5cats
Pictures by Penelope Dullaghan @penelope_dullaghan

Again, many thanks to Blue Slip Media for sharing this book with me. I very much appreciate it!

Meet Max! He’s full of curiosity and mischief as he prowls through the house making one discovery after another, even though his main objective is, and always will be, the fish bowl! BUT there are just so many tempting things to grab his attention first. Can Max really be expected to ignore a lizard crawling up a window screen, a dangling shoe lace or a basket of dirty socks? They are calling his name and then there is that fish bowl… (more)   

the day you begin

By Jacqueline Woodson @jacqueline_woodson

Illustrated by Rafael Lopez

This book tells the story of how hard it is to walk through the door into someplace new; a place where everyone is a stranger; a place where no one is quite like you. It can be a lonely experience, especially if everyone in that room knows each other and has a lot in common. If everyone thinks your accent is different and the food in your lunch box is strange. But hopefully, there will be a caring teacher who will want to hear your stories and learn more about you; who will help your classmates understand that different is okay. (more) 

truman

Written by Jean Reidy
🐢
Illustrated by Lucy Ruth Cummins

I absolutely loved this book. First, I fell in love with the cover and then with the charming story. When I studied the cover, I immediately felt the love between Sarah and her tortoise, Truman. Their faces told me they were completely absorbed in listening to one another and were obviously best friends. When I opened the book, I found many more of Lucy Ruth Cummins sweet illustrations which make Jean Reidy’s gentle story come alive. The soft colors in the details of their apartment and the busy city streets, as well as the expressions on their faces invite you into their quiet, everyday world full of friendship and fun. (more)   

will you miss us if we go?

By Paige Jaeger

Illustrated by Carol Hill Quirk

This beautifully illustrated nonfiction book is the second in the series by @authorpaigjaeger. The book, which is told in verse, introduces us to 14 endangered species who are asking for our help. This engaging story, with a challenging vocabulary, introduces us to the animals’ geographic locations, descriptions of their habitats, their physical descriptions, and the reasons they are threatened, all of which I’m sure will lead to many heartfelt discussions when the book is shared. (more)

goodbye, friend! Hello, friend!

Written and illustrated by Cori Doerrfeld

One of my favorite books from last year was Cori Doerrfeld’s THE RABBIT LISTENED. Her latest picture book doesn’t disappoint. In fact it is a delightful look at goodbyes and hellos in our lives. It will make you pause and think about how many of those we face everyday. We not only greet our friends and families, but we also greet new seasons, new situations, new places and new activities throughout our day. We may be sad to say goodbye to snowmen, but we love saying hello to spring; we’re disappointed our day at the beach is ending, but it’s so much fun to say hello to campfires and marshmallows; we say goodbye to hesitating to try something new and hello to jumping in and giving it a try. (more) 

the scarecrow 

By Beth Ferry

Illustrated by The Fan Brothers

Autumn may be fading away, but please don’t let it go before sharing  The Scarecrow with everyone in your family. As always, the illustrations by Eric and Terry Fan are amazing. The soft autumn colors and and even the tiniest details add so much to the story. I loved the gentleness of the snow, the quietness of the spring night and the joy on the scarecrow’s face as he makes a friend. And then there is Beth Ferry’s lyrical text that tells the story of the lonely, but respected scarecrow. The scarecrow who breaks his pole to save a baby crow; the scarecrow who cheers the baby as he learns to fly, despite knowing it means his friend will soon be gone. The scarecrow whose kindness leads to so much joy.

This memorable book about friendship and kindness is one of my favorites of 2019. I’m sure you’ll love it too!

dasher: How a Brave Little Doe Changed Christmas Forever

By Matt Tavares

This magical book, created by Matt Tavares, who is also the author-illustrator of one of my favorites, Red & Lulu, has once again mesmerized me with his latest book, Dasher! The gorgeous, dreamy illustrations in Dasher will first capture your attention and then the story will delight you. Dasher, a young doe, who along with her beloved family, spends her days trekking through the countryside with a traveling circus. Their life is not an easy one as they endure long days crammed together under the relentless sun, but there are happy times too. The children are kind to her and Dasher gets to be with her family. And at night Dasher’s mama shares stories about a faraway, dreamy place beneath the North Star where she and Papa once lived; a place where “the air was crisp and cold and the ground was always covered with a cool blanket of white snow”. Dasher loves these stories and dreams of actually feeling the crisp air and walking on the cool snow, even if it would mean leaving her family. One blustery night when the gate of the pen blows open, Dasher gets her chance. She runs away, flying like the wind through the forest, all the while following the North Star. Just as she realizes she is lost, she encounters a kind man dressed in red with a sparkling sleigh, a tired horse both in need of help. And the story of Christmas changes forever. 

This enchanting story is sure to become a family Christmas favorite you will look forward to bringing out each year. It’s one for young and old alike; for anyone who would like a little bit of magic in their lives this month. I know it’s going to be added to my holiday book collection!

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A short time before Halloween, my niece, Kelly’s friend asked if I had a list of Halloween titles appropriate for preschoolers. I created one, and both she and my niece were delighted. In fact, Whitney liked it so much she asked if I had a list of preschool Christmas titles! My reply was “no”, but I promised to compile one before Christmas, and here it is! It may seem a little early to be talking about Christmas books, but if you want to have the chance to get these at your library, now is the time to put them on hold! Of course, you may also find some you’ll want to add to your family’s library, so I’ve included links to the Good Reads summary to help you do that.

Please know many of these titles are fun for all ages, not just preschool. In fact, I’ll have most of these on my coffee table for the entire month of December! And there are so many more titles which I love. I just didn’t want to exhaust you with a crazy, long post! I hope you find some stories which become family classics you’ll look forward to sharing year after year.

What are your family favorites? I’d love to hear about them in the comments!

Snow Bunny’s Christmas Wish

By Rebecca Harry

Oh, this is such a sweet story about friendship, kindness, Santa and of course a bunny. (This is chosen especially for my nephew, Zeke!)

The Christmas Baby

By Marion Dane Bauer; illustrated by Richard Cowdrey

These delightful illustrations describe the animals’ and angels’ celebration on the night Christ was born,

Twas the Evening of christmas

By Glenys Nellist; illustrated by Elena Selivanova

Oh how I wish we had this beautiful book to read on Christmas Eve when my boys were growing up! This is the story of the first Christmas, but it is told in the pattern of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas, which makes it a perfect companion to the traditional book. (more)

santa’s story

By Will Hillenbrand

Does your family share The Night Before Christmas every year? Well, Santa and his reindeer ALSO share that much loved tradition. All goes well until Santa forgets! The cozy illustrations allow us to witness the reindeer antics and Santa’s puzzlement and add so much to this delightful story.

when it snows

By Richard Collingridge

Magic happens when snow covers the ground and a little boy and his teddy bear follow footsteps into a wondrous, glowing world. The luminous illustrations help you imagine the magical night that all began with a story.

Construction Site on Christmas Night

By Sherri Duskey Rinker and Ag Ford

Playful, rhyming text tell us the story of the five construction trucks who work all night long on Christmas to create a a very special project. Happily their hard work is rewarded when each receives a thoughtful gift.

Room for a Little One

By Martin Waddell; illustrated by Jason Cockcroft

It’s a cold winter’s night in the stable and so many stray critters are looking for a warm, safe place to rest. One by one they arrive and one by one they hear, “There’s always room for a little one here.”  This includes a tired donkey carrying a weary woman and a very cold man.

Harvey Slumfenburger’s christmas present

By John Burningham

I’ve read this special story to children of all ages for many, many years. I’ve given copy after copy as gifts. It tells the story of Santa forgetting to deliver one gift to one little boy and Santa’s determination, kindness and selflessness as he tries his best to fulfill his promise.

arthur’s perfect christmas

By Marc Brown

This has to be one of my favorites! Arthur wants everything to be perfect this year – the snow, the tree and the turkey, but he’s not sure this is possible. His friends all have different traditions and and different ideas of what makes a perfect celebration. This story is about thoughtfulness, traditions and learning friends and family are what truly make a perfect Christmas.

the wild christmas reindeer

By Jan Brett

This Jan Brett classic leads us on a countdown to Christmas as a little girl helps Santa get the reindeer ready to fly. What’s so memorable about Ms. Brett’s books are the enchanting and detailed illustrations which border each page. There’s a lot of text in this story, but the pictures tell us so much. You’ll have a great time creating your own story about what Teeka discovered about kindness.

the berenstain bears’ christmas tree

By Stan and Jan Berenstain

Papa Bear is determined to find the most perfect Christmas tree in the forest, but he and Brother and Sister Bear experience one crazy adventure after another before they find the true meaning of Christmas.

the animal’s merry christmas

By Richard Scarry

Unfortunately, this gem is out of print, but if you’re lucky you’ll find a used copy online. This was a must read every Christmas when my boys were small. The stories are short and full of love and fun. You won’t want to miss it!

Dasher

By Matt Tavares

 The gorgeous, dreamy illustrations in Dasher will first capture your attention and then the story will delight you.

This enchanting story is sure to become a family Christmas favorite you will look forward to bringing out each year. It’s one for young and old alike; for anyone who would like a little bit of magic in their lives. I know it’s going to be added to my holiday book collection!

the polar express   

By Chris Van Allsburg
I’m certain you all know the movie, but do you know the book, The Polar Express? Chris Van Allsburg’s glowing, dreamy illustrations bring this favorite story to life. I hope you’ll share this with your family and consider it as a part of your family’s holiday book collection. Even if you just own a few, this needs to be one of them!

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Watch for the annual post of my

favorite reads of the year

coming soon!

I feel like we’ve only had a few weeks of summer – how could it be time for a new school year? However, it’s been a lovely summer, even though it’s been a short one. We’ve had lots of family and friends visit our Michigan house, which is a big reason we have this special place. We’ve had lots of great conversations, boat rides, bonfires and even caught a few fish! We traveled to Nashville for our niece’s beautiful wedding and were joined by some of our favorite people. We’ve had relaxing times in our gardens, wonderful time in the sun and lots of time to read. So I’m very thankful for the past few months, but I know school is starting very soon for many of you!

Although, we don’t have any little ones beginning school, I remember the angst that arrives both before and after the first day. There are so many worries. Will there be friends? What about Mom who is left at home? What about lunch? What about riding the bus? And the worries continue… To help with that, I’ve assembled a list of my favorite picture books to share with your children during those first few uneasy days. I hope you find some that lead to lots of good conversations and lots of comfort for all of you.

THE DAY YOU BEGIN

by jacqueline woodson

illustrated by rafael lopez

This book tells the story of how hard it is to walk through the door into someplace new; a place where everyone is a stranger; a place where no one is quite like you. It can be a lonely experience, especially if everyone in that room knows each other and has a lot in common. If everyone thinks your accent may be a little different and the food in your lunch box a little strange. But hopefully, there will be a caring teacher who will want to hear your stories and learn more about you; who will help your classmates understand that different is okay. 

This story offers so many opportunities for discussion. You can pause on almost every page, and ask questions to help your little ones understand that different is okay; to understand how it feels to be the different one in the room; to understand how their kindness can make all the difference. It’s a book to read now, but please also share it a few days before school begins, so when someone new walks into your child’s classroom, your child will have the empathy and understanding to be the one who offers a smile and makes room. 

This remarkable picture book needs to be in every school and public library, and in your family’s library as well.

ALL ARE WELCOME

By Alexandra Penfold

Illustrated by Suzanne Kaufman

This is a picture book that needs to find its way into every preschool and early elementary classroom this fall. It’s the perfect book to share at the very beginning of the new year. The vibrantly colored illustrations help to tell the story of the first day of school for many children and their families. It reminds us that all children, no matter the color of their skin, where they are from, what clothes they wear, what religion they practice or who makes up their family, have a place in the school family.  Your children will recognize many familiar moments of their day from circle time, to lunchtime, to recess, to the walk home, to sharing time at dinner. It offers reassurance to children that no matter their differences, they are welcome. Something we all need to think about, wherever we are. All are welcome!

SCHOOL’S FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL       

By Adam Rex

Pictures by Christian Robinson

Did you ever think about how the school feels when school starts? School’s First Day of School by Adam Rex tells the story from the school building’s perspective. I love imagining what inanimate objects might be thinking and feeling and this story certainly does that. School is brand new and doesn’t realize what the first day of school means, but his friend the janitor tries to prepare him. When that first day actually arrives, School isn’t so sure he likes the children being there. The children are everywhere and some actually say “this place stinks”. School’s feelings are hurt! When a kindergartener’s mother has to carry her little girl into school, School worries that he must be an awful place. Then lunch time comes and children spill food and milk all over School. School isn’t too happy about that! But afterwards the children sit in a circle and learn about shapes. School learns too and is very excited!  AND the little kindergartener makes a sparkly picture of School, which he really likes and which makes her feel so much better. At the end of the day, School confides to Janitor that he is probably lucky to be a school! This book is a great one to teach about perspective and point of view, as well as helping those first timers get over their anxiety about the new school year.

GOODBYE BRINGS HELLO

Words by Dianne White

Pictures by Daniel Wiseman

This charming picture book showcases many goodbye and hello moments in a preschooler’s life ranging from saying goodbye to a too small sweater to moving on from Velcro shoes.The vibrant, colorful illustrations help the reader visualize each situation, as well as to imagine the feelings the little ones are experiencing. Each set of pages offers a scenario that provides a perfect conversation starter about transitions in a child’s life. Of course, some of these changes might bring lots of anxiety to your little one, so seeing these worries come alive on the pages of the book will let them know they are not alone. They will learn that other children have the same concerns they do such as jumping into a swimming pool for the first time, attempting to ride a bike without the training wheels or even walking into school on their first day. By talking about these challenges, they will gain the courage to face them.

This is picture book that I’m sure will prove to be a family favorite and will be a frequently requested bedtime story. It’s also one mom and dad will want to read whenever those new situations prove to be a little scary, and their little ones need to bravely face the next new thing in their lives.

GOODBYE FRIEND! HELLO, FRIEND!

by Cori doerrfeld

One of my favorite books from last year was Cori Doerrfeld’s THE RABBIT LISTENED. Her latest picture book doesn’t disappoint. In fact it is a delightful look at goodbyes and hellos in our lives. It will make you pause and think about how many of those we face everyday. We not only greet our friends and families, but we also greet new seasons, new situations, new places and new activities throughout our day. We may be sad to say goodbye to snowmen, but we love saying hello to spring; we’re disappointed our day at the beach is ending, but it’s so much fun to say hello to campfires and marshmallows; we say goodbye to hesitating to try something new and hello to jumping in and giving it a try. 

The softly colored illustrations in the story introduces us to our main character, a little girl who tearfully bids her mom goodbye on her first day at school, but soon realizes that this goodbye can lead to lots of hellos. You’ll find the sweet facial expressions on each of the characters add so much to the story and will help your little ones understand exactly how each one is feeling.

You’ll see our little girl experience lots of hellos and goodbyes during the next year; some happy and some sad, but always hopeful. Not only will you have lots of fun reading this charming story with your children, but you’ll also find there’s so much to talk about. You can talk about the clues that tell us the days of the little girl’s year are passing: the puppy growing up, her strengthening friendship with Charlie, the clues the seasons are passing; the characters’ feelings. And as this new school year begins, you can talk about how saying goodbye to mom when school starts can lead to so many hellos on the bus, in class, at lunch and on the playground.

I highly recommend adding this book to your family’s library or to your library list! And if you’re not familiar with THE RABBIT LISTENED, add that one, as well. You’ll be so happy you did!

I WALK WITH VANESSA: A STORY ABOUT A SIMPLE ACT OF KINDNESS 

by Kerascoet

This charming wordless picture book won my heart when I saw the cover and after “reading” the story I knew I needed a copy of my own. It tells the story of a young girl who has just moved into the neighborhood and is new at school, a boy who isn’t very kind, and a teacher and classmates who show little empathy to the girl’s plight. No one asks her to join the class basketball game or to sit with them. After school she’s left to walk home alone, ignored by all except one little boy who says some unkind things. Since it’s a wordless book, we don’t know what was said, but the colorful and expressive illustrations – especially the interaction of the two children which is contained within a bright red cloud of color, leave us no doubt as to what unkind words might have been said. We quickly realize no one has noticed the altercation, except for one little girl. She is obviously bothered by what she saw and shares her concern with her friends. Overnight she isn’t able to forget, and the sadness lingers during her happy family breakfast. But then she suddenly has an idea about how to help the little girl.

Your little ones will be able to find so many details in this book as you all retell the story over and over again.  The vivid illustrations of the characters’ expressions will leave no doubt in children’s minds about what they are thinking and feeling.They will recognize the familiar situation of a moving truck arriving and a new family moving in, whether they have moved themselves or they have a new neighbor. They will be able to imagine how a new girl feels, and they can theorize why someone might choose to bully a newcomer. The story will provide you with the perfect introduction to talk about what they can do to welcome newcomers to their neighborhood and school, about teasing, about name-calling and about being an ally, and especially about how one small act of kindness can mean so much. 

The book offers a useful guide with suggestions about helping someone who is being bullied, as well as some helpful words to use during your discussions. And finally, don’t forget to notice the difference in the end papers from the beginning of the story to the end. Those alone are a wonderful thing to discuss with your children! I recommend this book be added to your home library, as well as to every public and school library for ages 4 – 7.

BE KIND

By Pat Zietlow Miller

illustrated by Jen Hill

We need so much more kindness in our world! A great place to start making this happen is during read alouds with our little ones. Be Kind is the perfect conversation starter! It not only tells the story of how kindness in a classroom can happen, but also in the neighborhood and at home. It helps children to understand that kindness is friendliness, patience and working to right a wrong. It can be a small gesture, or something more, that will lead to a greater kindness. I highly recommend this very special book be shared with children 3 – 8 years old, both in classrooms and home. It’s definitely one you’ll want to add to your family library.

THE SMALLEST GIRL IN THE Smallest GRADE

 by Justin Roberts

illustrated by Christian Robinson

Sally is the “smallest girl in the smallest grade” and no one notices her. However, Sally notices everyone and everything from Tommy “tripping” in the hall to the 27 keys on the janitor’s ring. She notices how a whisper can ruin someone’s day and how someone feels when they were pushed off the slide. She finally has enough and announces to her classmates “I’m tired of seeing this terrible stuff! Stop hurting each other! This is enough!” Her outburst inspired not only the children, but also the adults of the school to be a bit kinder and be feel a bit more connected, all because Sally had been paying attention.

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When a family leaves their home to immigrate to a new country or to seek asylum, they very seldom want to leave. Don’t we all find comfort in the familiar; whether it be the familiar sights, familiar foods, friends or family? Immigrants and refugees have the same feelings, just as we do. However, those who flee war torn countries in pursuit of a safe place to live and raise a family, have no choice. They are simply choosing to survive and to be safe.

In these books we meet three characters who have left behind everything and everyone who is dear to them, when their families make the decision to travel to a new country and to find a home that is safe. The characters are brave and resourceful, but also lonely as they encounter prejudice from people who don’t have an understanding or empathy for their experiences. But happily the characters also discover friendship, kindness and acceptance from so many they encounter.

All of the stories provide windows into the lives of immigrants and refugees, which is important for both children and adults to understand. In each book you’ll witness the prejudice these children encounter, simply because of their Muslim faith. But you’ll also understand the hope the immigrants experience as they begin to feel at home in their new country. And you’ll see the kindness, acceptance and support that is shown to them by their classmates, teachers and community as they search for home.

I not only hope you’ll suggest these books to your middle grade children, but I hope you will read them as well. They will break your heart a bit, but they will also offer you hope about the kindness that is possible in our country.

The Eleventh Trade 

By Alyssa Hollingsworth

This book tells the heartbreaking story of a young Afghan refugee. Sami is living in a small apartment in Boston with his grandfather. We slowly learn of the trauma and the cruelty they endured at the hands of smugglers, in refugee camps and in confinement after fleeing from the Taliban. We learn of Sami’s strength, his fierce love for his grandfather, his struggle to understand American customs and his fear of both remembering and forgetting his past.

This is a compelling story you won’t be able to put down. It’s fast paced, with adventure, friendship and soccer. You’ll learn much about Afghan culture, customs and the Muslim faith. I loved every single character, who each in their own way, was so interesting and endearing.

I was especially encouraged by the friendships Sami makes and the kindnesses he encounters  as he valiantly tries to make the necessary trades to buy back his grandfather’s prized possession, a traditional Afgan instrument called a rebab, after it is stolen. Although Sami encounters much prejudice in his new hometown of Boston, he also finds so many who are empathic and anxious to help a young refugee.  

The Eleventh Trade is another necessary #windowsandmirrors book for today. This compelling story will captivate the reader as they gain a better understanding about what a Muslim immigrant might experience as they try to make a new home for themselves in the United States.

Nowhere Boy

By Katherine Marsh

This compelling book tells the terrifying saga of fourteen year old Ahmed and his father who flee war torn Syria. During their long, perilous journey across the sea and Europe, Ahmed’s father disappears and Ahmed is alone. He finally makes it to Brussels, but he has nowhere to live and nothing to eat. That is, until he meets Max, a thirteen year old lonely American boy, who along with his family, is spending the school year in Brussels.

In this fast paced adventure story, we experience Ahmed’s year in Brussels. We understand his yearning to go to school, to play soccer and to find friends, but we also feel his crushing sadness and grief about missing his family and his homeland. And we have a window into the loneliness and terror he constantly feels about being discovered by the police. Because there are two options for immigrants who are found: 1) being sent to live in an immigrant detention center 2) being sent back to Syria.

In this middle grade novel, which is told from both Ahmed’s and Max’s point of view, we witness the growth of the friendship between Max and Ahmed. Not only is Ahmed amazingly brave and resourceful, but the experience of helping Ahmed leads Max to gain strength and confidence in himself. It leads him to have the courage to approach his Belgium classmates to join him in helping Ahmed.

You’ll have a hard time putting this compelling book down. It’s an adventure that will make you hold your breath, but you’ll need tissues as well. You’ll be rooting for both boys to find the happy endings they are hoping for. And you’ll remember Ahmed and Max for a very long time.

Other Words for Home

By Jasmine Warga

Thank you to the author @jassiewarga for the review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

When I received this book, I immediately noticed author, Jason Reynolds, quote on the front of the book. “This is a necessary story. We’re lucky to have it in our world.” After reading this moving MG book, I so agree.

Jude lives in Syria with her Mama, Baba and her older brother. It’s the only home she’s ever known and it’s always been a happy one. But now the fighting is getting closer and closer, her brother has moved out to join the freedom fighters and her mama is pregnant. It’s decided that she and Mama will go to America to live with her uncle’s family.  They move into her uncle’s 100 year old house on A tree lined street in Cincinnati with her uncle who is a doctor, her aunt who loves to garden and create healthy meals and her less than friendly cousin. Her aunt and uncle offer them a warm welcome, but her cousin Sarah, would rather they not be there at all.

This story, which is beautifully told in verse, offers a true glimpse into the world of an immigrant. You see the world through Jude’s eyes as she navigates the halls of her new middle school, struggles to understand the American colloquialisms she constantly hears and feels an overwhelming loneliness. You begin to understand the haven of the ESL classroom where she finds other kids, who like her, are doing their best to learn not only English but also the customs of American preteens. And as the weeks and months pass by, you understand Jude’s confusion when she feels not only love for her new home, but also an aching yearning for the people and world she left behind.

This is such an important #windowsandmirrors book, not only for MG students, but for ALL of us. It is one that needs to be on the shelf of every elementary and middle school library. PLEASE add it to your order list, right now! It will be released 5.7.19.

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I love wordless picture books, but that hasn’t always been true. When I first picked up a wordless picture book, I immediately dismissed it. At the time, I was searching for read alouds for kindergarten and first grade classes, so of course that genre wouldn’t be appropriate, because how in the world would I share a book with no words? Granted, wordless picture books almost always have amazing illustrations, but… That all changed when my son gave me A Ball for Daisy by Chris Raschka for Mother’s Day in 2011. It had recently received the Caldecott Award for 2010. and I had read amazing things about the illustrations, the story and the author, so I was excited to add it to my collection, even though I was disappointed not to be able to share it with my classes. But then I began to think… I couldn’t just leave a gift from my son on display on the coffee table. I wanted to share it and that’s exactly what I did. I shared it with my first grade classes and we had the best time!! We first looked at the cover and made predictions about the story. Who are the main characters? What is the setting? What is the problem? Then we proceeded to “read” the story. I asked for volunteers to tell the story of each page and oh, did the hands go up! They noticed almost every detail in every illustration and if the “reader” missed something, his neighbor was quick to help! You might think we flew through that book and we were left with nothing to read at the end of our thirty minute session, but that was not the case. In fact, the teacher ended up waiting for us to finish! It was so much fun for all of us, and extra fun for me to see the kids who might not always answer questions or join in, raise their hands and beg for a turn. Everyone was sure they could see the details and tell the story, because they didn’t feel like there were any “wrong answers”, which often inhibits the quiet, less confident kids from raising their hand. From that week forward, the kids begged for wordless picture books. Through the years I shared many wordless picture books, but I’ll never forget my first experience when I learned about their true magic.

Here are some favorites. Some titles I’ve shared in the past, and some are new. I hope you’ll find many new wordless picture books you’ll want to share with your little ones.

A Boy and a House

By Maja Kastelic

This wordless picture book follows a curious little boy as he wanders down a city street filled with tall, old houses. He follows a friendly cat through a door and into the lobby of an apartment building where he finds a drawing on the floor. As he trails after his new friend, he spots another drawing and another and another as he climbs the dark stairs. Along the way he passes through intriguing rooms filled with curious objects and walls covered with mysterious pictures, but he doesn’t pause to look. His curiosity gets the best of him so he just keeps climbing. What he finds at the top is a delightful surprise.

The soft, muted colors of the story made me think it was dusk as the boy set off on his adventure. They lent a mysterious tone to the story, but it wasn’t at all scary. All of the characters faces were full of gentle, friendly expressions and led me to believe the little boy was surrounded by kind and caring neighbors, although he was by himself.

This book will lead to lots of discussions with your little ones as you take turns telling the story. I love the opportunity for children to both use their imaginations and to express themselves as they tell their version of a wordless picture book. This is available now.

Friendship, imagination

Journey

by Aaron Beckman

This tells the story of a lonely girl and the magical world she creates with a red marker. It is a wordless picture book that was the Caldecott winner in 2014. It’s the first of a trilogy, Journey, Quest and Return. You’ll want to read all three!

Mystery, imagination, courage, kindness, wordless picture books

How to Heal a Broken Wing by Bob Graham. This book is great for a read aloud and gives the kids the opportunity to create a conversation for each page. The story describes a little boy’s kindness and his parents support as he helps a bird with a broken wing. Read aloud, wordless picture book, kindness.

Hank Finds an Egg by Rebecca Dudley. This is a wordless picture book which will help an adult to initiate a conversation with a child about kindness. Wordless picture book, kindness.

Little Bird by Germano Zullo. This is another wordless picture book that is a very unusual story about generosity and kindness. It gives lots of opportunities for discussion due to the minimal amount of text and wonderful, expressive illustrations. Wordless picture book, kindness.

THAT NEIGHBOR KID

By Daniel Miyares

This is a heartwarming wordless picture book about a friendship that develops between a boy and a girl when she moves in next door. They are both a little lonely until they collaborate on building a tree house together. The drawings are black and white in the beginning, but as their friendship blossoms and each of them contributes to building their playhouse, colorful leaves begin to appear. The illustrations show us the sweet expressions on the friends’ faces as they dream and relax together in their new hideaway. It’s definitely one you’ll want to add to your family library.

Kindness, empathy, friendship, school

I WALK WITH VANESSA: A STORY ABOUT A SIMPLE ACT OF KINDNESS 

By Kerascoet

This charming wordless picture book won my heart when I saw the cover and after “reading” the story I knew I needed a copy of my own. It tells the story of a young girl who has just moved into the neighborhood and is new at school, a boy who isn’t very kind, and a teacher and classmates who show little empathy to the girl’s plight. No one asks her to join the class basketball game or sit with them. After school she’s left to walk home alone, ignored by all except one little boy who says some unkind things. Since it’s a wordless book, we don’t know what was said, but the colorful and expressive illustrations – especially the interaction of the two children which is contained within a bright red cloud of color, leave us no doubt as to what unkind words might have been said. We quickly realize no one has noticed the altercation, except for one little girl. She is obviously bothered by what she saw and shares her concern with her friends. Overnight she isn’t able to forget, and the sadness lingers during her happy family breakfast. But then she suddenly has an idea about how to help the little girl.

Your little ones will be able to find so many details in this book as you all retell the story over and over again.  The vivid illustrations of the characters’ expressions will leave no doubt in children’s minds about what they are thinking and feeling.They will recognize the familiar situation of a moving truck arriving and a new family moving in, whether they have moved themselves or they have a new neighbor. They will be able to imagine how a new girl feels, and they can theorize why someone might choose to bully a newcomer. The story will provide you with the perfect introduction to talk about what they can do to welcome newcomers to their neighborhood and school, about teasing, about name-calling and about being an ally, and especially about how one small act of kindness can mean so much.

The book offers a useful guide with suggestions about helping someone who is being bullied, as well as some helpful words to use during your discussions. And finally, don’t forget to notice the difference in the end papers from the beginning of the story to the end. Those alone are a wonderful thing to discuss with your children! I recommend this book be added to your home library, as well as to every public and school library for ages 4 – 7.

Kindness, empathy, friendship, school

Professional Crocodile

By Giovanna Zoboli and Mariachiara De Giorgio

This delightful wordless picture book is one you’ll thoroughly enjoy with your little ones. There are several panels on each page, which will lead to lots of conversation. You’ll both love finding the many, many details every time you experience the book. It’s so much fun to share wordless picture books and to let the kids create their own dialogue. The story is different every time! And you’ll love the surprise ending, too! This is definitely one to add to your collection.

Comfort, humor, wordless picture book

Sidewalk Flowers 

By Jon Arno Lawson and Sydney Smith

In this wordless picture book, a  little girl walks through a gray city with her distracted father and picks flowers along the way. The flowers become gifts to those she encounters, and in the process transforms the city and it’s inhabitants. May your children find beauty in their world and share it with others.

Kindness, beauty, wordless picture books

Do you have some favorite wordless picture books? How do you share them with your children? Be sure and let us know in the comments!

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I’ve always thought that The Invisible Boy by Trudi Ludwig and llustrated by Patrice Barton is an important book to share with our children. I read it during many story times and recommended it to countless teachers. However, it had slipped my mind until I read this post by Lauren on her delightful site, Happily Ever Elephants. Although she wrote this almost a year ago, it’s a great story to begin your year. I hope you’ll read her post and then add The Invisible Boy to your next library or order list. And most importantly, I hope you’ll curl up with your kids, no matter what their age, and share this story. It will be the perfect opening to a conversation about friendship, kindness and how they can help an invisible child in their class.

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Here it is, December and the holidays are beginning. Lights are up and the stores are bustling. If you’re like me, you’re looking for some books to add to your shopping list. My plan (I hope it’s not too ambitions!) is to share a book gift guide for picture books, early chapter books and middle grade books over the next few weeks. For the most part, these are my favorites published during the past year. However, I may also slip in some old favorites. Today we’re beginning with picture books. I hope you find some titles you’ll want to share with the children in your lives! Please tell us about any you’re planning on giving in the comments below!

Everything You Need for a Treehouse  

By Carter Higgins; illustrated by Emily Huges

Oh, my! I was so looking forward to this book and I can happily say it was absolutely worth the wait! This delightful story, along with Emily Hughes’ charming illustrations transport us into the woods and to that treehouse we’ve always dreamed of owning. It describes the adventures we’ve always hoped of experiencing and are definitely on our wish list for our children.  more

Outdoor adventures ~ imagination ~ creativity ~ friendship ~ cooperation

The worry box

By Suzanne Chiew; Illustrated by Sean Julian

Murray Bear is afraid to go to the waterfall with his sister, Molly. What if it’s too loud? What if it’s too big? Then Molly shares a secret with him. She has a worry box and whenever she is scared or worried about something, she writes it down and puts her worries in the box. Her worry doesn’t go away, but it doesn’t stop her from having fun. (I’m so glad the story stresses that the worry doesn’t disappear, but rather just become bearable.) When Murray tries her technique, it works! Sure enough, the waterfall turns out to be both big and loud, but also beautiful and so much fun!

This is such a great book to share with kids of all ages, and even adults! We all have worries that prevent us from enjoying our lives. I know I do! This books offers us a strategy for dealing with those worries. Just as Molly advises Murray, I once had a wise friend suggest that the worries I was finding unbearable needed to be put into a box on the shelf. And you know what? It helped then and it still helps me now. I want to give children the power to deal with their worries, big or small, and this book does exactly that! I strongly recommend that it be a part of both your home and classroom libraries so that it’s there to curl up with and share whenever a need arises.

Strategies for dealing with worries ~ dealing with fears ~ courage

Operation Rescue Dog 

Written and Illustrated by Maria Gianferrari 

When I saw the title of this book, I knew I had to review it! We have rescued three greyhounds over the past twelve years. In every case, we feel that we were actually the ones who were rescued. These sweet girls brought so much joy to our lives, as well as companionship, humor and of course, love. Operation Rescue Dog sweetly describes just such a situation, although this time the one who is rescued is a lonely little girl. more

Compassion ~ families ~ animals

The Boy and the Giant

Written and Illustated by David C. Litchfield

Everyone in Billy’s town has been working together to paint a beautiful mural, but Billy is worried. He asks his grandad how they can possibly finish the top since it’s higher than any ladder in the village. Grandad reassures him there is someone who can help, The Secret Giant. However, Billy is convinced the giant is just a legend. That is until Grandad reminds him about so many ways the citizens of the town have been mysteriously helped. It seems as if they have a true guardian angel. more

Kindness ~ community ~ accepting differences

I walk with vanessa: A story about a simple act of kindness

By Kerascoët

This charming wordless picture book won my heart when I saw the cover and after “reading” the story I knew I needed a copy of my own. It tells the story of a young girl who has just moved into the neighborhood and is new at school, a boy who isn’t very kind, and a teacher and classmates who show little empathy to the girl’s plight. No one asks her to join the class basketball game or sit with them. After school she’s left to walk home alone, ignored by all except one little boy who says some unkind things. Since it’s a wordless book, we don’t know what was said, but the colorful and expressive illustrations – especially the interaction of the two children which is contained within a bright red cloud of color, leave us no doubt as to what unkind words might have been said. We quickly realize no one has noticed the altercation, except for one little girl. She is obviously bothered by what she saw and shares her concern with her friends. Overnight she isn’t able to forget, and the sadness lingers during her happy family breakfast. But then she suddenly has an idea about how to help the little girl.  more

Kindness ~ empathy ~ friendship ~  school ~ wordless picture books

all are welcome 

By Alexandra Penfold; Illustrated by Suzanne Kaufman

This is a picture book that needs to find its way into every preschool and early elementary classroom. It’s the perfect book to share on any day of the year. The vibrantly colored illustrations help to tell the story of the first day of school for many children and their families. It reminds us that all children, no matter the color of their skin, where they are from, what clothes they wear, what religion they practice or who makes up their family, have a place in the school family.  Your children will recognize many familiar moments of their day from circle time, to lunchtime, to recess, to the walk home, to sharing time at dinner. It offers reassurance to children that no matter their differences, they are welcome. Something we all need to think about, wherever we are. All are welcome!

Immigration ~ Acceptance of Differences ~ Windows and Mirrors

I Am human: A book of empathy

By Susan Verde; Illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds

This amazing author and illustrator team have created another meaningful picture book for all of us to read and thoughtfully share. The colorful, endearing illustrations portray a little boy’s journey as he ponders what being human really means. He learns that not only does he have dreams that are full of possibilities, but he also can make mistakes that hurt those around him. But he realizes that he can learn from these mistakes and make other choices, such as choosing to be kind, compassionate and fair. more

Making choices ~ kindness ~ compassion ~ fairness ~ empathy ~ mindfulness

Accident!

By Andrea Tsurumi

We’ve all had lots of accidents. I know I certainly have! The story begins when Lola, the armadillo, spills orange juice on the living room chair, declares “I’ve ruined everything!” and decides that the only solution is to hide in the library until she’s grown up. But oh, no, on her way she runs right into a friend who has accidentally broken a swing, and quickly joins Lola in the race to the shelter of the library. That is until they encounter ANOTHER friend who has accidentally clipped the water hose when he’s trimming the hedge! This parade continues and adds friend after friend as they rush to get to the security of the library. more

Compassion ~ forgiving other’s mistakes ~ forgiving ourselves for mistakes ~ fixing our mistakes

The dress and the girl

By Camille Andros; Pictures by Julie Morstad

A little girl and her dress, a dress made by her mother on a Greek Island, long to do something “singular, stunning or sensational. For something extraordinary.”  Thus begins this lovely and charming story. It’s a familiar story for so many of us, that memory of a special dress you can’t forget. I have one of those I just can’t part with. It was a “Cinderella” dress chosen in a special shopping trip with my mom. Whenever I see that pink party dress in my memory bin, I’m suddenly once again gathering chocolate Easter eggs with my brother, or bouncing out the door to one of the countless birthday parties I attended. Happily, I can say this story once again brought back those warm memories of a time long ago.  And isn’t that one of the reasons we read stories? more

Immigration, memories, dreams for the future

What do you do with a chance?

By Kobi Yamada; Illustrated by Mae Besom

This is the third book from this creative duo. I loved What Do You Do With an Idea? And What Do You Do With a Problem? However, this is definitely my favorite! This exquisite picture book once again follows a little person as he wanders the countryside and on this adventure is visited by a chance. He wants to grab the chance, but has his doubts. Does he have the courage? What if he misses the chance? Would he feel foolish? more

Courage ~ belief in oneself

There are so many more remarkable picture books I could have added to this post. If you’re still looking for some ideas, please check these posts from the past year.

Two Picture Book Biographies

More Favorite Kids’ Books to Read this Summer

Favorite Books for your tbr list

Look for a post of my favorite middle grade books soon!

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