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!
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
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
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
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
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.
Look for a post of my favorite middle grade books soon!
REMEMBER, YOU CAN ALSO FIND ME ON:
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Everything You Need for a Treehouse 
Operation Rescue Dog 
