Early Readers
Picture Books
TODAY A READER, TOMORROW, A LEADER
-MARGARET FULLER
CLICK on for full reviews!
First Day Critter Jitters
“Am I nervous about the first day of school? I mean… sure. After all, have you ever seen how slowly sloths walk? Like…I probably should have left yesterday.”
What happens when the NYT Bestselling author of “All My Friends Are Dead” and the award-winning illustrator of “Please Don’t Eat Me” team up? I’ll tell you what:
MAGIC. Magic happens.
“First Day Critter Jitters” is relatable, it’s funny, and, from what I remember about my first days of elementary school, college, and my first job, it’s absolutely accurate.
This book is unbelievably sweet. It validates the fears we’ve all had on the first day of something big.
Questions to ask your kiddos:
***Why do you think these critters were afraid?
***Was there something changing? Why do you think change is scary sometimes?
***Did you know that even grown-ups get the “first day jitters?”
What happens when the NYT Bestselling author of “All My Friends Are Dead” and the award-winning illustrator of “Please Don’t Eat Me” team up? I’ll tell you what:
MAGIC. Magic happens.
“First Day Critter Jitters” is relatable, it’s funny, and, from what I remember about my first days of elementary school, college, and my first job, it’s absolutely accurate.
This book is unbelievably sweet. It validates the fears we’ve all had on the first day of something big.
Questions to ask your kiddos:
***Why do you think these critters were afraid?
***Was there something changing? Why do you think change is scary sometimes?
***Did you know that even grown-ups get the “first day jitters?”
The World Needs More Purple
This author duo do an amazing job of representing kiddos from all backgrounds, abilities, corners of the world in this book! It's one of my favorite books to recommend to parents and teachers looking for inclusive picture books :)
Questions to ask your kiddos:
***What makes YOU special?
***How can you help other kids find their special thing?!
Questions to ask your kiddos:
***What makes YOU special?
***How can you help other kids find their special thing?!
Parker Looks Up
This story is a simple one - a girl visits a museum with her best friend and their moms where Parker discovers a portrait of a strong, beautiful Black woman in a breathtaking gown. This weekend venture inspires her to dream BIG because she knows that she can be just like the woman in the portrait someday.
With goreous illustrations and pages seeped with joy, Parker Looks Up is one of my favorite "hidden library gems" that will empower and inspire readers of all ages.
Questions to ask your kiddos:
***Who do you look up to?
***What do you want to be when you grow up?
***What is your favorite place to visit on vacation/weekends? Why do you like it?
With goreous illustrations and pages seeped with joy, Parker Looks Up is one of my favorite "hidden library gems" that will empower and inspire readers of all ages.
Questions to ask your kiddos:
***Who do you look up to?
***What do you want to be when you grow up?
***What is your favorite place to visit on vacation/weekends? Why do you like it?
The Oldest Student
"When I’m free, I’ll go where I want and rest when I want. I’ll learn to read, too."
I can’t believe I’ve never heard the name, MARY WALKER:
What an amazing woman!
The Oldest Student is a story about a woman who didn’t just see reading as an essential life skill, but as the wings that would carry her to freedom…someday. Mary Walker waited a literal century before she was finally given the opportunity to learn to read. Born a slave, Walker spent the first part of her life believing she would never have the opportunity to do anything, let alone to be married, have a family, and raise children who were really and truly free.
After being freed herself, Walker spent ten decades putting her family’s dreams before her own, but she never lost hope that her dream was still alive and well.
This story teaches children to never give up on their dreams as well as challenges them to cherish their right to literacy.
Questions to ask your kiddos:
***How do you feel about reading? Do you remember what it was like to learn how to read?
***Did you know there used to be rules about who could learn to read and who couldn’t? Why do you think that is?
***Can you image being 114 years old?! What would it be like to live to be as old as Mary Walker?
I can’t believe I’ve never heard the name, MARY WALKER:
What an amazing woman!
The Oldest Student is a story about a woman who didn’t just see reading as an essential life skill, but as the wings that would carry her to freedom…someday. Mary Walker waited a literal century before she was finally given the opportunity to learn to read. Born a slave, Walker spent the first part of her life believing she would never have the opportunity to do anything, let alone to be married, have a family, and raise children who were really and truly free.
After being freed herself, Walker spent ten decades putting her family’s dreams before her own, but she never lost hope that her dream was still alive and well.
This story teaches children to never give up on their dreams as well as challenges them to cherish their right to literacy.
Questions to ask your kiddos:
***How do you feel about reading? Do you remember what it was like to learn how to read?
***Did you know there used to be rules about who could learn to read and who couldn’t? Why do you think that is?
***Can you image being 114 years old?! What would it be like to live to be as old as Mary Walker?
Bad Dog
With Christmas just around the corner, it’s impossible not to dream of warm cocoa, sing-a-longs, and sweet time with family. You know what else we think of? Puppies! At one point or another, we all wanted a puppy for Christmas.
This story is about a little girl who finally got a dog, and it’s the WORST dog ever!
She won’t play fetch, or go on walks, and she never comes when you call her. Talk about being disappointed – this isn’t at all what dogs are supposed to be like! What’s a little girl supposed to do with a “bad dog?” Find out in Mike Boldt’s book!
Questions to ask your kiddos:
***Can you think of a time when something didn’t go the way you wanted it to?
***How did that make you feel? Hmm..maybe disappointed?
***Why was the little girl disappointed?
***Sometimes, things don’t happen the way we hope, but that doesn’t mean we can’t have fun! What do you think the little girl learned in this story?
This story is about a little girl who finally got a dog, and it’s the WORST dog ever!
She won’t play fetch, or go on walks, and she never comes when you call her. Talk about being disappointed – this isn’t at all what dogs are supposed to be like! What’s a little girl supposed to do with a “bad dog?” Find out in Mike Boldt’s book!
Questions to ask your kiddos:
***Can you think of a time when something didn’t go the way you wanted it to?
***How did that make you feel? Hmm..maybe disappointed?
***Why was the little girl disappointed?
***Sometimes, things don’t happen the way we hope, but that doesn’t mean we can’t have fun! What do you think the little girl learned in this story?
Amy Wu and the Perfect Bao
Zhang’s story teaches readers that there is more than one way to be successful! Amy is a fun-loving and determined little girl. Chua’s illustrations are phenomenal. Amy Wu and her family even share their family recipe with you at the end so you can MAKE YOUR OWN BAO!
Questions for your kiddos:
***How is Amy’s family the same/different than ours?
***Have you ever felt sad because you couldn’t do something that someone else could do? Why did it upset you?
***What’s something that YOU are good at?
Questions for your kiddos:
***How is Amy’s family the same/different than ours?
***Have you ever felt sad because you couldn’t do something that someone else could do? Why did it upset you?
***What’s something that YOU are good at?
Be You!
On-par with “All the Places You’ll Go,” this is a beautiful and encouraging book that’s great for little ones as well as graduates!
My wish for you – no matter where your journey leads – is for you to always be you!
“Be — persistent, silly, quirky… “
This book is a dreamy depiction of all the wonders that are possible in this world. Want to give your kiddos a healthy sense of “Wanderlust?” Read this book. Want to encourage them to chase every dream? Read this book! There is nothing like reminding someone of the absolutely true fact that the world is filled with people of all shapes, sizes, and talent, but there is no one else that can fill the them-shaped hole in the universe. Everything that makes them unique is what makes them wonderful.
The world needs them. Plain and simple.
Questions to ask your kiddos:
*** What do YOU want to be?
***Where do you want to GO?
My wish for you – no matter where your journey leads – is for you to always be you!
“Be — persistent, silly, quirky… “
This book is a dreamy depiction of all the wonders that are possible in this world. Want to give your kiddos a healthy sense of “Wanderlust?” Read this book. Want to encourage them to chase every dream? Read this book! There is nothing like reminding someone of the absolutely true fact that the world is filled with people of all shapes, sizes, and talent, but there is no one else that can fill the them-shaped hole in the universe. Everything that makes them unique is what makes them wonderful.
The world needs them. Plain and simple.
Questions to ask your kiddos:
*** What do YOU want to be?
***Where do you want to GO?
Circus Girl
Family Fun!
Dare to Dream Big
Looking for a story that will teach your kiddos to DREAM and be BRAVE? Here it is! Dare to Dream Big teaches kiddos that it is ay-okay to be the first person to try something new or to stand up for what is right.
"Dare to see when others don’t … dare to speak when others won’t."
With fun pictures and a diverse group of friends, readers will feel ready to take on the world after they dive into this book!
Questions to ask your kiddos:
***What is YOUR dream?
***How can we get there TOGETHER?
"Dare to see when others don’t … dare to speak when others won’t."
With fun pictures and a diverse group of friends, readers will feel ready to take on the world after they dive into this book!
Questions to ask your kiddos:
***What is YOUR dream?
***How can we get there TOGETHER?
Don't Worry, Little Crab
"Little Crab takes a step…
then another…
until…"
Little Crab has made a choice: He’s going to see the ocean today.
Do you remember what it felt like to be a kid in this giant world? Countertops seemed like mountains standing in the middle of our kitchen, and the neighbor’s dog might as well have been a Saint Bernard. Little Crab has never left his cozy home, but today he’s decided it’s time to see the ocean! With the support of his best buddy, he finds that every scary journey begins with one step, then another, and then another. Before Little Crab knows it, he’s venturing through an exciting underwater world filled with new friends — It’s not scary at all!
Little Crab teaches little ones that it’s okay to be afraid.
New things are scary, and even the bravest of crustaceans have days when we want to hide away in our familiar shells instead of exploring somewhere new. Whether your kiddo is afraid of the dark, starting a new school, or going to a new place, Don’t Worry, Little Crab is a fantastic story to visit!
Questions to ask your kiddos:
***Have you ever been BRAVE?
***What did you do? Were you scared?
***Little Crab had a great friend help them, right? How could you be a friend like that?
then another…
until…"
Little Crab has made a choice: He’s going to see the ocean today.
Do you remember what it felt like to be a kid in this giant world? Countertops seemed like mountains standing in the middle of our kitchen, and the neighbor’s dog might as well have been a Saint Bernard. Little Crab has never left his cozy home, but today he’s decided it’s time to see the ocean! With the support of his best buddy, he finds that every scary journey begins with one step, then another, and then another. Before Little Crab knows it, he’s venturing through an exciting underwater world filled with new friends — It’s not scary at all!
Little Crab teaches little ones that it’s okay to be afraid.
New things are scary, and even the bravest of crustaceans have days when we want to hide away in our familiar shells instead of exploring somewhere new. Whether your kiddo is afraid of the dark, starting a new school, or going to a new place, Don’t Worry, Little Crab is a fantastic story to visit!
Questions to ask your kiddos:
***Have you ever been BRAVE?
***What did you do? Were you scared?
***Little Crab had a great friend help them, right? How could you be a friend like that?
The President of the Jungle
How in the world do we explain “democracy” to kids in the 2020 election year?
For starters, we can read them this beautifully illustrated and delightfully
well-informed book.
"Lion is the King of the jungle, so that means he can do whatever he wants, right? Wrong! Not in this jungle anyway…"
Read along with your young ones as the rest of the jungle stands up for their rights as citizens of the free (and wild) world.
"They had debates to talk about their ideas.
And sometimes, they just argued."
My favorite part of this book is the glossary of election terms.
Words like debate, demonstration, and democracy are broken down in a way that kids can comprehend and talk about afterward!
Questions to ask your kiddos:
***Why do you think Lion wouldn’t listen to the other animals?
***Have you ever seen someone do something that wasn’t fair? What did you do?
***Did you know that we can talk to the “lions” in charge of our city, state, and country? ***What would you ask them if you got to meet them?
For starters, we can read them this beautifully illustrated and delightfully
well-informed book.
"Lion is the King of the jungle, so that means he can do whatever he wants, right? Wrong! Not in this jungle anyway…"
Read along with your young ones as the rest of the jungle stands up for their rights as citizens of the free (and wild) world.
"They had debates to talk about their ideas.
And sometimes, they just argued."
My favorite part of this book is the glossary of election terms.
Words like debate, demonstration, and democracy are broken down in a way that kids can comprehend and talk about afterward!
Questions to ask your kiddos:
***Why do you think Lion wouldn’t listen to the other animals?
***Have you ever seen someone do something that wasn’t fair? What did you do?
***Did you know that we can talk to the “lions” in charge of our city, state, and country? ***What would you ask them if you got to meet them?
The Little Ghost Who Lost Her Boo!
Facing Fears
A Family for Louie
Family, Animals
Madame Badobedah
"I don’t care, because I’m an ADVENTURER, and adventurers are often shoeless."
Mabel is not afraid of a little sleuthing. In fact, she thrives on mystery!
As the daughter of the owners of a place called the Mermaid Hotel, Mabel has done her fair share of investigative work in her little town. But everything changed the day an old lady arrived at the Mermaid.
Madame Badobedah is a little…different.
As readers learn the strange habits of Madame B, they also learn the value of having friends who are different than them. Madame B teaches kiddos that being strange isn’t a bad thing – it’s what makes us special!
Questions to ask your kiddos:
***What makes you different from your friends? From your siblings?
***How can we celebrate our differences?
Mabel is not afraid of a little sleuthing. In fact, she thrives on mystery!
As the daughter of the owners of a place called the Mermaid Hotel, Mabel has done her fair share of investigative work in her little town. But everything changed the day an old lady arrived at the Mermaid.
Madame Badobedah is a little…different.
As readers learn the strange habits of Madame B, they also learn the value of having friends who are different than them. Madame B teaches kiddos that being strange isn’t a bad thing – it’s what makes us special!
Questions to ask your kiddos:
***What makes you different from your friends? From your siblings?
***How can we celebrate our differences?
The Love Letter
Love, Friendship
A New School for Charlie
You would think that going to a new school would be scary, or sad, or both, but not for Charlie. He is beyond excited for the first day at his new school. Making new friends is one of his favorite things to do! So, imagine his surprise when he walked into Mr. Calico’s classroom to find a room filled with CATS. Cats who want nothing to do with their loud, nosy, and altogether strange new classmate.
"How can I make any friends when I feel so different…?"
…Charlie wondered late that night. How was he supposed to make friends with classmates who were the exact opposite of his other friends? Luckily, the next day, Charlie is invited to sit with one of his classmates, a little kitty who decided she would be his first friend, and the rest is history!
"These days, Charlie has lots of friends at school, but he still remembers how it felt to be lonely."
What a great way to teach your readers that they can be someone’s first friend? – They can make a place completely un-scarry and even make it fun!
Questions to ask your kiddos:
*** Do you have friends at school? How did you make them?
***Could you be like Charlie and try to meet one new friend every day?
"How can I make any friends when I feel so different…?"
…Charlie wondered late that night. How was he supposed to make friends with classmates who were the exact opposite of his other friends? Luckily, the next day, Charlie is invited to sit with one of his classmates, a little kitty who decided she would be his first friend, and the rest is history!
"These days, Charlie has lots of friends at school, but he still remembers how it felt to be lonely."
What a great way to teach your readers that they can be someone’s first friend? – They can make a place completely un-scarry and even make it fun!
Questions to ask your kiddos:
*** Do you have friends at school? How did you make them?
***Could you be like Charlie and try to meet one new friend every day?
It's a Moose!
"A new baby? What a joy! Wait a second…what is that? IT’S A MOOSE!"
Meg Rosoff and David Ercolini tell a hilarious story about a little girl who just can’t understand how she’s related to the baby her parents bring home from the hospital.
Whenever we take him out, stagers stop to admire his lovely eyes. They point at him from across the street and stare. They WISH they had a baby like ours.
This is a charming, sweet, and slightly silly story that kiddos who enjoyed If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, and Once Upon a Goat will love!
Questions to ask your kiddos:
***Have you ever seen someone who looked a little…different?
***What did you say to them? Did you stare? Were you afraid?
***Do you think it’s fair to treat someone differently because of the way they look?
Why or why not?
Meg Rosoff and David Ercolini tell a hilarious story about a little girl who just can’t understand how she’s related to the baby her parents bring home from the hospital.
Whenever we take him out, stagers stop to admire his lovely eyes. They point at him from across the street and stare. They WISH they had a baby like ours.
This is a charming, sweet, and slightly silly story that kiddos who enjoyed If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, and Once Upon a Goat will love!
Questions to ask your kiddos:
***Have you ever seen someone who looked a little…different?
***What did you say to them? Did you stare? Were you afraid?
***Do you think it’s fair to treat someone differently because of the way they look?
Why or why not?
A New Kind of Wild
Adventure, Change, New Friends and Places
Piglette
I absolutely squealed with delight when I finished this story (pun intended).
Piglette is fancy, she’s chic, she’s persnickety, and she LOVES the pasture, but…
when she gets the chance to leave her family farm and go to Paris, she says, mais oui!
Piglette’s tour of the heart of France will leave you with a serious case of wanderlust. The illustrations are filled with delicate pink flowers and all the best parts of the city. They also help you see why, even though she loves Paris, Piglette misses her wide open pasture after spending time in the city.
How can she be trés heureux without her family and the big outdoors?
“How can I bring a bit of Paris to the pasture?”
Piglette pondered.
Ultimately, Piglette realizes that her loud, messy, absolutely not Parisian family is exactly where she wants to be, because it’s where her family, whom she adores, will always be.
Questions to ask your kiddos:
***If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
***Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live somewhere without your mom and dad (or siblings)? How would things be different?
***What is your favorite part about our little home? What makes us special?
Piglette is fancy, she’s chic, she’s persnickety, and she LOVES the pasture, but…
when she gets the chance to leave her family farm and go to Paris, she says, mais oui!
Piglette’s tour of the heart of France will leave you with a serious case of wanderlust. The illustrations are filled with delicate pink flowers and all the best parts of the city. They also help you see why, even though she loves Paris, Piglette misses her wide open pasture after spending time in the city.
How can she be trés heureux without her family and the big outdoors?
“How can I bring a bit of Paris to the pasture?”
Piglette pondered.
Ultimately, Piglette realizes that her loud, messy, absolutely not Parisian family is exactly where she wants to be, because it’s where her family, whom she adores, will always be.
Questions to ask your kiddos:
***If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
***Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live somewhere without your mom and dad (or siblings)? How would things be different?
***What is your favorite part about our little home? What makes us special?
Sulwe
Actress/superhuman, Lupita Nyong’o, has quite possibly created the most beautiful picture book of 2019.
Sulwe tells the story of a little girl who is convinced that something is wrong with her skin. She tries everything to make it lighter – rubbing her pencil eraser on it, eating the whitest foods she can find – but nothing helps. Nothing will make her beautiful. UNTIL she’s led through the tale of the goddesses of darkness and light. In this story, one little girl will discover the beauty of love and balance.
Sulwe gives parents/teachers the opportunity to talk to their little ones about why each of us are different and how this makes us wonderful.
Questions to ask your kiddos:
***Why would someone want to change the way they look?
***Where do you see darkness and light in the world around you? The Sun? The Moon? Why do we need them both?
***What can YOU do to help everyone in your life know that they are beautiful and loved JUST the way they are?
Sulwe tells the story of a little girl who is convinced that something is wrong with her skin. She tries everything to make it lighter – rubbing her pencil eraser on it, eating the whitest foods she can find – but nothing helps. Nothing will make her beautiful. UNTIL she’s led through the tale of the goddesses of darkness and light. In this story, one little girl will discover the beauty of love and balance.
Sulwe gives parents/teachers the opportunity to talk to their little ones about why each of us are different and how this makes us wonderful.
Questions to ask your kiddos:
***Why would someone want to change the way they look?
***Where do you see darkness and light in the world around you? The Sun? The Moon? Why do we need them both?
***What can YOU do to help everyone in your life know that they are beautiful and loved JUST the way they are?
Kindness Makes Us Strong
"Kindness is saying hello."
Short and sweet, this book tells kids what they already know: kindness is simple.
More than that, Sophie Beer’s words remind adults just how quickly we de-prioritize kindness when life gets busy and complicated and hard. With gorgeous and bright illustrations, she demonstrates everyday bits of kindness we all have time for.
Kindness Makes us Strong is a must-read for parents and kiddos alike!
Questions to ask your kiddos:
***How do you show kindness to your friends? Your teachers? Your family?
***What is your favorite way to show kindness?
Short and sweet, this book tells kids what they already know: kindness is simple.
More than that, Sophie Beer’s words remind adults just how quickly we de-prioritize kindness when life gets busy and complicated and hard. With gorgeous and bright illustrations, she demonstrates everyday bits of kindness we all have time for.
Kindness Makes us Strong is a must-read for parents and kiddos alike!
Questions to ask your kiddos:
***How do you show kindness to your friends? Your teachers? Your family?
***What is your favorite way to show kindness?
Tiny T. Rex: The Very Dark Dark
Who doesn’t love Tiny T-Rex?
This book released during a very dark and scary time…As I write this review, schools are closing their doors, restaurants and shops are turning out the lights, and families are confined to their homes hoping to slow down the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
What better time to talk to your little ones about FEAR?
Tiny T. Rex is not afraid to tell you how afraid he is of the very very dark. This book is a great way to start a conversation with your kiddos about what it means to be afraid. Do we stop what we’re doing? How do we respond to fear? How can we make it through scary times? How can we find the little lights around us?
More importantly, in times like these, how can we BE the little lights?
Questions to ask your kiddos:
***What are YOU afraid of?
***What do you do when you’re afraid?
***How can we help our friends when they are afraid?
This book released during a very dark and scary time…As I write this review, schools are closing their doors, restaurants and shops are turning out the lights, and families are confined to their homes hoping to slow down the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
What better time to talk to your little ones about FEAR?
Tiny T. Rex is not afraid to tell you how afraid he is of the very very dark. This book is a great way to start a conversation with your kiddos about what it means to be afraid. Do we stop what we’re doing? How do we respond to fear? How can we make it through scary times? How can we find the little lights around us?
More importantly, in times like these, how can we BE the little lights?
Questions to ask your kiddos:
***What are YOU afraid of?
***What do you do when you’re afraid?
***How can we help our friends when they are afraid?
There's an Alien in Your Book
Active Reading!