In addition to being an author, I am a book reviewer and share my favorite titles for children 0-12 on my Instagram page @picturebookrecommendations. Please feel free to reach out if you are looking for a book on a specific topic for a kiddo in your life!
Please see my current review policy here.
Do you have a favorite kind of music?
Mamiachi & Me: My Mami’s Mariachi Band
This lyrical picture book is a beautiful celebration of mariachi and what it means to one young girl to join in with the women in her family and perform. I love the themes of community, bravery, music and connection.
@Writerjolene
@_dakota_gutierrez_
@msmirelle
@abramskids
Sing With Your Baby Every Day
30 songs and nursery rhymes accompanied by gorgeously stitched warm and soothing illustrations.
#ClaireGrace
@chloegiordano_embroidery
@quartokids
At Night, They Danced
Two boys love their parents date night once a week, this is when they have a sitter get to eat pizza and hang out with their babysitter. One week though their parents don’t get ready like they usually do and the boys set up a plan to see what their parents are up to, only to discover that they can have a love filled fun evening just the four of them at home.
@Victoriascottmiller
#ToniDChambers
@simonkids
And There Was Music
A uplifting celebration of all that music is – emotion, connection, comfort and a guide!
@Pantaleomarta
@eerdmansyoungreaders
#music #dance #family #sewing
What is home to you? A place? A person? A feeling? Explore home and what it signifies in these three new books!
You Are Home
This stunning and lyrical book explores what a home is, who it is, how it feels and what it means. It thoughtfully shows how we can assume a house has four walls, but really, it is so much more than that. Just because we lose one place of residence doesn’t mean we still have that feeling of warmth, belonging, and hope elsewhere.
@Bextobinfine
@Annebrightart
@chroniclekidsbooks
Thread by Thread
This is such a unique and clever book. It shows a mouse family that lives in a knitted home. When their home begins to unravel, they are forced elsewhere, and begin to rebuild in a way that works for them. I love that this book shows that home is whatever we make it.
@Alicebrierehaquet
@Michelaeccli
@eerdmansyoungreaders
The Tree House
Frog and snail are best friends and when they decide to move intogether they are forced to think about what makes a home work for each of them. This sweet story will leave readers thinking about what they need and want in a home and also more broadly considering others needs in addition to their own. There are so many layers to love in this book including friendship, compromise, listening and the value in slowing down.
@ilariapops
@happyyakbooks
@quartokids
#home #friendship #picturebook
Divorce is something many children experience and this warm, beautiful book is here to provide comfort to those who may be struggling to adjust.
It shows that while it may be challenging to be split between two homes and to wish things could go back to the way they were, many things in life are the same and the child will always be surrounded by love.
Beautifully done and heartwarmingly illustrated this book is sure to open up important conversations around feelings and transition to a new family normal.
Hearts in My Pocket
@nancytupperling
@shirleysillos
@unionsqandco
#divorce #divorcebooks #divorcebooksforkids
Earth Day is around the corner and here are two books that I am reading with my kids to celebrate a place I love and an animal I adore - both of which need celebrating and protecting.
Save the...Turtles
If you haven’t read this series yet, please do! I can’t recommend it enough! Each book in the series tells you everything there is to know about the animal it features and why and how you can help save them. This time the series is highlighting turtles. How amazing they are - did you know there is a turtle named Jonathan that is almost two hundred years old - how and where they live, the threats they face, how to care for them and more!
#SarahLThomson
@chelseaclinton
@philomelbooks
@Penguinkids
Where Is Yellowstone?
Yellowstone is an incredible place! It was the world’s first national park and is filled with history and incredible wildlife and is home to more than 500 active geysers. Now you can travel there through this incredible book or learn all about it for an upcoming trip!
#SarahFabiny
@penguinkids
@penguinworkshop
#yellowstone #turtles #nature #chapterbook #nonfiction #earthday
Melts my author heart 💙
Matzah Day is written by me and illustrated by @jkirsch118 and available from @holidayhousebks wherever books are sold!
Happy almost Passover everyone!
Fascinating non-fiction that is perfect for earth day!
Plight of the Pelican: How Science Saved a Species
In the 1950s the pelican population began to fall. Scientists determined that the eggs were being weakened by the pelican’s consumption of a pesticide called DDT. I LOVE that this book shows how written and spoken words protesting this injustice created the change that was needed to save this species. This incredible book shows the power of science, speaking up and is a powerful call to action for the changes that still need to be made in our world today. Highly recommend!
@jlstremer
@gordyjwright
@holidayhousebks
Scat: The Incredible Science of Wildlife Poop
This fascinating book explores, what poop is and why it is important. Did you know that poop can be a fertilizer, food and even a communication method? This one is sure to be a big hit with kids while engaging and teaching them about how it can be used to study animals and even as an ally in the fight against climate change!
@anitasanchezauthor
@holidayhousebks
Don’t Eat the Cleaners!: Tiny Fish with a Big Job
This fascinating book details how fish have to get clean just like humans do! It details why it is important for fish to get clean and how to go about it. I love that it compares the fishes needs to human ones and is sure to encourage reader cleanliness while engaging and teaching them all about undersea cleanliness habits!
@susan.stockdale
@peachtreepublishing
#earthday #science #nonfiction #steam
Has your child ever hit or struggled to share? One of my very favorite parenting experts is here with the perfect book to model how to handle this exact situation.
I love that the book shows us just how special this truck is and the frustration and feeling behind the unplanned action (hitting) was. It shows how to repair with love on all sides.
I highly recommend Dr. Becky for amazing parenting advice on all aspects of raising children!
That’s My Truck!: A Good Inside Story About Hitting
@drbeckyatgoodinside
@joaniestoneart
@mackidsbooks
#parenting #toddler #hitting #bigfeelings
Earth Day favorites!
Plight of the Pelican
This incredible book shows the power of science, and speaking up & is a powerful call to action for the changes that still need to be made.
@jlstremer
@gordyjwright
@holidayhousebks
A Kid’s Guide to Saving the Planet
I love this empowering book that explains climate change, its effects & what we can do about it! It breaks down the problem(s) in kid-friendly, engaging terms & offers realistic solutions.
@pdouglasweather
@Chelenecija
@beamingbooksmn
Why We Celebrate Earth Day
I love this series! Earth Day - where it came from, why it is important, facts about living an eco-friendly lifestyle & activities for joining in the fun!
#KellyAnneMcLellan
@javieramaclean
@callistokids
@sourcebookskids
The Night Before Earth Day
Told in the fun read-aloud style we have come to know & love from this series this beautiful book features a community showing up to help our planet by planting a community garden, planting trees, releasing butterflies & more!
@natasha.wing
#AmyWummer
@penguinkids
Bug Snacks
This book is incredible! It details everything from why bugs are important to how eating them can actually help the planet, to which ones are safe to eat & more!
@_jess_french
@zoeingram.illustration
@duopressbooks
@sourcebookskids
Magic in a Drop of Water
This is the captivating and inspiring story of Ruth Patrick, a woman born in 1907 who broke gender norms & became a scientist and pollution activist. She studied water pollution & taught others how to take action against it. Highly recommend!
@jwbottom
@susan_reagan
@rockypondbooks
@penguinkids
100 Ways to Save the Planet
This book is packed with actionable steps you can take to help our planet. From growing your own vegetables to brushing with bamboo it is packed with actions big & small!
@mrtomjordan
@joshrice.pictures
@gmcpublications
Future Vision
This book shows a snapshot of the future our world could have - a world transformed by technology, sustainability, and global initiatives. I love that this uplifting book shows all that is possible if we just choose to make it so.
@madeleinerogers
@cathylynn_rogers
@gmcpublications
#earthday
Reflection, contemplation and courage are empowering tools as these two stunning new books beautifully illustrate for young readers!
This Is a Moment
This book is full of joy. It shows how life is made up of moments and that our past and present ones collide to form those moments and who we are. It is stunningly illustrated and I love that it made me pause and reflect on my own moments, past and present, and how those impact the meaning of my experiences. Highly recommend!
@Micahplayer
@penguinkids
In-Between Places
When you are in the in-between how to you know which way to go? I love that this book shows the journey and the continual decisions that we need to make. It encourages reflection and “reminds us that sometimes we just need to take a leap.” Highly recommend
@alexdkillian
@gradymcferrin
@chroniclekidsbooks
#kidlit #picturebooksaremyjam #picturebookrecommendation #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #readaloud #kidsbookstagram #bookstagram #kidlit #kidsbookstagram #picturebooks #picturebookrecommendations #bookswelove #kidsbooks #readaloud #bookstagrammer #kidsbookstagrammer #picturebooksofinstagram
Do you celebrate Easter? Do you have any fun or favorite traditions?
Hatch and Match: A Springtime Seek-and-Find Book
This book is filled with zany adorable fun! Match the different colorful patterned hens with their same but different eggs and then again with their hatched chicks. A fun search and find read alous with a lovely underlying message that we are all connected and unique.
@ruthpaulbooks
@Candlewickpress
Crack Goes the Cascarón: An Eggcellent Not-Just-for-Easter Shellebration!
Toti is the King of Cascarones. He prepares for this joyful Lantine tradition by practicing cracking the colorful confetti filled eggs on his families heads. They get their own back though when they hijack Toti’s egg-cellent plan. A fun filled story of tradition, family and hilarious antics.
@safajarwrites
@Denarmen
@randomhousekids
Easter (Celebrations & Festivals)
Sam and his siblings are inviting the reader to celebrate Easter with them and explaining the significance of the holiday and its components along the way. They bake easter treats, dye eggs, attend church and more.
#NancyDickmann
@emmarandall_uk
@wordsandpictures_books
@quartokids
Hap-Pea Easter (The Peas Series)
My favorite joyful peas are back and this time they are celebrating spring time and Easter! Adorable, fun and uplifting!
#KeithBaker
@simonkids
Roald Dahl: How to Have An Eggstraordinary Easter
A quirky silly fun filled guide to having an Eggstraordinary Easter filled with beloved Roald Dahl characters!
@Steve Behling
@roald_dahl
@Quentinblakehq
#easter #easterbooks #eastereggs
I adore this book! It says “YAY” to all of life’s moments, the big ones, the small ones and everything in between.
It cheers you on regardless of if you got lucky, failed forward or worked hard – trying and having a growth mindset is worth celebrating. It shows that life is just better when we cheer one another and ourselves on.
A perfect gift for a graduation, birthday or just to show someone you are in their corner saying YAY!
What is the “YAY” you are celebrating in your life?
Yay!
@jessicakulekjian
@zarprey
@bloomsburybooksus
#celebrate #graduation #growthmindset
Are you more of a basketball, soccer or chess person? No matter your interests, these three new biographies are sure to inspire!
The Story of Caitlin Clark
Clark’s story is one of hard work and big dreams. This inspiring new biography details everything from her upbringing, to her trailblazing college years to her current position for the WNBA!
@rachelleburk
@callistokids
Messi Mania: The ultimate story of the world’s greatest soccer star
This fascinating new bio details the journey of a young boy in Argentina overcoming challenges and setbacks to become the legendary soccer icon that Messi is celebrated as today. Don’t miss this inspiring story of hard work, determination and teamwork.
@Luismechegaray
@quartokids
Elsa’s Chessboard
This special story is a must read. It tells the story of a woman named Elsa who broke social norms and mastered the game of chess. Chess ran a constant thread through Elsa’s life - from her beginnings in Austria where she learned from her older brothers and was later forced to flee because of her religion, to connecting over it with her husband, to using the game to meet new friends in her new country to bonding over it in later years with her great grandchildren. This is an incredible story of defying social norms, resilience and the things that connect us.
@Jennyandruswrites
@Juliedowning
@holidayhousebks
#chess #soccer #messi #basketball #caitlinclark #inspire #motivate
