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!
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🐚✨ Finding the just right friend is the best treasure of all.
Mabel the wombat loves collecting tiny wonders—seashells from special adventures, treasured marbles, beloved buttons, and all the little keepsakes that tell a story.
But after moving to a new home, there`s one thing Mabel can`t seem to collect...
A friend. 💛
Mabel`s Museum of Wonders is a warm and tender celebration of friendship, belonging, and the special memories hidden inside everyday objects. Filled with gentle humor and gorgeous illustrations, this charming picture book reminds us that shared interests can bring people together in unexpected ways.
📚 Mabel`s Museum of Wonders
✍️🎨 @danawulfekotte
📖 @simonkids
Are you a collector? What treasures would you put in your own Museum of Wonders! 💭
#MabelsMuseumOfWonders #DanaWulfekotte #PictureBooks #KidsLit #ChildrensBooks #Bookstagram #PictureBookRecommendations #FriendshipBooks #MovingBooksForKids #MakingFriends #ReadAloud #RaisingReaders #BooksForKids #FamilyReading #LibraryBooks #ClassroomBooks #SocialEmotionalLearning #NewPictureBooks #SimonKids
📚 Looking for meaningful ways to introduce kids to Juneteenth?
Observed on June 19, Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery in the United States and celebrates Black freedom, resilience, history, and joy.
Whether you’re a parent, teacher, librarian, or caregiver, these books are wonderful ways to start conversations, deepen understanding, and celebrate the holiday with children of all ages.
✨ Which of these have you read? Share your favorite Juneteenth books in the comments so we can continue growing this list!
📖 Featured Titles:
❤️ The Juneteenth Alphabet — A joyful A-to-Z celebration of Juneteenth.
@Apetiferwrites @Anacandraw @Duopressbooks @sourcebookskids
❤️ Juneteenth Is — A beautiful mirror and window into the ways families celebrate.
@natasha_stories @danielostudios @chroniclebooks
❤️ So Many Years: A Juneteenth Story — A lyrical and moving exploration of Juneteenth’s history and legacy.
@anne_wynter @wjpumphrey @harperkids
❤️ The Juneteenth Story: Celebrating the End of Slavery in the United States — An accessible introduction with illustrations and a timeline.
@alliago @sawyercloud01 @quartokids
❤️ They Built Me for Freedom — The inspiring story of Houston’s Emancipation Park.
@tonyaellisbooks @knotwritenow @clarionbooks
❤️ The Juneteenth Cookbook — Recipes, activities, and traditions that celebrate Black joy.
@alliago @cheftaffyelrod @sawyercloud01 @quartokids
❤️ Juneteenth: A Picture Book for Kids Celebrating Black Joy — A lyrical celebration of heritage, community, and belonging.
@vanggarrett @reginaldcadams @harperkids
❤️ The History of Juneteenth — A great nonfiction introduction for new readers.
@arlisharenae @callistokids
❤️ What Is Juneteenth? — A deeper dive for older elementary and middle-grade readers.
#KirstiJewel @penguinworkshop @penguinkids
📌 Save this post for your holiday reading stack.
📚 Share it with a teacher, librarian, or fellow book lover.
#Juneteenth #JuneteenthBooks #ChildrensBooks #picturebooks
Comparison is the thief of joy… especially for little artists. 🎨🐦
This playful, laugh-out-loud story follows a young girl who loves making art—until her grandpa’s bird, Vera, starts creating extraordinary masterpieces.
Suddenly, the joy she once felt begins to slip away. If Vera is that good… what’s the point of sharing her own work?
What unfolds is such a funny and gentle reminder that creativity isn’t about being the best—it’s about expressing yourself, taking risks, and finding joy in the process.
I love how this book names that very real feeling of comparison and then quietly shifts it, showing kids that their voice—and their art—still matters.
Such a confidence-boosting, heart-filled read for little creators. 💛
✨ Highlights:
✔️ creativity over comparison
✔️ building artistic confidence
✔️ expressing yourself freely
✔️ humor + heart
✔️ finding your own voice
✔️ art is for everyone
Do you have a little artist at home? 🎨
@gedadamson @nosycrow @littlenosycrow
#creativekids #artforkids #picturebooks #kidslit #raisingreaders
💙 Because of dads, we learn to be brave. Because of dads, we learn to laugh. Because of dads, we know we are loved.
Because of Dads is a joyful and heartfelt celebration of the fathers, grandfathers, and father figures who help shape our lives in both the big moments and the everyday ones.
From silly songs and dance parties to words of encouragement when life gets tough, this beautiful picture book captures all the ways dads help us grow, dream, and believe in ourselves.
A wonderful read for Father`s Day, a new baby, graduation, or anytime you want to celebrate the special people who show up with love, support, and lots of laughter. 💙
📚 Because of Dads
✍️ @kennethelewis
🎨 @maithiliart
📖 @mackidsbooks
Have a favorite memory with your dad, grandfather, or father figure? Share it below! 💭
#BecauseOfDads #FathersDayBooks #PictureBooks #KidsLit #ReadAloud #Bookstagram #PictureBookRecommendations #FamilyReading #ChildrensBooks #RaisingReaders #FathersDay #DadLove #GrandpaLove #BooksForKids #ReadTogether
Have you ever wondered what happens high up in the treetops where great blue herons make their homes?
Heronry invites readers into the fascinating world of these majestic birds, offering a front-row seat to the sights and sounds of a bustling heron nesting colony.
Each year, great blue herons return to the same nesting grounds—repairing nests, finding mates, raising chicks, and filling the air with calls as a new generation begins. Through lyrical storytelling, fascinating facts, and beautiful illustrations, readers can observe the entire life cycle of these remarkable birds from an up-close perspective.
Perfect for budding birdwatchers, nature lovers, and curious young readers, this gorgeous nonfiction picture book is a wonderful way to explore animal behavior, habitats, and the rhythms of the natural world. 💙🌿
📚 Heronry
✍️ @barbaraherkert
🎨 @gordywrightillustration
📖 @peachtreepublishing
Do you have a favorite bird to spot outdoors? Tell us below! 🐦
#Heronry #BarbaraHerkert #GordyWright #PictureBooks #NonfictionPictureBook #BirdBooks #NatureBooks #KidsLit #STEMBooks #BirdWatching #ChildrensBooks #Bookstagram #PictureBookRecommendations #NatureStudy #ReadAloud #RaisingReaders #ScienceForKids #WildlifeBooks #NewPictureBooks #PeachtreePublishing
🌳 Some stories remind us that even after unimaginable loss, hope can still take root.
150,000 Trees: Growing a Memorial for 9/11`s Flight 93 is a powerful true story about healing, remembrance, and a community coming together after tragedy.
In the wake of September 11, 2001, the land surrounding the future Flight 93 National Memorial needed healing too. Once covered in forests, the area had been transformed by years of mining and left struggling to thrive. As plans for a memorial took shape, people found a meaningful way to honor those who were lost—by planting trees.
One tree became hundreds. Hundreds became thousands. And over time, 150,000 trees helped transform the landscape into a living memorial rooted in hope, resilience, and remembrance.
With lyrical text and breathtaking illustrations, this moving picture book shows how small acts of care can grow into something extraordinary and reminds us that even in the darkest moments, new life can emerge.
A beautiful addition to classroom, library, and home bookshelves as we approach the 25th anniversary of 9/11. ❤️🌳
📚 150,000 Trees: Growing a Memorial for 9/11`s Flight 93
✍️ @rebeccahirschbooks
🎨 @jacquelinetamillustration
📖 @lernerbooks
Have you ever visited a place that helped tell the story of an important moment in history? 💭
#150000Trees #Flight93 #September11 #911Memorial #PictureBooks #NonfictionPictureBook #KidsLit #ChildrensBooks #Bookstagram #PictureBookRecommendations #HistoryForKids #NatureBooks #ReadAloud #TeachingHistory #BooksForKids #RaisingReaders #ClassroomBooks #LibraryBooks #NewPictureBooks #LernerBooks
Sharing your passion can be hard but I love how this one shows that it can be pretty great too! 🧸✨
The Stuffie Stand is a hilarious, bright, and wildly charming story about creativity, entrepreneurship, friendship, and learning that asking for help can sometimes lead to something even better than doing it alone.
Moose makes tasteful, perfectly squishy stuffies. Mabel makes EXTRA stuffies — think hats, sparkles, scarves, crowns, the works 😂 And when Moose’s business gets too big to handle himself, he’s forced to team up with the one person whose style drives him bananas.
The dynamic between these two is SO funny.
Highlights:
✔️ stuffed animal obsession energy
✔️ laugh-out-loud humor
✔️ entrepreneurship for kids
✔️ learning to ask for help
✔️ unexpected friendships
✔️ creative collaboration
✔️ perfect read-aloud pacing
This one feels destined to become a favorite for little creators everywhere 💛
The Stuffie Stand
@maddie_frost
@hippoparkbooks
@astrabooks4kids
#picturebooks #kidlit #childrensbooks #stuffies #kidsbooks #readaloud #bookstagram #raisingreaders #friendshipbooks #creativekids #funnybooksforkids #socialemotionallearning #kidlitlove #picturebookrecommendations
Happy 2nd Birthday to my favorite 🐶/ third child 💙 We adore you Yankee!
#cavapoo #puppyvideo #puppy #animalvideos
Father’s Day is coming—save these books that celebrate dads in the most meaningful ways. 💙
From laugh-out-loud moments to heartfelt reflections, these stories capture what makes dads so special—showing up, teaching us, making us laugh, and loving us through every stage of life.
📞 Call Your Father
A tender, lyrical story about the many moments in life when we reach for our dads—from childhood to adulthood and beyond.
@tracycgold @vivian.mineker @familiusbooks
💌 Dear Dad
A heartfelt love letter celebrating the dads who guide us, encourage us, and show up again and again.
@natlundeen @penguinkids
🤍 Hold
A playful reminder that dads are holding it all together, including us.
@randyribay @zekepena @penguinkids
📖 Because of Dads
A joyful celebration of all the ways dads show up for us and make us feel loved.
@kennethelewis @maithiliart @mackidsbooks
😂 Papa Doesn`t Do Anything!
A playful reminder that there isn`t anything Papa wouldn`t do for you.
@jimmyfallon @mackidsbooks
👶 Your Baby`s First Word Will Be DADA
A playful and funny read that`s sure to make dads smile.
@jimmyfallon @mackidsbooks
❤️ Favorite Favorite
A warm and reassuring story about unconditional love and being someone`s favorite.
@mhclarkwrites @deenface @compendiumliveinspired
👨👧 When I Became Your Daddy
A love letter from father to child on the gift of fatherhood.
@susannahshanebooks @brittateckentrup @littlenosycrow
🙌 Up High
A heartwarming story and celebration of the dads that lift us up in every possible way.
@matthuntillustration @littlenosycrow
🛠️ Helping Daddy
A humorous story of the way dads help us and we help them.
@angeldikewrites @ebonyglenn @littlenosycrow
Which one would you share with Dad this year? 💭
💙 Happy Father`s Day to all the dads, grandpas, stepdads, and father figures who make a difference every day.
#fathersdaybooks #dadandme #picturebooks #kidslit #raisingreaders #fathersday #readaloud #bookstagram #picturebookrecommendations #familyreading #childrensbooks #dadlove #booksforkids #readtogether
If your kids love ridiculous humor, over-the-top antics, and read-alouds that make everyone laugh halfway through the page turn… these books absolutely understood the assignment 😂📚
🧀 Mac & Cheese: The Origin Story
#MichaelLBenner
@alisonhawkinsillustration
@scholastic
Highlights:
✔️ hilarious friendship origin story
✔️ pun-filled worldbuilding
✔️ dramatic cheese energy
✔️ perfect for fans of silly humor
🏰 Gina Kaminski Rescues the Giant
@whycraigwhy
@kanemillerbooks
Highlights:
✔️ giant-sized chaos
✔️ clever problem solving
✔️ fearless main character
✔️ laugh-out-loud adventure
🍩 Dinos Love Donuts
#BenOkon
#KomalSharma
@penguinkids
Highlights:
✔️ dinosaurs + donuts = instant win
✔️ absurd fun
✔️ energetic read-aloud moments
✔️ mythical food-filled fun
🔨 Whack a Moley
@_bethanclarke
@andersfrang_illustration
@littletigerbooks
Highlights:
✔️ fast-paced silliness
✔️ playful humor kids will love
✔️ unexpected antics
✔️ chaotic read-aloud fun
These are the kinds of books that turn storytime into a full comedy performance 🎤🤣
#PictureBooks
#ReadAloud
#FunnyBooksForKids
#KidsBooks
#Storytime
#ChildrensBooks
#BookstagramKids
#LaughOutLoudBooks
#PictureBookRecommendations
#SillyBooksForKids
For every child who feels nervous about trying something new, this encouraging story is such a wonderful reminder that sports can be about joy, teamwork, and confidence — not just winning. ⚽🏀🏃♀️💦
With her lucky sneakers and best friend by her side, Luna gives soccer, basketball, swimming, hurdles, and more a try during school sports day. Along the way, she discovers that having fun and believing in yourself matters most of all.
Highlights:
✔️ trying new things bravely
✔️ sportsmanship & teamwork
✔️ overcoming self-doubt
✔️ friendship support
✔️ growth mindset for kids
✔️ celebrating effort over perfection
✔️ school sports day excitement
✔️ encouraging active play
A warm and uplifting read for kids who may need a little confidence boost before stepping onto the field, court, or track 💛
@josephcoelhoauthor
@fiona_lumbers
@kanemillerbooks
#LunaLovesSports #JosephCoelho #FionaLumbers #PictureBooks #KidsBooks
Two bedtime reads that bring cozy laughs and sleepy-time charm to nighttime story routines 🌙💤
🦕 Nighty Night, Dinos
#DeborahHoltWilliams
@annadohertyillustration
@familiusbooks
Highlights:
✔️ bedtime routines with dinosaurs
✔️ playful goodnight moments
✔️ calming end-of-day read
✔️ perfect for dino-loving kids
🐌 Good Night, Escargot
@princessamanita
@sydwiki
@mackidsbooks
Highlights:
✔️ humorous bedtime storytelling
✔️ expressive and lovable character
✔️ gentle nighttime read-aloud
✔️ cozy laughs before lights out
These are the kinds of bedtime books little readers will want night after night 🌙📚
#BedtimeBooks
#PictureBooks
#ReadAloud
#KidsBooks
#Storytime
#DinosaurBooks
#ChildrensBookstagram
#BooksBeforeBed
