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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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
If your kid loves cozy bedtime stories with a little chaos… this one is a win. 💤😄
This book made me giggle.
A woman sets out a soft, fluffy futon—and one by one, animals (and people!) decide it’s the perfect place to curl up and nap.
It just gets cozier… and more crowded… until someone rolls over—and everything changes.
I love how this story captures that warm, snuggly feeling of togetherness, while adding just the right amount of playful chaos to keep kids laughing.
Such a sweet, comforting read with a fun twist.
✨ Themes:
✔️ Bedtime & winding down
✔️ Cozy comfort
✔️ Family & togetherness
✔️ Sharing space
✔️ Gentle humor
✔️ Cozy chaos
Would your kids want to squeeze onto the futon too? 😄
The Fluffy Futon
#YuichiKasano
@geckopress
#bedtimebooks #cozyreads #picturebooks #kidslit #raisingreaders
I love that this one shows how hard it is to leave someone you care about behind while also illustrating that goodbyes are part of life. 💛🫏
Lucky & Norman: Saying Goodbye Is Bittersweet is a tender and heartfelt story about friendship, connection, and the complicated emotions that come with leaving someone you love behind.
When brothers Sam and Eli meet two donkeys during a farm vacation, they slowly build a beautiful bond filled with trust, patience, and joyful moments together. But as the trip comes to an end, the boys must navigate the bittersweet feelings that come with saying goodbye.
This one feels especially meaningful for helping children put words to those big mixed emotions.
Highlights:
✔️ friendship between children & animals
✔️ navigating goodbyes & transitions
✔️ bittersweet emotions made accessible
✔️ patience, trust & connection
✔️ emotional intelligence for kids
✔️ gentle SEL themes
✔️ warm family-centered storytelling
✔️ beautiful, heartfelt illustrations
A lovely reminder that feeling sad to leave something behind often means it mattered deeply in the first place ✨
Lucky & Norman: Saying Goodbye Is Bittersweet
@susancainauthor
@stellarlim
@Rockypondbooks
@penguinkids
#picturebooks #kidlit #childrensbooks #socialemotionallearning #kidsbooks #readaloud #raisingreaders #bookstagram #animalbooks #friendshipbooks #feelingsforkids #emotionalintelligence #kidlitlove #picturebookrecommendations
🫎✨ A moose. A dream. Paris Fashion Week.
Finley is not your typical runway model—but that’s exactly what makes this story so special. Determined to find the perfect suit, he sets off in search of someone who will take him seriously… and learns along the way that sometimes the right doors don’t open right away.
But Finley doesn’t give up. With heart, kindness, and a whole lot of confidence, he shows that being yourself might just be the boldest statement of all.
✨ Highlights:
✔️ being yourself in any setting
✔️ kindness that creates opportunity
✔️ fashion + self-expression
✔️ dreaming big (even when others doubt you)
✔️ lifting others along the way
✔️ confidence in who you are
Finley: A Moose in Chartreuse
@candacespizzirri @chantellethorne @burgenthorne @gnomeroadpublishing
Would your kid rock chartreuse with confidence? 💚
If your child struggles with competition or “winning”… this book is such a great conversation starter. 💛
Oh my goodness, I loved this one.
Lilly is determined to beat her own record standing on one foot—until a classmate joins in and tries to beat it too. Her reaction? Not so kind… but very real and relatable.
What unfolds is such a gentle, meaningful shift. Instead of competing, the two learn to support each other—and discover they can go even further together than they ever could alone.
I love how this story normalizes big feelings while also showing the power of encouragement, teamwork, and friendship.
Such a simple, beautiful message: we’re stronger together.
✨ Themes:
✔️ Perseverance
✔️ Cheering each other on
✔️ Winning isn’t everything
✔️ Friendship & teamwork
Do your kids lean more competitive… or collaborative?
On One Foot
@Rinatprimo
@Yaelalbert
@green_bean_books
#socialemotionallearning #classroomreads #kidslit #raisingreaders #friendshipskills