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.
This book is a celebration of the messy, sticky deliciousness that comes from baking with family. It shows a family gathering to make bread and joy and tradition rise on every page.
Themes:
family traditions
cooking together
love & care
patience & practice
everyday science
bread is love
Bread Is Love
@laborofloaf
@Lavanyanaidu
@mackidsbooks
This is a beautiful story of helping a community member through a time of need. Itillustrates how to give space, and rally and offer help in a compassionate, actionable way. I love the message of warmth through kindness and that each small part is important to the whole.
Themes:
kindness & compassion
caring for others
community support
empathy & acceptance
helping those in need
warmth through kindness
The Sweater: A Story of Community
@larissa.theule
@teaganwh
@penguinkids
Hilarious! This playful interactive book will have you laughing out loud. It is a twist on a traditional counting book and the narrator really only wants the reader to count to one but the brilliant illustrations might just encourage them to count a bit higher. This is a fun one that I can’t wait to share with the littles in my life.
Themes:
counting concepts
highly interactive
rule-breaking humor
early math fun
thinking creatively
surprise twist
How to Count to ONE: (And Don`t Even THINK About Bigger Numbers!)
#CasparSalmon
@mathunt
@nosycrow @nosycrowus
Introduce earning to littles with this sweet story of a bunny looking to earn carrots by selling their artwork. It shows the effort and process of creating and I love that it shows earning takes time and commitment! Adorable!
Themes:
addition & subtraction
creativity & art
earning money
early math concepts
Playful learning
How Do You Earn? A Moneybunny Book
@Cindersmcleod
@penguinkids
Will you be celebrating Valentine`s Day this year?
This sweet book acknowledges that Valentine`s Day is hard for some and shows a young girl encouraging her community to come togther to celebrate the holiday. I love that every community member joins in and adds something to make it special and make everyone feel welcome and loved.
Themes:
kindness & compassion
community & belonging
including everyone
spreading joy
noticing others
love for the whole town
Valentine`s Day in the Village
@phyllisalsdurf
@Creativehunt
@beamingbooksmn
I love gifting the littles in my life Valentine`s Day-themed reads. Here are a few joyful board books from @sourcebookskids that are as warm and sweet as I hope the holiday will be for us all!
You Are My Heart - @mariannerichmondwriter
I Love You with All My Hearts!: A Valentine`s Day Sensory Board Book for Babies
#RoseRossner @kathrynselbertillustration
I Love You, My Huggy Buggy: A Sweet and Funny Bug Board Book for Your Little Caterpillar!
#RoseRossner @sydwiki
Snap & Snuggle: Little Bear, I Love You
@zhannamendel.art
@sourcebookskids
This book perfectly captures what it feels like to dream big, work hard and accomplish a goal. It centers around a young child who dreams of being able to spin on the ice. This book is a lovely winter-themed read-aloud that is relatable in the struggle to master the ice and encouraging in its message to keep getting back up.
Come Catch a Dream
@britjanee
@isleniamil
@greenwillowbooks
This is the inspiring story of Cecilia Payne who dared to stand apart and believe in what she knew to be true rather than simply what she was told. I love that we see her follow her dreams and nurture her passions without being dissuaded by others. It is a brilliant book of scientific discovery, astronomy, following your heart and finding your voice.
Themes
scientific curiosity
women in science
perseverance & resilience
community & collaboration
finding your voice
questioning the impossible
The Curious Life of Cecilia Payne: Discovering the Stuff of Stars
@laura.alary
@yas.imamura
@eerdmansyoungreaders
This is an empowering and uplifting story for girls and women.
It is written by author Gloria Steinem and Nobel Peace Prize winner Leymah Gbowee and shows how they each saw inequality in their very different backgrounds and upbringing. It details how the two women came together and advocated for change and is a call to action for future feminists.
“We, sister-friends, working our way toward equality`s front door. We, taking separate journeys, but walking in the same direction.
We ―― for peace. We ―― for love. We ―― for bravery.”
Rise, Girl, Rise: Our Sister-Friend Journey. Together for All.
@gloriasteinem
@Leymahgbowee
@kahyangni
@scholastic
Billy is feeling down and his friend Hippo jumps in to help him feel better. He offers all sorts of solutions but fails to hear that was Billy really needs is just someone to listen. Eventually, he realizes his mistake and is able to show up for Billy in the way he needs.
I love that this sweet story uses humor to show that the best way to help a friend should start with asking rather than solving.
Listen, Hippo!
@gabrielevansart
@penguinkids
#listening #friendship #picturebook
This is a sweet board book introduction to the Lunar New Year. It includes everything from dancing dragons to bring good fortune to noodles for a long life and more. Each spread includes beloved children’s character The Very Hungry Caterpillar!
(Chinese new year/lunar new year is 2/17)
Lunar New Year with The Very Hungry Caterpillar
@officialericcarle
@penguinkids
#LunarNewYearBooks #DiverseBooks
A joyful book with a wonderfully simple message – all are welcome at the library! This sweet story introduces readers to the concept of a library and all the things that occur there both on the shelves and off. From art to nature activities, this book lets readers know that libraries are all about connection.
I`m So Happy You`re Here: A Celebration of Library Joy
@mychal3ts
@lorrainenam
@randomhousekids
