Children

Caldecott winners do not need my reviews, but this one is so beautiful that I would feel like a criminal to not include it on one of my lists. Floca is a truly gifted illustrator, and this story will delight your children and any train enthusiasts.

Thank goodness for the French! They gave us The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Around the World in Eighty Days, Candide, Madeline and now this magical picture read that will delight all little ones discovering the marvel of books.

If you’re not reading kids’ books, you are truly missing out on some of the most imaginative and creative writing out there. Rubin, along with illustrator Daniel Salmieri, the dynamic duo responsible for Dragons Love Tacos, have created another hilarious read with one of the coolest and most clever ideas I have ever seen to a book for ANY age.

This book had me at the description: “the high stakes of low blood sugar.” Fantastic!

Wonderfully illustrated introduction to entice your children to learn more about geography, something every American should contemplate.

With fun illustrations by Jennifer Black Reinhardt, this book reviews animal word pairs in a silly, engaging way.

The second in Broach’s wonderful Masterpiece series, this book is a great page-turner for new chapter book readers. Broach is an incredibly gifted writer.

Fun parody of “The Highwayman” by Alfred Noyes that is sure to be a read-aloud hit in your classroom.

Featuring magnificent illustrations by S. Saelig Gallagher, this beautiful story of a daughter and her single, hard-working mother is a must for Mother’s Day.

If you are not reading children’s books, humbug to you! Some of the best stories lay on children’s bookshelves. I cannot get enough of stories like this one, chronicling the inspiration of A.A. Milne’s Winnie the Pooh. Sally Walker also has a great version of the story in her book Winnie.

Very cleverly designed book featuring die-cut holes that make little things on one page appear much larger on the next. Great message for ALL readers, as the little things usually become the big things.

Adorable book that is a MUST read aloud for young ones at bedtime, as they happily tuck-in their books.

This book felt like a Vietnamese version of Cynthia Rylant’s When I Was Young in the Mountains, as it is beautifully written and even more brilliantly illustrated by April Chu.

The true story of Lizzie Murphy, the first woman to play in a major league exhibition game. A great way to get girls interested in baseball (you should also check out the wonderful Mighty Jackie by Marissa Moss).

Yes, I probably should not include a text that you can only purchase secondhand, but I encourage you to check out this beautiful book during this month when we celebrate the beautiful country we live in, the United States. Features poems and artworks from all 50 states.