Written by Ann M. Morris

Illustrated by Obayomi Aanuoluwapo and Dirisu David

A beautiful multicultural picture book that teaches children about life in rural Ghana.

Kwame is respectful, obedient, and grateful for his simple life in a rural village. In this story, Kwame wakes early to help his mother wash clothes by hand. Then he sweeps the dirt floor of his one room hut before dressing in his uniform to walk to school at the Royal Promise Mission. Today is a special day. The children from around the area will be marching to celebrate the anniversay of Ghana’s independence.

Children from around the world learn a bit about the food, flag, customs , language, and difficult life of a small rural village. Kwame provides a good role model for children. Charming illustrations and an interactive activity keep readers engaged with the tale.

Highly recommended to parents and teachers of elementary school readers.

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Bostoon Terrier Twins Colorful Adventures

Published by Nicholas Aragon

This activity book provides a plethora of activities that are especially useful for rainy days or traveling. It contains a variety of activities which include mazes, dot-to-dot, tracing, and color by number pictures. There are many family scenes that are coloring pages.

A good choice for children who are dog-lovers. The Boston Terrier pups are adorable. It is available in kindle and paperback. The paperback pictures may be duplicated and used more than once.

Recommended to parents and teachers as a teaching tool or enrichment learning tool.

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The Curly Crow Goes to the Balloon Festival Coloring Book for Kids

Published by Nick Aragon

This book is part of a series for primary grade children. In this story, children are encouraged to be brave and stand up to face their fears.

The author takes a unique approach. The main characters are members of a Crow family who live in New Mexico in a dumpster adjoining a cafe. They share many adventures. As the story unfolds, readers learn that the family has been invited to pilot a hot air balloon at the festival. Curly has a problem. She is afraid of heights. Slowly, she learns how to face her fears. Readers not only receive an important life message, but the story includes coloring pages, allowing readers to express their own creativity.

I would recommend this unique book to parents and teachers of children in the primary grades.

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You Taught Me Love

Written by Misty Black

Illustrated by Marina Batrak

A phrase that has been shared over and over by many generations. A mother and child share different ways of expressing their love for one another. Is it a game? Is it a competition?

How many times have parents or grandparents played this game with their precious children. Each generation of a family finds new and different ways to reinforce this message. This book contains beautiful illustrations and exquisite analogies.

This lovely picture book is part of a series and would make a wonderful gift for a new parent or grandparent to share as a bedtime story.

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Toothbrushing with Maggie & Mommy (Sparkly Smiles Series)

Written by Heidi Rocha, RDH

Illustrated by Nonni-Ayanna Gobern-Roach

This is the first book of a series written by a Dental Hygienist. The picture book with large, easy to read print and engaging illustrations features a little girl named Maggie and her mom.

Mom visits Maggie’s preschool and uses her stuffed dinosaur to demonstrate the proper way to brush teeth. This book will be appreciated by parents of preschoolers and pediatric dentists. There is a bonus activity chart to record progress and a find the hidden object page. The book is even approved by every little child’s friend, The Tooth Fairy.

Highly recommended, especially for parents and teachers of preschool children.

Mommy Has a Monster on Her Back!: A Story about Chronic Illness

Written by Liz Long

Illustrated by Ethan Roffler

The author and illustrator have succeeded in creating a beautiful picture book with an important message for young children.

This book is done in soft pastels and features words in bold that play on the different feelings engendered by chronic physical or mental illness. The illness is compared to a monster on mommy’s back. Some days are easy and others hard but mommy learns to deal with the illness and the child sees the need for resilience and acceptance. By using humor and analogies, even a preschooler can understand chronic illness.

Highly recommended for families and counselors who deal with chronic or physical illness.

Mick and the Big Bone: Children values book, teaching enjoy with what I have through bedtime picture book, kids bed time stories with rhymes

Written by Shlomo Goldman

The author writes this rhyming picture book to teach young children about envy and jealousy.

In many ways, Mick, the puppy in this story, is typical in that his curiosity and impulsiveness can get the better of him. One day he goes to the beach with his owner. Mick is happy with his bone until he sees another one that is bigger and better. When Mick tries to snatch it, he finds himself in trouble.

Children learn the grass is not always greener and not to be greedy or envious of what other’s have in simple rhymes and pictures.

An ideal way to teach three to five year old children an important lesson.

My Play Can Be. . . : A Children’s Rhyming Book About Imagination

Written by Stephanie Seidler

Illustrated by Anastasia Sikilinda

A beautiful, rhyming picture book with illustrations that leap off each page.

This book portrays ordinary day-to-day situations and imbues each with the power of imagination. What miracles can occur with cardboard, sand, water or wood. As adults, we often lose the ability to turn down an opportunity like playing on the sand or riding on a swing in the playground.

I highly suggest this book for preschool and early primary grade readers as a read aloud to stir young imaginations into active play activities.

What Am I? Valentine: A Picture Book of Read-Aloud, Rhyming Valentine Riddles 

Written by Shana Gorian

Another rhyming riddle book in this eight part series written to delight young children who enjoy jokes and riddles.

The Valentine theme is presented with large font in red letters and adorable illustrations that connect to common holiday themes like hearts, flowers, cards, and chocolates. A fun addition to a class or holiday party.

Recommended for ages four through eight but appropriate for any age child.