Penny the Pelican Plans Ahead: A Tale of Saving Smart

Written and illustrated by Alexandra Bono

I loved this lovely, illustrated rhyming book that offers children wonderful life lessons.

Penny the Pelican is thrilled to learn that her mother is expecting. She decides to plan by thinking not only about today’s needs, but also about saving and investing for the future. So Penny gathers resources in three piles.

The illustrations are large and appealing, the alliterative rhymes crisp and sharp. Lessons include kindness, family love, goal setting, and financial literacy

I highly recommend this fun read-aloud for children ages three and older.

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Bahay Kubo, Nipa Hut: A Filipino Folk Song in Tagalog and English

Written by Kendel Brady and Guadalupe Ruiz

A delightful picture book for toddlers and primary-grade readers. This is a bilingual book that contains Tagalog and English on each page, with large illustrations to explain vocabulary. Readers learn about the plants native to the Philippines.

As a bonus, the author includes a native folk song. There is an interactive memory game available for download.

Especially appealing for toddlers and early primary grade readers.

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Mission Inclusion: Margo And You (Mission: Inclusion Book 1)

Written by Megan Craft

Illustrated by Angelus Albarran

A wonderful book that explains to young children how we are more the same than different.

Margo is a young girl with a feeding tube. While she enjoys eating and playing like “normal” children, Margo may do these things differently from the average child.

I liked the fact that the author, who is a speech therapist, includes interactive questions throughout the story for readers to answer. We need more books to explore children with different types of disabilities and how they share a lot more in common with the general population than differences.

Highly recommended for parents and teachers to educate and encourage tolerance for special needs children.

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Crabby Abby the Decorator Crab’s Big Heart 

Written by Ellen Kolman

Illustrated by Kaelen Felix

Crabby Abby has recently moved to Ruby Reef. She is about to begin her first day at a new school.

Crabby is nervous but determined to be kind and cheerful. Soon, her worst fears materialize. Because Crabby is a decorator crab, she likes wearing odd clothes and accessories. The other sea creatures enjoy poking fun at her. Crabby manages to find one friend in Daniel who understands her predicament.

The artistic layout and bright colors of the illustrations in this book enhance the story. Vocabulary is challenging and alliteration makes this one a fun read-aloud choice. The lessons of kindness, sharing, and being true to oneself are valuable. There is a Christian focus with some Biblical references.

This book is appropriate for both elementary and early middle-school age readers.

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Oscar and Otto: Troll Tales and Other Stories from Grandma’s Cottage 

Written by Betty Cetas

Illustrated by Ugur Kose

This book is part of a series. This story revolves around two characters, Oscar and Otto. Otto loves to fish. One day, Oscar, a tricky fish, moves into the lake.

Oscar and Otto soon become enemies. Oscar is determined to catch this clever fish, while Oscar brags about his ability to trick this human in front of all his fish friends. They seem to be in a stalemate until Otto has a change of heart.

The humorous book contains large, easy-to-read print and expressive illustrations. It teaches primary-grade children the value of humbleness and kindness. The surprise ending is a novel twist.

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Nico the Chipmunk’s New Home 

Written and Illustrated by Jade Willesme

The story of a chipmunk who wakes up one day and decides that he needs to find a permanent home. Nico goes off through the forest to find someone willing to share a dwelling.

Nico travels for a while, meeting several different animals. None is willing to share. Each time the message of rejection is repeated with the same vocabulary. The illustrations are simple and rather generic.

The book will appeal to young children in preschool or kindergarten who enjoy animal stories.

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Counting Monster Chefs: Numbers in the Kitchen (Little Monster Learners)

Written and Illustrated by Ameliessa Richardson

Lots of laughs and learning are crammed into this picture book that teaches toddlers and preschoolers to count. The characters remind me of Sesame Street. Illustrations showcase nonstop humor in addition to interactive counting prompts.

The author cleverly includes alliteration and onomatopoeia to make reading this book aloud fun for the adult as well as the child, enjoying its message. Young readers will want to pick it up over and over. Repetition reinforces the learning process. At the end of the book, there is a link to additional printables.

As a former educator, I highly recommend this book to parents and teachers of children ages two through five.

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Why Do Kids Love Christmas?: A fun, festive, beautifully illustrated rhyming Christmas picture book about all the creative reasons why kids love Christmas

Written by Ebilor Ediale

Illustrated by Jecore Firmalan

I enjoyed reading this charming, rhyming picture book. The author includes children with disabilities and multicultural families. It contains Christian and non-Christian traditions. The illustrations are large, colorful, and anime-style.

There is no central story. This book puts preschool and elementary families into the spirit of the season. It can serve as a bedtime story or a fun read-aloud for the entire family or classroom teacher.

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The Flying Brooms: Manifestation for Little Kids (Young Dream Makers)

Written by Diana Aleksandrova

Illustrated by Anna Panchuk

At first, Leo is apprehensive. Ellie appears confident. They face many challenges while flying in bad weather up in the clouds. The children teach readers the need for resilience, determination, and persistence.

The twins learn that if they can imagine it, they can achieve it.

Illustrations possess a magical feel, blending with the story seamlessly.

I recommend it for parents and teachers of elementary school readers.

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Kit Kat Camp: The Grumpy Neighbor

Written and Illustrated by Kathy Dixon Dye

Alex and his friends are playing basketball when the ball lands over the fence in a neighbor’s yard. The problem is that this man refuses to return anything that lands there. He is known in the neighborhood as Mr. Grumpy.

Alex’s grandmother, nicknamed Kit Kat, often entertains and feeds the neighborhood boys. Even more important, she often offers them good advice. In this situation, Kit Kat explains to the children not to criticize too quickly. Often there is a hidden reason for the way someone behaves. At the end of the story, they learn why Mr. Grumpy, behaves the way he does.

This book is part of a series for elementary school readers that teaches compassion and kindness. Recommended for parents and teachers as a well-written and illustrated choice.

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