When the Stars Linger: A Soothing Children’s Bedtime Story About Love, Belonging, and Peaceful Sleep

Written and illustrated by Peggy Kan Hai

The perfect bedtime story to calm, soothe, and prepare children for a reassuring night’s sleep. Each page contains a short rhyming text, beautiful, animated images, and a message to reassure young, active minds.

This book is a feast for the eyes and the mind. The words and images flow together seamlessly. Adults will find reading it a joy and comfort as well. Its message is timeless.

An excellent choice for teachers, parents, and librarians. One of those rare books you will want to open and read over and over.

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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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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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But Gertie Garza, You’re a Girl! 

Written by Melanie Mathis

Illustrated by Karissa Miller Laffey

Gertie is a young lady who refuses to be told that being a girl limits her choices.

This book is written in catchy rhymes. The vocabulary is fun and challenging. The author includes alliteration and analogies.

When peers warn Gertie that her choices are limited because of her sex, she pushes back. Why can’t she be a lion tamer if she works hard to succeed? That message is reinforced by her grandmother, who lives in the home with Gertie. Grandma has lived an exciting life full of adventures, such as hiking and hot air balloon rides. She encourages Gertie to aspire to her dreams.

This book inspires young girls to place no boundaries on possibilities. Parents and teachers should put this one on home and school bookshelves.

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The Wonderful Animals of the Boise River (Into Justin’s World Book 2)

Written by Heather Lyn Davis

Illustrated by Corryn Webb

This book is interactive. From the outset, children learn that they will find and identify many animals that inhabit the Boise River.

Each picture layout features a color and a black-and-white illustration. Readers are encouraged to color the black-and-white illustration. For each animal, children gain a wealth of information. At the end of the book, readers have the opportunity to illustrate their favorite animal.

The book is a good choice for studying local geography and animal life. It is highly recommended for curious upper elementary students.

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Focus Is My Superpower: An Inspiring Story to Help Kids Pay Attention, Avoid Distractions, and Improve Concentration for Ages 4–8 (My Superpower Books Book 15)

Written and illustrated by Alicia Ortego

This book is a wonderful resource for elementary-age children who have difficulty focusing.

The protagonist is a young boy who has difficulty staying focused and completing tasks. His grandfather brings the boy to the garage and shows him a magnifying glass. Grandpa explains how the glass focuses the rays of the sun to one point on the glass. His grandson should practice this method.

Grandpa also teaches him the five-finger step method for remaining on task. In the book, the author lays out this pathway and provides examples of how the boy achieved successful completion. In addition, Ortega provides a letter of encouragement and an interactive task for readers to follow the example.

A sequence of clever rhymes and charming illustrations draws readers, making this book an excellent choice for children and adults.

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This Book Is Your Friend (Reader for Life)

Written by Misty Black

Illustrated by Gabby Correia

This book contains vibrant illustrations with colorful, diverse characters who invite young readers to bring their imaginations and dreams to the library.

Every time a visitor opens the door, they unlock thousands of possibilities to experience new adventures and initiate new friendships. They enter a world that enriches their brains and stretches their minds to new vistas and opportunities.

The rhymes are clever. This book entices the reader to return over and over. Especially appealing for ages three to seven.

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The Fish and his Puffy Temper – A Marine Life Story Book for Kids (Waves and Tales 3)

Written by Barbara Pinke

Illustrated by Alvin Adhi

Puffy is a fish who has difficulty containing his anger. He desperately wants to make friends and play but his anger keeps getting in the way.

Puffy meets a seahorse who wants to help but over and over Puffy fails to control his temper. Then he meets a crab and shark who also teach him techniques. Finally his mother gives Puffy something to remind him of the three ways he has to squash his anger. Can Puffy succeed in his quest to stop his anger and make friends?

This book provides three practical and simple techniques to control temper. Even preschoolers can learn them. The book is recommended to parents, teachers, and counselors for children ages three through seven.

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Adventures of a Pangopup (Endangered and Misunderstood Animals (Book 2) 

Written by Terri Tatchell

Illustrated by Ivan Sulima

A charming picture book written in rhyme that teaches readers to heed their mother’s advice, while also educating them about endangered animals.

The book is part of a series about endangered animals. In this one readers learn about the pangalong and the dik-dik deer. When Pangopup decides to sneak away from his mom, he meets the deer who persuades him to go on an adventure. Will the two new friends survive?

The soft colors and exquisite rhymes teach without being preachy. Preschoolers and primary grade readers will delight in reading the book over and over. Lots of bonuses include drawing activities and information about these two unique animals.

Highly recommended for both home and school libraries.

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