The Dinosaur Tree: A Calming Bedtime Story That Teaches Mindfulness Through Imagination | Dinosaur Adventure for Kids Ages 3-9 | Perfect for Restless Bedtimes
Written and Illustrated by Evan Collier
This beautifully illustrated dinosaur adventure is written in the second person. The author encourages the reader to lie back, close their eyes, and imagine being transported to a dinosaur jungle that existed long ago.
A young boy envisions his bedroom transformed into a giant tree, which he climbs to enter the dinosaur world. As he climbs, he meets creatures of this world and draws himself deeper into the ancient dinosaur world. What will happen when he awakens?
The soft, colorful, and expressive illustrations enhance the mood of this bedtime story, especially recommended for preschoolers, but appropriate for any school-age reader.
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Molly Morningstar, Music Show Surprise: A Fun Story About Courage and Kindness (Molly Morningstar Series)
Written by Andrea Coke
Illustrated by M. Fernanda Orozco
Molly is proud of her father. He is entering a singing contest. When her dad decides to write an acceptance speech in case he wins, Molly is eager to assist him.
Molly thinks of questions her dad can use in developing his speech. When the big night arrives, she proudly accompanies her mom and dad. Will he perform flawlessly? Does Dad get the opportunity to deliver his speech?
Read the charming story to get the answer. A lesson of bravery and courage with a surprise ending.
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A delightful picture book or early reader. It emphasizes the values of hard work and anticipating when things do not go according to plan.
The simple plot involves an elderly farmer who needs help managing his farm. Only one applicant applies. Jim is a seventeen-year-old who is willing to work hard. His statement, “I can sleep when the wind blows,” baffles the farmer.
One night during a storm, the meaning becomes clear.
Recommended for early primary readers as an inspiration to work hard and be prepared.
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A Tall Tale About Dachshunds in Costumes: How MORE Dogs Came to Be (Tall Tales Book 4)
Written by Kizzie Jones
Illustrated by Scott Ward
A very creative rhyming picture book! It tells the tale of a young girl and her beloved Daschunds.
One day, while playing on the beach, the dogs decide to play dress-up using the vegetation they find around them. Their mistress is distressed that changing their outside appearance might change their personalities. Will they decide to remain this way?
The author uses the tale to explain the many different types of dogs, their physical characteristics, and how they were named. She provides a glossary of each dog type and the vegetation they associate with.
Children who love dogs will enjoy the humorous tale and the wealth of information about each species. An entertaining read for any age.
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Observing natural leadership qualities in children early can help parents, teachers, and caregivers encourage and develop those important life skills.
If you want to identify and support your child’s leadership qualities, here are some signs to consider:
Talkative
Does it sometimes drive you crazy that your child talks so much? Actually, being talkative may be a sign of things to come. A chatty nature indicates a child with excellent verbal skills, which are important for good leaders. Did your child talk early and proficiently? This may be a sign that he or she will be a good leader.
Treats Others with Respect
If you notice that your child seems to end up in responsible positions – team captain, for instance – and you know he didn’t get that position because of “muscling” his way to the top or bullying others, then this may be a sign of leadership ability. Notice if your child seems to have others “gravitate” toward her and wish to emulate her. Take note as to whether or not this is due to respectful treatment. If it is, you may have a strong leader on your hands.
Sees Both Sides
Some kids exhibit an ability to understand both sides of an issue, rather than being overly committed to one point of view. These children often act as peacekeepers who help their peers find an agreeable middle ground.
In the Know
Does your child always know what’s going on? Is he or she always aware of the latest happening at school or in the family? This is not the same as being a gossip (that’s not a good leadership quality), but it does mean that he or she is paying attention and interested in what’s going on with others.
Inquisitive
A good leader is not afraid to ask questions, but he/she is not afraid to go looking for answers on his own, either. Too much questioning may indicate self-doubt – your child is always trying to make sure about things – but healthy questions that spring from a true desire to know more about something may be a sign of leadership ability.
An excellent book for parents introducing a nanny to the family.
In this tale, Mimi and her sister react differently to the information that a nanny will soon become a part of their busy family. Mimi does not want someone who is not their mommy living and working within the family. She quickly learns that a nanny is not trying to replace her mother. This nanny can bring a new dimension of fun and open up new horizons.
I would especially recommend the book to parents of preschoolers who do not understand the role of a nanny with the family. This book is fun to read and uses humor to get the message across clearly.
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India – The Land of Festivals: A Monthly Guidebook to Diverse Celebrations (Indian Festival Series 1)
Written by Anuja Mohla
Illustrated by Gowthami Maruthapandiyan
This book contains a wealth of information with colorful illustrations about the diversity of life in India. The author covers each of the six major religions practiced in India. This book is organized by month.
Many of these celebrations, however, are based on the lunar calendar. Each page describes which religion is celebrated in that month and discusses the foods, rituals, customs, and types of celebrations. The reader learns native vocabulary and the significance associated with each.
This book is an excellent choice for teachers who want to explain Indian customs and culture and share multicultural traditions. Indian families can use it as a springboard to explain the rich culture of their homeland.
As a teacher, I appreciated the section at the end of the book that includes matching and recalling information about the festivals.
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This book introduces Kaboose, a Rocky Mountain Bear.
The approach is unique. First, it is a charming tale about how a community of black bears awaits the birth of a cub. The author relates a story that explores the history of the Canadian Rockies and life in the Arrow Valley, exploring its sights, sounds, smells, and connection to railroad history.
The illustrations are expressive and colorful, and the characters are charming.
Looks like a promising new series for readers ages six to ten.
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Paromita emigrated from India many years ago, but she is now entering third grade in a new school.
Her teacher has difficulty pronouncing her name. All her classmates laugh. Paromita runs off to the bathroom to hide. She is proud of her Indian culture and the name her grandma bestowed upon her.
Paromita dances the traditional kathak dance. She takes advantage of the school talent show to wear traditional Indian clothing and perform her dance. Then Paromita goes further when she takes the stage and delivers an important message to her classmates.
The author delivers the message that we need to respect different cultures and the traditions they represent.
Recommended for elementary and middle school readers.
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Barbara Roman’s The Land Where Money Was Nothing is a thought-provoking and imaginative exploration of what society might look like if money did not exist. Roman invites readers to step outside the familiar structures of modern life and consider a world built on cooperation, trust, and shared responsibility rather than currency and commerce.
At its core, the book challenges deeply ingrained assumptions about value and success. Roman paints a vivid picture of a community where people contribute based on their abilities and receive what they need in return.
One of the book’s strengths lies in its simplicity. Rather than overwhelming the reader with complex economic theory, Roman uses clear language and relatable scenarios to illustrate her ideas. This makes the book approachable for a wide audience, including younger readers.
The Land Where Money Was Nothing succeeds in its primary goal: sparking curiosity and conversation. It encourages readers to imagine possibilities beyond the status quo and to reflect on what truly matters in building a fair and compassionate society.
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July 8, 2026
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