Grateful Hearts: A Children’s Book about Gratitude, Feelings and Emotions, and Animals

Written and illustrated by Emily Hartmann

This is an adorable picture book filled with soft and beautiful illustrations of animals. It is appropriate for babies and toddlers. Each page spread features an animal family sharing their thanks and wonder for another day. There are only two lines of simple rhyming text.

A charming book to share and celebrate family love with babies and toddlers.

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Shep Dreams Of Home: A Bedtime Story

Written and Illustrated by Jason Matthews

Shep begins his life as an overzealous pup. He has a large head and teeth. Shep is clumsy and frequently finds himself in trouble. Soon his owners reject him and he finds himself homeless until one day he encounters a lonely man. Can these two find friendship and a happy home? Will Shep grow up to find acceptance and his place in the world?

This is a short book that is appropriate as a bedtime story. It appeals to children who enjoy animals and stories about family pets, friendship, and individual differences.

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I Love You More Than Anything: Children’s Book About Emotions and Feelings, Toddlers, Preschool Kids

Written and illustrated by Emily Hartmann

This is a perfect read aloud or bedtime story for toddlers and preschoolers. It provides parents or teachers with a perfect way to discuss the variety of emotions a young child feels. The book communicates the important message that a parent always loves its child no matter what emotion is present.

The illustrations portray animal and child scenes with typical emotions like fear, anger, frustration, shyness, or sadness. Each contains four lines of rhyming text that are easy for a young reader to understand.

As a parent and educator, I highly recommend this one for preschoolers and toddlers.

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A Sister for Me: A Sweet Rhyming Picture Book of Sisters, Love, and Letting Go

Written by Olga Beaman

The book explores the different experiences and emotions that can only be shared by sisters. It narrates the journey of two sisters from the time they are little until adulthood.

The rhymes are simple and easy to read. Illustrations are large and expressive.

I would espeially recommend the book for preschoolers. This book might also be a good choice for families expecting a baby sister.

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Marigold Twinkletooth and the Star-Coin Surprise: A Tooth Fairy Tale

Written by Jamie Kucia

Ariel is a bit nervous. She will play her first T-ball game tomorrow, and she is about to lose her first tooth.

As Ariel prepares for bed, the loose tooth pops out. She places it under her pillow and wonders whether the Tooth Fairy will visit her. Her question is soon answered. When the Tooth Fairy arrives, she appears confused and flustered. This is a different kind of tooth fairy, filled with humor and zany antics. The glossary and Tooth Fairy message add to the fun of this interactive tale.

What kind of wish will the Tooth Fairy grant Ariel? Can Ariel find the confidence to play T-ball?

This Readers’ Favorite Award winner will delight preschool and primary grade readers. Read it aloud to appreciate the onomatopoeic words and sounds.

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Wherever You Wander

Written by Peggy Kan Hai

Hai uses poetry combined with the beauty of nature to convey a message of unconditional love. This book allows a parent or grandparent to give young children an outlet from a stress-filled world.

The digital images of animals and natural scenes portray a vision of calm and beauty. Hai manages to reduce the rhymes to no more than two lines, which perfectly convey meaning.

This book should be read aloud before bedtime as a perfect way to prepare for a restful sleep. I would especially recommend it for children in the four-to-seven age range.

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My Little Eye Spies ABC Christmas: Finger Trace and Find

Written and illustrated by Ella’s Pearl Publishing

This activity book serves a dual purpose. Parents or teachers can provide a multisensory approach to learning the letters and associated vocabulary while enjoying a book about Christmas traditions.

Toddlers and preschoolers are instructed to say the letter, say the sound, and then trace the letter. Next, they will name the things on the page, name the things that begin with that letter, and finally, trace the letter again. This approach reinforces memory learning and addresses various learning styles.

There is an answer key at the back of the book that may be used repeatedly for practice.

I highly recommend this book for parents and teachers of children ages two through five years.

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Crow’s Christmas Star

Written by Carolyn Watson-Dubisch

Illustrated by Mike Dubisch

All the animals in the forest are excited. It is time to decorate the Christmas tree.

As each of them scurries to find a gift that can be used to decorate, the crow becomes frustrated. He has been commissioned to find something bright to become the star for the top of the tree. As the crow continues his search, nothing seems good enough.

Read the story to reveal the important message that the crow’s forest friends bestow on him for his efforts.

A charming story with an impactful message for our youngest readers.

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12 Sleeps ’til Christmas (The Countdown Collection)

Illustrated by I. Bunet

An adorable rhyming book that celebrates the joys of counting down to Christmas.

The author employs a novel approach to the countdown, using the word sleeps instead of days. Siblings begin twelve days before Christmas and count down time by reflecting in rhyme about the activities that families perform during the preparation for Christmas Day.

The rhymes are crisp and simple to read, and the multicultural illustrations are a delight for the eyes. This book is a good choice for an addition to family library read-alouds. It is appropriate for preschool and elementary-age readers.

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I Hope It Snows For Oreo

Written and illustrated by John Doriot

This book is written from the perspective of a dog named Oreo.

Children are brought through the activities of Oreo’s family as they prepare for the Christmas season and hope for snow. The rhyming text consists of a few lines that are written in large print that is easy to read. Illustrations are large and expressive, matching the mood and building the anticipation of the story.

Recommended for families with children aged one and older.

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