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.

Charlie Learns to Be a Cowboy

Written by Danika Kester

Illustrated by Jeffrey Foster Thomas

This book is written and illustrated by two people who have dedicated their lives to understanding and working with horses. Their passion is evident in the story and illustrations.

The plot features a young boy named Charlie who wants to be a cowboy. When he visits his grandparents’ ranch, Charlie learns the job entails a lot more work than he imagined. A cowboy works hard and trains hard.

The hand-drawn illustrations convery the mood of respect, kindness, empathy, responsibility, and hard work. They are simple and direct allowing preschoolers to visualize the message without understanding the words.

Highly recommended for children who love horses and might want to be a cowboy someday.

Boo Bear’s Light: An A B C Rhyming Picture Book for Children

Written by Catherine Ann Russell

Illustrated by Jessica Robin Harkey

This picture book provides a clever tale with embedded alphabet rhymes to teach preschool and kindergarten children their letters.

The rhymes are clever as they are embedded within the story plot. I appreciate the fact that the author uses a few challenging vocabulary words like vamoose and underdog rather than more familiar words. Colors of the illustrations match the theme and setting of the forest. My only criticism is that the size of the font might be a bit larger to allow it to stand out and become easier to read.

A good resource for parents and teachers to teach the alphabet in a creative and appealing fashion.

It’s not easy being a LAZY BUG

Written by Pragya Tomar

Illustrated by Michela Fiori

Bug is lazy. He does not like dressing, eating, brushing teeth, cleaning his room or any of the activities necessary in everyday living. At first, his parents do everything for him. That gets old, and he gets a rude awakening.

A funny and cleverly illustrated book to wake messy kids up fast.

Recommended for all ages preschool and older.

Ghosts

Written and Illustrated by Fiona Dalwood

A cute picture book that will stimulate the imagination of the youngest readers. The author poses simple questions concerning common mysteries like “Why does buttered toast always land butter-side down?” and “Why does the internet get slow” Those little ghostly gremlins just might be responsible.

This book about ghosts presents them as non-threatening and not scary. The humor and light-hearted illustrations makes this book a great choice for a read aloud or bedtime story. Appropriate and fun for all ages beginning with preschool.

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Toothbrushing with Maggie and Mommy (Sparkly Smiles Series)

Written by Heidi Rocha, RDH

Illustrated by Noni-Ayanna and 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.

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Mick and the Big Bone

Written by Shlomo Goldman

Batnadiv Hakarmi-Weinberg (Translator)

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.

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Theodore: The Sloth Who Wants to Race

Written by J.L. McCreedy and Dr. Sam

Illustrated by J.L. McCreedy

Theodore is a sloth born with two toes instead of three. That is not the most unusual characteristic of the protagonist in this charming, rhyming picture book.

Theodore has a dream. He wants to be the fastest and a racing champion. Unfortunately, speed is not valued by his fellow sloths. No one wants to race. When he finally finds a racing partner, he feels cheated.

All that changes one day, when he finally meets a sloth who shares his need for speed. Theodore learns about the importance of proper physical training to success. This is one of the messages of the book which celebrates the importance of individuality and being true to oneself as well as the necessity of good preparation for success.

I especially enjoyed the author including facts about sloths, the animal kingdom, and a glossary to tackle unfamiliar words.

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A Little Labradoodle Christmas: A Rhyming Picture Book About the Power of Family, Love, and Kindness (The Little Labradoodle 4)

Written by April M. Cox and Kairi Fullerton

Illustrated by Remesh Ram

A cute, Christmas, rhyming picture book for preschoolers and primary grade children with an important message.

Kairi and her pet labradoodles encounter Casper, a grumpy cat on their walk. They decide to spread the spirit of Christmas. They invite the cat to their home to participate in traditions like baking cookies and trimming the tree, but nothing seems to work. Eventually, they find the real reason for the cat’s disdain about Christmas. Will they be able to spread love, empathy and family traditions that will change the tide?

A nice read aloud for the holidays.

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Bobby and His Hobby: Elephant kids book. children book on empathy and kindness in the kindergarten for ages 3-6 

Written by Sholmo Goldman

Illustrated by Tanja Russita

Bobby, the Elephant, has a nasty hobby. He likes to call all his classmates nicknames that are not too flattering.

One day, a huge elephant comes to visit the class. Bobby promptly calls his friend, Reggie, a scaredy-cat. The other students finally realize they can no longer put up with Bobby’s insensitivity. Will Bobby give up his hobby?

The rhyming book is a fun read-aloud with an important message about bullying and empathy. Recommended for readers ages three through six.

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