The 12 Days of a Great White Christmas

Written and illustrated by Chris Bresky

This book is based on the theme of the 12 Days of Christmas. It is written as a poem or can be sung as a song. The characters are based on various types of sea creatures, especially different species of sharks.

The illustrations are hand-drawn in vibrant colors. While the length is less than twenty pages, reading or singing it can become a new holiday tradition. For me, the most interesting part of the book is the section at the end, which presents useful information about each of the different sharks.

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I Can Deal With Anger: A Children’s Book About Understanding Big Emotions and Learning Anger Management Skills. (I Can Books 5)

Written and Illustrated by Alicia Ortega

A lovely illustrated, rhyming book that is part of the I Can Deal with book series for elementary school readers.

Mia is a Queen, but she lives her life out in the real world. Mia goes to school and interacts with her peers. She experiences the same emotions and feels the same frustrations.

Mia’s teacher, Miss Luna, teaches her many techniques to handle Mia’s emotions. Mia learns to use positive affirmations, quiet spaces, writing in her journal, counting, and breathing techniques.

At the end of the book, the author provides a maze and a coloring page for readers to practice implementing some of these strategies.

This nicely illustrated multicultural book deserves a place on the shelf of home and classroom libraries.

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Moshe Comes to Visit

Written by Tehila Sade Moyal

Illustrated by Fatima Pires

A little boy is terrified of monsters that come into his room at night. His parents try to comfort him. Eventually, his father comes up with a solution in the form of an agreement that is hung on the wall. A logical way to help the protagonist and the reader face irrational fears.

Then the book takes a sudden turn. When a cockroach enters the home, the boy decides to name him Moshe and befriend the creature. Unfortunately, his mother is terrified of Moshe. The boy must come up with a creative solution to save his friend and please his mother.

The rhymes are sometimes a bit difficult to read. I applaud the creative plot, but the English translation lacks fluidity.

A useful resource for a family with a young child who experiences night tremors.

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All The Ways I Shine

Written by Kay B

Illustrated by Noor Zaki

This rhyming picture book is well-written with catchy rhymes and reinforcement learning activities.

It is an ideal read-aloud for a parent or a classroom teacher to introduce children to a group school experience.

The protagonist is a young boy who rides on a magical school bus. He uses this experience to practice positive social-emotional skills. At the end of the tale, these are listed as affirmations for the reader to say and practice. The author also includes a coloring page of a school bus and a matching activity.

Put this one on your list for back-to-school time or as a review in teaching social-emotional skills for children ages three through six.

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Our Hearts: A children’s book about how we navigate all of our feelings together with the ones we love.

Written by Kathleen Davis

Illustrated by Martyna Nejman

This beautifully illustrated rhyming picture book imparts a beautiful message for any age. The feelings we hold in our hearts belong not only to us but to those around us who love and care for us.

Our parents and friends experience the joys and sorrows, successes and failures we hold in our hearts. As we grow older our hearts expand as does the ability of others to share in those feelings. Our ability to love always outshines the feelings of fear and sadness.

I especially enjoyed the multicultural illustrations and the interactive feature, which encourages young readers to find and identify scenes and objects in the book.

Highly recommended for elementary and middle school readers, but a joyful message for all ages.

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Mrs. Wiggles and the Numbers Patterns: Discover Patterns for Ages 3-6 

Written and illustrated by Lisa Konkol

Patterns and numbers are everywhere! Teacher, Mrs. Wiggles, summons her pupils to the schoolyard to play an I Spy Game. They will be searching for patterns among flowers, farms, animals, ponds, and gardens. Poor number zero is confused, but soon catches up with the other numbers.

At the end of the book, children find a number chart including numbers one through zero, and a useful tool to help them count by tens. The rhymes are crisp and sharp, enticing children to learn while not even realizing they are doing work.

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Teachers should add this resource to preschool and kindergarten libraries.

Franklin The Firefly: The Glow Within (A young, un-glowing firefly finds out that anything is possible when you believe in yourself)

Written and Illustrated by Thomas J. Penisten

Franklin is a firefly lovingly raised by his family. He tries to be kind to his fellow community. As Franklin matures, he realizes that his light is not as bright as the others. While his family reassures Franklin, his peers begin to tease him. Soon, Franklin feels ostracized and seeks the company of less desirable friends.

One day, Franklin learns that his former firefly community is in trouble. They are in danger. Franklin makes a decision that will change his life and the fate of many others.

This clever picture book is written in catchy rhymes with vocabulary that challenges and enriches the reader. It is suitable for a kindergarten through sixth-grade audience.

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How to Be a Big Sister Book for 3 Year Old and Up Girls: A Fun Rhyming Story to Help Your Little Girl Welcome a New Baby Sibling with Love and Confidence — The Perfect Gift for Toddlers

Written by Elowen Clover

This rhyming picture book is meant to prepare the future big sister for her new role in her growing family.

The book is easy for toddlers and preschoolers to understand. Large expressive illustrations enhance the lessons. The new big sister is taught how to assist with feeding, changing, singing, bathing, and family outings. There are simple ways to learn how to be a loving big sister and friend to the new sibling.

Hidden pacifiers on the pages encourage interactivity and increase engagement.

Recommended to expectant parents to prepare for the new arrival.

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The Wonder Of Thunder: Lessons From A Thunderstorm

Written by Sharon Purtill

Illustrated by Tamara Piper

This is a beautifully crafted rhyming picture book that is informative and entertaining.

Preschool and primary grade readers can enjoy the multicultural images while learning about the types and formation of clouds, the sounds of thunder, how lightning forms and acts, and the benefits of rain and thunderstorms.

For children who are afraid, the book allays their fears and explains the way this weather phenomenon acts on earth. The author makes sure to explain that children need to take cover until the storm passes.

I particularly enjoyed the comprehension questions and the fact sheet included so that readers may reread and absorb all the information presented.

Highly recommended for parents and teachers to place on their bookshelves.

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The Tale of Fuzzy Tooth Critters: How Do Sugar Bugs Survive in the Mouth? 

Written by LaTonya Butler

Illustrated by Shiela Alejandro

This RDH does an excellent job of explaining to young children why sugary foods are harmful and how tooth decay occurs.

By using humor and fun illustrations, children understand why they need to keep teeth and gums clean. Readers learn the proper way to brush and floss as part of the fun to read rhyming story. At the end, they are introduced to a visit to the dentist.

Recommended to parents of preschoolers as a tool to learn about effective dental hygiene.

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