I Have Feelings, Too: Understanding Dog Communication

Written by Anissa Svoboda

Illustrated by Aneta Knoppova

A wonderful teaching tool for children. It explains how dogs communicate with their bodies, unlike humans, who generally communicate with spoken words.

Readers learn that different breeds of dogs use different parts of their bodies to express different emotions. I enjoyed the parent paws section, which provides an easy-to-understand teaching point. Children learn empathy and respect for our four-legged friends, and how to better communicate with them.

The comprehension questions are useful for parents and teachers to review and reinforce the lessons taught.

I would highly recommend this book to parents and teachers of children ages three through ten.

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Written by Leia Barrett

Illustrated by Shannon McKeon

This very short picture book of twenty pages is ideal for young children and reluctant readers.

It relates the tale of a rescue dog who finds herself in an animal shelter. Before her life in a shelter, she learns to survive on her own. Her other animal friends teach her their habits and lifestyle.

One day, the dog is adopted. Her new mom and dad find the dog’s strange habits unnerving, but, in the end, decide to accept her exactly the way her lifestyle has shaped her.

The author teaches young readers lessons of acceptance, love, and the value of being true to oneself.

Recommended for preschoolers and early elementary school-age readers.

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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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Mimi and Nanny

Written by Deniese Dennis

Illustrated by Tian

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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Please Put the Seat Down . . . and the Lid Too

Written and illustrated by Allan Mansoor

This is not a potty humor book. It does introduce bathroom manners and etiquette for the young reader.

It contains lively rhymes and vibrant multicultural images. The author includes links to historic sites, horse racing, football, and living downtown. While these facts are interesting, the fact that they are not related is a bit distracting.

This book would be an excellent choice for parents who are potty training. Elementary school children will appreciate the humor of the read-aloud.

Recommended for ages three through eight.

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The Land Where Money Was Nothing

Written by Barbara Roman

Illustrated by Vladimir Cebu, LL.B

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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Yellow Ribbons

Written by Mason Nichols

Illustrated by Alyssa Aman

This is a touching book about a child’s emotional feelings as a parent deploys to Iraq.

Mason is about to attend a community ceremony honoring the soldiers, including his dad, about to depart on military duty. Mason is feeling anxious, worried, proud, and upset. When he returns to school, Mason finds a surprise. Feeling the support of friends reassures Mason.

This book is a wonderful resource for children of military families. Recommended for parents and teachers of children aged seven and older.

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I Can Try Again: An Inspiring Story for Kids About Perseverance, Grit, and Learning From Mistakes for Ages 4–8 (I Can Books Book 6)

Written and illustrated by Alicia Ortego

Another picture book in this charming series about Mia and life lessons.

The lesson in this book for early elementary readers is that perseverance pays off. Once again, Mia has her mother’s support. Mia realizes that we can learn from our mistakes and use them as stepping stones, practicing in small steps until the goal of mastery is achieved. Whether the goal is learning how to jump rope or mastering the sequence of steps in a dance, Mia discovers the importance of patience and perseverance. She comes to understand the true value of resilience.

This book also contains interactive activities and thoughtful questions that encourage readers to apply the valuable lessons Mia shares in their own lives.

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Brave Buddy’s Big Mission: The story of a therapy dog with a big heart… and even bigger tricks!

Written by Gianna Scipione

Illustrated by Michelle Mayhall

Buddy is a therapy dog who loves to visit the children at the hospital with his owner, Miss Emma.

One day, Buddy meets a young boy named Leo. Buddy does his best to cheer him up, but nothing seems to work. After many strategies fail, Buddy manages to get a response from Leo. Kindness, patience, and resilience allow Buddy to become a friend to Leo.

This book contains simple illustrations and rhyming verse. Although the rhymes are not perfect, the book’s message is noteworthy and heartwarming.

This picture book explores the special bond between animal and child. It is an excellent read-aloud choice for preschool and primary grade children.

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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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