Penny the Pelican Plans Ahead: A Tale of Saving Smart

Written and illustrated by Alexandra Bono

I loved this lovely, illustrated rhyming book that offers children wonderful life lessons.

Penny the Pelican is thrilled to learn that her mother is expecting. She decides to plan by thinking not only about today’s needs, but also about saving and investing for the future. So Penny gathers resources in three piles.

The illustrations are large and appealing, the alliterative rhymes crisp and sharp. Lessons include kindness, family love, goal setting, and financial literacy

I highly recommend this fun read-aloud for children ages three and older.

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I Love My Family

Written and Illustrated by Angela M. Smith

An interesting book that explores the reasons why we should love our family and stick together in good and bad times.

The artwork is done by both children and adults. This gives the book a non-professional homespun appeal. It is clear that not all families are alike, and single-family homes are becoming more prevalent.

I enjoyed the author’s blank pages at the end, which allow the reader to draw and express personal feelings about his own family.

Probably best suited for preschool and younger readers.

Mission Inclusion: Margo And You (Mission: Inclusion Book 1)

Written by Megan Craft

Illustrated by Angelus Albarran

A wonderful book that explains to young children how we are more the same than different.

Margo is a young girl with a feeding tube. While she enjoys eating and playing like “normal” children, Margo may do these things differently from the average child.

I liked the fact that the author, who is a speech therapist, includes interactive questions throughout the story for readers to answer. We need more books to explore children with different types of disabilities and how they share a lot more in common with the general population than differences.

Highly recommended for parents and teachers to educate and encourage tolerance for special needs children.

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Kindness is Stronger | Tales of Triumph for Little Champions: A Girl With a Powerful Imagination Who Defeats a Bully With Kindness | Story for Kids about Self-Control, Inner Strength and Compassion

Written and Illustrated by Umme MAK

This book is part of a series to teach children about themselves.

Kadijah is a child who possesses a powerful imagination. She illustrates wonderful stories. Mike is the class bully. He uses his size and strength to control the other children.

One day, Kadijah is confronted by Mike while drawing in her notebook. She is upset but unafraid. Kadijah decides rather than cower, she will find a way to change Mike’s behavior with kindness. For a time, she is unsuccessful. Gradually, Kadijah teaches Mike how to understand his actions and find the strength to change his behavior.

The author uses large print for easier reading, but also a chapter format that allows children to imagine they are experienced readers. Bonus features include coloring pages and bookmarks.

A worthwhile series to educate and inspire students in the primary grades.

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WE ARE THE FUTURE: Proud, Kind, United

Written by C.M. Harris

Illustrated by Deni Nuhoho

A lovely multicultural book written by a disabled author who teaches young readers that each individual has value and importance in our world.

Multicultural illustrations feature the diversity of cultures and students with disabilities. The values portrayed include kindness, responsibility, fairness, and curiosity. These students read books to discover new opportunities and work in teams to share ideas.

The author also offers school visits and personalized editions of the book for kindergarten through Grade Six readers.

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The Adventures Of Wormie Wormington Book Three: Wormie and the Snowball

Written by Adam Brown

Illustrated by Andy Smart

This is book three in the series about a worm and his friend. As Wormie emerges from his can, he shivers in the cold. Soon, he spies the young boy with whom he shares many adventures.

The boy introduces Wormie to a toboggan. In no time at all, the two friends are careening down the hill. But trouble occurs soon after. Young readers will thrill to their struggles and how they manage to overcome them.

The book is colorful and nicely illustrated.

Highly recommend the series for primary grade readers.

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Kit Kat Camp: The Grumpy Neighbor

Written and Illustrated by Kathy Dixon Dye

Alex and his friends are playing basketball when the ball lands over the fence in a neighbor’s yard. The problem is that this man refuses to return anything that lands there. He is known in the neighborhood as Mr. Grumpy.

Alex’s grandmother, nicknamed Kit Kat, often entertains and feeds the neighborhood boys. Even more important, she often offers them good advice. In this situation, Kit Kat explains to the children not to criticize too quickly. Often there is a hidden reason for the way someone behaves. At the end of the story, they learn why Mr. Grumpy, behaves the way he does.

This book is part of a series for elementary school readers that teaches compassion and kindness. Recommended for parents and teachers as a well-written and illustrated choice.

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Ryder the Spider Discovers the Body 

Written and Illustrated by Shlomo Goldman

An adorable book for toddlers and preschoolers.

A little boy named Michael teaches them about body parts with simple text and large illustrations. When a spider lands on Michael’s head, he welcomes his new guest. The spider first investigates each part of Michael’s face. Then it moves down to the neck, arms, torso, legs, and feet.

By the time the book is finished, each of the major body parts is identified. Children also learn not to fear spiders.

Recommended for parents and teachers as a wonderful read-aloud or bedtime story.

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The Boy Who Wanted to Fly

Written by Farial English

Illustrated by Max Rambaldi

We need more books like this one. Max is a curious and intelligent young boy who is disabled and confined to a wheelchair. His sister Maya encourages and supports him.

When the siblings find out that they will be spending spring vacation at the beach. Max decides that he will act on his dream to fly. Max writes out a list of the things he needs to construct a kite. At first he is frustrated, but his sister encourages him not to give up. Will the kite soar? Can Max achieve his dream with the help of his imagination?

The illustrations enhance the mood and reinforce the theme. Every child deserves a chance to achieve a dream.

This is a book that children of all ages (including adults) will enjoy reading.

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Al’s Journey: The Night Everything Changed: A Magical Story of Growing Up Fast and Learning Who You Are

Written and Illustrated by Marin Darmonkow

This intriguing book contains 32 illustrated pages, but is far more than a picture book story.

The author has combined an earthly tale with mystical elements. At the outset, readers encounter a young boy being raised by his grandfather, who is the shaman of the village. When the shaman turns one hundred years old, he informs his grandson that he must climb the mountain to talk with God about his mission and purpose in life. The boy is guided by fireflies as he continues on his journey.

A book that begins as an adventure story becomes one of philosophical questions as the boy must grow up virtually overnight. Older readers will come face-to-face with finding answers on their own journey.

The illustrations are compelling. They draw the reader into the story and rapidly change its mood as the story evolves. This is a book that can grow with the reader who will return to it time and time again.

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