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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Willy the Dinosaur & the Father’s Day Project: A Heartwarming Gift Picture Book About Dad, Love, Laughter, and Growing Up

Written and illustrated by Robert B. Grand

A very cute book for Father’s Day or any time you want to reflect on the important role that fathers play in a child’s life.

It combines the message with a character that appeals to most children: the dinosaur. Willy is a young dinosaur who loves his dad deeply, but when Willy’s teacher asks him to design a project for Father’s Day, he cannot think of anything special to draw.

Willy spends some time reflecting, and then he concludes that the ordinary things his dad does every day to show his love are what make his dad special.

A great gift for elementary school-age children to read for themselves or present to their own dad.

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Bees Full of Wonder: An educational, rhyming book about the magic of the bees for children, kids (World Full of Wonder 3)

Written by Anna Smithers

Illustrated by Nino Aptsiauri

Smithers manages to pack a lot of information plus a wealth of problem-solving resources in this illustrated picture book.

Even though the language is not colloquial, the rhymes are fun to read out loud, and important vocabulary words are highlighted in color for emphasis. Children learn about the different types of bees and their work in the hive. I especially liked the interactive challenge for the reader to locate twelve different types of bees in the story. Young readers also discover the problems bees face today due to urban expansion.

The illustrations are multicultural, and they include children with disabilities. This book will appeal to children who enjoy nonfiction for information about the life of bees, but also to young community activists who will appreciate the seven practical solutions they can use to help the rapidly declining bee population.

I would highly recommend the book for parents, teachers, and librarians of elementary school 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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U-CUT: A Christmas Tree Story

Written by R.A. Becker

Illustrated by Michael Macakova

A book that celebrates a tradition that many families share: visiting a Christmas tree farm to find and cut the perfect Christmas tree.

One unusual Christmas tree has been passed over by visitors for many years, but when a boy and his family enter the farm this year, the ugly tree finally gets a chance to shine. This particular boy is attracted to the misshapen tree because he has also experienced gossip and mistreatment due to a scar on his face. When the boy spies the tree, he is immediately drawn to it. He convinces his family that this is the perfect tree for them. After bringing it home and decorating it, the ugly tree becomes a thing of beauty.

This book is perfect for families and teaches children that beauty comes from the goodness within, not physical, outward appearances.

An appropriate choice for children of any age.

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Jack’s Noisy Day: A Raucous Romp Through The Alphabet

Written by Sarah Tinney

Illustrated by Ricky Aldi

This book provides an effective strategy for teaching the alphabet to children with ADHD or those who have trouble sitting for long periods. Illustrations are large and simple. They are effective for toddlers and preschoolers.

I would especially recommend this book for parents and teachers of children in the two to five year old range.

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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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India – The Land of Festivals: A Monthly Guidebook to Diverse Celebrations (Indian Festival Series 1)

Written by Anuja Mohla

Illustrated by Gowthami Maruthapandiyan

This book contains a wealth of information with colorful illustrations about the diversity of life in India. The author covers each of the six major religions practiced in India. This book is organized by month.

Many of these celebrations, however, are based on the lunar calendar. Each page describes which religion is celebrated in that month and discusses the foods, rituals, customs, and types of celebrations. The reader learns native vocabulary and the significance associated with each.

This book is an excellent choice for teachers who want to explain Indian customs and culture and share multicultural traditions. Indian families can use it as a springboard to explain the rich culture of their homeland.

As a teacher, I appreciated the section at the end of the book that includes matching and recalling information about the festivals.

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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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