Category: Preschool Reads

Posted in picture books, Preschool Reads, Toddler Reads

Books for Valentine’s Day snuggles

Posted on by Rosemary Kiladitis

Getting Ready for Valentine’s Day, by Vera Ahiyya/Illustrated by Debby Rahmalia, (Dec. 2024, Random House Books for Young Readers), $10.99, ISBN: 9780593810002

Ages 3-7

Kai and their family are busily preparing for Valentine’s Day! They make valentines and decorate; Mom makes cookies. The next morning, after a special Valentine’s Day breakfast and photos, Kai heads to school, where their teacher encourages students to contribute things they love to her list. Kai worries about not receiving any valentines, but the teacher has asked everyone to make cards for everyone so no one feels left out. Kai receives cards and best friend Chelsea loves hers. Getting Ready for Valentine’s Day is a cheerful book with family and friends showing love to one another. Author Ahiyya, also known as the “Tutu Teacher”, is a Kindergarten teacher who knows her audience and takes care to model positive, inclusive behavior and gives Kai the role of first-person narrator to give readers a child’s point of view; Ahiyya concentrates on enthusiastic wording to communicate Kai’s feelings: “I can’t wait to celebrate with my friends and family”; “My heart feels extra big, knowing how happy everyone is going to be when they open [the valentines]!” A fun and inclusive look at Valentine’s Day for younger readers.

 

I Lava You!, Illustrated by Liv Wan, (Dec. 2024, Cartwheel Books), $7.99, ISBN: 9781546138402

Ages Birth-3

The plush lava on this cartoony volcano welcomes little hands to this adorable ode unconditional love. Seven spreads filled with rhyming phrases make for a snuggle time every time: “I lava you, I really do! No one warms my heart like you”. From volcanoes to diamonds, sunshine and rain to rainbows, to the planets and stars, each spread is filled with bright colors and cheery faces. Readers will visit this book all year ’round.

Visit Liv Wan’s website to see more of her illustrations.

 

Be My Yummy ABC, by Joyce Wan, (Jan. 2025, Hippo Park), $14.99, ISBN: 9781662640766

Ages 2-5

The cutest ABCedary you’ll have in your hands this month! Joyce Wan is one of my favorite children’s illustrators because her artwork is just SO CUTE. She’s all about the bright colors and the bold outlines and her rhymes are the sweetest. With Be My Yummy ABC, Wan creates “a bite of love on every page”, highlighting tasty treats from all over the world: “The cutest GYOZA of my heart. My sticky HONEY BUTTER TART”. Wan’s wide-eyed, smiling food illustrations will delight every reader. Letters of the alphabet are large and puffy, looking like letter balloons and easy to read. Let this be the yummiest book on your shelf. Back matter includes pronunciation of each food, plus a note on each food’s country of origin; the book jacket unfolds into a poster. Endpapers show a variety of foods with heart shapes and rainbows. A feast for the eyes and a lovely look a foods of different cultures. Do not miss.

Visit Joyce Wan’s webpage for Be My Yummy downloadables (and downloadables from her other works)!

 

 

Posted in picture books, Preschool Reads

Taking on big feelings: There’s a Robot in My Socks!

Posted on by Rosemary Kiladitis

There’s a Robot in My Socks!, by Meredith Rusu/Illustrated by Martín Morón (Sept. 2024, Loyola Press & 4U2B Books & Media), $19.99, ISBN: 9780829457094

Ages 4-6

This rhyming tale helps readers process big feelings about change, led by a girl whose robot socks give life to her secret buddy: a robot who “makes things go just right”, and gets thing “done her way from morning until night”. The girl’s mom is familiar with the robot and gets things done just the way the girl – I mean, the robot – likes them, but a day trip to grandma’s throws a bit of a wrench in the works. Storytime? No, that’s not until bedtime! A nap without a snuggly? Impossible! After a trip to the beach goes south, Grandma sits down with the girl and explains that she has a robot, too: and that robot likes when everything is perfect in her home. It’s all about how to work with your robot. Rusu tells a relatable story in rhyme that will spark conversations as Rusu and Morón shine a light on individuals who may have been seen as “difficult”; providing insight into what drives these actions makes a lot more folks visible. Readers of all ages will see themselves in this story and be inspired to talk about their “robots”. There’s a Robot in My Socks is the second book in the Mighty Moods series; There’s a Yeti in My Tummy (2023)  looks at big feelings about keeping strong feelings in all day. Illustrations are playful and colorful, making the robot an accomplice rather than a villain. A good addition to SEL collections.

Posted in picture books, Preschool Reads

Tales from the TBR: Hedgehog and the Log

Posted on by Rosemary Kiladitis

Hedgehog and the Log, by Pam Fong, (Jan. 2024, Union Square Kids), $18.99, ISBN: 9781454948537

Ages 4-8

Hedgehog outgrows his old home, and finds the perfect spot to build his new one – but his home is destroyed once he’s finished! He’s devastated; he cries, he rages, he feels sorry for himself… but once he changes how he views the situation, he is able to change his circumstances. The artwork is the star here; this story is beautiful, with a minimalist color palette and soft touches that you can almost feel under your fingers. Fong writes a story of resilience with a character that readers will relate to and be inspired by. An easily-read storytime selection, this one will work well in picture book and SEL collections.

Posted in picture books, Preschool Reads

Explore anxiety and feelings with Babette: Baa Haa

Posted on by Rosemary Kiladitis

Baa Haa, by Audrey Perrott/Illustrated by Ross Burach, (March 2025, Scholastic Press), $18.99, ISBN: 9781546134039

Ages 4-8

Babette is a sheep who loves to laugh: so much that her friends have nicknamed her “Baa Haa”. But while it looks like Babette finds everything funny, she’s really covering up some big feelings, and it’s giving her a bellyache. Her friends discover her crying one day and gently let her know that “It’s okay if you’re not okay”, and that they love her for who she is. Filled with fun sheepy puns, Baa Haa examines anxiety and stress and the pressure many of us feel to cover up those feelings, whether it’s to make others feel better or to laugh off our own worries. Babette feels better after her friends support her and bolster her, and the image of the tightly wound ball of yarn in her belly immediately unravels, forming words like “icky”, “sad”, and “grumbly” – and isn’t that the best description of how it feels to embrace one’s true self? Pencil, crayon, and paint illustrations give a hand-drawn feeling to the story and the details are incredible; readers will love seeing Milton (from 2024’s Moo Hoo!) reading a copy of CosMOOpolitan Magazine, or a coffee mug in the principal’s office – Principal Lily Pad – that says, “Coffee makes me hoppy“. Baa Haa delivers a feast for the eyes and a supportive message for young readers. Download free activity sheets for a storytime extension.

Posted in picture books, Preschool Reads

Duckie and Snaps meet can they be friends?

Posted on by Rosemary Kiladitis

Duckie and Snaps: We Cannot Be Friends!, by Ame Dyckman/Illustrated by Tim Miller, (Feb. 2025, Orchard Books), $14.99, ISBN: 9781338837872

Ages 2-6

The unlikeliest of friendships begins when one egg rolls into another’s nest. Duckie, a bright yellow duckling with a pink bow on her head, boisterously greets a more reserved crocodile and names him Snaps. As she’s describing all of the adventures the two new friends will have her, an adult crocodile shows up on the scene to inform the two hatchlings that they CANNOT be friends, because Snaps’s folks eat Duckies! This doesn’t sit well with either Duckie or Snaps, who just started getting used to his new friend, but when Snaps’s tummy starts a-rumbling, Duckie has to do some fast thinking. Dyckman’s hilarious back-and-forth dialogue, paired with Miller’s expressive facial expressions and body language, makes for a laugh-out-loud tale of friendship against all odds. Illustrations are organized into graphic novel-type panels, with dialogue taking place via word bubbles. The message is clear: friendship (and bananas) wins all. A great add to collections; I can’t wait to see what Duckie and Snaps will do on their next adventure.

 

Posted in picture books, Preschool Reads

Kids will love The Most Boring Book Ever

Posted on by Rosemary Kiladitis

The Most Boring Book Ever, by Brandon Sanderson/Illustrated by Kazu Kibuishi, (Sept. 2024, Roaring Brook Press), $19.99, ISBN: 9781250843661

Ages 4-8

“A boy sat in a chair”: so begins the boring story of a boy, a chair, and thoughts of laundry and math homework. Or is it? Sanderson pairs with Amulet creator Kibuishi to wink at readers as they take them through an incredible steampunk journey with sky pirates and dragons, soaring through clouds and crashing through clotheslines. Sanderson’s story never veers from the straightforward “boring” storytelling, allowing Kibuishi’s illustrations to run wild. It’s exciting, fun, and will have readers giggling through this not-boring-at-all adventure. The boy, light-skinned and red-haired, dressed in a blue shirt, suspenders, and brown pants, never leaves his chair (mostly) as he careens through the sky dodging airships and explosions. A red, scaly dragon emerges from the clouds and creates further excitement as the boy falls through the sky, quickly doing math to calculate his landing. The Most Boring Book Ever will for sure be a repeat readaloud. Download free activity sheets to share!

Posted in picture books, Preschool Reads

You’re Not Invited! A new garden adventure

Posted on by Rosemary Kiladitis

You’re Not Invited! (An Ooey Gooeys Adventure), by Sylvia Rouss & David Titcher/Illustrations by Rick Penn Kraus, (Jan. 2025, Brandyland Publishers), $15.95, ISBN: 978-1962416672

Ages 3-7

There’s going to be a party in the garden, but Queen Bea doesn’t want any “ooey gooeys” at her party, leaving Shelly Snail, Willy Worm, and Speedy Centipede on the other side of the velvet rope. Things change, though, when a Bigfoot charges through their area wielding a giant monster, and the Ooeys are there to save Bea and the other garden denizens. They watch the seeming destruction of their home together, but realize that the human – you didn’t really think he was a Bigfoot, did you? – is actually creating a paradise: he’s planting beautiful flowers for them to enjoy! Rescheduling their party to enjoy the new digs, Bea invites the Ooey Gooeys to be part of the fun as the guests of honor. You’re Not Invited! is an upbeat story of friendship and acceptance; of a bully who realizes her mistake, and a maligned group that’s courageous and generous enough to forgive. Colorful illustrations show the garden bugs in close-up, cartoon detail; the Bigfoot is actually a human, and the monster is a lawn mower. Plenty of fun for readers, with positive messages about being a friend. I look forward to more life lessons with the Ooey Gooeys!

Visit Sylvia Rouss’s website for more about her books, including her awesome Sammy Spider series!

Posted in picture books, Preschool Reads

Aisha’s Colors teach joy

Posted on by Rosemary Kiladitis

Aisha’s Colors, by Nabila Adani, (Sept. 2024, Candlewick Press), $17.99, ISBN: 9781536235401

Ages 3-7

A young girl living in Jakarta wishes her family would go on a vacation somewhere different, somewhere exciting, like her friends do. Her family takes the same trip every year: they drive to her Grandma’s village in the countryside. As her family sets out on their trip, Aisha thinks of the colors her friends have seen: the white snow her friend Jennie sees; the blue water and sky glimpsed by her frien Dimas. But as the trip progresses, Aisha discovers beautiful colors, too: the white of her favorite treat, for instance. As she sees the most beautiful sight of all – her grandmother – Aisha reflects on the colors her friends have seen, compares them with the colors she sees, and decides that “I’m going to stop worrying about what other people’s vacations are like”. Adani brings home the joy of seeing family, the beauty of what we have around us, and the importance of celebrating and appreciating what we have without worrying about what others have or do. Mixed media illustrations are bright and cheerful, depicting warm family relationships. Mom and Grandma wear hijabs and colorful tunics; Aisha is in overalls and a t-shirt. A cheerful story that readers will enjoy again and again.

Posted in picture books, Preschool Reads

It’s hard to share our favorites: Mauntie and Me

Posted on by Rosemary Kiladitis

Mauntie and Me, by Rajani LaRocca/Illustrated by Nadia Alam, (Nov. 2024, Candlewick Press), $18.99, ISBN: 9781536229417

Ages 3-7

It can be really difficult to share our favorite family members: in Mauntie and Me, Priya is the youngest of her cousins and feels left behind when the family gathers on weekends. But it’s okay, because she has her mom’s youngest sister, who she calls Mauntie: short for My Auntie. Together, Priya and Mauntie play games, share riddles, and have the best time together, but a new cousin, Aditi, arrives on the scene. Only a year older than Priya, Aditi also loves spending time with Mauntie, which doesn’t sit right with Priya. When Priya gets upset, Mauntie gives her an important riddle to consider: “What grows when you share it?” As Priya mulls over the riddle, she also finds herself missing Aditi. The answer dawns on her – love – and she realizes that Mauntie doesn’t halve her attention or her love when Aditi’s around; she doubles it. LaRocca captures the emotion and stress of sharing a loved one’s time and brings Priya on a journey to understanding. She creates a gentle and loving story about familial relationships and the friendships we form within them. Alam’s digital and pencil illustrations captures warm and loving family relationships. The opening spread where Priya and Mauntie greet one another across a crowd of family speaks volumes.

Posted in picture books, Preschool Reads

Pavlo Gets the Grumps – we all know it, don’t we?

Posted on by Rosemary Kiladitis

Pavlo Gets the Grumps, by Natalia Shaloshvili, (Sept. 2024, Candlewick Press), $17.99, ISBN: 9781536235548

Ages 3-7

Pavlo is not in a great mood today. Mama has all sorts of great ideas, but Pavlo doesn’t want to do any of them: “The swings are too swingy, the sandbox is too sandy, and… the slide is too SLIDEY!” Pavlo adamantly refuses to admit it: he’s got the Grumps, and Mama gets him out the door anyway, where he discovers the best cure for the Grumps: a hug from a friend. Preschoolers (and their grownups!) will easily identify with Pavlo; we all know when the Grumps strike. Shaloshvili expertly captures a child’s grumpy day in her narration, and her mixed media illustrations make for an adorably cranky kitten and a patient parent. Moody darker colors make up the backgrounds until Pavlo gets a hug from his friend Mila; the greens of the park become lighter and the outside becomes brighter as Pavlo’s mood lightens. A great story to cheer the Grumps away.

Pavlo Gets the Grumps has a starred review from Booklist.