Narrative Nonfiction Picture Books

May 24, 2026May 25, 2026 The Retired School LibrarianLeave a comment

Narrative Nonfiction picture book recommendations are by Angela Ferraris, The Retired School Librarian.

(The content below contains Amazon affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Mrs. Ferraris may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you. These titles may be found on my Amazon Storefront under Narrative Nonfiction Picture Books– https://www.amazon.com/shop/mrs.ferraris/list/1W55B2WL32ZNO?ref_=aipsflist .)

❗This cumulative list grows over time, with the newest books always appearing at the top.❗

A young girl and a young woman are standing in front of Al-Qarawiyyin Library.

Behind My Doors: The Story of the World’s Oldest Library

by Hena Khan (Author), Nabila Adani (Illustrator)

Summary: Al Qarawiyyin Library tells us about itself being built in 859 in Fez, Morocco, and being the oldest library in the world. Fatima al-Fihri built a mosque and school for her community with a small library that grew over the centuries.

There is a room that can only be entered by four guards, who have to turn all of the keys at the same time for the copper doors to open. Now, only the curator has the keys. What could be so precious inside?

Comments: This narrative nonfiction book is told from the perspective of the library, from its very beginning until Dr. Chaouni, an architect who was hired to restore the building, renovates it.

The illustrations were created digitally.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

A young Fannie Farmer cooking with a large pot with vegetables. There are measuring utensils on the side. Book's cover

The Fabulous Fannie Farmer: Kitchen Scientist and America’s Cook

by Emma Bland Smith (Author), Susan Reagan (Illustrator)

Brief summary: In the late 1800s, Fannie Farmer developed a passion for cooking. Despite contracting polio at the age of sixteen, she enrolled in the Boston Cooking School, where she excelled and eventually became the principal. Fannie’s teaching focused on precise measurements and exact cooking methods, ensuring success for home cooks.

She rewrote the school’s cookbook with precision, which became incredibly popular. Fannie also gave lectures nationwide and even taught at Harvard Medical School.

Comments: After reading this narrative nonfiction picture book, I learned that people used non-standard measurements for cooking even though standard measurements were available. I was surprised to discover the variety of measurements in recipes passed down from generation to generation, such as a dash of this, a smidge of that, or a pinch of this.

The back sections contain photos and additional information about Fannie and the Boston Cooking School and how Ms. Farmer really improved cooking through precise and detailed recipes.

Rating: 4.5/5 📗📗📗📗1/2

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

Annie Londonderry riding on a bicycle wearing bloomers with an American flag on the handlebars. There is a globe in the background with various people. Cover of the book

Pedal, Balance, Steer: Annie Londonderry, the First Woman to Cycle Around the World

by Vivian Kirkfield (Author), Alison Jay (Illustrator)

Brief summary: Annie Londonderry saw an ad in 1894 promising $10,000 to the first woman to travel around the globe on a bike. She taught herself to ride a bike and set off, following the rules of speaking English, accepting no donations, and earning $5,000 while traveling.

Comments: This inspirational narrative nonfiction picture book shares the story of an incredibly brave woman who overcame obstacles and injuries, persevered to win a bet, and was motivated by providing a better life for her children.

The back sections include an Author’s Note, Brakes, Bloomers, and Other Bicycle Bits, a Timeline, and a Bibliography.

The illustrations are created with alkyd oil paint on paper with varnish.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

Georgia O"Keeffe in the desert in her garden with a large table of her garden's bounty which are flowers, corn, vegetables. There is a crow and rabbit in the background along with flowers and trees. Book's cover

Gifts from Georgia’s Garden: How Georgia O’Keeffe Nourished Her Art

by Lisa Robinson (Author), Hadley Hooper (Illustrator)

Brief summary: Georgia O’Keeffe is known for her stunning paintings of flowers and wildlife in New Mexico. This narrative nonfiction picture book emphasizes and explores how she cultivated her own sustainable garden using water conservation, companion planting, and composting.

Comments: Reading a book about an artist’s life rather than their art was a refreshing change.

The back sections explain how Georgia O’Keefe gardened and includes two of her recipes.

The illustrations were created with pen, paint, and paper and assembled in Photoshop.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

William J. Wilgus painting of him holding his chin thinking with a train and Grand Central Terminal in the background. Book's cover

A Grand Idea: How William J. Wilgus Created Grand Central Terminal

by Megan Hoyt (Author), David Szalay (Illustrator)

Brief summary: In 1902, Manhattan was full of people from all over the country visiting by train. A terrible train collision caused William J. Wilgus, a chief engineer, to devise a better plan to reduce and organize all of the train traffic to prevent any more accidents.

In this narrative nonfiction picture book, young readers will learn how he created this magnificent railroad station called Grand Central Terminal.

Comments: The back sections include information about William J. Wilgus and the Grand Central Terminal, fascinating facts about the terminal, a timeline, and sources.

The illustrations were created digitally with Adobe Photoshop.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

A man is holding a book. There are books on the bookshelves.

Everybody’s Book: The Story of the Sarajevo Haggadah

by Linda Leopold Strauss (Author), Tim Smart (Illustrator)

Brief summary: In the mid-14th century, a Jewish wedding took place in Spain where the couple received a hand-painted haggadah for their Passover celebrations. The book was adorned with decorations of copper and gold. Passed down through generations, it eventually ended up in the possession of relatives who sold it to The National Museum in Sarajevo, Bosnia in 1894. This historic artifact is now known as the Sarajevo Haggadah. It’s remarkable that the book has survived through numerous wars.

Comments: The back sections in this narrative nonfiction book are Author Note, About the Author, and About the Illustrator.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

For more information:

The cover of Life After Whale with a blue whale in the sea with smaller fish swimming around it.

Life After Whale: The Amazing Ecosystem of a Whale Fall

by Lynn Brunelle (Author), Jason Chin (Illustrator)

Brief summary: This narrative nonfiction story begins with a blue whale eating krill and tells us how old she is, and her last day on earth. She dies and falls into the ocean but comes back up floating on the surface thanks to the gases in her body. Her body is now an ecosystem with many creatures benefiting.

Comments: The illustrations were created using watercolor and gouache on paper.

The back sections are A Bit About Blue Whales, What Are Ecosystems? It’s a Phase, A Little Pod of Whale Books, Whale Falls Online, and Selected Bibliography.

There are several nonfiction text features such as labels, maps, and diagrams.to help explain the whale’s cycle of life.

Rating: 4.5/5 📗📗📗📗1/2

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

Cover of The Wolf Effect with a wolf howling while standing on a hill. There are other hills in the background with animals and a stream.

The Wolf Effect: A Wilderness Revival Story (A Voice of the Wilderness Picture Book)

by Rosanne Parry (Author), Jennifer Thermes (Illustrator)

Brief summary: Young readers will learn about how the Yellowstone region became a national park and how it changed the humans and animals that inhabited the area. The reintroduction of wolves in Yellowstone Park is told through rhyming verse and story panels, demonstrating the positive effect on the environment and surroundings.

Comments: The illustrations were created using watercolor and colored pencil on Arches hot-pressed paper. Nonfiction text features such as maps and labels had me stopping and looking at all of the details.

The back sections are Who is Who?, A Brief History of Wolves in the American West, Artist’s Note, Glossary, and Additional Resources.

Rating: 5/5 📗📗📗📗📗

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

One Day This Tree Will Fall

by Leslie Barnard Booth (Author), Stephanie Fizer Coleman (Illustrator)

Brief summary: In this narrative nonfiction picture book, we learn the story of a tree’s beginning as a seed, its growth, providing food and shelter to animals, and its continued contribution after it dies.

Comments: The illustrations were created using gouache, colored pencil, and Photoshop.

The back sections are A Tree’s Story Never Ends, Trees and People, Glossary, and Selected Sources.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

Finding Family: The Duckling Raised by Loons

by Laura Purdie Salas (Author), Alexandria Neonakis (Illustrator).

Brief summary: A mother and father loon raise a mallard duckling. The duckling learns the ways of the loons, like eating minnows and taking food from them.

Comments: This story in verse is based on a true story in 2019 in a Wisconsin Lake as part of the Loon Project, where researchers observed a loon pair taking care of a duckling. What makes this unique is that loons usually drive away mallard ducks.

The back pages include sections such as Is This Story True?, The Intruder, and Very Different Birds(with a Venn Diagram).

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

Rise to the Sky cover of the narrative nonfiction book that tells about tall trees with tall trees with deer eating grass underneath

Rise to the Sky: How the World’s Tallest Trees Grow Up

by Rebecca E. Hirsch (Author), Mia Posada (Illustrator). .

Brief summary: Young readers will learn about a tree’s life cycle from a tiny sprout to a tall tree.

Comments: Back sections include How Does a Tall Tree Grow?, Where Do the Tallest Trees Live?, and two activities.

The illustrations are cut-paper collages with watercolor but have photographs of the tallest trees in the back of the book.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

Special Delivery cover with sky blue background with various means of transportation all done in cartoon style

Special Delivery: A Book’s Journey Around the World

by Polly Faber (Author), Klas Fahlén (Illustrator).

Brief summary: A book is made and journeys in various forms of transportation across the city, sea, and through the country until it reaches Pip’s Bookshop, where it is bought and sent to a grandson.

Comments: The back has Special Delivery Numbers of interesting statistics about the book’s journey.

Full, detailed illustrations with bright colors. I stopped and looked at each page to get more details of the transportation story from them.

Rating: 4.5/5 📗📗📗📗1/2

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

Cover of Yoshi with a little green turtle swimming in the ocean with other fish and plants

Yoshi, Sea Turtle Genius: A True Story About an Amazing Swimmer

by Lynne Cox (Author), Richard Jones (Illustrator).

Brief summary: A Loggerhead hatchling finds her way across the Australian beach when the moon is full. She swims for the first time in the Indian Ocean, encountering many marine and land animals and fish on her journey.

The turtle is tangled in a net until a fisherman rescues her and helps her return to good health. Unable to keep the turtle, the fisherman gives her to an aquarium, where she is released into the sea with a tracking device. People can watch where she swims in the ocean. Will she make it back to her home?

Comments: This is a true story with more information in the Author’s Note.

I kept reading to find out more about Yoshi and if she was going to be okay or not.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

Cover of Poop for Breakfast with various animals around a kitchen table with pile of poop on a plate

Poop for Breakfast: Why Some Animals Eat It

by Sara Levine (Author), Florence Weiser (Illustrator).

Brief summary: Young readers will learn about why some animals eat feces. One can read a simple narrative or include a more correlating detailed description as the story continues teaching readers everything they need to know, including the correct terminology of why animals eat poop.

Comments: Well, I learned a lot from reading this book and recommend it to children and adults who desire to learn more about this topic, which was done in a very tasteful manner (excuse the pun).

The back sections include The Scoop on Poop, Be a Book Detective, By Any Other Name, and Further Reading.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

Book cover of Jumper with a closeup of a jumping spider on the grass

Jumper: A Day in the Life of a Backyard Jumping Spider

by Jessica Lanan (Author, Illustrator).

Brief summary: As soon as I open the book, I meet the main character as big as bean, Jumper, a jumping spider. Jumper is hungry and goes hunting for food in the family’s backyard. She jumps without worry as her silk is a safety line. Vibrations help the spider know if a predator or prey is nearby. Will Jumper ever find dinner, or will she become dinner?

Comments: Excellent back sections with more details about his spider, with close-ups illustrated by hand. A few other spiders are discussed, along with the life cycle of a jumping spider. There is a Glossary, Author’s Note, Finding and Identifying Spiders, and Resources sections.

This book begins and ends on the paste-down end pages. There is a fold-out demonstrating how a spider sees with eight eyes.

This book asks readers questions to pause and reflect upon the spider’s life. Dialogic reading.

Rating: 5/5 📗📗📗📗📗

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

The Forest Keeper– The True Story of Jadav Payeng

by Rina Singh (Author), Ishita Jain (Illustrator).

Brief summary: Jadav Payeng, a tribal boy living in India, went to the elders in 1979 when the Brahmaputra River took large parts of the islands’ land mass away when it flooded. He wanted them to help him plant trees on an island called Majuli to help prevent the island from disappearing.

The forest department gave him bamboo seedlings and told him to plant the forest himself. So, he did. Has the past thirty years of his hard work helped the area and animals?

Comments: The front and end pages give more details about this passionate individual whose hard work and dedication completely changed Mujuli Island and the Molai Forest(named after him). It can take just one person to make a significant impact in a positive way.

Rating: 3/5 📗📗📗

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

Nobody Likes Frogs: A Book of Toadally Fun Facts

by Barbara Davis-Pyles (Author), Liz Wong (Illustrator).

Brief summary: A turtle narrates how much it does not like frogs while learning all about them as the story progresses. Does the turtle have a change of heart? Will the reader?

Comments: The back sections are Frog Facts and Be Somebody Who Likes Frogs by Helping Them!. The pasted-down end pages are full of different types of frogs.

This is a general book about frogs. I learned that frogs can live as long as twenty years.

Rating: 3/5 📗📗📗

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

The selected children’s books are chosen by a highly qualified retired elementary school librarian, who passionately reads and recommends picture books to teachers, school librarians, parents, grandparents, and other book enthusiasts.

Most of the books Mrs. Ferraris recommends are checked out from the public library. The only exception is for the complimentary copies that she receives for an honest review, which are duly noted.

Animal Picture Books

May 24, 2026May 24, 2026 The Retired School LibrarianLeave a comment

Animal picture book recommendations are by Angela Ferraris, The Retired School Librarian.

(The content below contains Amazon affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Mrs. Ferraris may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you. These titles may be found on my Amazon Storefront under Animal Picture Books– https://amzn.to/4nPd7np .)

❗This cumulative list grows over time, with the newest books always appearing at the top.❗

Chanel and Milo playing in the park with Milo sliding into branches. Background includes a bench, trees, flowers, and butterflies

Chanel & Milo: The Legend Begins!

by Paul Davis (Author), Julia L. Rosengren (Author)

Summary:
Chanel, a curious and feisty terrier mix, is enjoying a day at the park when she meets Milo, a larger but gentle dog relaxing amongst the flowers. The two quickly become friends as they joyfully return to their owners together.

Comments: This simple and sweet story is geared toward toddlers and preschool-aged children who enjoy books about dog friendships. The writing uses familiar expressions, similes, and other descriptive language to introduce young readers to Chanel and Milo’s world in the park.

Young readers who love real-life pet stories may enjoy that the series is inspired by actual dogs. This title serves as the first of the series featuring the canine duo. Additional information and photos can be found on the official website at Chanel & Milo.

The illustrations are on the left side of the two-page spread with the words on the right.

Rating: 3.5/5 📗📗📗1/2

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

The Emerald Forest

by Catherine Ward (Author), Karin Littlewood (Author)

Brief summary: Orangutan lives with her children on a rainforest island called Sumatra in Indonesia until a deforesting machine comes and rips out the tree she is in. She and her family are relocated to Bukit Tigapuluh National Park(Thirty Hills).

Comments: I was tearing up when I read this heartfelt picture book; beautifully illustrated. It would be a good story to share with students with an endangered species, environment, or deforestation unit of study.

Rating: 4.5/5 📗📗📗📗1/2

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

For more information about Thirty Hills.

Gray Fox in the Moonlight

by Isaac Peterson (Author and illustrator)

Brief summary: Gray Fox walks in the fall woods during a full moon, seeing her reflection in the river before returning to the den.

Comments: The cover of this book is designed beautifully with raised imprints and specks of silver. Although the title is in cursive, the text inside is in block letters.

The gray illustrations were created by the author and his daughter.

This is a short and gentle book, excellent for bedtime.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

Poop for Breakfast: Why Some Animals Eat It

by Sara Levine (Author), Florence Weiser (Illustrator).

The back sections include The Scoop on Poop, Be a Book Detective, By Any Other Name, and Further Reading.

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

The Wolf Effect: A Wilderness Revival Story (A Voice of the Wilderness Picture Book)

by Rosanne Parry (Author), Jennifer Thermes (Illustrator)

The back sections are Who is Who?, A Brief History of Wolves in the American West, Artist’s Note, Glossary, and Additional Resources.

Rating: 5/5 📗📗📗📗📗

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

Life After Whale: The Amazing Ecosystem of a Whale Fall

by Lynn Brunelle (Author), Jason Chin (Illustrator)

Comments: The illustrations were created using watercolor and gouache on paper.

The back sections are A Bit About Blue Whales, What Are Ecosystems? It’s a Phase, A Little Pod of Whale Books, Whale Falls Online, and Selected Bibliography.

There are several nonfiction text features such as labels, maps, and diagrams.to help explain the whale’s cycle of life.

Rating: 4.5/5 📗📗📗📗1/2

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

Journey of the Humpbacks

by Juliana Muñoz Toro (Author), Dipacho (Illustrator), Lawrence Schimel (Translator)

Summary:

Let’s follow the humpback whales as they migrate from the Southern Ocean to the Pacific, stopping near Colombia.

Discover how these whales feed before heading to the warmer ocean, a journey that takes about two months. Young readers will learn all about these magnificent creatures, including their birthing process during migration, their family life, lifespan, and the ways they communicate with one another.

Comments:

The illustrations are created with mixed media and complement the text well.

Although this narrative nonfiction book is written in lyrical language, it includes many nonfiction text features, such as diagrams, labels, and maps. The illustrations are created using mixed media and complement the text beautifully.

The book is well-researched, involving a team of three marine biologists. More information about their credentials and bios can be found in the back of the book.

Rating: 5/5 📗📗📗📗📗

Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.

*I received a free copy of this book.

This Little Kitty in the Garden

by Karen Obuhanych (Author)

Summary: Spring has arrived, and five cats living on Sakura Way head towards the garden shed to collect their tools to work on creating a garden. However, they get distracted upon going there and start enjoying the presence of other creatures already in the garden. The owners of the cats come out to the garden and are delighted to see that everything has been planted.

Comments: The illustrations were created with colored pencils, charcoal, and cut paper.

Rating: 4/5📗📗📗📗

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

This is NOT my Lunch Box!

by Jennifer Dupuis (Author), Carol Schwartz (Illustrator)

Brief summary: In this narrative nonfiction picture book, a boy is on a camping trip. As he opens a different colored lunchbox each time, he discovers that it is full of food for creatures in the woods. These creatures include herbivores, omnivores, and carnivores. What will he find in his lunch box next?

Comments: The lunch box is located on the right-hand side of the double-page spread. Turning the page reveals the answer of the lunch box owner located on the left. Readers then have to guess who will eat the contents of the next lunch box. This pattern continues for about a dozen times. Very clever!

Rating: 5/5 📗📗📗📗📗

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

Cover for poetry book This is a Tiny Fragile Snae with a small black snake with a yellow line down its back slithering on the ground with a pair of blue and a pair of red tennis shoes in the frame to mean there are people stopping and watching it go past.

This Is a Tiny Fragile Snake

by Nicholas Ruddock (Author), Ashley Barron (Illustrator)

Brief summary: This poetry collection features informative poems about various animals and insects, highlighting their unique characteristics.

Comments: The illustrations are created using cut-paper collages, acrylics, and pencil crayons with some digital finishing.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

An orangutan and her baby are hanging on a tree branch with the baby on her stomach

Mamas and Babies

by Christie Matheson (Author, Illustrator)

Brief summary: This primary nonfiction picture shows different mothers and how they care for their offspring.

Comments: These charming watercolor illustrations capture the bond between mother and child, each one spanning two pages.

This nonfiction book would make a lovely bedtime story due to its gentle and soothing pictures and words.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

Little Red Fox and his Fluffy Ginger Locks

by Matthew Fox (Author), Nicol Korner-Bitensky PhD (Editor), Mousam Banerjee (Illustrator)

Brief summary: All the foxes were brown until Little Red Fox was born. He loved dancing and playing in the forest but was made fun of by some of the brown foxes for having red fur and bluish-green eyes, not brown fur and brown eyes. Little Red Fox told his parents what was happening, and they comforted him and advised him on what to do when being bullied, making him feel confident.

He was dancing in a big puddle when the GIANT brown fox came along and made fun of him again. Little Red Fox remembered what his parents had said the night before. Was he able to stand up for himself? What did the nearby little brown foxes do and feel?

Comments: This is a cute and colorful rhyming story to share with preschoolers and kindergartners about how others may be different from us, and that’s okay. It also teaches what to do if someone is bullying you: 1)talk to an adult first, and in some situations, 2)bravely stand your ground.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

*I received a free copy of this book.

Like No Other: Earth’s Coolest One-of-a-Kind Creatures

by Sneed B. Collard III (Author), Christopher Silas Neal (Illustrator)

Brief summary: This nonfiction picture book examines twelve mysterious, unique animals with two paged spreads with details of their differences.

Comments: More animals are shown in the back sections. This book also includes humans, how to save one-of-a-kind creatures, and more information, including a two-page map of other monospecific animals. The illustrations are a mix of acrylic, pencil, and digital.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

There is a black Shaggy Dog following a little girl on the Street sidewalk with in it within a crowd of people. This is the picture book's cover of A Human for Kingsley.

A Human for Kingsley

by Gabriel Evans (Author)

Brief summary: Kingsley, a dog, decides to own a human. He goes into the city looking and intermingling with several people but does not find a good fit. He saw a little girl walking on the street and followed her home. Will she be his human?

Comments: This picture book is hilariously written from the viewpoint of a dog.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

Jump for Joy

by Karen Gray Ruelle (Author), Hadley Hooper (Illustrator)

Brief summary: Joy always wanted a dog but did not know what kind. She would know when she saw him. Jump, a dog, always wanted a kid. He knew the right one when he saw her. They create various versions of dogs and kids out of materials around them in Nature. Will they ever find each other?

Comments: I like how the world around them goes from black and white to color. The illustrator used images from the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries to create collages.

Rating: 3.5/5 –📗📗📗 1/2

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

Book cover to Trouble Dog with Laura and Tucker(yellow dog) hugging on the lawn.

Trouble Dog: From Shelter Dog to Conservation Hero

by Carol A. Foote (Author), Larry Day (Illustrator)

Brief summary: Tucker was often returned to the dog shelter because he was considered trouble. However, when Laura came to the shelter, she saw potential in him and believed he could be an excellent conservation dog. After training, Tucker became a valuable aide to conservationists, helping to protect endangered plants and wildlife.

Comments: This story is inspired by true events. The back pages provide insights into Laura and Tucker’s lives and additional information about conservation dogs.

The illustrations were created in watercolor.

This would be a valuable addition to any unit of study focused on wildlife or conservation.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

*I received a free copy of this book.

The Very Patient Gus Davis

by Laurie Trumble Davis (Author), Marjorie van Heerden (Illustrator)

Brief summary: Gus’s owner returns from the store with cookies. Gus really wants one right away. He begs and jumps up on her, but she tells him he must wait until after dinner. Gus does not want to wait and runs off with the bag of cookies. His owner manages to get the cookies back. To help pass the time, they go on a walk. When they return, they have dinner. Will Gus ever get a cookie?

Comments: This is the second of the Gus books

The Unsinkable Gus Davis by Laurie Trumble Davis (Author), Paulette Bogan (Illustrator)

Rating: 3.5/5 📗📗📗1/2

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

A mother otter and her pup are floating on the water while they giving snuggles. Water lilies and a water fly are around them. Cover of Animal Snuggles.

Animal Snuggles: Affection in the Animal Kingdom

by Aimee Reid (Author), Sebastien Braun (Illustrator)

Brief summary: Young readers are shown how various animals display affection towards their babies.

Comments: There are large double-paged illustrations with the parent and baby.

There’s a back section of the animals and more specific details of how they snuggle with their young, the name of a baby, and their home.

Rating: 3.5/5 📗📗📗1/2

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

Find Out About Animal Tools

by Martin Jenkins (Author), Jane McGuinness (Illustrator)

Brief summary: This nonfiction picture book teaches young readers how animals use various tools to find food, attract mates, or build homes.

Comments: The illustrations were created using mixed media.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

Book cover for Fast Cheetah Slow Tortoise. A yellow cheetah with spots is running ahead of the green tortoise. Blue background. Poems

Fast Cheetah, Slow Tortoise: Poems of Animal Opposites

by Bette Westera (Author), Mies van Hout (Illustrator), David Colmer (Translator)

Brief summary: This poetry book cleverly presents animal opposites in each animal’s voice. Every two-page spread features two animals opposite from one another in descriptive and humorous free verse.

Comments: The illustrations were created using acrylic ink, oil pastels, and collage. There are a total of thirty-two animals featured in the book.

This poetry book would complement poetry or opposite units of study. It can also just be used for a funny read-aloud to make everyone giggle.

Rating: 4.5/5 📗📗📗📗1/2

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

*I was sent a complimentary copy of this book.

Evergreen

by Matthew Cordell (Author)

Brief summary: Evergreen, an anxious squirrel, lives in Buckthorn Forrest with her mother who has asked her to take soup to a sick Granny Oak who lives on the other side of the forest. Although frightened, Evergreen leaves the tree and heads towards Granny Oak’s, encountering several forest animals along the way.

Comments: This picture book is divided into a new chapter for each animal Evergreen meets. The illustrations are done with a 005 Micron Pen and painted with watercolors.

Students will be in suspense with each forest animal encounter wondering if the squirrel will be eaten.

Rating: 4.5/5 📗📗📗📗 1/2

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

Chip the dog has a cone around his head with a bandage on his nose with the head of a gray cat looking at him from a window. The cover's lettering is mixed with a ball of yarn unraveled and tangled

Don’t Trust Cats: Life Lessons from Chip the Dog

by Dev Petty (Author), Mike Boldt (Illustrator)

Brief summary: Chip, the dog, warns young readers not to trust cats and advises us who and what can be trusted.

Comments: The humorous illustrations go well with the freehand lettering to make the dog’s narrative authentic.

We do not find out why Chip the Dog has a cone around his neck, but the cat is probably involved. That would be a good question to discuss with students.

This is a nice persuasive writing example and will be enjoyed as a funny read-aloud.

Rating: 4.5/5 📗📗📗📗1/2

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

A yellow dog is sitting with a puppy, turtle, cat, and rabbit in front of it with a parrot sitting on a perch behind. Cover of Bless Our Pets: Poems of Gratitude for Our Animal Friends

Bless Our Pets: Poems of Gratitude for Our Animal Friends

by Lee Bennett Hopkins (Editor), Lita Judge (Illustrator)

Brief summary: Bless Our Pets is an anthology of poetry featuring fourteen different animal companion owners expressing gratitude towards their beloved pets. Written by:
• Ann Whitford Paul
• Rebecca Kai Dotlich
• Linda Trott Dickman
• Eric Ode
• Ralph Fletcher
• Sarah Grace Tuttle
• Kristine O’Connell George
• Darren Sardelli
• B.J. Lee
• Charles Ghigna
• Lois Lowry
• Prince Redcloud
• Joan Bransfield Graham
• Lee Bennett Hopkins

Comments: The book features a variety of poetry forms. The illustrations are created with watercolors and colored pencils that beautifully capture facial expressions.

Rating: 5/5 📗📗📗📗📗

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

*Bless Our Pets was sent to me as a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

Cover of Wildlife Crossings. Photo of an overpassing

Wildlife Crossings (Searchlight Books ™ ― Saving Animals with Science)

by Lisa Idzikowski (Author)

Summary: This nonfiction picture book teaches about wildlife crossings such as overpasses, bridges, and underpasses to help migrating animals.

Comments: The back sections include Glossary, Learn More, and Index.

The illustrations are photographs.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

Safe Crossing

by Kari Percival (Author)

Brief summary: This narrative nonfiction picture book is about when the spring comes thawing the ground. The amphibians need to cross a road to pools or to find a mate. The Amphibian Migration Team set up detours and help the creatures safely cross the road. Will they be able to raise enough money to put in tunnels under the road for the amphibians?

Comments: The illustrations were created digitally. The front and back end pages feature “Can You Find?” lists that encourage readers to closely examine the illustrations, while the back sections provide additional amphibian facts.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

Apartment buildings with several people planting, picking up trash with animals and plants everywhere

The City Sings Green & Other Poems About Welcoming Wildlife

by Erica Silverman (Author), Ginnie Hsu (Illustrator)

Brief summary: This is a collection of poetry about the wildlife found in the city. There is a poem and informational text teaching us about conservative steps to help rewild.

Comments: The back sections are How You Can Help, More to Explore, Resources for Families and Educators, and Children’s Books Celebrating City Wildlife.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

A large grumpy looking fluffy buffalo looking directly at the reader

Buffalo Fluffalo

by Bess Kalb (Author), Erin Kraan (Illustrator)

Brief summary: There was a big fluffy buffalo puffed up, acting tough. A goat, prairie dog, and crow try to make friends with him, but he pushes them away with excuses.

A big storm with heavy rain changes his appearance, but his three friends do not care, causing the other creatures to love him too.

Comments: I’ve known some Buffalo Fluffalo students who could have been helped with the bibliotherapeutic lesson of this book’s story.

Rating: 4.5/5 📗📗📗📗1/2

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

A bear, crocodile, and weasel are playing instruments in the forest with forest animals watching

The Animal Song

by Jonty Howley

Brief summary: Crocodile, Brown Bear, and Weasel play the animal song all summer long to the delight of the forest animals. When winter arrives, they all want to sleep, so the band moves to the city, where they play night after night. The band becomes tired and wants to sleep, so they go back home. The forest animals wake in the spring and want to sing the animal song but find the three asleep.

Comments: The Animal Song Sheet Music is also in the back of the book.

Rating: 3.5/5 📗📗📗1/2

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

Most of the books Mrs. Ferraris recommends are checked out from the public library. The only exception is for the complimentary copies that she receives for an honest review, which are duly noted.

Swimming Picture Books

May 23, 2026June 12, 2026 The Retired School LibrarianLeave a comment

Swimming picture book recommendations are by Angela Ferraris, The Retired School Librarian.

(The content below contains Amazon affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Mrs. Ferraris may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you. These titles may be found on my Amazon Storefront under Swimming Picture Books– https://www.amazon.com/shop/mrs.ferraris/list/2IOQHX6YHU325?ref_=aipsflist.)

❗This cumulative list grows over time, with the newest books always appearing at the top.❗

Big Family Beach Day

by Nina Crews (Author, Illustrator)

Summary: Maya, her mother, and grandma drive to their annual family beach outing to meet their extended family. They play in the sand, swim in the water, and have a picnic.

Comments: A whimsical family story that everyone can relate to.

The illustrations were digitally drawn and collaged in Adobe Photoshop.

Rating: 4/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.

Book cover of Dawn Patrol with a girl wearing a wetsuit while surfing a wave while her father cheers her in the background.

Dawn Patrol: A Father and Daughter Surfing Story

by Rob Sayegh Jr. (Author, Illustrator)

Summary: A father and daughter wake up at dawn and drive to the beach, where they put on wetsuits to swim and surf with other surfers, creating memories that will last a lifetime.

Comments: Lovely story of a father and daughter bonding while enjoying the sea.

The illustrations were created with hand-marbled paper and digital collage.

Rating: 4/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.

Everybelly

by Thao Lam (Author)

Summary: Maddie and her mom went to the local pool. As they walked or swam by the neighbors, Maddie shared funny stories about them, observing their bellies.

Comments: A funny and diverse book about the many bellies around the neighborhood.

The illustrations were created in cut-paper collage.

Rating: 4/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.

Liam is floating in a lifesaver in the water waiting for a wave

Just One Wave

by Travis Jonker (Author)

Summary: Liam goes to the beach with his baby sibling, Sonja, and his mother, waiting for a wave to occur on the still water. It’s time to go when Liam realizes he can make one big wave, pleasing his little sister.

Comments: This is a lighthearted story that would be a humorous read-aloud for preschoolers or kindergartners.

The illustrations were created using a Pentel Color Brush and Procreate.

Rating: 3.5/5 ⭐⭐⭐1/2

Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.

If you like this one, you may enjoy Travis Jonker’s Just One Flake.

Just One Flake

by Travis Jonker (Author)

My Dear Sea

by André Carrilho (Author, Illustrator)

Summary: A young girl is advised by her father to “respect the sea” just before she jumps in, meaning to be careful. She reflects on this advice as she shares her appreciation for the beauty of the sea creatures and emphasizes the importance of picking up litter. In doing so, she honors the sea.

Comments: These beautiful illustrations were created using watercolor, pencil, and digital editing and captured the colors and creatures of the sea.

This text is composed in rhyme.

This could be presented as a book focused on environmental themes, as well as on swimming or the sea.

Rating: 5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.

Our Lake

by Angie Kang (Author, Illustrator)

Summary: Two brothers walk to the lake to go swimming without their father for the first time since he died. The older brother jumps into the water from the cliff and coaxes his brother to join him. Will he be able to jump without the help of his father?

Comments: A beautiful story of two brothers learning how to grieve while moving forward without their father beside them; only in spirit.

The illustrations were created using gouache with additional textures added in crayon and colored pencil.

This is an excellent story to share with students and children experiencing death of a relative. It is gentle and quiet and does not overly emphasize their feelings.

Rating: 5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.

Our Pool

by Lucy Ruth Cummins (Author, Illustrator)

Brief summary: We watch as many wake up and go to the city pool with other families. They change into a bathing suit, get covered with sunblock, and go into the cool blue water. Everyone plays above and below the water until it’s time to eat lunch on spread-out towels on concrete. They do more swimming before heading home with a treat from the ice cream truck.

Comments: The bright summer colors illustrations are showcased in many two page spreads with details and descriptive words that had me feeling like I was at the pool smelling the chlorine, hearing the shouting and laughter, and the coolness of the water.

Rating: 5/5 📗📗📗📗📗

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

A young girl swimming in a pool who stopped and lifted her goggles up to stare at the reader

When You Can Swim

by Jack Wong (Author, Illustrator).

Brief summary: A young child encourages those to learn how to swim and shares all the aquatic wonders they could experience while swimming in various types of waters.

Comments: The back pages include the author sharing his experience of learning how to swim and going back to some of his favorite swimming spots for inspiration to write and illustrate the book.

Rating: 3.5/5 📗📗📗1/2

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

A girl is on the edge of a diving board looking into the water with plants and marine animals swimming in it

A Dive Into the Blue

by Ellie Huynh (Author), Bao Luu (Illustrator)

Brief summary: A young girl shares her fear of diving into the public pool while standing at the edge of the diving board and letting her imagination almost overcome her from swimming. Will she be able to dive into the blue water?

Comments: I would share this book with students to help them learn coping skills to navigate their fears.

Rating: 3.5/5 📗📗📗1/2

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

A girl is ready to go swimming with a large life preserver that has a sleeping sloth on top of it

Waiting on Mr. Sloth

by Katy Hudson (Author, Illustrator)

Brief summary: Sasha is excited to go swimming with her best friend, Mr. Sloth, but is losing her patience with his slowness every step of the way. They finally walk to the lake and have lunch before entering the water. Sasha’s friend is taking too long, and she goes into the lake without him, only to realize it’s not as much fun. Sasha returns to their picnic to find Mr. Sloth in a tree enjoying his surroundings. Will Sasha and Mr. Sloth go swimming together in the future? Will Sasha learn to be patience?

Comments: In the back of the book, there is a discussion of ways to calm oneself when waiting.

Rating: 3.5/5 📗📗📗1/2

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

Child with nose plugs and goggle on swimming underneath the water

Facing Your Fear of Water (Facing Your Fears)

by Heather E. Schwartz (Author). Nonfiction Hardcover.

Brief summary: Young readers get advice on ways to be calm if they are afraid of the water and are encouraged to take small steps to learn to be able to go swimming.

Comments: The back sections are Sink or Float, Glossary, Read More, and Internet Sites.

This is one of the Facing Your Fears series.

Rating: 3/5 📗📗📗

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

Most of the books Mrs. Ferraris recommends are checked out from the public library. The only exception is for the complimentary copies that she receives for an honest review, which are duly noted.

Sports Picture Books

May 23, 2026May 25, 2026 The Retired School LibrarianLeave a comment

Sports picture book recommendations are by Angela Ferraris, The Retired School Librarian.

(The content below contains Amazon affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Mrs. Ferraris may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you. These titles may be found on my Amazon Storefront under Sports Picture Books– https://www.amazon.com/shop/mrs.ferraris/list/2W29UVK2FP8QP?ref_=aipsflist .)

❗This cumulative list grows over time, with the newest books always appearing at the top.❗

Baller Ina

by Liz Casal (Author, Illustrator)

Brief summary: Ina loves to practice her ballet steps. She changes into her high tops to play basketball, using the steps she has learned in ballet class.

Comments: This is an upbeat book on how athletes can use skills from one sport to another.

Rating: 3/5 📗📗📗

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

Pedal, Balance, Steer: Annie Londonderry, the First Woman to Cycle Around the World

by Vivian Kirkfield (Author), Alison Jay (Illustrator)

The back sections include an Author’s Note, Brakes, Bloomers, and Other Bicycle Bits, a Timeline, and a Bibliography.

The illustrations are created with alkyd oil paint on paper with varnish.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

Ride Beside Me

by Lucy Knisley (Author)

Brief summary: A child and mother go on a bike together, participating in a bike club that is riding up a mountain. Along the way, they see familiar faces and different types of bicycles. Soon, there are more bikes than automobiles.

Comments: The illustrations were created using gouache paint on paper.

Rating: 3.5/5 📗📗📗1/2

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

A young Judit is intentely looking across a chess board

The Queen of Chess: How Judit Polgár Changed the Game

by Laurie Wallmark (Author), Stevie Lewis (Illustrator)

Brief summary: Judit and her sisters were trained by their parents to play chess. They competed, with Judit being the youngest. She won junior tournaments against adults. Judit and her family went to the USA, where she competed in games against adults and won. Her goal was to become the youngest grandmaster. She returned to Budapest to study and became the national champion of Hungary. Will Judit’s chess journey lead her to her goal?

Comments: The back pages include Timeline and The Mathematics of Chess.

This is an inspirational story of encouragement, hard work, and perseverance.

Rating: 3.5/5 📗📗📗1/2

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

Most of the books Mrs. Ferraris recommends are checked out from the public library. The only exception is for the complimentary copies that she receives for an honest review, which are duly noted.

Snow Picture Books

May 23, 2026May 25, 2026 The Retired School LibrarianLeave a comment

Snow picture book recommendations are by Angela Ferraris, The Retired School Librarian.

(The content below contains Amazon affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Mrs. Ferraris may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you. These titles may be found on my Amazon Storefront under Snow Picture Books–https://www.amazon.com/shop/mrs.ferraris/list/39180Y1LO1EUN?ref_=aipsflist .)

❗This cumulative list grows over time, with the newest books always appearing at the top.❗

A female fox with her two kits outside in the snow with a bit of snow coming down under a crescent moon

Winter Is Wonderful

by Emma Dodd (Author, Illustrator)

Summary: A mama fox and her two kits spend the day in the wintry forest playing in the snow, stopping to look at the landscape, and eating berries before heading home to their den for a sleep.

Comments: This is a lovely bedtime story, and the illustrations are beautifully highlighted with foil throughout.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

Just Us

by Molly Beth Griffin (Author), Anait Semirdzhyan (Illustrator)

Summary: A young girl’s family usually celebrates the holidays by having extended family come from all over to share a meal and play games. However, the snow made it too dangerous for everyone to visit. Her mom, mama, and brother decided to improvise and prepare a meal together. They even called Grandma for advice on how to make a dessert.

Comments: The digitally created illustrations showed details of all of the relatives. Many young readers may wonder what to do if traditions cannot be kept. This story shares how we can still have a good holiday by making the best of what we have.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

Book Cover: Snowing in a hollow with winter trees on either side with Hubert, the little mouse wearing a red jacket and gray scarf holding a book looking up with a scared look.

The Voice in the Hollow

by Will Hillenbrand (Author)

Brief summary: A blizzard causes the library to close early. Hubert must walk home in the storm, deciding a shortcut through the Hollow would get him home quicker. Although it looked spooky and the wind picked up, the mouse entered the Hollow. He was met by a fox who took his hand, and they made a dangerous trek across the snow-covered landscape. He safely returns home to his parents and siblings to share his adventure.

Comments: The illustrations expressed and captured the snowfall and coldness of the blizzard with a beautiful double gatefold at the story’s climax.

This would be a perfect fit snow story for young readers on a gray wintery day.

Teachers teaching winter units should definitely include this picture book.

Rating: 5/5 📗📗📗📗📗

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

A boy in a yellow cate with red mittens and a hat is facing tot he right as he stands in falling snow

I’m Going to Build a Snowman

by Jashar Awan (Author, Illustrator)

Brief summary: A little boy wakes to see that it has snowed. After eating his breakfast and putting on all of his snow gear, he is determined to build the BEST SNOWMAN EVER.

Comments: The story explores how one’s expectations may not be realistic but still can be enjoyable in a positive mindset.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

billy barr is looking over his shoulder as he wears a red and black checkered hat with ear flaps while it snows. the background is pine trees on a snowy mountain.

The Snow Man: A True Story

by Jonah Winter (Author), Jeanette Winter (Illustrator)

Brief summary: billy barr (he prefers all small letters) lives ALONE in the Colorado Rocky Mountains, eight miles from the nearest town. He first moved there as a college student in 1972 for the summer. He lived in an abandoned shack with dirt floors and no electricity or running water. He began to take meticulous notes of all of the wildlife and weather of the mountains.

He stayed for fifty-one years and is still there.

The scientists at the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory used his notes and observations, all written in notebooks, to chart how the mountains’ climate was changing. He still takes notes but enters them into a computer.

Comments: There is an Author’s Note in the back explaining billy barr in more detail.

I had so many questions while reading this biography. Why is he a hermit? What made him go there? Why did he stay so long? Would I want to live like that? What would that be like? Can I get my library up there? And could I bring all of my cats?

This biography picture book could spark some interesting classroom discussions.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

A girl with a red hat and black scarf wearing a snow jacket is lying on the snow smiling

On a Flake-Flying Day: Watching Winter’s Wonders

by Buffy Silverman (Author)

Brief summary: When winter arrives, nature changes in many ways to prepare for snow.

Comments: There are large and brilliant Nature photos in this narrative nonfiction picture book.

The back section includes the question: What can you see on a white winter’s day? and then in-depth answers correlating to the pages before, Further Reading, and Glossary.

Rating: 3.5/5 📗📗📗1/2

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

A very excited boy has his face against the window looking outside

Just SNOW Already!

by Howard McWilliam (Author, Illustrator)

Brief summary: A boy excitedly waits for the snow expected that evening in his neighborhood. He dreams of all the wonderful things he will do in the snow. He keeps checking out the window, not noticing all of the stupendous things taking place on his street, believing that nothing is happening because there is no snow yet.

He begins to wonder what it would mean if it never snowed again.

Comments: The details in these illustrations are action-packed and hilarious. I love the boy’s giant head and all of his facial expressions. This would be a fantastic read-aloud for kids, especially the day before the first snowfall of the year.

Rating: 4.5/5 📗📗📗📗 1/2

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

Wonder & Awe

by Annie Herzig (Author, Illustrator)

Summary: A girl creates a snowwoman she calls Wonder. She and Wonder play throughout the forest with the snowwoman pointing out the beauty around them which leaves the girl in awe. Each day, they play and say goodbye at the end. One afternoon, they both realize that they do not have much time together as spring is coming soon.

The girl shares with her friends all of the wonderful things in Nature that she and Wonder noticed together during their winter discoveries. Will she ever see her friend again?

Comments: The illustrations were created using watercolor, gouache, colored pencil, graphite, and water-soluble crayon.

It is a beautiful story about a magical friendship who discovers together the beauty of Nature.

Rating: 4.5/5 📗📗📗📗1/2

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

The Christmas Snow Globe

by Sibylle Delacroix (Author), Polly Lawson (Translator)

Brief summary: Noah and Lucy looked out the window on Christmas Eve, hoping for snow. The girl received a snow globe as a gift and took it with her to bed. That night, she and her brother felt cold snowflakes on their faces and got out of bed to discover that the house was filled with snow. They made a snowman, slid down the stairs, and had a snowball fight. But did it really snow inside the house?

Comments: A delightful bedtime story about the anticipation of snow on Christmas Day, something we can all relate to.

The illustrations were created using graphite pencils, colored pencils, and watercolor paper.

This book is a French translation first published in 2021.

Rating: 4.5/5 📗📗📗📗1/2

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

Most of the books Mrs. Ferraris recommends are checked out from the public library. The only exception is for the complimentary copies that she receives for an honest review, which are duly noted.

Self-Esteem Picture Books

May 22, 2026May 25, 2026 The Retired School LibrarianLeave a comment

Self-Esteem picture book recommendations are by Angela Ferraris, The Retired School Librarian.

(The content below contains Amazon affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Mrs. Ferraris may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you. These titles may be found on my Amazon Storefront under Self-Esteem Picture Books– https://www.amazon.com/shop/mrs.ferraris/list/1IHKP8GMJI1AS?ref_=aipsflist .)

❗This cumulative list grows over time, with the newest books always appearing at the top.❗

My Powerful Hair

by Carole Lindstrom (Author), Steph Littlebird (Illustrator)

Brief summary: A young girl tells how she can’t wait for her hair to grow long. She explains how her ancestors grew long hair, as hair is their memories and source of strength. The girl shares the milestones of her life and how her hair grows parallel to those special events.

Comments: Readers learn why the young girl’s mother has always had short hair and what it means to have hair cut short in her Indigenous culture.

This book’s back pages explain the belief that hair holds strength and power and includes an Author’s note.

Rating: 4.5/5 📗📗📗📗1/2

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

Harriet is looking into a pond and sees the reflection of a lion. There is landscape in the background of mountains, a house, and trees.

Harriet’s Reflections

by Marion Kadi (Author)

Summary: An old lion is looking at his reflection in the water before it dies. His reflection is still alive and bored, so it wanders the jungle and comes across a house with a little girl named Harriet inside, who is very grumpy.

The lion follows Harriet to school, and when she comes to the next mud puddle, he jumps in and becomes her reflection. Harriet is surprised at how fierce and confident she feels that day and has forgotten all about her old reflection. Will Harriet ever want to have her old reflection back?

Comments: This is a French translation that was published in 2021. I found the book to be unique, creative, and well-written.

The illustrations are bright and have several large two-page spreads. I always like it when the end pages are decorated.

I sent me a complimentary copy to give an honest review.

Rating: 5/5 📗📗📗📗📗

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

Clara’s Big Discovery

by Don Tassone (Author), Jane Rytel (Illustrator)

Summary: Clara was eating her lunch at school one day when Mia said four words that changed how she viewed herself and others–“Your nose is big.”

Clara began to question whether there was something wrong with her nose, which caused her to feel bad about herself. The next day at school, she felt self-conscious and observed the people around her, noticing that each person had something a little different about them that she had never really noticed before.

When Clara arrives home, she realizes that everyone has imperfections but is still okay. Will she think that way about herself again?

Comments: I loved how this book examined the imperfections of different students and emphasized that it was no big deal, not something that defined that person.

This would be a superb book to read aloud to elementary students at the beginning of the school year to help foster and embrace everyone’s differences. I would ask the students if they knew what Clara’s big discovery was at the end of the story.

Rating: 4.5/📗📗📗📗1/2

Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.

*I received a free copy of this book.

Buffalo Fluffalo

by Bess Kalb (Author), Erin Kraan (Illustrator)

Brief summary: There was a big fluffy buffalo puffed up, acting tough. A goat, prairie dog, and crow try to make friends with him, but he pushes them away with excuses.

A big storm with heavy rain changes his appearance, but his three friends do not care, causing the other creatures to love him too.

Comments: I’ve known some Buffalo Fluffalo students who could have been helped with the bibliotherapeutic lesson of this book’s story.

Rating: 4.5/5 📗📗📗📗1/2

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

Most of the books Mrs. Ferraris recommends are checked out from the public library. The only exception is for the complimentary copies that she receives for an honest review, which are duly noted.

School Picture Books

May 22, 2026May 25, 2026 The Retired School LibrarianLeave a comment

School picture book recommendations are by Angela Ferraris, The Retired School Librarian.

(The content below contains Amazon affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Mrs. Ferraris may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you. These titles may be found on my Amazon Storefront under School Picture Books– https://www.amazon.com/shop/mrs.ferraris/list/1U3H75RM6KG77?ref_=aipsflist.)

❗This cumulative list grows over time, with the newest books always appearing at the top.❗

Will the Pigeon Graduate?

by Mo Willems (Author)

Brief summary: Pigeon stands in line with other students, ready to go on stage to receive a diploma. He wonders if it has overcome all the challenges and if its efforts were sufficient. Will the pigeon graduate? What will he do next?

Comments: This is a wonderful book to gift any graduate! It could serve as a thoughtful keepsake for teaching staff, relatives, or friends to pass around, writing inside with best wishes, reflection moments, or future advice for the graduate.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

Book cover to Bid Kids with one boy much taller and bigger than the other

Big Kids

by K. L. Going (Author), Reggie Brown (Illustrator)

Summary: A young boy describes his first day of school, highlighting all the activities the older kids participate in. It’s Buddy Day, when he gets paired with an older student. His new friend takes him on a tour of the school, helping to ease his fears of the older students.

Comments: I love how the perspective of the big kids and little kids is complemented by the illustrations, which show the physical contrasts.

This would be the perfect read-aloud for the start of the school year, just before introducing the buddy system. We paired kindergartners with fifth graders.

Rating: 4.5/5 🟩🟩🟩🟩1/2

Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.

Fish Don’t Go to School

by Deb Pilutti (Author)

Summary: Henry wears his fish costume to school because it makes him feel safe and less anxious. Although everyone stared at him, as the day went on, Henry slowly felt more comfortable. Will he continue to wear his costume every day?

Comments: I think this would be a good book to read aloud to help those students who feel insecure at the beginning of the school year.

I remember several students dressing in Halloween costumes or like ballerinas at the beginning of the school year, and gradually shedding their fears as they got to know everyone in the classroom and the daily routine.

The illustrations were created with gouache and wax pastels on watercolor paper with a little digital painting.

Rating: 4/5 🟩🟩🟩🟩

Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.

Maybe Just Ask Me!

by Katie Mazeika (Author, Illustrator)

Summary: Mazie goes to school wearing her favorite head scarf and a pretty eye patch. Throughout the day, she hears her classmates speculating about the reasons behind her accessories. After listening to their whispers all day, she decides to confront them and share her story.

Comments: This text is based on the author’s personal story. She includes it at the back of the book, along with a list of ways to support individuals with disabilities.

The illustrations were created digitally.

Rating: 4/5 🟩🟩🟩🟩

Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.

Recess

by Lane Smith (Author)

Summary: Everyone needs a break from learning, and that is when RECESS comes in. What happens when recess is already over but we still need a break?

Comments: This is a fun interactive book featuring a call-and-response format that will have students giggling and full of energy. It makes an excellent read-aloud option for a “recess” moment when the day feels dull and a mental break is needed.

I loved how the book alternates between boring gray and then a bright color for the recess activity.

The illustrations were created with oil paints, colored pencils, cold wax, gesso, sandpaper, and digital scribbling on 24″ x24″ wood panels.

Lane Smith never disappoints me with his books. Another masterpiece!

Rating: 5/5 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.

Sammy and Sunny’s First Day of School

by Nina LaCour (Author), Elizabeth Lilly (Illustrator)

Summary: Sammy and her dog, Sunny, both attend their first day of school. Sammy is dropped off at her kindergarten classroom, while Sunny goes to puppy school.

Readers see how their days parallel each other. They were both a bit nervous, but then learned the routine and made friends.

Comments: The illustrations were created with pen and ink and painted with watercolor.

Rating: 4/5 🟩🟩🟩🟩

Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.

Book cover for Sunnyside School with students, a teacher, and mom standing at the front of a school

Sunnyside School: A Community Helpers Book

by Lindsay Ward

Summary: Ali, Matty, and Mila are new to Sunnyside School. Readers walk along with the students and learn about their classrooms, the school building, and all about the volunteers and staff members.

Comments: This book provides excellent details in both the text and the illustrations. It features traditional narrative, speech bubbles, and informative text boxes. As the day progresses, the book poses questions and includes a search-and-find activity at the end. This is a fantastic community helper book and would be a valuable addition to any library or classroom.

Rating: 4.5/5 🟩🟩🟩🟩1/2

Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.

Trusty Bus

by Elizabeth Weiss Verdick (Author), Jeff Harter (Illustrator)

Summary: Driver Dee and Trusty, a school bus, get ready to go on their route to pick up the students for the first day of school, being mindful of safety as they go around town.

Comments: This is a darling little book for toddlers and preschoolers. The rhyming text and onomatopoeias make the book interesting and fun.

The illustrations were created digitally.

Rating: 4/5 🟩🟩🟩🟩

Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.

You Can Sit With Me

by Rachel Tawil Kenyon (Author), Tatiana Kamshilina (Illustrator)

Summary: A young child is new to the school and unsure of the routine. A girl kindly invites the newbie to sit with her throughout the story.

Comments: This would be a superb story to read aloud to promote kindness and inclusion. I think there could be some meaningful class discussions afterwards about ways everyone can be kind to one another.

Rating: 4/5 🟩🟩🟩🟩

Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.

Goodnight School

by Catherine Bailey (Author), Cori Doerrfeld (Illustrator)

Brief summary: As School prepares to close for the night, the night guard goes through the building to ensure that all the lights are off and each room is in order. However, she discovers evidence that someone else is in the school with her. Will she be able to identify the intruder before the students arrive the next day?

Comments: This humorous mystery picture book has detailed illustrations that had me stop and look.

I love it when the pasted-down end pages are part of the story.

This would be a nice story to share at bedtime.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

On the Last Day of School

by Maggie C. Rudd (Author), Taia Morley (Illustrator)

Brief summary: Students reflect on their progress from the beginning to the end of the school year before heading home for the summer.

Comments: This could be shared as a read-aloud towards the end of the school year. It can prompt a discussion where students compare what they could do at the beginning of the school year with all the things they have learned or can now do by the end of the year.

Rating: 3.5/5 📗📗📗1/2

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

Sammy and Sunny’s First Day of School

by Nina LaCour (Author), Elizabeth Lilly (Illustrator)

Summary: Sammy and her dog, Sunny, both attend their first day of school. Sammy is dropped off at her kindergarten classroom, while Sunny goes to puppy school.

Readers see how their days parallel each other. They were both a bit nervous, but then learned the routine and made friends.

Comments: The illustrations were created with pen and ink and painted with watercolor.

Rating: 4/5 🟩🟩🟩🟩

Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.

Kindergartners with all sorts of big heads stading around a large teacher's desk looking at a sandwich that has two olive pierce through a toothpick on top that look like eyes and bologna sticking out the side that sort of looks like a tongue

Mr. S: A First Day of School Book

by Monica Arnaldo (Author, Illustrator).

Brief summary: The kindergartners of 2B arrive on the first day of school to find a missing teacher. Their first clue is the desk has a ruler, a steaming cup of coffee, and a giant sandwich. They notice “Mr. S” has been written on the chalkboard. They wonder if their teacher could be Mr. Sandwich. They immediately create an alphabet of different sandwiches. They continue their day doing school-related activities without the supervision of an adult. Suddenly, the door opens, and a man hurries inside the classroom. Is this their teacher?

Comments: This was one of my favorite back-to-school books. Great mystery. A subplot is also going on in the window frame throughout the story. Clever. Well done. I can’t wait to read more imaginative stories like this from Monica Arnaldo.

Rating: 5/5 📗📗📗📗📗

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

First day of school and there is no teacher in the classroom with students standing around the room

9 Kilometers (Stories from Latin America)

by Claudio Aguilera (Author), Gariela Lyon (Illustrator), Lawrence Schimel (Translator)

Brief summary: A young Chilean student begins his nine-kilometer walk to school in the darkness of dawn while counting his steps and animals he sees along the way.

Young readers will follow his journey as he goes under a barbed-wired fence, through a forest, across a river, etc., until he is FINALLY to school.

Comments: This book could spark some interesting classroom conversations. What was the longest you’ve ever walked? How much is a kilometer? Why did the boy walk so far? Why didn’t a yellow school bus take him? Was it essential for him to go to school? Dangerous?

The back of the book has brief stories of other children worldwide and how they walk to their schools. There is also a section on the birds seen during the boy’s walk.

The front pasted-down end pages have a map of the beginning of the walk, with it continuing onto the back end pages.

Rating: 4.5 📗📗📗📗1/2

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

Translated and printed to English in 2023.

Marker

by Anna Kang (Author), Christopher Weyant (Illustrator)

Brief summary: Red Pen welcomes the teacher supplies to getting ready for the first day of school. Pinking Shears is accepted as a new member and is placed in the superpower mug on the desk, displacing Permanent Marker to a canister. The supplies are creating back-to-school posters and lists when Marker, which is always used for the class rules poster, makes a mistake but cannot fix it, causing her anxiety as everyone will see it day after day. Will Red Pen come up with an idea to help everyone realize it’s okay to fail?

Comments: What a fun read for the beginning of the school year. Cute illustrations and a humorous storyline will help students with any first-day jitters. I’ll not be looking at the supplies on my desk ever the same.

Rating: 3.5/5 📗📗📗 1/2

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

If you like this book, you may also enjoy Anna Kang’s Eraser, published in 2018.

And Then Comes School

by Tom Brenner (Author), Jen Hill (Illustrator)

Brief summary: Two young girls enjoy the last summer days with their friends. A list of school supplies is received. They sort through clothes that are too small, pick up back-to-school supplies, and play on the last day of summer vacation. They prepare for the first day of school by picking out an outfit, filling a backpack, and going to bed, imagining what the first day will bring.

Rating: 3.5/5 📗📗📗1/2

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

This is one of the series of And Then Comes by Tom Brenner. I like this series as they share little rituals before a holiday or event that young readers can understand. Nice, lyrical text.

Shy Robin and the First Day of School

by Jaime Kim (Author, Illustrator)

Brief summary: Robin is usually brave and energetic at home but not in public. Her mother gives her a purple headband on the first day of school to help her feel confident.

While at school, Robin notices another student who is also shy and withdrawn and is wearing purple bracelets. After temporarily losing her headband, Marco offers Robin one of his bracelets while they all look for the hair accessory.

Comments: This would be a nice back-to-school story to share with preschoolers and kindergartners to let them know that students may feel shy.

Rating: 3/5 📗📗📗

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon pa ge.

We’re Going to School

by Tammi Salzano (Author), Morena Forza (Illustrator)

Brief summary: Young readers will wake up early with various kids returning to school. Once inside the school, the day begins with introductions, new routines, and friend-making.

Comments: This book would be suitable for preschool or kindergartners who have never been to school to get a general idea of what happens on the first day.

Rating: 3/5 📗📗📗

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

Giant-Sized Butterflies On My First Day of School

by Justin Roberts (Author), Paola Escobar (Illustrator)

Brief summary: A young girl has a nervous stomach going back to school and is reassured by her mother that everything will be okay. The mother shares a time when she had butterflies in her stomach and how she let them go.

Comments: Teachers and parents could share this book with students about the first day of school to let them know that sometimes we are nervous doing or going places for the first time.

Rating: 3/5 📗📗📗

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

Mina Belongs Here

by Sandra Niebuhr-Siebert (Author), Lars Baus (Illustrator)

Brief summary: Mina attends kindergarten and needs help understanding what anyone is saying or asking. Mina hugs the teddy bear and is quiet all day until she returns to her home and tells her mother about her day.

The next day of school, Mina makes a friend with a girl named Ava even though they do not speak. She returns home to tell her mother all about her day at school.

Each day, Mina learns new words and becomes more relaxed. Her dreams parallel her feelings and become more vivid and bright. This German translation from 2020 was published in the USA in 2023.

Rating: 3/5 📗📗📗

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page .

A cartoon backpack hanging onto the closet door nervous about going back to school

Back to School, Backpack!

by Simon Rich (Author), Tom Toro (Illustrator)

Brief summary: A backpack going back to school has the first day jitters but soon fits in the new environment.

Comments: This would be a good book to read during the first day or week of school to help those with any nervousness. Cute and humorous.

Rating: 3/5 📗📗📗

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

A Smart, Smart School

by Sharon Creech (Author), Anait Semirdzhyan (Illustrator)

Brief summary: Mr. Keene, the principal of Fine Elementary School, loves his school as he strolls through the hallways watching the students drawing, painting, reading, and singing. He immediately has to leave for the hospital. Tillie, one of the students, worries about his recovery.

Mr. Tatters takes over as the principal and notices all of the get-well banners, cards, and artwork the students do for their beloved sick principal and does not like it. He insists that to be a smart, smart school, they must have tests every day that week, causing everyone to have stress and boredom. The students visit their principal at the hospital on Saturday, bringing all their get-well gifts.

Tillie talks to Mr. Keene upon his return on Monday about all the tests. He gathers everyone into an assembly and announces how they will be a smart, smart school again.

Comments: What a great book to anonymously leave on each principal’s, board member’s, and central office administrator’s desk. *wink*

Rating: 4.5/5 📗📗📗📗1/2

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

Companion book to A Fine, Fine School, written in 2001.

Most of the books Mrs. Ferraris recommends are checked out from the public library. The only exception is for the complimentary copies that she receives for an honest review, which are duly noted.

Safety Picture Books

May 22, 2026May 22, 2026 The Retired School LibrarianLeave a comment

Safety picture book recommendations are by Angela Ferraris, The Retired School Librarian.

(The content below contains Amazon affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Mrs. Ferraris may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you. These titles may be found on my Amazon Storefront under Safety Picture Books–https://amzn.to/3PUt3Ik .)

❗This cumulative list grows over time, with the newest books always appearing at the top.❗

Book cover of Adi of Boutanga with oxen, father and Adi riding away on a motorcycle waving good-bye to mother and sister. Orange in the background

Adi of Boutanga: A Story from Cameroon

by Alain Serge Dzotap (Author), Marc Daniau (Illustrator)

Brief summary: This story, translated from French, is a work of realistic fiction about Adi, a thirteen-year-old Mbororos girl. Adi enjoys her life, family, and school until the eldest man in her family decides she should marry. Fortunately, her father intervenes and breaks the cycle of child brides in their family by relocating Adi away from his brother.

Comments: This is a serious story suitable for fifth grade and up. I would have preferred it as a full-chapter book, but it is a picture book intended for tweens and middle school readers.

It is based on a real girl named Adi.

The backstory and more information about the culture are in the back pages. I enjoy reading stories like this, where authors write about their own cultures.

The illustrations were created with oil on paper.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

*I received a free copy of this book.

Smarty and his brain friends are waving and looking at us. Book's cover. Green with large lettering

Smarty and Friends

by Brian S Hamilton (Author)

Summary: Summary: This parent/teacher resource booklet is designed to help teach elementary students about safety topics.

Comments: It begins with a section for parents and guardians that addresses food safety, pedestrian safety, and bus safety. Following this introduction are ten short, illustrated safety stories that adults can read with children and use as discussion starters.

Some of the safety topics covered include:

🔷Food safety

🔷Pedestrian safety

🔷Bus safety

🔷Life jackets

🔷Scooter safety

🔷Motorcycle safety

🔷Cleaning product safety

🔷Window safety

🔷Furniture safety

🔷Football safety

This educational pamphlet could be helpful in classroom settings during safety lessons, as well as at home for guided conversations between adults and children.

This is the second of the Smarty the Brain Stories.

Rating: 3.5/5 📗📗📗1/2

Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.

* I was sent a free copy of this book.

Smarty the Brain Stories

by Brian S Hamilton(author), Daniel Majan(illustrator)

Brief summary: This twenty-page paperback consists of 10 short stories about two young brains–Moody and Smarty. Moody is impulsive and doesn’t understand the need for safety measures. Smarty explains and demonstrates the need for safety strategies to prevent injury to oneself or others. The safety topics covered are:

bike helmets
safety belts
baby gates
batteries
ski helmets
slides
skateboarding equipment
baseball catcher equipment
horseback helmets
snowmobile safety

Comments: This educational paperback is intended for preschoolers to learn about safety practices. The teacher or parent could read a story a day and demonstrate the wrong vs right way to do an activity. Students could then demonstrate what it is like to be a Smarty.

I’d like to see someone make this book into a mini safety film using these two young brains.

Rating: 3.5/5 📗📗📗1/2

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

* I was sent a free copy of this book.

Most of the books Mrs. Ferraris recommends are checked out from the public library. The only exception is for the complimentary copies that she receives for an honest review, which are duly noted.

Plant Picture Books

May 21, 2026May 23, 2026 The Retired School LibrarianLeave a comment

Plant picture book recommendations are by Angela Ferraris, The Retired School Librarian.

(The content below contains Amazon affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Mrs. Ferraris may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you. These titles may be found on my Amazon Storefront under Plant Picture Books– https://amzn.to/4nGY277 .)

❗This cumulative list grows over time, with the newest books always appearing at the top.❗

Afternoon on a Hill

by Edna St. Vincent Millay (Author), Paolo Domeniconi (Illustrator)

Brief summary: Edna St. Vincent Millay’s illustrated poem describes a little girl enjoying the beauty of nature around her as she frolics on the hillside, naps in the sun, and returns home at dusk.

Comments: This would make a wonderful bedtime book, bringing young readers happy dreams of walking in awe along a hill.

This also could be an elementary supplement for spring or earth day units of study.

It should be noted that the picture book is 16 pages long, half the length of most picture books. The hardback version came out in 2019, but the paperback was released this year.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

Avocado Magic

by Taltal Levi (Author)

Summary: Ellie celebrates her birthday and is upset that her feet still do not reach the floor when she sits at the kitchen table. Her father shows her how to suspend an avocado seed with toothpicks into a glass of water.

He parallels Ellie’s slow growth to that of the seed, emphasizing that both need patience. Slowly the seed sprouts. It gradually develops into an avocado plant and grows alongside Ellie until it’s time both move out of the house.

When Ellie marries and has children, she brings the tree with her to plant in her own yard.

Comments: The metaphor for growth is absolutely beautiful!

The back section has instructions on how to sprout your own avocado.

Rating: 3.5/5 📗📗📗1/2

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

A young girl with a short orange ponytail and pink headband with white polka dots is holding a plant with her yellow dog placing its paw on the plant

Love Grows

by Ruth Spiro (Author), Lucy Ruth Cummins (Illustrator)

Summary: A young girl’s auntie sends her a plant per month with a tag of information about the plant. By the end of the year, the girl has a plant garden.

Comments: The front and back-pasted end pages outline the twelve plants with the Latin name, origins, and light preference.

This story is done in rhyme. The illustrations are gouache, colored pencil, and crayon.

Rating: 3.5/5 📗📗📗1/2

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

A tree's leaves with various sets of eyes looking at us from the background

The Tree That Was a World

by Yorick Goldewijk (Author), Jeska Verstegen (Illustrator), Laura Watkinson (Translator)

Summary: This is a collection of whimsical and clever short stories, each about a creature living in or near an ancient tree, and how they are all interwoven. We learn about their thoughts and their actions.

Comments: I think these short stories are more for intermediate elementary students, as they are best suited to understand the humor and philosophy of the creatures.

This is an excellent book to use for examples of different viewpoints, perspectives, and anthropomorphism.

This book was originally published in the Netherlands in 2024 and translated into English in 2025.

The illustrations were created with mixed media. There is at least one illustration in each story.

Rating: 4.5/5 📗📗📗📗1/2

Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.

*I received a free copy of this book.

City Beet

by Tziporah Cohen (Author), Udayana Lugo (Illustrator).

Summary: Mrs. Kosta and Victoria plant and nurture a beet seed until it ripens. The woman begins to harvest the gigantic beet but cannot remove it from the ground, no matter how hard she tugs. Several neighbors stop by the garden to help pull, creating a line out to the sidewalk until the vegetable is uprooted with a big “SPROING!!”

Comments: There is an Author’s Note and Raw Beet & Garlic Salad Recipe in the back.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

For more details or to buy, click here.

Picture book cover of Cool Green with a grandfather carrying his granddaughter on his shoulder while walking in a forest

Cool Green: Amazing, Remarkable Trees

by Lulu Delacre (Author, Illustrator).

Brief summary: A landscaper teaches his granddaughter why he loves trees. Each tree is described in a poem.

Back pages include sections: A Note From the Author-Illustrator, Why Trees?, Cool Facts About the Trees in This Book, For Further Exploration, and A Bibliography.

Rating: 3.5/5 📗📗📗1/2

For more details or to buy, click here.

Book cover of A Dandelion with dandelion plants at various stages of the flower. A sun and moon are at the top of the cover with a blue background.

n are in the sky

A Dandelion (A Day in the Life Of)

by Ruth Owen (Author)

Summary: This narrative nonfiction picture book explains the life cycle of a dandelion from being a yellow flower to when it changes into seeds. The wind carries them to another location where they start over.

Comments: This is a smaller picture book about 8″ x 8.”

Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.

The Weedflower

by Elizabeth Davaze (Author), Marianne Ferrer (Illustrator)

Summary: Sam notices a dandelion during recess and through her care and appreciation of it, several other students notice it as well. They nuture it, but soon find out that not everyone sees it as a beautiful flower.

Comments: This would make a nice read-aloud and discussion of nature all around us in our everyday lives.

Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.

Book cover to Doe's Dandelions with a doe carrying a basket full of dandelions while on the green grass full of dandelions and daffodils

Doe’s Dandelions (Woodland Friends)

by Laura Renauld (Author), Jennie Poh (Illustrator)

Summary: In this Woodland Friends series, Doe is growing daffodils for the Spring Pedal Parade but keeps coming across annoying dandelion “weeds.” She soon learns from her friends how much joy and use they are to them.

Comments: This is a wonderful tribute to the benefit of some of the plants that are called weeds. Students can learn that all plants have value.

Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.

Don’t Touch that Flower!

by Alice Hemming (Author), Nicola Slater (Illustrator)

Summary: Squirrel wakes from spring to find a new flower growing. He decides to protect it by not allowing any water to get on it, from bees landing on the petals, and even, putting it under a bucket.

Bird educates Squirrel about his good intentions are harming the flower instead.

Comments: This is a humorous read-aloud that opens a discussion of what plants need to thrive.

Rating: 3/5 📗📗📗

Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.

A Flower is a Friend

by Frieda Wishinsky (Author), Karen Patkau (Illustrator)

Summary: An animal/creature is paired with a flower in the garden, and readers are asked why they coexist so well. Answers are in the book of how they benefit each other.

Comments: This is an excellent resource for introducing the concept of symbiosis. The illustrations made it clear and concrete.

Rating: 3/5 📗📗📗

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

Cover for Log Life which has a fir tree growing from a nurse log. A mouse, snails, beetles, mushrooms are on the fallen log.

Log Life (Tiny Habitats)

by Amy Hevron (Author, Illustrator)

Brief summary: This book is a narrative nonfiction that educates young readers about the life cycle of a giant fir tree that falls to the ground and transforms into a nurse log. As the log slowly decays in the forest, it becomes a source of nourishment for fungi, plants, insects, animals, and birds throughout the first year until it completely decomposes many decades later.

Comments: I had never heard of the term “nurse log” before and found it fascinating to learn about what happens to a fallen tree.

The illustrations were created using acrylic, marker, and pencil on Bristol board and then digitally collaged.

The back sections are More About Nurse-Log Habitats, Selected Sources, and Additional Reading.

Rating: 4.5/5 📗📗📗📗1/2

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

Poetry picture book cover of Trees with a child sitting on a branch of a tree looking into a lake

Trees: Haiku from Roots to Leaves

by Sally M. Walker (Author), Angela Mckay (Illustrator).

Brief summary: This is a collection of haikus about a tree’s life cycle and the changes of every season. There are many two-paged illustrations.

The back pages have information about a tree’s life, including wild and urban forests. There is also an author’s note and a glossary.

Rating: 3.5/5 📗📗📗1/2

For more details, click on this book’s Amazon page.

Willow

by Elisabeth Sophia (Author), Anita Bagdi (Illustrator)

Summary: This anthropomorphic story is about a tree creature standing by a lake going through all of the seasons with the insects and birds that consider her their home. A severe storm breaks her limbs and her soul. A flock of yellow birds helps rebuild her.

Comments: This is such a beautiful metaphor of grief and resilience. Teachers could ask how it feels when a storm comes into their lives. This would be a great book for SEL, exploring the healing process. I think it could also be shared as a way to explain how community (yellow birds) can help heal.

Rating: 4.5 📗📗📗📗1/2

Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.

Orchards (Trip to the Farm)

by Ursula Pang (Author)

Brief summary: There are many orchards (farms where trees grow)producing fruit, nuts, seeds, syrup, and Christmas trees. Young readers will learn about each type of orchard.

Comments: I placed this book in the fall section as when I think of orchards, I think of apple or fruit orchards because those are the ones in my area that are harvested in the fall. I also had those teachers book requests for fall units before they went and visited a nearby apple orchard.

I enjoyed reading and learning about the different types of orchards and when they were harvested.

Rating: 3.5/5 📗📗📗1/2

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

The Tree and the River

by Aaron Becker (Author, Illustrator)

Summary: This wordless picture book begins with a tree growing on the banks of a river. It observes humans throughout the many decades changing with the seasons and years that have gone by.

Comments: Aaron Becker brilliantly captures the Mother Nature vs. humankind aspect through these detailed and thought-provoking illustrations.

This book can be used as a writing exercise of the perspective of the river during a specific time or over a time as it changes.

Rating: 5/5 📗📗📗📗📗

Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.

See a Pumpkin Grow (See It Grow!)

by Kirsten Chang (Author)

Brief summary: Young readers will learn the pumpkin’s life cycle and what uses there are with this fruit.

Comments: Words and photos are large, with many nonfiction text features. The back sections are Glossary, To Learn More, and Index.

This book also comes in library binding.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

This is part of the See It Grow! series.

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

Molly is looking through the leafy vines at a large pumpkin. Bee is flying around

The Pie That Molly Grew

by Sue Heavenrich (Author), Chamisa Kellogg (Illustrator)

Brief summary: Molly plants a pumpkin seed and transplants the sprout to watch it grow into a vine with yellow flowers. After all of the care she has given to produce the ripened pumpkin, Molly bakes a pie.

Comments: Cumulative story of the pumpkin’s life cycle.

The back pages have four additional informative sections: American Pie, How to Turn a Pumpkin Into Pie, When You’re Ready to Make the Pie…, and No Bees.No Pie.

Rating: 3.5/5 📗📗📗1/2

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

Zoo animals sitting on a gigantic pumpkin

Pumpkin Day at the Zoo

by Susan Meissner (Author), Pablo Pino (Illustrator)

Brief summary: It’s Pumpkin Day at the zoo when the zoo animals receive yummy pumpkins to eat from families who donate their uncarved and unpainted pumpkins.

Comments: The illustrations are vivid and humorous. The text is a mix of fonts and sizes that are fun to say aloud with many descriptive adjectives, alliterations, and all in rhyming sentences.

The back page does have a word about pumpkin donations to zoos.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

A little old lady is picking up a pumpkin with a black bird and black dog next to her.

There Was an Old Lady Who Picked a Pumpkin!

by Lucille Colandro (Author), Jared Lee (Illustrator)

Brief summary: There was an old lady who went on the school bus to a farm looking for a pumpkin patch. She and the students follow the sign and see many farm items before finding the patch. Each child picks out a pumpkin and hops back onto the bus.

Comments: This is a fun fall early reader in rhyme. The book is not the usual cumulative “There was an old lady” who eats something book.

Rating: 3/5 📗📗📗

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

One Day This Tree Will Fall

by Leslie Barnard Booth (Author), Stephanie Fizer Coleman (Illustrator)

Comments: The illustrations were created using gouache, colored pencil, and Photoshop.

The back sections are A Tree’s Story Never Ends, Trees and People, Glossary, and Selected Sources. 0

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

Most of the books Mrs. Ferraris recommends are checked out from the public library. The only exception is for the complimentary copies that she receives for an honest review, which are duly noted.

Perseverance Picture Books

May 21, 2026May 21, 2026 The Retired School LibrarianLeave a comment

Perseverance picture book recommendations are by Angela Ferraris, The Retired School Librarian.

(The content below contains Amazon affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Mrs. Ferraris may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you. These titles may be found on my Amazon Storefront under Perseverance Picture Books– https://amzn.to/4uwhciS .)

❗This cumulative list grows over time, with the newest books always appearing at the top.❗

Mabel and the Mountain cover. Mabel, a fly, is standing on the top of a mountain with the sun shouting out rays.

Mabel and the Mountain: A Story About Believing in Yourself

by Kim Hillyard (Author, Illustrator)

Summary: Mabel is a small fly with big plans:

1. Climb a mountain.
2. Host a dinner party.
3. Make friends with a shark.

Although her friends do not support her at the beginning, Mabel believes in herself and learns to take small steps at a time to accomplish her goals. Mabel’s confidence rubs off on her fly friends who come up with their own goals.

Comments: A very cute story of perseverance, self-confidence, and grit. Young readers will root for little Mabel to not give up and climb her mountain.

Rating: 3.5/5 📗📗📗1/2

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

Page from Mabel and the Mountain There is a hand next to Mabel to show how small she is. There is a yellow piece of paper with Mabel's Big Plans.

The Queen of Chess: How Judit Polgár Changed the Game

by Laurie Wallmark (Author), Stevie Lewis (Illustrator)

Comments: The back pages include Timeline and The Mathematics of Chess.

This is an inspirational story of encouragement, hard work, and perseverance.

Rating: 3.5/5 📗📗📗1/2

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

Most of the books Mrs. Ferraris recommends are checked out from the public library. The only exception is for the complimentary copies that she receives for an honest review, which are duly noted.

Dance Picture Books

May 20, 2026May 24, 2026 The Retired School Librarian1 Comment

Dance picture book recommendations are by Angela Ferraris, The Retired School Librarian.

(The content below contains Amazon affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Mrs. Ferraris may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you. These titles may be found on my Amazon Storefront under Dance Picture Books– https://amzn.to/3RDa9WR .)

❗This cumulative list grows over time, with the newest books always appearing at the top.❗

Broadway Baby

by Russell Miller (Author), Judith A. Proffer (Author)

Brief summary: An adorable tribute to Broadway with a baby dreaming of dancing and singing on stage. Baby shares about opening night, getting ready in the dressing room, and reviewing lines before going on stage.

The rhyming text is fun and exciting. The illustrations are bright and full of detail.

Comments: A cute bedtime story for babies and toddlers or the perfect gift for any music or drama teacher.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

*It should be noted that this a complimentary book sent to me for an honest review.

Lah Lah is dancing in a pink dress with other Carnival people dressed in bright costumes. Her grandfather has a guitar and there is a man with a steelpan.

Love, Lah Lah

by Nailah Blackman (Author), Jade Orlando (Illustrator)

Brief summary: Lah Lah wakes on the day of the Carnival and spends it with her grandpa, enjoying the festivities on the streets of Trinidad and Tobago(a two-island nation in the Caribbean). They enjoy dancing to the soca( SOH-kah ) beat with steelpans, watching the parade full of brightly colored costumes, and eating mango chow under a poui(POO-ee) tree. The day ends with Lah Lah singing on stage with her grandfather.

Comments: This book is a tribute to the author’s grandpa, Ras Shorty I, who created soca music, a mix of African and East Indian rhythms.

Carnival is celebrated on the Monday and Tuesday before Ash Wednesday.

The brightly colored illustrations were created with watercolors and digital tools capturing the movement and excitement of the Carnival.

The back sections include a glossary, a biographical sketch, and a letter.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

A young girl is dancing in Bollywood technique with er younger brother and parents while standing on the brightly lit up stage.

My Bollywood Dream

by Avani Dwivedi (Author, Illustrator)

Brief summary: A young girl goes to the theater in Mumbai with her parents and brother. As they go through the city traffic, the girl imagines several of the nearby people as characters in a Bollywood movie.

Her family and other people in the theater enjoy the happy ending and music of the movie before heading home.

Comments: I love watching Bollywood movies because of the bright and beautiful colors and happy dancing style. This book captured all of that with vivid illustrations.

There is an author’s note in the back where Avani Dwivedi shares her childhood in Mumbai, listening to old Bollywood films and music.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

Bella and Quinn with their teacher, Kittina are dancing. There is a metronome clicking. There is a drink on the floor. Quinn, a frog, is lifting her friend, Bella, a chicken, over her head.

Ready Set Dance: Getting Ready for Your First Dance Class

by Once Upon A Dance (Author), Stella Maris Mongodi (Illustrator)

Brief summary: Bella and Quinn excitedly attend their very first ballet class, where their teacher, Kittina, patiently demonstrates basic positions. They practice in front of a mirror using the barre and end the lesson learning to bow and curtsy. They depart with enthusiasm, anticipating next week’s class.

Comments: Once Upon A Dance is a mother-and-daughter team that writes dance-themed books that inspire movement.

The illustrations were created digitally using Procreate and Studioclip.

Rating: 4.5/5 📗📗📗📗1/2

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

*I received a complimentary e-book in exchange for an honest review.

Most of the books Mrs. Ferraris recommends are checked out from the public library. The only exception is for the complimentary copies that she receives for an honest review, which are duly noted.

Music Picture Books

May 20, 2026May 20, 2026 The Retired School LibrarianLeave a comment

Music picture book recommendations are by Angela Ferraris, The Retired School Librarian.

❗This cumulative list grows over time, with the newest books always appearing at the top.❗

A young Prince wearing his well known ruffled shirt and purple jacket playing the guitar is on the top of the book's right side of the cover while there is another scene of him walking down the street with his guitar. The cover has a purple hue. Doves are flying.

Ordinary Days: The Seeds, Sound, and City That Grew Prince Rogers Nelson

by Angela Joy (Author), Jacqueline Alcántara (Illustrator)

Brief summary: Prince Rogers Nelson was named after his father’s jazz band, The Prince Rogers Trio. He had parents who constantly argued resulting in his father leaving when Prince was age 7.

Prince lived in poverty, sleeping on couches in various homes, not having his own place. He excelled at playing basketball as well as playing the piano, guitar, and other instruments.

While still in high school, he created a cover band named Grand Central that played at parties, nightclubs, and the Battle of the Bands. Prince got his first recording contract at the age of 18.

Comments: This rhyming and rhythmic picture book did not give details of Prince’s life as an adult, the success of his music, or how he died.

The author’s note details Prince’s life, including a family playlist. The illustrations really capture Prince’s personality with a hue of purple throughout.

Rating: 5/5 📗📗📗📗📗

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

Pablo Casals playing the cello with birds of all colors flying out of his instrument. Sitting on a chair outside

Music and Silence: The Passion and Protest of Pablo Casals

by Christy Mihaly (Author), Mariona Cabassa (Illustrator)

Summary: This biography picture book follows the childhood of cellist Pablo Casals in Catalonia, Spain, from his early music education to becoming a renowned and respected musician. During the Spanish Civil War and World War II, he traveled to perform. However, in protest of dictator Francisco Franco, Casals made the decision to stop performing as an act of peaceful protest. Does he ever play the cello again?

Comments: The back matter gives additional insight into Casals’ life, including a helpful timeline.

This narrative nonfiction picture book would pair well with lessons on the Spanish Civil War in history classes. It could also be used in music class by sharing his performance of “The Song of the Birds,” or in civics/government lessons to introduce the concept of peaceful protest.

The illustrations are created using mixed media (acrylic, gouache, watercolor, and pencil), along with digital elements.

This picture book is best suited for intermediate and middle grade readers.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book for an honest review.

Patsy Cline on the cover with her red dress with white stars and fringe standing on clouds in the woods with her white dog on the crescent moon.

Patsy Cline’s Walkin’ After Midnight

by Judith A Proffer (Author), Julie Dick Fudge (Author), Yoko Matsuoka (Illustrator)

Brief summary: Patsy Cline dreams of becoming a famous country singer. She daydreams while doing her chores, but her favorite time is dream-walking after midnight as she sleeps in her bed. She meets her beloved departed dog, Pepe, under the willow tree, where she shares her life events with the little dog.

Comments: This is an inspirational book about daydreaming and nightdreaming one’s goals. It encourages using the imagination to see oneself in the desired role, such as being onstage at Carnegie Hall or at the Grand Ole Opry.

The book was inspired by Patsy Cline’s hit “Walkin’ After Midnight”(1957). This picture book is co-written by Judith A. Proffer and Julie Dick Fudge, Patsy Cline’s daughter.

The illustrations are all double-paged, with a combination of print and cursive text in frames.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

*I was sent a complimentary copy of this book.

The stage with red velvet curtains featuring the opera singers of The Magic Flute.

Welcome to the Opera: Discover the Enchanting World of Opera with Mozart’s The Magic Flute

by Carolyn Sloan (Author), Kaly Quarles (Illustrator)

Brief summary: This interactive book introduces Mozart’s The Magic Flute through the eyes of three dogs who guide young readers in the opera house, explaining the musical instruments, opera singers, story, and other musical features.

Comments: I had a fun time reading and exploring the audio feature on the side panel, which features music sections of The Magic Flute Opera. (You can turn the audio on or off to avoid draining the battery.)

The book contains traditional text along with speech bubbles between the dogs in the audience. The bold circle numbers correspond with the audio panel to the right which helps to understand the instruments and singers.

The author provides an informative Author’s Note on opera and The Magic Flute at the front of the book. Additionally, the back sections provide insights into Why Sing?, Meet Mozart!, characters, Musicians, and Opera Words Glossary.

Rating: 4.5/5 📗📗📗📗1/2

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

*I received a complimentary copy for an honest review.

A young girl on a city's balcony plays a triangle along with other people on balconies and open windows playing various instruments. Cover of One Sweet Song

One Sweet Song

by Jyoti Rajan Gopal (Author), Sonia Sánchez (Illustrator)

Brief summary: A girl in the city listens to the notes of a flutist playing on the balcony. The child goes on her balcony and plays the triangle, making two notes. Another person plays the violin, making three. Soon there are ten people playing instruments creating a song together. They slowly diminish until it is quiet again.

Comments: This is a rhyming counting book up to ten and back down with various instruments played by amateurs and professionals.

I think this would be an excellent book for a music teacher to share before students re-enact adding and subtracting instruments and creating their own sweet song.

Rating: 3.5/5 📗📗📗1/2

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

Picture Book Biography cover with Sister Rosetta Tharpe playing a guitar

Rock, Rosetta, Rock! Roll, Rosetta, Roll!: Presenting Sister Rosetta Tharpe, the Godmother of Rock & Roll

by Tonya Bolden (Author), R. Gregory Christie (Illustrator).

Brief summary: Sister Rosetta Tharpe, the Godmother of Rock & Roll, was born in Arkansas in 1915 to two musical parents. Rosetta learns to sing and plays the guitar at an early age. Her family moves to Chicago, where her performance in church begins her career. She marries a preacher. He preaches, and she plays her guitar, where the Sunday service is broadcasted on the radio, thus reaching a broad audience.

Rosetta’s musical career takes off with her playing around the USA and Europe, performing gospel, blues, and rock and roll producing one hit after another.

The timeline at the back of the book lists her notable musical accomplishments and personal life events. Author’s Note and Sources included.

For more details or to buy, click on the book’s Amazon page.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

Picture book biography cover of The Green Piano with Roberta Flack as a child playing a green piano

The Green Piano: How Little Me Found Music

by Roberta Flack (Author), Tonya Bolden (Author), Hayden Goodman (Illustrator).

Brief summary: Roberta Flack grew up in a Blue Ridge Mountain town in North Carolina, living in a house with two musical parents. She longed to have a piano of her own. Her father found one in a junkyard and spruced it up by painting it green. Her love of music blossomed forth.

The Author’s Note and Career Highlights are in the back.

For more details or to buy, click on the book’s Amazon page.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

And There Was Music

by Marta Pantaleo (Author)

Brief summary: Music surrounds us as an art form that unites people. There are many types of musical instruments, genres, and purposes for which we use music, all explored in this diverse picture book.

Comments: The bright illustrations were created using acrylic paint, felt pens, and digital graphics.

The back pages provide additional explanations of each musical instrument and style depicted in the book’s illustrations.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

*I received a free copy of this book.

Most of the books Mrs. Ferraris recommends are checked out from the public library. The only exception is for the complimentary copies that she receives for an honest review, which are duly noted.

Patience Picture Books

May 20, 2026May 25, 2026 The Retired School LibrarianLeave a comment

Patience picture book recommendations are by Angela Ferraris, The Retired School Librarian.

(The content below contains Amazon affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Mrs. Ferraris may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you. These titles may be found on my Amazon Storefront under Patience Picture Books– https://www.amazon.com/shop/mrs.ferraris/list/2ZJKP1Y3TCHDN?ref_=aipsflist .)

❗This cumulative list grows over time, with the newest books always appearing at the top.❗

Avocado Magic

by Taltal Levi (Author)

When Ellie marries and has children, she brings the tree with her to plant in her own yard.

Comments: The metaphor for growth is absolutely beautiful!

The back section has instructions on how to sprout your own avocado.

Rating: 3.5/5 📗📗📗1/2

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

Waiting on Mr. Sloth

by Katy Hudson (Author, Illustrator)

Comments: In the back of the book, there is a discussion of ways to calm oneself when waiting.

Rating: 3.5/5 📗📗📗1/2

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

When You Have to Wait

by Melanie Conklin (Author), Leah Hong (Illustrator)

Brief summary: A little girl learns that sometimes we must wait even when we want the time to be now. We sometimes have to wait in line, wait for a loved one to return home, and wait to grow enough to ride a bicycle.

Comments: This gentle book explains that we sometimes have no control over making something happen faster. I’d share this at the beginning of the school year and when the class needed a little reminder about patience.

Rating: 3.5/5 📗📗📗1/2

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

The Very Patient Gus Davis

by Laurie Trumble Davis (Author), Marjorie van Heerden (Illustrator)

Comments: This would be a great read aloud for when classroom patience wears thin. Teachers could have an anchor chart with how to be patience in school or at home.

Rating: 3.5/5 📗📗📗1/2

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

Most of the books Mrs. Ferraris recommends are checked out from the public library. The only exception is for the complimentary copies that she receives for an honest review, which are duly noted.

Nonfiction Picture Books

May 20, 2026May 25, 2026 The Retired School LibrarianLeave a comment

Nonfiction picture book recommendations are by Angela Ferraris, The Retired School Librarian.

(The content below contains Amazon affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Mrs. Ferraris may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you. These titles may be found on my Amazon Storefront under Nonfiction Picture Books– https://www.amazon.com/shop/mrs.ferraris/list/2FLQHF9FGQHDG?ref_=aipsflist .)

❗This cumulative list grows over time, with the newest books always appearing at the top.❗

The book cover to Fly Like a Bird with various birds in the sky.

Fly Like a Bird (Spectacular STEAM for Curious Readers (SSCR))

by Olga Ptashnik (Author)

Summary: This nonfiction picture book follows a baby chickadee as it prepares to fly, but is unsure how. Through a question-and-answer story, an adult chickadee explains all of the ways different birds fly, like penguins flying under the water, hummingbirds’ rapid wings buzzing, and starlings flying in murmuration.

Comments: The black ink is the voice of the young chickadee, while the blue ink is that of the adult chickadee, making a fun narrative text for readers to read aloud with one another.

The back has a “More About the Birds” section with brief information about the birds discussed in the story.

The illustrations were created digitally.

Rating: 4.5/5 📗📗📗📗1/2

Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.

*I received a free copy of this book.

Book cover for Fly with all sorts of birds with different colors flying or sitting in trees. The title is spelled with feathers.

Fly: A Family Guide to Birds and How to Spot Them (In Our Nature)

by David Lindo (Author), Sara Boccaccini Meadows (Illustrator)

Brief summary: This nonfiction picture book contains details and facts using text boxes and labels. The fonts and sizes are varied to emphasize bird facts and main ideas.

Comments: The book is superbly illustrated with watercolors and gouache paints. Each bird is portrayed in great detail, showcasing its vibrant colors and unique markings. I enjoyed examining the details and interesting facts about the birds. It is very well done and a must for any library.

Rating: 5/5 📗📗📗📗📗

For more details or to buy, click on this book’s page on Amazon.

The Monarch insect is on the milkweed. A field of bright flowers with the butterfly at different stages.

Milkweed for Monarchs

by Christine Van Zandt (Author), Alejandra Barajas (Illustrator)

Brief summary: There are two types of text teaching readers about monarch butterflies. There is a lyrical, rhyming text and informative text boxes on each page.

Monarchs migrate back north after it warms to lay eggs on milkweed plants. We learn the stages of the butterfly from egg to adult.

Comments: The back sections include the Author’s Note, Monarchs Need Our Help, How You Can Help, Fun Facts, The Senses, and Selected Bibliography.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

The Wonderful Wisdom of Ants

by Philip Bunting (Author)

Brief summary: The ant’s life cycle and fun facts are explained in this nonfiction book for kids. Each ant has a role in the colony.

Comments: Nonfiction texts often include helpful features that aid in understanding the information presented. These features may include charts, diagrams, captions, and labels.

I really enjoyed the puns and humorous language used in the text.

Rating: 3.5/5 📗📗📗1/2

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

The Pumpkin Book

by Gail Gibbons (Author)

Summary: This nonfiction picture book explains the life cycle, history, and uses of pumpkins.

Comments: This book is excellent for science or seasonal lessons, providing children with factual knowledge through colorful visuals. The author creates all of the visuals for this nonfiction book using watercolors.

Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.

Kingdoms of Life

by Carly Allen-Fletcher (Author)

Brief summary: This nonfiction picture book explores the six kingdoms of life(animals, plants, fungi, protists, archaea, and bacteria) and how they are classified. Each kingdom has two double-paged illustrations filled with descriptive text and numbered examples of that category which are listed in the back sections of the book both in English and Latin.

Comments: The illustrations were created digitally. The back sections are Scientific Names and Featured Life-Forms.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

*Kingdoms of Life was sent to me as a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

Hike It: An Introduction to Camping, Hiking, and Backpacking through the U.S.A.

by Iron Tazz (Author), Martin Stanev (Illustrator)

Brief summary: This nonfiction picture book alternates with a brief description of a park with double-paged illustrations, and then the next double-paged illustrations will be survival tips or advice related to camping or hiking.

Comments: The illustrations were created digitally.

The back section is Further Reading with websites, books, and apps.

This book could be used in the classroom to have students learn about topographical mapping, create their own ten essential practical life skills and safety, or give students a budget and have them calculate the costs of a hiking trip including food, equipment and park entrance fees.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

Clever Crow

by Chris Butterworth (Author), Olivia Lomenech Gill (Illustrator)

Brief summary: This nonfiction picture book teaches us about a crow’s intelligence, habitat, and how many different types there are of this amazing species.

Comments: This book is illustrated with mixed media and written in verse.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

A bird with a chef's hat and spatula in hand is barbecuing hamburgers on a grill laughing. He has an apron on with #1 Dad on it.

Dad Jokes: The Cheesiest, Corniest Joke Book Ever!

by Highlights (Creator)

Summary: This nonfiction collection of 900+ Dad jokes includes a table of contents and funny illustrations.

Comments: This is a collection of riddles, jokes, and knock-knock jokes, especially for kids.

These jokes would work so well with students throughout the day to foster humor, homophones, and figurative language.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

Jack-o-lantern with a candle inside, a black cat, spilt candy corn, and bats are spread on the cover of this Halloween book

Halloween (Holiday History)

by Spanier Kristine Mlis (Author)

Brief summary: Young readers will learn about the origins of Halloween, the traditions, and how South Korea and Ireland celebrate.

Comments: Several “Did You Know?” squares give more information about the page’s topic. The back sections are Quick Facts & Tools: Halloween Place of Origin, Glossary, Index, and To Learn More.

Rating: 3/5 📗📗📗

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

There are pumpkins and jack-o- lanterns with lit candles and a fake black spider on the steps of a house for the traditional Halloween house

Halloween (Traditions & Celebrations)

by Charles C Hofer (Author)

Brief summary: Young readers will learn how Halloween began, how we celebrate it today, and how other countries(Mexico, Germany, France, and Japan) celebrate holidays like it.

Comments: Words in bold are in the glossary. The back sections are Glossary, Read More, Internet Sites, Index, and About the Author.

Rating: 3/5 📗📗📗

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

Hanging lit lanterns are handing from the ceiling

Mid-Autumn Festival (Traditions & Celebrations)

by Ailynn Collins (Author)

Brief summary: Mid-Autumn Festival, also called the Moon or Mooncake Festival, is globally celebrated by Asian people. Young readers will learn the origins of the holiday, the lunar calendar, and what traditions and foods people have to observe this holiday.

Comments: The back sections are Glossary, Read More, Internet Sites, Index, and About the Author. Bolded words are found in the glossary.

I wish we had these Traditions and Celebrations books when I was a child. I’m learning so much from reading them as an adult, which has broadened my understanding of other cultures.

Rating: 3.5/5 📗📗📗1/2

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

Orchards (Trip to the Farm)

by Ursula Pang (Author)

Brief summary: There are many orchards (farms where trees grow)producing fruit, nuts, seeds, syrup, and Christmas trees. Young readers will learn about each type of orchard.

I enjoyed reading and learning about the different types of orchards and when they were harvested.

Rating: 3.5/5 📗📗📗1/2

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

Voting Day

by Samantha Bell (Author)

Brief summary: This intermediate nonfiction children’s books focuses on the day of voting. Readers will learn about polling places, volunteers, voting day, early voting, counting the votes, and declaring the winner.

Comments: The book is illustrated with photos.

The back sections included Fun Fact, Activity, Glossary, To Learn More, Index, and About the Author.

Rating: 3.5 /5 📗📗📗1/2

Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.

How Voting and Elections Work

by Zelda Wagner (Author)

Brief summary: This intermediate nonfiction children’s book discusses topics such as election day, why we vote, the election, and how to get involved.

Comments: This book is illustrated with photos. There is a glossary, index, and a “Learn More” section in the back of the book.

Rating: 3.5 /5 📗📗📗1/2

Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.

Most of the books Mrs. Ferraris recommends are checked out from the public library. The only exception is for the complimentary copies that she receives for an honest review, which are duly noted.

Insect Picture Books

May 18, 2026May 25, 2026 The Retired School LibrarianLeave a comment

Insect picture book recommendations are by Angela Ferraris, The Retired School Librarian.

(The content below contains Amazon affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Mrs. Ferraris may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you. These titles may be found on my Amazon Storefront under Insect Picture Books– https://amzn.to/3RfLIPc .)

❗This cumulative list grows over time, with the newest books always appearing at the top.❗

Log Life (Tiny Habitats)

by Amy Hevron (Author, Illustrator)

Comments: I had never heard of the term “nurse log” before and found it fascinating to learn about what happens to a fallen tree.

The illustrations were created using acrylic, marker, and pencil on Bristol board and then digitally collaged.

The back sections are More About Nurse-Log Habitats, Selected Sources, and Additional Reading.

Rating: 4.5/5 📗📗📗📗1/2

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

Milkweed for Monarchs

by Christine Van Zandt (Author), Alejandra Barajas (Illustrator)

Brief summary: There are two types of text teaching readers about monarch butterflies. There is a lyrical, rhyming text and informative text boxes on each page.

Monarchs migrate back north after it warms to lay eggs on milkweed plants. We learn the stages of the butterfly from egg to adult.

Comments: The back sections include the Author’s Note, Monarchs Need Our Help, How You Can Help, Fun Facts, The Senses, and Selected Bibliography.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

The Wonderful Wisdom of Ants

by Philip Bunting (Author)

Brief summary: The ant’s life cycle and fun facts are explained in this nonfiction book for kids. Each ant has a role in the colony.

Comments: Nonfiction texts often include helpful features that aid in understanding the information presented. These features may include charts, diagrams, captions, and labels.

I really enjoyed the puns and humorous language used in the text.

Rating: 3.5/5 📗📗📗1/2

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

Butterfly on the Wind

by Adam Pottle (Author), Ziyue Chen (Illustrator)

Brief summary: Aurora is feeling nervous the day before her talent show. Sitting in her family’s garden, she practices hand-signing for the play she wrote. While she’s rehearsing, a butterfly lands on a flower and Aurora signs “butterfly,” creating a small wind. This little wind continues to other children around the world, who all start signing “butterfly” too, and the wind grows stronger. Will this wind help Aurora on the day of her talent show?

Comments: An Author’s Note and an ASL chart are in the back.

Rating: 3/5 📗📗📗

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page .

A blond hair girl with glasses is looking at various insect species while outside in the garden.

The Girl Who Loves Bugs

by Lily Murray (Author), Jenny Løvlie (Illustrator)

Summary: Evie loves picking up insect species and other creepy crawlies. She enjoys looking at them with her magnifying glass and putting them in her pockets. Her family does not share her passion and tells her to leave them, as it’s time to go home.

Evie decides to take them inside and place them in her room.

Her extended family comes to visit the next day. What could possibly go wrong?

Comments: The illustrations are digital. The back pages share ideas for helping bugs and a brief biological sketch of Evelyn Cheesman, an entomologist who inspired the book.

Rating: 3.5/5 📗📗📗1/2

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

The Bumblebee Garden

by Dawn Casey (Author), Stella Lim (Illustrator)

Summary: Ben and his grandpa spot a bumblebee in the garden. Grandpa educates his grandson about the bumblebee’s life cycle, explaining its activities in each season as the book unfolds.

Comments: There is a back section titled The Life Cycle of a Queen Bumblebee.

The illustrations were handcrafted using watercolor and colored pencils, finishing with digital methods.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

Most of the books Mrs. Ferraris recommends are checked out from the public library. The only exception is for the complimentary copies that she receives for an honest review, which are duly noted.

Behind My Doors: The Story of the World’s Oldest Library

The Fabulous Fannie Farmer: Kitchen Scientist and America’s Cook

Pedal, Balance, Steer: Annie Londonderry, the First Woman to Cycle Around the World

Gifts from Georgia’s Garden: How Georgia O’Keeffe Nourished Her Art

A Grand Idea: How William J. Wilgus Created Grand Central Terminal

Everybody’s Book: The Story of the Sarajevo Haggadah

Life After Whale: The Amazing Ecosystem of a Whale Fall

The Wolf Effect: A Wilderness Revival Story (A Voice of the Wilderness Picture Book)

One Day This Tree Will Fall

Finding Family: The Duckling Raised by Loons

Rise to the Sky: How the World’s Tallest Trees Grow Up

Special Delivery: A Book’s Journey Around the World

Yoshi, Sea Turtle Genius: A True Story About an Amazing Swimmer

Poop for Breakfast: Why Some Animals Eat It

Jumper: A Day in the Life of a Backyard Jumping Spider

The Forest Keeper– The True Story of Jadav Payeng

Nobody Likes Frogs: A Book of Toadally Fun Facts

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Chanel & Milo: The Legend Begins!

The Emerald Forest

Gray Fox in the Moonlight

Poop for Breakfast: Why Some Animals Eat It

The Wolf Effect: A Wilderness Revival Story (A Voice of the Wilderness Picture Book)

Life After Whale: The Amazing Ecosystem of a Whale Fall

Journey of the Humpbacks

This Little Kitty in the Garden

This is NOT my Lunch Box!

This Is a Tiny Fragile Snake

Mamas and Babies

Little Red Fox and his Fluffy Ginger Locks

Like No Other: Earth’s Coolest One-of-a-Kind Creatures

A Human for Kingsley

Jump for Joy

Trouble Dog: From Shelter Dog to Conservation Hero

The Very Patient Gus Davis

Animal Snuggles: Affection in the Animal Kingdom

Find Out About Animal Tools

Fast Cheetah, Slow Tortoise: Poems of Animal Opposites

Evergreen

Don’t Trust Cats: Life Lessons from Chip the Dog

Bless Our Pets: Poems of Gratitude for Our Animal Friends

Wildlife Crossings (Searchlight Books ™ ― Saving Animals with Science)

Safe Crossing

The City Sings Green & Other Poems About Welcoming Wildlife

Buffalo Fluffalo

The Animal Song

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Big Family Beach Day

Dawn Patrol: A Father and Daughter Surfing Story

Everybelly

Just One Wave

My Dear Sea

Our Lake

Our Pool

When You Can Swim

A Dive Into the Blue

Waiting on Mr. Sloth

Facing Your Fear of Water (Facing Your Fears)

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Baller Ina

Pedal, Balance, Steer: Annie Londonderry, the First Woman to Cycle Around the World

Ride Beside Me

The Queen of Chess: How Judit Polgár Changed the Game

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Winter Is Wonderful

Just Us

The Voice in the Hollow

I’m Going to Build a Snowman