(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. The Retired School Librarian is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. (These titles can be found on my Amazon Storefront under Baby(Animal or Human) Picture Books– https://www.amazon.com/shop/mrs.ferraris/list/1Z9EBAM40ZE1G?ref_=aipsflist)
❗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.
All Your Tomorrows
by Harriet Evans (Author), Heidi Griffiths (Illustrator)
Brief summary: A mother and father hold their baby and bestow upon the child all their hopes and dreams for the newborn’s future. Readers are taken upon the parents’ wishes as the child grows with bright, beautiful, and pleasant illustrations with many two-page spreads. Gentle, lyrical text.
Comments: What a lovely book for babies and toddlers at bedtime.
Rating: 3.5/5 📗📗📗1/2
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
Pass the Baby
by Susanna Reich (Author), Raúl Colón (Illustrator)
Brief summary: The baby is passed around a large family gathering at the dining room table, where Grandpa, Grandma, and other family members visit with the baby.
The meal has ended, and it’s time for the baby to go to bed. Will she go to sleep or stay awake?
Comments: This rhyming picture book captures the excitement and love of a newborn baby in a family.
The humorous illustrations display the facial emotions and chaotic mess of a large gathering.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
Full Moon Pups
by Liz Garton Scanlon (Author), Chuck Groenink (Illustrator)
Brief summary: In rhyming text and gentle rhythm, a mother wolf gives birth to her pups in a cave under a full moon. The mom and pack care for the babies as they grow during the moon’s cycle.
Comments: Lovely illustrations include gouache, acrylics, pencils, oil pastels, and digital media. The back pages include Author’s Note and The Phases of the Moon.
I suggest sharing this with primary grades during a baby animal or moon cycle unit of study.
Rating: 4/4 📗📗📗📗
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
Little Walrus
by Julie Abery (Author), Suzie Mason (Illustrator)
Brief summary: Little Walrus plays near his mom and the herd of walruses while exploring his world.
Comments: The rhyming of verbs in each line is one I don’t often see, and I found it refreshing. Couplet rhyming as well. Illustrations are large and with all two-page spreads.
This is one of the adorable cute series of baby animals called the Little Animal Friends.
Rating: 3/5 📗📗📗
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
One Day
by Joanna Ho (Author), Faith Pray (Illustrator)
Brief summary: A mother cradles her infant son and dreams and shares all the wonderful ways her boy will be as he grows up.
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
The selected children’s books are chosen by a certified, 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.
(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. The Retired School Librarian is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. (These titles can be found on my Amazon Storefront under St. Patrick’s Day Picture Books– https://www.amazon.com/shop/mrs.ferraris/list/2F2OI0W33ZUGF?ref_=aipsflist.)
❗This cumulative list grows over time, with the newest books always appearing at the top.❗
Ten Little Leprechauns
by Molly Murphy (Author), Howard McWilliam (Illustrator)
Summary: We start with ten different-sized leprechauns playing in the forest, who then enter a nearby household, wreaking havoc. The countdown continues with more leprechaun shenanigans.
Comments: The story is written in rhyme, making it a fun and engaging read-aloud. The illustrations are vibrant, detailed, and hilarious. I found myself stopping to count all the leprechauns.
For larger groups, I would project the book on a screen or whiteboard so everyone can fully enjoy the artwork. The book’s backward counting from ten adds an extra layer of interactive fun for listeners
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day, Tiny!
by Cari Meister (Author), Rich Davis (Illustrator)
Brief summary: Sam and Tiny get dressed up as leprechauns for the St. Patrick’s Day festivities. They participate in a scavenger hunt, but kindly stop searching for clues to help a girl who has lost her shoe.
Comments: The Tiny series is so cute, with Sam always helping Tiny learn about new things. The books are written for primary grades as primary readers and have a nice sense of humor, with this being no exception.
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 Tiny series. If you are interested in more from this series, they can be found on their Amazon page.
The St. Patrick’s Day Alphabet
by Liz Saunders (Author), Lindsay Dale-Scott (Illustrator)
Brief summary: In this nonfiction picture book, young readers will discover the origins, customs, and symbols associated with St. Patrick’s Day.
Comments: Leprechauns are hidden throughout the book for readers to find and count.
This book is perfect for teachers to read aloud to explain how and why we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. The pages also provide additional information about the topic in text boxes.
The illustrations were created using Procreate on an iPad Pro.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
The Fog Catcher’s Daughter
by Marianne McShane (Author), Alan Marks (Illustrator)
Brief summary: Eily and her father live on the coast of Ireland across from the isle of fairies, Lisnashee. Her father is the Fog Catcher and must row to the island and collect the magical fog on it every Midsummer. Eily helps prepare to keep her family safe from the Good People. Her father rows out to the island. Eily is worried as she has found his protection charm in a tree.
Comments: Young readers will be enchanted by Eily’s adventure to find her father and keep him safe. Beautifully illustrated with dreamy watercolors.
by Todd Tarpley (Author), Stephanie Laberis (Illustrator)
Brief summary: A leprechaun and the Easter Bunny battle over the space in a garden. The leprechaun wants to hide his pot of gold for St. Patrick’s Day, and the Easter bunny wants to grow tulips to hide colored eggs. Cupid comes along and wants to make plans for next year’s Valentine’s Day, moving all of their things out of the way.
Comments: This is the first of the Festive Feuds series. It is written in rhyme. Definitely a hilarious read-aloud.
Saint Patrick the Forgiver: The History and Legends of Ireland’s Bishop
by Ned Bustard (Author)
Brief summary: Young readers will learn about Saint Patrick’s life as a child, being kidnapped to become a slave in Ireland, and his escape back home. Saint Patrick continues to explain how he forgave the Irish people and decided to preach Christianity there.
Comments: If you’re looking for a more religious take on Saint Patrick, this book is perfect. Told in rhyme from the saint’s own viewpoint, it begins with Patrick introducing himself: “Hello, my name is Patrick. You may have heard my story. I walked the span of Ireland to tell of God’s great glory.”
Brief summary: This nonfiction picture book describes the customs celebrated on St. Patrick’s Day. Readers will also learn about St. Patrick’s life and some of his legends.
Comments: The illustrations include labels and captions identifying St. Patrick’s Day symbols. A lot of green is used to capture the holiday’s spirit. The author used black ink and watercolor to illustrate this book.
Gail Gibbons has an impressive collection of nonfiction picture books that she both wrote and illustrated. Her books can be found on her Amazon page.
The Night Before St. Patrick’s Day
by Natasha Wing (Author), Amy Wummer (Illustrator)
Brief summary: Tim and Maureen, siblings, set up leprechaun traps all over the house the day before St. Patrick’s Day while decorating the house in green with shamrocks, streamers, and rainbows. The next day, they wake to find the house in a mess, but they caught a leprechaun. Will they be able to get his gold?
Comments: This would make a great read-aloud and a lead-in for students to make leprechaun traps in art class or the classroom.
Books in this series are for primary readers, offering humorous stories and teaching about various holidays and events.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
This is one of the The Night Before series. If you are interested in more from this series, they can be found on their Amazon page.
The Littlest Leprechaun
by Brandi Dougherty (Author), Michelle Todd (Illustrator)
Brief summary: Liam is the littlest leprechaun in the Enchanted Forest, but he’s eager to help his family. His parents send him to help his siblings, then to help his uncle carry gold–but each time, he’s too small for the task. While wandering in the forest, he discovers a group of leprechauns trying to help a little unicorn. In the end, Liam realizes that being little doesn’t mean he can’t make a difference–his small size can be a strength after all.
Comments: This is a sweet story for toddlers to kindergartners who may be in the same situation as Liam, being the smallest in the family.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
This is from the Little series. For more details about the series or to buy, please see its Amazon page.
The Leprechaun’s Gold
by Pamela Duncan Edwards (Author), Henry Cole (Illustrator)
Brief summary: Old Pat, a harpist, and Young Tom, also a harpist, travel together to attend a harp contest. Young Tom proves to be a cheat and leaves. During the night, they hear cries of help. Old Pat goes in search of a leprechaun in need of assistance. The leprechaun helps Old Pat in return for his help.
Comments: There are many two-page spreads in this book with rich colors, and several pages feature illustrations in black frames with decorated borders.
This will make a fun read-aloud for older elementary students. There are themes of kindness, generosity, and sharing.
Rating: 5/5 📗📗📗📗📗
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
St. Patrick’s Day in the Morning
by Eve Bunting (Author), Jan Brett (Author, Illustrator)
Brief summary: Jamie, the youngest of three Irish brothers, is told he is too young to walk in the St. Patrick’s Day parade. He gets up early and takes his dog, Nell, to prove he can walk up Acorn Hill, where he places the Irish flag at the top, proving to himself he can do it.
Comments: This is an oldie but a goody. This picture book is illustrated by Jan Brett in black ink with green and yellow watercolors. This book’s themes are perseverance, independence, and proving your belief in yourself. Great for primary and intermediate grades.
by Eve Bunting (Author), Emily Arnold McCully (Illustrator)
Brief summary: Three mischievous leprechauns–Art, Boo, and Col–spot an approaching storm and must hurry to dig up a buried pot of gold before the rainbow appears. Along the way, they play pranks and get into all sorts of silly antics, showing the playful and rascally side that leprechauns are famous for.
Comments: The illustrations are beautiful watercolors and perfectly complement the story.
Eve Bunting and Emily Arnold McCully have won several book awards. Their collaboration with this story makes a great read-aloud for intermediate students.
The selected children’s books are chosen by a certified, 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.
(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. The Retired School Librarian is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. (These titles can be found on my Amazon Storefront under Alphabet Picture Books–https://www.amazon.com/shop/mrs.ferraris/list/1HXD71C9X1I9C?ref_=aipsflist .)
❗This cumulative list grows over time, with the newest books always appearing at the top.❗
A Is for Australian Reefs
by Frané Lessac (Author, Illustrator)
Brief summary: Everything one would like to know about the Australian Reefs. This picture book has two-page illustrations for each letter that are bright and detailed.
Comments: This could be a group read-aloud sharing the large print, or it can be an individual reading of the more specific facts in small fonts that explain the many details of plants and marine life on each page.
4/5 📗📗📗📗
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
A Is for Ambitious (Ambitious Girl, 2)
by Meena Harris (Author), Marissa Valdez (Illustrator)
Brief summary: ABCs of descriptive words of empowerment. Aimed towards girls. A “stand up and go for what you believe in” type of book. Inspirationally driven.
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
B Is for Bananas
by Carrie Tillotson (Author), Estrela Lourenço (Illustrator)
Brief summary: Banana does not want to go to bed and makes “B” for banana instead of bedtime. Banana gets tired after going through the alphabet and changing or adding words.
Comments: Cute, humorous bedtime story.
Rating: 3/5 📗📗📗
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
B My Name Is Boy: A Song of Celebration from Australia to Zimbabwe
by Dawn Masi (Author, Illustrator)
Brief summary: Twenty-six boys share their name, someone else they know, their country, and a verb, all in alliteration.
Comments: It would be a fun activity for students to copy the book’s style by developing the alliterations with their own names and then sharing them with others.
Rating: 3.5/5 📗📗📗 1/2
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
If you enjoy this one, there is a companion book titled G My Name is Girl, 2021.
Playful Pigs from A to Z
by Anita Lobel (Author, Illustrator)
Brief summary: Twenty-six pigs come across a field full of letters. Each pig finds the letter matching its name. In the evening, they all return to their pen.
Comments: Each letter is paired with a pig’s name and a verb. The pages have capital letters across the top, with small case letters on the bottom of each page.
Originally printed in 2015.
Rating 3.5/5 📗📗📗1/2
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
Alphabuddies: G Is First!
by Beth Bacon (Author), Karen Kane (Author), Eric Barclay (Illustrator).
Brief summary: “G” wants to be first in the alphabet song, but “A” argues it will mess up reading. The letters experiment to see if this statement is true or not.
Comments: Humorous. Speech bubbles. Individual frames or multi-panels like a graphic novel. Large letters and words.
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 certified, 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.
(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. The Retired School Librarian is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. The titles below can be found on my Amazon Storefront under Valentine’s Day Picture Books– https://amzn.to/4kuBODW)
❗This cumulative list grows over time, with the newest books always appearing at the top.❗
Groundhog vs. Cupid (Festive Feuds, 4)
by Todd Tarpley (Author), Stephanie Laberis (Illustrator)
Summary: A groundhog wakes up, dresses carefully for his big day, and emerges from his burrow—only to find the spotlight stolen by Cupid, who’s already claiming all the glory. Determined, the groundhog tries to convince Cupid that today isn’t his day, but HIS.
Comments: This is a story in rhyme. This book is in the usual festive feud style: two holiday characters overlap their special days and try to find a solution. These are humorous, outrageously fun books, making great read-alouds.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
A Stickler Valentine
by Lane Smith (Author)
Summary: Stickler goes through the forest giving sticks for Valentine’s Day, but no one wants a stick. He begins to think about what others would like instead and decides to give the cat what she likes, not what he wants to give her for Valentine’s Day, making her happy.
Comments: A cute and whimsical story about a forest creature made of sticks beginning to consider what others like and not so much what he likes. I think this could be a great read-aloud for primary grades.
The illustrations were created using oils, gesso, and cold wax on canvas. Pencil lines were drawn with an Apple Pencil in Procreate.
Rating: 4.5/5 📗📗📗📗1/2
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
Saint Valentine the Kindhearted: The History and Legends of God’s Brave and Loving Servant
by Ned Bustard (Author)
Brief summary: A young Valentine lived in Terni, Italy, around 226 AD, practicing Christianity while living amongst Romans who believed in several gods and goddesses.
He restored the sight of a judge’s daughter. This impressed the judge so much that he converted to Christianity along with his family. Emperor Claudius put Saint Valentine in prison, where he wrote love letters. He died on February 14th.
Comments: This story is written in rhyming verse. The story is on the right side, while an illustration with woodcuts is on the left.
There is A Note From the Author.
The hearts that are throughout the story symbolize the different types of love.
❤️(eros)–romantic love
💚(storge)–natural love, the kind that family members have for one another
💙(philia) love for a close friend
🤍(agape) pure and unconditional love
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.
Hap-Pea Valentine’s Day (The Peas Series)
by Keith Baker (Author, Illustrator)
Summary: The peas are celebrating Valentine’s Day by sharing various hearts in their pea town, such as a large pizza heart, knitted hearts, and rainbow hearts.
Comments: This is a light-hearted, fun book best suited for preschoolers and kindergarteners. I enjoy stopping to look at each page and take in all the details Keith Baker puts into making these cute little pea characters.
Rating: 4/5📗📗📗📗
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
Grumpy Monkey Valentine Gross-Out
by Suzanne Lang (Author), Max Lang (Illustrator)
Summary: Jim Panzee does not care for Valentine’s Day at all. He thinks love is gross–the couples exchanging cards, cuddling, and kissing. One of his primate friends explains to him all about the different types of love, making him not so grumpy.
Comments: A funny read-aloud for the classroom especially for those who also find Valentine’s Day gross.
This does have Valentine stickers in the back of the book.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
Love, Escargot
by Dashka Slater (Author), Sydney Hanson (Illustrator)
Summary: Escargot excitedly gets ready to attend a Snailentine party. The snail suddenly feels shy once arriving and retreats to the inside of his shell. Will he come out and enjoy the party or stay inside the whole time?
Comments: Escargot enjoys talking to the reader and asking questions, making this an interactive picture book. It is a humorous book with a very talkative French snail.
Rating: 4/5📗📗📗📗
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
The Mystery of the Love List
by Sarah Glenn Marsh (Author), Ishaa Lobo (Illustrator)
Summary: Pippa’s teacher has the class write down everything they love in their hearts. She receives a list with her name on it and with many things that she enjoys. Pippa tries to figure out who her new friend could be.
Comments: I know a lot of teachers are looking for picture book mysteries. This is a cute mystery that primary students would enjoy solving with the help of the illustrations.
Rating: 4/5📗📗📗📗
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
Dino-Valentine’s Day (Dino-Holidays)
by Lisa Wheeler (Author), Barry Gott (Illustrator)
Summary: All of the dinosaurs are getting ready for Valentine’s Day. Some are shopping for cards, decorating boxes, and baking delicious treats. They exchange valentines at school and then attend a dance.
Comments: This is a humorous rhyming story that mixes dinosaur names throughout.
Rating: 4/5📗📗📗📗
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
Porcupine Cupid
by Jason June (Author), Lori Richmond (Illustrator)
Summary: Porcupine goes around the forest poking animals with his quill like cupid, annoying everyone. He posts a sign about having a town hall meeting where everyone can discuss the poking. He hides in a tree, listening to everyone complain and bond over his actions, happy to have brought so many friends together. Will anyone fall for him?
Comments: It’s a fantastic read-aloud, though you might want to include a disclaimer that ‘cupid poking’ is strictly for porcupines and not for children!
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
Valensteins
by Ethan Long (Author)
Summary: Fright Club members are interested in what Fran K. Stein is making with pink paper, glue, and scissors, and come up with their own ideas. When they realize what he is making, they are horrified, but Fran does not care. He leaves them and shares it with the one he loves.
Comments: This will be a funny Valentine’s Day read-aloud, even for those who think the day is eeewww.
The illustrations were created with a graphite pencil on Strathmore drawing paper, scanned, and digitally colorized. Dark colors make the pink heart stand out more.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
The Yuckiest, Stinkiest, Best Valentine Ever
by Brenda Ferber (Author), Tedd Arnold (Illustrator)
Summary: Leon makes a Valentine’s Day card for Zoey Manoney, but it runs off the table, refusing to let the boy give it to her. The Valentine runs down the street, with Leon chasing him, and more and more people following along to see what happens.
Comments: I love the illustrator’s style of large comic panels, narrative boxes, and speech bubbles. The colors are bright, and the story is hilarious and cumulative. This would be a superb read-aloud with action and suspense.
Rating: 5/5 📗📗📗📗📗
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
A Giant Crush
by Gennifer Choldenko (Author), Melissa Sweet (Illustrator)
Summary: Jackson has a crush on Cami but is too shy to tell her, so he leaves little anonymous gifts for her. His friend, Cooper, encourages him to get up enough nerve to talk to her.
Comments: Sweet puppy love. Elementary crushes. This story will resonate with all those who have experienced unrequited love or are too shy to profess their love. I think it is encouraging.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
If You’ll Be My Valentine
by Cynthia Rylant (Author), Fumi Kosaka (Illustrator)
Summary: A young boy makes valentines for his animal friends, human friends, and inanimate objects in his life that he cares about.
Comments: Each Valentine is a short rhyming poem. This is a good choice as a read-aloud for preschool or kindergarten.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
The Biggest Valentine Ever
by Steven Kroll (Author), Jeni Bassett (Illustrator)
Summary: Desmond and Clayton make a Valentine together in class, but end up in a fight over artistic differences. They tear it up and decide to make their own when they get home. After ignoring their fathers’ advice, they decide to make a huge Valentine’s Day gift together to present to their teacher.
Comments: This is a delightful story about two mice friends who work together to create something spectacular. I thought it was funny how they ignored their dads, took the opposite advice, failed, and succeeded at school with the parental advice afterall. Best to let them fail and learn.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
Mouse’s First Valentine
by Lauren Thompson (Author), Buket Erdogan (Illustrator)
Summary: A little mouse follows his older sister, Minka, out of the house and watches her gather paper, ribbon, lace, and glue, wondering what she is doing.
Comments: What a sweet story about a little mouse receiving a precious gift from his big sister.
I like how the mouse asks questions about the different things his sister is doing, which can also be discussed with young readers after the story is finished and is reexamined with questions.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
The Berenstain Bears’ Funny Valentine
by Stan Berenstain (Author), Jan Berenstain (Author)
Summary: Sister Bear has a crush on Herbie Grizzwold and hopes to receive a special Valentine from him, but instead receives a very nice one from a bear who she thought was pestering her. She is confused by his behavior and learns from a story Mama told her about a similar situation she was in.
Comments: I love this story. It does a nice job of showing how the boy bear learns to express his feelings to Sister Bear in a way she can understand. Timeless story.
Rating: 4/5📗📗📗📗
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
Summary: Clifford receives Valentine’s Day cards from several people and decides to go to the park, where everyone is playing in the snow, to give his Valentine’s Day card to them.
Comments: In this level 1 reader, preschool-grade 1, there is a reading guidance for parents on questions to ask before, during, and after reading the book. The back pages include a word list.
I appreciate that it suggests that the parent reads the story beforehand. I always did that first. I’d read the story to the students to develop the aesthetics of loving to read/enjoy the story, and THEN asked or answered questions.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
The selected children’s books are chosen by a certified, 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.
(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. The Retired School Librarian is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. These titles are available on my Facebook Storefront under Art Picture Books– https://www.amazon.com/shop/mrs.ferraris/list/2GMAIVMX1FWR2?ref_=aipsflist . )
❗This cumulative list grows over time, with the newest books always appearing at the top.❗
Frank’s Red Hat
by Sean E Avery (Author, Illustrator)
Summary: Frank is a penguin who likes to make hats. The penguins were a bit nervous because as soon as one of them tried on the hat, he was eaten by a killer whale. Just when Frank is about to give up on his hat-making endeavors, he discovers that seals love his creations. Frank continues to create other things, realizing that penguins may not be receptive to his creations.
Comments: A funny book to read to help students realize that they can be creative, but not always be around those who appreciate it. They need to find those who appreciate their art.
The illustrations were created using digital collage techniques and scanned fold/painted papers.
Rating: 4.5/5 📗📗📗📗1/2
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
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.
The Girl with the Magic Ponytails: French Tales
by Karen J. Young (Author), Yoko Matsuoka(Illustrator)
Brief summary: Riley always wears her long, brown hair in two ponytails on either side of her head. She and her pup visit her grandparents, where there is a lovely table full of French pastries.
Her grandparents share their honeymoon photo album from when they visited France. Riley bites into a macaron and her ponytails twist and twirl, magically transporting her and Pup to France in the past. There, she meets artists Monet and Van Gogh and even gets to drive in the Grand Prix. Eventually, they land outside a café where Riley is greeted by her grandparents. They return home to celebrate the couple’s anniversary.
Comments: This book’s vivid imagination may inspire young readers to create their own fantasy adventures.
The illustrations are bright and colorful, matching Riley’s energy. The fonts change color to complement the illustrations.
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
*I was sent a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Time to Make Art
by Jeff Mack (author and illustrator)
Brief summary: A girl wants to know how to make art and asks artists from different decades about their mediums while becoming more inspired to create her own.
Comments: There is a back section with brief biographical sketches of the artists featured in the story.
What a great book for art teachers to share with students!
Rating:3.5/5 📗📗📗1/2
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
Vincent: Starry Starry Night
by Judith A. Proffer (Author), Yoko Matsuoka (Illustrator) Introduction by Don McLean
Brief summary: A young Vincent Van Gogh sees the world differently from other children, expressing his sadness through paintings of sunflowers, irises, and clouds in nature.
Comments: Young readers learn that there are those who feel sadness but can have a place with everyone else. Vincent Van Gogh was able to express his sadness in his art.
This would make a superb book for art teachers to share during a Van Gogh unit of study.
Don McLean wrote an introduction to this book which was inspired from a song he wrote called, “Vincent” which I have attached.
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 selected children’s books are chosen by a certified, 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.
(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. The Retired School Librarian is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. All titles can be found on my Amazon Storefront under Lunar New Year– https://www.amazon.com/shop/mrs.ferraris/list/2K33C9R4LWHM1?ref_=aipsflist)
❗This cumulative list grows over time, with the newest books always appearing at the top.❗
Ping’s Perfect Pot
by Helen H. Wu (Author), Zihua Yang (Illustrator)
Summary: Ping and her grandpa are getting ready for the Lunar New Year. They buy a tangerine tree from the market. While Grandpa cleans the house, hangs decorations, and prepares food, Ping tries to make several different pots for the tree. He encourages Ping to keep creating, even when she faces challenges and fails several times.
Comments: The back sections are “Lunar New Year Traditions” and ” Author’s Note.”
I believe this book effectively teaches how to prepare for the Lunar New Year and highlights the importance of perseverance through repeated failures until one achieves a goal.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
Sparkles for Sunny: A Lunar New Year Story
by Sylvia Chen (Author), Thai My Phuong (Illustrator)
Summary: Sunny is the youngest of the Lao family and is always getting hand-me-downs from her two older sisters. During this Lunar New Year celebration, she really wants to stand out with a unique qípáo, but her family has four golden rules: make what you can yourself, get good deals, share extras with others, and never waste anything. So, Sunny knows buying a new outfit is out of the question. What will she do?
Comments: This is a lovely story of a young girl accomplishing her goal not just by herself, but by managing to make all of their outfits unique.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
Why We Eat Fried Peanuts: A Celebration of Family and Lunar New Year Traditions
by Zed Zha (Author), Sian James (Illustrator)
Summary: Mèng learns about her tài nai nai, her great-grandmother, through her father’s storytelling. He shares the Chinese traditions he learned from his grandmother and explains how his great uncle became part of the family.
Comments: Throughout the story, Mandarin words are woven in, each accompanied by informative boxes that explains their pronunciation and meaning.
The back sections include more information about Chinese history, culture, and how to make friend peanuts.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
Monkey’s Sweet Surprise: A Lunar New Year Mix-Up (Tales from the Zodiac Kitchen)
by Patricia Tanumihardja (Author), Bonnie Lui (Illustrator)
Summary: Last year, Monkey messed up the Lunar New Year celebration and vowed to make it up this year by making pineapple tarts for the Jade Empress. However, he was unable to do so because he was busy helping three of his friends collect the missing ingredients for their dishes.
Comments: The back sections include a wheel of the twelve animals with their corresponding dates and a recipe for pineapple tarts.
This is a cute story to pair with a nonfiction book about the Lunar New Year.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
Legendary Cakes: A Story of Tết, the Vietnamese New Year
by Kerisa Greene (Author)
Summary: Two grandchildren get to spend Tết Eve with their Bà, where they learn how to fold and make bánh chưng, a traditional New Year food. Their grandmother tells them the story of the Hùng emperor and the contest to find the most delicious dish for the New Year holiday.
Comments: The illustrations were created from scanned textures of objects such as rice paper wrappers, banana leaves, and a woven hat. Some patterns were hand-carved on wood blocks. These were digitally rendered.
The back pages include a glossary, a bánh chưng recipe with illustrations of how to fold the banana leaves, about Tết, and an author’s note.
Rating: 4.5/5 📗📗📗📗1/2
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
The Chinese New Year Helper
by Ying Chang Compestine (Author), Ginnie Hsu (Illustrator)
Summary: Jia lives in Chinatown, where her family is preparing for the Chinese New Year in their large restaurant. Whenever she tries to lend a hand, people tell her she is too young to help. However, during the celebration, Jia discovers a way to make a meaningful contribution.
Comments: The illustrations were created using gouache and then Photoshop.
There is an author’s note at the back that provides more information about Chinese New Year.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
Let’s Celebrate Korean New Year!
by Michelle W. Park (Author), Hyewon Yum (Illustrator)
Summary: Two sisters wake up on Seollal, the Korean New Year, and dress in traditional Korean clothing, excited to celebrate. As they walk past a table filled with festive food, they head to the kitchen to make mandoo, a type of dumpling. Throughout the day, the girls enjoy holiday dishes, play games, and entertain their family.
Comments: The illustrations were created with colored pencil. The back sections include a glossary, an activity, and a Lunar New Year recipe.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
Wish Soup: A Celebration of Seollal
by Junghwa Park
Summary: Sahee, a young girl, wants to be an eonni, a big girl, on Seollal, the Korean Lunar New Year. She begins to eat her Tteokguk soup to become one year older, but keeps getting interrupted.
Comments: The illustrations were created using watercolor, colored pencils, and oil pastels, and then finished digitally.
There is a recipe for Tteokguk soup in the back.
Rating: 4.5/5 📗📗📗📗1/2
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
Throw a Lunar New Year Party (Party Time!)
by Christina Leaf
Summary: This nonfiction book features illustrations and photos with each activity. There are photos of the end product, a list of materials needed, and step-by-step instructions.
Comments: An adult may need help with the recipes. I like how there is an explanation for each decoration or recipe and how it is related to the holiday.
There are six activities. There is a glossary and additional learning sections in the back.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
Lunar New Year (Celebrations & Festivals)
by Natasha Yim (Author), Jingting Wang (Illustrator)
Summary: In this nonfiction picture book, Ling, her sister Mei, and grandmother, Po Po, share how they prepare and celebrate a 15-day holiday, the Lunar New Year. They clean the house, honor the Kitchen God, gather flowers, decorate, and cook food to celebrate with the family.
Comments: The first half of this book tells about Ling’s preparations and celebrations for Lunar New Year, while the second half is full of facts, with several nonfiction text features, such as photos, labeling, recipes, riddles, and a quiz.
Rating: 4.5/5 📗📗📗📗1/2
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
Lunar New Year: A Celebration of Family and Fun (Big Golden Book)
by Mary Man-Kong (Author), Michelle Jing Chan (Illustrator)
Summary: This narrative nonfiction book is about a family, including grandparents, celebrating the Lunar New Year. Celebrations last for fifteen days, and more than 1.5 billion celebrate. We learn how one family dresses, gives gifts, decorates their home, and eats certain foods.
Comments: This is a great introduction to the Lunar New Year. There are a few nonfiction text features, such as a wheel of the zodiac animals and a map of the different countries in Asia that celebrate
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
Boys Don’t Fry
by Kimberly Lee (Author), Charlene Chua (Illustrator)
Summary: Jin comes home to a family all helping to prepare the dishes to celebrate the Lunar New Year. His Mamah allows him to help in the kitchen.
Comments: There is an Author’s Note and recipe for Peranakan Pongtech Chicken.
The illustrations showed all of the various foods. I liked the pasted endpapers with the labeled foods.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
Two New Years
by Richard Ho (Author), Lynn Scurfield (Illustrator)
Summary: A mother teaches her family about the traditions of her new year, Rosh Hashanah in the fall, and the father teaches his family about the tradition of his new year, Lunar New Year in the spring.
Comments: The book is not divided by what is different in each year, but by what they have in common. This may be a bit confusing for children if they want to know how they are different.
I appreciated the back section, which provided more explanations of each culture for better understanding.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
The selected children’s books are chosen by a certified, 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.
(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. The Retired School Librarian is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. These titles can be found on my Amazon Storefront under Martin Luther King Jr. Picture Books– https://www.amazon.com/shop/mrs.ferraris/list/1Y44ZQM7YUC3M?ref_=aipsflist)
❗This cumulative list grows over time, with the newest books always appearing at the top.❗
Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial
by Marie Roesser (Author)
Summary: This nonfiction book explains how and why the Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial in Washington, DC, was built between 2009 and 2011. It provides background on the memorial’s design and symbolism, including the Mountain of Despair, the Mountain of Hope, and the fourteen Martin Luther King Jr. quotations engraved throughout the site.
Comments: This book includes several nonfiction text features, such as photographs, labels, a map, a glossary, an index, and a table of contents, to name a few. It is appropriate for students in grades 2–3.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
Celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. Day
by Katie Peters (Author)
Summary: This nonfiction book is ideal for toddlers through first grade, with large photographs and simple sentences that introduce the philosophy of Martin Luther King Jr.
Comments: This would be a good introductory nonfiction book. It includes an index, but has few other nonfiction text features.
Rating: 3.5 📗📗📗1/2
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
You Are a Star, Martin Luther King, Jr.
by Dean Robbins (Author), Anastasia Magloire Williams (Illustrator)
Summary: This narrative nonfiction book is told from the first-person point of view of Martin Luther King Jr. It begins with the March on Washington in 1963, then provides backstory about his life leading up to the “I Have a Dream” speech and continues with events afterward.
Comments: The author’s note at the back briefly mentions his assassination in 1968, but it is presented in a non-graphic and sensitive way that is not upsetting for young readers. The book also includes a glossary, a timeline, and additional supplementary material at the back.
Rating: 4.5/5 📗📗📗📗1/2
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
by Mari Shuh (Author)
Summary: This nonfiction children’s book begins with a young child, Eli, asking what they will do for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. It explains the history of the holiday, shares facts about Dr. King, and highlights the lessons and values readers are encouraged to learn.
Comments: This book is geared toward primary elementary students in grades K–2. It includes many photographs, fun fact boxes, a glossary, and other nonfiction text features.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
We Dream a World: Carrying the Light From My Grandparents Martin Luther King, Jr. and Coretta Scott King
by Yolanda Renee King (Author), Nicole Tadgell (Illustrator)
Summary: This narrative nonfiction story is told from the perspective of Yolanda Renee King, the only granddaughter of Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King. In the book, she reflects on her elders’ accomplishments and expresses her wish to carry on their dream, while also asking others how they plan to continue the legacy of her grandparents.
Comments: The back sections include a message from Yolanda’s parents, a note from the illustrator, and a section on Yolanda’s inspiration. I also enjoyed seeing photos of everyone.
The illustrations are beautifully created using traditional techniques, including Winsor & Newton watercolors on Fabriano Artistico, hot-press paper with graphite, and digitally refined in Adobe Photoshop.
Rating: 5/5 📗📗📗📗📗
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day: Ready-to-Read Level 1
by Margaret McNamara (Author), Mike Gordon (Illustrator)
Summary: The Robin Hill School kids go on a field trip to a museum and stop in front of a bust of Martin Luther King Jr. Their teacher tells the group about his dream, and back in the classroom, the students discuss their own dreams for the world.
Comments: This is a Level One Star Reader, making it a great introduction for teachers to share with their students. It can easily be followed by a discussion about the dreams students have for creating a better world.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
(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. The Retired School Librarian is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.)
The selected children’s books are chosen by a certified, 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.
(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. The Retired School Librarian is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.)
❗This cumulative list grows over time, with the newest books always appearing at the top.❗
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.
The selected children’s books are chosen by a certified, 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.
(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. The Retired School Librarian is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. The titles below can be found on my Amazon Storefront under Christmas Picture Books– https://amzn.to/3MAHvmT .)
❗This cumulative list grows over time, with the newest books always appearing at the top.❗
The 13th Day of Christmas
by Adam Rex (Author)
Summary: A man receives an overwhelming amount of gifts from his true love, Trudy, which leaves him feeling confused. He tries to call her, but their misunderstanding remains unresolved. He goes to talk to his mom about the situation. However, as he walks through town, everyone and everything seems to follow him, creating a parade, a circus, and eventually a library fundraiser.
Comments: A humorous and engaging parody of “The Twelve Days of Christmas.” This would be a delightful read-aloud for students during the chaotic days leading up to Christmas break.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
Have Yourself a Cheesy Little Christmas
by Jory John (Author), Pete Oswald (Illustrator)
Summary: The Big Cheese is preparing to host another one of his extravagant, over-the-top Christmas parties when his washing machine overflows and ruins everything. He calls a friend who offers to host the party in his place. The Big Cheese is unsure about having a quiet and cozy gathering with his friends instead.
Comments: I love Jory John’s humor, and this one is included.
The holiday cards inside are actually gift tags.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
The Little Ghost Quilt’s Winter Surprise
by Riel Nason (Author), Byron Eggenschwiler (Illustrator)
Summary: Unlike his ghost friends, who were made of sheets, Ghost Quilt was warm as he floated around in the winter. He noticed where the people were gathered and saw that the neighborhood was decorated similarly to Halloween, but with shiny lights everywhere, creating a festive atmosphere. He figured out a way to bring home what he had seen to share with his friends and lift their spirits.
Comments: A heartwarming story about kindness and the joy of sharing.
The illustrations were created with pencil drawings and digital techniques.
Rating: 4.5/5 📗📗📗📗1/2
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
A Cowpoke’s Christmas
by Ann Ingalls (Author), Lauren Gallegos (Illustrator)
Summary: Sam and her dog, Hank, help her grandfather with chores around the ranch before celebrating Christmas with a family dinner and a wagon ride. On Christmas Day, Sam witnesses a special delivery.
Comments: The rhyming and rhythmic text makes this a heartwarming read-aloud.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
Llama Llama: A Gift for Mama
by Anna Dewdney (Author), JT Morrow (Illustrator)
Summary: Llama made a beautiful bell ornament for Mama, but he dropped it on the ground on his way to the car, where Grandma was waiting for him after school.
Llama is determined to find Mama a wonderful gift, but cannot figure out what she wants until Christmas Eve.
Comments: A charming book that young readers will enjoy, as they follow Llama’s quest to find a perfect gift. Ideal for reading aloud .
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
Cat’s Christmas
by Alison Murray (Author, Illustrator)
Summary: Cat is not a fan of Christmas. He doesn’t like the food, the decorations, or visitors. Fed up, he leaves the house to climb a tall tree and marvels at the beauty of the night sky until it begins to rain. He returns home and finds a new place to sit.
Comments: Who doesn’t love a Scrooge or a Grinch around Christmas time? This grumpy character comes around and finds something positive.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
The Birds of Christmas
by Olivia Armstrong (Author), Mira Miroslavova (Illustrator)
Summary: Raven was flying home during a December night when a bright star shone down announcing that a child, the Prince of Peace, had been born and to tell all of the other birds.
Each bird contributes a gift to the child, except for one bird that thought she had nothing to contribute.
Readers will learn how the robin gets a red chest.
Comments: This is based on a European Folktale.
The illustrations were created with graphite pencils and colored digitally.
This is truly a lovely Christmas folktale about the gifts given to a baby by the birds. In return, Mary offers the robin a special gift, which is also given to the bird’s future children: a red breast that symbolizes a kind heart.
Rating: 5/5 📗📗📗📗📗
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
*I received a free copy of this book.
Gingerbread Dreidels
by Jane Breskin Zalben (Author), Thai Phuong (Illustrator)
Summary: Sophie and Max usually spend Hanukkah and Christmas separately with different grandparents, but this year, the holidays fall at the same time. The grandparents come to their house instead, resulting in a blend of traditions, food, ceremonies, decorations, and gifts.
Comments: This is a wonderful book for children from interfaith families.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
An Anishinaabe Christmas
by Wab Kinew (Author), Erin Hill (Illustrator)
Brief summary: On winter solstice, Baby and parents go from the city to the country to visit Kookom and Mooshom on the Rez for Christmas. Baby asks questions along the way, learning new Anishinaabe words, family traditions, and nearby Nature.
Comments: A pronunciation guide is in the back to help say the Anishinaaabe words.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
The Christmas Light that Didn’t Shine
by Susan Wallenburg (Author), Madelon Koelinga (Illustrator)
Brief summary: The Christmas tree decorations are brought into the living room. The lights are eager to shine brightly, and all of them do—except for one, which is trying very hard. The other decorations offer suggestions, but nothing seems to work. Finally, they all gather around the light and turn it back into place.
Comments: This is a lovely story about how working together can solve a problem. It’s a cute read-aloud for young ones.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
The Littlest Christmas Tree
by Jane Chapman (Author, Illustrator)
Brief summary: Cubby and Daddy Bear search the woods for a Christmas tree. Daddy Bear digs up Little Tree and places it on a sleigh to take home to decorate. The forest friends celebrate Christmas together. Christmas is over, and everything needs to be put away, including the tree. Daddy Bear and the forest creatures all plant their trees together and nurture them over the season until next Christmas.
Comments: I liked how this story looked at what happens AFTER Christmas and how to take care of the fir tree for the next Christmas.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
Christmas (History of Holidays and Festivals)
by Emma Kaiser (Author)
Brief summary: This children’s nonfiction book examines the secular and religious aspects of Christmas around the world. It is full of illustrations, charts, and information boxes.
Comments: The back sections include Important Dates, Sop and Think, Glossary, Online Resources, Learn More, and an Index.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
Nisha’s Just-Right Christmas Tree
by Susan Lynn Meyer (Author), Jaya Mehta (Author), Parvati Pillai (Illustrator)
Brief summary: Nisha is excited to go with her father to pick out a live Christmas tree being sure that it is not too tall or small and can hold all of the ornaments from her grandparents in India and from her grandparents in Maine.
Comments: A lovely book of how to combine both cultures to make new and old Christmas traditions together for the next generation. There is an Authors’ Note in the back of the book.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
One Foggy Christmas Eve
by Kerilynn Wilson (Author, Illustrator)
Brief summary: A girl and her parents want to visit the grandparent’s house on Christmas Eve, but the fog is very thick. After considering this, they use twinkle lights and flashlights to walk towards the house. The girl and her dog get separated from her parents. Will they find each other? Will they make it to Nana and Papa’s house?
Comments: This is a suspenseful read with a happy ending.
The illustrations were created using pen and ink and colored digitally using handmade textures.
Rating: 4.5/5 📗📗📗📗1/2
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
Tamales For Christmas
by Stephen Briseño (Author), Sonia Sánchez (Illustrator)
Brief summary: To have money to buy her children and grandchildren gifts for Christmas, Grandma begins to make tamales to sell before the holiday. How many dozens does she need to make before the Christmas tree is full underneath with gifts?
Comments: This story was inspired by the author’s grandmother.
There is a recipe for tamales in the back of the book.
The illustrations were created digitally with handmade brushes and textures.
Rating: 4.5/5 📗📗📗📗1/2
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
The Days After Christmas
by Maggie C. Rudd (Author), Elisa Chavarri (Illustrator)
Brief summary: Children in various homes are packing up the Christmas decorations and cleaning the house, recalling the memories of celebrating with family and friends.
Comments: This lyrical book would be a good read to acknowledge the quietness in the home after the big celebration.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
The Very Young Person’s Guide to Christmas and Carols
by Tim Lihoreau (Author), Philip Noyce (Author), Sally Agar (Illustrator)
Brief summary: This interactive narrative nonfiction picture book begins with the story of Arthur and Holly at their school carol concert on Christmas Eve, walking home and hearing Christmas carols everywhere until they get back home again.
Comments: There are beautiful two-page spread illustrations full of Christmas information and a hidden gingerbread man. Includes ten carols with lyrics and sound clips. The reader pushes on a red circle with a golden star to hear the carol discussed in the story.
There is an on-and-off switch at the back of the book.
Rating: 4.5/5 📗📗📗📗1/2
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
A Stickler Christmas
by Lane Smith (Author)
Brief summary: Stickler jumped onto the back of Judy, a reindeer, and traveled through the forest, delivering sticks to his friends for the holidays. He named each present as he gave it—Hop-Higher Stick, Idea Stick, and so on. During his walk, he came across his friend Doug-the-Fir, who was decorated for Christmas by the mice. Doug, however, did not want to be the center of attention. Stickler found a solution to help his friend.
Comments: I love the humor and imagination in these Stickler books.
The illustrations are mixed media—oils, gesso, and cold wax on canvas. Pencil lines were made with an Apple Pencil in Procreate.
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.
Santa’s First Christmas
by Mac Barnett (Author), Sydney Smith (Illustrator)
Brief summary: A polar bear asks the elves what Santa does on Christmas Day and learns that he sleeps in. The polar bear and the elves decide to work together to surprise Santa with a Christmas celebration. They decorate a tree, prepare special food, hang up lights, and arrange for someone to pretend to be Santa.
Comments: A heartwarming story about being considerate of others through mindfulness.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
Dolly Parton’s Billy the Kid Comes Home for Christmas
by Dolly Parton (Author), Erica S. Perl (Author), MacKenzie Haley (Illustrator)
Brief summary: Billy the Kid and his band were touring and giving concerts all over America. He would send postcards home saying that he would be home for Christmas, until they landed a major gig at Rockefeller Center on December 25th. However, their tour bus broke down. Will they make it to the concert?
Comments: This book was inspired by Dolly Parton’s song “Comin’ Home for Christmas.” The lyrics are included at the back of the book.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
A Mouse Family Christmas
by Deborah Underwood (Author), Leah Hong (Illustrator)
Brief summary: Hugo the mouse and his family are getting ready for Christmas Day by decorating their tree in the attic. Curious, Hugo ventures downstairs to see the large tree, only to find it completely bare. William, an elderly man, spots Hugo and lifts him up, thinking aloud whether to put him outside in the storm. However, he ultimately lets the little mouse return to his family. Grateful for his kindness, the mice come together to repay William for his gesture.
On Christmas Day, William shares his dinner with new friends because his family cannot arrive until later due to the storm.
Comments: This a lovely story about giving and sharing during the Christmas season.
The illustrations were created in gouache and colored pencil on watercolor paper.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
Birth of the Chosen One: A First Nations Retelling of the Christmas Story
by Terry M. Wildman (Author), Hannah Noel Buchanan (Illustrator), Holly Buchanan (Illustrator)
Brief summary:Creator’s Mighty One appears to Bitter Tears, a young woman, and tells her that the Great Spirit has chosen her to have a son whom she will name Creator Sets Free. He Gives Sons and Bitter Tears embark on a long journey through the desert to a cave where she gives birth. Many come to visit this special baby.
Comments: This retelling of the birth of Jesus draws upon the rich tradition of Native oral storytellers. It has been adapted to reflect the perspectives of the First Nations people of North America. For further insights into the translation, please refer to the “Note from the Author” at the back of the book.
Rating: 4.5/5 📗📗📗📗1/2
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
*I received a free copy of this book.
Our Italian Christmas Eve
by Danielle Sedita (Author), Francesco Sedita (Author), Luciano Lozano (Illustrator)
Brief summary: Danielle and Francesco tell how their family celebrates the Feast of the Seven Fishes on Christmas Eve at their Aunt Babe’s, where there is a house full of relatives and food. The two realize they must make cheesecake to have enough desserts for the feast.
Comments: What an incredible celebratory story with detailed and humorous illustrations
I was getting hungry reading this book, wanting to taste all these yummy Italian foods.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
Otto The Ornament
by Troy Cummings (Author)
Brief summary: Christmas ornament, Otto believes he is too shiny and unique to be in the middle of the tree and looks for one where he can be on the top. Will he realize where he perfectly fits in?
Comments: I knew I would like this book when I saw that the C.I.P. is shaped like a Christmas tree.
Troy Cummings visited our school district and did a superb job! His patience with our students and presentations were top-notch.
Rating: 4.5/5 📗📗📗📗1/2
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Sleigh!
by Mo Willems (Author)
Brief summary: As soon as Santa leaves, Pigeon wants to drive the sleigh, trying to persuade us how it would be a great idea.
Comments: This is done in the humorous pigeon series style of trying to get the reader to agree with the pigeon’s idea.
Rating: 3/5 📗📗📗
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
Snowmen’s Twelve Nights of Christmas
by Caralyn Buehner (Author), Mark Buehner (Illustrator)
Brief summary: A dog chases different creatures up a pine tree for twelve nights before Christmas in this Twelve Days Of Christmas Carol parody.
Comments: This cumulative story has bright and happy illustrations that any little one would love to have read to them several times.
This husband and wife duo has other Snowmen-themed books such as Snowmen at Night, Snowmen at Play, and Snowmen at Christmas.
Rating: 3/5 📗📗📗
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
The Twelve Hours of Christmas
by Jenn Bailey (Author), Bea Jackson (Illustrator)
Brief summary: This Twelve Days of Christmas Carol parody is about a large family gathering twelve hours before Christmas.
Comments: This is a lovely picture book of a family with a nana and grandpa, cousins, aunties, and uncles visiting to celebrate the holiday together.
I was looking forward to each hour to see what would happen next.
The illustrations convey the happiness and love of the family. Be sure to spot the hidden kitten throughout the picture book.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
A Creature Was Stirring
by Heather S. Pierczynski (Author), Skylar Hogan (Illustrator)
Brief summary: A mouse debunks the T’was the Night Before Christmas poem’s line of “not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse” by being too excited to sleep on Christmas Eve and full of endless energy.
Comments: This book contains onomatopoeias throughout the mouse’s wide-awake activities. The illustrations are warm and inviting.
Rating: 3.5/5 📗📗📗1/2
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
How Does Santa Go Down the Chimney?
by Mac Barnett (Author), Jon Klassen (Illustrator)
Brief summary: Hilariously inventive ideas of how Santa Claus goes down the chimney are explored in this picture book.
Comments: Hilariously inventive ideas of how Santa Claus goes down the chimney are explored in this picture book.
Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen have come up with another creative book together that children will love reading. They are in sync with how children think.
Rating: 3.5/5 📗📗📗1/2
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
The Christmassy Cactus
by Beth Ferry (Author), A. N. Kang (Illustrator)
Brief summary: Tiny Cactus was loved by a little girl every day. The child shared all the beautiful Christmas decorations but soon forgot about Tiny Cactus. The plant truly wanted to belong and celebrate with the family but couldn’t figure out how until something magical happened Christmas morning.
Comments: Such a darling and precious story. I’ll never look at a Christmas Cactus the same way again.
This book is illustrated with Christmas colors and a pink hue throughout.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
10 Things I Love About Christmas
by Danielle McLean (Author), Mark Chambers (Illustrator)
Brief summary: A young boy shares everything he loves about Christmas, from opening his advent calendar each day, decorating the Christmas Tree, to many events and traditions he shares with his family.
Comments: This would be a good read-aloud and discussion afterward about what they like about Christmas.
The illustrations are detailed. I found myself stopping and looking at them before continuing with the countdown.
Rating: 3.5/5 📗📗📗1/2
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
The Gingerbread House Jack’s Family Ate
by Kelly DiPucchio (Author), Nate Wragg (Illustrator)
Brief summary: On Christmas Eve, Jack and his family are decorating and preparing for Christmas Day while each take little bits off of the gingerbread house meant for Santa. Will there be any left for Santa?
Comments: This cumulative story is based on “The House That Jack Build.”
The illustrations were made with mixed media and digital painting.
There is a gingerbread recipe in the back of the book.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
A City Full of Santas
by Joanna Ho (Author), Thai My Phuong (Illustrator)
Brief summary: A young girl goes to the city with her mother, excited to meet the real Santa for the first time, only to find it full of many fake ones. She knows the real one will smell like peppermint or chocolate, have full laughter, and make her heart feel full of sparkle.
Comments: This is a lovely book to share as a bedtime story during the holiday season.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
Letters to Never Send Santa: Confessions, Complaints, and Outlandish Requests from the Files of St. Nick
by David Griswold (Author), Luis San Vicente (Illustrator)
Brief summary: There is a letter from Santa Claus explaining the collection of letters sent to him from children who received coal in their stockings and on the naughty kid list.
Comments: This collection of humorous, poetic letters written to Santa would be a fun read-aloud for the classroom during the holiday season.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
The Twelve Days of Petmas
by Anne Sawan (Author), Judi Abbot (Illustrator)
Brief summary: A girl joyfully receives pets each day over the twelve days of Christmas, filling her home with excitement and playful chaos until someone comes along to give her a little break.
Comments: This book is in the cumulative style of the Twelve Days of Christmas Carol.
There are large humorous illustrations with two-page spreads. The rhyming lyrics could be sung to the carol’s original music.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
Socks: A Kid’s Christmas Lament
by JD McPherson (Author), Anika Orrock (Illustrator)
Brief summary: A boy wakes up early on Christmas morning to sneak a peek at the gifts under the tree that are meant for him. To his disappointment, he discovers that they are all socks. He searches the entire house for the gifts he had asked Santa to deliver. Frustrated and outraged, he puts on his boots to head outside and protest. However, when he sees his family, he changes his mind.
Comments: This humorous book was inspired by the song “Socks” by JD McPherson.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
Saint Nicholas the Giftgiver: The History and Legends of the Real Santa Claus
by Ned Bustard (Author, Illustrator)
Brief summary: Nicholas was born in Turkey on March 14, 270, to a wealthy Christian couple who both passed away when he was young. His uncle, an abbot, raised him. As he grew older, Nicholas traveled to the Holy Lands, where he lived in a cave. During this time, King Diocletian made it illegal for anyone to worship Jesus, but later, Constantine the Great granted them freedom to practice their faith. Nicholas eventually became a bishop and helped many people by giving them gifts.
Some celebrate St. Nicholas’ death on December 6, 343, while others celebrate on December 24th, when he is believed to travel around the world in a sleigh full of gifts to give to everyone.
Comments: This biographical rhyming poem also explains why Saint Nicholas gives presents to others.
This book, published in 2021, remains relevant today and could be shared as a yearly tradition in December.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
*I was sent a free copy of this book.
Chicka Chicka Ho Ho Ho
by William Boniface (Author), Julien Chung (Illustrator)
Brief summary: The ABCs are back with a Christmas Tree instead of a coconut one. In rhyme and rhythm, the letters decorate the tree while noticing the “shape” presents underneath.
Comments: Fun to say and chant aloud. Based on “Chicka Chicka Boom Boom”(1989).
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
We Celebrate the Light
by Jane Yolen (Author), Heidi E. Y. Stemple (Author), Jieting Chen (Illustrator)
Brief summary: This nonfiction book describes seven winter holidays: Diwali, Solstice, Christmas, Chanukah, Kwanzaa, Bodhi Day, and Lunar New Year. Each holiday is briefly explained in lyrical stanzas and illustrated with beautiful two-page spreads.
Comments: This would be a superb introduction for teachers to use for a winter holidays unit.
The illustrations were digitally created in Photoshop with a tablet.
It’s important to note that at the beginning of the book, each holiday is named in the upper left corner of the page, followed by some factual information on the bottom right of the next page. However, halfway through the book, the pattern changes. While the text remains relevant to the illustrations, it shifts to a new format that emphasizes the connections between the holidays.
I appreciate the diversity in the illustrations, especially how they highlight family gatherings for celebrations.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
The selected children’s books are chosen by a certified, 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.
(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. The Retired School Librarian is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. For your convenience, these titles can be bought on my Amazon Storefront under Hanukkah Picture Books. )
❗This cumulative list grows over time, with the newest books always appearing at the top.❗
The Book of Candles: Eight Poems for Hanukkah
by Laurel Snyder (Author), Leanne Hatch (Illustrator)
Summary: A child participates in the lighting of each candle on the Hanukkah menorah, celebrating the magic of this tradition over the eight nights of the holiday.
Comments: Each night when a candle is lit on the Hanukkah menorah, a free verse poem is recited. The information box explains what is said, why the candle is lit, and what occurs during the lighting.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
A Dragon Called Spark: A Hanukkah Story
by Lily Murray (Author), Kirsti Beautyman (Illustrator)
Summary: Eva is new to the neighborhood and doesn’t know any of the other kids. However, her imaginary dragon, Spark, helps her feel less lonely. Throughout Hanukkah, she and her family make friends in the area by sharing dinners and inviting others to celebrate with them on the last day of the holiday.
Comments: Heartwarming tale of finding hope and friendship by sharing the light of Hanukkah in a window.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
Don’t Invite a Bear Inside for Hanukkah
by Karen Rostoker-Gruber (Author), Carles Arbat (Illustrator)
Summary: A young child warns readers against inviting a bear to come inside to celebrate Hanukkah. While decorating and preparing food for the celebration, the bear creates a huge mess and is asked to leave. Following the bear outside, the boy is surprised to see a menorah in the bear’s window. Together, they find a way to share the holiday.
Comments: This fun and silly book is a great read-aloud, introducing how to prepare for and celebrate Hanukkah.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
Hanukkah Pajamakkahs
by Dara Henry (Author), Olga Ivanov (Illustrator), Aleksey Ivanov (Illustrator)
Summary: Ruthie receives a pair of pajamas for her first Hanukkah gift and wants to wear them for all eight nights. Her parents agree, as long as she can keep them clean, which is quite a challenge.
Comments: This is a humorous book to read during the holiday. All students will understand the joy of having something they want to wear repeatedly, as well as the challenges of keeping it clean.
I like the new term “pajamakkahs” coined in this book.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
Gingerbread Dreidels
by Jane Breskin Zalben (Author), Thai Phuong (Illustrator)
Summary: Sophie and Max usually spend Hanukkah and Christmas separately with different grandparents, but this year, the holidays fall at the same time. The grandparents come to their house instead, resulting in a blend of traditions, food, ceremonies, decorations, and gifts.
Comments: This is a wonderful book for children from interfaith families.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
The Light from My Menorah
by Robin Heald (Author), Andrea Blinick (Illustrator)
Brief summary: A boy’s light from the menorah in the window shines around the globe, traveling through mountains, deserts, and forests, where others are celebrating the miracle of light.
Comments: The back of the book has an author’s note explaining the illustrations of Hanukkah, Diwali, Christmas, Kwanzaa, St. Lucia Day, and Loy Krathong.
The illustrations for this book were created digitally.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
Eight Sweet Nights, A Festival of Lights: A Hanukkah Story
by Charlotte Offsay (Author), Menahem Halberstadt (Illustrator)
Brief summary: A young girl shares the games, food, gifts, and the lighting of the Menorah on the first night of Hanukkah.
Comments: This story also has informational text boxes explaining the terms used.
The back sections have more information about Hanukkah and traditions.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
Hanukkah Upside Down
by Elissa Brent Weissman (Author), Omer Hoffmann (Illustrator)
Brief summary: Noah lives in New York, where it is winter, while his cousin Nora lives in New Zealand, where it is summer. They challenge one another to see who can have the best eight days of Hanukkah.
Comments: Young readers will have Hanukkah vocabulary and learn how people far away from one another can celebrate the same holiday in their own unique traditions.
Rating: 3.5/5 📗📗📗1/2
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
The selected children’s books are chosen by a certified, 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.
(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. The Retired School Librarian is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.)
These titles may be found on my Amazon Storefront under Grief Picture Books–https://amzn.to/3LER5Vo .
❗This cumulative list grows over time, with the newest books always appearing at the top.❗
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.
Where Are You, Brontë?
by Tomie dePaola (Author), Barbara McClintock (Illustrator)
Summary: Tomie adopted a puppy named Brontë. He grew up to become a beloved dog, always playing, running, and going for rides. Tomie and Brontë even adapted to the dog’s blindness. Eventually, Tomie learned to cope with the loss of his dog.
Comments: This is Tomie dePaola’s last fully written book.
This was created with pens, colored pencils, watercolor and gouache on watercolor paper.
Rating: 4.5/5 📗📗📗📗1/2
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
The Invisible Parade
by Leigh Bardugo (Author), John Picacio (Author, Artist)
Summary: Cala’s grandfather has passed away. While everyone in her house and neighborhood is preparing for Día de Muertos, she feels too sad to participate. Reluctantly, she goes with her family to the cemetery. Suddenly, she finds herself separated from them. As Cala searches for her family, she encounters different ghostly riders on horses who help her confront her fears and the concept of death.
Comments: The illustrations were drawn in graphite.
Rating: 4.5/5 📗📗📗📗1/2
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
Just What to Do
by Kyle Lukoff (Author), Hala Tahboub (Illustrator)
Summary: A young child strives to bring comfort to various friends, realizing that each one requires support in different ways. One friend, who has lost her grandmother, feels unsure about how to cope. Together, they explore ways to simply be present for each other.
Comments: This is a kind and gentle book that teaches how people grieve and how they need comforting in various ways.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
I Miss You Most
by Charlotte Cheng (Author), Xindi Yan (Illustrator)
Summary: A young girl recalls the many things she misses about her grandfather. Over time, she begins to remember differently, not sadly but reflectively, and realizes he is with her in many ways..
Comments:I found this comforting because it encourages someone to share memories of a loved one, helping a grieving person open up.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
Small Things Mended
by Casey W. Robinson (Author), Nancy Whitesides (Illustrator)
Summary: Cecil steps outside his house after hearing Lily, the little girl next door, playing in her yard. Suddenly, a watch flies out of her pocket and lands in his driveway. He manages to fix the watch and realizes how much he enjoys repairing things. Before long, several other children come to him with their broken toys and items that need fixing. Cecil also invites the neighbors over for lunch in his backyard. As a result, he starts feeling happy again.
Comments: The illustrations were created using gouache, crayons, pencils, and digital media.
The book does not explain Cecil’s melancholy forthrightly, but the empty house and empty chairs could indicate that he is now a widower.
Rating: 4.5/5 📗📗📗📗1/2
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
Flora’s Wish
by Fiona Halliday (Author, Illustrator)
Summary: Flora, a little mouse, is friends with Lion, a dandelion. Flora appreciates how Lion makes her feel brave and safe. As Lion’s bright yellow blooms turn to silver, they float away in the wind. In the meantime, Flora finds comfort in a scarecrow, sleeping in its pocket until spring arrives, when everything is good again.
Comments: The illustrations beautifully enhance the story.
Rating: 4.5/5 📗📗📗📗1/2
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
A Walk in the Woods
by Nikki Grimes (Author), Jerry Pinkney (Illustrator), Brian Pinkney (Illustrator)
Summary: A boy, whose father passed away a week ago, opens an envelope left for him. Inside, he finds a map of the woods they used to explore together. He decides to follow the path marked on the map, leading him to an old fireplace marked with an “X.” As he discovers this hidden spot, he finds comfort in what he unearths and realizes that his father is still close to him in spirit.
Comments: Beautifully illustrated with sketches and watercolors
Rating: 5/5 📗📗📗📗📗
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
Remembering
by Xelena González (Author), Adriana M. Garcia (Illustrator)
Summary: A family honors their beloved dog on Día de Muertos by creating an altar for the deceased, which includes the dog’s collar, toys, sticks, a photo, and other items the dog enjoyed. The family also shares stories about their cherished pet.
Comments: This book was illustrated with acrylic paint.
The back pages provide additional information about the altar and offerings. The author and illustrator share their story of remembering pets.
Rating: 5/5 📗📗📗📗📗
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
What Happens After?
by Diane Namm (Author), Laura Jäger (Illustrator)
Summary: How do we go on after the death of someone we love? This picture book provides answers that help young readers understand and relate to it. We may feel sad, mad, or alone. We still do the things that the deceased enjoyed and remember them in our own way.
Comments: This book is helpful for children who are grieving, as it helps them understand that their feelings are valid and guides them in moving forward without their loved one.
This would make a great addition to any library and could be shared by teachers, parents, and counselors.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
*I received a free copy of this book.
The Hole
by Lindsay Bonilla (Author), Brizida Magro (Illustrator)
Summary: A boy notices gaps in his home, in his parents, and within himself where his younger brother, Matty, used to fit. He realizes that other people also have these holes, as they, too, have lost someone. Eventually, he confronts his emptiness and delves into his emotions. His friend Nora asks if he would like to share memories about his brother, which helps him begin to feel better.
Comments: This would make a wonderful book to help students deal with grief.
I like how the boy can fill the hole with good memories of his brother.
The illustrations were created using watercolor washes, colored pencils, and paper collage, all assembled digitally.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
Under Anna’s Umbrella
by Amanda Driscoll (Author), Luisa Uribe (Illustrator)
Summary: Anna was attending her father’s funeral when it started pouring rain, but she felt safe under her large umbrella. Afterwards, she began carrying her open umbrella everywhere—both inside and outside. One day, she saw a boy getting soaked in the rain and invited him to seek shelter under her umbrella. How will Anna learn to walk in the sunlight again without her umbrella shading her?
Comments: The journey of grief that Anna experienced before she could walk in the sun again is a touching story that may help children.
The illustrations were created digitally.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
Mouseboat
by Larissa Theule (Author), Abigail Halpin (Illustrator)
Brief summary: A girl who has recently lost her mother goes on a trip to their lake house with her father. She misses her mother but can not find a connection until she takes out the mouse boat she and her mother built together. She can face her emotions.
Comments: The illustrator captured the mourning girl’s facial expressions and the sad tone of the house of grief with cool, darker colors. Well done.
I could follow the storyline with or without the text, which is an excellent picture book to me. I’d like to see more picture books with this duo. They complement each other well.
Rating: 5/5 📗📗📗📗📗
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
Missing Violet
by Kelly Swemba (Author), Fabiana Faiallo (Illustrator)
Brief summary: Mia has a best friend named Violet, with whom she plays and does activities at school. Her friend goes home sick and never returns. Mia works through her grief with a counselor. Her class does activities together to honor Violet.
Comments: This story provides a heartfelt exploration of coping with the sudden loss of a friend. It would be an excellent read-aloud choice for a classroom facing the unexpected passing of a classmate.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
I’ll Say Goodbye
by Pam Zollman (Author), Frances Ives (Illustrator)
Summary: A young child shares the story of Uncle Mike and their time together at the beach. They discovered a hermit crab and decided to keep it as a pet. Uncle Mike was battling cancer and had to remain in the hospital. The child recalls how relatives came to visit, the funeral they attended, and their feelings of wondering where Uncle Mike is now.
Comments: This book was illustrated with mixed media.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
Goodbye, Bear
by Jane Chapman (Author, Illustrator)
Summary: Bear died on Friday. Beaver and Mole comfort each other by remembering their friend. At times, they are angry because Bear died. The forest animals come together to build a tree house in Bear’s remembrance.
Comments: This is a gentle and heartwarming book about friends coming together to honor a memory.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
The selected children’s books are chosen by a certified, 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.
(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. The Retired School Librarian is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. These titles can be found on my Amazon Storefront under “Thanksgiving Picture Books– https://amzn.to/43B9OqQ )
❗This cumulative list grows over time, with the newest books always appearing at the top.❗
Thanksgiving Is a Blessing
by Rachel Tawil Kenyon (Author), Udayana Lugo (Illustrator)
Summary: Thanksgiving means different things to people in the community, including harvesting food for a feast, participating in a turkey trot, and sharing a prayer.
Comments: This rhyming picture book highlights the contributions of various community members and their shared Thanksgiving celebration. A creamy pumpkin soup recipe for Thanksgiving is included at the back.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
Happy Friendsgiving: A Thanksgiving Celebration of Found Families
by Marcie Colleen (Author), Laura Sandoval Herrera (Illustrator)
Summary: Friends and their families gather at each other’s homes to prepare for a Friendsgiving dinner. They enjoy watching a parade, football, and engaging in other activities together, appreciating their time together.
Comments: This would be a great read-aloud book to discuss how to appreciate one another.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
Two-List Thanksgiving
by Christine Whan (Author), Sienna Youngsun Kim (Illustrator)
Summary: A young girl makes two Thanksgiving lists for the celebration of American and Korean foods to celebrate on Thanksgiving day when her mother’s parents visit and her father’s parents visit.
Comments: There is a glossary of Korean terms with a pronunciation key, an Author’s Note, and two recipes at the back.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
20 Fun Facts about Thanksgiving
by Shannon Harts (Author)
Summary: This nonfiction picture book presents interesting facts about Thanksgiving, including the story of the first Thanksgiving, how it became a national holiday, and the concept of Friendsgiving.
Comments: This text includes various features such as different font sizes, captions, text boxes, photos, a contents page, a glossary, and an index.
Rating: 4.5/5 📗📗📗📗1/2
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
Keepunumuk: Weeâchumun’s Thanksgiving Story
by Danielle Greendeer (Author), Anthony Perry (Author), Alexis Bunten (Author), & Garry Meeches Sr. (Illustrator)
Summary: N8hkumahs9(Grandmother) and her two grandchildren are harvesting. They ask to hear about Keepunumuk(the first Thanksgiving).
Comments: This is the first Thanksgiving narrated from the perspective of the Wampanoag people, incorporating words from the Wôpanâak language.
Illustrations were created with acrylics.
The back sections include more information about the Wampanoag Tribes.
Rating: 5/5 📗📗📗📗📗
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
Giving Thanks: How Thanksgiving Became a National Holiday
by Denise Kiernan (Author), Jamey Christoph (Illustrator)
Summary: In this narrative nonfiction story, we learn that Thanksgiving was not always celebrated on the same day. Sarah Josepha Hale lived in America in the 1800s. She believed that everyone in the United States should give thanks on the same day. She wrote to various presidents over the years, trying to get it declared a national holiday. Finally, one president agreed and made it at the end of November.
Comments: The illustrations were created with digital and traditional media.
Rating: 4/5 ✅✅✅✅
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
Harvest Days: Giving Thanks Around the World
by Kate DePalma (Author), Martina Peluso (Illustrator)
Summary: Twelve different cultures from around the world have their own unique ways of expressing gratitude.
Comments: Pronunciation guides are provided, along with information boxes that offer additional details. Each culture examined includes a brief explanation. The final pages feature a timeline showing when the cultures celebrate, as well as 12 more in-depth information entries at the back.
I found this book very interesting. I believe the back pages should have included a globe indicating the locations of the countries or a map in the country’s book section.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
The selected children’s books are chosen by a certified, 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.
(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 Abstract Concepts Picture Books– https://amzn.to/48NBD2O .)
❗This cumulative list grows over time, with the newest books always appearing at the top.❗
Together
by Laura Manaresi (Author), Giovanni Manna (Illustrator)
Brief summary: A lamb is determined to see its dream come true, even if it struggles to express it in words. It sets off on a journey and encounters other animals who share the same dream. Together, they unite their efforts to transform the dream into reality.
Comments: Young readers should focus on the watercolor illustrations to uncover the dreams that everyone aspires to create.
This gentle book fosters the spirit of collaboration, and guiding readers in the process of turning their dreams into achievable realities.
Rating: 3.5/5 📗📗📗1/2
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
*This book magically appeared in my mailbox, giving me a nice surprise on a rainy day.
How to Be Brave
by Karl Newson (Author), Clara Anganuzzi (Illustrator)
Brief summary: A young child encourages and explains that trying something new may be scary at times, but to not give up. There may be setbacks and take the moment to learn from them. Be brave and go forward.
Comments: The child is shown with various animals trying new things.
Optimistic advice and encouragement throughout.
The illustrations were done with pencil and watercolor and digitally colored.
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
Rating: 3/5 📗📗📗
Only: The Bird Who Liked Being Alone
by Airlie Anderson (Author)
Brief summary: In the tree, there are many birds that are loud and chatty. However, one bird named Only prefers to be quiet and spend time alone. The other birds feel sorry for Only and try to include them in their activities, but they end up overwhelming Only.
Only builds a quiet nest. The friends learn about the difference between quiet and loud, gaining a new understanding that some prefer solitude and are not lonely.
Comments: The illustrations were created using cut-paper collages, acrylics, and pencil crayons with some digital finishing.
Rating: 3.5/5 📗📗📗1/2
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
There is a companion book to Only titled Neither, a story promoting diversity.
Today
by Gabi Snyder (Author), Stephanie Graegin (Illustrator)
Brief summary: A young child looks forward to visiting Pop-Pop and cousins. The day has arrived with time that stretches out too long, like the drive to get there, while others go by quickly, such as the fireworks.
Comments: The book reminds young readers to be mindful of the present moment and notice what is happening to help create memories.
The back sections of the book are What is Mindfulness?, Appreciating the Here and Now, When You’re Temped to Fast-Forward, and When You’re Feeling Anxious or Worried.
The illustrations were created in Adobe Fresco, Adobe Photoshop, pencil, and watercolor.
Rating: 3.5/5 📗📗📗1/2
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
Hope is the Thing with Feathers
by Emily Dickinson (Author), Tim Hopgood (Illustrator)
Brief Summary: Emily Dickinson’s “Hope is the Thing with Feathers” remains a timeless masterpiece, as it skillfully employs the metaphor of a bird to represent hope.
A brown bird flies across the city, singing and catching the attention of the people below, who smile.
Comments: This would be a poem(and possibly others) the teacher could read aloud while the students drew their interpretation of the words.
The illustrations were hand-drawn using chalk, pencil, and ink and digitally collaged and colored.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
Some Days Are Yellow
by Suzanne Slade (Author) and Michelle Lee (Illustrator)
Brief summary: There are yellow days that are vibrant and full of positivity, while there are also blue days that seem to be negative and full of disappointment.
Comments: This rhyming picture book portrays several children in different situations, experiencing various types of days. It serves as a reminder that life comes with its fair share of ups and downs, but one thing is for sure – tomorrow is a new day to start afresh.
I think this would be a good book to share with students as a reminder that life is unpredictable.
The abstract idea of yellow and blue days becomes more concrete with examples in vignettes and single- and double-spaced illustrations.
Rating: 3.5/5 📗📗📗1/2
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
Here and There
by Thea Lu (Author)
Brief summary: Dan lives in a small coastal town and owns a cafe where he enjoys welcoming visitors. He prefers staying “here” but wonders what it is like in other places.
Aki travels from place to place and is a sailor who likes to visit and meet new people. He likes to go “there” but has never had a place that he would consider home.
One day, Aki visits Dan’s cafe and enjoys a meal with the many other travelers.
Comments: Although these two men lead parallel lives, they share some commonalities. They both experience feelings of loneliness at times, but upon reflection, they acknowledge the numerous people they have met over the years. This realization helps them to feel less isolated and disconnected from others.
Ink, colored pencil, and collage were used to create the illustrations with a double fold-out page in the back.
Rating: 4.5/5 📗📗📗📗1/2
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
*Here and There was sent to me as a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
All About Nothing (All About Noticing)
by Elizabeth Rusch (Author), Elizabeth Goss (Illustrator)
Brief summary: Nothing can be so many things around us. Negative space. Nothing can also be something. Young readers will see that nothing can be where ideas come from or just something relaxing. It is all around us.
Comments: Two back sections are About Negative Space and More About Nothing.
Rating: 3/5 📗📗📗
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
A Is for Ambitious
by Meena Harris (Author), Marissa Valdez (Illustrator)
Brief summary: ABCs of descriptive words of empowerment. Aimed towards girls. A “stand up and go for what you believe in” type of book. Inspirationally driven.
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
Someday, Maybe
by Diana Murray (Author), Jessica Gibson (Illustrator)
Brief summary: Children daydream about what future jobs they will have, inventions they will create, and lives they will have when they grow up.
Comments: The back pages talk about some future possibilities.
Rating: 3/5 📗📗📗
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
Bear Is Never Alone
by Marc Veerkamp (Author), Jeska Verstegen (Illustrator), Laura Watkinson (Translator)
Brief summary: Bear plays the piano in the forest and comes to his last song, ready for a break. The animals around him start to shout for him to play more. He just wants to be alone, but the animals chase him, demanding for Bear to play more. Will Bear ever be alone?
Rating 3.5/5 📗📗📗1/2
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
Twenty Questions
by Mac Barnett (Author), Christian Robinson (Illustrator)
Brief summary: There are many questions with many types of answers. Some questions have a simple solution, while others have a profound explanation. Some questions have no one exact answer or even an answer at all. Some may come with emotions.
Rating: 3/5 📗📗📗
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
Stanley’s Secret
by John Sullivan (Author), Zach Manbeck (Illustrator)
Brief summary: Stanley is a shy and quiet boy. He helped the janitor and would tap dance as he swept. One day the principal saw him and encouraged the boy to sign up for the talent show where he could share his gift with others. Will Stanley be able to get over his shyness?
Rating: 3/5 📗📗📗
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
Sometimes: A Day Full of Feelings
by Stephanie Stansbie (Author), Elisa Paganelli (Illustrator)
Brief summary: A brother and sister experience everyday feelings that come and go. They learn to recognize their feelings in different situations, realize that another one will come along, and learn how to move through that one too. Emotions are everyday occurrences.
Comments: There is a back page of encouragement to help young readers to get through more difficult feelings.
Rating: 3/5 📗📗📗
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
The Bright Side
by Chad Otis (Author, Illustrator)
Brief summary: A boy shares that his family lives in an old school bus until they get a house again. It was hard to leave his friends. His parents encourage him to look on the bright side of things. He gets to take showers outside. Have pizza toast with bread and ketchup. He learns to use his imagination to create something he does not have.
He is nervous about attending a school where everyone knows each other and the routine. Will he learn how to fit in with everyone else?
Comments: The author shares that he did live on a school bus for four years and did not go to school until he was in third grade. I thank him for sharing his story of houselessness.
This book could be shared to help others understand those in poverty and, hopefully, develop empathy and understanding. Written in a way that a child could understand.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
Sometimes It’s Nice to Be Alone
by Amy Hest (Author), Philip C. Stead (Illustrator)
Brief summary: A young girl enjoys time being alone but can also enjoy a friend’s company. She can sit in solitude eating a cookie but finds it pleasant when a friend visits and eats a cookie with her.
Comments: This comforting book made being alone (not lonely) enjoyable. Having a friend visit was not nerve-racking but a time to share and enjoy the company.
Rating: 3/5 📗📗📗
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
Wallflowers
by Mackenzie Joy (Author, Illustrator)
Brief summary: Shy and quiet children who would rather observe and not be in the spotlight are given encouragement to be themselves. They may like to be heard at times, but not in an extroverted way.
Comments: This book celebrates introverts and does not try to change them from being wallflowers but instead bloom with their emotions.
The illustrations are drawn with them looking like the background.
Rating: 3/5 📗📗📗
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
Billie and Bean at the Beach
by Julia Hansson (Author), B.J. Woodstein (Translator)
Brief summary: Billie and her dog, Bean, go to the beach. Bean enjoys running around and playing in the sand, while Billie just wants to rest in the umbrella’s shade. Her mother encourages Billie to take a swim, and the girl is stung. After her mother comforts and calms Billie’s emotions, the little girl decides to try the water again with the help of a gift Bean has dug up. The girl enjoys the underwater silence and fish. Billie dives towards the bottom and finds something shiny that makes her resilience worth returning to the sea.
Comments: Will we find out what it is in a sequel? What an excellent discussion to have with the class.
This is a Swedish translation.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
Mouseboat
by Larissa Theule (Author), Abigail Halpin (Illustrator)
Brief summary: A girl who has recently lost her mother goes on a trip to their lake house with her father. She misses her mother but can not find a connection until she takes out the mouse boat she and her mother built together. She can face her emotions.
Comments: The illustrator caught the facial expressions of a mourning girl and the sad tone in the house of grief with cool and darker colors. Well done.
I could follow the storyline with or without the text, which is an excellent picture book to me. I’d like to see more picture books with this duo. They complement each other well.
Rating: 5/5 📗📗📗📗📗
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
The Noise Inside Boys: A Story About Big Feelings
by Pete Oswald (Author)
Brief summary: Brothers yell how they feel while playing outside on the beach. One boy is encouraged by his father to take a moment and experience the feeling and name it. Be aware of your emotions and name them to understand them. He is told that a feeling will come and go.
Rating: 3/5 📗📗📗
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
You Are Loved: A Book About Families
by Margaret O’Hair (Author), Sofia Sanchez (Author), Sofia Cardoso (Illustrator)
Brief summary: Young readers are talked to by Sofia Sanchez, who explains that a child is loved by many people but most of all by one’s family. There are many different types of families. Sometimes a family is not perfect. There are arguments, sadness, anger, and other emotions. But a family makes up and continues loving one another.
Comments: This is an optimistic book with brightly colored illustrations of all cultures, ages, races, etc. Readers will be able to see and understand that there are families unlike theirs but still have shared love for one another.
Rating: 3.5/5 📗📗📗 1/2
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
Children’s book titles are carefully handpicked by a certified elementary school librarian who, although retired, still enjoys reading children’s books, especially picture books, and recommending them to busy teachers, school librarians, parents, grandparents, and other book lovers.
Most of the books Mrs. Ferraris reads before recommending are checked out from the public library, except for those much-appreciated complimentary copies sent to her for an honest review. Those are noted.
(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. The Retired School Librarian is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. This title can be found in my Amazon Storefront under Elementary Short Stories– https://www.amazon.com/shop/mrs.ferraris/list/10UGUPZASDT95?ref_=aipsflist .)
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.
The selected children’s books are chosen by a certified, 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.
(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. The Retired School Librarian is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. These titles are available under my Amazon Storefront under Halloween Picture Books– https://amzn.to/4myjhWo .)
❗This cumulative list grows over time, with the newest books always appearing at the top.❗
The Zombees
by Justin Colón (Author), Kaly Quarles (Illustrator)
Summary: There is buzzing in the Honey Hills Graveyard. Bees in green? They’re zombees chasing everyone in town on Halloween night. Why and what do they want?
Comments: A fun and not scary Halloween story that would make an excellent read-aloud for preschool – 2nd grade. Spooky at just the right level.
Rhyming text.
The bright illustrations against a black background were created digitally.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
Murray’s Howl-o-ween: A Halloween
by E. G. Keller (Author)
Summary: Murray loves the city and was not happy at first to go to the country, where nothing smells or sounds like the city. Everything was new: the town, the pumpkin patch, and the maze. Will this city dog learn to like the country?
Comments: A humorous read-aloud to address being scared of new things and overcoming them.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
Chicka Chicka Tricka Treat
by Julien Chung (Author, Illustrator)
Summary: All the letters dress up for Halloween and climb the tree. Suddenly, a ghost comes swishing in, booing, and scaring everyone down the tree. They decide to go back up again and receive a treat.
Comments: This is in the wonderful rhyming and rhythm of the Chicka Chicka books.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
¡Vamos! Let’s Celebrate Halloween and Día de los Muertos
by Raúl the Third (Author, Illustrator), Elaine Bay (Illustrator)
Summary: Little Lobo and friends dress up to celebrate Halloween by trick-or-treating. Afterward, they help prepare and decorate the cemetery for Dia de Los Muertos.
Comments: Spanish and English words mingle throughout the story. The story is told with traditional text and speech bubbles.
I enjoy the details of the illustrations, which were created using pen and ink on smooth plate Bristol board, with the colors created using Adobe Photoshop.
The back pages have a glossary, A Note From Raúl the Third, and A Dia de los Muertos Activity.
Fantastic to see an illustrator using the front and back endpapers instead of just leaving them white. Absolutely full of details and color.
Rating: 5/5 📗📗📗📗📗
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
Ghouldilocks and the Three Ghosts
by Annie Sullivan (Author), Paula J. Becker (Illustrator)
Summary: In this retelling of Goldilocks and the Three Bears, a little girl ghoul walks into a haunted house, discovering ghoulash, chairs, and beds.
Comments: There are traditional text and speech bubbles.
The moral of the story shifts from learning not to enter a stranger’s house to this new retelling, which emphasizes making friends with the inhabitants.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
This Year, a Witch!
by Zoey Abbott (Author, Illustrator)
Summary: A little girl shares all of the cute Halloween costumes she has been in the past, but now wants to be something scary–a witch. Her dad helps make the costume and applies her makeup. All is okay until she looks in the mirror.
Comments: I liked how she grew from cutesy costumes to wanting to be spooky.
A fun read-aloud.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
Hap-Pea Halloween
by Keith Baker (Author, Illustrator)
Summary: Adorable little peas dressed in various Halloween costumes ask what the reader will be for the holiday, giving several suggestions in fun rhyming and rhythmic verses.
Comments: The illustrations were created in Adobe Photoshop.
I always enjoy seeing more of the happy peas’ world in this series.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
Lila and the Jack-o’-Lantern: Halloween Comes to America
by Nancy Churnin (Author), Anneli Bray (Illustrator)
Summary: Lila, an Irish immigrant, is on the ship in 1850 with her mother and two siblings on the way to America, where their father waits for them to join him. They talk about a spirit named Jack that visits homes on Halloween night to play pranks. They would carve a turnip and place a glowing coal inside, so Jack sees it and leaves them alone. They wear sheets and knock on doors for sweets. When Lila arrives and sees that there are no turnips, she improvises with the help of her new friend Julia, who learns about the foods and traditions of Halloween in Ireland.
Comments: This would be an excellent read-aloud for students to learn the origins of Halloween.
The back pages are Author’s Note and Colcannon and Barmbrack.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
Bruce and the Legend of Soggy Hollow (Mother Bruce Series)
by Ryan T. Higgins (Author, Illustrator)
Summary: Although grumpy Bruce does not like holidays, especially Halloween, with all of those visitors appearing at his door, Bruce gets talked into and agrees to role-playing a scary story called “The Legend of Soggy Hollow” with his forest friends…but were they indeed all of his friends?
Comments: A cute and hilarious parody of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving, one of my favorite spooky stories.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
The Goblin Twins
by Frances Cha (Author), Jaime Kim (Illustrator)
Summary: Doki and Kebi are dokkaebi, a cross between a spirit and a goblin, who will need to move, as their home was being torn down to build a new one. Although Doki likes to give gifts of gold and silver to people with his magic club while his twin, Kebi, wants to scare people with his, they decide to live together in a haunted house in a strange land called America just in time for Halloween.
Comments: This is based on Korean lore. A more detailed explanation can be found in the back of the book in the Author’s Note.
I love to read monster/mythical creature lore from other countries. This would make an excellent addition to the Halloween or folklore section of a library.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
Halloween (Traditions & Celebrations)
by Charles C Hofer (Author)
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.
Halloween (Holiday History)
by Spanier Kristine Mlis (Author)
Summary: Young readers will learn about the origins of Halloween, its traditions, and how South Korea and Ireland celebrate it.
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.
Halloween in the Orchard (Countryside Holidays, 3)
by Phyllis Alsdurf (Author), Lisa Hunt (Illustrator)
Summary: A young boy and his parents dress up in costumes to visit an orchard on Halloween, where there are many fun activities, including trick-or-treating with scarecrows, a corn maze, and a hayride.
Comments: What child(or adult) wouldn’t like to go to an apple orchard like this on Halloween night!?!
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
The selected children’s books are chosen by a certified, 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.
Cookies are small text files that can be used by websites to make a user\'s experience more efficient. The law states that we can store cookies on your device if they are strictly necessary for the operation of this site. For all other types of cookies we need your permission. This site uses different types of cookies. Some cookies are placed by third party services that appear on our pages.
Necessary cookies help make a website usable by enabling basic functions like page navigation and access to secure areas of the website. The website cannot function properly without these cookies.
Marketing cookies are used to track visitors across websites. The intention is to display ads that are relevant and engaging for the individual user and thereby more valuable for publishers and third party advertisers.
Preference cookies enable a website to remember information that changes the way the website behaves or looks, like your preferred language or the region that you are in.
