Tag: book

Children's Book Recommendations

Some of Us

The Retired School LibrarianLeave a comment

Some of Us: A Story of Citizenship and the United States book recommendation is by Angela Ferraris, The Retired School Librarian.

(The content below contains Amazon affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Mrs. Ferraris may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you. The Retired School Librarian is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.)

Book cover of Some of Us with a family hugging. The background includes fireworks, a crowd, and the Statue of Liberty.

Some of Us: A Story of Citizenship and the United States 

by Rajani LaRocca (Author), Huy Voun Lee (Illustrator)

Brief summary: Some people are U.S. citizens by birth, while others arrive from different countries and choose to become naturalized citizens. This picture book offers a meaningful way to introduce the many paths to citizenship and the personal stories behind why people choose to become Americans.

Comments: The illustrations are created with paper samples and Procreate.

The author’s note in the back shares about the author’s own immigration from India and becoming a naturalized citizen.

On a personal note: My mother is an immigrant, and I still remember her carefully reading her workbook, studying for the citizenship test. I watched with pride as she raised her hand to take the Oath of Allegiance, standing alongside others in a naturalization ceremony at the Ohio Statehouse in downtown Columbus.

This book could be shelved in the picture books or in the nonfiction section of 304.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

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

*I received a free copy of this book.

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

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

Children's Book Recommendations

Will the Pigeon Graduate?

The Retired School LibrarianLeave a comment

Will the Pigeon Graduate? book recommendation is by Angela Ferraris, The Retired School Librarian.

(The content below contains Amazon affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Mrs. Ferraris may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you. The Retired School Librarian is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.)

Book cover for Will the Pigeon Graduate? with the blue pigeon wearing a mortar board hate pointing to it.

Will the Pigeon Graduate? 

by Mo Willems (Author)

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

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

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

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

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

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

Children's Book Recommendations

Inside the Compost Bin

The Retired School LibrarianLeave a comment

Inside the Compost Bin book recommendation is by Angela Ferraris, The Retired School Librarian.

(The content below contains Amazon affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Mrs. Ferraris may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you. The Retired School Librarian is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.)

the Compost Bin book cover has the top few of a bin with scrapes of food along with insects.

Inside the Compost Bin 

by Melody Sumaoang Plan (Author), Vinh Nguyen (Illustrator), Rong Pham (Illustrator)

Brief summary: This narrative nonfiction picture book shares how a woman cares for a compost bin. She diligently adds organic material, mixes them, and waters the compost to create nutrient-rich soil for her plants.

Comments: This book covers the bugs and organisms in the bin and those underneath. The back pages have more information on how to start composing.

Rating: 4.5/5 📗📗📗📗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 highly qualified retired elementary school librarian who passionately reads and recommends picture books to teachers, school librarians, parents, grandparents, and other book enthusiasts.

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

Children's Book Recommendations

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

The Retired School LibrarianLeave a comment

Like No Other book recommendation is by Angela Ferraris, The Retired School Librarian.

(The content below contains Amazon affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Mrs. Ferraris may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you. The Retired School Librarian is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.)

Book cover of Like No Ohter Aye-aye in a tree

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

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

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

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

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

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

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

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

Children's Book Recommendations

Clever Crow

The Retired School LibrarianLeave a comment

Clever Crow book recommendation is by Angela Ferraris, The Retired School Librarian.

(The content below contains Amazon affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Mrs. Ferraris may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you. The Retired School Librarian is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.)

The book cover of Clever Crow has a black crow on the front looking down about.

Clever Crow 

by Chris Butterworth (Author), Olivia Lomenech Gill (Illustrator)

Brief summary: This nonfiction picture book teaches us about a crow’s intelligence, habitat, and how many different types there are of this amazing species.

Comments: This book is illustrated with mixed media and written in verse.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

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

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

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

Children's Book Recommendations

Find Out About Animal Tools

The Retired School LibrarianLeave a comment

Find Out About Animal Tools book recommendation is by Angela Ferraris, The Retired School Librarian.

(The content below contains Amazon affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Mrs. Ferraris may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you. The Retired School Librarian is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.)

Book cover of Find Out About Animal Tools with two sea otters breaking sea urchins and clams on their bellies where they have a rock

Find Out About Animal Tools 

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

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

Comments: The illustrations were created using mixed media.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

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

This book is part of an animal series that I also recommend.

Book cover for Find Out About Animal Babies with a mom kangaroo and joey in the pouch with trees in the background

Find Out About Animal Babies 

Hardcover – Picture Book, April 26, 2022

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

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

Book cover for Find Out About Animal Camouflage with arctic fox and hares in the snow

Find Out About Animal Camouflage 

Hardcover – Picture Book, October 17, 2023

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

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

Book cover for Find Out About Animal Homes with a mouse at the entrance of its home

Find Out About Animal Homes 

Hardcover – Picture Book, April 26, 2022

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

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

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

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

Children's Book Recommendations

Ramon Fellini the Dog Detective

The Retired School LibrarianLeave a comment

Ramon Fellini the Dog Detective book recommendations are by Angela Ferraris, The Retired School Librarian.

(The content below contains Amazon affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Mrs. Ferraris may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you. The Retired School Librarian is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.)

Ramon Fellini is a black tuxedo cat with the shadow of a dog against a building

Ramon Fellini the Dog Detective 

by Guilherme Karsten (Author)

Brief summary: The mystery begins with the fish bowl on the floor and a boy quickly putting his pet goldfish into a plastic baggie of water. There is a knock on the door. The boy opens the door to find Ramon Fellini, the dog detective, ready to offer his services to help figure out how the fishbowl fell. The boy is quite impressed with the dog detective’s cat disguise. He looks just like a cat. Will they be able to figure out who is the culprit?

Comments: This is an outstanding whodunnit picture book that children will love. The humor engages them as they take on the role of a detective trying to solve the mystery of what happened to the fish. They will know that something isn’t quite right with the devious detective.

This hilarious mystery picture book is a Brazilian translation, initially published in 2021 and translated to English in 2025. The illustrations were created digitally.

Not only is this a fun read-aloud, but it could also teach clues in the text and illustrations as well as predictability of what will happen next.

Rating: 5/5 📗📗📗📗📗

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

*I received a free copy of this book.

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

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

Children's Book Recommendations

2025 Children’s Picture Book Recommendations by Theme

The Retired School LibrarianLeave a comment

This page is under renovation. I am indexing all of the titles and themes to make it easier for viewers.

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. 

Children's Book Recommendations

Little Red Fox and his Fluffy Ginger Locks

The Retired School LibrarianLeave a comment

Little Red Fox and his Fluffy Ginger Locks book recommendations are by Angela Ferraris, The Retired School Librarian.

(The content below contains Amazon affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Mrs. Ferraris may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you. The Retired School Librarian is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.)

Little Red Fox is sitting on a rock by the Maple Sugar Creek where orange flowers are growing. The red fox has a big bushy tail and blue/green eyes.

Little Red Fox and his Fluffy Ginger Locks 

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

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

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

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

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

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

*I received a free copy of this book.

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

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

Children's Book Recommendations

Smarty the Brain Stories

The Retired School LibrarianLeave a comment

Smarty the Brain Stories book recommendation is by Angela Ferraris, The Retired School Librarian.

(The content below contains Amazon affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Mrs. Ferraris may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you. The Retired School Librarian is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.)

Cover to Smarty the Brain Stories with two young brains wearing tennis shows. Smarty has on the helmet and glasses while Moody does not.

Smarty the Brain Stories 

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

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

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

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

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

Rating: 3.5/5 📗📗📗1/2

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

* I was sent a free copy of this book.

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

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

Children's Book Recommendations

An Anishinaabe Christmas

The Retired School LibrarianLeave a comment

An Anishinaabe Christmas book recommendation is by Angela Ferraris, The Retired School Librarian.

(The content below contains Amazon affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Mrs. Ferraris may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you. The Retired School Librarian is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.)

Baby is holding a present while standing next to a Christmas tree. He is wearing boots and a winter coat..

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

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

Children's Book Recommendations

The Littlest Christmas Tree

The Retired School LibrarianLeave a comment

The Littlest Christmas Tree book recommendation is by Angela Ferraris, The Retired School Librarian.

(The content below contains Amazon affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Mrs. Ferraris may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you. The Retired School Librarian is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.)

Cubby is in the woods with fir tree all around. Cubby is decorating one with a yellow star.

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.

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

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

Children's Book Recommendations

Christmas(History of Holidays and Festivals)

The Retired School LibrarianLeave a comment

Christmas (History of Holidays and Festivals) book recommendation is by Angela Ferraris, The Retired School Librarian.

(The content below contains Amazon affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Mrs. Ferraris may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you. The Retired School Librarian is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.)

Santa Claus standing up in a sleigh full of toys and people dressed like elves.

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.

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

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

Children's Book Recommendations

Nisha’s Just-Right Christmas Tree

The Retired School LibrarianLeave a comment

Nisha’s Just-Right Christmas Tree book recommendation is by Angela Ferraris, The Retired School Librarian.

(The content below contains Amazon affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Mrs. Ferraris may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you. The Retired School Librarian is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.)

Nishas is wearing a blue hat with a matching scarf. Her winter coat is red. She is standing in the middle of fir trees looking up with a smile on her face.

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.

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

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

Children's Book Recommendations

One Foggy Christmas Eve

The Retired School LibrarianLeave a comment

One Foggy Christmas Eve book recommendation is by Angela Ferraris, The Retired School Librarian.

(The content below contains Amazon affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Mrs. Ferraris may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you. The Retired School Librarian is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.)

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.

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

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