Biography Picture Book Recommendations for Kids

February 13, 2026April 20, 2026 The Retired School LibrarianLeave a comment

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

(The content below contains Amazon affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Mrs. Ferraris may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you. The Retired School Librarian is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. (These titles can be found on my Amazon Storefront under Biography Picture Books–https://www.amazon.com/shop/mrs.ferraris/list/1WJXFSM5JRD39?ref_=aipsflist.)

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

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

Music and Silence: The Passion and Protest of Pablo Casals

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

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

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

Cecilia is in a library with an opened book sitting at a table with a lamp and more book in a pile. she is look out the large window at the nigh full of stars.

The Curious Life of Cecilia Payne: Discovering the Stuff of Stars

by Laura Alary (Author), Yas Imamura (Illustrator)

Brief summary: This picture book biography is told in a narrative nonfiction style of writing beginning with an eight-year-old Cecilia curiously examining nature around her in the countryside until she moved to London to study. She excitedly received a scholarship to the University of Cambridge but found women were not taken seriously. She moved across the Atlantic Ocean to attend Harvard where she found other women called the Harvard Computers studying the stars.

Comments: The backmatter has more information such as the Author’s Note, Cecilia’s Curious Life(timeline), Reaching for the Stars, More About Cecilia’s World, and Honors and Awards Given to Cecilia Payne.

This biography picture book was very well researched with gouache and watercolor illustrations that complement and push the story as it is explained.

I recommend this as an excellent STEAM resource for intermediate elementary and middle school students. It’s a perfect addition to units on women in science or space exploration.

Rating: 5/5 📗📗📗📗📗

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.

St. Patrick on the cover with a large cross around his neck, bible, and shamrocks scattered on one side of the cover.

Saint Patrick the Forgiver: The History and Legends of Ireland’s Bishop

by Ned Bustard (Author)

Brief summary: If you are looking for more of a religious story about Saint Patrick, this is the book. “Hello, my name is Patrick. You may have heard my story. I walked the span of Ireland to tell of God’s great glory.” 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 tell the reader how he forgave the Irish people and decided to preach Christianity there. The story is shared through the viewpoint of a saint. Told in rhyme.

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

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

Saint Valentine wearing sandals, a red gunic with a sash with crosses holding letters in his hand with red, green, while and blue hearts on the side of the cover

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

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

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

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

Saint Valentine standing on a map pointing to where Rome is located. A roman soldier with a spear and shield is standing near him.

A young Virginia Hamilton lying in the grass with books around her and lilacs. Books's cover

Extraordinary Magic: The Storytelling Life of Virginia Hamilton

by Nina Crews (Author)

Brief summary: This collection of lyrical poetry shares Virginia Hamilton’s childhood, family, and writing inspirations.

Comments: The back sections include the Author’s Note, Timeline, Book List, Bibliography, and a few photos.

The illustrations were created digitally using Adobe Photoshop.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

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

A Fine Little Bad Boy

by Barbara Lowell (Author), Antonio Marinoni (Illustrator)

Brief summary: This narrative nonfiction biographical picture book tells the story of Quentin Roosevelt, the youngest son of President Theodore Roosevelt. It highlights his mischievous antics while living in the White House, including roller skating in the halls, shooting spitballs at hanging artwork, and having water gun fights.

Comments: There are two pages in the back sharing more about Quentin Roosevelt.

I believe this book is better suited for 3-6 year olds rather than 9-12 year olds.

Reading it aloud with an adult can foster meaningful conversations and engagement among young listeners about good and bad behavior.

Rating: 3.5/5 📗📗📗1/2

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

*I received a free copy of this book.

Rosetta "Lyons" Wakeman dressed like a Union Soldier of the Civil War is saluting us. Cover of Guts for Glory

Guts for Glory: The Story of Civil War Soldier Rosetta Wakeman

by Joanna Lapati (author and illustrator)

Brief summary: Rosetta Wakeman, the oldest of nine siblings, lived on a farm in Afton, New York. Tired of doing household work and caring for her siblings, she cut her hair and dressed like a man, calling herself Lyons Wakeman. After working as a canaller for a while, she enlisted in the 153rd New York State Volunteers to fight in the Civil War at Pleasant Hill on April 8, 1864.

Will anyone find out she is a woman? Does she die in battle?

Comments: This is a very well-written and researched picture book.

The artwork is scratchboard and digital materials. It is explained in detail in the About the Art of how this was all done. Art teachers could use this book as a reference for scratchboard units of study.

Other back sections are Glossary, Author’s Note(includes her research), More About Rosetta Wakeman and the Civil War(includes her photo in uniform and her tombstone), A Timeline of Events, Rosetta Wakeman’s Letters(1862-1864), and the Endpaper Glossary(explaining the objects carried by soldiers).

Rating: 5/5 📗📗📗📗📗

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.

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

The Snow Man: A True Story

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

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

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

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

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

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

This biography picture book could spark some interesting classroom discussions.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I recall being in the Music Conservatory when Prince came out in the 1980s. His music played in the dorms and in the stores. People went to his movies to see him perform. I recall watching Purple Rain and Under the Cherry Moon. That was when we had Walkmans, and I remember having the soundtrack to Purple Rain and listening to it all the time. People liked his Minneapolis sound a lot.

Rating: 5/5 📗📗📗📗📗

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The illustrations were created digitally with Adobe Photoshop.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rating: 4.5/5 📗📗📗📗1/2

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

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

The Green Piano: How Little Me Found Music

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

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

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

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

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

Picture book biography cover of Mary Anning at a cliff near Lyme Regi holding a chisel out collecting fossils with her father and sister

Mary Anning Breaks New Ground: Courageous Kid of Paleontology (Courageous Kids)

by Carol Kim (Author), Mark Simmons (Illustrator).

Brief summary: Mary Anning was only twelve when she discovered an Ichthyosaurus along the cliffs near Lyme Regi, England, in the early 1800s. This area was known as the heart of the Jurassic Coast, where ammonite and belemnite fossils were often found unburied. Her father, a carpenter and cabinet maker, would fossil-seek as a hobby taking his children, Joseph and Mary, along the cliffs to find fossils to sell to tourists.

After their father died, her brother learned the upholstery business while she sold fossils for a living. It wasn’t until 2010 that the Royal Society acknowledged Mary and two other women, Mary Somerville, and Caroline Herschel, for their contributions to paleontology.

This is a narrative nonfiction graphic novel with a glossary, read more, internet sites, and about the author sections in the back.

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

Rating: 3/5 📗📗📗

A young Judit is intentely looking across a chess board

The Queen of Chess: How Judit Polgár Changed the Game

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

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

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

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

Rating: 3.5/5 📗📗📗1/2

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

Cecilia Payne in a tree looking into the star filled sky

The Fire of Stars: The Life and Brilliance of the Woman Who Discovered What Stars Are Made Of

by Kirsten W. Larson (Author), Katherine Roy (Illustrator)

Brief summary: Cecilia Payne moved from the country as a girl to London so her brother, Humfry, could attend a better school. Her school did not teach her the science curriculum that she desired until a new science teacher and friend, Miss Dalglish, was hired. Cecilia wins a University of Cambridge scholarship to study plants but is inspired once she attends a lecture by astronomer Arthur Addigton, whose work created a new field called astrophysics. She moved to America to study astronomy at Harvard, where other women were studying the same subject. Through her work, she discovered what stars are made of, thus building a foundation for astronomers to learn and better understand the stars.

This narrative nonfiction biography picture book has two-page illustrations paralleling Cecilia’s beginning of her career and that of a star’s.

The back sections are: Cecilia Payne: Science Superstar, A Star is Born, and a Timeline.

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

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

Picture book biography of Milloo standing with children around herself

Milloo’s Mind: The Story of Maryam Faruqi, Trailblazer for Women’s Education

by Reem Faruqi (Author, granddaughter of Maryam Faruqi), Hoda Hadadi (Illustrator)

Brief summary: In 1930, a young Pakistani girl, Milloo, loves to read and study but is told that since she finished fifth grade, she will need to stay home to do housework. Milloo wanted to become a teacher, so her parents only agreed if she learned English. With a lot of hard work and determination, she graduated from high school and college. She is ready to become a teacher. She marries, but her husband wants her to stay home. She makes a school in her house and then opens more and more schools.

There is a glossary and author’s note in the back.

For more details or to buy, click here.

Rating: 3/5 📗📗📗

Picture Book Biography cover with Sister Rosetta Tharpe playing a guitar

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

Biography picture book cover of Charles Drew with a doctor in a white lab coat and stethoscope around his neck

Charles Drew: The Innovator of the Blood Bank (Bright Minds)

by Aaron Talley (Author), Subi Bosa (Illustrator).

Brief summary: Charles Drew created a technique that separates the different parts of blood called centrifuging, which helped the blood stay fresh longer in storage. He is known for improving the blood banks and just in time for World War II when bloodmobiles and the American Red Cross enabled people to give and receive blood wherever they lived.

Comments: The back pages have sections such as a glossary, legacy, questions, index, and further reading.

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

Rating: 3.5/5 📗📗📗1/2

Close Up and Far Out

by Mary Auld (Author), Adria Meserve (Illustrator)

Summary: This narrative nonfiction picture book explores the lives of two scientists, Antonie van Leeuwenhoek and Galileo Galilei.

Antonie van Leeuwenhoek had questions about observing the world more closely and seeing it magnified. He created many microscopes until he designed one that could magnify objects up to 500 times.

Galilei was curious about distant objects, particularly in space, and sought to understand how the universe worked. He successfully modified and created an improved telescope that allowed him to see farther into space.

Comments: This book promotes scientific inquiry and persistence. Both men had questions and could find answers through repeated failures until they produced the desired results.

This book could be used in several units of study: space, inventions, cells, and Intellectual growth/performance(persistence, failure, grit).

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.

Eleanor Roosevelt: Her Path to Kindness

by Helaine Becker (Author), Aura Lewis (Illustrator)

Summary: Eleanor Roosevelt’s parents and brother died within two years of each other. She lived with her Grandmother. At age fifteen, she was sent to a girls’ boarding school in England, where a teacher helped her realize her potential. Eleanor became a leader of the girls and helped everyone. She left her senior year to return to the USA, where she was expected to debut and find a husband but had other plans.

Comments: The Author’s note in the back gives more details about Eleanor Roosevelt’s life. Several of her famous quotes are cited.

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

Rating: 3.5/5 📗📗📗1/2

Cover of You Gotta Meet Mr. Pierce with a man sitting on a chair carving a wooden elephant with shelves of paint

You Gotta Meet Mr. Pierce!: The Storied Life of Folk Artist Elijah Pierce

by Chiquita Mullins Lee (Author), Carmella Van Vleet (Author), Jennifer Mack-Watkins (Illustrator)

Summary: Columbus, Ohio, artist Elijah Pierce shares with a young artist how he was inspired to carve wood. Elijah cuts the boy’s hair and continues how he got ideas for his many art pieces hanging all around the barbershop. The boy leaves with a fresh cut and thoughts of creating with his new box of colored pencils his mother gave him earlier.

Comments: The back pages contain Elijah Pierce’s honors, Authors’ Notes, Artist’s Note, and information about Elijah Pierce’s Art used in the book.

I remember going to the Columbus Museum of Art and seeing his art and getting to know who the artist was based on his subject matter in the art.

This book contains quotes from Elijah, but the boy in the story is fictional.

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

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

Biography picture book cover of Never Give Up with Dr. Kati Kariko wearing a white lab coat. Microscope and beakers are on a table.

Never Give Up: Dr. Kati Karikó and the Race for the Future of Vaccines

by Debbie Dadey (Author), Juliana Oakley (Illustrator)

Brief summary: Hungarian-American scientist Dr. Kati Kariko has always wanted to be a scientist. She studied mRNA(messenger ribonucleic acid) in a biology research center, wondering if she could make new mRNA that would send the message to make suitable proteins for people to heal.

She moved to America and failed to get mRNA to work with cells, so she worked at various universities. She met Drew Weissman, another scientist interested in mRNA. After eight years, they wrote a paper about mRNA. She was offered several jobs but chose to work at BioNTech in Germany. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, scientists at BioNTech and Pfizer worked together to design a vaccine using an mRNA vaccine to fight the virus.

Comments: The back pages include Timeline, Steps To Making a Vaccine, Author’s Note, Glossary, Source Notes, and Further Study sections.

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

Rating: 3/5 📗📗📗

Cover of Ice Cream Man with Augustus Jackson offering a scoop of ice-cream with a nice smile

Ice Cream Man: How Augustus Jackson Made a Sweet Treat Better

by Glenda Armand (Author), Kim Freeman (Author), Keith Mallett (Illustrator).

Brief summary: Augustus Jackson left his home in Philadelphia at twelve to go to Washington, DC, to follow his dream as a cook. He became an expert at making ice cream. He was hired at the White House and stayed for five years.

He returned home and opened his own ice cream parlor. He created a faster way to freeze ice cream, as refrigerators/freezers still needed to be invented. He could come up with making ice cream in half the time and ship his own ice cream by train without it melting.

Nicknamed the “Father of Ice Cream”

The back pages include Make Your Own Ice-Cream, Afterword, and Sources sections.

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

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

Cover of The Firs Woman Cherokee Chief with Wilma Pearl Mankiller talking behind a podium that has a microphone

The First Woman Cherokee Chief: Wilma Pearl Mankiller (Step into Reading)

by Patricia Morris Buckley (Author), Aphelandra Messer (Illustrator).

Brief summary: Wilma Pearl Mankiller lived in Oklahoma on Cherokee lands until a drought caused her father to move to the city for work. Pearl(the name she preferred) hated the city and stayed at her grandmother’s farm for a year. She moved back to the city and connected with other Native people at the American Indian Center.

In 1969, there was a protest at Alcatraz about the Native lands stolen by the government. Pearl supported and helped Native people many times and later became the first female chief of the Cherokee Nation.

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

Rating 3/5 📗📗📗

Cover of Carol Burnett wearing a blue evening dress with dangling earrings. She is tugging on her left ear.

Carol Burnett: A Little Golden Book Biography

by Andrea Posner-Sanchez (Author), Kelly Kennedy (Illustrator).

Summary: Carol Burnett was born in Texas and was raised by her grandmother, Nanny. When she was seven, they moved to Hollywood, California, where Nanny would take Carol to see several movies weekly. Carol would reenact them on their apartment’s rooftop and later study theater arts in college. After seeing her perform, a stranger gave her $1,000, urging her to go to New York. She had to promise to pay him back in five years and to never reveal his identity. Carol became famous on the Garry Moore Show and then had her own tv show that aired for eleven seasons.

Carol’s famous left ear tug on TV was her way of saying hello to her grandmother, something she did even after the woman’s passing.

Comments: If you are unfamiliar with Little Golden Books, they are smaller than a “regular” picture book–Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.63 x 0.19 x 8 inches.

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

Rating: 3/5 📗📗📗

Biography picture books of Temple Grandin as a child sitting on grass with dogs and cows in the background

I am Temple Grandin (Ordinary People Change the World)

by Brad Meltzer (Author), Christopher Eliopoulos (Illustrator).

Brief summary: Temple Grandin was born with autism and did not act or respond like other babies and toddlers did to things and situations. Her mother found a speech therapist to help Temple speak her first words at age four. Through her sensitivity and empathy towards cattle, she was able to help better design the cattle chute for them to feel calmer and how to build round pens because she noticed they could go around a curve easier. She also discovered how to make cows feel calmer by going down into the water for a bath to get rid of insects on them by changing the steel ramp to a textured concrete one.

Temple was able to go to college and even receive a doctorate degree. She teaches and does research at Colorado State University. The book explains how she thinks and feels in the first-person narrative.

Comments: I highly recommend this book for parents, teachers, and librarians to share with those with autism to be inspired by Temple’s life’s accomplishments.

Smaller than an average picture book–Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7.94 x 0.33 x 7.88 inches

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

Rating: 3.5/5 📗📗📗1/2

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.

Children's Book Recommendations

Back-to-School Picture Book Recommendations for Kids

February 12, 2026February 21, 2026 The Retired School LibrarianLeave a comment

Back-to-school picture book recommendations are by Angela Ferraris, The Retired School Librarian.

(The content below contains Amazon affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Mrs. Ferraris may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you. The Retired School Librarian is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. (These titles can be found on my Amazon Storefront under Back to School Picture Books–https://www.amazon.com/shop/mrs.ferraris/list/3IKAES8MXMX7I?ref_=aipsflist.)

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

Sammy and Sunny’s First Day of School

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

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

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

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

Rating: 4/5 🟩🟩🟩🟩

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

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

Mr. S: A First Day of School Book

by Monica Arnaldo (Author, Illustrator).

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

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

Rating: 5/5 📗📗📗📗📗

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

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

9 Kilometers (Stories from Latin America)

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rating: 4.5 📗📗📗📗1/2

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

Translated and printed to English in 2023.

Marker

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

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

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

Rating: 3.5/5 📗📗📗 1/2

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

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

And Then Comes School

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

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

Rating: 3.5/5 📗📗📗1/2

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

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

Shy Robin and the First Day of School

by Jaime Kim (Author, Illustrator)

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

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

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

Rating: 3/5 📗📗📗

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

We’re Going to School

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

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

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

Rating: 3/5 📗📗📗

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

Giant-Sized Butterflies On My First Day of School

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

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

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

Rating: 3/5 📗📗📗

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

Mina Belongs Here

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

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

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

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

Rating: 3/5 📗📗📗

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

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

Back to School, Backpack!

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

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

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

Rating: 3/5 📗📗📗

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

A Smart, Smart School

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

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

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

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

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

Rating: 4.5/5 📗📗📗📗1/2

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

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

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

Children's Book Recommendations

Baby (Animal and Human) Picture Book Recommendations for Kids

February 12, 2026February 21, 2026 The Retired School LibrarianLeave a comment

Baby (animal and human) picture book recommendations are by Angela Ferraris, The Retired School Librarian.

(The content below contains Amazon affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Mrs. Ferraris may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you. 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.

A baby standing between a mother and father in a field of flowers reaching for an apple

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.

Wolf babies playing under the full moon with pine tree on either side of the pups

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.

A mother is holding a baby over her shoulder as we see the baby's face

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.

Beautiful two-paged spread illustrations.

For more details or to buy, click here.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

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

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

Children's Book Recommendations

St. Patrick’s Day Picture Book Recommendations for Kids

February 12, 2026February 25, 2026 The Retired School LibrarianLeave a comment

St. Patrick’s Day picture book recommendations are by Angela Ferraris, The Retired School Librarian.

(The content below contains Amazon affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Mrs. Ferraris may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you. 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 leprechauns in various sizes are in the forest with a rainbow coming in

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.

Sam and Tiny dressed as leprechauns. Tiny is a giant dog crouched in clover next to a path.

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.

Watercolor cover of Eily looking for her father in the fog

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.

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

Rating: 4.5 /5 📗📗📗📗1/2

St. Patrick's Day cover with the saint and other Irish symbols to celebrate the special day

Leprechaun vs. Easter Bunny

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.

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

Rating: 3.5/5 📗📗📗1/2

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.”

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

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

St. Patrick’s Day

by Gail Gibbons (Author & Illustrator)

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.

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

Rating 4/5 📗📗📗📗

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.

Tim and Maureen looking out the window that has a flower basket of shamrocks with leprechauns all over the house that has a tree next to it and a flag that has a rainbow with a pot of gold

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.

A small leprechaun with a green hat, green suit, four leaf clover in its hand, a pot of gold, mushroom ring on the cover

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.

Old Pat playing his harp while leaning on a tree by the fire with a leprechaun listening nearby

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.

Jamie dressed in oversized boots, hat, a green sash and playing a flute while his dog runs beside him

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.

Rating: 5/5 📗📗📗📗📗

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

Three whimsical leprechauns dressed the same in green jackets, yellow plaid pants, red shoes are messing about on the rocks and field with a black and white cow in the background field

That’s What Leprechauns Do

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.

Rating: 5/5 📗📗📗📗📗

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

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

Children's Book Recommendations

Alphabet Picture Book Recommendations for Children

February 11, 2026February 21, 2026 The Retired School Librarian1 Comment

Alphabet picture book recommendations for children 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. (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.❗

Ref in the blue water with a shark swimming in the blue water. There are fish at the top of the pate

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 girl with her hand s on her hips at recess standing next to a large letter A with her friends running in the background

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.

Sequel to Ambitious Girl, 2021.

Rating 3.5/5 📗📗📗 1/2

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

A banana with a pencil that crossed out bedtime that stood for the B in the alphabet; a star, bear, and crescent book with faces watching the banana

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.

Portraits of different boys of various ethnic backgrounds with different names of the alphabet

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.

Pink pigs playing on large alphabet letters

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.

The letters in the alphabet are talking to one another. z, g, and a.

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.

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.

Children's Book Recommendations

Valentine’s Day Book Recommendations for Children

February 7, 2026February 8, 2026 The Retired School LibrarianLeave a comment

Valentine’s Day book recommendations for children 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. 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.❗

Groundhogis is in his tuxedo and top hat coming out of his hole with cupid sprinkling hearts all over

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.

Stickler looking out of a heart shape with flowers all around it. Forest animals from the book are on each corner

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.

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.

A heart with the title inside and little peas everywhere

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.

Escargot, a snail, is walking on a path in the forest

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.

Pippi, a porcupine, is sitting by a stump in the forest looking at a valentine using a magnifying glass

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.

Two dinosaurs wearing scarves and earmuffs. One is sitting on the back of the other. One has a heart; the other has roses.

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.

A porcupine hiding behind a tree with two hearts on it. He has a quill in his hand

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.

Fran K. Stein and a female Frankenstein monster both holding a pink heart behind a heart cutout of a window.

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.

Leon is making a valentine on a table with supplies spewed about.

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.

Jackson is making a giant heart on the floor with scissors, crayons, tape, kisses on the floor

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.

A young boy sitting at a table drawing a heart on a piece of paper. Several color pencils are on the table.

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.

Two mice are making a large valentine with hearts and lace.

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 Amaz o n page.

Minka, a mouse is standing next to a very large heart shaped paper valentine with a ribbon and white lace around it with her little brother at the top

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.

Sister Bear wearing a pink outfit showing a large heart shaped valentine with a bear cupid shooting an arrow

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.

Clifford writing a large heart in the snow

Clifford’s Valentines (Scholastic Reader, Level 1)

by Norman Bridwell (Author, Illustrator)

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.

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.

Children's Book Recommendations

Art Picture Book Recommendations for Children

February 2, 2026February 21, 2026 The Retired School LibrarianLeave a comment

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

(The content below contains Amazon affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Mrs. Ferraris may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you. 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)

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.

This is the second of the Girl with the Magic Ponytales series.

Rating: 3.5/5 📗📗📗1/2

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

*I was sent a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A young girl has on a beret with a paintbrush in one hand and and a paint tray in the other standing in front of a large easel with various types of artists standing around her. This is the cover of Time to Make Art.

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.

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.

Children's Book Recommendations

Lunar New Year

January 29, 2026February 1, 2026 The Retired School LibrarianLeave a comment

Lunar New Year children’s 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. 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 is dressed in red holding a tangerine tree in the pot she made. Paper lanterns are above her.

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.

Sunny in her qipao covered in glitter with a fan

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.

Meng and her father sitting at a table of Chinese Lunar Year celebratory foods. They are holding chopsticks. There are decorations hung behind them.

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.

Animals from the zodiac are preparing food for the Lunar New Year celebration

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.

Two grandchildren in pajamas are siting on the floor with the grandmother as she tells them about Tet.

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.

Jia, in a red traditional attired, is standing next to a yellow Chinese New Year's dragon

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.

Two girls wearing hanboks outside with flowers and birds in the sky

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.

Sahee with her arms around a wish soup smelling it with her eyes closed. Her younger sister and brother are in the background

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.

A bowl of noodles, paper lantern, and a green drink

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.

Children playing with the New Year's dragon, lighting fireworks, and banging sticks.

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.

Two children holding poles to hold up a Lunar New Year orange dragon with big whiskers

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.

Jin and his Grandmother, aunts, and uncles in the background while he fries in a big wok

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.

A mother and father with two children celebrating Rosh Hashanah and Lunar New Year

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.

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.

Children's Book Recommendations

Martin Luther King Jr. Picture Books

January 14, 2026January 15, 2026 The Retired School LibrarianLeave a comment

Martin Luther King Jr. picture book recommendation 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. 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.❗

Statue of Martin Luther King Jr. crossing his arms; national memorial

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.

Martin Luther King Jr. speaking into a microphone

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.

Martin Luther King Jr. talking into several microphones with the Washington monument in the background

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.

Matin Luther king jr reading and talking in one frame, another has the American flag, and the last frame has his national memorial statue

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.

Granddaughter of Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King holding their photo

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.

A teacher in winter clothes standing on steps with a group of students

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.

Library Themed Books children’s book recommendation are by Angela Ferraris, The Retired School Librarian.

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.

Children's Book Recommendations

Smarty and Friends Educational Booklet

January 14, 2026January 14, 2026 The Retired School LibrarianLeave a comment

Smarty and Friends educational booklet recommendation is by Angela Ferraris, The Retired School Librarian.

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

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

Smarty and Friends

by Brian S Hamilton (Author)

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

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

Some of the safety topics covered include:

🔷Food safety

🔷Pedestrian safety

🔷Bus safety

🔷Life jackets

🔷Scooter safety

🔷Motorcycle safety

🔷Cleaning product safety

🔷Window safety

🔷Furniture safety

🔷Football safety

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

This is the second of the Smarty the Brain Stories.

Rating: 3.5/5 📗📗📗1/2

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

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.

Children's Book Recommendations

Christmas Picture Books

December 15, 2025February 16, 2026 The Retired School LibrarianLeave a comment

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

(The content below contains Amazon affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Mrs. Ferraris may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you. 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.❗

A man with a hen and goose in each hand. A pear tree and partridge are in the background also with a drummer and dancer.

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.

The Big Cheese standing on top of a big pile of gifts with his friend's house in the background along with decorated trees.

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.

A ghost wearing a blue patched quilt is sitting on a tree branch decorated with Christmas lights. A full moon is in the background.

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.

Sam and her grandfather, both wearing cowboy hats, and the mare. Red bows and decorations with pine leaves

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 giving his Mama a Christmas gift in front of the Christmas Tree.

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.

A grouchy looking black cat with a big bowtie sitting next to a Christmas bulb.

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.

A mixture of Christmas and Hunukkah celebration symbols with Sophie and Max on the floor in front of the Christmas tree while two sets of grandparents and their child are on either side

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.

A boy and girl in matching PJs are taking down the Christmas Tree with the help of their dog. Boxes are filled with ornaments.

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.

A brother and sister with large smiles are at a table full of Italian Christmas food with presents and Christmas decorations in the background

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 Christmas ornament is smiling as he hangs from a Christmas tree

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.

The blue pigeon is wearing a Christmas hat with a bell next tot he title of the book.

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.

The snowmen and snow creatures are outside putting up Christmas lights.

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.

A girl with her black and white kitten is standing in front of the Christmas tree with her family members in the background all smiling.

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 little mouse with huge ears is playing a drum while underneath a Christmas tree with a lot of red and green gifts.

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.

Santa Claus is standing on a roof looking at a chimney.

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.

A Christmas cactus is underneath ornaments hanging from the ceiling. The cover is pink.

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.

A large 10 looks like peppermint candy with Santa and the reindeer carrying Christmas gifts.

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.

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.

Children's Book Recommendations

Hanukkah Picture Books

December 11, 2025December 11, 2025 The Retired School LibrarianLeave a comment

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

(The content below contains Amazon affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Mrs. Ferraris may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you. 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.❗

A young child and cat are looking at the fully lit hanukkiyah.

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.

Eva and her dragon, Spark. Eva is wearing overalls and read sneakers while her dragon is flying around.

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.

An anthropomorphic bear is looking inside a house behind a blue door

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.

Ruthie wearing clean blue pajamas standing with a dreidel in her hand.

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)

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.

The pages is one side upside down with one child in New Zealand handing the other who live in New York, a dreidel.

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.

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.

Children's Book Recommendations

Grief Picture Books

November 18, 2025April 25, 2026 The Retired School LibrarianLeave a comment

Grief Picture Books children’s book recommendations are by Angela Ferraris, The Retired School Librarian.

These titles can 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.

An older man drawing his dog Bronte on an artist drawing board. There is the dog's bed and toys.

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.

Cala is on a horse behind a horse behind a mysterious rider.

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.

A young child with a hat is showing a crayon drawing of a cactus.

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.

A girl and her grandfather lying on the ground looking up. She has a doll with her.

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.

Cecil is fixing a watch at a table with his tools and parts of the watch on the table. A dog is watching him.

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, a tiny mouse, is sitting on top of Lion, a dandelion in the middle of several other dandelions.

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 boy is hiking in the woods that is green, yellow, brown, and yellow swirls.

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.

Arms holding a frame with a girl and dog. Table in the background with various objects.

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.

Willow

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

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

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

Rating: 4.5 📗📗📗📗1/2

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

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.

Sad girl out on the lake in a small boat with a face of sad emotions

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.

Mia sitting by the window with rain coming down.

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.

a child with short black hair flying a kite on the beach.

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.

A beaver and mole are sitting together on a log watching ducks in the stream.

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.

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.

Children's Book Recommendations

Thanksgiving Picture Books–New

November 7, 2025November 7, 2025 The Retired School LibrarianLeave a comment

Thanksgiving picture book recommendation 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. 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.❗

A book cover with many members of a community singing, reading, preparing a dinner.

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.

Book cover. Many people of various ages siting around large table with food on a yellow table cloth

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.

Book cover. A girl holding two shopping lists in her hand with foods around her

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.

Photo of a traditional Thanksgiving feast with turkey, gravy, pumpkin pie, brussel sprouts, cranberry, and mashed potatoes.

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.

Book cover. Fox is talking to the corn, squash, and beans represented by three sister.

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.

A family is holding hands around a table. book cover

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.

Various children are under a fall tree with orange leaves with various foods they eat during their Thanks Giving Day.

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.

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.

Children's Book Recommendations

The Tree That Was a World

October 13, 2025October 24, 2025 The Retired School LibrarianLeave a comment

The Tree That Was a World children’s 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. This title can be found in my Amazon Storefront under Elementary Short Stories– https://www.amazon.com/shop/mrs.ferraris/list/10UGUPZASDT95?ref_=aipsflist .)

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

The Tree That Was a World

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rating: 4.5/5 📗📗📗📗1/2

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

*I received a free copy of this book.

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

Music and Silence: The Passion and Protest of Pablo Casals

The Curious Life of Cecilia Payne: Discovering the Stuff of Stars

Saint Patrick the Forgiver: The History and Legends of Ireland’s Bishop

Saint Valentine the Kindhearted: The History and Legends of God’s Brave and Loving Servant

Extraordinary Magic: The Storytelling Life of Virginia Hamilton

A Fine Little Bad Boy

Guts for Glory: The Story of Civil War Soldier Rosetta Wakeman

The Snow Man: A True Story

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

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

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

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

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

The Green Piano: How Little Me Found Music

Mary Anning Breaks New Ground: Courageous Kid of Paleontology (Courageous Kids)

The Queen of Chess: How Judit Polgár Changed the Game

The Fire of Stars: The Life and Brilliance of the Woman Who Discovered What Stars Are Made Of

Milloo’s Mind: The Story of Maryam Faruqi, Trailblazer for Women’s Education

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

Charles Drew: The Innovator of the Blood Bank (Bright Minds)

Close Up and Far Out

Eleanor Roosevelt: Her Path to Kindness

You Gotta Meet Mr. Pierce!: The Storied Life of Folk Artist Elijah Pierce

Never Give Up: Dr. Kati Karikó and the Race for the Future of Vaccines

Ice Cream Man: How Augustus Jackson Made a Sweet Treat Better

The First Woman Cherokee Chief: Wilma Pearl Mankiller (Step into Reading)

Carol Burnett: A Little Golden Book Biography

I am Temple Grandin (Ordinary People Change the World)

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Sammy and Sunny’s First Day of School

Mr. S: A First Day of School Book

9 Kilometers (Stories from Latin America)

Marker

And Then Comes School

Shy Robin and the First Day of School

We’re Going to School

Giant-Sized Butterflies On My First Day of School

Mina Belongs Here

Back to School, Backpack!

A Smart, Smart School

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Broadway Baby

All Your Tomorrows

Pass the Baby

Full Moon Pups

Little Walrus

One Day

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Ten Little Leprechauns

Happy St. Patrick’s Day, Tiny!

The St. Patrick’s Day Alphabet

The Fog Catcher’s Daughter

Leprechaun vs. Easter Bunny

Saint Patrick the Forgiver: The History and Legends of Ireland’s Bishop

St. Patrick’s Day

The Night Before St. Patrick’s Day

The Littlest Leprechaun

The Leprechaun’s Gold

St. Patrick’s Day in the Morning

That’s What Leprechauns Do

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A Is for Australian Reefs

A Is for Ambitious (Ambitious Girl, 2)

B Is for Bananas

B My Name Is Boy: A Song of Celebration from Australia to Zimbabwe

Playful Pigs from A to Z

Alphabuddies: G Is First!

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