Tag: books

Children's Book Recommendations

On the Last Day of School

The Retired School LibrarianLeave a comment

On the Last Day of School 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.)

On the Last day of school book cover of students comin gout of a school throwing papers up in the air.

On the Last Day of School 

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

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

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

Rating: 3.5/5 📗📗📗1/2

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

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

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

Children's Book Recommendations

Mother Picture Books

The Retired School LibrarianLeave a comment

Mother 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.)

Book cover for A Cup of Quiet with a grandmother's arms wrapped around a granddaughter's shoulders while the girl holds a cup.

A Cup of Quiet 

by Nikki Grimes (Author), Cathy Ann Johnson (Illustrator)

Summary: When a grandmother and granddaughter’s day becomes a bit too noisy, they retreat to the garden to find peace and stillness together.

Comments: The illustrations were created with mixed media, watercolor, gouache, acrylic, and digital.

Rating: 4.5/5📗📗📗📗1/2

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

Fierce aunties book cover with woman gathered around a girl

Fierce Aunties! 

by Laurel Goodluck (Author), Steph Littlebird (Illustrator)

Summary: This text honors the important, loving, and protective roles that aunties hold in Native families and communities, especially during times when parents may be preoccupied. Aunties are not limited to being a mom’s or dad’s sister; they can also be older cousins or close family friends.

Comments: The illustrations were created in Procreate.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

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

The Greatest River cover of a young girl with long black hair is in the green river with many flowers floating above her head.

The Greatest River 

by Namita Moolani Mehra (Author), Khoa Le (Illustrator)

Summary: Ananda, a young girl, listens to her sick mother talk about the legend of the Ganga, a holy river that heals those who bathe in its waters. Ananda accompanies her aunt, Maasi, to bathe in the Ganges River in India and experiences a spiritual connection.

Comments: The author’s note explains that at 13, she traveled from New York with her mother to bathe in the sacred river.

Rating: 4.5/5 📗📗📗📗1/2

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

A young monkey with a baby turtle, bird, and snake on him.

Grumpy Monkey Mom for a Day

by Suzanne Lang (Author), Max Lang (Illustrator)

Summary: Jim Panzee volunteers to take care of jungle babies so their mothers can rests. He learns that being a mom is not as easy as it looks.

Comments: A fun and whimsical book to read aloud.

Rating: 3.5/5 📗📗📗1/2

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

Home is a Wish book cover with a young girls face looking into a puddle

Home Is a Wish 

by Julia Kuo (Author, Illustrator)

Summary: A young girl, her mother, and Amah leave their home for a new one in a different country where everything feels unfamiliar. Over time, they work together to create a new home.

Comments: A gentle book about immigration that would be a wonderful read aloud.

The illustrations were created using Adobe Photoshop and a Wacom tablet.

Rating: 4.5 📗📗📗📗1/2

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

I loved you first book cover with mothers and children riding giant white geese in the sky.

I Loved You First

by Jenna Bush Hager (Author), Barbara Pierce Bush (Author), Ramona Kaulitzki (Illustrator)

Summary: This book is a heartfelt expression of the unconditional love a parent feels for their child as soon as they hold their child and spend time with them as they grow up.

Comments: The illustrations were created using hand-painted textures and digital watercolor, and pencil brushes in Photoshop.

Rating: 3.5/5 📗📗📗1/2

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

Midnight Motorbike cover with a mother and daughter riding on a motorcycle with a large moon in the background

Midnight Motorbike 

by Maureen Shay Tajsar (Author), Ishita Jain (Illustrator)

Summary: A dreamy bedtime adventure where a girl and her Amma take a motorbike ride through the moonlit city, celebrating imagination and connection while smelling, seeing, hearing everything around them.

Comments: The illustrations were created with gouache, acrylic gouache, crayons, and colored pencils.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

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

My Mom cover with a young mother and her daughter playing in a stream.

My Mom 

by Susan Quinn (Author), Sarah Mathew (Illustrator)

Summary: A gentle and loving tribute to the many roles a mother plays in her child’s life, from nurturer to superhero.

Comment: This would be a nice bedtime story.

Rating: 3.5/5 📗📗📗1/2

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

Outside Mom, Inside Mom book cover with it divided in half with the mom and child in outside and inside

Outside Mom, Inside Mom 

by Jane Park (Author), Lenny Wen (Illustrator)

Summary: A Korean American child and his mother, Umma, behave differently in public compared to how they act in private. When they are outside, they use English, but when they are at home, they communicate in Korean. They adapt their language to fit their social identity, switching between languages as needed until they feel more comfortable and safe in their new environment.

Comments: I appreciated how the mother and child shared how they express their feelings and behavior in different environments.

The illustrations were created in gouache and colored pencils.

A superb read aloud!

Rating: 4.5/5 📗📗📗📗1/2

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

That's Not Funny, David book cover with David about to fling mash potatoes across the table.

That’s Not Funny, David! 

by David Shannon (Author, Illustrator)

Summary: David is a comedian who tries to make everyone laugh, but he discovers that not all of his antics are funny to everyone. Ultimately, he still has his mother’s unconditional love.

Comments: He’s back! I missed David. I’d recognize that giant head and triangular teeth anywhere. Children identify with the antics of this little boy and laugh out loud.

A must for every library.

Rating: 5/5 📗📗📗📗📗

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

wash day with mama book cover of a mother washing her daughter's hair

Wash Day with Mama 

by Monica Mikai (Author)

Summary: A young girl treasures each step of her hair washing ritual with her mother, who shares self-care, self-love, and pride in one’s identity tips while sharing jokes and singing.

Comments: Sweet story of mother and daughter bonding.

The illustrations were created digitally using Procreate on an iPad Pro.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

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

Book cover of We Leap Together with a mother humpback whale and baby coming up out of the water with a mother and child watching from the shore

We Leap Together 

by Christopher Silas Neal (Author)

Summary: A humpback whale and calf are compared to the many similarities of a human mother and her child.

Comments: The illustrations were created with mixed media.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

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

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

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

Children's Book Recommendations

Narrative Nonfiction 2025

The Retired School LibrarianLeave a comment

Narrative Nonfiction 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.)

Book cover of Dragonflies of Glass with three women dressed in long skirts and blouse are looking at dragon flies at a window with different colors of glass.

Dragonflies of Glass: The Story of Clara Driscoll and the Tiffany Girls

by Susan Goldman Rubin (Author), Susanna Chapman (Illustrator)

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

Book cover to The Five Sides of Marjorie Rice with a house sife looking at five sided shape decorated with plants while a cat sits in a laundry basket

The Five Sides of Marjorie Rice: How to Discover a Shape

by Amy Alznauer (Author), Anna Bron (Illustrator)

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

George Washington wearing glasses

George Washington’s Spectacular Spectacles: The Glasses That Saved America

by Selene Castrovilla (Author), Jenn Harney (Illustrator)

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

book cover of Hiding in plain sight with lincoln's portrain in a giant eyeball, train in lower half, and woman in left

Hiding in Plain Sight: Kate Warne and the Race to Save Abraham Lincoln

by Beth Anderson (Author), Sally Wern Comport (Illustrator)

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

Book cover of I am on indigenous land with someone sitting on the end of a pier where a lake is surrounded by hills.

I Am on Indigenous Land

by Katrina M. Phillips (Author), Sam Zimmerman (Illustrator

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

Side portrait of maria Reiche with a broom in hand and outlines of Nazca Lines in the background

Lady of the Lines: How Maria Reiche Saved the Nazca Lines by Sweeping the Desert

by Michaela Maccoll (Author), Elisa Chavarri (Illustrator)

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

Marjory is in the Everglades with reeds, butterflies, and birds all around her with the swamp, river, and sky in the background.

Marjory’s River of Grass: Marjory Stoneman Douglas, Fierce Protector of the Everglades

by Josie James (Author)

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

Book cover to Stuck! with animals around a tar pit

Stuck! The Story of La Brea Tar Pits

by Joyce Uglow (Author), Valerya Milovanova (Illustrator)

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

Book cover to Unstoppable John with john lewis on the cover surrounded by books

Unstoppable John: How John Lewis Got His Library Card–and Helped Change History

by Pat Zietlow Miller (Author), Jerry Jordan (Illustrator)

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

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

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

Children's Book Recommendations

And There Was Music

The Retired School LibrarianLeave a comment

And There Was Music 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.)

Book cover of And There Was Music with many different people playing instruments. Yellow background

And There Was Music

by Marta Pantaleo (Author)

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

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

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

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

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

*I received a free copy of this book.

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

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

Children's Book Recommendations

Poetry 2025

The Retired School Librarian1 Comment

Poetry 2025 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.)

Awesome Earth: Concrete Poems Celebrate Caves, Canyons, and Other Fascinating Landforms

by Joan Bransfield Graham (Author), Tania Garcia (Illustrator)

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

If I Could Choose a Best Day: Poems of Possibility

by Charles Waters (Author), Irene Latham (Author), Olivia Sua (Illustrator)

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

Book cover of in the desert with a scorpion looking out into the saraha desert's red land

In the Desert

by David Elliott (Author), Gordy Wright (Illustrator)

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

Book cover of Ruthie Rose's Big Idea with three children looking up to a multicolored ceiling

Ruthie Rose’s Big Idea: A Poetry Story

by John Schu (Author), Holly Hatam (Illustrator)

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

The book cover of The Scroobious Pip. Picture of a creature with many different body parts

The Scroobious Pip

by Edward Lear (Author), Charles Santore (Illustrator), Nicholas Santore (Illustrator)

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

Woods & Words: The Story of Poet Mary Oliver

by Sara Holly Ackerman (Author), Naoko Stoop (Illustrator)

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

Book cover to Words with Wings and Magic Things. Yellow background with pictures of animals and make believe animals

Words with Wings and Magic Things, 2025

by Matthew Burgess (Author), Doug Salati (Illustrator)

This is a collection of poetry.

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

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

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

Children's Book Recommendations

Adi of Boutanga

The Retired School LibrarianLeave a comment

Adi of Boutanga 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.)

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

Adi of Boutanga: A Story from Cameroon 

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

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

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

It is based on a real girl named Adi.

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

The illustrations were created with oil on paper.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

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

*I received a free copy of this book.

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

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

Children's Book Recommendations

Garden

The Retired School LibrarianLeave a comment

Garden 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.)

The Cutest Brave Little Bunny 

by Joy Steuerwald (Author, Illustrator)

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

Every Little Seed 

by Cynthia Schumerth (Author), Elisa Paganelli (Illustrator)

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

A Flower is a Friend 

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

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

Garden Walk 

by Virginia Brimhall Snow

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

The Garden We Share 

by Zoë Tucker (Author), Swaney Julianna (Illustrator)

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

George Washington Carver: More Than “The Peanut Man”  

by Janel Rodriguez (Author), Subi Bosa (Illustrator)

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

G is for Gardening (A Gardening ABC Primer) 

by Ashley Marie Mireles (Author), Volha Kaliaha (Illustrator)

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

Growing Green: A First Book of Gardening 

by Candlewick Press (Author), Daniela Sosa (Illustrator)

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

Hopefully the Scarecrow 

by Michelle Houts (Author), Sara Palacios (Illustrator)

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

Just a Worm 

by Marie Boyd

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

Linh’s Rooftop Garden (Where In the Garden?) 

by JaNay Brown-Wood (Author), Samara Hardy (Illustrator)

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

Little Land 

by Diana Sudyka 

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

Love Makes a Garden Grow 

by Taeeun Yoo

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

My First Garden: For Little Gardeners Who Want to Grow 

by Livi Gosling

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

The Ocean Gardener 

by Clara Anganuzzi (Author, Illustrator)

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

Our Wild Garden 

by Daniel Seton (Author), Pieter Fannes (Illustrator)

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

This Little Kitty in the Garden 

by Karen Obuhanych

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

Watch Me Bloom: A Bouquet of Haiku Poems for Budding Naturalists

by Krina Patel-Sage 

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

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

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

Children's Book Recommendations

Dandelions

The Retired School LibrarianLeave a comment

Dandelions 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.)

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

A Dandelion (A Day in the Life Of) 

by Ruth Owen (Author)

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

Book cover to The Weedflower with a girl's close up of her smelling a dandelion. She has the same color of hair. The book is also a yellow background.

The Weedflower

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

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

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

Doe’s Dandelions (Woodland Friends) 

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

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

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

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

Children's Book Recommendations

A Universe of Rainbows

The Retired School Librarian1 Comment

A Universe of Rainbows 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.)

Book Cover of A Universe of Rainbows showing all type of things in nature that have rainbow colors such as a bird, flowers, crystals, a rainbow, and mountains.

A Universe of Rainbows: Multicolored Poems for a Multicolored World

by Matt Forrest Esenwine (Author), Jamey Christoph (Illustrator)

Brief summary: This poetry collection features twenty-two authors/poets and a mix of poetry forms that explore the various colors found in nature.

Comments: Each poem is presented on a two-page spread, accompanied by a side column of nonfiction text that briefly explains the topic.

The illustrations were created digitally.

This book could be shared in April as an Earth Day and a Poetry book.

(April is Poetry Month, and April 22nd is Earth Day.)

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

*I received a free copy of this book.

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

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

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

Children's Book Recommendations

Holi Picture Books–New and Newer

The Retired School LibrarianLeave a comment

Holi Picture Books–New and Newer 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.)

Happy Holi! book cover of a girl and boy covered in colors over their white clothes. Circle around them. Border had bright colors for Holi

Happy Holi!: Celebrating the Festival of Colors 

by Chitra Soundar (Author), Amberin Huq (Illustrator)

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

Book cover for It's Holi with a child dressed in white with bright colors around them.

It’s Holi! 

by Sanyukta Mathur (Author), Courtney Pippin-Mathur (Illustrator)

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

Holi book cover with wooden bowls of various colors of powder

Holi – Happy Holidays!

by Betsy Rathburn (Author)

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

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

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

Children's Book Recommendations

Afternoon on a Hill

The Retired School LibrarianLeave a comment

Afternoon on a Hill 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.)

Book cover of Afternoon on a Hill with a girl asleep in the meadow of flowers

Afternoon on a Hill 

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

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

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

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

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

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

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

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

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

Children's Book Recommendations

The Quiet One

The Retired School LibrarianLeave a comment

The Quiet One 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.)

Book cover of The Quiet One with the words made of various objects. A robot and Millie wearing overalls and holding a wrench.

The Quiet One 

by Yiting Lee (Author)

Brief summary: Milly is an introvert and tends to be quiet in class. With Show and Tell approaching Friday, she is feeling anxious about it. At home, she has a special place where she enjoys tinkering and has created a robot named Arnold. Her new friend goes to school with Milly and helps her share her passion with the class.

Comments: This book is great for reading aloud. It could help kids learn about quiet individuals who enjoy sharing their interests. It also shows shy people that it’s okay to be themselves.

The illustrations were created using watercolors.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

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

*I received a free copy of this book.

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

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

Children's Book Recommendations

Summer’s Child

The Retired School LibrarianLeave a comment

Summer’s Child 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.)

Book cover of Summer's Child with a child standing on a donkey telling the silly story for the summer play. Bright colors are in the background of hils, flowers, trees, clouds, a dove, and the sun.

Summer’s Child 

by James Christopher Carroll (Author, Illustrator)

Brief summary: The forest animals gather around Bear to perform a play about the first day of summer. Child will be the narrator of this whimsical production.

Comments: This book’s illustrations are vibrant and filled with bright, appealing colors. This lighthearted and humorous story could serve as a great bedtime book or one to uplift a young reader.

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.

There are two more in this season series by James Christopher Carroll that you may enjoy.

Book cover to Mother Winter with a child wearing a hat and mitten looking up into the snow

Mother Winter 

by James Christopher Carroll (Author, Illustrator)

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

Book Cover to Sister Spring of a child representing spring flying in the sky reaching down to touch flowers

Sister Spring 

by James Christopher Carroll (Author, Illustrator)

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

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

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

Children's Book Recommendations

Ramon Fellini the Dog Detective

The Retired School LibrarianLeave a comment

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

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

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

Ramon Fellini the Dog Detective 

by Guilherme Karsten (Author)

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

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

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

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

Rating: 5/5 📗📗📗📗📗

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

*I received a free copy of this book.

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

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

Children's Book Recommendations

2025 Children’s Picture Book Recommendations by Theme

The Retired School LibrarianLeave a comment

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

Children’s book titles are carefully handpicked by a certified elementary school librarian who, although retired, still enjoys reading children’s books, especially picture books, and recommending them to busy teachers, school librarians, parents, grandparents, and other book lovers.

Most of the books Mrs. Ferraris reads before recommending are checked out from the public library, except for those much-appreciated complimentary copies sent to her for an honest review. Those are noted.