Tag: children’s book recommendation

Children's Book Recommendations

Swimming Picture Books

The Retired School LibrarianLeave a comment

Swimming 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 recommendations can be bought on Mrs. Ferraris’s Amazon Storefront. .)

A girl and boy cousin are splashing each other in the sea wearing bathing suits and laughing. Book cover to Big Family Beach Day

Big Family Beach Day 

by Nina Crews (Author, Illustrator)

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

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

The illustrations were digitally drawn and collaged in Adobe Photoshop.

Rating: 4/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

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

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

Dawn Patrol: A Father and Daughter Surfing Story 

by Rob Sayegh Jr. (Author, Illustrator)

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

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

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

Rating: 4/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

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

Maddie is swimming underneath the pool with two people floating nearby. Cover for Everybelly

Everybelly 

by Thao Lam (Author)

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

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

The illustrations were created in cut-paper collage.

Rating: 4/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

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

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

Just One Wave

by Travis Jonker (Author)

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

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

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

Rating: 3.5/5 ⭐⭐⭐1/2

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

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

Just One Flake

by Travis Jonker (Author)

My Dear Sea book cover with a girl wearing a bathing suit is standing at the shore of the sea taking one step in before swimming in it.

My Dear Sea 

by André Carrilho (Author, Illustrator)

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

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

This text is composed in rhyme.

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

Rating: 5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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

Our Lake book cover with two brothers in bathing trunks are standing on top of a cliff ready to jump into the lake to go swimming.

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.

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

Father Picture Books

The Retired School LibrarianLeave a comment

Father Picture Books 2025 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 for The Best Daddy of All with Sebastian standing on top the shell of his father in the grass with leaves in the background of yellow

The Best Daddy of All 

by Peter Horn (Author), Jessica Meserve (Illustrator), Johanna McCalmont (Translator)

Brief summary: Sebastian spends the day with his father, walking through the meadow and around the pond, learning about what other dads do for their children. His father turns it into a game by describing what different daddy creatures do, and Sebastian has to guess which creature he is talking about.

Comments: This story is a cuddly, bedtime book.

The book was originally published in Switzerland. The book I looked at was in English and printed in Riga, Latvia.

Rating: 4.5/5 📗📗📗📗1/2

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

Book cover for Jollof Day with a young child and father. The boy is holding a large silver pot with jollof rice and stew.

Jollof Day 

by Bernard Mensah (Author), Annalise Barber-Opp (Illustrator)

Brief summary: A young boy and his dad wake up before the rest of the family on Jollof Day to prepare a special stew. They joyfully chop the ingredients and let the stew simmer. When the rest of the family wakes up, everyone sits down together for the special meal.

Comments: The recipe for the jollof rice dish is in the back of the book.

The bright and dynamic illustrations were created using watercolor paints, gouache, colored pencils, and digital edits in Photoshop.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

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

Cover for Little big man with a young boy and his father brushing their teeth

Little Big Man 

by Varian Johnson (Author), Reggie Brown (Illustrator)

Brief summary: Elijah eagerly waits for his father’s return from work so they can fly his new kite together. However, his father has to work over the weekend. Instead, the two of them work together to clean the house and help his mother with the newborn baby. Following his father’s example, Elijah learns to do household chores.

Comments: I appreciate Elijah’s father’s patience and encouragement as his son learns to follow his lead and assist in the house and to also help others in the neighborhood.

The illustrations were created digitally using Adobe Photoshop.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

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

Book cover of Love, Dad: Inspiring Notes from Fathers to Kids with a girl giving her father a kiss on the nose as he holds her

Love, Dad: Inspiring Notes from Fathers to Kids 

by Dr. Joel Warsh (Author), Andrew Gardner (Author), David Cooper (Illustrator)

Brief summary: This book is a collection of 18 short notes from various fathers, each beginning with “I hope you…” to support their children’s growth.

Comments: The illustrations were created using digital media.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

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

Book cover of a boy and his father riding bikes with birds and hills in the background

Riding Through Rice Fields: A Trip to the Philippines 

by Michelle Sterling (Author), Bianca Austria (Illustrator)

Brief summary: Mateo and his father are struggling to connect until a family reunion in the Philippines helps strengthen their bond as they embark on an adventure together while bicycling across the country.

Comments: Mateo learns about bayanihan, the practice of people coming together to help those in need. I believe that reading this book aloud in the classroom and discussing bayanihan could be beneficial throughout the entire year.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

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

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

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

Children's Book Recommendations

Some of Us

The Retired School LibrarianLeave a comment

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

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

*I received a free copy of this book.

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

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

Children's Book Recommendations

Will the Pigeon Graduate?

The Retired School LibrarianLeave a comment

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

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

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

Will the Pigeon Graduate? 

by Mo Willems (Author)

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

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

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

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

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

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

Children's Book Recommendations

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.