Tag: children’s book recommendation

Summer Picture Books

Summer Picture Books

The Retired School LibrarianLeave a comment

Summer picture book recommendation are by Angela Ferraris, The Retired School Librarian.

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. 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 Amazon Storefront under Summer Picture Books– https://www.amazon.com/shop/mrs.ferraris/list/3R7J5JRIZERHB?ref_=aipsflist)

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

A young girl and friend are walking in a daisy meadow with a bird and butterfly flying along with them.

Goodbye Spring, Hello Summer

by Kenard Pak 

Summary: A girl walks the plains, noticing all of the spring plants, animals, and weather around her changing to summer. She heads to where children are playing in the setting sun. The next day, she greets summer.

Comments: This is a nice mentor text for seasonal changes and could also be shared toward the end of the school year when students will go on summer break.

This is part of the Kenard Pak’s Changing Seasons series.

The illustrations were created with watercolor and gouache, then digitally enhanced.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page (paid link).

Piper and Sumi catching fireflies in the yard during the summer.

Firefly Season

by Cynthia Leitich Smith (Author), Kate Gardiner (Illustrator) 

Summary: Piper enjoys visiting her family each summer in the Cherokee Nation and the Muscogee Nation. She learns Mvskoke while playing in the yard with her cousins and catching fireflies. Her parents pick her up and she returns home and makes friends with a neighbor, but unfortunately, her family moves.

Piper is able to stay in touch with everyone and continues connecting with the people she loves.

Comments: This is a sweet story of friendship and summers spent with family despite the distance between loved ones. The story teaches that people can still stay in touch during transitions. The Indigenous cultures and family traditions could spark conversations in the classroom, making it a great read aloud.

The illustrations were created with gouache and colored pencil.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page (paid link).

Cici is at her grandma's cookout with her cousins and family. There is a grill smoking in the background

At the Cookout

by Nadia Fisher

Summary: Cici is excited to attend her grandma’s summer cookout, where she plays games, listens to music, and enjoys delicious food with her cousins, uncles, aunties, and Grandma.

Comments: This is a wonderful read-aloud to share with students when discussing multigenerational family traditions and summer celebrations. It could also encourage students to share how they celebrate with their own families.

I think this would be a book to share at the end of the school year or at the beginning of a new one as students discuss what they are going to do or did over summer break.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page (paid link).

A star baby playing a snare drum with the background of yellow fireworks and a roller coaster

Bright Lights and Summer Nights

by Shauntay Grant (Author), Zach Manbeck (Illustrator)

Summary: Mother Moon has a star baby who does not want to sleep on a warm summer night. To help, she magically tells a story about children attending a country fair under a starlit sky before watching fireworks.

Comments: This is a lovely bedtime story and lullaby to share with toddlers through kindergarteners. The green and yellow illustrations create the feeling of a gentle dream unfolding, while the text playfully uses the last word or phrase of one idea to begin the next.

The illustrations were created with gouache, watercolor, colored pencil, pastel, and Procreate.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page (paid link).

Squirrel and Bird are in the forest at night with Squirrel holding up a flashlight at his chin.

The Sun Thief

by Alice Hemming (Author), Nicola Slater (Illustrator) 

Summary: Squirrel is enjoying a summer evening with his friend Bird, who excuses himself to go to bed. Squirrel is confused about bedtime while it is still light outside and becomes concerned that someone has stolen the sun when it does not rise as early as it used to. With Bird’s help, he learns that summer days are the longest of the year and begin to grow shorter after the summer solstice.

Comments: This would make a fun and humorous mentor text for units on changing seasons and the sun. It could also be used to introduce or reinforce concepts related to the summer solstice and changing daylight hours.

This is one from The Leaf Thief series.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page (paid link).

Scene of a farm with rabbits, deer, an owl, and a bee are on the other side of the hedge. Dandelions, trees, clouds and the sun are the background.

Where the Deer Slip Through

by Katey Howes (Author), Beth Krommes (Illustrator) 

Summary: Various animals visit a farm through the gaps and cracks in the hedge surrounding it. Deer, rabbits, lizards, and other wildlife appear during the summer day, while others visit in the evening.

Comments: The text is written in rhyme and features cumulative verse as each animal joins the story.

The book is beautifully illustrated with black-and-white images created on scratchboard panels, transferred onto paper, and enhanced with watercolor.

Rating: 4.5/5 📗📗📗📗1/2

Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page (paid link).

Grandfather dressed in jean shorts, orange shirt, and a straw hat with his granddaughter in shorts and sandals. They are about to go to the beach with the blue sea in the background.

Savor the Day

by Shari Green (Author), Gabby Grant (Illustrator) 

Summary: A girl and her grandfather wake up early and prepare for a day at the beach, where they enjoy the sun, water, and wildlife around them. As night falls, they pack up the car, reflecting on and appreciating their day together.

Comments: This rhyming book would make a soothing read-aloud that emphasizes mindfulness, gratitude, and the special relationship between grandparents and grandchildren.

Rating: 4.5/5 📗📗📗📗1/2

Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page (paid link).

A shoreline with various children splashing and playing in the sea.

Here Come the Cousins

by Maggie Hutchings (Author), Sarah Zweck (Illustrator) 

Summary: A girl excitedly waits on her grandpa’s porch for her seven cousins to come visit. It is a summer tradition in which they measure themselves on the wall to see how much they have grown, play in the ocean, and spend time together at the house.

Comments: This is a delightful, action-filled story about nostalgia, making memories, and bonding with family. I think this would make a superb back-to-school read-aloud and could spark discussions about what students did over the summer. Do they have cousins they enjoy spending time with?

The illustrations are colorful and feature many two-page spreads filled with details. I enjoyed taking my time with this book, stopping to look closely at each page.

Rating: 4.5/5 📗📗📗📗1/2

Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page (paid link).

A bouse, snail, and praying mantis are around a large red lunch box while in the forest.

This is NOT my Lunch Box!

by Jennifer Dupuis (Author), Carol Schwartz (Illustrator)

Brief summary: In this narrative nonfiction picture book, a boy is on a camping trip. As he opens a different colored lunchbox each time, he discovers that it is full of food for creatures in the woods. These creatures include herbivores, omnivores, and carnivores. What will he find in his lunch box next?

Comments: The lunch box is located on the right-hand side of the double-page spread. Turning the page reveals the answer of the lunch box owner located on the left. Readers then have to guess who will eat the contents of the next lunch box. This pattern continues for about a dozen times. Very clever!

Rating: 5/5 📗📗📗📗📗

Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page (paid link).

Ben is in the summer garden full of flowers with bumblebees around him.

The Bumblebee Garden 

by Dawn Casey (Author), Stella Lim (Illustrator)

Brief summary: Ben and his grandpa spot a bumblebee in the garden. Grandpa educates his grandson about the bumblebee’s life cycle, explaining its activities in each season as the book unfolds.

Comments: There is a back section titled The Life Cycle of a Queen Bumblebee.

The illustrations were handcrafted using watercolor and colored pencils, finishing with digital methods.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page (paid link).

A granny with white hair is holding a black cat and mouse along with her vegetables harvested from the roof garden.

Grandma’s Roof Garden

by Tang Wei (Author), Kelly Zhang (Translator)

Brief summary: An elderly granny collects discarded vegetables at the market to feed her animals and for compost. She has planted a rooftop garden, where she teaches neighborhood children how to care for plants. She shares her harvest with family and friends by having a meal together and giving extras for them to take home.

Comments: This book was initially printed in China in 2019.

The Author’s Note explains the author’s personal inspiration for this story.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page (paid link).

A rode has a variety of bikes all going down the road in the same direction.

Ride Beside Me

by Lucy Knisley (Author)

Brief summary: A young child and mother go bike riding in the city. They are soon joined by other bicyclists in the bike club of different backgrounds and various forms of bikes, all heading up the mountain and then back down.

Comments: The illustrations were created using gouache paint on paper.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page (paid link).

A young boy and his dad are in a green truck with a bunch of camping equipment on top going down a country road with pine trees on either side.

The Best Worst Camp Out Ever

by Joe Cepeda (Author, Illustrator)

Brief summary: At the end of the school year, a boy and his dad decide to go camping. However, upon arriving at a campsite, they discover it is full. They then find an alternate campsite, which is not as appealing. Despite facing a series of setbacks, they persist in overcoming each problem.

Comments: This humorous elementary graphic novel was created with Adobe Photoshop.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page (paid link).

Bruce is at the beach with the mice and friends. The bear has a very grumpy look on his face as he is carrying all of the beach stuff.

Beach Bummer

by Ryan Higgins (author and illustrator)

Brief summary: It is a hot summer day in Soggy Hollow, and the mice want to turn the house into a beach resort, but they go to one instead. Bruce begrudgingly carries everything to the beach until it is time to return home.

Comments: The illustrations were created using scans of treated clayboard for texture, graphite, ink, and Photoshop.

This book is smaller–7.28″ x 7.28″.

Rating: 3.5/5 📗📗📗1/2

Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page (paid link).

Sophie, Diego, Lili are outside chasing fireflies during the summer evening. The stars and insects are twinkling.

Firefly Galaxy

by Sarah Nelson (Author), Estrellita Caracol (Illustrator)

Brief summary: Sophie, Diego, and Lili excitedly wait until it is dark enough to catch fireflies and put them in a jar. Their parents go with them away from the house, where they can see the stars at night and the fireflies flashing off and on.

Comments: There is a section at the back called “Fascinating Firefly Facts” for more information about this insect.

The illustrations were created in paper collage.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page (paid link).

A young girl is looking up at the bubbles she is blowing.

Summer is Here

by Renée Watson (Author), Bea Jackson (Illustrator)

Brief summary: A young girl wakes up on a sunny summer day and eats a breakfast of fruit. She then goes to play in the pool with her friends. Throughout the day, she also plays Double Dutch, goes on a picnic, throws water balloons, eats ice cream, and partakes in other activities. As the day comes to an end, she wishes that summer would stay.

Comments: Young readers will enjoy an action-packed summer day full of activities they can relate to.

The illustrations were created using a variety of pastel, oil paint, and watercolor brushes and Photoshopped.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page (paid link).

Bo is with his dog playing in the river. There are flowers and vegetables in a circle around the solstice moon.

Summer’s Magic: An Indigenous Celebration of Nature

by Kaitlin B. Curtice (Author), Eduardo Marticorena (Illustrator)

Brief summary: Bo’s mom braids his hair into one long braid divided by three to represent the body, mind, and spirit. During the summer, he and his family celebrate by growing plants and visiting a river with their dog, Sam. They give thanks to the river before playing in it. However, as they prepare to leave, Bo notices people throwing their picnic trash into the river.

During the solstice, Bo goes to the river and asks the other kids to help him clean it up. In the evening, they have a big meal and their neighbors stop by. Bo shows the children his garden, and they catch and release fireflies.

Comments: Bo is a Potawatomi and shares his beliefs about Mother Nature throughout the story.

This could be shared not only as a summer solstice companion but with Earth Day, pollution ,and environmental unit of studies as well.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page (paid link).

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 📗📗📗📗

Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page (paid link).

*I received a free copy of this book.

Garmann's standing in water with two orange floaties on each arm with a ship in the background.

Garmann’s Summer 

by Stian Hole (Author), Don Bartlett (Translator)

Brief summary: Garmann’s three elderly aunts come to visit just as the summer is about to end and school begins. The boy talks to his aunts and parents about what scares them. What scares Garmann?

Comments: This book is a translation from Norway, initially published in 2006.

I like this book’s candid humor about what scares us, death, and new beginnings.

The illustrations are collages of mixed media.

My students enjoyed these Garmann books and would read them together.

*I was sent a complimentary copy to give an honest review.

Rating: 5/5 📗📗📗📗📗

Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page (paid link).

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.

Science Picture Books

Science Picture Books

The Retired School LibrarianLeave a comment

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

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. 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. Science Picture Books can be found on my Amazon Storefront under Science Picture Books —https://amzn.to/48cWRqd .)

Abstract city book cover of people crossing the street with all sorts of sounds around them

Sound: Discovering the Vibrations We Hear

by Olga Fadeeva (Author), Lena Traer (Translator)

Summary: This nonfiction picture book details the various types of sounds and how we perceive them. Various text features, such as diagrams, illustrations, photos, labeling, maps, headings, and others, help explain the topics.

Comments: This is a detailed and informative sound book that explains not only how we actually hear sound but also how sounds have evolved over the centuries. Learn the answers to “What is an echo? What is sound like under the water? Can sound influence our health? How has sound changed over time?”

The illustrations were created with acrylic paint and water.

Rating: 5/5 📗📗📗📗📗

Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page (paid link)

*I received a free copy of this book.

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📗📗📗📗

Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page (paid link)

*I received a free copy of this book.

Large full moon in the background of two people looking up at it while standing on a hill.

The Museum on the Moon: The Curious Objects on the Lunar Surface 

by Irene Latham (Author), Myriam Wares (Illustrator)

Brief summary: This nonfiction picture book uses a poem and nonfiction text to describe objects left on the moon.

Comments: This book could be used in a poetry unit or a lesson on the solar system. It was fascinating to learn about all the objects that were left behind.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page (paid link).

Cover of a poetry picture book titled Push-Pull Morning with a child hugging a dog

Push-Pull Morning: Dog-Powered Poems About Matter and Energy 

by Lisa Westberg Peters (Author), Serge Bloch (Illustrator)

Brief summary: A fun introduction to physics in free verse poetry about a child and dog experiencing everyday life.


Comments: Each poem’s physics correlation is explained at the back of the book. This book could be shared in science units when each physics aspect is introduced to give students an idea of seeing it in the world around them.

Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page (paid link).

Rating: 3/5 📗📗📗

The Three Little Tardigrades book cover is of three little creatures with water droplets in the background

The Three Little Tardigrades 

by Sandra Fay (Author, Illustrator)

Brief summary: This fractured fairy tale of the Three Little Pigs has three little tardigrades and a big hairy wolf spider.

Tardigrades(also known as “water bears” and “moss piglets”) are microscopic animals that can live in extreme conditions, including outer space. In this story, they live in a water droplet where Mother Tardigrade tells her sons, Gavin, Colin, and Doug, that it is time for them to move out and explore the world.

Each one goes to a different part of the world, but the big hairy wolf spider keeps appearing. Why does the arachnid keep appearing to the tardigrades?

Comments: The illustrations were created with watercolors and potato prints.

The back page has facts about tardigrades and the book’s scientific terms.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page (paid link).

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.

Bird Picture Books

Bird Picture Books

The Retired School LibrarianLeave a comment

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

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.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. Bird picture books can be found on my Amazon Storefront under Bird Picture Books–https://amzn.to/46aOOHU).)

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

The book cover to Fly Like a Bird with various birds in the sky.

Fly Like a Bird (Spectacular STEAM for Curious Readers (SSCR))

by Olga Ptashnik (Author)

Summary: This nonfiction picture book follows a baby chickadee as it prepares to fly, but is unsure how. Through a question-and-answer story, an adult chickadee explains all of the ways different birds fly, like penguins flying under the water, hummingbirds’ rapid wings buzzing, and starlings flying in murmuration.

Comments: The black ink is the voice of the young chickadee, while the blue ink is that of the adult chickadee, making a fun narrative text for readers to read aloud with one another.

The back has a “More About the Birds” section with brief information about the birds discussed in the story.

The illustrations were created digitally.

Rating: 4.5/5 📗📗📗📗1/2

Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page (paid link).

*I received a free copy of this book.

A robin is beaming up at the star while in a tree. Cover of The Birds of Christmas.

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 (paid link).

*I received a free copy of this book.

book cover for Bird Girl with a young woman in the forest behind an stand up camera about to take a photo of the many birds around her

Bird Girl: Gene Stratton-Porter Shares Her Love of Nature with the World 

by Jill Esbaum (Author),  Rebecca Gibbon (Illustrator)

Brief summary: Geneva Grace loved the birds on their family farm and visited their 64 nests of various birds to watch them. Her father retired moving the family to a town where the girl found little joy. She married and moved back to the country, where she began writing about the birds in her area, learning to use a camera to take hundreds of photos in Limberlost Swamp.

Her books became so popular in 1924 that ten million copies were sold, and some were made into movies.

Her beloved Limberlost Swamp was being harvested, bulldozed, and drilled for gas, disrupting and killing the wildlife.

In the 1990s, decades after her death, Indiana conservation groups, inspired by her life and books, began buying up the land that once was Limberlost Swamp to bring back some of the wildlife.

Comments: The back sections include Author’s Note, More About Gene Stratton-Porter, and Bibliography.

The illustrations were created with acrylic ink and colored pencils.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page (paid link).

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

Clever Crow 

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

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

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

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page (paid link).

Book cover for Fly with all sorts of birds with different colors flying or sitting in trees. The title is spelled with feathers.

Fly: A Family Guide to Birds and How to Spot Them (In Our Nature) 

by David Lindo (Author), Sara Boccaccini Meadows (Illustrator)

Brief summary: This nonfiction picture book contains details and facts using text boxes and labels. The fonts and sizes are varied to emphasize bird facts and main ideas.

Comments: The book is superbly illustrated with watercolors and gouache paints. Each bird is portrayed in great detail, showcasing its vibrant colors and unique markings. I enjoyed examining the details and interesting facts about the birds. It is very well done and a must for any library.

Rating: 5/5 📗📗📗📗📗

Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page (paid link).

Book cover of Free Bird: Flaco the Owl's Dreams Take Flight with a

Free Bird: Flaco the Owl’s Dreams Take Flight 

by Christine Mott (Author), Ofra Layla Isler (Illustrator)

Brief summary: Flaco, a Eurasian Eagle Owl, lived in a zoo in New York and dreamed of flying in the sky. One day, an opportunity to escape presented itself. Flaco learned about the city’s food sources, made new friends, and experienced the joys of living a life of freedom.

Comments: Details about owls can be found at the end of the book.

Flaco has passed away, but there are only gentle references to his departure that would not upset a child. An illustration shows him with a golden halo over his head, conveying that “his spirit is still flying free.”

Half of the proceeds from this book will be donated to the Wild Bird Fund.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page (paid link).

*I received a free copy of this book.

An old man with a cane following a boy running with his dog along a river with kingfisher sitting on a branch in the middle of cat tails

Grandpa and the Kingfisher

by Anna Wilson (Author), Sarah Massini (Illustrator)

Brief summary: A young boy and his grandpa visit the river in the spring and discover a kingfisher diving in the water to catch a fish. They come back in the summer to find two kingfishers building a nest.

The boy and his grandfather keep coming to the river over the seasons, watching the birds’ life cycle.

 The boy asks questions about the birds while the man answers, paralleling his life.

Comments: This story does talk about death and how nature continues but gently and matter-of-factly so that children can understand.

Wonderful watercolor illustrations.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page (paid link).

There is a small Sparrow and a bowl of water with a watercolor background of greens and the book cover of Zorro the Sparrow.

Kozo the Sparrow 

by Allen Say (Author, Illustrator)

Brief summary: A young Allen Say trades all of his treasures to save a sparrow hatchling from the hands of bullies. He takes it home and nurses it to adulthood, bonding with his bird, Kozo(Little Boy).

Allen takes the bird to school to share with his classmates. Will the bullies capture the sparrow again?

Comments: This is the true story of Allen Say and the bird he raised and loved while living in Japan as a child at age eight.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page (paid link).

Lucky Duck cover with Susan, the duck, sitting in a large pot holding a wooden spoon with vegetables on the table. There is a yellow creature with antennas next to the pot.

Lucky Duck 

by Greg Pizzoli (Author)

Brief summary: Susan the Duck starts her day receiving roller skates two sizes too big and continues with many other unlucky occurrences throughout the day.

Susan answers the door to a wolf, who claims she has won a big pot. She began to feel lucky to win all of the vegetables the wolf kept bringing throughout the day.

Susan soon realizes her bad luck was lucky and her good luck was unlucky.

Comments: This is a humorous story that young readers will enjoy as it unravels and would make for a fun read-aloud. 

The illustrations are drawn with pencil, brush, and Photoshop.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page (paid link).

Book cover to To See an Owl with a girl holding binoculars and an owl standing back to back to her

To See an Owl

by Matthew Cordell (Author)

Summary: Janie wants to see an owl and looks where she will find one but does not until she takes a wintry walk with her mother.

Comments: A beautifully calming read-aloud for bedtime or a unit on nocturnal animals. I loved how the teacher shared his passion of birdwatching, encouraging her hobby.

Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page (paid link).

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.

Fungi Picture Books

Fungi Picture Books

The Retired School LibrarianLeave a comment

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

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. 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 under my Amazon Storefront under Fungi Picture Books– https://www.amazon.com/shop/mrs.ferraris/list/HI3P3S9Q1GEE?ref_=aipsflist .)

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

Book cover of Fairy Rings with a mushrooms with red caps in a circle on the grass.

Fairy Rings

by Lisa Owings (Author)

Summary: Various cultures have created folktales about fairy rings to explain these circles of fungi. This nonfiction book describes where, what, and how these rings grow.

Comments: Several text features are included, such as diagrams, labels, bold words, and so on. There is also a glossary at the back.

There is a glossary in the back.

I remember growing up with a fairy ring in our front yard and the tales our parents would tell about it. I wish there had been books like this when I was growing up so I could investigate further.

Rating: 5/5 📗📗📗📗📗

Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page (paid link).

Fungi Grow 

by Maria Gianferrari (Author), Diana Sudyka (Illustrator)

Summary: Young readers will learn how fungi grow above, on, and under the ground. Mushrooms can be edible, poisonous, or medicinal. There are mushroom details of how they multiply and what animals eat them. The underground fungi network helps the forest.

Comments: The gouache watercolors are detailed with two-paged spreads or small vignettes that move the nonfiction story along as we read the large print prose and the smaller informative text for more details.

This would be an excellent addition to the mushroom section in any children’s library collection.

Rating: 5/5 📗📗📗📗📗

 Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page (paid link).

Cover to Mushrooms & Fungi for Kids with several types of mushrooms on the cover and in different colors

Mushrooms & Fungi for Kids: An Introduction to Mycology

by Ariel Bonkoski (Author)

Summary: This nonfiction paperback serves as a beginner’s guide to the mushrooms and fungi of North America. It contains numerous diagrams, labels, and photos of various fungi, along with suggested activities.

Comments: I love field guides like this and especially for children. It shares the basics with many colored photos. Adults who are just learning about fungi and mushrooms will also appreciate this.

A glossary is included in the back.

Perfect size to fit in a pocket or backpack while hiking.

Rating: 5/5 📗📗📗📗📗

Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page (paid link).

Book cover to We Spy Fungi with a brown background and all sorts o different fungi in various shapes and colors

We Spy Fungi: Search and Find Mushrooms, Cacti, and Other Fascinating Plants 

by Rebecca Donnelly (Author), Francisco Fonseca (Illustrator)

Summary: This global nonfiction book explores mushrooms and other fascinating plants, focusing on fungi and their ecosystems.

Comments: This book illustrates and discusses fourteen different ecosystems, featuring short text squares with information about various plants and animals within each ecosystem.

This book illustrates and discusses 14 different ecosystems.

II did not see the medium used listed in this book. I would have liked photos of the fungi included, a map showing the location of each ecosystem, and a glossary at the back.

Rating: 4.5/5 📗📗📗📗1/2

Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page (paid link).

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.

Voting Picture Books

Voting Picture Books

The Retired School LibrarianLeave a comment

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

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. 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 Voting Picture Books– https://www.amazon.com/shop/mrs.ferraris/list/1JR3EVXSC9O1V?ref_=aipsflist)

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

Picture Books

Leo has a piece of paper in one hand and a voting box in the other. Book cover for Leo's First Vote

Leo’s First Vote! 

by Christina Soontornvat (Author), Isabel Roxas (Illustrator)

Brief summary: Leo’s father became a United States citizen and now is able to vote for the president of the United States. Leo learns about voting at school like how the candidates are chosen, debating, registering, and where the polling place is located.

Comments: The illustrations were created using oil pastels, acrylic, cut paper, and digital rendering.

The back sections include more information about voting.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page (paid link).

A mother and her daughter are walking past a large sign painted on the wall that says vote in various capital letters and colors on their way to a voting center. Book cover for Show up and Vote

Show Up and Vote 

by Ani DiFranco (Author), Rachelle Baker (Illustrator)

Brief summary: A mother takes her daughter with her to vote. As they walk down the city’s sidewalks in the rain, the girl realizes how important it is to cast a ballot. She sees familiar faces and feels connected to the community.

Comments: The illustrations were created with Procreate and iPad.

It should be noted that this book has no capital letters or punctuation. I believe it would make it easier for young readers if it was read aloud.

Rating: 3.5 /5 📗📗📗1/2

Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page (paid link).

Nonfiction

Book cover for How Voting and Elections Work with a string of voting stickers in the background

How Voting and Elections Work

by Zelda Wagner (Author)

Brief summary: This intermediate nonfiction children’s book discusses topics such as election day, why we vote, the election, and how to get involved.

Comments: This book is illustrated with photos. There is a glossary, index, and a “Learn More” section in the back of the book.

Rating: 3.5 /5 📗📗📗1/2

Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page (paid link).

A man in a suit is voting. American flag in the background. Book cover of Voting Day

Voting Day

by Samantha Bell (Author)

Brief summary: This intermediate nonfiction children’s books focuses on the day of voting. Readers will learn about polling places, volunteers, voting day, early voting, counting the votes, and declaring the winner.

Comments: The book is illustrated with photos.

The back sections included Fun Fact, Activity, Glossary, To Learn More, Index, and About the Author.

Rating: 3.5 /5 📗📗📗1/2

Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page (paid link).

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 for an honest review, which are duly noted.

Juneteenth Picture Books

Juneteenth Picture Books

The Retired School LibrarianLeave a comment

Juneteenth picture book recommendation is by Angela Ferraris, The Retired School Librarian.

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. The content below contains Amazon affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Mrs. Ferraris may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you. These titles may be found on my Amazon Storefront under Juneteenth Picture Books– https://amzn.to/4dirYTK.)

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

Children playing in Emancipation Park with grass, trees, and adults in the background. The blue sky has busts of people.

They Built Me for Freedom: The Story of Juneteenth and Houston’s Emancipation Park 

by Tonya Duncan Ellis (Author), Jenin Mohammed (Illustrator)

Brief summary: Emancipation Park is dedicated to celebrating the freedom of enslaved people in Texas. The park was built in 1872 and features picnics, a pool, and baseball games.

Although the park was in disarray for several years, it rejoiced when it was repaired and is used today.

Comments: This story is told through the perspective of the park.

There is a brief history of Emancipation Park and related history.

The artwork is colorful and joyous. However, I could not find any information in the book about how it was created.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page (paid link).

An extended family is on the porch talking and eating, celebrating Juneteenth

Juneteenth Is

by Natasha Tripplett (Author), Daniel J. O’Brien (Illustrator)

Brief summary: A large extended family celebrates Juneteenth by displaying black, red, and green flags, enjoying music and food, and Granddaddy teaching and remembering with the grandchildren.

Comments: The illustrations were created using digital tools. I appreciated the emotions and expressions on the family’s faces as they celebrated throughout the day.

There is a section in the back that explains the significance of the color red for the holiday.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page (paid link).

There is a family of a mother, father, and little girl at a table full of Juneteenth celebratory food such as mac and cheese, salad, buns, red velvet cakes.

The Juneteenth Cookbook: Recipes and Activities for Kids and Families to Celebrate 

by Alliah L. Agostini (Author),  Chef Taffy Elrod, and Sawyer Cloud (Illustrator)

Brief summary: This nonfiction children’s book includes 18 recipes for a Juneteenth celebration. There is a little blurb with each recipe telling the significance of the food.

The book has a brief history of Juneteenth and is divided into Drinks, Appetizers, Mains, Sides, and Desserts. Each section includes an activity idea.

Comments: This book contains the history of the holiday, along with recipes, explanations, illustrations, and fun activities for this special day.

Rating: 4.5/5 📗📗📗📗1/2

Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page (paid link).

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.

A young women reciting from a book Poetry Picture Books

Poetry Picture Books

The Retired School LibrarianLeave a comment

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

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. 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 title can be found on my Amazon Storefront under Poetry Picture Books– https://www.amazon.com/shop/mrs.ferraris/list/23O9S8DDXLNC2?ref_=aipsflist .)

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

Squirrels eating acorns in a tree

Poems for Every Season: A Year of Haiku, Sonnets, and More 

by Bette Westera (Author), Henriette Boerendans (Illustrator), David Colmer (Translator)

Brief summary: This collection organizes the calendar year journey beginning in spring and concludes in winter, with each season introduced by a haiku. Every month within that season is then paired with a unique poetic form for a total of 16 distinct styles.

Comments: The woodcut illustrations are stunning; two-page spreads are used to capture the essence of each month.

The back section is About the Verse Forms where each poem is listed along with a full explanation of the poetic form.

The forms discussed are:

  • Haiku 
  • Rondel
  • Acrostic
  • Double dactyl
  • Pantoum
  • Elevenie
  • Tanka
  • Quatrain
  • Diamante
  • Rondelet
  • Limerick
  • Stacking Poem
  • Sonnet

This collection is a superb resource for teaching poetry units. I highly recommend adding this to any school or classroom library.

Rating: 5/5 📗📗📗📗📗

Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page (paid link).

*I received a free copy of this book.

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.

Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page (paid link)..

A black bird is looking out of its next made of grass and other natural materials. Cover of Home

Home

by Isabelle Simler (Author), Vineet Lal (Translator)

Brief summary: This poetry collection features 27 animals from around the world, showcasing the unique and amazing homes they create. Each animal is beautifully illustrated with great detail, and young readers will learn about camouflage, habitat, life cycles, and interesting animal facts.

Comments:  The back sections include More About These Amazing Animals, Glossary, and Recommended Resources(Books, Websites, and Videos).

This lyrical text appears to be flawlessly translated from French(2022) to English(2024).

Rating: 5/5 📗📗📗📗📗

Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page (paid link).

*Home was sent to me as a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

A young boy is hiking with backpacks on in South Sister where there are pine trees, mountains, and a lake.

Climbing the Volcano: A Journey in Haiku 

by Curtis Manley (Author), Jennifer K. Mann (Illustrator)

Brief summary: A family hikes up South Sister, an Oregon volcano, and the young boy shares his observations in haiku, including the terrain, animals, and insects encountered.

Comments: The back sections of the book include “More About Climbing a Mountain,” which provides information on the volcano, necessary equipment, poetry, and living organisms, and “Further Information,” which lists books and websites.

The illustrations are created with a mix of collograph and monotype printmaking, pencil drawing, digital collage, and paint.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page (paid link).

A yellow dog is sitting with a puppy, turtle, cat, and rabbit in front of it with a parrot sitting on a perch behind. Cover of Bless Our Pets: Poems of Gratitude for Our Animal Friends

Bless Our Pets: Poems of Gratitude for Our Animal Friends 

by Lee Bennett Hopkins (Editor), Lita Judge (Illustrator)

Brief summary: Bless Our Pets is an anthology of poetry featuring fourteen different animal companion owners expressing gratitude towards their beloved pets. Written by:
• Ann Whitford Paul
• Rebecca Kai Dotlich 
• Linda Trott Dickman
• Eric Ode
• Ralph Fletcher
• Sarah Grace Tuttle
• Kristine O’Connell George
• Darren Sardelli
• B.J. Lee
• Charles Ghigna
• Lois Lowry
• Prince Redcloud
• Joan Bransfield Graham
• Lee Bennett Hopkins

Comments:  The book features a variety of poetry forms. The illustrations are created with watercolors and colored pencils that beautifully capture facial expressions.

Rating: 5/5 📗📗📗📗📗

Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page (paid link).

*Bless Our Pets was sent to me as a complimentary for an honest review.

Cover for poetry book This is a Tiny Fragile Snae with a small black snake with a yellow line down its back slithering on the ground with a pair of blue and a pair of red tennis shoes in the frame to mean there are people stopping and watching it go past.

This Is a Tiny Fragile Snake 

by Nicholas Ruddock (Author), Ashley Barron (Illustrator)

Brief summary: This poetry collection features informative poems about various animals and insects, highlighting their unique characteristics.

Comments: The illustrations are created using cut-paper collages, acrylics, and pencil crayons with some digital finishing.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page (paid link).

The cover of You Stole My Name Too with a tiger and tiger lily face one another.

You Stole My Name Too: A Curious Case of Animals and Plants with Shared Names

by Dennis McGregor (Author), Blue Star Press (Producer)

Brief summary: This is a collection of humorous poems featuring animals and plants with the same names. Sometimes the reasons for the naming are evident, and sometimes not.

Comments: This is the second collection of poetry in the  “You Stole My Name Series.”

The four-line poem is on the left side of the two-page spread, with the animal and plant illustration on the right.

This is an oversized book that really shows the details in his Gouache paintings. Prints of the illustrations are sold on his website.

Rating: 4.5/5 📗📗📗📗1/2

Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page (paid link).

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 📗📗📗📗

Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page (paid link).

A young girl with an umbrella is walking against the wind with a tree in the background.

Great Gusts: Winds of the World and the Science Behind Them 

by Melanie Crowder (Author), MEGAN BENEDICT (Author), Khoa Le (Illustrator)

Brief summary: Learn about fourteen winds of the world through a lyrical poem and then in nonfiction text.

Comments: This nonfiction poetry and weather book briefly explains specific winds worldwide. I had no idea that some of these existed until now.

The back sections further explain the science of these winds with What Makes the Wind?, How Are Winds Named? Local Poetic Traditions, a global map, Glossary, and For Further Reading.

The illustrations were created digitally.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page (paid link).

Fast Cheetah, Slow Tortoise: Poems of Animal Opposites 

by Bette Westera (Author), Mies van Hout (Illustrator), David Colmer (Translator)

Brief summary: This poetry book cleverly presents animal opposites in each animal’s voice. Every two-page spread features two animals opposite from one another in descriptive and humorous free verse.

Comments: The illustrations were created using acrylic ink, oil pastels, and collage. There are a total of thirty-two animals featured in the book.

This poetry book would complement poetry or opposite units of study. It can also just be used for a funny read-aloud to make everyone giggle.

Rating: 4.5/5 📗📗📗📗1/2

Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page (paid link).

Cover of a poetry picture book titled How to Write a Poem done with a girl riding a unicycle over a bunch of wheels

How to Write a Poem

by Kwame Alexander (Author), Deanna Nikaido (Author), Melissa Sweet (Illustrator). Publisher ‏ : ‎ Quill Tree Books. 2023. Grades 3-5. Hardcover Picture Book. ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0063060906.

Brief summary: Young readers (and future poetry writers) are encouraged to feel and use their imagination as they observe the world around them. They are inspired to write it down as poetry.

Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page (paid link).

Rating: 3/5 📗📗📗

Cover of a poetry picture book titled Push-Pull Morning with a child hugging a dog

Push-Pull Morning: Dog-Powered Poems About Matter and Energy 

by Lisa Westberg Peters (Author), Serge Bloch (Illustrator). Publisher ‏ : ‎ Wordsong. 2023. Grades 2-4. Hardcover Nonfiction Picture Book. ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1635925272.

Brief summary: A fun introduction to physics in free verse poetry about a child and dog experiencing everyday life.


Comments: Each poem’s physics correlation is explained at the back of the book. This book could be shared in science units when each physics aspect is introduced to give students an idea of seeing it in the world around them.

Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page (paid link).

Rating: 3/5 📗📗📗

Poetry picture book cover of Where I Live with a child playing in a park in a city with stores and apartment buildings in the background.

Where I Live: Poems About My Home, My Street, and My Town 

by Paul B. Janeczko (Author), Hyewon Yum (Illustrator). Publisher ‏ : ‎ Candlewick. 2023. 1-3. Hardcover Picture Book. ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1536200942.

Brief summary: This is a collection of twenty-four poems divided into three sections: home, street, and town. The variety of poets and authors is diverse, with examples of several different types of poems—an excellent poetry addition to any library.

Comments: The illustrator captures the mood and characteristics of each poem.

Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page (paid link).

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

Poetry picture book cover of The Dream Train with a girl holding a megaphone riding on a train with the background of bright colors all swirled together

The Dream Train: Poems for Bedtime 

by Sean Taylor (Author), Anuska Allepuz (Illustrator). Publisher ‏ : ‎ Candlewick. 2023. PreK-2. Hardcover Picture Book. ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1536228342.

Brief summary: Thirty poems are divided into three sections: Night Arrives, Shut-Your-Eyes Time, and Dream Wheels Turning. The poems are a variety of different forms and with a variety of settings and characters. 

The illustrations are colorful and completely fill all of the pages. Very well done.

Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page (paid link)..

Rating: 4.5/5 📗📗📗📗1/2

Poetry picture book cover of Trees with a child sitting on a branch of a tree looking into a lake

Trees: Haiku from Roots to Leaves 

by Sally M. Walker (Author), Angela Mckay (Illustrator). Publisher ‏ : ‎ Candlewick. 2023. Grades 2-5. Hardcover Picture Book. ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1536215502.

Brief summary: This is a collection of haikus about a tree’s life cycle and the changes of every season. There are many two-paged illustrations.

The back pages have information about a tree’s life, including wild and urban forests. There is also an author’s note and a glossary.

Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page (paid link).

Rating: 3.5/5 📗📗📗1/2

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.