(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 Origins Picture Books– https://amzn.to/4sDksaZ.)
❗This cumulative list grows over time, with the newest books always appearing at the top.❗
The Children of the Sun: An Inca Legend
by Micaela Chirif (Author), Juan Palomino (Illustrator), and Lawrence Schimel (Translator)
Summary: The Sun god was looking at his reflection in a lake when a spark of his flame fell into it, creating a young man, Manco Cápac (MAN-koh KAP-pak), and a young woman, Mama Ocllo (MA-ma AUK-yaw). He gave his children a long stick and told them to make the first city. The stick will know when they are there: Cuzco, the capital of the Inca civilization.
Comments: This lyrical retelling of an Inca creation myth is illustrated with an earthy palette, complementing the origin story of the first city, and the cultural and spiritual perspectives of how the world was shaped.
The back matter includes more information about the legend and helpful terms.
We Go Way Back: A Book About Life on Earth and How it All Began
by Idan Ben-Barak (Author), Philip Bunting (Illustrator).
Summary: Young readers examine the definition of “life” and where it all begins. The book explores a complex question by breaking it down into a slow progression of how the Earth was created and how molecules formed.
Comments: Large and colorful illustrations also help clarify the concepts.
Summary: The family and people are Upper Paleolithic hunter-gatherers who lived about 25,000 years ago when humans rose with the sun and slept when it set. They made tools from nature around them, ate what they picked or caught, and everything they owned was handmade. Some animals were their friends, while others were eaten (or run from). The stars were their GPS. They were closer to Nature. We are still human animals but are very different today in many ways.
Comments: Author’s Note briefly explains how the first humans lived on Earth.
How the Sea Came to Be: (And All the Creatures In It)
by Jennifer Berne (Author), Amanda Hall (Illustrator)
Summary: This narrative nonfiction picture book is divided into Part One: The Birth of the Sea, Part Two: The Birth of Life, Part Three: All That the Sea Came to Be…From Then to Now, and a section of informative back pages including a foldout of ocean creatures over time.
Comments: The text is in a stanza of four lines with lines 2 & 4 rhyming. The illustrations are large and colorful; I found myself stopping to soak up the way the creatures were evolving.
You Are My Pride: A Love Letter from Your Motherland
by Carole Boston Weatherford (Author), E. B. Lewis (Illustrator).
Summary: This touching poem, illustrated with large two-page illustrations done in watercolors, is a lovely letter from Mother Nature telling her human children how much she has loved them since the beginning of their creation on Earth.
Comments: The back pages briefly explain the Developments in Early Human Evolution. It is written from the perspective of the Earth speaking to us.
This would be an ideal mentor text for lessons on point-of-view and personification. Perhaps students could write a letter back to the earth.
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
(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 Earth Day Picture Books– https://amzn.to/4lz4b4n .)
❗This cumulative list grows over time, with the newest books always appearing at the top.❗
The Day the River Caught Fire: How the Cuyahoga River Exploded and Ignited the Earth Day Movement
by Barry Wittenstein (Author), Jessie Hartland (Illustrator)
Summary: In the summer of 1969, the Cuyahoga River in Cleveland caught fire when sparks from a passing train ignited the debris in the water. It was not the first time the river caught on fire.
Comments: Young readers will learn about how the river became so polluted and what happened to change the pollution from worsening.
The narrative nonfiction story continues to reveal how polluted rivers across the country sparked widespread protests and ultimately led to the creation of the first Earth Day.
Back pages include sections: Author’s Note, Environmental Time Line, Clean Water Act, To Learn More, and a Bibliography.
Black Beach: A Community, an Oil Spill, and the Origin of Earth Day
by Shaunna & John Stith (Author), Maribel Lechuga (Illustrator)
Summary: While in class in Santa Barbara, Sam notices her teacher’s concern after a quiet exchange with the principal, leaving her uneasy. At home, her parents explain that Union Oil has caused a spill nearby. When the family visits their favorite beach, they find it covered in black oil. The community comes together to clean the shoreline and rescue affected animals
Comments: This narrative nonfiction title connects a specific historical event to the origin of the national Earth Day holiday which was held on April 22, 1970.
There are several sections in the back of the book: Author’s Note, Selected Bibliography, Timeline, Earth Day Today, Earth Day Every Day, and How to Become an Environmental Activist.
Teachers and homeschooling parents could share this book as a supplement in addition with Earth Day activities.
by Deborah Hopkinson (Author), Jennifer Zivoin (Illustrator)
Summary: In this narrative nonfiction, young readers learn about the history of Earth Day, what the holiday is, and why it is important.
Comments: This book discusses environmental conservation with facts and resolutions done in a sensitive and gentle way for children. The back matter includes ways to help the Earth.
by Natasha Wing (Author), Amy Wummer (Illustrator)
Summary: The diverse neighbors work together to make a better earth by creating a community garden, planting trees, and recycling, to name a few activities.
Comments: This rhyming style is in the classic Christmas poem. This book would make a great introduction supplement to Earth Day or environment units of study. Emphasis is on how people work as a team to take care of the planet.
by Drew Daywalt (Author), Oliver Jeffers (Illustrator)
Brief summary: The crayons celebrate the different parts of the Earth they make. Each one is proud of what is drawn, especially Beige, who keeps trying to add wheat to every scene.
Comments: This is a small hardcover book (about 6″ x 7″) which would be a nice book in the little hands of toddlers or preschoolers that gently teaches about the beauty of Earth.
by Patricia MacLachlan (Author), Frenci Sanna (Illustrator)
Brief summary: This book is a personification of Earth as a young girl who follows the changing seasons of the world as she tends to all of the animals, causing rain and snow, and tending the plants.
Comments: This is such a wonderful book to read and explore. It is interactive with die-cut pages that layer over one another to show different parts of the ecosystem. There are flaps and curved pages. The cover is raised so that one can touch the outlines of the illustration. The poetic text of Patricia MacLachlan beautifully ties it all together.
The illustrations were created in pencil, ink, and digital painting.
Earth Day: Ready-to-Read Level 1 (Robin Hill School)
by Margaret McNamara (Author), Mike Gordon (Illustrator)
Brief summary: The first grade students in Mrs. Connor’s class are thinking of big ways to save the planet for Earth Day but Emma feels overwhelmed and is concerned that her everyday contributions may not be enough. Her father and Mrs. Connor help Emma understand that small, daily actions can have big results for the Earth.
Comments: This beginning reader book helps to examine the topic of environment issues gently and focuses on empowering kids by teaching them small actions they can do.
Fancy Nancy: Every Day Is Earth Day: A Springtime Book For Kids (I Can Read Level 1)
by Jane O’Connor (Author), Robin Preiss Glasser (Illustrator)
Brief summary: Fancy Nancy learns about being green at school and decides to try what she learned at home, not realizing that she is overstepping. She learns that not being so rigid all of the time is helpful.
Comments: This beginning reader is in classic Fancy Nancy humor and fancy vocabulary words. The back matter includes the new words and also some catchy slogans such as “Less than a mile? Then bike in style.”
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.
(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 Easter Picture Books– https://amzn.to/48NBD2O.)
❗This cumulative list grows over time, with the newest books always appearing at the top.❗
Sparrow’s Easter Garden
by Roger Hutchison (Author), Ag Jatkowska (Illustrator)
Summary: Sparrow returns to his garden in spring and finds that it is in disarray with weeds and dead plants. Mousie, Buck, and Turtle help to revive the space over the 40 days of Lent. All is going well until a storm on Good Friday damages some of the plants. The creatures persevere and get the garden ready again. On Easter, they experience a surprise.
Comments: This is a gentle introduction to the Lenten season, Holy Week, and Easter morning. It is a story about teamwork with each animal helping in its own unique way.
Summary: The letters are curious to know what is in the pretty pink tree and slowly each goes up to see. Soon all are on the branches until there is a big sneeze.
Comments: This version of the Chicka Chicka Boom Boom series successfully maintains the rhythmic and rhyming structure that makes it a fun and musical read-aloud.
The story features lowercased letters while the front and back pasted down pages show both upper and lower letters for learning references.
Summary: Little peas are observing and participating with the arrival of spring. There is rain, blooming flowers, and time to color eggs. All help to decorate them for an Easter egg hunt.
Comments: This is a fun rhyming read-aloud for toddlers and preschoolers with so much detail of the little peas on each page. This is part of the Little Peas series.
by Lisa Wheeler (Author), Barry Gott (Illustrator)
Summary: The dinosaurs decorate Easter eggs and hide them in the forest. They visit a candy factory to get candy to pass out and a clothing store to have outfits for the big Dino-Easter parade. Afterwards, they go on an Easter hunt and have a sweet celebration.
Comments: This is the traditional Dino signature of bouncy rhyming which makes it an exciting read-aloud.
Brief summary: A bear wearing bunny ears leaves an egg in the grass. The five dogs come across the egg, and all sniff it. Two pups decide it needed to be painted for Easter, while three want to make an omelet with it.
They argue back and forth, trying to persuade the other group that their idea is the correct decision. The bear returns and shows them how both sides can be accommodated in resolving their dispute.
Comments: I think this would be a lovely, humorous Easter read-aloud. Students could decide if the egg should be painted, eaten, or go with what the bear decided.
by Goldie Hawk (Author), Angie Rozelaar (Illustrator)
Summary: A trio of children with baskets are going through the countryside looking for eggs while encountering chickens, rabbits, and frogs along the way. They come across a garden full of flowers. When will they ever find the Easter eggs?
Comments: The illustrations are bright and large, making them perfect for toddlers and preschoolers. There are many fun onomatopoeias to say out loud and for little ones to repeat, making this a wonderful read-aloud.
This book is in the same spirit as the song “We’re Going on a Bear Hunt” using similar rhythmic structure and repetition.
Summary: The narrator thinks they have spotted the Easter Bunny and keeps pointing out clues that indicate that indeed, the rabbit must be him. The rabbit always explains how he could not possibly be the Easter Bunny.
Comments: The narrator is in traditional text, while the Easter Bunny is in speech bubbles. This could be a cute and humorous read-aloud, with the students being the bunny and the reader playing the narrator.
by Zondervan (Author), Richard Cowdrey (Illustrator)
Brief summary: Fiona, a baby hippo, plans an Easter egg hunt for her baby friends at the zoo. She begins to hide the eggs with the help of her friend Rico when the swan asks them to watch her eggs while she gathers more grass and leaves.
Fiona accidentally mixes the Easter eggs with those of the swan, not realizing that she did not replace all six eggs back into the bird’s nest. This causes all of the zoo animals to search for the missing egg.
Comments: This story has a nice lesson of the importance of having the responsibility of looking after things entrusted in your care. The illustrations have detailed facial expressions.
This is part of the Fiona series based on a hippo born at the Cincinnati Zoo.
by Phyllis Alsdurf (Author), Lisa Hunt (Illustrator)
Summary: A young girl visits her aunt and uncle’s farm to celebrate Easter. She experiences new life on the farm, from newborn lambs to budding flowers, and prepares for a community egg hunt. On Sunday, the young girl finds an Easter basket the next day, attends Easter service, and an Easter egg hunt.
Comments: The back section includes instructions for making eggshell critters and dyeing eggs with natural materials.
by Brentom Jackson (Author), Emmanuel Boateng (Illustrator)
Summary: Elijah wants to find the perfect suit for Easter service but cannot find one that fits. He talks to Deacon Brown and Mother Green and gets an idea to sew his own suit collecting pieces of fabric from his family creating a patchwork sensation.
Comments: This is a lovely story about a young boy using a sewing machine, being resourceful, and creating something amazing.
by Drew Daywalt (Author), Oliver Jeffers (Illustrator)
Summary: In this festive installment, the crayons prepare for Easter by making various shapes to use on a large Easter egg.
Comments: This is a fun introduction to shapes and colors with the humor of the crayons. Oliver Jeffers’ minimalist illustrations against white make it best for toddlers who may be overwhelmed by busier and more detailed pages.
This small picture book(5.88 x 0.36 x 7.13 inches) could fit inside an Easter basket.
by Janie Emaus (Author), Bryan Langdo (Illustrator)
Summary: Michael texts the Easter Bunny to let him know that he has a new stepsister, Anna, who celebrates Passover but wants to make sure she gets something special in the Golden Egg since both holidays fall on the same day. The story follows the siblings as they hunt for the Easter Egg and Afikoman bag needed to celebrate the holidays.
Comments: This is a wonderful resource for interfaith families or classrooms looking to show how different spring traditions can coexist. The back includes a chicken soup recipe and a matzo balls recipe. There is a helpful glossary of Passover and Easter terms.
Summary: This beautiful digitally illustrated rhyming story begins with a mother and daughter going to the local farmer to pick out their eggs to decorate for Easter. They use natural coloring from plants, as well as dye tablets to color their eggs. The two decorate with care and then go to a festive egg hunt the next day.
Comments: This book does a wonderful job of highlighting natural coloring which I think would be a fun STEAM activity experimenting with colors in nature like beets. The illustrator captures the pastel colors of spring.
Summary: Pete wakes up on Easter morning and finds that his Easter basket is missing. He follows a trail of jellybeans to a friend’s house, but they haven’t seen it. Pete the Cat follows more candy trails, all leading to various friends, leaving Pete to wonder: Who has his basket?
Comments: This book has bonus goodies which include a poster in the front, stickers, and Easter cards. Cute book for a child’s Easter basket.
The fans of Pete the Cat series will enjoy the familiar groovy vibe and easy-to-follow mystery.
by Erin Dealey (Author), G. Brian Karas (Illustrator)
Summary: Peter decides he wants to have fun delivering Easter eggs. Along his way, he encounters several animals including a cow, turtle, and sheepdog who want to help too. They come across the Easter Bunny who is not happy with the help. Will they be able to change his mind?
Comments: This text is written in parts to the tune of “Here Comes Peter Cottontail with made-up words to fit the book’s theme. This is a humorous read-aloud that students will enjoy saying the fun words aloud.
Summary: Bad Kitty loves Easter eggs and wants to find them all, as they have candy inside. Although there are many blue, red, and purple eggs, she is determined to get the golden egg. She bypasses all of the other eggs in her search for the golden one. She is angry when she doesn’t find it right away and decides she now hates Easter eggs. Will she change her mind?
Comments: This Bad Kitty book has a wonderful message about valuing friendship and will make a fun read-aloud. The illustrations were inked and then colored digitally; they are a mix of traditional text and comic-style panels.
Summary: Siblings Gilbert and Lola are happy that their cousin Wally is coming to visit. He decides not to go with them but off on his own. Meanwhile, opossum siblings and their friends look for the eggs. Lola finds the golden egg but can’t reach it. Her cousin grabs it and heads back to the starting line. Wally hurries back dropping all of his eggs while Gilbert and Lola pick them up including the golden one. Although Gilbert does receive the prize for the most eggs, he shows kindness towards his cousin.
Comments: This is an excellent teaching book for children about sportsmanship, rivalry, and empathy. It is part of the Gilbert and Friends series.
by R. P. Anderson (Author), Mary O’Keefe Young (Illustrator)
Summary: George and the man with the yellow hat go to the park, where they find children flying kites, decorating Easter baskets, and having rolling egg races. He notices a table where people are dying eggs and tries it for the first time. He later sees a man lose his eggs all over the park and decides to help him recover his eggs. Will George be able to set everything right again?
Comments: George has another classic misunderstanding that toddlers and preschoolers will relate to. The story introduces the concept of mixing colors to create new ones, making it a great supplement for a classroom unit on colors.
Summary: Hoppi wants to have the best Easter egg and win the contest that will allow him to help the Easter Rabbit hide eggs. Hoppi goes to the various rabbits in the area also decorating various eggs such as carving, frosting, and painting them. Beginning to become discouraged, he decides to lie down under a tree to think, when he discovers a robin’s egg had fallen to the ground. He takes care of it, missing the contest.
Comments: Jan Brett’s illustrations are stunning with its decorated borders, watercolors, and gouache. There is a fold-out page at the end showing all of the rabbits’ finished eggs.
This story has a heartfelt message about kindness and generosity towards one another.
Summary: Minerva Louise is enjoying a beautiful spring morning when she notices brightly colored eggs in very odd places. Worried that a hen has left her eggs unattended in the cold, Minerva Louise sits on them to keep them warm. As she finds more, she informs her friends in the hen house to come out. They eventually see the farm children gathering the eggs in baskets and decide everything is okay; after all, that’s just what farmers do!
Comments: I love this dramatic irony where the reader knows more than the character. This would make a hilarious read-aloud for young primary students.
The large text at the bottom of each page makes it an excellent choice for beginning readers.
by Katherine Tegen (Author), Sally Anne Lambert (Illustrator)
Summary: A little white rabbit watches an elderly couple paint Easter eggs, weave baskets, and make chocolate eggs. The couple would then deliver these baskets to the children in the village. When the elderly couple was unable to do this he took over the chore every Easter morning and became known as the Easter Bunny.
Comments: This is a wonderful original story by Katherine Tegen that feels like folklore. The watercolor illustrations with pastel colors give it a nostalgic feel. It is a perfect pick for children who are curious about how the little white bunny became the Easter Bunny.
by Natasha Wing (Author), Kathy Couri (Illustrator)
Summary: On Easter Eve, two children are sleeping when the Easter Bunny arrives and begins hiding eggs, filling baskets with treats, and leaving chocolate bunnies before vanishing at dawn while the little boy quietly watches the entire time.
Comments: This is part of Natasha Wing’s popular The Night Before series. It’s a fun, rhyming read-aloud that follows the rhythm of the classic Christmas poem, making it very catchy and easy for kids to follow along.
While the standard size is 8″x8″, you may occasionally find smaller gift-sized hardcover editions that are perfect for an Easter basket.
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.
(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 Mental Health Picture Books–https://www.amazon.com/shop/mrs.ferraris/list/2DY79GEY4BVSZ?ref_=aipsflist .)
❗This cumulative list grows over time, with the newest books always appearing at the top.❗
Our Lake
by Angie Kang (Author, Illustrator)
Summary: Two brothers walk to the lake to go swimming without their father for the first time since he died. The older brother jumps into the water from the cliff and coaxes his brother to join him. Will he be able to jump without the help of his father?
Comments: A beautiful story of two brothers learning how to grieve while moving forward without their father beside them; only in spirit.
The illustrations were created using gouache with additional textures added in crayon and colored pencil.
This is an excellent story to share with students and children experiencing death of a relative. It is gentle and quiet and does not overly emphasize their feelings.
by Casey W. Robinson (Author), Nancy Whitesides (Illustrator)
Summary: Cecil steps outside his house after hearing Lily, the little girl next door, playing in her yard. Suddenly, a watch flies out of her pocket and lands in his driveway. He manages to fix the watch and realizes how much he enjoys repairing things. Before long, several other children come to him with their broken toys and items that need fixing. Cecil also invites the neighbors over for lunch in his backyard. As a result, he starts feeling happy again.
Comments: The illustrations were created using gouache, crayons, pencils, and digital media.
The book does not explain Cecil’s melancholy forthrightly, but the empty house and empty chairs could indicate that he is now a widower.
by Kyle Lukoff (Author), Hala Tahboub (Illustrator)
Summary: A young child strives to bring comfort to various friends, realizing that each one requires support in different ways. One friend, who has lost her grandmother, feels unsure about how to cope. Together, they explore ways to simply be present for each other.
Comments: This is a kind and gentle book that teaches how people grieve and how they need comforting in various ways.
by Nikki Grimes (Author), Jerry Pinkney (Illustrator), Brian Pinkney (Illustrator)
Summary: A boy, whose father passed away a week ago, opens an envelope left for him. Inside, he finds a map of the woods they used to explore together. He decides to follow the path marked on the map, leading him to an old fireplace marked with an “X.” As he discovers this hidden spot, he finds comfort in what he unearths and realizes that his father is still close to him in spirit.
Comments: Beautifully illustrated with sketches and watercolors
by Larissa Theule (Author), Abigail Halpin (Illustrator)
Brief summary: A girl who has recently lost her mother goes on a trip to their lake house with her father. She misses her mother but can not find a connection until she takes out the mouse boat she and her mother built together. She can face her emotions.
Comments: The illustrator captured the mourning girl’s facial expressions and the sad tone of the house of grief with cool, darker colors. Well done.
I could follow the storyline with or without the text, which is an excellent picture book to me. I’d like to see more picture books with this duo. They complement each other well.
by Amanda Driscoll (Author), Luisa Uribe (Illustrator)
Summary: Anna was attending her father’s funeral when it started pouring rain, but she felt safe under her large umbrella. Afterwards, she began carrying her open umbrella everywhere—both inside and outside. One day, she saw a boy getting soaked in the rain and invited him to seek shelter under her umbrella. How will Anna learn to walk in the sunlight again without her umbrella shading her?
Comments: The journey of grief that Anna experienced before she could walk in the sun again is a touching story that may help children.
by Lindsay Bonilla (Author), Brizida Magro (Illustrator)
Summary: A boy notices gaps in his home, in his parents, and within himself where his younger brother, Matty, used to fit. He realizes that other people also have these holes, as they, too, have lost someone. Eventually, he confronts his emptiness and delves into his emotions. His friend Nora asks if he would like to share memories about his brother, which helps him begin to feel better.
Comments: This would make a wonderful book to help students deal with grief.
I like how the boy can fill the hole with good memories of his brother.
The illustrations were created using watercolor washes, colored pencils, and paper collage, all assembled digitally.
by Marc Veerkamp (Author), Jeska Verstegen (Illustrator), Laura Watkinson (Translator)
Brief summary: Bear plays the piano in the forest and comes to his last song, ready for a break. The animals around him start to shout for him to play more. He just wants to be alone, but the animals chase him, demanding for Bear to play more. Will Bear ever be alone?
Brief summary: Shy and quiet children who would rather observe and not be in the spotlight are given encouragement to be themselves. They may like to be heard at times, but not in an extroverted way.
Comments: This book celebrates introverts and does not try to change them from being wallflowers but instead bloom with their emotions.
The illustrations are drawn with them looking like the background.
Brief summary: Brothers yell how they feel while playing outside on the beach. One boy is encouraged by his father to take a moment and experience the feeling and name it. Be aware of your emotions and name them to understand them. He is told that a feeling will come and go.
Comments: I think this would make a great read-aloud. I like the philosophy that feelings come and go and to push them because they are not there forever.
by Stephanie Stansbie (Author), Elisa Paganelli (Illustrator)
Brief summary: A brother and sister experience everyday feelings that come and go. They learn to recognize their feelings in different situations, realize that another one will come along, and learn how to move through that one too. Emotions are everyday occurrences.
Comments: There is a back page of encouragement to help young readers to get through more difficult feelings.
Brief summary: Besides being intelligent, Mia likes to be creative and fashionable but has some things she does not do well. Her Mami says she has too much wepa. Mia tries ballet, hoping to get some of the wepa out, but it does not work. She finally finds an avenue where she releases her wepa.
Comments: According to dictionary.com, wepa means “a Spanish slang used to convey excitement, congratulations, and joy, similar to the English Oh yeah!, Wow!, or That’s awesome!“
The author shares that everyone in her family has ADHD.
by Karl Newson (Author), Clara Anganuzzi (Illustrator)
Brief summary: A young child encourages and explains that trying something new may be scary at times, but to not give up. There may be setbacks and take the moment to learn from them. Be brave and go forward.
Comments: The child is shown with various animals trying new things.
Optimistic advice and encouragement throughout.
The illustrations were done with pencil and watercolor and digitally colored.
Brief summary: Goat enjoys a cup of coffee and toast with canned grass. He realizes he has run out of grass and goes to the grocery store, where he encounters Bunny choosing the same thing. They quickly become friends and make it a daily ritual to have breakfast together. As they explore around town, they discover that what one can’t do, the other can help with. Despite their differences, they still can establish a friendship.
Comments: The illustrations were created with monoprint backgrounds, details added in pencil and colored pencil, pastel, wax pastel, watercolor pen, ink, and collage.
I enjoyed this quiet, kind book about friends who are different from one another but can still get along and form a friendship.
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.
(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 Religion-Based Picture Books– https://amzn.to/48NBD2O.)
❗This cumulative list grows over time, with the newest books always appearing at the top.❗
Little Monk Writes Rain
by Hsu-Kung Liu (Author), Rachel Wang Yung-Hsin (Translator)
Summary: Little Monk is not able to read. He goes to Old Monk, who teaches him the character for rain. He practices calligraphy every day, always only writing the character for rain.
As he grows to become a man now called Big Monk, he still cannot read but continues to write rain. A drought comes to the land, and people ask the monks for aid. Will Big Monk be able to help?
Comments: Although the monk could not read or study the Buddhist scriptures, he is able to help those around him through his simplicity, persistence, and faith.
This book is read vertically. The illustrations are created with watercolor and ink and beautifully complement the story with their gentle pastel colors.
Abigail and the Waterfall: Loving God’s Good Earth
by Sandra L. Richter (Author), Michael Corsini (Illustrator)
Summary: Every first Saturday of the month, a family hikes through the forest, appreciating the beauty of nature around them. They sit by a creek having a picnic while listening to the sound of the water. They make sure to pick up all their trash before they leave.
They continue to their favorite spot: a waterfall. After enjoying its splendor and the plants and animals that live around it, they hike back to the car, grateful for the chance to see all the beautiful plants and animals along the way.
Comments: The text is sprinkled with nature-based Bible quotes and ways that we can take care of the earth.
There is “A Note From the Author” at the back of the book on ways to take care of the earth.
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.
Kaylee Prays for the Children of the World: God Hears Every Prayer
by Helen Lee (Author), Shin Maeng (Illustrator)
Brief summary: Kaylee reads the newspaper daily with her grandfather, Halbi. While they come across funny stories and various news articles, Kaylee often worries about the children facing tragedy and hardship. They cut out those articles and pin them on a large world map on the wall. Together, she and her grandfather pray for those children.
Comments: The back includes a note from the author, who shares how she prays for others around the world.
I believe this book could enhance a parochial unit of study focused on prayers said aloud together (Tongsung kido in Korean).
by Amy Dixon (Author), Rob Dixon (Author), Jennifer Davison (Illustrator)
Brief summary: Penny enjoys everything about Sundays, especially attending church. Her favorite part is hearing the sermons. Inspired, she puts together what she wants to say and preaches to her dolls and then her friends, with results she was not expecting. Couldn’t girls be preachers?
Her parents take Penny to a church next Sunday to hear Pastor Sarah. Will Penny be inspired once again to become a preacher?
Comments: An author’s note in the back section has more information on the topic.
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.
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 Dog Picture Books-_https://www.amazon.com/shop/mrs.ferraris/list/1HXD71C9X1I9C?ref_=aipsflist .)
❗This cumulative list grows over time, with the newest books always appearing at the top.❗
Chanel & Milo: The Legend Begins!
by Paul Davis (Author), Julia L. Rosengren (Author)
Summary: Chanel, a curious and feisty terrier mix, is enjoying a day at the park when she meets Milo, a larger but gentle dog relaxing amongst the flowers. The two quickly become friends as they joyfully return to their owners together.
Comments: This simple and sweet story is geared toward toddlers and preschool-aged children who enjoy books about dog friendships. The writing uses familiar expressions, similes, and other descriptive language to introduce young readers to Chanel and Milo’s world in the park.
Young readers who love real-life pet stories may enjoy that the series is inspired by actual dogs. This title serves as the first of the series featuring the canine duo. Additional information and photos can be found on the official website at Chanel & Milo.
The illustrations are on the left side of the two-page spread with the words on the right.
Brief summary: Kingsley, a dog, decides to own a human. He goes into the city looking and intermingling with several people but does not find a good fit. He saw a little girl walking on the street and followed her home. Will she be his human?
Comments: This picture book is hilariously written from the viewpoint of a dog.
by Karen Gray Ruelle (Author), Hadley Hooper (Illustrator)
Brief summary: Joy always wanted a dog but did not know what kind. She would know when she saw him. Jump, a dog, always wanted a kid. He knew the right one when he saw her. They create various versions of dogs and kids out of materials around them in Nature. Will they ever find each other?
Comments: I like how the world around them goes from black and white to color. The illustrator used images from the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries to create collages.
Trouble Dog: From Shelter Dog to Conservation Hero
by Carol A. Foote (Author), Larry Day (Illustrator)
Brief summary: Tucker was often returned to the dog shelter because he was considered trouble. However, when Laura came to the shelter, she saw potential in him and believed he could be an excellent conservation dog. After training, Tucker became a valuable aide to conservationists, helping to protect endangered plants and wildlife.
Comments: This story is inspired by true events. The back pages provide insights into Laura and Tucker’s lives and additional information about conservation dogs.
The illustrations were created in watercolor.
This would be a valuable addition to any unit of study focused on wildlife or conservation.
by Laurie Trumble Davis (Author), Marjorie van Heerden (Illustrator)
Brief summary: Gus’s owner returns from the store with cookies. Gus really wants one right away. He begs and jumps up on her, but she tells him he must wait until after dinner. Gus does not want to wait and runs off with the bag of cookies. His owner manages to get the cookies back. To help pass the time, they go on a walk. When they return, they have dinner. Will Gus ever get a cookie?
Comments: This is the second of the Gus books
The Unsinkable Gus Davis by Laurie Trumble Davis (Author), Paulette Bogan (Illustrator)
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.
(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 Death Picture Books–https://www.amazon.com/shop/mrs.ferraris/list/OOMLLW39XJKX?ref_=aipsflist.)
❗This cumulative list grows over time, with the newest books always appearing at the top.❗
What Happens After?
by Diane Namm (Author), Laura Jäger (Illustrator)
Summary: How do we go on after the death of someone we love? This picture book provides answers for young readers to understand and relate to. We may feel sad, mad, or alone. We still do the things that the deceased enjoyed and remember them in our own way.
Comments: This book is helpful for children who are grieving, as it helps them understand that their feelings are valid and guides them on how to move forward without their loved one.
This would make a great addition to any library and one that teachers, parents, and counselors could share.
Brief summary: A mother and son exchange memories of when the father was still with them. They have moved to a new home in the city where everything is new. They decide that they will begin to make new memories together.
Comments: This book could be shared as a read-aloud between two people. The mother’s voice is in red ink; the boy’s is in blue.
We are not told where the father is or what happened to him. This could be a discussion point with students.
The soft and calm illustrations match the mood of lying in bed and reminiscing.
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.
by John Dougherty (Author), Thomas Docherty (Illustrator)
Brief summary: Hertle the hare and Bertle the turtle are best friends and do everything together. The next day, there is only a shadow where Hertle is supposed to be. Bertle looked everywhere for his friend but only had the hare-shaped hole.
Bertle was crying when Gerda the bear cuddled him, sharing how to feel better when losing someone.
Comments: This gentle book would be a great bibliotherapeutic book for remembering someone we lost.
by Lindsay Bonilla (Author), Brizida Magro (Illustrator)
Summary: A boy notices holes in his home, in his parents’, and in himself where his younger brother, Matty, used to fill. He notices that other people have holes who have lost someone too. He finally faces the hole and falls into it to confront his emotions. His friend Nora asks him if he would like to tell her about his brother, which helps him feel better.
Comments: This would make a wonderful book to help students deal with grief.
I like how the boy can fill the hole with good memories of his brother.
The illustrations were created using watercolor washes, colored pencils, and paper collage, all assembled digitally.
by Amanda Driscoll (Author), Luisa Uribe (Illustrator)
Summary: Anna was attending her father’s funeral when it started pouring rain, but she felt safe under her large umbrella. Afterwards, she began to carry her open umbrella with her everywhere—both inside and outside. One day, she saw a boy getting soaked in the rain and invited him to seek shelter under her umbrella. How will Anna learn to walk in the sunlight again without her umbrella shading her?
Comments: The journey of grief that Anna experienced before she could walk in the sun again is a touching story that may help children.
The 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.
(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 Color Picture Books– https://amzn.to/4riHCCU)
❗This cumulative list grows over time, with the newest books always appearing at the top.❗
Consider the Lilies
by Jennifer Grant (Author), Julianna Swaney (Illustrator)
Summary: Young readers will journey through a spring day noticing the various colors of the flowers and the insects that like to visit them. Readers are gently encouraged to notice the colorful wonders of the natural world around them.
Comments: This soothing story is written in rhyming couplets and is the second book of the Consider series. The text was inspired by the biblical passages of Luke 12 and Matthew 6. The illustrations were created digitally.
This would be a lovely read-loud to share in a parochial school setting or at home to discuss spring, colors in nature, different flowers, or a metaphor of how God takes care of the flowers and you.
by Mabi David (Author), Yas Doctor (Illustrator), Karen Llagas (Translator)
Brief summary: A boy and girl spend a day exploring and tasting various fruits and vegetables, grouped by color.
Comments: This is translated from Filipino.
The illustrations were created using oil on paper.
The back sections are A Rainbow of Colors(which highlights food from different colors, explaining how they benefit the body, and ways to eat them), Why Should We Eat A Rainbow of Fruits and Vegetables?, and How Families Can Eat More Colors Together.
This book could supplement an elementary-level food or color unit.
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.
(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 Communication Picture Books– https://www.amazon.com/shop/mrs.ferraris/list/2WCIVBA3AI5KU?ref_=aipsflist)
❗This cumulative list grows over time, with the newest books always appearing at the top.❗
On the Edge of the World (Stories from Latin America)
by Anna Desnitskaya (Author), Lena Traer (Translator)
Brief summary: Vera lives on the east coast of Russia. She longs to have a friend and often imagines one enjoying her interests and the places she goes. When it is dark, Vera goes to the beach with her mom and turns her flashlight off and on in Morse code for “hi.”
Lucas lives in Chile and longs to have a friend too. He imagines what it would be like to have someone to play soccer or read a book high up in a tree. In the evening, Lucas and his father go to the beach and turn his flashlight off and on, blinking four short flashes, pause, and two short flashes.
Will these two get a response?
Comments: Half of the book is Vera’s story, and then one flips the book over and reads about Luca’s story. I love upside-down books.
Teachers could share this in social studies. For example: “If we are standing on the eastern section of our school and shine a flashlight at night, what is the closest city, state, or country.
It could also supplement a science class on how far a flashlight’s beam can be seen or even have the students practice Morse Code.
*I received a complimentary print copy of this children’s book from the publisher to give an honest review.
What Makes Us Human
by Victor D.O. Santos (Author), Anna Forlati (Illustrator)
Brief summary: What is it that makes us human? As the book progresses, young readers will slowly learn that the answer can be written, signed, spoken, or felt. It has been around for thousands of years and effects everyone today. Some are disappearing, while others are more popular.
Comments: The illustrations are created with collage and digital materials.
Part of the author’s royalties will be donated to organizations working to preserve languages around the globe.
I would ask students, “What Makes Us Human?” and then read the book, reminding them that if they think they know the answer, they should keep it a secret until it is revealed at the end.
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.
(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 Bullying Picture Books– https://amzn.to/3ZEh5Us .)
❗This cumulative list grows over time, with the newest books always appearing at the top.❗
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.
by Julia Donaldson (Author), Axel Scheffler (Illustrator)
Brief summary: A troll, ghost, and witch are baddies who enjoy being bad and bragging about it. A girl moves into a nearby cottage. The baddies devise different ways to scare her but are unsuccessful as she shows them kindness and understanding.
Comments: Young readers will enjoy the humorous story.
This is the author of the two books Room on the Broom and The Gruffalo.
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.
These picture books about books and library-themed stories are recommended 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 Stories That Celebrate Books–https://amzn.to/4aRTIx2 .)
❗This cumulative list grows over time, with the newest books always appearing at the top.❗
The Young Teacher and the Great Serpent (Stories from Latin America)
by Irene Vasco (Author), Juan Palomino (Illustrator), Lawrence Schimel (Translator)
Brief summary: A young teacher is given her first teaching assignment in Las Delicias, in the middle of the jungle in the Amazon. She brings her many books on an eventful four-day journey to the new school, a straw roof with a blackboard against a tree trunk.
She begins teaching and sharing her books for the students to take home. One morning, the children ran by the school, urging her that a great serpent was coming. They must get to higher ground. The serpent does come, destroying everything, including her precious books.
A few days later, around a fire, the women began to share legends from the squares of white fabric they had been embroidering and making into cloth books. The students translated the words for the teacher. Over time, the teacher learned the language of Las Delicias and how to embroider. She decided to stay.
Comments: Young readers will stay interested in the curiosity of how this young teacher’s journey unfolds.
I kept wondering where I would have been sent to teach. I’m thankful I was able to choose myself.
Wouldn’t this be an excellent book to share on a teachers’ professional development day?
Brief summary: A book is made and journeys in various forms of transportation across the city, sea, and through the country until it reaches Pip’s Bookshop, where it is bought and sent to a grandson.
Comments: The back has Special Delivery Numbers of interesting statistics about the book’s journey.
Full, detailed illustrations with bright colors. I stopped and looked at each page to get more details of the transportation story from them.
The Library Fish Learns to Read (The Library Fish Books)
by Alyssa Satin Capucilli (Author), Gladys Jose (Illustrator).
Brief summary: Library Fish lives in a bowl on the librarian’s desk, Mr. Hughes, where she watches the students check books in and out of the public library. One day, she is listening to Mr. Hughes tell a story about a dog learning how to read and is inspired that she, too, would like to learn to read.
After the librarian says good night, Library Fish gets out of her bowl (with special accommodations) and begins to teach herself the ABCs. Each night she practices until she can read books.
Brief summary: Two best friends, Sunny and Aarush, want to check out the same library book, Factory Friends, but there is only one copy. They each try to persuade the other why the book is their best friend and needs it more. Having failed at trying to book talk each other into other books to check out instead, they realize how to share the library book.
Comments: I recommend this book to school librarians who have students fighting over a book, as I have had many times in my school libraries. (They did not always share, so I had a big die on my desk. The one who rolled the highest number could read it first).
by John Schu (Author), Lauren Castillo (Illustrator).
Brief summary: The title page begins this story with a girl receiving a library card from her father.
A little girl walks to the library with her father and younger sibling. She goes into the children’s section carrying a seahorse kite, where a librarian helps her narrow her search from many of the books to the perfect one–a sea horse library book. She begins to read. Other readers in the area are reading books we all know and love that are connected to our hearts and imagination.
The child has found her special library book and now helps her younger brother find his. She proudly uses her library card to check out.
by Margaret Chiu Greanias (Author), Kristyna Litten (Illustrator)
Brief summary: Pearl, an anglerfish, reads her book in the depth of the sea but is constantly interrupted. Looking for personal space, she swims down into the abyssal zone, where it is tranquil, and she can finish her book. Lonely, she returns to the twilight zone.
Comments: The illustrations were in shades of blues with the various fish in other colors and often two-page spreads. Speech bubbles mixed with traditional text.
by Amanda Pearlstein (Author), Howard Pearlstein (Author), Maren Amini (Illustrator).
Brief summary: Mikayla and Drew take out books from the library and read about things that don’t make sense. Should they believe everything they read? The children suddenly understand when they return their books.
Comments: Cute story. It could be used to start a research project to demonstrate why it is essential to check the facts.
Brief summary: As a girl, Patricia Polacco’s family moves from Union City to Battle Creek, Michigan. It is hard for her to adjust from living in a rural area.
One day she walks home from school, taking a different route, and discovers a stately building with giant pillars along the front with many steps leading up to a porch. It is the Willard Library and full of books for people to borrow. Mrs. Creavy, a librarian, helps Patricia find bird books and even shares the notable books of John James Audubon, full of watercolors of birds.
Soon, Patricia paints birds and shares them with her class. This sparks an Audubon bird club at Fremont Elementary School for the next sixty years.
Comments: I will always recommend a book by Patricia Polacco, as she is one of the best storytellers and illustrators in the USA. I was honored to have her as a guest author for our elementary school. I will always cherish having lunch with this legendary author and illustrator that day in our little elementary library.
Colorful Mondays: A Bookmobile Spreads Hope in Honduras (Stories from Latin America)
by Nelson Rodríguez (Author), Leonardo Agustín Montes (Author), Rosana Faría (Illustrator), Carla Tabora (Illustrator), Lawrence Schimel (Translator)
Brief summary: Luis lives in Villa Nueva, Honduras, and prefers sharing happy stories with his friends and neighbors to take their minds off unhappiness. He is good at storytelling and likes to retell stories. Monday is when the bookmobile comes for the Hour of the Chochororochochochó, where the bookmobile comes to share stories and books. Luis repeats the stories he has heard with his family.
Comments: The back pages tell the factual story of JustWorld International. This would be a wonderful book for children to learn about how other cultures learn about storytelling and books.
*I received a complimentary print copy of this children’s book from the publisher to give an honest review.
Books Make Good Friends
by Jane Mount (Author)
Brief summary: Lotti is shy and would like to make friends with her classmates, but many are extroverts, the complete opposite of herself. She instead finds friends in the books that she reads, feeling safer.
Lottie can compare her everyday events with books she has read.
One day, Lotti is walking home with Nadia, who also likes reading. Will they become pals? How will Lotti make friends with her other classmates?
Comments: I love the illustrations in this book because they are mainly created with the spines of real books!
Various books are highlighted with book summaries.
There are many fonts used that help explain what is happening in each detailed illustration.
This would be a superb book to read aloud to encourage the love of reading. Students will want to read the books featured in the illustrations.
Everybody’s Book: The Story of the Sarajevo Haggadah
by Linda Leopold Strauss (Author), Tim Smart (Illustrator)
Brief summary: In the mid-14th century, a Jewish wedding took place in Spain where the couple received a hand-painted haggadah for their Passover celebrations. The book was adorned with decorations of copper and gold. Passed down through generations, it eventually ended up in the possession of relatives who sold it to The National Museum in Sarajevo, Bosnia in 1894. This historic artifact is now known as the Sarajevo Haggadah. It’s remarkable that the book has survived through numerous wars.
Comments: The back sections in this narrative nonfiction book are Author Note, About the Author, and About the Illustrator.
Behind My Doors: The Story of the World’s Oldest Library
by Hena Khan (Author), Nabila Adani (Illustrator)
Summary: Al Qarawiyyin Library tells us about itself being built in 859 in Fez, Morocco, and being the oldest library in the world. Fatima al-Fihri built a mosque and school for her community with a small library that grew over the centuries.
There is a room that can only be entered by four guards, who have to turn all of the keys at the same time for the copper doors to open. Now, only the curator has the keys. What could be so precious inside?
Comments: This narrative nonfiction book is told from the perspective of the library, from its very beginning until Dr. Chaouni, an architect who was hired to restore the building, renovates it.
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.
(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 Biography Picture Books–https://www.amazon.com/shop/mrs.ferraris/list/1WJXFSM5JRD39?ref_=aipsflist.)
❗This cumulative list grows over time, with the newest books always appearing at the top.❗
Music and Silence: The Passion and Protest of Pablo Casals
by Christy Mihaly (Author), Mariona Cabassa (Illustrator)
Summary: This biography picture book follows the childhood of cellist Pablo Casals in Catalonia, Spain, from his early music education to becoming a renowned and respected musician. During the Spanish Civil War and World War II, he traveled to perform. However, in protest of dictator Francisco Franco, Casals made the decision to stop performing as an act of peaceful protest. Does he ever play the cello again?
Comments: The back matter gives additional insight into Casals’ life, including a helpful timeline.
This narrative nonfiction picture book would pair well with lessons on the Spanish Civil War in history classes. It could also be used in music class by sharing his performance of “The Song of the Birds,” or in civics/government lessons to introduce the concept of peaceful protest.
The illustrations are created using mixed media (acrylic, gouache, watercolor, and pencil), along with digital elements.
This picture book is best suited for intermediate and middle grade readers.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book for an honest review.
The Curious Life of Cecilia Payne: Discovering the Stuff of Stars
by Laura Alary (Author), Yas Imamura (Illustrator)
Brief summary: This picture book biography is told in a narrative nonfiction style of writing beginning with an eight-year-old Cecilia curiously examining nature around her in the countryside until she moved to London to study. She excitedly received a scholarship to the University of Cambridge but found women were not taken seriously. She moved across the Atlantic Ocean to attend Harvard where she found other women called the Harvard Computers studying the stars.
Comments: The backmatter has more information such as the Author’s Note, Cecilia’s Curious Life(timeline), Reaching for the Stars, More About Cecilia’s World, and Honors and Awards Given to Cecilia Payne.
This biography picture book was very well researched with gouache and watercolor illustrations that complement and push the story as it is explained.
I recommend this as an excellent STEAM resource for intermediate elementary and middle school students. It’s a perfect addition to units on women in science or space exploration.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book for an honest review.
Saint Patrick the Forgiver: The History and Legends of Ireland’s Bishop
by Ned Bustard (Author)
Brief summary: If you are looking for more of a religious story about Saint Patrick, this is the book. “Hello, my name is Patrick.You may have heard my story.I walked the span of Irelandto tell of God’s great glory.” Young readers will learn about Saint Patrick’s life as a child, being kidnapped to become a slave in Ireland and his escape back home. Saint Patrick continues to tell the reader how he forgave the Irish people and decided to preach Christianity there. The story is shared through the viewpoint of a saint. Told in rhyme.
Saint Valentine the Kindhearted: The History and Legends of God’s Brave and Loving Servant
by Ned Bustard (Author)
Brief summary: A young Valentine lived in Terni, Italy, around 226 AD, practicing Christianity while living amongst Romans who believed in several gods and goddesses.
He restored the sight of a judge’s daughter. This impressed the judge so much that he converted to Christianity along with his family. Emperor Claudius put Saint Valentine in prison, where he wrote love letters. He died on February 14th.
Comments: This story is written in rhyming verse. The story is on the right side, while an illustration with woodcuts is on the left.
There is A Note From the Author.
The hearts that are throughout the story symbolize the different types of love.
❤️(eros)–romantic love
💚(storge)–natural love, the kind that family members have for one another
by Barbara Lowell (Author), Antonio Marinoni (Illustrator)
Brief summary: This narrative nonfiction biographical picture book tells the story of Quentin Roosevelt, the youngest son of President Theodore Roosevelt. It highlights his mischievous antics while living in the White House, including roller skating in the halls, shooting spitballs at hanging artwork, and having water gun fights.
Comments: There are two pages in the back sharing more about Quentin Roosevelt.
I believe this book is better suited for 3-6 year olds rather than 9-12 year olds.
Reading it aloud with an adult can foster meaningful conversations and engagement among young listeners about good and bad behavior.
Guts for Glory: The Story of Civil War Soldier Rosetta Wakeman
by Joanna Lapati (author and illustrator)
Brief summary: Rosetta Wakeman, the oldest of nine siblings, lived on a farm in Afton, New York. Tired of doing household work and caring for her siblings, she cut her hair and dressed like a man, calling herself Lyons Wakeman. After working as a canaller for a while, she enlisted in the 153rd New York State Volunteers to fight in the Civil War at Pleasant Hill on April 8, 1864.
Will anyone find out she is a woman? Does she die in battle?
Comments: This is a very well-written and researched picture book.
The artwork is scratchboard and digital materials. It is explained in detail in the About the Art of how this was all done. Art teachers could use this book as a reference for scratchboard units of study.
Other back sections are Glossary, Author’s Note(includes her research), More About Rosetta Wakeman and the Civil War(includes her photo in uniform and her tombstone), A Timeline of Events, Rosetta Wakeman’s Letters(1862-1864), and the Endpaper Glossary(explaining the objects carried by soldiers).
*I received a complimentary copy of this book for an honest review.
The Snow Man: A True Story
by Jonah Winter (Author), Jeanette Winter (Illustrator)
Brief summary: billy barr (he prefers all small letters) lives ALONE in the Colorado Rocky Mountains, eight miles from the nearest town. He first moved there as a college student in 1972 for the summer. He lived in an abandoned shack with dirt floors and no electricity or running water. He began to take meticulous notes of all of the wildlife and weather of the mountains.
He stayed for fifty-one years and is still there.
The scientists at the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory used his notes and observations, all written in notebooks, to chart how the mountains’ climate was changing. He still takes notes but enters them into a computer.
Comments: There is an Author’s Note in the back explaining billy barr in more detail.
I had so many questions while reading this biography. Why is he a hermit? What made him go there? Why did he stay so long? Would I want to live like that? What would that be like? Can I get my library up there? And could I bring all of my cats?
This biography picture book could spark some interesting classroom discussions.
Ordinary Days: The Seeds, Sound, and City That Grew Prince Rogers Nelson
by Angela Joy (Author), Jacqueline Alcántara (Illustrator)
Summary: This rhythmic picture book focuses on Prince’s childhood and early musical career rather than his adult success or death. The author’s note provides additional biographical information and a playlist. The illustrations captures Prince’s personality, with purple appearing throughout.
Comments: I remember Prince’s music from the 1980s, when Purple Rain and the Minneapolis sound were everywhere. I listened to the Purple Rain soundtrack constantly on my Walkman.
Gifts from Georgia’s Garden: How Georgia O’Keeffe Nourished Her Art
by Lisa Robinson (Author), Hadley Hooper (Illustrator)
Brief summary: Georgia O’Keeffe is known for her stunning paintings of flowers and wildlife in New Mexico. This narrative nonfiction picture book emphasizes and explores how she cultivated her own sustainable garden using water conservation, companion planting, and composting.
Comments: Reading a book about an artist’s life rather than their art was a refreshing change.
The back sections explain how Georgia O’Keefe gardened and includes two of her recipes.
The illustrations were created with pen, paint, and paper and assembled in Photoshop.
A Grand Idea: How William J. Wilgus Created Grand Central Terminal
by Megan Hoyt (Author), David Szalay (Illustrator)
Brief summary: In 1902, Manhattan was full of people from all over the country visiting by train. A terrible train collision caused William J. Wilgus, a chief engineer, to devise a better plan to reduce and organize all of the train traffic to prevent any more accidents.
In this narrative nonfiction picture book, young readers will learn how he created this magnificent railroad station called Grand Central Terminal.
Comments: The back sections include information about William J. Wilgus and the Grand Central Terminal, fascinating facts about the terminal, a timeline, and sources.
The illustrations were created digitally with Adobe Photoshop.
Pedal, Balance, Steer: Annie Londonderry, the First Woman to Cycle Around the World
by Vivian Kirkfield (Author), Alison Jay (Illustrator)
Brief summary: Annie Londonderry saw an ad in 1894 promising $10,000 to the first woman to travel around the globe on a bike. She taught herself to ride a bike and set off, following the rules of speaking English, accepting no donations, and earning $5,000 while traveling.
Comments: This inspirational narrative nonfiction picture book shares the story of an incredibly brave woman who overcame obstacles and injuries, persevered to win a bet, and was motivated by providing a better life for her children.
The back sections include an Author’s Note, Brakes, Bloomers, and Other Bicycle Bits, a Timeline, and a Bibliography.
The illustrations are created with alkyd oil paint on paper with varnish.
The Fabulous Fannie Farmer: Kitchen Scientist and America’s Cook
by Emma Bland Smith (Author), Susan Reagan (Illustrator)
Brief summary: In the late 1800s, Fannie Farmer developed a passion for cooking. Despite contracting polio at the age of sixteen, she enrolled in the Boston Cooking School, where she excelled and eventually became the principal. Fannie’s teaching focused on precise measurements and exact cooking methods, ensuring success for home cooks.
She rewrote the school’s cookbook with precision, which became incredibly popular. Fannie also gave lectures nationwide and even taught at Harvard Medical School.
Comments: After reading this narrative nonfiction picture book, I learned that people used non-standard measurements for cooking even though standard measurements were available. I was surprised to discover the variety of measurements in recipes passed down from generation to generation, such as a dash of this, a smidge of that, or a pinch of this.
The back sections contain photos and additional information about Fannie and the Boston Cooking School and how Ms. Farmer really improved cooking through precise and detailed recipes.
by Roberta Flack (Author), Tonya Bolden (Author), Hayden Goodman (Illustrator).
Brief summary: Roberta Flack grew up in a Blue Ridge Mountain town in North Carolina, living in a house with two musical parents. She longed to have a piano of her own. Her father found one in a junkyard and spruced it up by painting it green. Her love of music blossomed forth.
The Author’s Note and Career Highlights are in the back.
Mary Anning Breaks New Ground: Courageous Kid of Paleontology (Courageous Kids)
by Carol Kim (Author), Mark Simmons (Illustrator).
Summary: Mary Anning was only twelve when she discovered an Ichthyosaurus along the cliffs near Lyme Regi, England, in the early 1800s. This area was known as the heart of the Jurassic Coast, where ammonite and belemnite fossils were often found unburied. Her father, a carpenter and cabinet maker, would fossil-seek as a hobby taking his children, Joseph and Mary, along the cliffs to find fossils to sell to tourists.
After their father died, her brother learned the upholstery business while she sold fossils for a living. It wasn’t until 2010 that the Royal Society acknowledged Mary and two other women, Mary Somerville, and Caroline Herschel, for their contributions to paleontology.
Comments: This is a narrative nonfiction graphic novel with a glossary, read more, internet sites, and about the author sections in the back.
The Queen of Chess: How Judit Polgár Changed the Game
by Laurie Wallmark (Author), Stevie Lewis (Illustrator)
Brief summary: Judit and her sisters were trained by their parents to play chess. They competed, with Judit being the youngest. She won junior tournaments against adults. Judit and her family went to the USA, where she competed in games against adults and won. Her goal was to become the youngest grandmaster. She returned to Budapest to study and became the national champion of Hungary. Will Judit’s chess journey lead her to her goal?
Comments: The back pages include Timeline and The Mathematics of Chess.
This is an inspirational story of encouragement, hard work, and perseverance.
The Fire of Stars: The Life and Brilliance of the Woman Who Discovered What Stars Are Made Of
by Kirsten W. Larson (Author), Katherine Roy (Illustrator)
Brief summary: Cecilia Payne moved from the country as a girl to London so her brother, Humfry, could attend a better school. Her school did not teach her the science curriculum that she desired until a new science teacher and friend, Miss Dalglish, was hired. Cecilia wins a University of Cambridge scholarship to study plants but is inspired once she attends a lecture by astronomer Arthur Addigton, whose work created a new field called astrophysics. She moved to America to study astronomy at Harvard, where other women were studying the same subject. Through her work, she discovered what stars are made of, thus building a foundation for astronomers to learn and better understand the stars.
This narrative nonfiction biography picture book has two-page illustrations paralleling Cecilia’s beginning of her career and that of a star’s.
The back sections are: Cecilia Payne: Science Superstar, A Star is Born, and a Timeline.
Milloo’s Mind: The Story of Maryam Faruqi, Trailblazer for Women’s Education
by Reem Faruqi (Author, granddaughter of Maryam Faruqi), Hoda Hadadi (Illustrator)
Brief summary: In 1930, a young Pakistani girl, Milloo, loves to read and study but is told that since she finished fifth grade, she will need to stay home to do housework. Milloo wanted to become a teacher, so her parents only agreed if she learned English. With a lot of hard work and determination, she graduated from high school and college. She is ready to become a teacher. She marries, but her husband wants her to stay home. She makes a school in her house and then opens more and more schools.
There is a glossary and author’s note in the back.
Rock, Rosetta, Rock! Roll, Rosetta, Roll!: Presenting Sister Rosetta Tharpe, the Godmother of Rock & Roll
by Tonya Bolden (Author), R. Gregory Christie (Illustrator).
Brief summary: Sister Rosetta Tharpe, the Godmother of Rock & Roll, was born in Arkansas in 1915 to two musical parents. Rosetta learns to sing and plays the guitar at an early age. Her family moves to Chicago, where her performance in church begins her career. She marries a preacher. He preaches, and she plays her guitar, where the Sunday service is broadcasted on the radio, thus reaching a broad audience.
Rosetta’s musical career takes off with her playing around the USA and Europe, performing gospel, blues, and rock and roll producing one hit after another.
The timeline at the back of the book lists her notable musical accomplishments and personal life events. Author’s Note and Sources included.
Charles Drew: The Innovator of the Blood Bank (Bright Minds)
by Aaron Talley (Author), Subi Bosa (Illustrator).
Brief summary: Charles Drew created a technique that separates the different parts of blood called centrifuging, which helped the blood stay fresh longer in storage. He is known for improving the blood banks and just in time for World War II when bloodmobiles and the American Red Cross enabled people to give and receive blood wherever they lived.
Comments: The back pages have sections such as a glossary, legacy, questions, index, and further reading.
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).
by Helaine Becker (Author), Aura Lewis (Illustrator)
Summary: Eleanor Roosevelt’s parents and brother died within two years of each other. She lived with her Grandmother. At age fifteen, she was sent to a girls’ boarding school in England, where a teacher helped her realize her potential. Eleanor became a leader of the girls and helped everyone. She left her senior year to return to the USA, where she was expected to debut and find a husband but had other plans.
Comments: The Author’s note in the back gives more details about Eleanor Roosevelt’s life. Several of her famous quotes are cited.
You Gotta Meet Mr. Pierce!: The Storied Life of Folk Artist Elijah Pierce
by Chiquita Mullins Lee (Author), Carmella Van Vleet (Author), Jennifer Mack-Watkins (Illustrator)
Summary: Columbus, Ohio, artist Elijah Pierce shares with a young artist how he was inspired to carve wood. Elijah cuts the boy’s hair and continues how he got ideas for his many art pieces hanging all around the barbershop. The boy leaves with a fresh cut and thoughts of creating with his new box of colored pencils his mother gave him earlier.
Comments: The back pages contain Elijah Pierce’s honors, Authors’ Notes, Artist’s Note, and information about Elijah Pierce’s Art used in the book.
I remember going to the Columbus Museum of Art and seeing his art and getting to know who the artist was based on his subject matter in the art.
This book contains quotes from Elijah, but the boy in the story is fictional.
Never Give Up: Dr. Kati Karikó and the Race for the Future of Vaccines
by Debbie Dadey (Author), Juliana Oakley (Illustrator)
Brief summary: Hungarian-American scientist Dr. Kati Kariko has always wanted to be a scientist. She studied mRNA(messenger ribonucleic acid) in a biology research center, wondering if she could make new mRNA that would send the message to make suitable proteins for people to heal.
She moved to America and failed to get mRNA to work with cells, so she worked at various universities. She met Drew Weissman, another scientist interested in mRNA. After eight years, they wrote a paper about mRNA. She was offered several jobs but chose to work at BioNTech in Germany. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, scientists at BioNTech and Pfizer worked together to design a vaccine using an mRNA vaccine to fight the virus.
Comments: The back pages include Timeline, Steps To Making a Vaccine, Author’s Note, Glossary, Source Notes, and Further Study sections.
Ice Cream Man: How Augustus Jackson Made a Sweet Treat Better
by Glenda Armand (Author), Kim Freeman (Author), Keith Mallett (Illustrator).
Brief summary: Augustus Jackson left his home in Philadelphia at twelve to go to Washington, DC, to follow his dream as a cook. He became an expert at making ice cream. He was hired at the White House and stayed for five years.
He returned home and opened his own ice cream parlor. He created a faster way to freeze ice cream, as refrigerators/freezers still needed to be invented. He could come up with making ice cream in half the time and ship his own ice cream by train without it melting.
Nicknamed the “Father of Ice Cream”
The back pages include Make Your Own Ice-Cream, Afterword, and Sources sections.
The First Woman Cherokee Chief: Wilma Pearl Mankiller (Step into Reading)
by Patricia Morris Buckley (Author), Aphelandra Messer (Illustrator).
Brief summary: Wilma Pearl Mankiller lived in Oklahoma on Cherokee lands until a drought caused her father to move to the city for work. Pearl(the name she preferred) hated the city and stayed at her grandmother’s farm for a year. She moved back to the city and connected with other Native people at the American Indian Center.
In 1969, there was a protest at Alcatraz about the Native lands stolen by the government. Pearl supported and helped Native people many times and later became the first female chief of the Cherokee Nation.
by Andrea Posner-Sanchez (Author), Kelly Kennedy (Illustrator).
Summary: Carol Burnett was born in Texas and was raised by her grandmother, Nanny. When she was seven, they moved to Hollywood, California, where Nanny would take Carol to see several movies weekly. Carol would reenact them on their apartment’s rooftop and later study theater arts in college. After seeing her perform, a stranger gave her $1,000, urging her to go to New York. She had to promise to pay him back in five years and to never reveal his identity. Carol became famous on the Garry Moore Show and then had her own tv show that aired for eleven seasons.
Carol’s famous left ear tug on TV was her way of saying hello to her grandmother, something she did even after the woman’s passing.
Comments: If you are unfamiliar with Little Golden Books, they are smaller than a “regular” picture book–Dimensions : 6.63 x 0.19 x 8 inches.
I am Temple Grandin (Ordinary People Change the World)
by Brad Meltzer (Author), Christopher Eliopoulos (Illustrator).
Brief summary: Temple Grandin was born with autism and did not act or respond like other babies and toddlers did to things and situations. Her mother found a speech therapist to help Temple speak her first words at age four. Through her sensitivity and empathy towards cattle, she was able to help better design the cattle chute for them to feel calmer and how to build round pens because she noticed they could go around a curve easier. She also discovered how to make cows feel calmer by going down into the water for a bath to get rid of insects on them by changing the steel ramp to a textured concrete one.
Temple was able to go to college and even receive a doctorate degree. She teaches and does research at Colorado State University. The book explains how she thinks and feels in the first-person narrative.
Comments: I highly recommend this book for parents, teachers, and librarians to share with those with autism to be inspired by Temple’s life’s accomplishments.
Smaller than an average picture book–Dimensions : 7.94 x 0.33 x 7.88 inches
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.
(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 Back-to-School Picture Books–https://www.amazon.com/shop/mrs.ferraris/list/3IKAES8MXMX7I?ref_=aipsflist.)
❗This cumulative list grows over time, with the newest books always appearing at the top.❗
Welcome to Our Classroom!
by Alexandra Penfold (Author), Suzanne Kaufman (Illustrator)
Summary: A teacher reassures her new students that they are welcome in the classroom, where they will learn many things by working together, listening, and sharing.
Comments: This is a positive, comforting story for students who may be concerned about not fitting in. I love how there are so many diverse illustrations of students.
Summary: Henry wears his fish costume to school because it makes him feel safe and less anxious. Although everyone stares at him, as the day goes on, Henry slowly feels more comfortable. Will he continue to wear his costume every day?
Comments: I think this would be a good book to read aloud to help those students who feel insecure at the beginning of the school year.
I remember several students dressing in Halloween costumes or like ballerinas at the beginning of the school year and gradually shedding their fears as they got to know everyone in the classroom and the daily routine.
The illustrations were created with gouache and wax pastels on watercolor paper with a little digital painting.
by K. L. Going (Author), Reggie Brown (Illustrator)
Summary: A young boy describes his first day of school, highlighting all the activities the older kids participate in. It’s Buddy Day, when he gets paired with an older student. His new friend takes him on a tour of the school, helping to ease his fears of the older students.
Comments: I love how the perspective of the big kids and little kids is complemented by the illustrations, which show the physical contrasts.
This would be the perfect read-aloud for the start of the school year, just before introducing the buddy system. We paired kindergartners with fifth graders.
by Rajani LaRocca (Author), Abhi Alwar (Illustrator)
Summary: Fall is for new beginnings. Ravi arrives on the first day and sits next to his best friend, Joe. A new girl, Ellie, sits on the other side of him and introduces herself. The three do many activities together, and Ellie believes they are best friends, but Ravi blurts out that they are not, which hurts Ellie’s feelings. Anita, Ravi’s older sister, helps him out.
Comments: This is a wonderful read-aloud for the beginning of the school year when new friendships are made.
by Stephen Curry (Author), Geneva Bowers (Illustrator)
Summary: Zoe wants to try out for the school’s soccer team on the first day of school but is self-conscious about her hearing aids. Her family and friends encourage Zoe to go onto the field and do her best.
Comments: This would be a good book to share to help students overcome first-day jitters, build self-esteem, and develop a growth mindset.
Summary: It is the first week of school and each day Pat, the bearded dragon, observes the students. There is one desk empty waiting for a new, unique student to arrive.
Comments: Readers will enjoy going through the week relating to the different subjects and events. I like when the reader knows the mystery of what’s happening around the characters before the characters in the story do. Well, the bearded dragon knows, too.
This would make a fun read-aloud for the beginning of the school year.
by Nina LaCour (Author), Elizabeth Lilly (Illustrator)
Summary: Sammy and her dog, Sunny, both attend their first day of school. Sammy is dropped off at her kindergarten classroom, while Sunny goes to puppy school.
Readers see how their days parallel each other. They are both a bit nervous at first, but soon learn the routine and make friends.
Comments: The contrast between human kindergarten and puppy training can be introduced as a classroom activity comparing and contrasting of Sammy’s day and Sunny’s day using Venn diagram.
The illustrations were created with pen and ink and painted with watercolor.
by June Sobel (Author), Nabila Adani (Illustrator)
Summary: This rhyming story begins on the first day with students experiencing many emotions throughout the day. They are reassured that these emotions are normal.
Comments: This is a wonderful read-aloud book for preschoolers and kindergartners going to school for the very first time.
The rhyming and rhythmic text make it easy to understand.
My favorite repetitive line is “Take a breath. Breathe in. Breathe out” and can serve as a stopping point for the teacher to demonstrate and have the students participate.
I think this would be a beneficial book for parents to read with their child before school begins and to talk about any emotions they may have or will have and how to handle those feelings.
Brief summary: The kindergartners of 2B arrive on the first day of school to find their teacher missing. Their first clue is that the desk has a ruler, a steaming cup of coffee, and a giant sandwich. They notice “Mr. S” has been written on the chalkboard. They wonder if their teacher could be Mr. Sandwich.
They continue their day doing school-related activities without the supervision of an adult. Suddenly, the door opens, and a man hurries into the classroom. Is this their teacher?
Comments: This is one of my favorite back-to-school books. Great mystery. A subplot is also going on in the window frame throughout the story. Clever. Well done.
by Claudio Aguilera (Author), Gariela Lyon (Illustrator), Lawrence Schimel (Translator)
Brief summary: A young Chilean student begins his nine-kilometer walk to school in the darkness of dawn while counting his steps and the animals he sees along the way.
Young readers will follow his journey as he goes under a barbed-wire fence, through a forest, across a river, etc., until he finally arrives at school.
Comments: This book could spark some interesting classroom conversations. What was the longest you’ve ever walked? How much is a kilometer? Why did the boy walk so far? Why didn’t a yellow school bus take him? Was it essential for him to go to school? Dangerous?
The back of the book has brief stories of other children worldwide and how they walk to their schools. There is also a section on the birds seen during the boy’s walk.
The front endpapers have a map of the beginning of the walk, which continues onto the back endpapers.
by Anna Kang (Author), Christopher Weyant (Illustrator)
Brief summary: Red Pen welcomes the school supplies as they get ready for the first day of school. Pinking Shears is accepted as a new member and is placed in the superpower mug on the desk, displacing Permanent Marker to a canister. The supplies are creating back-to-school posters and lists when Marker, who is always used for the class rules poster, makes a mistake but cannot fix it, causing her anxiety as everyone will see it day after day. Will Red Pen come up with an idea to help everyone realize it’s okay to fail?
Comments: What a fun read for the beginning of the school year. Cute illustrations and a humorous storyline will help students with any first-day jitters. I’ll never look at the supplies on my desk the same way again.
If you like this book, you may also enjoy Anna Kang’s Eraser, published in 2018.
Shy Robin and the First Day of School
by Jaime Kim (Author, Illustrator)
Brief summary: Robin is usually brave and energetic at home but not in public. Her mother gives her a purple headband on the first day of school to help her feel confident.
While at school, Robin notices a classmate, Marco, who is also shy and withdrawn and wears purple bracelets. When Robin temporarily loses her headband, Marco offers her one of his bracelets while they look for the hair accessory.
Comments: This would be a reassuring back-to-school story to share with preschoolers and kindergartners to help normalize feeling shy and show how small acts of kindness can build new friendships.
by Tammi Salzano (Author), Morena Forza (Illustrator)
Summary: Young readers will follow various children as they wake up early and prepare to return to school. Once inside the school, the day begins with introductions, new routines, and friend-making.
Comments: This book would be a great pick for preschoolers or kindergartners who have never been to school to get a general idea of what happens on the first day.
by Justin Roberts (Author), Paola Escobar (Illustrator)
Brief summary: A young girl has a nervous stomach about going back to school and is reassured by her mother that everything will be okay. The mother shares a time when she had butterflies in her stomach and how she let them go.
Comments: Teachers and parents can share this book with students on the first day of school to reassure them that it is normal to feel nervous when starting something new.
by Sandra Niebuhr-Siebert (Author), Lars Baus (Illustrator)
Brief summary: When Mina starts kindergarten in a new country, she feels lost and is quiet because she doesn’t understand the language. Over time, she develops friendships and becomes more confident as she learns new words.
Comments: This thoughtful picture book is a teaching tool for building empathy toward English language learners and showing how kindness and friendship overcome language barriers.
This German translation from 2020 was published in the USA in 2023.
Summary: Children experience the last days of August, moving from playing together in the summer heat to preparing for the first day of school.
Comments: This is a nice read-aloud that shares the rituals that lead to back-to-school time. Students could share what traditions they do as a family to prepare for the first day of school.
by Anna Dewdney (Author), Reed Duncan (Author), JT Morrow (Illustrator)
Brief summary: Llama Llama and his friends wind down the summer and get ready to go back to school. He is excited to go shopping with his mama and prepare for the new year. He has a wonderful time once he returns to school.
Comments: I love the rhyming and positivity of this book. This is a comforting read-aloud for preschoolers and kindergartners with back-to-school jitters.
Summary: Robin is being taken to school by his mom. They walk to the school in a tree where his mother drops him off. He plays with the other little forest animals, eats lunch, and attends gym class and art class before it is time for his mom to pick him up.
Comments: This is a cute preschool or kindergarten read-aloud that offers reassurance to children who may have separation anxiety or first-day jitters.
Summary: A group of students give advice on how to get their teacher ready for school by explaining all the subjects, milestones, and events throughout the year.
Comments: This funny role-reversal picture book is a fantastic back-to-school read-aloud. This could encourage discussion about classroom routines and teamwork throughout the upcoming year.
by Connie Schofield-Morrison (Author), Frank Morrison (Illustrator)
Summary: An excited and positive girl embraces the first day of school, spreading her confidence to her classmates.
Comments: This high-energy illustrated picture book would be a superb first-day-of- school share for preschool through primary students to get them into the school spirit.
by Annie Silvestro (Author), Dream Chen (Illustrator)
Summary: Rosie is excited to start school but starts experiencing butterflies. She sits on the bus with a girl named Violet and feels calmer. Throughout the day, she begins to enjoy her school day and even makes friends.
Comments: The book visualizes a common idiom(butterflies in your stomach) through its illustrations to help nervous students see how the butterflies fly away as they become more confident and comfortable.
by Adam Rex (Author), Christian Robinson (Illustrator)
Summary: A new school building is built over the summer and named “Frederick Douglass Elementary.” School talks to the janitor and learns that teachers and students will soon come. School watches everyone on the first day, not sure if he likes them or not as he talks with the janitor at the end of the day.
Comments: This is one of my favorite first-day-of-school read-alouds I shared with my students. It is a great mentor text for perspectives, personification, and anthropomorphism.
by Kay Winters (Author), Renee Andriani (Illustrator)
Summary: On the first day of school, during circle time, a teacher asks, “What do you hope will happen this year?” The students answer with everything from everyday goals to imaginative dreams.
Comments: This is the perfect book to share during the first week of school for a fun discussion, which can be followed by having students write their hopes and illustrating them.
by Laurie Friedman (Author), Teresa Murfin (Illustrator)
Summary: Percy Isaac Gifford shares ten funny rules to help students get through the school year smoothly.
Comments: This rhyming book can be shared by teachers as a launchpad for a classroom discussion on establishing classroom rules. I would read it as a read-aloud, making sure to share the hilarious illustrations, and then have students brainstorm rules either as a class or individually for a writing and sharing activity.
by Julie Danneberg (Author), Judy Love (Illustrator)
Summary: Sarah Jane Hartwell does not want to go to school and hides under the covers. After trying to coax her out of bed, she is told she has five minutes to be dressed and downstairs ready to go. Upon arrival, she is greeted by the principal and taken to her classroom.
Comments: Students will relate to the first-day jitters and love how the story ends. It’s an empathetic book that reassures readers that feeling anxious about the first day is natural.
by Jonathan London (Author), Frank Remkiewicz (Illustrator)
Summary: Froggy has first-day-of-school nightmares until his dad wakes him up. He gets ready and goes to school, denying that he is nervous even though he experiences one mishap after another. Through it all, he stays positive and has a good day.
Comments: This book is thirty years old and still connecting with kids today. My students loved when I read this aloud. I would holler “FRRROOGGYY!” and then they would holler back “Wha-a-a-a-t?”
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.
(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 Baby(Animal or Human) Picture Books– https://www.amazon.com/shop/mrs.ferraris/list/1Z9EBAM40ZE1G?ref_=aipsflist )
❗This cumulative list grows over time, with the newest books always appearing at the top.❗
Broadway Baby
by Russell Miller (Author), Judith A. Proffer (Author)
Brief summary: An adorable tribute to Broadway with a baby dreaming of dancing and singing on stage. Baby shares about opening night, getting ready in the dressing room, and reviewing lines before going on stage.
The rhyming text is fun and exciting. The illustrations are bright and full of detail.
Comments: A cute bedtime story for babies and toddlers or the perfect gift for any music or drama teacher.
*It should be noted that this a complimentary book sent to me for an honest review.
All Your Tomorrows
by Harriet Evans (Author), Heidi Griffiths (Illustrator)
Brief summary: A mother and father hold their baby and bestow upon the child all their hopes and dreams for the newborn’s future. Readers are taken upon the parents’ wishes as the child grows with bright, beautiful, and pleasant illustrations with many two-page spreads. Gentle, lyrical text.
Comments: What a lovely book for babies and toddlers at bedtime.
by Susanna Reich (Author), Raúl Colón (Illustrator)
Brief summary: The baby is passed around a large family gathering at the dining room table, where Grandpa, Grandma, and other family members visit with the baby.
The meal has ended, and it’s time for the baby to go to bed. Will she go to sleep or stay awake?
Comments: This rhyming picture book captures the excitement and love of a newborn baby in a family.
The humorous illustrations display the facial emotions and chaotic mess of a large gathering.
by Liz Garton Scanlon (Author), Chuck Groenink (Illustrator)
Brief summary: In rhyming text and gentle rhythm, a mother wolf gives birth to her pups in a cave under a full moon. The mom and pack care for the babies as they grow during the moon’s cycle.
Comments: Lovely illustrations include gouache, acrylics, pencils, oil pastels, and digital media. The back pages include Author’s Note and The Phases of the Moon.
I suggest sharing this with primary grades during a baby animal or moon cycle unit of study.
by Julie Abery (Author), Suzie Mason (Illustrator)
Brief summary: Little Walrus plays near his mom and the herd of walruses while exploring his world.
Comments: The rhyming of verbs in each line is one I don’t often see, and I found it refreshing. Couplet rhyming as well. Illustrations are large and with all two-page spreads.
This is one of the adorable cute series of baby animals called the Little Animal Friends.
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.
(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 Alphabet Picture Books–https://www.amazon.com/shop/mrs.ferraris/list/1HXD71C9X1I9C?ref_=aipsflist .)
❗This cumulative list grows over time, with the newest books always appearing at the top.❗
A Is for Australian Reefs
by Frané Lessac (Author, Illustrator)
Brief summary: Everything one would like to know about the Australian Reefs. This picture book has two-page illustrations for each letter that are bright and detailed.
Comments: This could be a group read-aloud sharing the large print, or it can be an individual reading of the more specific facts in small fonts that explain the many details of plants and marine life on each page.
by Meena Harris (Author), Marissa Valdez (Illustrator)
Brief summary: ABCs of descriptive words of empowerment. Aimed towards girls. A “stand up and go for what you believe in” type of book. Inspirationally driven.
by Carrie Tillotson (Author), Estrela Lourenço (Illustrator)
Brief summary: Banana does not want to go to bed and makes “B” for banana instead of bedtime. Banana gets tired after going through the alphabet and changing or adding words.
B My Name Is Boy: A Song of Celebration from Australia to Zimbabwe
by Dawn Masi (Author, Illustrator)
Brief summary: Twenty-six boys share their name, someone else they know, their country, and a verb, all in alliteration.
Comments: It would be a fun activity for students to copy the book’s style by developing the alliterations with their own names and then sharing them with others.
Brief summary: Twenty-six pigs come across a field full of letters. Each pig finds the letter matching its name. In the evening, they all return to their pen.
Comments: Each letter is paired with a pig’s name and a verb. The pages have capital letters across the top, with small case letters on the bottom of each page.
by Beth Bacon (Author), Karen Kane (Author), Eric Barclay (Illustrator).
Brief summary: “G” wants to be first in the alphabet song, but “A” argues it will mess up reading. The letters experiment to see if this statement is true or not.
Comments: Humorous. Speech bubbles. Individual frames or multi-panels like a graphic novel. Large letters and words.
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.
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