This page is under renovation. I am indexing all of the titles and themes to make it easier for viewers.
Children’s book titles are carefully handpicked by a certified elementary school librarian who, although retired, still enjoys reading children’s books, especially picture books, and recommending them to busy teachers, school librarians, parents, grandparents, and other book lovers.
Most of the books Mrs. Ferraris reads before recommending are checked out from the public library, except for those much-appreciated complimentary copies sent to her for an honest review. Those are noted.
(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.)
Smarty the Brain Stories
by Brian S Hamilton(author), Daniel Majan(illustrator)
Brief summary: This twenty-page paperback consists of 10 short stories about two young brains–Moody and Smarty. Moody is impulsive and doesn’t understand the need for safety measures. Smarty explains and demonstrates the need for safety strategies to prevent injury to oneself or others. The safety topics covered are:
bike helmets
safety belts
baby gates
batteries
ski helmets
slides
skateboarding equipment
baseball catcher equipment
horseback helmets
snowmobile safety
Comments: This educational paperback is intended for preschoolers to learn about safety practices. The teacher or parent could read a story a day and demonstrate the wrong vs right way to do an activity. Students could then demonstrate what it is like to be a Smarty.
I’d like to see someone make this book into a mini safety film using these two young brains.
Rating: 3.5/5 📗📗📗1/2
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
* I was sent a free copy of this book.
The selected children’s books are chosen by a highly qualified retired elementary school librarian who passionately reads and recommends picture books to teachers, school librarians, parents, grandparents, and other book enthusiasts.
Most of the books Mrs. Ferraris recommends are checked out from the public library. The only exception is the complimentary copies she receives, which are duly noted.
(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.)
An Anishinaabe Christmas
by Wab Kinew (Author), Erin Hill (Illustrator)
Brief summary: On winter solstice, Baby and parents go from the city to the country to visit Kookom and Mooshom on the Rez for Christmas. Baby asks questions along the way, learning new Anishinaabe words, family traditions, and nearby Nature.
Comments: A pronunciation guide is in the back to help say the Anishinaaabe words.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
The selected children’s books are chosen by a highly qualified retired elementary school librarian who passionately reads and recommends picture books to teachers, school librarians, parents, grandparents, and other book enthusiasts.
Most of the books Mrs. Ferraris recommends are checked out from the public library. The only exception is the complimentary copies she receives, which are duly noted.
(The content below contains Amazon affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Mrs. Ferraris may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you. The Retired School Librarian is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.)
The Littlest Christmas Tree
by Jane Chapman (Author, Illustrator)
Brief summary: Cubby and Daddy Bear search the woods for a Christmas tree. Daddy Bear digs up Little Tree and places it on a sleigh to take home to decorate. The forest friends celebrate Christmas together. Christmas is over, and everything needs to be put away, including the tree. Daddy Bear and the forest creatures all plant their trees together and nurture them over the season until next Christmas.
Comments: I liked how this story looked at what happens AFTER Christmas and how to take care of the fir tree for the next Christmas.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
The selected children’s books are chosen by a highly qualified retired elementary school librarian who passionately reads and recommends picture books to teachers, school librarians, parents, grandparents, and other book enthusiasts.
Most of the books Mrs. Ferraris recommends are checked out from the public library. The only exception is the complimentary copies she receives, which are duly noted.
Christmas (History of Holidays and Festivals) book recommendation is by Angela Ferraris, The Retired School Librarian.
(The content below contains Amazon affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Mrs. Ferraris may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you. The Retired School Librarian is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.)
Christmas (History of Holidays and Festivals)
by Emma Kaiser (Author)
Brief summary: This children’s nonfiction book examines the secular and religious aspects of Christmas around the world. It is full of illustrations, charts, and information boxes.
Comments: The back sections include Important Dates, Sop and Think, Glossary, Online Resources, Learn More, and an Index.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
The selected children’s books are chosen by a highly qualified retired elementary school librarian who passionately reads and recommends picture books to teachers, school librarians, parents, grandparents, and other book enthusiasts.
Most of the books Mrs. Ferraris recommends are checked out from the public library. The only exception is the complimentary copies she receives, which are duly noted.
(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.)
Nisha’s Just-Right Christmas Tree
by Susan Lynn Meyer (Author), Jaya Mehta (Author), Parvati Pillai (Illustrator)
Brief summary: Nisha is excited to go with her father to pick out a live Christmas tree being sure that it is not too tall or small and can hold all of the ornaments from her grandparents in India and from her grandparents in Maine.
Comments: A lovely book of how to combine both cultures to make new and old Christmas traditions together for the next generation. There is an Authors’ Note in the back of the book.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
The selected children’s books are chosen by a highly qualified retired elementary school librarian who passionately reads and recommends picture books to teachers, school librarians, parents, grandparents, and other book enthusiasts.
Most of the books Mrs. Ferraris recommends are checked out from the public library. The only exception is the complimentary copies she receives, which are duly noted.
(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.)
One Foggy Christmas Eve
by Kerilynn Wilson (Author, Illustrator)
Brief summary: A girl and her parents want to visit the grandparent’s house on Christmas Eve, but the fog is very thick. After considering this, they use twinkle lights and flashlights to walk towards the house. The girl and her dog get separated from her parents. Will they find each other? Will they make it to Nana and Papa’s house?
Comments: This is a suspenseful read with a happy ending.
The illustrations were created using pen and ink and colored digitally using handmade textures.
Rating: 4.5/5 📗📗📗📗1/2
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
The selected children’s books are chosen by a highly qualified retired elementary school librarian who passionately reads and recommends picture books to teachers, school librarians, parents, grandparents, and other book enthusiasts.
Most of the books Mrs. Ferraris recommends are checked out from the public library. The only exception is the complimentary copies she receives, which are duly noted.
(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.)
Tamales For Christmas
by Stephen Briseño (Author), Sonia Sánchez (Illustrator)
Brief summary: To have money to buy her children and grandchildren gifts for Christmas, Grandma begins to make tamales to sell before the holiday. How many dozens does she need to make before the Christmas tree is full underneath with gifts?
Comments: This story was inspired by the author’s grandmother.
There is a recipe for tamales in the back of the book.
The illustrations were created digitally with handmade brushes and textures.
Rating: 4.5/5 📗📗📗📗1/2
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
The selected children’s books are chosen by a highly qualified retired elementary school librarian who passionately reads and recommends picture books to teachers, school librarians, parents, grandparents, and other book enthusiasts.
Most of the books Mrs. Ferraris recommends are checked out from the public library. The only exception is the complimentary copies she receives, which are duly noted.
The Gingerbread House Jack’s Family Ate book recommendation is by Angela Ferraris, The Retired School Librarian.
(The content below contains Amazon affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Mrs. Ferraris may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you. The Retired School Librarian is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.)
The Gingerbread House Jack’s Family Ate
by Kelly DiPucchio (Author), Nate Wragg (Illustrator)
Brief summary: On Christmas Eve, Jack and his family are decorating and preparing for Christmas Day while each take little bits off of the gingerbread house meant for Santa. Will there be any left for Santa?
Comments: This cumulative story is based on “The House That Jack Build.”
The illustrations were made with mixed media and digital painting.
There is a gingerbread recipe in the back of the book.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
The selected children’s books are chosen by a highly qualified retired elementary school librarian who passionately reads and recommends picture books to teachers, school librarians, parents, grandparents, and other book enthusiasts.
Most of the books Mrs. Ferraris recommends are checked out from the public library. The only exception is the complimentary copies she receives, which are duly noted.
Eight Sweet Nights: A Festival of Lights book recommendation is by Angela Ferraris, The Retired School Librarian.
(The content below contains Amazon affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Mrs. Ferraris may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you. The Retired School Librarian is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.)
Eight Sweet Nights, A Festival of Lights: A Hanukkah Story
by Charlotte Offsay (Author), Menahem Halberstadt (Illustrator)
Brief summary: A young girl shares the games, food, gifts, and the lighting of the Menorah on the first night of Hanukkah.
Comments: This story also has informational text boxes explaining the terms used.
The back sections have more information about Hanukkah and traditions.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
The selected children’s books are chosen by a highly qualified retired elementary school librarian who passionately reads and recommends picture books to teachers, school librarians, parents, grandparents, and other book enthusiasts.
Most of the books Mrs. Ferraris recommends are checked out from the public library. The only exception is the complimentary copies she receives, which are duly noted.
(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.)
A City Full of Santas
by Joanna Ho (Author), Thai My Phuong (Illustrator)
Brief summary: A young girl goes to the city with her mother, excited to meet the real Santa for the first time, only to find it full of many fake ones. She knows the real one will smell like peppermint or chocolate, have full laughter, and make her heart feel full of sparkle.
Comments: This is a lovely book to share as a bedtime story during the holiday season.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
The selected children’s books are chosen by a highly qualified retired elementary school librarian who passionately reads and recommends picture books to teachers, school librarians, parents, grandparents, and other book enthusiasts.
Most of the books Mrs. Ferraris recommends are checked out from the public library. The only exception is the complimentary copies she receives, which are duly noted.
(The content below contains Amazon affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Mrs. Ferraris may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you. The Retired School Librarian is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.)
The Days After Christmas
by Maggie C. Rudd (Author), Elisa Chavarri (Illustrator)
Brief summary: Children in various homes are packing up the Christmas decorations and cleaning the house, recalling the memories of celebrating with family and friends.
Comments: This lyrical book would be a good read to acknowledge the quietness in the home after the big celebration.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
The selected children’s books are chosen by a highly qualified retired elementary school librarian who passionately reads and recommends picture books to teachers, school librarians, parents, grandparents, and other book enthusiasts.
Most of the books Mrs. Ferraris recommends are checked out from the public library. The only exception is the complimentary copies she receives, which are duly noted.
(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.)
Letters to Never Send Santa: Confessions, Complaints, and Outlandish Requests from the Files of St. Nick
by David Griswold (Author), Luis San Vicente (Illustrator)
Brief summary: There is a letter from Santa Claus explaining the collection of letters sent to him from children who received coal in their stockings and on the naughty kid list.
Comments: This collection of humorous, poetic letters written to Santa would be a fun read-aloud for the classroom during the holiday season.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
The selected children’s books are chosen by a highly qualified retired elementary school librarian who passionately reads and recommends picture books to teachers, school librarians, parents, grandparents, and other book enthusiasts.
Most of the books Mrs. Ferraris recommends are checked out from the public library. The only exception is the complimentary copies she receives, which are duly noted.
(The content below contains Amazon affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Mrs. Ferraris may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you. The Retired School Librarian is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.)
The Twelve Days of Petmas
by Anne Sawan (Author), Judi Abbot (Illustrator)
Brief summary: A girl joyfully receives pets each day over the twelve days of Christmas, filling her home with excitement and playful chaos until someone comes along to give her a little break.
Comments: This book is in the cumulative style of the Twelve Days of Christmas Carol.
There are large humorous illustrations with two-page spreads. The rhyming lyrics could be sung to the carol’s original music.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
The selected children’s books are chosen by a highly qualified retired elementary school librarian who passionately reads and recommends picture books to teachers, school librarians, parents, grandparents, and other book enthusiasts.
Most of the books Mrs. Ferraris recommends are checked out from the public library. The only exception is the complimentary copies she receives, which are duly noted.
The Very Young Person’s Guide to Christmas & Carols book recommendation is by Angela Ferraris, The Retired School Librarian.
(The content below contains Amazon affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Mrs. Ferraris may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you. The Retired School Librarian is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.)
The Very Young Person’s Guide to Christmas and Carols
by Tim Lihoreau (Author), Philip Noyce (Author), Sally Agar (Illustrator)
Brief summary: This interactive narrative nonfiction picture book begins with the story of Arthur and Holly at their school carol concert on Christmas Eve, walking home and hearing Christmas carols everywhere until they get back home again.
Comments: There are beautiful two-page spread illustrations full of Christmas information and a hidden gingerbread man. Includes ten carols with lyrics and sound clips. The reader pushes on a red circle with a golden star to hear the carol discussed in the story.
There is an on-and-off switch at the back of the book.
Rating: 4.5/5 📗📗📗📗1/2
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
I wish I had this The Very Young Person’s Guide To… series when I was a girl. This is the third one. The other two are:
The selected children’s books are chosen by a highly qualified retired elementary school librarian who passionately reads and recommends picture books to teachers, school librarians, parents, grandparents, and other book enthusiasts.
Most of the books Mrs. Ferraris recommends are checked out from the public library. The only exception is the complimentary copies she receives, which are duly noted.
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