(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 Dance Picture Books– https://amzn.to/3RDa9WR .)
❗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.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
*It should be noted that this a complimentary book sent to me for an honest review.
Love, Lah Lah
by Nailah Blackman (Author), Jade Orlando (Illustrator)
Brief summary: Lah Lah wakes on the day of the Carnival and spends it with her grandpa, enjoying the festivities on the streets of Trinidad and Tobago(a two-island nation in the Caribbean). They enjoy dancing to the soca( SOH-kah ) beat with steelpans, watching the parade full of brightly colored costumes, and eating mango chow under a poui(POO-ee) tree. The day ends with Lah Lah singing on stage with her grandfather.
Comments: This book is a tribute to the author’s grandpa, Ras Shorty I, who created soca music, a mix of African and East Indian rhythms.
Carnival is celebrated on the Monday and Tuesday before Ash Wednesday.
The brightly colored illustrations were created with watercolors and digital tools capturing the movement and excitement of the Carnival.
The back sections include a glossary, a biographical sketch, and a letter.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
My Bollywood Dream
by Avani Dwivedi (Author, Illustrator)
Brief summary: A young girl goes to the theater in Mumbai with her parents and brother. As they go through the city traffic, the girl imagines several of the nearby people as characters in a Bollywood movie.
Her family and other people in the theater enjoy the happy ending and music of the movie before heading home.
Comments: I love watching Bollywood movies because of the bright and beautiful colors and happy dancing style. This book captured all of that with vivid illustrations.
There is an author’s note in the back where Avani Dwivedi shares her childhood in Mumbai, listening to old Bollywood films and music.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
Ready Set Dance: Getting Ready for Your First Dance Class
by Once Upon A Dance (Author), Stella Maris Mongodi (Illustrator)
Brief summary: Bella and Quinn excitedly attend their very first ballet class, where their teacher, Kittina, patiently demonstrates basic positions. They practice in front of a mirror using the barre and end the lesson learning to bow and curtsy. They depart with enthusiasm, anticipating next week’s class.
Comments:Once Upon A Dance is a mother-and-daughter team that writes dance-themed books that inspire movement.
The illustrations were created digitally using Procreate and Studioclip.
Rating: 4.5/5 📗📗📗📗1/2
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
*I received a complimentary e-book in exchange for an honest review.
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. The Retired School Librarian is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. (These titles can be found on my Amazon Storefront under St. Patrick’s Day Picture Books– https://www.amazon.com/shop/mrs.ferraris/list/2F2OI0W33ZUGF?ref_=aipsflist.)
❗This cumulative list grows over time, with the newest books always appearing at the top.❗
Ten Little Leprechauns
by Molly Murphy (Author), Howard McWilliam (Illustrator)
Summary: We start with ten different-sized leprechauns playing in the forest, who then enter a nearby household, wreaking havoc. The countdown continues with more leprechaun shenanigans.
Comments: The story is written in rhyme, making it a fun and engaging read-aloud. The illustrations are vibrant, detailed, and hilarious. I found myself stopping to count all the leprechauns.
For larger groups, I would project the book on a screen or whiteboard so everyone can fully enjoy the artwork. The book’s backward counting from ten adds an extra layer of interactive fun for listeners
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day, Tiny!
by Cari Meister (Author), Rich Davis (Illustrator)
Brief summary: Sam and Tiny get dressed up as leprechauns for the St. Patrick’s Day festivities. They participate in a scavenger hunt, but kindly stop searching for clues to help a girl who has lost her shoe.
Comments: The Tiny series is so cute, with Sam always helping Tiny learn about new things. The books are written for primary grades as primary readers and have a nice sense of humor, with this being no exception.
Rating: 3.5/5 📗📗📗1/2
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
This is one of the Tiny series. If you are interested in more from this series, they can be found on their Amazon page.
The St. Patrick’s Day Alphabet
by Liz Saunders (Author), Lindsay Dale-Scott (Illustrator)
Brief summary: In this nonfiction picture book, young readers will discover the origins, customs, and symbols associated with St. Patrick’s Day.
Comments: Leprechauns are hidden throughout the book for readers to find and count.
This book is perfect for teachers to read aloud to explain how and why we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. The pages also provide additional information about the topic in text boxes.
The illustrations were created using Procreate on an iPad Pro.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
The Fog Catcher’s Daughter
by Marianne McShane (Author), Alan Marks (Illustrator)
Brief summary: Eily and her father live on the coast of Ireland across from the isle of fairies, Lisnashee. Her father is the Fog Catcher and must row to the island and collect the magical fog on it every Midsummer. Eily helps prepare to keep her family safe from the Good People. Her father rows out to the island. Eily is worried as she has found his protection charm in a tree.
Comments: Young readers will be enchanted by Eily’s adventure to find her father and keep him safe. Beautifully illustrated with dreamy watercolors.
by Todd Tarpley (Author), Stephanie Laberis (Illustrator)
Brief summary: A leprechaun and the Easter Bunny battle over the space in a garden. The leprechaun wants to hide his pot of gold for St. Patrick’s Day, and the Easter bunny wants to grow tulips to hide colored eggs. Cupid comes along and wants to make plans for next year’s Valentine’s Day, moving all of their things out of the way.
Comments: This is the first of the Festive Feuds series. It is written in rhyme. Definitely a hilarious read-aloud.
Saint Patrick the Forgiver: The History and Legends of Ireland’s Bishop
by Ned Bustard (Author)
Brief summary: 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 explain how he forgave the Irish people and decided to preach Christianity there.
Comments: If you’re looking for a more religious take on Saint Patrick, this book is perfect. Told in rhyme from the saint’s own viewpoint, it begins with Patrick introducing himself: “Hello, my name is Patrick. You may have heard my story. I walked the span of Ireland to tell of God’s great glory.”
Brief summary: This nonfiction picture book describes the customs celebrated on St. Patrick’s Day. Readers will also learn about St. Patrick’s life and some of his legends.
Comments: The illustrations include labels and captions identifying St. Patrick’s Day symbols. A lot of green is used to capture the holiday’s spirit. The author used black ink and watercolor to illustrate this book.
Gail Gibbons has an impressive collection of nonfiction picture books that she both wrote and illustrated. Her books can be found on her Amazon page.
The Night Before St. Patrick’s Day
by Natasha Wing (Author), Amy Wummer (Illustrator)
Brief summary: Tim and Maureen, siblings, set up leprechaun traps all over the house the day before St. Patrick’s Day while decorating the house in green with shamrocks, streamers, and rainbows. The next day, they wake to find the house in a mess, but they caught a leprechaun. Will they be able to get his gold?
Comments: This would make a great read-aloud and a lead-in for students to make leprechaun traps in art class or the classroom.
Books in this series are for primary readers, offering humorous stories and teaching about various holidays and events.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
This is one of the The Night Before series. If you are interested in more from this series, they can be found on their Amazon page.
The Littlest Leprechaun
by Brandi Dougherty (Author), Michelle Todd (Illustrator)
Brief summary: Liam is the littlest leprechaun in the Enchanted Forest, but he’s eager to help his family. His parents send him to help his siblings, then to help his uncle carry gold–but each time, he’s too small for the task. While wandering in the forest, he discovers a group of leprechauns trying to help a little unicorn. In the end, Liam realizes that being little doesn’t mean he can’t make a difference–his small size can be a strength after all.
Comments: This is a sweet story for toddlers to kindergartners who may be in the same situation as Liam, being the smallest in the family.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
This is from the Little series. For more details about the series or to buy, please see its Amazon page.
The Leprechaun’s Gold
by Pamela Duncan Edwards (Author), Henry Cole (Illustrator)
Brief summary: Old Pat, a harpist, and Young Tom, also a harpist, travel together to attend a harp contest. Young Tom proves to be a cheat and leaves. During the night, they hear cries of help. Old Pat goes in search of a leprechaun in need of assistance. The leprechaun helps Old Pat in return for his help.
Comments: There are many two-page spreads in this book with rich colors, and several pages feature illustrations in black frames with decorated borders.
This will make a fun read-aloud for older elementary students. There are themes of kindness, generosity, and sharing.
Rating: 5/5 📗📗📗📗📗
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
St. Patrick’s Day in the Morning
by Eve Bunting (Author), Jan Brett (Author, Illustrator)
Brief summary: Jamie, the youngest of three Irish brothers, is told he is too young to walk in the St. Patrick’s Day parade. He gets up early and takes his dog, Nell, to prove he can walk up Acorn Hill, where he places the Irish flag at the top, proving to himself he can do it.
Comments: This is an oldie but a goody. This picture book is illustrated by Jan Brett in black ink with green and yellow watercolors. This book’s themes are perseverance, independence, and proving your belief in yourself. Great for primary and intermediate grades.
by Eve Bunting (Author), Emily Arnold McCully (Illustrator)
Brief summary: Three mischievous leprechauns–Art, Boo, and Col–spot an approaching storm and must hurry to dig up a buried pot of gold before the rainbow appears. Along the way, they play pranks and get into all sorts of silly antics, showing the playful and rascally side that leprechauns are famous for.
Comments: The illustrations are beautiful watercolors and perfectly complement the story.
Eve Bunting and Emily Arnold McCully have won several book awards. Their collaboration with this story makes a great read-aloud for intermediate students.
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.
(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 Abstract Concepts Picture Books– https://amzn.to/48NBD2O .)
❗This cumulative list grows over time, with the newest books always appearing at the top.❗
The Visit
by Núria Figueras (Author), Anna Font (Illustrator), Lawrence Schimel (Translator)
Summary: Little Fox’s mother needs to leave the den and tells her daughter not to open the door for anyone. There is a knock at the door. Silence walks in and soon fills the entire place. Little Fox begins to interact with Silence and concludes that the quietness isn’t so scary.
Comments: This is an allegorical picture book that is an excellent resource for SEL. It personifies silence–an abstract concept–to help kids understand that mindfulness and being alone are not scary.
I think this book could also be beneficial for discussing safety regarding opening the door to strangers despite Little Fox’s mother telling her not to. I would explain how this is a metaphor and not something we would do in real life.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
Together
by Laura Manaresi (Author), Giovanni Manna (Illustrator)
Summary: A lamb is determined to see its dream come true, even if it struggles to express it in words. It sets off on a journey and encounters other animals who share the same dream. Together, they unite their efforts to transform the dream into reality.
Comments: Young readers should focus on the watercolor illustrations to uncover the dreams that everyone aspires to create.
This gentle book fosters the spirit of collaboration, and guiding readers in the process of turning their dreams into achievable realities.
Rating: 3.5/5 📗📗📗1/2
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
*This book magically appeared in my mailbox, giving me a nice surprise on a rainy day.
How to Be Brave
by Karl Newson (Author), Clara Anganuzzi (Illustrator)
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.
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
Rating: 3/5 📗📗📗
Only: The Bird Who Liked Being Alone
by Airlie Anderson (Author)
Summary: In the tree, there are many birds that are loud and chatty. However, one bird named Only prefers to be quiet and spend time alone. The other birds feel sorry for Only and try to include them in their activities, but they end up overwhelming Only.
Only builds a quiet nest. The friends learn about the difference between quiet and loud, gaining a new understanding that some prefer solitude and are not lonely.
Comments: The illustrations were created using cut-paper collages, acrylics, and pencil crayons with some digital finishing.
Rating: 3.5/5 📗📗📗1/2
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
There is a companion book to Only titled Neither, a story promoting diversity.
Today
by Gabi Snyder (Author), Stephanie Graegin (Illustrator)
Summary: A young child looks forward to visiting Pop-Pop and cousins. The day has arrived with time that stretches out too long, like the drive to get there, while others go by quickly, such as the fireworks.
Comments: The book reminds young readers to be mindful of the present moment and notice what is happening to help create memories.
The back sections of the book are What is Mindfulness?, Appreciating the Here and Now, When You’re Temped to Fast-Forward, and When You’re Feeling Anxious or Worried.
The illustrations were created in Adobe Fresco, Adobe Photoshop, pencil, and watercolor.
Rating: 3.5/5 📗📗📗1/2
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
Hope is the Thing with Feathers
by Emily Dickinson (Author), Tim Hopgood (Illustrator)
Summary: Emily Dickinson’s “Hope is the Thing with Feathers” remains a timeless masterpiece, as it skillfully employs the metaphor of a bird to represent hope.
A brown bird flies across the city, singing and catching the attention of the people below, who smile.
Comments: This would be a poem(and possibly others) the teacher could read aloud while the students drew their interpretation of the words.
The illustrations were hand-drawn using chalk, pencil, and ink and digitally collaged and colored.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
Some Days Are Yellow
by Suzanne Slade (Author) and Michelle Lee (Illustrator)
Summary: There are yellow days that are vibrant and full of positivity, while there are also blue days that seem to be negative and full of disappointment.
Comments: This rhyming picture book portrays several children in different situations, experiencing various types of days. It serves as a reminder that life comes with its fair share of ups and downs, but one thing is for sure – tomorrow is a new day to start afresh.
I think this would be a good book to share with students as a reminder that life is unpredictable.
The abstract idea of yellow and blue days becomes more concrete with examples in vignettes and single- and double-spaced illustrations.
Rating: 3.5/5 📗📗📗1/2
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
Here and There
by Thea Lu (Author)
Summary: Dan lives in a small coastal town and owns a cafe where he enjoys welcoming visitors. He prefers staying “here” but wonders what it is like in other places.
Aki travels from place to place and is a sailor who likes to visit and meet new people. He likes to go “there” but has never had a place that he would consider home.
One day, Aki visits Dan’s cafe and enjoys a meal with the many other travelers.
Comments: Although these two men lead parallel lives, they share some commonalities. They both experience feelings of loneliness at times, but upon reflection, they acknowledge the numerous people they have met over the years. This realization helps them to feel less isolated and disconnected from others.
Ink, colored pencil, and collage were used to create the illustrations with a double fold-out page in the back.
Rating: 4.5/5 📗📗📗📗1/2
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
*Here and There was sent to me as a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
All About Nothing (All About Noticing)
by Elizabeth Rusch (Author), Elizabeth Goss (Illustrator)
Summary: Nothing can be so many things around us. Negative space. Nothing can also be something. Young readers will see that nothing can be where ideas come from or just something relaxing. It is all around us.
Comments: Two back sections are About Negative Space and More About Nothing.
Rating: 3/5 📗📗📗
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
A Is for Ambitious
by Meena Harris (Author), Marissa Valdez (Illustrator)
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.
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
Someday, Maybe
by Diana Murray (Author), Jessica Gibson (Illustrator)
Summary: Children daydream about what future jobs they will have, inventions they will create, and lives they will have when they grow up.
Comments: The back pages talk about some future possibilities.
Rating: 3/5 📗📗📗
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
Bear Is Never Alone
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?
Rating: 3.5/5 📗📗📗1/2
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
Twenty Questions
by Mac Barnett (Author), Christian Robinson (Illustrator)
Summary: There are many questions with many types of answers. Some questions have a simple solution, while others have a profound explanation. Some questions have no one exact answer or even an answer at all. Some may come with emotions.
Rating: 3/5 📗📗📗
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
Stanley’s Secret
by John Sullivan (Author), Zach Manbeck (Illustrator)
Summary: Stanley is a shy and quiet boy. He helped the janitor and would tap dance as he swept. One day the principal saw him and encouraged the boy to sign up for the talent show where he could share his gift with others. Will Stanley be able to get over his shyness?
Rating: 3/5 📗📗📗
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
Sometimes: A Day Full of Feelings
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.
Rating: 3/5 📗📗📗
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
The Bright Side
by Chad Otis (Author, Illustrator)
Brief summary: A boy shares that his family lives in an old school bus until they get a house again. It was hard to leave his friends. His parents encourage him to look on the bright side of things. He gets to take showers outside. Have pizza toast with bread and ketchup. He learns to use his imagination to create something he does not have.
He is nervous about attending a school where everyone knows each other and the routine. Will he learn how to fit in with everyone else?
Comments: The author shares that he did live on a school bus for four years and did not go to school until he was in third grade. I thank him for sharing his story of houselessness.
This book could be shared to help others understand those in poverty and, hopefully, develop empathy and understanding. Written in a way that a child could understand.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
Sometimes It’s Nice to Be Alone
by Amy Hest (Author), Philip C. Stead (Illustrator)
Summary: A young girl enjoys time being alone but can also enjoy a friend’s company. She can sit in solitude eating a cookie but finds it pleasant when a friend visits and eats a cookie with her.
Comments: This comforting book made being alone (not lonely) enjoyable. Having a friend visit was not nerve-racking but a time to share and enjoy the company.
Rating: 3/5 📗📗📗
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
Wallflowers
by Mackenzie Joy (Author, Illustrator)
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.
Rating: 3/5 📗📗📗
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
Billie and Bean at the Beach
by Julia Hansson (Author), B.J. Woodstein (Translator)
Brief summary: Billie and her dog, Bean, go to the beach. Bean enjoys running around and playing in the sand, while Billie just wants to rest in the umbrella’s shade. Her mother encourages Billie to take a swim, and the girl is stung. After her mother comforts and calms Billie’s emotions, the little girl decides to try the water again with the help of a gift Bean has dug up. The girl enjoys the underwater silence and fish. Billie dives towards the bottom and finds something shiny that makes her resilience worth returning to the sea.
Comments: Will we find out what it is in a sequel? What an excellent discussion to have with the class.
This is a Swedish translation.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
Mouseboat
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 caught the facial expressions of a mourning girl and the sad tone in the house of grief with cool and 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.
Rating: 5/5 📗📗📗📗📗
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
The Noise Inside Boys: A Story About Big Feelings
by Pete Oswald (Author)
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.
Rating: 3/5 📗📗📗
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
You Are Loved: A Book About Families
by Margaret O’Hair (Author), Sofia Sanchez (Author), Sofia Cardoso (Illustrator)
Brief summary: Young readers are talked to by Sofia Sanchez, who explains that a child is loved by many people but most of all by one’s family. There are many different types of families. Sometimes a family is not perfect. There are arguments, sadness, anger, and other emotions. But a family makes up and continues loving one another.
Comments: This is an optimistic book with brightly colored illustrations of all cultures, ages, races, etc. Readers will be able to see and understand that there are families unlike theirs but still have shared love for one another.
Rating: 3.5/5 📗📗📗 1/2
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
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. All of these title can be found in my Amazon Storefront under Autumn Picture Books– https://amzn.to/466w5i5 .)
Apples and Pumpkins
by Anne Rockwell (Author), Lizzy Rockwell (Illustrator)
Summary: A young girl, her father, and her mother visit a farm during autumn to pick apples and the perfect pumpkin to make a jack o’ lantern for Halloween.
Comments: This book is ideal for toddlers and preschoolers who are learning about fall traditions.
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
Every Autumn Comes the Bear
by Jim Arnosky (Author)
Summary: A black bear appears each fall in the woods, encountering forest animals like ravens, a bobcat, and a fox along the way before getting ready to hibernate.
Comments: The book is beautifully illustrated with watercolors and is an excellent read-aloud choice for introducing the concepts of hibernation or animal behavior.
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
Fall Leaves
by Loretta Holland (Author), Elly MacKay (Illustrator)
Summary: A boy and a girl walk through the countryside in autumn, observing how nature has transformed and continues to change. They notice how the vibrant orange and yellow tones of autumn are giving way to the cooler gray and blue tones of winter, all illustrated beautifully in the landscape.
Comments: The light-box illustrations are so eye pleasing and really set the whole autumn and winter moods of the book.
There are two sets of text. We see the large print word playing, such as they do with fall and leaves. Underneath is a smaller, detailed print explaining what is happening in Nature as it is changing.
This STEM picture book is a superb addition to any library.
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
Fletcher and the Falling Leaves
by Julia Rawlinson (Author), Tiphanie Beeke (Illustrator)
Summary: Fletcher, a young fox, is very worried about a tree that is losing all of its leaves. He believes the tree is sick, so he gathers the fallen leaves and even tries to reattach them. His mother explains to him that this is the tree’s way of preparing for winter. After taking a nap, the little fox wakes up to see the tree’s new, beautiful winter appearance.
Comments: The lovely watercolor illustrations match the mood and changing seasons.
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn
by Kenard Pak (Author, Illustrator)
Summary: A girl with her dog walks through the town and country, talking to the nature around them as the summer season changes to autumn. She says goodbye to summer and welcomes autumn.
Comments: The illustrations complement the changing seasons and create the tone of each season.
This is a season series by Kenard Pak. I recommend all four. More information about them can be found on the series’ Amazon page.
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
In November
by Cynthia Rylant (Author), Jill Kastner (Illustrator)
Summary: Various animals prepare for the oncoming winter season by gathering food, while humans gather inside, especially for Thanksgiving.
Comments: This is an autumn-to-winter transitional book with cozy illustrations. The smells and sounds of November are incorporated. This book was one that teachers shared with their students each fall.
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
In the Middle of Fall
by Kevin Henkes (Author), Laura Dronzek (Illustrator)
Summary: A child and dog are being observed by a squirrel as they walk, noticing fall all around them, the leaves, pumpkins, apples, and slowly transforming to winter.
Comments: The text captures the essence of autumn days by focusing on vocabulary related to the season.
Perfect for little ones in toddler and kindergarten.
This is a season series with the titles as In the Middle of Fall, Winter Is Here, When Spring Comes, and Summer Song.
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
Pumpkin Jack
by Will Hubbell (Author, Illustrator)
Summary: A boy’s carved pumpkin decays and transforms through the seasons into new growth.
Comments: This is an engaging introduction to the life cycle of plants and the concept of decomposition.
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
It’s Pumpkin Time!
by Zoe Hall (Author), Shari Halpern (Illustrator)
Summary: Two siblings plant pumpkin seeds and learn to care for them by watering and weeding throughout the summer until autumn, when they ripen just in time for Halloween.
Comments: This is an excellent book for science tie-ins about plant life cycles.
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
Leaf Man
by Lois Ehlert (Author, Illustrator)
Summary: Leaves in the autumn wind turn into Leaf Man, who travels on the breeze over marshes, orchards, and farms. Other leaves change into other forms along the way.
Comments: This book would be the perfect inspiration for leaf art projects. Read this first and have the students go out gathering leaves for their leaf creatures.
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
The Scarecrow
by Beth Ferry (Author), Eric Fan (Illustrator), Terry Fan (Illustrator)
Summary: A lonely scarecrow helps an injured baby crow recover. Once the crow is well, it leaves. The scarecrow is alone again until the following spring when the crow returns with its mate. Together, they build a nest in the scarecrow. Soon, the scarecrow finds itself with a family..
Comments: Stunning illustrations with a lovely theme of compassion and kindness.
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf
by Lois Ehlert (Author, Illustrator)
Summary: A child tells the story of his sugar maple tree. He shares how it started growing in the woods and eventually became a sapling. It was then harvested and sold at a garden center, and finally, it came home with him to live and grow in his yard. The child describes how the tree changes with each season, with fall being his favorite time when the leaves turn vibrant shades of red and yellow.
Comments: This is ideal for science lessons about trees and life cycles. The illustrations are collages, which is Lois Ehlert’s specialty.
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
Strega Nona’s Harvest
by Tomie dePaola (Author, Illustrator)
Summary: Strega Nona teaches Big Anthony about planting, harvesting, and sharing food. However, he decides to plant his own garden behind the shed and does not listen to his grandmother, a witch. As a result, his magical garden overgrows with an abundant amount of bounty.
Comments: This story connects gardening with responsibility and generosity. It reminds me how everyone in my neighborhood would share their surplus vegetables.
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
The Pumpkin Book
by Gail Gibbons (Author)
Summary: This nonfiction picture book explains the life cycle, history, and uses of pumpkins.
Comments: This book is excellent for science or seasonal lessons, providing children with factual knowledge through colorful visuals. The author creates all of the visuals for this nonfiction book using watercolors.
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
The Biggest Pumpkin Ever
by Steven Kroll (Author), Jeni Bassett (Illustrator)
Summary: Clayton, a house mouse, is eager to win the town’s biggest pumpkin contest, while Desmond, a field mouse, hopes to carve the largest jack-o’-lantern possible. Unbeknownst to each other, they both select the same pumpkin to nurture. As a result, the pumpkin grows larger than all the others.
Comments: A fun story that highlights cooperation and sharing, a great read aloud.
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
The selected children’s books are chosen by a certified, retired elementary school librarian who passionately reads and recommends picture books to teachers, school librarians, parents, grandparents, and other book enthusiasts.
Most of the books Mrs. Ferraris recommends are checked out from the public library. The only exception is for the complimentary copies that she receives for an honest review, which are duly noted.
(The content below contains Amazon affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Mrs. Ferraris may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you. The Retired School Librarian is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. (These title can be found on my Amazon Storefront under Poetry Picture Books– https://www.amazon.com/shop/mrs.ferraris/list/23O9S8DDXLNC2?ref_=aipsflist .)
❗This cumulative list grows over time, with the newest books always appearing at the top.❗
Poems for Every Season: A Year of Haiku, Sonnets, and More
by Bette Westera (Author), Henriette Boerendans (Illustrator), David Colmer (Translator)
Brief summary: This collection organizes the calendar year journey beginning in spring and concludes in winter, with each season introduced by a haiku. Every month within that season is then paired with a unique poetic form for a total of 16 distinct styles.
Comments: The woodcut illustrations are stunning; two-page spreads are used to capture the essence of each month.
The back section is About the Verse Forms where each poem is listed along with a full explanation of the poetic form.
The forms discussed are:
Haiku
Rondel
Acrostic
Double dactyl
Pantoum
Elevenie
Tanka
Quatrain
Diamante
Rondelet
Limerick
Stacking Poem
Sonnet
This collection is a superb resource for teaching poetry units. I highly recommend adding this to any school or classroom library.
Rating: 5/5 📗📗📗📗📗
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
*I received a free copy of this book.
A Universe of Rainbows: Multicolored Poems for a Multicolored World
by Matt Forrest Esenwine (Author), Jamey Christoph (Illustrator)
Brief summary: This poetry collection features twenty-two authors/poets and a mix of poetry forms that explore the various colors found in nature.
Comments: Each poem is presented on a two-page spread, accompanied by a side column of nonfiction text that briefly explains the topic.
The illustrations were created digitally.
This book could be shared in April as an Earth Day and a Poetry book.
(April is Poetry Month, and April 22nd is Earth Day.)
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
*I received a free copy of this book.
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
Home
by Isabelle Simler (Author), Vineet Lal (Translator)
Brief summary: This poetry collection features 27 animals from around the world, showcasing the unique and amazing homes they create. Each animal is beautifully illustrated with great detail, and young readers will learn about camouflage, habitat, life cycles, and interesting animal facts.
Comments: The back sections include More About These Amazing Animals, Glossary, and Recommended Resources(Books, Websites, and Videos).
This lyrical text appears to be flawlessly translated from French(2022) to English(2024).
Rating: 5/5 📗📗📗📗📗
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
*Home was sent to me as a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
Climbing the Volcano: A Journey in Haiku
by Curtis Manley (Author), Jennifer K. Mann (Illustrator)
Brief summary: A family hikes up South Sister, an Oregon volcano, and the young boy shares his observations in haiku, including the terrain, animals, and insects encountered.
Comments: The back sections of the book include “More About Climbing a Mountain,” which provides information on the volcano, necessary equipment, poetry, and living organisms, and “Further Information,” which lists books and websites.
The illustrations are created with a mix of collograph and monotype printmaking, pencil drawing, digital collage, and paint.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
Bless Our Pets: Poems of Gratitude for Our Animal Friends
by Lee Bennett Hopkins (Editor), Lita Judge (Illustrator)
Brief summary: Bless Our Pets is an anthology of poetry featuring fourteen different animal companion owners expressing gratitude towards their beloved pets. Written by: • Ann Whitford Paul • Rebecca Kai Dotlich • Linda Trott Dickman • Eric Ode • Ralph Fletcher • Sarah Grace Tuttle • Kristine O’Connell George • Darren Sardelli • B.J. Lee • Charles Ghigna • Lois Lowry • Prince Redcloud • Joan Bransfield Graham • Lee Bennett Hopkins
Comments: The book features a variety of poetry forms. The illustrations are created with watercolors and colored pencils that beautifully capture facial expressions.
Rating: 5/5 📗📗📗📗📗
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
*Bless Our Pets was sent to me as a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
This Is a Tiny Fragile Snake
by Nicholas Ruddock (Author), Ashley Barron (Illustrator)
Brief summary: This poetry collection features informative poems about various animals and insects, highlighting their unique characteristics.
Comments: The illustrations are created using cut-paper collages, acrylics, and pencil crayons with some digital finishing.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
You Stole My Name Too: A Curious Case of Animals and Plants with Shared Names
by Dennis McGregor (Author), Blue Star Press (Producer)
Brief summary: This is a collection of humorous poems featuring animals and plants with the same names. Sometimes the reasons for the naming are evident, and sometimes not.
Comments: This is the second collection of poetry in the “You Stole My Name Series.”
The four-line poem is on the left side of the two-page spread, with the animal and plant illustration on the right.
This is an oversized book that really shows the details in his Gouache paintings. Prints of the illustrations are sold on his website.
Rating: 4.5/5 📗📗📗📗1/2
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
Extraordinary Magic: The Storytelling Life of Virginia Hamilton
by Nina Crews (Author)
Brief summary: This collection of lyrical poetry shares Virginia Hamilton’s childhood, family, and writing inspirations.
Comments: The back sections include the Author’s Note, Timeline, Book List, Bibliography, and a few photos.
The illustrations were created digitally using Adobe Photoshop.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
Great Gusts: Winds of the World and the Science Behind Them
by Melanie Crowder (Author), MEGAN BENEDICT (Author), Khoa Le (Illustrator)
Brief summary: Learn about fourteen winds of the world through a lyrical poem and then in nonfiction text.
Comments: This nonfiction poetry and weather book briefly explains specific winds worldwide. I had no idea that some of these existed until now.
The back sections further explain the science of these winds with What Makes the Wind?, How Are Winds Named? Local Poetic Traditions, a global map, Glossary, and For Further Reading.
The illustrations were created digitally.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
Fast Cheetah, Slow Tortoise: Poems of Animal Opposites
by Bette Westera (Author), Mies van Hout (Illustrator), David Colmer (Translator)
Brief summary: This poetry book cleverly presents animal opposites in each animal’s voice. Every two-page spread features two animals opposite from one another in descriptive and humorous free verse.
Comments: The illustrations were created using acrylic ink, oil pastels, and collage. There are a total of thirty-two animals featured in the book.
This poetry book would complement poetry or opposite units of study. It can also just be used for a funny read-aloud to make everyone giggle.
Rating: 4.5/5 📗📗📗📗1/2
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
How to Write a Poem
by Kwame Alexander (Author), Deanna Nikaido (Author), Melissa Sweet (Illustrator). Publisher : Quill Tree Books. 2023. Grades 3-5. Hardcover Picture Book. ISBN-13 : 978-0063060906.
Brief summary: Young readers (and future poetry writers) are encouraged to feel and use their imagination as they observe the world around them. They are inspired to write it down as poetry.
For more details or to buy, click on this book’s Amazon page.
Rating: 3/5 📗📗📗
Push-Pull Morning: Dog-Powered Poems About Matter and Energy
Brief summary: A fun introduction to physics in free verse poetry about a child and dog experiencing everyday life.
Comments: Each poem’s physics correlation is explained at the back of the book. This book could be shared in science units when each physics aspect is introduced to give students an idea of seeing it in the world around them.
Where I Live: Poems About My Home, My Street, and My Town
by Paul B. Janeczko (Author), Hyewon Yum (Illustrator). Publisher : Candlewick. 2023. 1-3. Hardcover Picture Book. ISBN-13 : 978-1536200942.
Brief summary: This is a collection of twenty-four poems divided into three sections: home, street, and town. The variety of poets and authors is diverse, with examples of several different types of poems—an excellent poetry addition to any library.
Comments: The illustrator captures the mood and characteristics of each poem.
by Sean Taylor (Author), Anuska Allepuz (Illustrator). Publisher : Candlewick. 2023. PreK-2. Hardcover Picture Book. ISBN-13 : 978-1536228342.
Brief summary: Thirty poems are divided into three sections: Night Arrives, Shut-Your-Eyes Time, and Dream Wheels Turning. The poems are a variety of different forms and with a variety of settings and characters.
The illustrations are colorful and completely fill all of the pages. Very well done.
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.
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