Tag: kids books

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Book Lover Gifts–Stationery

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Book Lover Gifts–Stationery recommendations are by Angela Ferraris, The Retired School Librarian.

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

Bibliophile Notes, 20

For more information, options, or to buy, please see the Amazon page.

Thank you notecards, Book Stack, 24

For more information, options, or to buy, please see the Amazon page.

Manual Typewriter Thank You Cards, 10

For more information, options, or to buy, please see the Amazon page.

The Art of Reading notecards, 16

For more information, options, or to buy, please see the Amazon page.

Snoopy on Typewriter Notecards, 16

For more information, options, or to buy, please see the Amazon page.

Vintage Ink Well Stationery set

For more information, options, or to buy, please see the Amazon page.

Personal Library Kit

For more information, options, or to buy, please see the Amazon page.

Flower Fairy Book Illustrations POSTCARDS, 24

For more information, options, or to buy, please see the Amazon page.

Have a Little Pun Notecards, 16

For more information, options, or to buy, please see the Amazon page.

Book Spine Notecards, 10

For more information, options, or to buy, please see the Amazon page.

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Book Lover Gifts–Bookends

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Book Lover Gifts–Bookends recommendation are by Angela Ferraris, The Retired School Librarian.

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

Flower Vase Bookend

For more information, options, or to buy, please see the Amazon page.

Sword Bookends

For more information, options, or to buy, please see the Amazon page.

Non-Skid Metal Bookends

For more information, options, or to buy, please see the Amazon page.

DYI Library Book Nook Kit, Bookshelf decoration

For more information, options, or to buy, please see the Amazon page.

BOOK Bookends, 2 pairs

For more information, options, or to buy, please see the Amazon page.

Peeping Cat Bookends

For more information, options, or to buy, please see the Amazon page.

Wood Bookends

For more information, options, or to buy, please see the Amazon page.

White Rose Metal Bookends

For more information, options, or to buy, please see the Amazon page.

Decorative Wood Bookends

For more information, options, or to buy, please see the Amazon page.

Paw Bookends

For more information, options, or to buy, please see the Amazon page.

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Book Lover Gifts–Mugs

The Retired School LibrarianLeave a comment

Book Lover Gifts–Mugs children’s book recommendation is by Angela Ferraris, The Retired School Librarian.

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

Book mug

For more information, option, or to buy, please see the Amazon page.

Bookmarks are for Quitters mug

For more information, options, or to buy, please see the Amazon page.

Never Underestimate…mug

For more information, options, or to buy, please see the Amazon page.

I’m not a Bookworm mug

For more information, options, or to buy, please see the Amazon page.

Yes! I really do need all these books mug

For more information, options, or to buy, please see the Amazon page.

Library Bookshelf mug

For more information, options, or to buy, please see the Amazon page.

The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe mug

For more information, options, or to buy, please see the Amazon page.

Book Lover gifts mugs

A day without reading… mug

For more information, options, or to buy, please see the Amazon page.

So many books… mug

For more information, options, or to buy, please see the Amazon page.

Anne of Green Gables mug

For more information, options, or to buy, please see the Amazon page.

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Book Lover Gifts–Household Items

The Retired School LibrarianLeave a comment

Book lover gifts–household items recommendations are by Angela Ferraris, The Retired School Librarian.

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

book lover gifts furniture Shower Curtains with a bookshelf and books on it. BOOKs is on the curtains in big red lettering

Book Ceramic Planter

For more information, options, or to buy, please see the Amazon page.

Book Lover Blanket

For more information, options, or to buy, please see the Amazon page.

Memory Foam Book/Tablet Holder

For more information, options, or to buy, please see the Amazon page.

Due Date Coasters

For more information, options, or to buy, please see the Amazon page.

Bookshelf Tumbler

For more information, options, or to buy, please see the Amazon page.

Book Lover Pillow Covers(pillows not included), 18″x18″

For more information, options, or to buy, please see the Amazon page.

Folding Book Lamp

For more information, options, or to buy, please see the Amazon page.

Five Tier Bookshelves

For more information, options, or to buy, please see the Amazon page.

Bookworm Area Rug

For more information, options, or to buy, please see the Amazon page.

Library Bookshelves Shower Curtain

For more information, options, or to buy, please see the Amazon page.

Children's Book Recommendations

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

The Retired School LibrarianLeave a comment

The Museum on the Moon children’s book recommendation is by Angela Ferraris, The Retired School Librarian.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rating: 4/5 đź“—đź“—đź“—đź“—

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

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

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

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Book Lover Gifts–Jewelry

The Retired School LibrarianLeave a comment

Book lover gifts–jewelry recommendations are by Angela Ferraris, The Retired School Librarian.

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

Boma Jewelry Sterling Silver Quotation Mark Stud Earrings

For more information, options, or to buy, please see the Amazon page.

Book Necklace–24″ or 36″ by Gutsy Goodness

For more information, options, or to buy, please see the Amazon page.

READ Earrings

For more information, options, or to buy, please see the Amazon page.

So Many Books So Little Time Keychain

For more information, options, or to buy, please see the Amazon page.

Reading a Book Necklace

For more information, options, or to buy, please see the Amazon page.

Book Bracelet

For more information, options, or to buy, please see the Amazon page.

Book Lanyard(1 item being shown, front and back views)

For more information, options, or to buy, please see the Amazon page.

Breakaway Book Lanyard

For more information, options, or to buy, please see the Amazon page.

Book Pins

For more information, options, or to buy, please see the Amazon page.

Earing shaped with little books on shelves; book lover gifts earring

Teardrop Bookshelves Earrings

For more information, options, or to buy, please see the Amazon page.

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Book Lover Gifts–Totes and Purses

The Retired School LibrarianLeave a comment

Book lover gifts–totes and purses recommendations are by Angela Ferraris, The Retired School Librarian.

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

TOTES

Little Women Tote

For more information, options, or to buy, please see the Amazon page.

Little Women Tote

For more information, options, or to buy, please see the Amazon page.

Frankenstein Tote

For more information, options, or to buy, please see the Amazon page.

Freadom Tote

For more information, options, or to buy, please see the Amazon page.

The Bronte Sisters Tote

For more information, options, or to buy, please see the Amazon page.

Read Tote

For more information, options, or to buy, please see the Amazon page.

Books and Flowers Tote

For more information, options, or to buy, please see the Amazon page.

Little Women Tote

For more information, options, or to buy, please see the Amazon page.

Book Love’s 4pc Set

For more information, options, or to buy, please see the Amazon page.

I Have No Shelf Control Tote

For more information, options, or to buy, please see the Amazon page.

PURSES

Crossover Handbag

For more information, options, or to buy, please see the Amazon page.

Change Purse/Clutch

For more information, options, or to buy, please see the Amazon page.

Death by TBR Makeup Bag

For more information, options, or to buy, please see the Amazon page.

Book Wallet

For more information, options, or to buy, please see the Amazon page.

So Many Books So Little Time Makeup Bag

For more information, options, or to buy, please see the Amazon page.

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Book Lover Gifts–Clothing

The Retired School LibrarianLeave a comment

Book lover gifts-clothing recommendations are by Angela Ferraris, The Retired School Librarian.

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

T-shirts

Black tshirt with Edgar Allen Poe holding an umbrella with a raven on his shoulder while it's raining

When It Rains, It Poes  T-shirt

For more information, options, or to buy, please see the Amazon page.

Tshirt with Books in a row with I'm with the banned written underneath

I’m With the Banned Graphic Tee

For more information, options, or to buy, please see the Amazon page.

Cat wearing glassing reading a book drinking a mug of coffee t-shirt that says read banned books drink coffee fight evil

Read Banned Books T-shirt

For more information, options, or to buy, please see the Amazon page.

T-shirt saying It's not hoarding if it's books with a pile of books

It’s Not Hoarding If It’s Books T-shirt

For more information, options, or to buy, please see the Amazon page.

T-shirt with You can't buy happiness but you can buy more books and that's kind of the same thing with books on shelf and flower pots

You Can’t Buy Happiness T-shirt

For more information, options, or to buy, please see the Amazon page.

T-shirt saying warning: May spontaneously talk about books

Warning: May spontaneously Talk About Books Tee

For more information, options, or to buy, please see the Amazon page.

t-shirt saying I have no shelf control with three shelves full of books

I Have No Shelf Control Tee

For more information, options, or to buy, please see the Amazon page.

T-shirt with the tarot card of a skeleton reading a book. It say The Reader.

The Reader Tee

For more information, options, or to buy, please see the Amazon page.

T-shirt saying "it's a good day to read a book

It’s a Good Day to Read a Book Tee

For more information, options, or to buy, please see the Amazon page.

t-shirt with the word abibliophobia with the pronunciation key and definition

Abibliophobia T-shirt

For more information, options, or to buy, please see the Amazon page.

Socks

Socks with a cat reading a book that says Shhh...I'm reading

SHHH…I’m Reading Socks

For more information, options, or to buy, please see the Amazon page.

Bottom of a pair of socks that say Shhhhhhh and I'm Reading on the soles

I’m Reading Socks

For more information, options, or to buy, please see the Amazon page.

Sock with little portraits of Sherlock Holmes on them

Sherlock Holmes Socks

For more information, options, or to buy, please see the Amazon page.

Check out card on socks

Check Out Socks

For more information, options, or to buy, please see the Amazon page.

So Many Books, So Little Time

For more information, options, or to buy, please see the Amazon page.

Book Lover Set of 4 Socks

For more information, options, or to buy, please see the Amazon page.

Books Socks

For more information, options, or to buy, please see the Amazon page.

Just one more chapter…socks

For more information, options, or to buy, please see the Amazon page.

GIRLS ankle sock set

For more information, options, or to buy, please see the Amazon page.

Comic theme socks

For more information, options, or to buy, please see the Amazon page.

Mothers
Children's Book Recommendations

Mothers

The Retired School LibrarianLeave a comment

Mothers children’s picture book recommendations are by Angela Ferraris, The Retired School Librarian.

(The content below contains Amazon affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Mrs. Ferraris may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you.)

A little yellow chick with a blue background. Cover of Cheeky Chick!

Cheeky Chick! 

by Julia Jarman (Author), Tom Knight (Illustrator)

Brief summary: Mother Hen firmly instructed her chicks to stay close to the roast and strongly advised them not to wander off due to the fox lurking nearby. Despite her warning, one of the chicks recklessly went on a little adventure and encountered various farm animals along the way. Unfortunately, the chick eventually met the fox who relentlessly chased after it. The question now is, can the chick outsmart the fox and make a daring escape?

Comments: This is a humorous yet serious story that teaches children to listen to their mothers and stay close to home to avoid danger.

Rating: 3.5/5 đź“—đź“—đź“—1/2

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

A World of Love 

by Aimee Elizabeth Reid (Author), Christopher Lyles (Illustrator)

Brief summary: Animal parents and their offspring are described in a rhyming text that explains how they express their love for each other in unique ways.

Comments: This is a lovely bedtime story with beautiful illustrations that emphasize the depth of the love between a parent and a child.

The illustrations are made using a combination of collage, hand-painted papers, pencils, and crayons.

Rating: 4/5 đź“—đź“—đź“—đź“—

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

A mother is holding her elementary aged daughter. Trees, flowers, and a forest are in the background.

For You, I Will 

by Elle Duncan (Author), Laura Freeman (Illustrator)

Brief summary: The mom made a promise to her daughter that she would teach her how to be confident in the world and achieve success. She plans to do this by setting a loving and supportive example. This promise is something she plans to keep for her daughter’s entire life.

Comments: The illustrations were created digitally.

This would make a reassuring bedtime story to share with a daughter.

Rating: 3.5/5 đź“—đź“—đź“—1/2

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

A mother wearing shorts is helping her daughter walk. Flowers are in the background. They are walking on grass.

Yaya is a young girl holding a white flower wearing a vest jacket with the ocean, beach, and her mother with her friends sitting on a beach towel.

Yaya and the Sea 

by Karen Good Marable (Author), Tonya Engel (Illustrator)

Brief summary: Yaya and her mother take the subway to meet her mother’s friends and go to the sea for their annual spring equinox prayer to Mama Ocean.

Comments: The book is based on the author’s true story. The Author’s Note explains the ritual and symbolism of the objects offered to the sea.

The illustrations were created with acrylic underpainting and finished with oils on primed archival paper.

Rating: 4/5 đź“—đź“—đź“—đź“—

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

An orange mother dog inside with her pup on its bed.

Counting on Mom 

by Odd Dot (Author), Valentina Jaskina (Illustrator)

Brief summary: This is a counting book that goes up to ten, featuring mothers taking care of their young.

Comments: The story features cute animals with happy faces, making it a gentle bedtime tale for toddlers. It includes a counting and a motherly theme.

Rating: 3.5/5 đź“—đź“—đź“—1/2

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

A dog mother and her pups with a cat mother with her kittens. The moms are eating. All are inside a human home.

A boy wearing overalls is being held by his mother who has on a pink shirt. A green wallpaper is in the background.

Mamá’s Panza 

by Isabel Quintero (Author), Iliana Galvez (Illustrator)

Brief summary: The boy explains that “panza” means belly and describes different types. His favorite is his mother’s because it was his first home – a soft, cuddly, and comforting place.

Comments: This was created with scanned color pencils and digital paintbrushes.

Rating: 3.5/5 đź“—đź“—đź“—1/2

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

A boy wearing brown shorts and a blue striped sleeveless shirt is telling us that panza means belly. The other side of the page is his mother doing yoga.
Lilly and her dog are behind the couch while her mommy and new friend are sitting. Lilly is giving him rabbit ears. All have happy faces

Mommy’s New Friend 

by Shelley Tougas (Author), Sara Palacios (Illustrator)

Brief summary: Lilly shares what she wants to do and say when her Mommy’s new friend, Carl, visits, but instead, she politely adjusts to the new routines and learns how to live with someone new in her life while still loving her parents, even though they are no longer together like before.

Comments: This book is a must-read for teachers, school counselors, and divorced parents. It follows Lilly’s journey of growth and acceptance in the midst of family changes.

The illustrations were created with cut paper, acrylic, and digital media.

Rating: 4/5 đź“—đź“—đź“—đź“—

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

An orangutan and her baby are hanging on a tree branch with the baby on her stomach

Mamas and Babies 

by Christie Matheson (Author, Illustrator)

Brief summary: This primary nonfiction picture shows different mothers and how they care for their offspring.

Comments: These charming watercolor illustrations capture the bond between mother and child, each one spanning two pages.

This nonfiction book would make a lovely bedtime story due to its gentle and soothing pictures and words.

Rating: 4/5 đź“—đź“—đź“—đź“—

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

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

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

Abstract Ideas
Children's Book Recommendations

Abstract Ideas

The Retired School LibrarianLeave a comment

Abstract ideas children’s picture book recommendations are by Angela Ferraris, The Retired School Librarian.

(The content below contains Amazon affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Mrs. Ferraris may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you.)

Cover for Here & There. Dan is sitting on top of his cafe while Aki is traveling on his ship.

Here and There 

by Thea Lu (Author)

Brief 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.

Aki goes to 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 đź“—đź“—đź“—đź“—1/2

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)

Brief 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 đź“—đź“—đź“—1/2

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

A boy with a yellow shirt and in a wheelchair is thinking of abstract ideas and writing them down at his desk. On the other side of the book's page is the same boy sharing pictures with friends under the shade of a tree.

Hope is the Thing with Feathers (Picture-a-Poem) 

by Emily Dickinson (Author), Tim Hopgood (Illustrator)

Brief 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 đź“—đź“—đź“—đź“—

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

Today 

by Gabi Snyder (Author), Stephanie Graegin (Illustrator)

Brief 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 đź“—đź“—đź“—1/2

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

Family car arrives to Pop Pop's cottage by the lake where he and the cousins are waiting.

Only: The Bird Who Liked Being Alone 

by Airlie Anderson (Author)

Brief 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 đź“—đź“—đź“—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.

A young child is sitting with a polar bear on the side of a hill with green grass looking out towards the water with mountains in the background.

How to Be Brave 

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.

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

Rating: 3/5 đź“—đź“—đź“—

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

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

Children's Book Recommendations

2024 Children’s Picture Book Recommendations by Theme

The Retired School LibrarianLeave a comment

2024 children’s picture book recommendations are by Angela Ferraris, The Retired School Librarian. Please note that these themes are accumulating, meaning that she may add more books to them over the year in addition to adding more themes to this page.

(This content contains Amazon affiliate links. When you buy through these links, I may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you).

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. 

Children's Book Recommendations

2023 Children’s Picture Book Recommendations by Theme

The Retired School LibrarianLeave a comment

2023 children’s picture book recommendation are by Angela Ferraris, The Retired School Librarian.

(This content contains Amazon affiliate links. When you buy through these links, I may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you).

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.