Tag: reads

Children's Book Recommendations

Thread by Thread

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Thread by Thread 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 cover of Thread by Thread with a knitted red house with windows that have mice family in the window.

Thread by Thread 

by Alice Brière-Haquet (Author), Michela Eccli (Illustrator), Sarah Ardizzone (Translator)

Brief summary: A family of mice have their knitted home come apart when more and more yarn unravels. They run away from a fire breathing dragon and go across the water in a knitted red boat to a land where they slowly knit their house back together with the help of other animals using different colored threads until they make a new safe home.

Comments: A wonderful allegory to teach elementary students about refugees and escaping to a new land that is safe.

This story was originally published din France in 2023 and translated to English in 2025.

The illustrations were created with drawing, photography, and yarn.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

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

*I received 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 for the complimentary copies that she receives for an honest review, which are duly noted.

Children's Book Recommendations

2025 Children’s Picture Book Recommendations by Theme

The Retired School LibrarianLeave a comment

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. 

Children's Book Recommendations

Smarty the Brain Stories

The Retired School LibrarianLeave a comment

Smarty the Brain Stories 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.)

Cover to Smarty the Brain Stories with two young brains wearing tennis shows. Smarty has on the helmet and glasses while Moody does not.

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.

Children's Book Recommendations

An Anishinaabe Christmas

The Retired School LibrarianLeave a comment

An Anishinaabe Christmas 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.)

Baby is holding a present while standing next to a Christmas tree. He is wearing boots and a winter coat..

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.

Children's Book Recommendations

The Littlest Christmas Tree

The Retired School LibrarianLeave a comment

The Littlest Christmas Tree 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.)

Cubby is in the woods with fir tree all around. Cubby is decorating one with a yellow star.

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.

Children's Book Recommendations

Christmas(History of Holidays and Festivals)

The Retired School LibrarianLeave a comment

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.)

Santa Claus standing up in a sleigh full of toys and people dressed like elves.

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.

Children's Book Recommendations

Nisha’s Just-Right Christmas Tree

The Retired School LibrarianLeave a comment

Nisha’s Just-Right Christmas Tree 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.)

Nishas is wearing a blue hat with a matching scarf. Her winter coat is red. She is standing in the middle of fir trees looking up with a smile on her face.

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.

Children's Book Recommendations

One Foggy Christmas Eve

The Retired School LibrarianLeave a comment

One Foggy Christmas Eve 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.)

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.

Children's Book Recommendations

Tamales for Christmas

The Retired School LibrarianLeave a comment

Tamales for Christmas 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.)

Grandma has on a yellow apron with a grandchild on either side. Christmas tree and pinata is in the background. There is a green table piled with tamales on plates

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.

Children's Book Recommendations

The Gingerbread House Jack’s Family Ate

The Retired School LibrarianLeave a comment

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.)

Jack and his dog are eating a gingerbread house that is on a table with green checkered tablecloth

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.

Children's Book Recommendations

Eight Sweet Nights

The Retired School LibrarianLeave a comment

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.

Children's Book Recommendations

A City Full of Santas

The Retired School LibrarianLeave a comment

A City Full of Santas 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.)

A girl and her mother are shopping and going to visit Santa Claus. There is a large Christmas tree with many Santas around the city.

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.

Children's Book Recommendations

The Days After Christmas

The Retired School LibrarianLeave a comment

The Days After Christmas 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.)

A boy and girl in matching PJs are taking down the Christmas Tree with the help of their dog. Boxes are filled with ornaments.

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.

Children's Book Recommendations

Letters to Never Send Santa: Confessions, Complaints, and Outlandish Requests from the Files of St. Nick 

The Retired School LibrarianLeave a comment

Letters to Never Send Santa 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.)

Vixen the reindeer wearing a Christmas sweater and lights are in his antlers. Stamps on a red book cover

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.

Children's Book Recommendations

The Twelve Days of Petmas

The Retired School LibrarianLeave a comment

The Twelve Days of Petmas 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.)

A girl sitting under a Christmas tree with gifts all around her. She is holding up a kitten. There are animals scattered across the page amongst the gifts.

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.