What new Christmas books should you be reading this year? 2018 offers some choices that are sweet, some that are funny, and some that are cute. See for yourself. BEST Christmas Books for Kids (Secular) BEST Christmas Books for Kids (Christian) 2018 Christmas Books Christmas ABC by Jannie Ho A for angel to Z for zzzz, this is a cheerful Christmas alphabet board book for young … [Read more...]
Favorite Hanukkah Books for Kids
With the publication of several excellent, new Hanukkah books, I thought I'd share these and other favorite picture books to read with kids during this holiday season. I don't just recommend these books for Jewish families who celebrate the holiday either. We all can learn about the history and holiday of Hanukkah even if we aren't Jewish because it builds bridges of understanding with our Jewish … [Read more...]
14 New Picture Books, Late Fall 2018
I'm happy to share with you 14 more newly published picture books. Also, don't miss my other recent picture book lists that I grouped into the categories of friendship and bedtime. Some really good read aloud choices!! By the way, did you see when I shared P is for Pterodactyl on Instagram and Facebook? It's gone crazy viral on FB. It's on this list, too! :) New Picture Books A … [Read more...]
4 Meaningful Picture Books About Friendships
I can't wait to tell you about these picture books! They'll spark important conversations -- and I hope be helpful in teaching about communication, prejudice, and self-worth. 5 New Picture Books About Friendships Oliver: The Second-Largest Living Thing on Earth by Josh Crute, illustrated by John Taesoo Kim BELONGING, TOGETHERNESS, SELF-WORTH / Best of 2018 My daughter and I LOVE this book so … [Read more...]
16 Thanksgiving Books for Kids
Thanksgiving books for kids share the early history of the United States, gratitude, and thankfulness. Do you know that thankfulness is a habit - something to practice and make a regular part of your day? (Kind of like exercise!) We practice thankfulness each night in our family prayers. For other people, they might share gratitude at a family meal. The good news is that gratitude directly … [Read more...]
Picture Books That Teach Kids About Prejudice, Inclusion, and Tolerance
My heart is heavy with the recent surge of antisemitism, institutionalized bullying, and wide-spread intolerance like the hate speech we see on social media. Teachers and parents have asked me to share picture books you can use with children to teach about prejudice, acceptance, inclusion, and tolerance. Here are some good options... Reading these books will bring up both questions and topics … [Read more...]
6 Bedtime Stories (About Going to Sleep)– So Meta!
Bedtime can be tricky for many kids. From fears to restlessness to I'd-rather-be-playing, it's not always a smooth transition to sleep. These fall 2018 picture books about going to sleep might help make your kids sleepy. If nothing else, these (meta) books make the perfect companions to your read aloud time just before turning off the lights and settling in for the night. 6 Bedtime Stories (About … [Read more...]
Children’s Books about Elections and Voting
I firmly believe it's our responsibility as citizens to educate kids about the democratic process of elections and voting. (Even though you might dislike election time and the drama that comes with it!) Election season gives us an opportunity to teach children about elections by reading kid-appropriate children's books like these... Children's Books about Elections and Voting This Little … [Read more...]
More Notable Nonfiction Books From 2018
Some researchers have theorized that the reading decline after 3rd grade is because children are not able to comprehend nonfiction as well as they comprehend fiction. True or not, we know that kids are expected to read informational texts much more in the upper grades, middle school, and high school so we must be intentional about asking them to practice reading nonfiction. Providing children with … [Read more...]
Informative Biographies for Children Ages 7 – 17 (New in 2018)
Many kids need encouragement to read biographies but do it -- it's a valuable thing to do. Why? Because biographies show that ordinary people can have extraordinary lives. It helps children be self-reflective, particularly if parents and teachers use biographies for discussion and reflection. Not to mention, reading nonfiction is an important part of developing a well-rounded skill … [Read more...]
80 Favorite Book Character Costumes
Dress up as your favorite book character and have a Happy Bookish Halloween! How about one of these book character costume ideas from the favorite children's picture and chapter books? I've linked to many costumes you can buy and some you can make. Hopefully, this list will inspire you to find a fun book costume that works for you! Favorite Book Character Costumes Alice in … [Read more...]
Picture Book Character Costumes for Halloween
Would your child like a book-themed costume this Halloween? How about one of these picture book character costume ideas? If you have older kids, find chapter book costume ideas here. Also, visit my BIGGEST list of 80+ Book Costume Ideas Picture Book Character Costumes for Halloween Elephant and Piggie by Mo Willems buy elephant costume buy pig costume Fly Guy by Tedd … [Read more...]