Use picture books as mentor texts to model for your elementary students how to write using sound words or onomatopoeia. These books show your young writers the possibilities for incorporating the sense of sound into stories and poems. Picture Books To Teach Onomatopoeia I Hear a Pickle (and Smell, See, Touch, and Taste It, Too!) by Rachel Isadora This book, written in first person, is a … [Read more...]
Learn About Animals: New Nonfiction Books for Ages 4 – 14
If your child enjoys reading about animal life, you'll want to know about these new books. From picture to comics to nonfiction middle-grade, there is something for every age and most interests on this list of new books for kids. Learn About Animals: New Nonfiction Books for Ages 4 - 14 Walk This Wild World: Lift the Flap by Sam Brewster Startin with the Arctic, visit different ecosystems on … [Read more...]
Don’t Miss These 2018 Back-to-School Books
We do a lot to prepare our children for the school year. One of those rituals, besides changing up bedtime and school supply shopping, can be reading books about going to school. Especially for our younger children who are still unsure of what to expect. This year's back-to-school books offer humor, wisdom, and diversity. Read these at home or in the classroom as your kids go back for another year … [Read more...]
New in Picture Books, Summer 2018
What are you reading this summer? Here are some newly published picture books that I think you'll enjoy. (I put the latest funny picture books in a separate post here.) New in Picture Books, Summer 2018 Grumpy Monkey by Suzanne Lang, illustrated by Max Lang FEELINGS This is one of the best, most healthy emotional intelligence children's books I've ever read about feeling your … [Read more...]
If You Like to Laugh, Read These 5 New Funny Picture Books
Kids love all sorts of books, especially ones with funny stories. Here are five newly published picture books that will get your kids laughing with delight. ENJOY! If You Like to Laugh, Read These New Funny Picture Books Walrus in the Bathtub by Deborah Underwood, illustrated by Matt Hunt FUNNY Things I love about this story: illustrations humorous story handwriting … [Read more...]
Riveting Robot Books for Kids
Robots rock, right? (See what I did there? rrr ...) Get your STEM-loving kids jazzed about robots with these books all about robots! From picture books to nonfiction tomes, these books will get your kids excited about robotics. Riveting Robot Books for Kids The Robot Book by Heather Brown This robot has two eyes, two arms, and two legs, but what really makes him tick? Inside The Robot Book, … [Read more...]
The Best Ninja Picture Books for Kids
So many kids go through a loving everything ninja phase. I know my youngest daughter did. She even had a ninja-themed birthday party! These are our favorite ninja picture books. We hope you like them, too. The Best Ninja Picture Books for Kids Hello Ninja by N.D. Wilson, illustrated by Forrest Dickison Kids love this rhyming board book all about what ninjas do -- including go to … [Read more...]
Travel the World: Books for Kids About Japan and Japanese Culture
Travel to Japan by reading picture books and chapter books that are set in Japan and show Japanese culture and traditions. Books help kids learn about different countries and their cultures. For me, the book Shogun first got me interested in Japanese culture. I wonder what it will be for your kids? Happy travels! Picture Books About Japanese Culture My First Book of Japanese Words: An … [Read more...]
17 Children’s Books That Encourage Cooperation
Are you looking for picture books that encourage cooperation? With the publication of Yoga Friends, a book to help children learn yoga poses with a partner, I thought it would be fun to find other books that encourage cooperation and working with a partner. There are so many wonderful stories from which to choose. Read the stories with your children. See what they notice about the story's … [Read more...]
Bibliotherapy! 12 Picture Books About Facing Fears and Having Courage
I'm a big believer in bibliotherapy. Why? Because books can show kids possibilities. They show characters facing fears. Picture books give young readers a glimpse into how others feel, react, and behave. These life lessons can be translated to our kids' lives. This includes facing fears and having courage even though you feel afraid... As you read aloud the stories, discuss what you and … [Read more...]
Warm-Hearted Picture Books About Siblings
From bickering to sharing to cuddling and compromise, these sibling stories are all warm-hearted and playful picture books about the many facets that happen in these relationships. Read with your kids. See what they recognize in themselves. See if any stories inspire something more... Warm-Hearted Picture Books About Siblings The New Small Person by Lauren Child Elmore loves his life as an … [Read more...]
10 Favorite Cumulative Stories for Kids
Cumulative stories are rhythmic stories with a narration that builds upon itself, adding on and repeating previous information. This repetition makes this story predictable, something that is invaluable to growing readers. As the plot builds, readers will be able to accurately predict and read (even fake read) the repetitive text because they'll know it's coming. Even for younger children who … [Read more...]