During the toddler years, children begin to learn from interactions as they’re being read too.
They can recite books they’ve previously read and start understanding the relationship between letters and sounds.
I CAN EXPLAIN
I CAN EXPLAIN by Shinsuke Yoshitake is hilarious.
It Features a cute boy who has an explanation for everything he does.
When he picks his nose, it’s not “bad manners” it’s because there’s a button at the back of his nose that releases lots of cheerful beams whenever he touches it, lol.
Each explanation is hilariously funny but also fosters imagination.
With witty illustrations this books makes a great read aloud and it’s perfect for toddlers. Publisher: Chronicle Books(Age 2-6)
My Big Book of Nature Sounds
MY BIG BOOK OF NATURE SOUNDS by Lucie Brunellière is such a delightful book that little nature lovers would enjoy.
Apart from featuring the outdoor sounds of animals in their habitats, readers can listen to familiar sounds in their environment when the corresponding button is pressed.
From the sound of jumping into puddles and skipping rocks at the pond to the sound of dandelion seeds blowing in the air and walking on snow, this book is very interactive and engaging.
The illustrations are bold and vibrant, and children will love learning and exploring nature and its habitats. Publisher: Twirl Books(Age 2-6)
THE UPSIDE DOWN HAT
THE UPSIDE DOWN HAT by Stephen Barr is an amazing story of self-discovery.
When a boy wakes up, he discovers everything he owns is missing except his hat.
Through the rain, the beaming sun and hunger, the hat was there providing shelter, shade and support while he searched for his belongings.
After searching high and low, the boy slept and dreamt that he found all his belongings but he when he awoke, his hat was missing.
When he found his hat, he realized that he needed nothing else.
This book is absolutely amazing and shows us what’s truly important and necessary in our lives
The bold Illustrations by Gracey Zhang are captivating. The transitions from page to page will intrigue readers to anticipate the end of the story. Publisher: Chronicle Books(Age 4-8)
THE PIGEON WILL RIDE THE ROLLER COASTER!
Our favorite pigeon is back at it again in Mo Willems’ new release, THE PIGEON WILL RIDE THE ROLLER COASTER.
The pigeon loves roller coasters and can’t wait to ride one. He already had his ticket and will patiently wait in line.
His emotions ran wild with excitement, but to his surprise, the roller coaster turned out to be unimpressive and not as expected. However, that definitely didn’t stop him from wanting to ride it again.
The pigeon series is always fun to read and always hilarious. The illustrations are always fun and witty, and children will love the anticipation of the story. Publisher: Union Square Kids (Age 2-5)
DINOSAURS
DINOSAURS and other Prehistoric Creatures by Arnaud Roi feature 10 pop-ups of some of your favorite dinosaurs.
From Utahraptors and Triceratops to Therizinosaurus and Kronosaurus, each includes characteristics and interesting facts along with the period they existed.
With vivid illustrations by Charlotte Molas, this book is interactive and so much fun to read. A favorite for Dino lovers everywhere. Publisher: Twirl Books (Age 2-5)
THE THINK-UPS
THE THINK-UPS by Claire Alexander is a super cute book featuring two girls, Kiki and Anna.
It’s raining outside and usual indoor games like snakes and ladders and hide and seek were boring, so when Kiki comes up with the Think-up games, Anna is initially confused but plays along anyway.
To play, all you have to do is think up a thing it will happen. When Kiki thought of rabbits, they surprisingly appeared. Soon, all the animals from their think-up games caused a catastrophe in the house.
Though it was fun, the game ended as soon as the rain stopped.
We love books that foster imaginative play. The vibrant illustrations are amazing and the animals, though mischievous, are super cute. It’s perfect for rainy days and encourages sibling bonding. Publisher: Candlewick (Age 2-5)
BIG, BIGGER, BIGGEST
BIG, BIGGER, BIGGEST by Xavier Deneux introduces children to descriptive basic concepts.
While children try to guess the biggest animal in the world, they observe animals that are big but not as big as the biggest.
Featuring bold illustrations, peek-through, and lifts and flaps, can you guess what the biggest animal on earth is? Publisher: Twirl (Age 2-6)
THE POP-UP GUIDE: ANIMALS
ANIMALS by Maud Poulain is perfect for animal lovers.
This interactive pop-up book features animals all over the world. From the African safari, the North Pole, to rivers and mountains, children will have so much fun exploring these habitats.
The bold and vivid illustrations by Peggy Nille are absolutely remarkable, and the pop-ups are engaging and informative. Publisher: Twirl (Age 4-8)
HABITATS: TURN SEEK FIND
Ben Newman’s HABITATS is a wonderful turn, seek and find book that features habitats from all around the world.
From The African Savanna to the Indian Jungle, children will enjoy exploring and finding the animals and plants and ever vehicles. Each comes in different colors so, they can also learn colors.
With bold, colorful illustrations, this book is perfect for little explorers and great interactive fun. Publisher: Twirl (Age 4-8)
RAIN BEFORE RAINBOWS
RAIN BEFORE RAINBOWS by Smriti Prasadam-Halls provides hope and support to anyone who may go through a difficult time.
As adults, we’ve all been through things, but so do some children.
Books like this encourage children to push on through trials and reassure them that things will get better.
With the help and support from family and friends, they gain the strength to rebuild, restore and to carry on because there’s always a beautiful rainbow after the rain.
The illustrations by David Litchfield are luminous and vibrant and the transition through the pages from gloom to bright is absolutely magnificent. Publisher: Candlewick Press (Age 4-8)
HELLO, LITTLE DREAMER
HELLO, LITTLE DREAMER by Kathie Lee Gifford is such a beautiful book that inspires hope. It encourages children to be little dreamers because dreams are already embedded within them.
God plants little dreams within us and as we grow, those dreams grow into what we are meant to become. Some dreams happen right away, but others take time.
This book provides a source of motivation and strength, allowing children to reach their full potential by believing it’s already within them.
The uplifting illustrations by Anita Schmidt are beautiful and vibrant, making this book perfect for toddlers and kindergarteners.
Dreams do come true, all we have to do is believe and trust God. Publisher: Thomas Nelson (Age 4-8)
JUST A STORY
JUST A STORY by Jeff Mack features an adorable boy and his many adventures he embarks on when he opens a book.
From pirates to alien invasions and baby dragons, this wonderfully illustrated book is guaranteed to delight little readers.
We’re completely obsessed with this book because magic always happens when you open a book. Stories come to life and imaginations run wild. Publisher: Neal Porter Books (Age 2-6)
SLOTH & SMELL THE ROSES
Considering the year we had last year, our first bookish post for 2021 just had to be this book.
In SLOTH AND SMELL THE ROSES by Eunice and Sabrina Moyle, Mindful Mo is a sloth that encourages readers to be mindful by following some very easy steps.
From ways to deal with anger to meditating and relaxing, this beautifully illustrated book is a gentle reminder to live in the moment.
It’s inspirational and motivating and is great for dealing with tantrums and other emotional issues.
Take a breath, listen, and embrace life by just slowing down. Thank you SO much to our bookish besties at Abrams Books for sending us this book to start the year off right. Publisher: Abrams Books (Age 4-8)
CAN BEARS SKI?
CAN BEARS SKI by Raymond Antrobus is such a sweet,heartwarming story.
It features a Dad Bear discovering his Little Bear can’t hear very well. The little bear feels vibrations and knows when someone is talking to him, but he never understands.
When asked, “Can you hear me,” he hears “Can Bear Ski,” so Daddy Bear took him to visit the Audiologist.
She examines his ears and ran tests, then gave him plastic ears called hearing aids. Now bear can hear and understand a lot better.
This book is absolutely beautiful and relatable. Especially to those hearing impaired. It’s hopeful and also allows children to understand some challenges their hearing-impaired friends go through.
The illustrations by Polly Dunbar are absolutely amazing with bright, vivid colors, and Little Bear is SO cute. We have to thank our bookish besties at Candlewick Press for sending us this gem. Publisher: Candlewick Press (Age 4-8)
A WHALE OF A MISTAKE
A WHALE OF A MISTAKE by Ioana Hobai teaches people to embrace their mistakes and not allow them to weigh you down.
It reassures children that no matter the mistake, there is often a greater mistake being done by someone else and it’s perfectly fine. Mistakes help to make us stronger and there is always a lesson to be learned.
It is beautifully illustrated and sends a great message. Publisher: Page Street Kids (Age 4-8)
IT'S YOUR WORLD NOW
IT’S YOUR WORLD NOW by Barry Falls is a beautiful book that introduces children to the world. From singing birds, food, and music.
It features parents sharing life lessons with their little ones that encourage them to dream big and be the best you can be.
Though there might be great days, there will also be not so great ones, but that’s okay. It encourages children to persevere and beat all odds.
The illustrations are extremely vibrant and the wonderful rhymes are inviting and make this book so much fun to read. Publisher: Page Street Kids (Age 4-8)
THE WHATIFS
THE WHATIFS by Emily Kilgore features a timid girl named Cora. She was always on edge and worried about everything. Because of this, the whatif’s loved her and clung to her all day and night.
She wondered what if her dog ran away or if her crayon broke? And worst of all, what if she didn’t perform well at her piano recital?
The whatifs bombarded her thoughts and made her extremely nervous, but with the help of her friend Stella, Cora mustered up the courage and changed her negative whatifs to positive, hopeful ones.
This book is wonderful because there are times we doubt ourselves and our whatif’s take over. That’s alright sometimes, but learning to put aside our fears and change our negative whatifs can always reassure great outcomes.
With her distinctive, vibrant, and vivid illustrations, Zoe Persico brings this book to life and further spreads this great message of bravery, self-acceptance, and hope. Publisher: Little Bee Books (Age 4-8)
HURRY UP!
With work, school, and just life itself, sometimes it feels like the world is moving too fast.
Contrary to its title, Kate Dopirak’s HURRY UP is a book about slowing down and embracing what’s around you. Take a breath, listen, learn, and explore.
With magnificent, bright, and vibrant illustrations by Christopher Silas Neal, this is a brilliant book that allows people to be mindful and embrace life by just slowing down. Publisher: Beach Lane Books (Age 4-8)
I AM A WARRIOR GODDESS
I AM A WARRIOR GODDESS by Jennifer Adams is a celebration of Individuality. From waking up with the morning sun to when you lay down to sleep at night, you are a warrior goddess.
Armoring yourself with kindness, love, and generosity, you are a leader and a defender of the weak. You are a warrior goddess.
The distinctive artwork by Carme Lemniscates is always vibrant and full of color and captures the essence of the message of strength and kindness.
Publisher: Sound True (Age 4-8)
FREEDOM, WE SING
WHAT IS FREEDOM TO YOU? In FREEDOM, WE SING by Amyra León celebrates freedom with every breath.
It features a mother and an inquisitive child asking about freedom in which her answer is uplifting and encouraging.
Freedom is the air we breathe, our beating heart, and a universal sign of life and peace.
We all breathe the same breath. No matter our differences, we all want freedom. Freedom to live and freedom to love. It is our future.
This book is absolutely wonderful with magnificent, vibrant illustrations by Molly Mendoza. It sends a message of hope and love that we know children will love. Publisher: Flying Eye Books (Age 4-8)
ELLIE'S DRAGON
ELLIE’S DRAGON by Bob Graham is such an adorable story.
It features a cute girl names Ellie and her imaginary dragon named Scratch.
They played together everyday and Ellie even took him to preschool where the other children loved him.
As she grew older Scratch began to fade, making it hard for Ellie to see him and then he was finally gone.
Every kid has had an imaginary friend at some point and it’s quite OK. Scratch may not have been Ellie’s imaginary friend anymore, but he was a friend to someone else.
The illustration are bright and witty with a great message. Thank you to our bookish besties at Candlewick Press for sending us this book.