Age: Infant-Toddler

The sleepless illustrated depiction of the mom and dad is extremely relatable and I feel seen. Has this story been written before? Yes. Is this still an amusing book? Yes. Short and silly for storytimes that is sure to get a chuckle from the adults in the audience.

Age: Preschool+

This could easily have been a didactly boring book about the importance of acknowledging and apologizing for one's actions that may hurt another. But the use of real scenarios, comic-like illustrations, and happy endings give this step-by-step tale appeal for children.

A straight-forward guide to maintaining strong friendships with practical and relatable examples. There are a couple puzzling examples such as not complimenting a friend's scribbly artwork just because you're friends with them and the friend who throws up on their valentines, but otherwise an excellent addition to friendship picture books, especially for kids on the Autism Spectrum that need explicit examples and coaching.

Age: K-3rd grade

An excellent visual for children about how we can expand our circle of love to include our family, friends, and even strangers. Examples of kindness (gifting flowers, playing together, planting a garden, and painting a birdhouse) are achievable and sometimes challenging but always rewarding.

Age: 1st-3rd grade
History: Nineteenth century America
Tough Issues: Slavery, Forced relocation of native peoples

Large page illustrations, dialogue, and love against all odds make this a compelling read-aloud for the classroom and an excellent fiction bridge text for discussions about our nation's history and how our people have persevered, loved, and remembered.

The poetic and symbolic text is slightly off-putting at first but services multiple reads.

Age: Toddler-Preschool
Familiar experience: Moving

Another perfect addition to the Lily and Milo series as the sibling duo explore their new house and ask the reader which objects belong in which rooms. Oud's writing helps parents have a conversation with kids as they explore the pictures on each page while also playing games and discussing the silly and mischievous behavior of Milo.

"Whatever the weather, we'll weather it--" "Feathers together!"

An injured bird and her partner must find the patience and strength to be separated during migration. The anthropomorphism of the birds lends itself to a relatable story of separation from the ones you love and the hope for reuniting once again.

Age: Preschool+
SEL: Loving yourself, and accepting & embracing a friend's differences

What a unique execution of a common picture book topic: friendship. Two celebrated illustrators (who are childhood and current best friends irl!!) draw two confident kids meeting for the first time under a tree. The first half of the book depicts the kids sullenly playing and exploring separately, illustrated with two separate color bubbles, while the text exudes confidence in one's differences.

"I really don't care what you think of my hair or my eyes or my nose or my toes"

Then the kids start joyfully playing together, the color bubbles merging and creating a new color. The text shifts from pride in oneself to caring about difference and what makes a good friend.

This book will be a go-to friendship book for years to come.

Age: 4 years+
Things That Go: Bus

Angelique loves riding the bus to school because anything can happen on the bus. Soon enough, a monster eats the bus driver, an astronaut sends them into outer space, and a wizard changes the kids into aliens. While it was fun, the kids don't want to be late for school so in a show of authority, they demand that each character undo their wrongs and bring them back home safely.

An exciting read from front to back. The illustrations are detailed and give clues for the next nemesis, making this perfect for kids who love search-and-find books like Where's Waldo.