Each season we do a children’s book round-up featuring some of our favorite books that we’ve read from some of our favorite publishers. Our winter reading list was full of an eclectic mix of books from holiday books to spring books. We enjoy reading books together as a family and then donate them to the local preschool or library when we’re finished.
Check out our book recommendations below:
Ellie the Wienerdog – It’s Hard to be Good by K.J. Hales, Illustrated by Serene Wyatt
Temptation is a struggle that is real with all of us – human or pet. In this easy-to-read children’s book, Ellie the Wienerdog struggles with food temptations but really wants to be praised for not eating her human’s food. This colorful book takes us into the mind of a hungry little Wienerdog which is coincidentally very similar to our own minds. Will Ellie give into that tasty sandwich temptation or will she be a good dog and earn a treat from her human?
My Magical Adventure by Crayon Crunch
This is a story about imagination, the importance of helping others and the value of believing in oneself.
After finding a magical box in the attic, your child goes on an imaginary journey to discover the secret of this box. On the adventure, you child meets many interesting characters and helps them overcome their challenges.
Wondering why I keep saying “your child?” Well, with this fun story, you can create your own avatar and give it your child’s name when ordering the book. Visit www.crayoncrunch.com to start customizing your story! You’ll be so impressed with how much more your child pays attention to the story when they are the star.
Do I Have to Say Hello? Aunt Delia’s Manners Quiz for Kids and Their Grownups by Delia Ephron, illustrated by Edward Koren
This isn’t a traditional children’s book but it really gets kids and grownups thinking about manners. This book contains a series of light-hearted multiple choice quizzes, alternate scenarios, and true or false questions. It covers table manners, playground manners, school manners and more!
Role Model Ricky’s Big Birthday Bash by Jeremy and Janel Miller
Raising children to have good manners and to make good decisions isn’t as easy as it might seem. The ultimate decisions lies with the child and they must choose to practice good manners in all instances in life. This cute book shares how Role Model Ricky’s good manners and role model behavior land him a fun birthday party and lots of presents. When it comes to sharing the presents with his friends, Ricky has an internal struggle with which decision to make: share his toys or be mean to his friends.
The Polar Express
For millions of readers worldwide, this mysterious journey to the North Pole has become a beloved classic. In this 30th anniversary edition, the inimitable artistry of Chris Van Allsburg is revealed in a never-before-seen fashion, with a new jacket design and expanded interior layout. This book includes author’s notes, downloadable audio read by Liam Neeson, and a golden “All Aboard” ornament.
Home Alone based on the story written by John Hughes, illustrated by Kim Smith
Who doesn’t love this 1990 holiday classic? Eight-year-old Kevin McCallister wished his family would disappear. He never thought his wish would come true, though. The classic movie you know and love is not an illustrated storybook for the whole family – complete with bumbling burglars, brilliant booby traps, and a little boy named Kevin who’s forced to fend for himself.
Little Bitty Friends by Elizabeth McPike and Patrice Barton
In this adorable picture book, a batch of curious toddlers cannot wait to see what the great outdoors has in store for them. McPike’s charming rhymes and simple language (“Little bitty steps, marching one, two, three… little furry caterpillar, tickle, tickle knee”) make this book ideal for getting little ones excited to explore nature and enjoy the springtime.
I really like the diverse nationalities used in the book and the sweet illustrations that keep your mind from wandering.
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LITTLE SLEEPYHEAD – follow families as they go through their nighttime routine and put their little one to bed. The new board book format makes this title perfect for gift giving at baby showers or birthdays, especially to new parents looking for a bedtime story outside the realm of Goodnight Moon.
The Bunny Burrow Buyer’s Book by Steve Light
Mr. and Mrs. Rabbit are having baby bunnies, and their burrow-for-two is just too small to accommodate a growing family. Time to call the forest real estate agent! Like most humans, the Rabbits look at a lot of different places, each one appealing in its own way, but none of them quite is right! Will they find the perfect new home to call their own?
The delightful and engaging Bunny Burrow Buyer’s Book: A Tale of Rabbit Real Estate by renowned illustrator and writer Steve Light, author of bestsellers like Have You Seen My Dragon? by Candlewick Press and Trains Go by Chronicle Books, is a saga of a swiftly increasing family of rabbits in search of a new place to call their own, rendered in exquisitely detailed artwork featuring cut-outs and gatefolds, is a perfect book for small children whose families are moving to a new home….
A single, black brushstroke that runs through the entire book provides a line that can be traced by little fingers from page to page, and anchoring the detailed pen-and-ink style that Steve uses to show the forest homes and the creatures who currently inhabit them–the visible above-ground part of each burrow appears above the line, and the underground portion shows below the line. In addition, circular die cuts in each page allow a peek into the next burrow.
Steve Light is the author of many best-selling children’s books, including the Vehicles Go! series (Trucks Go!, Trains Go!, Diggers Go!, Planes Go! and Boats Go!, all from Chronicle) and Have You Seen My Dragon? (Candlewick, 2014) Steve is a preschool teacher and professional storyteller who lives with his wife in New York City.
I Wonder by Essea White, illustrated by Lois Dahl
Do you ever wonder …? If sheep knit woolen socks or if llamas dance on mountain rocks?
From a prolific storyteller and puppeteer comes a story that is sure to tickle readers’ funny bones. Young readers giggle and grin as they imagine their favorite animals doing all kinds of silly things – such as skunks flying kites at sunset. Filled with rhyming words and quirky, colorful illustrations, “I Wonder” will delight both beginning readers and younger children at story time – and open their worlds to the joys and possibilities of wonder.
My preschooler is constantly asking me questions, just like this book. We had a blast giggling our way through this book as a family.
The Importance of Being 3 by Lindsay Ward
All the best things come in threes, not one, not two, but three, like the three-year-olds in this sweet picture book. As all parents know, three is a big year. Follow along as three friends learn new things in threes – from tricycles to triangles – take a dip in the pool and play in the park with their friends. Of course, it’s not all fun and games. There’s a tantrum and then hug all around as the three kids head to bed (just like real life).
This adorable picture book celebrating important life events it he perfect gift for third birthdays. Kids will love pointing out all the activities they can do now that they are three years old.
Rock-A-Bye Romp by Linda Ashman, illustrated by Simona Mulazzani
Turning a beloved lullaby on its head, this wonderful read-aloud pairs playful text and enchanting paintings to create a rollicking escapade with a clever premise and a cozy conclusion.’
“Rock-a-bye, Baby, in the treetop. How did you ever get so high up?”
That’s a good question – and this delightful book weaves a gentle fantasy around the baby who find himself in that very predicament.
I’m so glad to see a book elaborate on this timeless lullaby.
My First Comics: I’m Grumpy & I’m Sunny by Jennifer Holm and Matthew Holm
My First Comics is a board book series about feelings. Each of the four characters (Grumpy Cloud, Sunny, Tizzy Tornado, and Chilly) has a dedicated book and appears in the others’ stories. Through simple paneled layouts and speech balloons, children can read about familiar emotions and learn how to handle them—and get an introduction to reading as they piece together visual elements and text.
These board books are easy to read and are small enough for little readers. There’s lots to look at on each page and they’re easy to read.
Walter’s Wheels by Noelle Dingeldein
Join Walter the cat as he goes on an imaginative adventure, exploring all the things that move and go: cars, trucks, trains, and more. Bold, colorful, exquisitely detailed illustrations made from art clay are perfect for inspiring creative play!
Your Baby, Always by Dr. John Hutton, illustrated by Leah Busch
A touching board book that shows the importance of building strong bonds between child and parent. From the bestselling Love Baby Healthy series by pediatrician Dr. John Hutton and illustrator Leah Busch, this simple, rhyming book captures the joy and importance of this special time together. Key developmental milestones are shown in a dreamy, joyous way, highlighting this critical stage of development when children need loving, engaged grownups the most, reinforcing recommendations and encouraging parent-child bonding through reading and play.
