As a parent, I know how difficult it can be to get a child to sit down and read. Even taking just 15-30 minutes a day to read can change a child’s life. Not only does reading help a child with school work, but it also helps a child use their imagination, build social-emotional skills, and gives them a chance to relax and unwind.
I loved to read as a child. In fact, I still have many of my favorite books from my childhood in the bookcase.
My daughter loved to read (and still does), but my son was a bit of a challenge. I found that the key is finding books that your child has an interest in, such as dinosaurs, sports, magic or animals. For my son he was fascinated by weather, so I got him a lot of weather-related books.
Having a family library is a great idea. When books are accessible, it helps encourage a child to read too. A child is able to pick out whatever book they want to read at any time.
Our family library also contains my kids’ favorite books from their childhood. Even though they are in their mid-to-late 20’s, they still enjoy flipping through the pages of their favorite childhood books. I hope that one day they can read those books to their own children.
If you are looking to add some quality books to your home library or start a home library, here are some suggestions you might want to consider.
Written by Vicky Fang and illustrated by Angela Chang (Ages 5-7). It’s from Hatchet Book Group.
I love this book! This is a really fun book to help teach children how to skip count. As someone who works with elementary school age children, skip counting is often a bit challenging. This fun book makes the concept of skip counting easier to understand with it’s rhyming text and colorful images.
How do you count lots and lots of ocelots? Or pile and piles of crocodiles? By 1s, 2s, 5s, and 10s, that’s how! Children ages 5-7 learn the magic of skip counting—a key math skill in elementary curriculum—via silly rhymes and memorable groupings of animals.
I love that this book also sprinkles in some animals facts which makes this not only a book to learn how to skip count but also a book where children can learn about some really interesting animals such as Cockatoos, Giant Toads, Tufted Jays and of course Ocelots.
This book is a must have for any young child who loves animals and needs to learn to skip count.
Written by April Martin (Ages 4 to 8). This book is from Sourcebooks.
School’s out for the summer and June is excited to spend more time with her family on their summer vacation! This year June’s family will be celebrating Father’s Day during their vacation. Where will they go? Will June find the perfect Father’s Day gift?
I could have included this book with the Father’s Day recommendations in a previous post, but I thought this book would make a great year round book too. That’s because this book is part of a series of books by April Martin that features a character for each month of the year. It’s part of the Calendar Kids book series. There is a book for all twelve months. After reading this delightful book I am curious to read the other books in the series.
I love that this book is more than just a fun story. It also has some surprise “goodies” inside such as a recipe for “Dad’s Famous Burger.” This had me craving a barbecued burger.
Inside the book’s jacket is a poster (see image below). I’m not sure if the other books in the series have similar posters, but I think it’s a fun way to help children learn more about the calendar year.
This is such a fun book to appreciate year round, and of course in the month of June.
Written by Katie Cotugno and illustrated Amy Jindra Hodgson (Ages 6-9) from Abrams Books.
This is a chapter book for children, but don’t fret. The chapters are not long at all. That is because each page features colorful illustrations which makes reading each chapter a breeze. There is no worry about your child wanting to stop after reading a chapter. They’ll want to continue reading the next chapter, and probably the chapter after that.
For two hours every day, seven-year-old Penelope Positano wears an eye patch. Her eye muscles don’t quite match, and wearing the patch on her strong eye helps her less-strong eye catch up. And whenever she wears her eye patch, Penelope notices things that other people overlook.
The Positanos are getting a dog, and it’s Penelope’s job to find the perfect pup for her family. Her mom thinks they should pick the most obedient dog, and her dad wants the dog that likes his music the best, but Penelope’s not sure. Her best friend Gus said she would know which dog was meant to be hers, but the more Penelope looks, the more she worries that her dog isn’t out there.
I love that is book talks about the eye patch Penelope has to wear to help correct her “lazy eye.” I actually have a student in my program who has a lazy eye and needed surgery for it. She also had to wear a patch at one time. I think this is a great way to help children learn empathy for others who might have to go through something like this. It also shows that Penelope is perfectly fine even though she has to wear the patch for a little bit. She’s just like any other kid.
I can relate to how Penelope wants to find the perfect dog. As a pet parent, I know the feeling but I have always found that the pet picks YOU, not the other way around.
This is a delightful book that could easily be read in one day.
Written by Audrey Perrott and illustrated by Charlene Chua (Ages 6-9). From Abrams Books.
Wallace is a knightly horse who loves rules. Poppy is a free-spirit dragon who loves adventure.
These two unlikely pals disagree on most everything—but still manage to have a lot of fun-filled shenanigans together in the Land of La-Dee-Dah.
Told in three short and silly stories with subtle social-emotional themes, this young graphic novel follows the everyday adventures of two best buds as they step out of their comfort zones, discover hidden powers, and eat a LOT of banana pudding. With a high-interest fantasy setting, accessible reading level, and kid-perfect humor, this series is designed for emerging and reluctant readers alike.
This is a comic book style book meaning the pages are set up with frames and images, just like you would see in a comic book. It’s referred to as a graphic novel.
I can tell you from my experience working with children, some children prefer to read only this style of book (graphic novel). I guess because it appears earlier to read than a traditional chapter book.
This is a cute story with adorable illustrations. You can easily read this entire book in one sitting.
I believe this might be the first book in a series. I’m not 100% sure, but it appears that way when I checked out the book on Amazon.
This book is sure to delight even the most reluctant of readers.
Written by Colette Hiller and illustrated by Nabila Adani (Ages 4-8). This book is from Sourcebooks.
Believe it or not, this book is based on a real story.
Some stories are true. Others are make-believe. And some true stories are so amazing that it seems they must be make-believe even when they are not…
This is one of those stories.
In a sanctuary in Thailand lived an elephant called Bonti. Short-tempered and destructive, Bonti was alone – the other elephants (and humans) knew to keep their distance. But when a musician came to play the piano for Bonti, something incredible happened…
The Elephant and the Piano tells the spectacular true story of Paul Barton and the elephants who loved to hear him play.
This story melted my heart. I love animals and I truly believe that animals are a lot smarter than people give them credit for. I also believe that animals have feelings, just like people do. I’ll give you an example. I have three pet mice. They are all sisters. The littlest one past away a few days ago, and the two remaining mice actually seemed to be depressed for a couple of days. They were not themselves. That shows me that they think and feel too.
I love that the elephant (Bonti) loved music. It made me wonder what other animals might appreciate music too.
I’ve seen elephants who love to paint, but never one that loves music. This is truly a heart-warming story for all ages, not just for children.
The illustrations are beautiful too and help bring this story to life.
Written and illustrated by Leo Daly (Ages 4-10) from Catalyst Press.
The giant couldn’t believe it. He had found the perfect Olive. So round, so shiny, so black—he must show all of his friends! So starts the journey of The Giant as he runs to share his happiness with everyone and the sorrow and joy that grows from his jubilation.
Leo Daly, the son of iconic South African illustrator and writer Niki Daly, re-imagines the universal tale of loss, grief, and the joy of new beginnings. A simple but empathetic story borne from the pain and loss of a miscarriage, this big-hearted, humorous story of a tall Giant in love with a little Olive examines our loves, passions, and the destruction of loss. A breath of fresh air that unflinchingly tackles our greatest fear.
This is kind of a silly story about a giant that is totally in awe and in love with an olive. However, the way this book touches upon loss, grief, and sadness is a great way to explore those emotions with children. I think this book would make a great conversation starter for such feelings, especially if a child is experiencing loss for the first time (family member, pet…). I also like that it eventually does have a happy ending. In addition, I like that the giant also had friends in this story. He wasn’t an outcast because he was a giant.
The illustrations are beautiful. They really add to the beauty of this story. This is another “must read” book for all ages.
Written by Lisa Marie Burgess (Ages 3-8) from Catalyst Press.
That night, as agreed, the two children ask the moon: “Please let our snowpals play soccer.” Then each child adds a secret wish upon the stars: “I wish that my snowpal wins the soccer match!”
After the storm and after the children build snowmen comes a whimsical tale — In the light of moon and stars the SnowPals come to life to play an epic game of soccer. A story of joy and the delight of play for all children.
A primer in sportsmanship in English and French this analogue book, illustrated with stitch and seam, harkens back to an era before the uniformity of computer generated
illustrations.
You’ll notice that the book has words written in French on it. The book is in both English and French. One side of the page is in English and right next to it is French. I guess this is a good way to learn some French words too.
The way this book is “illustrated” (for lack of a better description) is what stands out the most to me, even more than the French. It looks like it was done with real materials. For example, the snowmen look like they were made with those cotton round make up remover pads.
The way the images are created will really stand out to not only children, but also adults. It’s so creative. I love it.
The story is really nice too. I love how the children’s wishes for snowmen to come to life and play soccer is certainly unique.
Written and illustrated by Alan Barillaro (Ages 8-12) from Candlewick Press
When Bunns is born with small but perfectly functional rabbit ears, the warren is abuzz with auguries. Surely such short ears spell bad luck for the community. Sheltered in her family’s burrow, Bunns listens to the rhythm of her mother’s heartbeat—Thump, thump, thump—a song of home and belonging. Her father explains that unlike a rabbit’s words or thumping feet, a heartsong cannot lie. But the unknown world of the meadow, the sounds and smells above, call to Bunns. When at last she’s ready to brave the staring and whispering of neighbors who fear her because she’s different, and the disapproving elders who threaten to banish her family, she finds a world beyond the warren where myths and riddles, magic voyages, and important new friends await. Can the “bad omen bunny” follow her own heartsong to a destiny—a wish—meant just for her?
This is an illustrated novel. Some pages read more like a regular novel page with illustrations and other pages read more like a graphic novel.
As an animal lover I was very interested in this book. This is exactly the type of book I would have read when I was younger. I loved all books about animals.
I like that this book touches upon some social-emotional themes such as empathy, compassion, understanding, and friendship. Everyone was afraid of her because she was born “different.” Just because her ears are small doesn’t mean she’s not a regular bunny just like the other ones in the meadow.
The illustrations are beautiful. They go perfectly with this wonderful story.
This is the type of book you’re child will want to re-read again and again which is why I think it deserves a spot in your family’s library.
You can find these books at retailers across the country, including Amazon and Barnes and Noble.
Be sure to check out the publishers on social media to keep up-to-date on new book releases and more – Hatchet Book Group, Abrams Books, Sourcebooks, Candlewick Press, and Catalyst Press.
Which book, or books, on this list do you think your child would enjoy reading? Leave a comment below and tell me about it.
Kimberly
*I received free samples in order to do this review. There was no compensation. The opinions expressed are my own and not influenced in any way.
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