Books | Creative Learning Preschool, Inc.

Spring Into Reading: 6 Books About Springtime

Posted on March 8, 2024

Springtime is right around the corner! Get your little ones excited for the change of season with a spring-themed book! We’ve picked out six of our many favorite books about Spring! Swing by your local library or favorite bookstore to check them out!

Busy Spring: Nature Wakes Up

Great for preschoolers & kindergarteners!

In this uplifting picture book about spring, follow two children and their father through their backyard as they discover all the different ways nature wakes up from its long winter sleep.

Spot the busy creatures and plants as the tale unfolds, then learn about how each responds to the increasing daylight and warmth that usher in the season.

Shake a Leg, Egg!

Great for toddlers, preschoolers, & kindergarteners!

It’s springtime, and the pond is bursting with new life. There are beaver pups, heron hatchlings, and lots and lots of ducklings. Everyone is out and about, swimming, flapping, chirping, and quacking—except for one family of geese. When, oh when, will their last little one break on out and join the waiting world?

Grow Happy

Great for preschoolers & kindergarteners!

Kiko is a gardener. She takes care of her garden with seeds, soil, water, and sunshine. In Grow Happy, Kiko also demonstrates how she cultivates happiness, just like she does in her garden. Using positive psychology and choice theory, this book shows children that they have the tools to nurture their own happiness and live resiliently. Just as Kiko possesses the resources needed—seeds, soil, water—to build a thriving garden, she also has the tools to nurture her own happiness—including social support, choices, and problem-solving skills.

Nature Stories: Little Raindrop

Great for babies & toddlers!

Ever wondered where rain comes from? Join the captivating journey of a little raindrop as it travels from the sky, through the earth, and back again in Nature Stories: Little Raindrop. With vibrant illustrations that come alive with every turn of the page, this book provides an accessible exploration of water’s natural cycle

Little Blue Truck’s Springtime

Great for babies & toddlers!

Beep! Beep! Little Blue Truck is out for a ride with his good friend Toad. The sun is shining and the flowers are blooming—it’s a beautiful spring day! Who will they see along the way?

Goodbye Winter, Hello Spring

Great for preschoolers & kindergarteners!

As days stretch longer, animals creep out from their warm dens, and green begins to grow again, everyone knows―spring is on its way!

Join a boy and his dog as they explore nature and take a stroll through the countryside, greeting all the signs of the coming season. In a series of conversations with everything from the melting brook to chirping birds, they say goodbye to winter and welcome the lushness of spring.

The Love of Reading: 7 Books For Valentine’s Day

Posted on February 5, 2024

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner! Share the love of reading with your little ones and get them excited for the holiday with a Valentine’s Day themed book! We’ve picked out seven of our many favorite books about Valentine’s Day, love, and friendship! Swing by your local library or favorite bookstore to check them out!

I Love You Because I Love You

Great for preschoolers & kindergarteners!

What are all the big and small reasons why we love the people we do? And what does it look like when we voice it out loud?

To be read aloud by one or even two people, this affirming prose demonstrates that love is a dialogue. Love is complex. Love is utterly simple.

This is what love looks like.

Pete the Cat: Valentine’s Day Is Cool

Great for preschoolers & kindergarteners!

At first, Pete thinks Valentine’s Day isn’t cool…until he realizes all the special cats there are in his life. Pete the Cat: Valentine’s Day Is Cool comes complete with a poster, stickers, and twelve punch-out Valentine’s Day cards.

Once Pete the Cat realizes how much fun Valentine’s Day can be, he decides to make valentine cards for his family and friends. But what happens when he realizes he’s forgotten to make a card for a very important cat?

What’s Sweeter

Great for preschoolers & kindergarteners!

This extraordinary book focuses on the everyday moments that slow the world down for us: a hug from someone we haven’t seen in a long time, the soft spot behind a cat’s ear, a ladybug landing on your arm.

And in the end, the answer to the question of what’s sweeter rings truest of all.

Roses Are Pink, Your Feet Really Stink

Great for preschoolers & kindergarteners!

Gilbert is all set to write fifteen friendly valentine cards to his classmates. But how can he write a nice poem for the boy who tweaked his nose, or the girl who made fun of his glasses? Instead, Gilbert writes two not-so-nice valentines…and signs the wrong name on both!

When his classmates read his poems, their feelings are hurt, and Gilbert’s prank quickly turns into pandemonium. But with the help of a friend and an honest apology, there’s always time for a change of heart on Valentine’s Day.

How to Catch a Loveosaurus: A Valentine’s Day Adventure

Great for preschoolers & kindergarteners!

Can you catch the magical Loveosaurus? The How to Catch Kids are on the chase again, this time to trap a dinosaur that escaped from the museum and wants to spread love and kindness. Blending exciting traps and STEAM concepts with hilarity and chaos to encourage reading, learning, and imagination, this charming adventure will delight young readers, families, and educators alike―and maybe inspire spreading some kindness too!

Little Blue Truck’s Valentine

Great for toddlers & preschoolers!

“Beep!” said Blue. “Happy Valentine’s Day!”

Join Little Blue Truck as he delivers Valentine’s Day cards to all his farm animal friends. But as Blue beeps along, he starts to wonder: will he get any cards of his own?

Tiny T. Rex and the Perfect Valentine

Great for toddlers & preschoolers!

Valentine’s Day is coming, which means showing the ones you love how much they mean to you, so Tiny has decided to make the perfect Valentine for his best friend Pointy. But as Tiny discovers, making a Valentine isn’t easy. It might take a few tries—until Tiny realizes the best Valentine might have been there all along.

Tiny may be a small dino in a big world, but that won’t stop him from making friends, conquering his fears, and stomping his way into your heart.

Six Snowy Books For Winter

Posted on December 8, 2023

Winter is almost here! So now is the time to start reading some fun snowy books with your little ones! If your little ones are already excited for snow, or you want to help them learn about the change in seasons, add a few wintery books to your reading list! We’ve got a list of six fun snowy and wintery books out of our many, many favorites!

The Snowy Nap

Great for toddlers, preschoolers, & kindergarteners!

A chill is in the air, and as Hedgie trundles around the farm all his friends tell him of the winter-time fun he will miss as he hibernates: Icicles decorating the chicken coop! Lisa making snowmen! The pond turned to slippery ice!

It sounds so amazing that Hedgie decides to stay awake instead of going to his burrow. But then, a snowstorm starts. Luckily, Lisa finds him and brings him to her home, so Hedgie gets to see the wonders of winter from inside the cozy house.

Goodbye Autumn, Hello Winter

Great for preschoolers & kindergarteners!

Join a brother and sister as they explore nature and take a stroll through their twinkling town, greeting all the signs of the coming season. In a series of conversations with everything from the setting sun to curious deer, they say goodbye to autumn and welcome the glorious first snow of winter in Kenar Pak’s Goodbye Autumn, Hello Winter.

Ten Sparkly Snowflakes: Twinkly Countdown Fun!

Great for toddlers & preschoolers!

Join the woodland animals as they get ready to play snowy games in this peek-through counting book. Little ones will love to watch as the number of snowflakes decreases from 10 to 1 with each turn of the page.

The Giving Snowman: A Children’s Bedtime Story About Gratitude

Great for toddlers, preschoolers, & kindergarteners!

On a snowy night, Snowman lends a helping hand to Bird, Rabbit, Farmer, and Traveler when they are in need. The next day when the sun comes out and melts Snowman, Bird, Rabbit, Farmer, and Traveler work together as a team to rebuild Snowman.

The Giving Snowman is a book about kindness and gratitude. Children can learn through the story that giving to others is a virtue that connects all of us and makes our lives more beautiful.

Babies in the Snow Chunky Lift-a-Flap Board Book

Great for toddlers!

Introduce your little one to arctic animals including polar bears, whales, caribou, walruses, seals, and more in this adorable lift-a-flap board book. Take a journey with polar bears Pearl and Puff explore the artic and meet new friends hiding beneath the snow and ice. Packed with cute illustrations of all types of snow animals, this sturdy lift-a-flaps board book is perfect for babies and toddlers and enjoying the cold weather together! Simple sentences reinforce future language structure while grasping and lifting the sturdy flaps helps develop fine motor skills. A perfect first book!

How to Catch a Snowman

Great for toddlers, preschoolers, & kindergarteners!

Our heroes’ entry for the snowman contest has magically come to life―and ran away! Can YOU help catch it? Get ready for snow much fun as you travel through a winter wonderland with running, skating, and bouncing through trap after trap to catch the snowman and claim the winning prize. Will the snowman teach our heroes a lesson they’ll never forget? Who snows! This delightful picture book for ages 4-10 is filled with silly rhymes, fun art, and STEAM connections perfect for families and educators to enjoy this winter or as a holiday stocking stuffer.

I don’t thumpity-thump or give warm hugs―that’s for my snowman friends to do.

Clever kids will try to trap me, but who will catch me…YOU?

Ghoulishly Good Books For Halloween

Posted on October 2, 2023

October is finally here which means it’s time to get ready for Halloween! If your little ones can’t stop talking about their costumes and asking when they’re going trick or treating, try breaking out a few Halloween books to hold them over! We’ve got a list of seven fun Halloween books out of our many, many favorites!

The Bad Seed Presents: The Good, the Bad, and the Spooky

Great for preschoolers, & kindergarteners!

Halloween is the Bad Seed’s favorite holiday of the year. But what’s a seed to do when he can’t find a show-stopping costume for the big night? Postpone trick-or-treating for everyone, of course!

Can he get a costume together in time? Or will this seed return to his baaaaaaaaad ways?

Find out in this hilarious, charming, and thought-provoking continuation of Jory John and Pete Oswald’s bestselling Food Group series.

The Little Ghost Who Lost Her Boo!

Great for toddlers & preschoolers!

Little Ghost went out in the middle of the night and flew up to someone to give them a fright.

She opened her mouth–but her BOO wasn’t there! All that came out was a rush of cold air.

“I’ve lost my BOO! I’ve lost my BOO! Where has it gone? What will I do?”

Poor Little Ghost has lost her scary BOO, so she sets out on a nighttime hunt to find it. She searches high and low, but it’s nowhere to be found! Will she ever find her lost BOO?

With bold and gorgeous art accompanied by bouncy, rhyming text, The Little Ghost Who Lost Her Boo is a charming, not-so-spooky read aloud perfect for Halloween or any time of year!

We’re Going on a Pumpkin Hunt

Great for preschoolers, & kindergarteners!

We’re going on a pumpkin hunt.

We’re going to find a big one.

What a beautiful night!

We’re not scared.

Three trick-or-treaters are looking for the perfect pumpkin on a beautiful, Halloween night. They have to make their way through some sticky cobwebs, flying bats, and even a dark, spooky house! But they’re not scared. The trick-or-treaters eventually find their pumpkin and…a ghost!

Stumpkin

Great for toddlers & preschoolers!

Stumpkin is the most handsome pumpkin on the block. He’s as orange as a traffic cone! Twice as round as a basketball! He has no bad side! He’s the perfect choice for a Halloween jack-o-lantern.

There’s just one problem—Stumpkin has a stump, not a stem. And no one seems to want a stemless jack-o-lantern for their window.

As Halloween night approaches, more and more of his fellow pumpkins leave, but poor Stumpkin remains. Will anyone give Stumpkin his chance to shine?

Pick a Pumpkin

Great for toddlers & preschoolers!

Pick a pumpkin from the patch. Tall and lean or short and fat. Vivid orange, ghostly white, or speckled green, might be just right.

Pairing a wonderfully rhythmic read-aloud text with expressive retro illustrations, author Patricia Toht and illustrator Jarvis capture all the excitement and familial feeling of a favorite holiday tradition. Readers will be happy to follow along with each step, from picking out the perfect specimen at the pumpkin patch (be sure to stop for cider and toffee apples) to carting it home, scooping out the insides, carving a scary face, and finally lighting a candle inside — savoring the familiar ritual of transforming an ordinary pumpkin into a one-of-a-kind glowing jack-o’-lantern.

The Little Kitten

Great for toddlers & preschoolers!

Ollie and her cat Pumpkin are out frolicking on a beautiful fall day when they come upon a tiny kitten shivering in a pile of fallen leaves. Ollie warms the kitten up and the three become fast friends, but when Ollie sees “Lost Kitten” posters hanging on the trees in the forest, she knows she has to help her new friend get home. As Halloween draws nearer, magic is afoot, and Ollie’s good deed is rewarded in an unexpected way

Pete the Cat: Trick or Pete

Great for toddlers, preschoolers, & kindergarteners!

Pumpkins, candy, and costumes! With flaps that reveal fun Halloween surprises, this Pete the Cat holiday story is sure to be a sweet treat for your little trick-or-treaters.

Follow Pete as he goes trick-or-treating from house to house and discover what is waiting behind each door.

Lift the flaps to reveal fun spooky surprises—this book is spooktacular!

8 Books to Read With Your Child For The Start Of Fall

Posted on September 20, 2023

Fall is right around the corner and there’s no better way to help your little ones learn about the change in seasons and get them excited for all that fall has to offer than by reading a few books about fall! This list contains eight of our many many favorite books about fall!

Pete the Cat Falling for Autumn: A Fall Book for Kids

Great for toddlers & preschoolers!

Pete the Cat isn’t sure about the changing of the seasons from summer to autumn. But when he discovers corn mazes, hay rides, and apple picking, Pete realizes there’s so much to enjoy and be thankful for about autumn.

Hello, Fall!: A Picture Book

Great for toddlers, preschoolers, & kindergarteners!

Fall is here! Colorful leaves whisper to each other. Geese honk as they flock across the sky. Pumpkins listen patiently from their patch. The season announces itself in all sorts of ways―if you stop to say hello! A grandfather and his granddaughter welcome fall in this sweet, whimsical story about finding beauty and wonder in every moment.

There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed Some Leaves!

Great for toddlers & preschoolers!

An autumnal twist on the classic song from the bestselling There Was an Old Lady series for kids! The Old Lady is back and this time she’s swallowing some leaves, clothes, a pumpkin, and a rope! Welcome the Fall season with funny illustrations and a spin on a classic rhyme!

The Autumn Visitors

Great for preschoolers, & kindergarteners!

In this fourth and final book in Karel Hayes’s acclaimed Visitors series, the beloved family of bears gets in another round of adventures as they experience the full enjoyment of a New England autumn. As always, the bears manage to have all their fun while carefully avoiding detection.

Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn

Great for toddlers & preschoolers!

As trees sway in the cool breeze, blue jays head south, and leaves change their colors, everyone knows–autumn is on its way! Join a young girl as she takes a walk through forest and town, greeting all the signs of the coming season. In a series of conversations with every flower and creature and gust of wind, she says goodbye to summer and welcomes autumn.

Because of an Acorn: (Nature Autumn Books for Children, Picture Books about Acorn Trees)

Great for toddlers & preschoolers!

Because of an acorn, a tree grows, a bird nests, a seed becomes a flower. Enchanting die-cuts illustrate the vital connections between the layers of an ecosystem in this magical book. Wander down the forest path to learn how every tree, flower, plant, and animal connect to one another in spiraling circles of life. An acorn is just the beginning.

Too Many Pumpkins

Great for preschoolers, & kindergarteners!

Rebecca Estelle has hated pumpkins ever since she was a girl when pumpkins were often the only food her family had. When an enormous pumpkin falls off a truck and smashes in her yard, she shovels dirt over the pieces and forgets about them. But those slimy pumpkin smithereens sprout up in autumn, and Rebecca Estelle finds a sea of pumpkins in her garden.

Let It Fall

Great for toddlers & preschoolers!

The leaves turn red, brown, and orange, then drift down from the trees. It is time to go apple picking and on hayrides at the county fair. Fall is finally here! With soft colored art, adorable children, and colorful outdoor scenes, LET IT FALL celebrates all the seasonal awe of autumn.

10 Great Books To Get Excited For Summer

Posted on June 29, 2023

Summer is almost here! And while you and your littles are getting ready to start spending the days on the beach, playing outside, swimming at the pool, and enjoying barbecues, it’s important to make sure you are still reading with your child. There are hundreds of great books for children all about summertime. This list is just ten of our many current favorites to get our littles excited about summer and reading!

Brave Little Camper by Carmen Crowe (Ages 1-3)

Explore nighttime in the forest with Little Camper and adorable woodland friends! It’s a beautiful night filled with new sights, animals, and sounds. Gather around the campfire and join the crew on another brave adventure as Little Camper spends the night in the forest for the very first time!

The Very Hungry Caterpillar’s First Summer by Eric Carle (Ages 1-3)

Celebrate summer with The Very Hungry Caterpillar and his friends in this exploration of the season. Young readers can learn all about seasonal sensory experiences, like listening to noisy bugs, feeling the warm sunshine, smelling the yummy scents of a cookout, and so much more!

I See Summer by Charles Ghigna (Ages 2-4)

Pea pods, cucumbers, and strawberries provide plenty of opportunities for counting in the garden! Follow Dad, Grandma, and other family members as they pick and count. Hidden numbers on every page give readers an opportunity to search and learn!

Is it Warm Enough for Ice Cream? by DK (Ages 2-5)

Winter, spring, summer, and fall are each represented by a vibrant outdoor scene revealing seasonal changes, from ponds freezing over, to baby birds leaving their nests for the first time. And with changes in weather come new things to try: it’s windy enough to fly a kite; it’s rainy enough to splash in puddles; it’s snowy enough to build a snowman. But is it warm enough for ice cream?

Jabari Jumps by Gaia Cornwall (Ages 3-6)

Jabari is definitely ready to jump off the diving board. He’s finished his swimming lessons and passed his swim test, and he’s a great jumper, so he’s not scared at all. In a sweetly appealing tale of overcoming your fears, newcomer Gaia Cornwall captures a moment between a patient and encouraging father and a determined little boy you can’t help but root for.

And Then Comes Summer by Tom Brenner (Ages 3-7)

When the days stretch out like a slow yawn, and the cheerful faces of Johnny-jump-ups jump up . . . then it’s time to get ready for summer! From flip-flops and hide-and-seek to fireworks and ice-cream trucks, from lemonade stands and late bedtimes to swimming in the lake and toasting marshmallows, there’s something for everyone in this bright and buoyant celebration of the sunny season!

Swim, Jim! by Kaz Windness (Ages 4-7)

Jim the crocodile is scared of swimming—or rather, of sinking. His family’s swamp is just too deep, too dark, and too big. But maybe he could swim, if only there were a smaller swamp where he could try it on his own terms. Jim wiggle-waggles far and wide until he finds the perfect place. With the help of some floaties and his sisters, Jim just might find the courage to face his fear and show everyone—including himself—that Jim can swim!

When Lola Visits by Michelle Sterling (Ages 4-8)

For one young girl, summer is the season of no school, of days spent at the pool, and of picking golden limes off the trees. But summer doesn’t start until her lola—her grandmother from the Philippines—comes for her annual visit. When Lola visits, the whole family gathers to cook and eat and share in their happiness of another season spent together. Yet as summer transitions to fall, her lola must return home—but not without a surprise for her granddaughter to preserve their special summer a bit longer!

It Began with Lemonade by Gideon Sterer (Ages 4-8)

One scorching hot summer day, a spunky young girl decides to sell lemonade . . . only to find there are too many other young entrepreneurs on her street with the same idea. So she sets off with her lemonade stand and ends up at the river’s edge, where she discovers a most unexpected, quirky, and very thirsty clientele!

The Little Blue Cottage by Kelly Jordan (Ages 4-8)

The little blue cottage waits each year for summer to arrive―and with it, the girl. Through sunny days and stormy weather, the cottage and the girl keep each other company and wile away the long days and nights together. Until one year, and then another, the cottage is left waiting and empty season after season.

If you read any of these books with your little ones and love them, head over to our social media and let us know! And if you’ve got other books that get your littles excited about summertime and reading, leave a comment so we can check them out!

6 Great Winter books for Preschoolers

Posted on January 23, 2020

Cold and windy Winter days can lead to cabin fever, especially for little ones. There is nothing better to warm up your little ones’ creativity and critical thinking skills than reading a book to them, and since we are in the middle of winter, why not read about snowmen, animals that thrive in the cold (and how the ones who don’t, survive), and the world around us during these cold days.

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Read Across America

Posted on March 2, 2018

Every year the National Education Association hosts Read across America Day on March 2^nd to celebrate Dr. Seuss’ Birthday. Schools all across the United States participate in an effort to promote the importance of reading and the importance of providing accessible resources to young minds across the country. Creative Learning is proud to announce that we will once again be participating in Read Across America Day! If you’re interested in getting involved at home or are wondering how the NEA supports libraries across the country, we’ve got some information for you! Continue reading “Read Across America”

Summer Reading

Posted on June 21, 2017

With summer break right around the corner your little ones are probably looking forward to putting away the schoolbooks and breaking out the water guns and slip and slides. While summer break is the time for fun in the sun, it is important to keep your kids on track for the next school year. Keeping your little ones reading throughout the summer is a great way to make sure their minds stay sharp and their language skills improve over the summer. Since reading may not be your child’s favorite hobby, we gathered a few tips to make reading more enjoyable for different types of readers!

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Halloween Books for Children

Posted on October 23, 2015

Reading to children is one of the most important, beneficial things that you can do for them. Not only does it provide a time for bonding with your child during a hectic lifestyle, but it helps improve their intelligence and develop skills that will help them develop mentally, emotionally, and socially. Everybody wants their child to succeed in life and by building a strong fundamental reading foundation, you are giving them a great advantage to further themselves and improve their self-confidence at the same time.

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