Category: Books

Father’s Day is around the corner, and a great way to honor the fathers, grandfathers, and father figures in your child’s life is to read some books with them that talk about dads! We’ve picked out six of our many favorite books about a father’s love! Swing by your local library or favorite bookstore to check them out!

Together We Ride

Great for preschoolers & kindergarteners!

Learning to ride is no easy feat! But with a little courage, a guiding hand from her dad, and an enthusiastic bark from her pup, one brave girl quickly learns the freedom that comes from an afternoon spent outside on a bike.

Experience the fear, the anticipation, and the delight of achieving the ultimate milestone in this energetic, warm story that celebrates the precious bond between parent and child.

Daddy and Me

Great for babies and toddlers!

It’s time for an adventure in the wild…with Daddy! Read along and play with your baby or toddler through this story of a very busy day in the jungle. Wiggle the cute lion plush puppet to engage and interest your little boy or girl. Bright artwork and sweet rhyming text make this finger puppet book a favorite for daddy to ready with their daughter, son or grandchildren!

 

Tuesday is Daddy’s Day

Great for toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergarteners!

The little girl in this story loves her busy routine. Some days Mommy picks her up at school and they walk to her house. Other days, she and Daddy take the bus to the apartment he shares with his partner. She has two rooms, two homes, and one big, loving family. (Even if both her parents make her eat broccoli—yuck!)

But when Mommy comes to pick her up on Tuesday, the little girl gets upset. Tuesday is Daddy’s day, and she doesn’t like surprises! She wonders and worries and insists change is the worst thing ever. . . . . Until Daddy shows up with the best surprise ever: a new puppy!

Dad Bakes

Great for preschoolers & kindergarteners!

Dad wakes early every morning before the sun, heading off to work at the bakery. He kneads, rolls, and bakes, and as the sun rises and the world starts its day, Dad heads home to his young daughter. Together they play, read, garden, and―most importantly―they bake.

This lovely, resonant picture book was inspired by muralist Katie Yamasaki’s work with formerly incarcerated people. With subtle, uncluttered storytelling amplified by her monumental and heartfelt paintings, she has created a powerful story of love, of family, and of reclaiming a life with joy.

My Daddy Can Fly!

Great for preschoolers & kindergarteners!

Ben and his friends are playing in their favorite part of the classroom– the dress-up corner! They are talking about what they want to be when they grow up. Rachel wants to be a tae kwon do master, Dixie wants to be a doctor like her auntie, and John wants to be a teacher just like their teacher, Mr. Underwood. But when Ben says he wants to fly just like his daddy, his friends are sure his daddy must be a pilot.

Ben tells his friends that they aren’t even close, but he offers a few more clues. His daddy is strong, gentle, fierce, and fast. His friends have lots of guesses, but no one lands on the right one until Ben gives them the biggest clue of all.

Daddy

Great for babies and toddlers!

Uppy, Daddy! Up so high.

On the shoulders. Touch the sky.

Baby’s daddy is big and strong, and his legs are so, so long. He plays horsey, he sings, he cooks, he cleans—this daddy can do anything! In a sweet, simple board book threaded with signature humor, Leslie Patricelli pays tribute to the bond between a little one and a doting daddy.

Mother’s Day is around the corner, and a great way to honor the mothers, grandmothers, and mother figures in your child’s life is to read some books with them that talk about moms! We’ve picked out seven of our many favorite books about a mother’s love! Swing by your local library or favorite bookstore to check them out!

How to Catch a Mamasaurus: A Mother’s Day Adventure for Kids

Great for toddlers, preschoolers, & kindergarteners!

The How to Catch Kids are at it again! This time, they’re trying to trap the Mamasaurus―a wonderful creature like no other with strong spirit and a kind heart! On their quest to catch her, the kids think about all the amazing ways in which Mamasaurus is there for them, always ready to share her love and support. The perfect gift for children ages 4-10 to share with Mom at Mother’s Day, Christmas, and beyond, this fun dinosaur picture book is filled with silly rhymes and illustrations sure to delight young readers and educators alike with STEAM concepts and classic hilarity and chaos.

 

Mommy & Me – A Love Like No Other

Great for toddlers, preschoolers, & kindergarteners!

Discover the heartwarming bond between a mother and her child in this beautifully illustrated children’s book. Mommy & Me – A Love Like No Other celebrates the unbreakable connection, the shared moments of joy, laughter, and love that create memories lasting a lifetime.

Perfect for bedtime reading, this book is a gentle reminder of the magic that happens when mothers and children share time together. Whether exploring new places, laughing at inside jokes, or simply enjoying a quiet cuddle, this story captures the unique love that can’t be compared.

 

ABCs of Love for Mom

Great for toddlers!

Making Mom feel loved is as easy as A-B-C with this sweet board book that fosters social emotional development—the perfect gift!

A is for adoring—we love our moms so much.

B is for the beauty of mom’s soft, gentle touch.

C is for cheerleader—mom is always there for you.

Learn your ABCs while celebrating Mom with this irresistibly illustrated board book that’s part of the bestselling Books of Kindness series.

 

Llama Llama Loves His Mama

Great for toddlers & preschoolers!

Llama Llama

special day.

Mama Love

in every way.

From morning to night, Llama Llama loves spending time with his mama. They make breakfast together, do the shopping together, and read together. And there are always plenty of hugs and kisses and cuddles throughout the day! This die-cut board book features eight full-color spreads and a simple rhyming text that is perfect for the youngest of Llama Llama fans and their loved ones!

 

Plenty of Hugs

Great for toddlers, preschoolers, & kindergartners!

This cheerful book follows a family from morning to night in lively rhyme that rolls off the tongue. There’s a buzz for each bug, and a breeze for each tree, and plenty of hugs for you and me. The toddler and mommies take a morning bike ride to a farm stand, they visit a zoo in the afternoon, and in the evening there’s the bath and storybook routine before the child is tucked cozily into bed. There are seas for ships and kisses for lips, so we can whisper I love you! This is sure to become a preschool favorite, for bedtime and any time.

 

My Mama Is a Mechanic

Great for toddlers!

Snuggle with Mom for this sweet book about a mother as seen through her son’s eyes. To him, she is a surgeon when she repairs his favorite stuffed animal, a chemist when in the kitchen, and an architect when they play with toy blocks. But no matter what happens, she is always his mama, and that’s the most important thing of all!

 

 

Just Like a Mama

Great for preschoolers & kindergarteners!

Carol Olivia Clementine lives with Mama Rose. Mama Rose is everything—tender and sweet. She is also as stern and demanding as any good parent should be. In the midst of their happy home, Carol misses her mother and father. She longs to be with them. But until that time comes around, she learns to surrender to the love that is present. Mama Rose becomes her “home.” And Carol Olivia Clementine concludes that she loves Miss Rose, “just like a mama.”

Valentine’s Day is almost here! If your little ones are getting excited for the holiday, why not add a few Valentine’s Day themed book to your reading list? We’ve picked out six new releases about Valentine’s Day, love, and friendship! Swing by your local library or favorite bookstore to check them out! 

The Goodnight Train Valentine

Great for toddlers & preschoolers!

X O! X O! Choo! Choo!

Love is in the air! Cozy up with someone special and take a Valentine’s Eve ride on the Goodnight Train in this sturdy board book with heart-shaped peekaboo die-cuts on every page. Little ones who love cars, trucks, and things that go will love all of the Goodnight Train books!

A Crankenstein Valentine

Great for preschoolers & kindergarteners!

An ordinary kid becomes Crankenstein on the most lovey-dovey, yuckiest day of the year: Valentine’s Day. Cheesy cards, allergy-inducing bouquets, and heart-shaped everything? YECHHHH! It’s enough to turn anyone into a monster!

 

 

 

I’ll Love You Till the Cows Come Home

Great for toddlers & preschoolers!

I will love you till the cows come home from a trip to Mars through skies unknown, in a rocket ship made of glass and stone… I will love you till the cows come home.

Love knows no bounds in this tender tribute to the depths of family love. For fans of Guess How Much I Love You—only funnier! This board book edition features sturdy pages and is just right for little ones. Makes a good stocking stuffer, baby shower, or Valentine’s Day gift.

This book extends the saying, “I’ll love you till the cows come home” to the humorous extreme. Along the way there are yaks in cadillacs, sheep setting sail, frogs on big-wheeled bikes, and more, in this great read-aloud.

Valentine’s Day in the Village

Great for preschoolers & kindergarteners!

A girl notices that not everyone is looking forward to Valentine’s Day. Some people are new to the community, some are lonely, others are missing loved ones. But then she comes up with a brilliant idea! With the support of her baker grandfather and her classmates, she organizes a town square hunt for valentine cards that people can exchange for a cookie. Soon everyone wants to help, and a new town festival is born. Food trucks, bingo, and live music bring it all together for a fabulous Valentine’s Day in the village.

 

Don’t Push the Button: Tons of Love

Great for toddlers & preschoolers!

Larry the monster has spotted a heart-shaped button. You probably shouldn’t push it…

Well, okay, go ahead and push it once.

Oh, no! Larry’s turned pink! Push it again.

Now Larry’s covered in HEARTS!

Next push…and the room is filled with heart-shaped balloons, Tap them and make them pop!

Whew! Everything’s almost back to normal. But what happens if you push that button again, just one last time?

Happy Valentine’s Day, Curious George!

Great for preschoolers & kindergarteners!

George and his friends celebrate Valentine’s Day with decorating, baking, card making, and some unexpected hilarity along the way!

Just how much mischief can a curious little monkey get into when balloons, frosting, and glitter are involved? Fun flaps to lift in each scene reveal lively surprises in this humorous celebration of friendship. Curious readers will love the tactile interactive elements of this holiday storybook.

Summertime is right around the corner! Get your little ones excited for the change of season and all of the fun things that come along with summer by reading a summer-themed book! We’ve picked eight of our many favorite books about Summertime! Swing by your local library or favorite bookstore to check them out!

A Mermaid Girl

Great for preschoolers & kindergarteners!

Summer is here and Heba is so excited to wear her new, yellow burkini to the community pool for the first time! She can’t wait to look like the other mermaid girls in her family and sparkle like the sun.

But when Heba arrives at the pool and her friends start asking her questions about her new special swimsuit, she feels like she’s standing out too much. Suddenly her burkini seems like a bad idea.

Hello, World! Garden Time: A Book of Plants and Gardening for Kids

Great for toddlers!

This cheerful and informative Hello, World! board book teaches toddlers all about gardens—with easy-to-understand facts about how plants grow and how gardening puts food on our tables.

Hello, World! is a series designed to introduce first nonfiction concepts to babies and toddlers. Told in clear and easy terms (“Roots spread into the soil below, and then a shoot pushes up out of the earth”) and featuring bright, cheerful illustrations, Hello, World! makes learning fun for young children. And each sturdy page offers helpful prompts for engaging with your child. It’s a perfect way to bring science and nature into the busy world of a toddler, where learning never stops.

If You Spot a Shell

Great for preschoolers & kindergarteners!

A warm summer breeze and the gentle waves of the ocean wash ashore many different types of shells. In this story a girl collects shells and thinks of all the magnificent things they can be turned into with a little creativity. She imagines one shell as a swimming cap for diving into the crashing waves, another as a magical kaleidoscope, one as a rocket ship to take her way up high and another as a submarine for exploring the wonders of the world below. The girl draws inspiration from the unique beauty of each and every shell.

In this joyous celebration of a day at the beach, artist Aimee Sicuro uses real shells she’s hand selected to make her oh-so-charming illustrations. Any young reader who turns the pages of this beautiful book will be inspired to use their own imagination as they comb the beach for shells this summer.

On the Beach: A Push-and-Pull Adventure

Great for toddlers!

Curious minds will love to have fun on the beach as they play the role of lifeguard in this installment of Allison Black’s Little World series. Young readers can raise flags, patrol the beach, and even build a sandcastle in this bright and colorful casebound board book, complete with gentle narrative text and tabs to slide, push, or pull on every spread.

It Began with Lemonade

Great for preschoolers & kindergarteners!

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 Nice Dream Truck

Great for preschoolers & kindergarteners!

When bedtime is near, you might be in luck. You might get a visit from the Nice Dream Truck!

Sample your choice of sweet dreams—from astronaut to making-the-shot and more—all served by a truck that flies on moonbeams. You may choose to swim; you may want to fly, there’s an endless assortment of flavors to try!

New York Times bestselling creators Beth Ferry and Brigette Barrager serve up a delightful twist on the lyrical bedtime romp, reminding us that there are as many ways to dream as ice cream flavors to taste. 

Hello, World! Let’s Go Camping

Great for toddlers!

Kids can learn all about the joys of camping in this cheerful and informative board book—with colors, shapes, sizes, and super-simple facts. (“Stars look brighter when you are camping because there are no other lights around.”)

Told in easy-to-understand terms alongside bright illustrations of tents, camper vans, gear, marshmallow roasts, and stargazing, this sturdy book makes learning easy for little ones and offers useful prompts to help adults engage with the reader on each page.

It’s a perfect way to bring the outside world of nature into the busy world of babies, toddlers, and preschoolers, where learning never stops.

Rani’s Remarkable Day

Great for preschoolers & kindergarteners!

Rani lives in a luxurious palace full of busy adults, but she’s lonely. Being the only princess in the kingdom is boring, tedious, dull. She has no one to play with—except her baby brother, who doesn’t count!

So one morning, Rani decides to leave for the beach in search of adventure. She’s sure it will be the opposite of her life in the palace: wonderful, marvelous, fun! But in the world outside the palace walls, Rani isn’t a princess anymore, she’s just a kid who’s not so great at building sandcastles. And what she finds there is something she didn’t even know she was looking for: a friend.

Set in a vibrant South Asian–inspired world, this story of a strong-willed princess from two award-winning picture book creators is full of wordplay, heart, and humor.