12 Picture Books that are Poignant, but not Preachy

Picture books for children almost always impart lessons, but the best ones do so in a way that allows the lesson to unfold naturally as the story progresses. Sometimes these lessons are straightforward. Other times they are subtle. But all of them are written by thoughtful authors who trust their audience to "get it" without having it spelled out for them. These books should be celebrated. Starting with these!

Boats for Papa by Jessixa Bagley

This book is the perfect example of a picture book that tells a story while allowing the "lesson" to work itself out naturally. But that doesn't mean this book is shallow. It's a profound yet simple story about dealing with loss.

A Stone for Sascha by Aaron Becker

Another story--told completely through illustrations--about dealing with loss, in this case the loss of a pet. The book is imaginative and heartfelt, and addresses the issue of losing a beloved pet with tenderness and hope.

The Boy Who Grew a Forest: The True Story of Jadav Payeng by Sophia Gholz, illustrated by Kayla Harren

This book tells an inspiring true story that will show young readers how much one person can make a difference if they are determined enough. 

Grandad's Island by Benji Davies

This is an imaginative and colorful story about a young boy's adventure with his grandfather, with a subtle message about saying good-bye. 

The Remember Balloons by Jessie Oliveros, illustrated by Dana Wulfekotte

This is the story of a little boy and his grandfather, who is slowly losing his memory. This metaphorical tale is engaging and lovely. This book would be great for fostering discussions about what happens when someone suffers from memory loss caused by a disease like Alzheimer's. The story addresses the issue gently and with a message of hope.

In a Jar by Deborah Marcero

Another gorgeously illustrated, imaginative story. This one is about collecting and sharing experiences as part of the joy of friendship. It is also about that difficult but inevitable part of most friendships: moving away. But this book is hopeful too, in the way it shows how friendships can continue over distances and that new friendships are always a possibility. 

The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeld

This story is very simple and relatable. Who hasn't been frustrated or disappointed and just needed someone to be there to wait, and to listen when you're ready to vent? This book is about the stages of grief and the value of a friend who is simply there to listen.

The Scarecrow by Beth Ferry, illustrated by The Fan Brothers

This is a gorgeous and poignant story about an unlikely and unexpected friendship. It beautifully illustrates the value of helping others and shows that differences don't have to be a hindrance to friendship.

Almost Time by Gary D. Scmidt and Elizabeth Stickney, illustrated by G. Brian Karas

A simply, lovely book about the value of patience in a story that shows that good things (like real maple syrup) are worth waiting for. Also, life keeps on going even when you're waiting, so don't miss out.

Why? by Adam Rex

Don't let the simple title and cover deceive you. This book is both poignant and hilarious! 

Ernestine's Milky Way by Kerry Madden-Lunsford, illustrated by Emily Sutton

A lovely, empowering story about bravery, neighborliness, and freshly churned butter!

After the Fall by Dan Santat

If you can only choose one book from this, make it this one. It's a brilliant, gorgeously illustrated book about overcoming fears. 

My 2019 Holiday Book Giving Guide

Board Books

For Christian-themed stories, consider Glenys Nellist's Good News! series. Each book is a sweet and simple introduction to a sound, Biblical concept.

Love is Kind by Laura Sassi is a sweet story with darling illustrations. This board book edition should be in every family's board book collection. 

Picture Books

For a funny read-aloud look for The Great Gran Plan by Elli Woollard, illustrated by Steven Lenton, a fractured fairy tale that combines Little Red Riding Hood with The Three Little Pigs.











In the market for a counting book? One Dark Bird by Liz Garton Scanlon, illustrated by Frank Preston-Gannon is a beautifully illustrated lyrical counting book about starlings.











Middle Grade

Fans of historical fiction may enjoy Lifeboat 12, a historical verse novel by Susan Hood. This story is emotionally gripping and fast paced.

If your reader enjoys smart, quirky stories that are darkly funny yet filled with hope, with a splash of magic for good measure, consider Very Rich by Polly Horvath. It's perfect for anyone who enjoyed Ingrid Law's Savvy or Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

For fantasy fans, look for Dragon Rider: The Griffin's Feather by Cornelia Funke, the long-awaited sequel to Dragon Rider. Also look for the third book in Brandon Mull's Dragonwatch series, Master of the Phantom Isle.










Young Adult

For fans of strange, action-packed science fiction adventure, consider Skyward by Brandon Sanderson.

Toxic by Lydia Kang is another science fiction page turner for readers who enjoy a little romance.

The Best Books for Your Holiday Gift List!

Books make the best gifts, but it can be hard to know for sure if the recipient will enjoy a book you choose. So, to help increase the odds that the books you give this year will be received with enthusiasm, I've selected favorites that are sure to please a variety of readers of all ages. Most of these books have been published within the last couple of years. I hope this helps you find that just-right book for every kid (and kid at heart) on your list!

Board Books

For the babies and toddlers on your gift list, check out When Your Elephant has the Sniffles, and the three other books in the series, by Susanna Leonard Hill. These books are colorful, short, and full of humor.









Or, if you know a family of Star Wars fans, consider Star Wars Epic Yarns, which are brilliantly simple books with needle-felted illustrations. These aren't just for the little ones! Adult Star Wars fans would probably love these too (if they're anything like me).








Picture Books

For fans of gorgeously illustrated nonfiction, consider John Ronald's Dragons: The Story of J.R.R. Tolkien by Caroline McAlister, illustrated by Eliza Wheeler.

Miracle Man: The Story of Jesus by John Hendrix is another fantastic option.






Someone who enjoys oversized books with lots of details and fun facts would appreciate Everything and Everywhere: A Fact-filled Adventure for Curious Globe-trotters by Marc Martin.

In the market for an ABC book? Check out Animalphabet by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Sharon King-Chai. It's gorgeous, unique, and has lots of fun page flaps!

For the fan of a rhyming read-aloud, you can't go wrong with A Hippy-Hoppy Toad by Peggy Archer, illustrated by Anne Wilsdorf.

Another great rhyming read-aloud is Diva Delores and the Opera House Mouse by Laura Sassi, illustrated by Rebecca Gerlings.

Or send someone on a wordless, imaginative adventure with The Fish and the Cat by Marianne Dubuc.



Middle Grade

For the fantasy fan, Dragonwatch, the first in a new series by Brandon Mull (book two, Wrath of the Dragon King, was published in October). It's a follow-up series to Fablehaven, so be sure the recipient has read Fablehaven first (or get it for them instead).

Saving Winslow by Sharon Creech is perfect for fans of heart-warming stories about friendship, family, and pets!

Another good fit would be Moo, also by Sharon Creech.

For the reluctant reader in your life, consider Garvey's Choice by Nikki Grimes, a short verse novel with themes of friendship and strained family relationships.

If you know a young reader who enjoys stories about dystopian societies set in a future post-apocalypse, consider The List by Patricia Forde, a fast-paced story reminiscent of The Giver and The City of Ember.









Young Adult

Does someone on your list enjoy lyrical stories that tug on the heart strings? Consider One by Sarah Crossan, a verse novel about conjoined twins.

Another good verse novel is Solo by Kwame Alexander with Mary Rand Hess, an engaging story with themes of music and family.

For the fan of magic, danger, and a bit of romance, The November Girl by Lydia Kang can't be beat! It's gorgeously written, mysterious, and will keep readers turning the pages.

And, for the fan of dark speculative fiction full of death and mystery, I recommend Scythe and Thunderhead, the first two books in a new series by Neal Shusterman.










Need more ideas? Check out these book lists for other great suggestions:

Ten Rhyming Picture Books to Read if You Like What About Moose?

Top Ten Verse Novels for Middle Grade Readers

The Best Picture Books from 2017

Top Ten Rhyming Picture Books

My Favorite Books of 2016 

Top Ten Ways to Read Books for Free (without Stealing)

Recently I read an article online about book piracy. In this article were quotes from people who had the audacity to complain when authors were successful in shutting down book piracy sites. Book piracy sites offer unauthorized free downloads of books, often in the form of PDFs. They lure people in with "free trial memberships" and the promise that they "don't sell books." And they don't. Rather, for the price of a monthly fee, they simply give books away.

In case you don't see anything wrong with that, think of it this way. Imagine a shoplifter came up to you and said, "If you pay me a monthly fee, you can have your choice of the goods I swipe!" Would you take them up on it?

Now, if you've ever downloaded an unauthorized "free" copy of a book, I'm not judging you. But I am asking you not to do it again. Even though some may shrug their shoulders and think no harm done, the truth is that book piracy does cause harm. It hurts authors because it reduces book sales, and reduced book sales lower authors' incomes and hurt their chances of publishing more books. And, you know, it's stealing.

That doesn't mean you should have to pay for every book you want to read. Very few people could afford that even if they wanted to. But there are lots of ways to get books to read for free without hurting the authors whose books you are so hungry to pore over.

I'll start with the obvious:

1. Check books out at your public library. I know...libraries might not always have a specific book you want to read. But you can usually request that they be added to your library's collection. Many libraries offer e-books and audio books too!

2. Borrow books from friends or family members.

3. Sit at a book store and read.

Still need more?

4. Some publishers offer free e-books periodically to their newsletter subscribers. One example is Tor. Find them and subscribe! Plus, newsletters are great ways to learn about new books.

5. Visit a Little Free Library or find a cool coffee shop that has a book exchange shelf.

6. Enter giveaways. Publishers, authors, illustrators, and book bloggers run giveaways all the time as a way to promote books. I've gotten many free copies of books this way. Check out Goodreads as well as authors' and publishers' blogs and social media accounts for giveaways to enter.

7. Search your e-reader platform's store for free electronic copies of classics.

9. Take advantage of NOOK Free Fridays.

9. Become a book reviewer. Parchment Girl has a great post explaining how to get started.

10. Join BookBub and let them find free or steeply discounted books for you!

With all the options out there, it should be no problem for you to get your hands on plenty of free books while doing no harm to the authors, illustrators, and publishers who put so much work into creating them.

Concerning Vomit and Decency (and Books)

"Don't go out that door. There's vomit!"

Those were the words directed at us as my family and I were leaving the mall recently.

We laughed and thanked the stranger for the warning, then took the other door. Looking to the left, I saw that, sure enough, there was a fairly fresh splattering of vomit on the sidewalk that one of us would have surely stepped in had it not been for the considerate warning of a complete stranger.

It made me smile to think that someone I didn't know would care about whether or not I stepped in a puddle of puke. And then I thought, What if people did that all the time? Not the puking, but the considering.

Imagine what a friendlier world it would be. Imagine the smiles shared, the doors held open, the traffic frustrations minimized, if only we would look beyond ourselves and really see our fellow human beings. If we stopped to think about how our actions or inactions affect those around us. If we cared enough to keep a complete stranger from ruining their shoes. Or forgetting their wallet. Or dropping a five dollar bill.

If we, though hopelessly flawed ourselves, could just be decent to each other. Consistently.

Can you imagine?

Books can help with that. I don't mean books that were written with the obvious agenda of pounding a moral lesson into our brains, but stories, true or imagined, about characters who work through their own flaws while struggling to overcome whatever problems come their way. It doesn't matter if that story is about a mouse who worries too much or a Hobbit carrying the one ring to Mordor. These stories explore what it means to be human, and they help us--and our children--to look at the world beyond our own little bubbles.

So read lots of stories to your children. But don't just stop there. Talk about the stories and the characters. Answer your children's questions, and ask your own. There are so many things for you to explore and discover in the books you share.

What books have helped you (and/or your children) see people a little differently?

12 Easy Ways to Make Books a Bigger Part of Your Family Life

I have a lot of books. Some people might say I have a "book habit." Others might call it a problem. Personally, I don't think I have a book problem; I have a lack of shelf space problem! But my shelves didn't get so full because I was out spending money on every new hardcover I ever wanted to read. Many of these books were gifts, or they were purchased used, or I found them for 99 cents in one of my children's book orders.

No matter how the books got here, I have always been proud of the fact that my kids have grown up surrounded by books. And, may I add, all three of them now have their own issues with shelf space.

It doesn't matter what your book budget is or isn't. And it doesn't matter if you have a house full of readers who will devour every book within their grasp. Every child deserves a home in which reading is encouraged and books are available. So here are some easy ways for you to make books a bigger part of your family life.

1. Invest in books that relate to your child's other interests. Your son or daughter may not be a big reader, but chances are they have other interests. You can find craft books, art books, books about video games or Legos or pets at your local library.

2. Always include books on your gift lists. Every time. Holidays. Birthdays. If there is an occasion to give your child a gift, get him or her a book!

3. Enter online book giveaways as often as you see them. Book bloggers, authors, and publishers conduct giveaways all the time. I have quite a selection of books acquired through giveaways. Enter often enough and you're bound to win now and then. And lots of times you'll be winning a signed copy. How cool is that?

4. Make reading a part of your child's regular routine, whether it be at bedtime or some other time during the day. Even if you're short on time, read a short picture book or a poem with them (or recite one from memory). It can take less than five minutes, but make a world of difference.

5. Let your kids catch you reading. When they're very young, kids love to emulate their parents. This is why they try on our shoes, pretend to nurse their baby dolls, and yell into the toy phone! Let them see you reading regularly. They'll want to read too!

6. Give your children book money and let them spend it on a book of their choosing. This could be at the book store, the thrift store, even a yard sale. You don't have to spend a lot, and you certainly don't have to buy books new!

7. Keep novelty books around the house in a prominent, easily-accessible spot. Some ideas for novelty books are pop-ups, like Dr. Optic's Amazing Pop-up Illusions by Andrew Bennet; seek-and-find books like I Spy and Look Alikes; and fact books like 5000 Awesome Facts and Guinness World Records. These books are fun for kids to flip through casually without feeling pressured to read the whole thing.

8. Listen to audio books during road trips. It's a great way to keep the peace during those long stretches of driving, and it may give you something interesting to talk about when you stop for meals.

9. Bring your children to story time at your local library or book store. They will have fun singing songs, doing activities, and interacting with other kids. Have your kids outgrown story time? Keep up to date with library and book store events, and bring them along when a favorite author comes to town. My kids and I have gone to see Sara Dessen, Brandon Sanderson, and Rainbow Rowell!

10. Get your children their own library cards. It's easy to check out books for your toddler or preschooler on your own card, but getting them their own card as soon as they are able to understand what that means will get them more involved in the process. And they will love being able to "pay" with their own cards for their own stack of books!

11. Let them pick a book from the book order. Most book orders that come home with your kids will have a couple of options for even the tightest budget. If you can manage it, do it! If this is hard for you, consider having a coin jar marked "book order fund" so you can save up for just this purpose.

12. Provide a place for your child to store his or her very own books. If your kids are anything like my son, they'll be more likely to pick up a book and read on their own if they have their own stash. Plus, it helps ensure that books are always in sight, and never quite out of mind!

Chances are, if your kids are book nerds like mine, they're already dragging you off to the library and bookstore on a regular basis! But your kids don't have to be book nerds to benefit from having more access to books. Also, many of these ideas are free or very low cost, so it doesn't have to cost a lot of money to give books a more prominent place in you and your kids' lives.

Don't Do These 11 Things When Reading With Your Kids

Studies show, and parents and educators know, that reading with your child from the earliest age is an important part of a foundation for lifelong learning. Not only does it help you bond with your child, but it also helps your child become a good listener, develop language skills, and exercise their imagination. But there are mistakes that parents sometimes make when reading with their children that might hurt more than help. So, to help you avoid making some of the same mistakes I made when my kids were little, here is a list of 11 things NOT to do when reading with your kids.

1. Don't paraphrase just to get through the book sooner. At least, don't get into the habit of doing this. Eventually, kids grow wise to this little time-saving trick. Plus, you'll be focused on rushing through the story rather than on a little quality time reading with your child. And kids will notice this too, even if they don't realize they are noticing it. If your time is limited, pick a shorter book, but put your all into reading it. Most picture books can be read in five minutes or less.

2. Don't shush your kids when they ask questions or make observations. It isn't just story time to them. It's special time spent with you. Your interactions with your child during reading time will not only make those few minutes more fun, but they'll also help you build your relationship with your quickly growing and changing kiddo. Not only that, but those moments magnify the potential for learning.

3. Don't complain when they ask for the same book every night. Some day, you'll look back at those nights, and those books, and wish you could have them back again. Plus, if a kid truly loves a book, that should be celebrated and encouraged! My son used to request the book Used Up Bear by Clay Carmichael a few times a week, and it is still special to him. Even though he's 14 years old, he still has it on his shelf!

4. Don't say "no" to books based on movies or TV shows. My son went through a phase during which all he wanted me to read to him were his Spongebob and Scooby Doo books. Inwardly (okay, sometimes outwardly...) I would groan. I would also occasionally suggest other books. But, hey,  there's no rule that says, "Books based on TV shows don't count." Reading is reading!

5. Don't take over the reading when your emerging reader is struggling to read aloud. It can be slow. It can be aggravating. It can be tempting to tell them every word before they have a chance to sound it out for themselves. But it is important to let them read. Just be sure to choose books that are at their level. It's also a good idea to alternate pages--you read a page, they read the next page--in order to make it more enjoyable for both of you.

6. Don't get upset when your toddler gets bored and wants to climb out of your lap before the end of the book. Story time should be fun. But toddlers have very short attention spans, so if they lose interest in a book--even a very short book--before the last page, don't freak out. Pick it up again later, like at bed time. The point is to make story time something they look forward to, so don't force it.

7. Don't tell your child that a book is too hard for them. When my daughter was seven, we found a book at a yard sale titled The Lost Years of Merlin, by T.A. Barron. My daughter had never read a chapter book on her own, much less an entire novel. But she thought the book looked interesting, and so she set to reading it. It took her two days, and she read it entirely on her own. I'm not suggesting that most seven-year-olds will be able to read a middle-grade fantasy in two days on their own. My point is that you should not diminish their enthusiasm. If you think a book is too hard for your child, but they REALLY want to read it, then read it together.

8. Don't be afraid to quit reading a book before you finish it. Not all readers are going to enjoy the same books, and life is too short to waste time reading a chapter book or novel that you have to force yourself to finish (except when reading for school, of course). If you are reading a book with your child, and they hate it and are bored out of their minds and would rather go outside and scoop dog poop than read another chapter...then feel free to abandon that book! Let your child choose another and move on.

9. Don't get frustrated with your child's progress. Kids learn at different rates, and learning to read is no different. Getting frustrated with them when you are reading together will only make the process harder for them (and for you). So relax, take it slow, and choose books that are fun and reading-level-appropriate so that reading time doesn't become a daily torture session. Also, take some of the pressure off your child by letting them sit back, relax and listen to you read a story.

10. Don't tell them you don't have time. With very few exceptions, parents can make time to read with their children. If you don't have time right when they ask, tell them you'll read after dinner, or at bedtime. And then follow through! Taking the time to do this, even for five minutes a day, will not only foster your child's love of books and reading, but will send a message that those moments are special to you too!

11. Don't make reading together an event for special occasions. Reading together is special, but not in the same way that pumpkin pie is special and is therefore reserved for Thanksgiving dessert. You and your child will get the most out of reading together if you do it as often as possible, preferably every day.

For more of my advice on reading with your kiddos, see my post How to Read to Toddlers (and get them to listen).

How about you? Do you have any advice about what NOT to do when reading with kids?

The Best Books of 2015!

I did a lot of reading during 2015, and about half of that reading was purposely aimed at books published this year. So, in true end-of-the-year fashion, here is a list of those books that I read and loved, narrowed down to my very very favorites. If you know me, you know how hard it is for me to pick favorites. To create this list, I avoided overthinking and just chose the two books in each category that stood out to me the most. If you haven't read these books yet, I hope you'll add them to your reading pile soon!

Picture Books

It was a great year for picture books, if you ask me. And that is only partly because of the release of WHAT ABOUT MOOSE? in June (teehee). There were so many other wonderful picture books, many of them in rhyme! Here are two of my favorites, which both happen to be fairy-tale-ish.

LITTLE RED GLIDING HOOD by Tara Lazar and illustrated by Troy Cummings is simply an adorable book inside and out. I mean, just look at that cover! The illustrations are charming, the story is sweet and funny, the language is clever and fun. An all-around great picture book! 

THERE WAS AN OLD DRAGON WHO SWALLOWED A KNIGHT is a rhyming book patterned after the familiar rhyme "There was an Old Woman Who Swallowed a Fly." The illustrations are colorful and fun, the rhyme is as close to perfect as it gets, and the story is clever and chuckle-inducing. Love it!


Middle Grade

I tried to catch up on some of my middle grade reading this year too, and I read several excellent books (including a few verse novels). Here are the two that stand out as the best. Both of these happen to be debuts! And they have yellow covers...not sure what the significance of that is, but I noticed it.

THE SOUND OF LIFE AND EVERYTHING by Kristy Van Dolzer has a fascinating premise, a voice that grabs you, and a likable, believable main character. 

RED BUTTERFLY by A.L. Sonnichsen is a verse novel that will draw you in and make you cry, and you may be thinking about this story for days or weeks afterward.

Young Adult

Young adult books, especially fantasy and speculative fiction, are one of my favorite things to read (right up there with middle grade verse novels). The books I read in 2015 did not disappoint!

FIREFIGHT by Brandon Sanderson is epic and brilliant. I read the first book in The Reckoners series,  STEELHEART when it first came out, and enjoyed it immensely (stories about average people battling super villains aren't exactly what I'm drawn to...but it's Brandon Sanderson). This book is even better than the first, and I can't wait for the next one!

It was no surprise to me that I loved WINTER, the last book in The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer, as much as I did. This series is partly credited for my recently acquired appreciation for science fiction. Of course, the fact that this series is based on several different fairy tales that are woven together into an epic, romantic, adventure of awesomeness is a definite plus!

What are your favorite books from 2015?

Will my son ever be a reader again?

Not too long ago, I came across this greatly mistreated paperback copy of SANTA'S CRASH-BANG CHRISTMAS by Steven Kroll at a yard sale. I immediately knew I had to have it, despite its obvious maladies.

I had to have it because my family had it when I was a child, and I loved this book. It had been one of my favorite Christmas books, second only to Dr. Seuss' HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS. It had a special place in my heart even though I hadn't seen or thought of it for years.

The other day, I was looking through the shelf of picture books in the family room. My fourteen-year-old son happened to be nearby. Every now and then I'd pull a book out and show it to him. "I love this book!" he would say as he'd flip through the pages. We talked about reading them together when he was younger. Even as a teenage boy currently rebelling against reading, books have a special place in his heart. And he remembered that, just for a moment, when he said to me, "I like books. I just have to force myself to read the first couple of chapters."

I've been a little concerned lately that the boy who used to beg me to read CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS or CHICKS AND SALSA over and over has lost his love for reading. I've worried that the same kid who devoured THE MAGIC THIEF in two days will never find another book that he can't put down.

But those little moments of "Oh, I love that book!" have assured me that books still have a special place in his heart. With time, and perhaps some subtle encouragement from me, they will once again have a special place in his life.

How to Read to Toddlers (and get them to listen)

I read to my kids a lot when they were tiny. They grew up hearing lots of stories, from BEAR SNORES ON to THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING.

We were readers.

It was easy with my girls. They never got to the point where they would squirm away from me when I was reading to them.

Not so with my boy. When he was two, he was always going, going, going. Suddenly, he didn't have time for snuggly reading time nonsense!

So one day, I forced the issue. I grabbed our copy of THE MONSTER AT THE END OF THIS BOOK and made him sit with me as I read it (he tried to squirm away at first, but I simply said no and kept reading).

I read with emotion. I did all the voices! And by the time I got the the end of the book, my little guy insisted that I read it again. And again.

It was a breakthrough!

Every child is different. But every child deserves (needs!) to be read to, whether they seem to be interested or not. So here are a few ideas on how to read to your toddler, even when they don't seem to be interested.

Match books to their personality.

One of the reasons THE MONSTER AT THE END OF THIS BOOK worked for my son was because it is full of action and humor, and the interactive nature of the book kept his attention.

Be animated!

If you sound bored when you're reading, why should your child be excited? Make faces, do the actions, roar the terrible roars along with the wild things! It will make reading to your child that much more fun and memorable.

Read to a captive audience.

When your child is playing quietly with a set of blocks or dolls, pick up a book and read to them as they play. They may continue playing and seem to ignore you. Or they may decide to come and curl up on your lap. Either way, the story will be working its magic! This is perfect for those sick days too (haha, sneaky!).

Make it part of the bedtime routine.

This is a classic, of course. Sometimes kids will want you to read to them just so they can stall sleepy-time. There's nothing wrong with that! It allows for more bonding time between you and your kiddo!

Let your child choose their own books.

Sometimes my son wanted me to read a book about Scooby Doo or Spongebob. They were not my first choices for quality literature. But if they kept my son interested in reading with me, then what could it hurt? A child will be more receptive to hearing a story they chose themselves.

Read while on the road.

Road trips are a challenge with toddlers! These days it's easy for a lot of people to pop in a DVD. But take advantage of the times when your kids are calm and read a favorite picture book or two. When my girls were tiny, this was a good way to distract them if they started getting fidgety on the way to Grandma's house.

Make a trip the library an event, not just an errand.

Help them associate books and reading with fun. Pair the outing with a picnic at the park, a visit to a playground, or a stop to get an ice cream cone or slushy.

Choose interactive stories.

Lift the flaps. Finger puppets. Touch and feel books. These are all great ways to engage the senses and get your tot interested in books!


The most important thing to remember when reading with your toddler is to make it a fun, special time with your child. Even if your kiddo loses interest in a book half way through and scrambles out of your lap, you are still making connections. And if you keep it up, you'll continue to make those connections throughout your child's life!

Do you have any ideas on reading to toddlers?

Eight Picture Books for Your Little Builder

Do you have a little handyman (or woman) in your house? A little guy or girl who can't seem to get enough of that toy work bench? Some kids really love their tool toys, maybe even more than they love books! (gasp!) If that is the case for you, or if you are simply looking for books that will appeal to your child's fix-it or build-it nature, then these eight books might be just right for you and your little builder.

WHAT ABOUT MOOSE? by Corey Rosen Schwartz and Rebecca J. Gomez
Illustrated by Keika Yamaguchi

Of course I would have to include my own book on this list! Tools and building are front and center in this book about a group of friends building a tree house.

TOOLS RULE! by Aaron Meshon

This bright and colorful book is about a team of tools pitching in to build a shed.

TAP TAP BANG BANG by Emma Garcia

The littlest builders will enjoy learning about what tools do and the sounds they make in this simple, colorful companion to TIP TIP DIG DIG and TOOT TOOT BEEP BEEP.

INTERSTELLAR CINDERELLA by Deborah Underwood
Illustrated by Meg Hunt

This is a terrific re-imagining of the classic Cinderella story, with a sassy heroine who's great with tools, especially when it comes to building spaceships!

MONKEY WITH A TOOL BELT by Chris Monroe

The name says it all here! What little tinkerer wouldn't want to read about a monkey who works his way out of a problem with his very own tools?

BUILDING OUR HOUSE by Jonathan Bean

For the slightly older builders. They'll enjoy reading about a little girl and her family building their very own house.

FROGGY BUILDS A TREE HOUSE by Jonathan London
Illustrated by Frank Remkiewicz

Fans of the FROGGY books will enjoy this story about Froggy and his friends (with some help from dad) building a tree house.

CURIOUS GEORGE: TOOL TIME by H.A. Rey

Based on the T.V. show, this is an interactive book that comes with its own little movable tool.


Do you or your child have any favorite books that feature tools? I'd love to hear about them. In the mean time, happy reading. And building!

My Favorite Books Are Like My Favorite People

Have you ever read a scathing review for a book you adore? Or wondered how someone can simply say "Meh..." after reading one of your favorite works of fiction?

I have. Lots of times.

What do you mean the book is boring?

Well, I know the author uses too many adverbs, but...but!

Sure, the author gets a little carried away with description, but the story is so moving.

Sound familiar?

My favorite books are like my favorite people. They have qualities that draw me to them that far outshine whatever flaws they have. But beyond that, there is that magical something that makes us connect.

I'll use my hubby as an example. He has been my favorite person since right after we met. I found him attractive, he made me laugh, he was a gentleman, he loved Jesus. As I got to know him I saw his work ethic, the way he interacted with children and helped strangers, his love and respect for his parents. All admirable qualities that stood out to me more than any of his flaws. But if we hadn't connected on a deeper level, then to me he would have been just another great guy. Someone I liked. A friend, but not my husband.

Isn't that how it is with books? There are so many books that I've read and enjoyed. I'd recommend them. I'd give them four stars on goodreads. I might even read them again some day. But in the end, they end up on the "great guy" shelf.

Then there are times when reading a book is like meeting someone who's perfectly friendly, but for whatever reason I'm just not interested in hanging out with them socially. Maybe they have some traits that I find annoying. Or maybe our personalities just don't mesh. To someone else, that book is their favorite. Maybe they read it over and over. But for me, I'd probably give it three stars and then stash it in the giveaway pile. Sometimes this happens with books I really wanted to love, and when that happens it's a huge disappointment.

But, when it comes to reading, nothing is more disappointing than a book that feels like spending time with the meanest kid in gym class. A book whose flaws overshadow any of its good qualities. A book that is simply impossible to like, and would be lucky to receive a two-star rating on goodreads. And yet, even that book has someone who calls it "favorite."

With time, even the meanest kid in gym class might turn out to be a great guy. But with books, what you see is pretty much what you get. Sure, you may be able to dig a little deeper to discover why a book is a considered a "masterpiece" despite your personal opinion about it. But it will probably never be your best friend. And when you're finished with it, you can put it aside and read something else.

Because it is, after all, just a book.

Are Kids' Books Just for Kids?

Silly question, right?

Apparently not.

An elementary school teacher once told me she hadn't read The Hunger Games because it was "a kid's book." This left me a bit stunned, considering that teachers are tasked, in part, to encourage their students to read. How can they do this if they don't read books (especially current books) that are directed at their students?

Reading children's fiction enables you to make recommendations to kids based on more than what you read as a child, or the library catalogue, or monthly book orders. Great books are being written and published all the time. But if you're not reading them, how would you know? Of course, it's impossible to read everything that's geared toward kids, but if you are an educator you have a responsibility to your students to know what you're talking about when it comes to books. The same goes for parents.

That responsibility doesn't end with recommendations. As a teacher or a parent, reading children's fiction helps you engage in conversations with your students and/or offspring about the books they are reading. And that should go beyond what they are reading in school. My kids and I have had many conversations that began with a book we had each read. Those moments are priceless.

Reading children's fiction also helps you remember what it was like to be a child, and connect with younger generations of readers. What are kids learning about or talking about? What kinds of struggles might they have that didn't exist when you were younger? What kinds of experiences, good or bad, never happened to you as a child, or that affected you differently than they might someone else? The point is that reading helps you learn empathy, and that shouldn't stop when you grow up.

All of these things are important. But to me, the best reason to read children's fiction, whether it be for middle grade readers or young adults, is because stories written for younger readers are so pure, not muddied by all the grown-up issues that can clutter adult fiction. They help you to see the world through a child's eyes. That view may seem like it would be too simple to some. But if you really take a look, you will realize how wondrous the world of children's fiction truly is.

What are you waiting for? Get out there and read a children's book today!

The Impossibility of Picking Favorites

I'm not good at picking favorites.

One of my best friends' favorite color is green. It has always been green. No doubt it will always be green. But my favorite color? Um...yellow. No, hot pink! No, look at that lovely shade of turquoise!

Favorite movie? Stranger than Fiction. No, Independence Day. Or maybe I Am Legend! The Fellowship of the Ring?

I can't tell you what my favorite food is, what my favorite dessert is, or what my favorite animal is at the zoo. My favorites are always shifting.

But I do love books. Books are possibly my favorite thing ever. Even better than new boots. Even better than kittens. Maybe even better than chocolate!

Do I have a favorite book? I can't say...

There was a time when I might have said my favorite book was Watership Down. Another time when I might have said it was Clan of the Cave Bear. There was a time when my teenage self would have said my favorite book was The Hobbit. But the more I read, the more books I love, and the harder it is for me to nail down a title that has earned the rank of My Favorite Book.

Each of those books is beloved. Each of those books deserves a place on my favorites shelf. But that shelf is also filled with titles like The Wind Singer by William Nicholson, Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse, Heartbeat by Sharon Creech, The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale, The Lunar Chronicles (series) by Marissa Meyer, Everfound by Neal Shusterman, Across the Universe by Beth Revis, A Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L'Engle, Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers, and so many more. How can I pick just one from a list like that?

I guess that's why I have such a hard time getting rid of books. They are all my favorite. They all deserve a special place in my heart and on my shelves.

What about you? Can you narrow down your favorites to one book? Or one author? Or even one genre?

National Poetry Month: Book Spine Poem

In the spirit of exploring new forms of poetry, here is my first ever book spine poem:

Heartbeat
behind the bedroom wall.
Nighty-nightmare.