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Best Books

Discover the best books published each year!

Best Picture Books Picked By Kids 2020
Best Picture Books of 2020
Best Books of 2019 Picked by Kids!
Best Picture Books 2019
Best Picture Books 2018
Best Picture Books of 2018 Picked By Kids!
Kid Picks 2018
Kid Picks 2017
Best Books 2017
Best Books of 2016

 

Welcome! I’m Rosie and I’m excited to help you discover the best books for children.

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Oh, how I love this striking poetic book celebrati Oh, how I love this striking poetic book celebrating rain! With its lyrical language and dazzling illustrations showing off beautiful aspects of stormy day, HELLO, RAIN! is a quintessential April read. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ A little girl and her dog show readers just how fun rain can be by splashing in puddles, sailing ships down streams, observing how the natural world drinks in the water, and by playing games indoors. I especially love how present the little girl is in each moment as she notices so many extraordinary things around her. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ We had a stormy weekend ourselves and partook in one of our favorite rainy-day activities, making volcanoes! Check out my IG Stories for a great slow-mo video of our science experiment. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ What is your favorite thing to do in the rain? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ We love HELLO, RAIN! so much, I’m am adding it to our list of BEST BOOKS ABOUT RAIN (link in bio). ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Starting TOMORROW, APRIL 13th don’t miss HELLO, RAIN! by Kyo Maclear @kyomaclear; illustrations by Chris Turnham @turnhamator; published by Chronicle Books @chroniclekidsbooks, 2021 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ A big thank you to the publisher for sharing this standout story with our family in exchange for an honest review.
Happy National Unicorn Day! We are celebrating wit Happy National Unicorn Day! We are celebrating with one of our new favorite books ITTY-BITTY KITTYCORN by the dynamic duo Shannon Hale and LeUyen Pham! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ From its glittery cover to its self-assured protagonist, there is so much to love about this standout story. Kitty believes she is a unicorn and despite Parakeet’s and Gecko’s negativity, she confidently parades around as one until she meets a real unicorn. In a delightful twist, the unicorn wants to be a kitty and the two become kitty-corns! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Yes, this is an adorable unicorn story, but it is also so much more! There is a powerful underlying message of being true to yourself and being “seen” and accepted by others. It also sparked a great conversation in our house about how real friends treat and speak to each other. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ To say that my kids love this story in an understatement. My daughter has placed it on a special place on her shelf and after discovering the charming endpapers featuring Kitty making her own horn, she grabbed supplies and created her own! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Do you have a favorite unicorn-themed book? You can find more that we love on my list of UNICORN AND MERMAID BOOKS on my AMAZON STOREFRONT (link in bio). ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Don’t miss ITTY-BITTY KITTY-CORN by Shannon Hale @squeetus; illustrated by LeUyen Pham @uyenloseordraw; published by Abrams Books for Young Readers @abramskids, 2021
Hey, teachers and parents, do you need a book to i Hey, teachers and parents, do you need a book to inspire a writing prompt for your little ones? Then you will want to check out WHAT WOULD YOU DO IN A BOOK ABOUT YOU? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Beginning with imaginative adventures like riding on dinosaurs and traveling through time and space then transitioning to more realistic aspirations such as being a hero to others and showing kindness, this engaging story invites readers to imagine all of the different things they could do in a book about themselves. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ The flowing rhymes and colorful eye-catching illustrations make this a great choice to read aloud to a group of children. Its emboldening message that we can accomplish anything in our own story also makes this a perfect gift for graduations or birthdays. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Don’t miss WHAT WOULD YOU DO IN A BOOK ABOUT YOU? by Jean Reidy @reidy.jean; illustrated by Joey Chou @choochoojoey; published by HarperCollins Publishers, 2021 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ A big thank you to @harperkids for sharing this special story with our family in exchange for an honest review.
I’ve found that nonfiction books are one of the I’ve found that nonfiction books are one of the easiest ways to effortlessly teach children about the world. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Here are three of our new favorites that you are not going to want to miss! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ TURN SEEK FIND: HABITATS by @benjinewman, 2021 Prepare to travel the globe in this interactive book! Each two-page spread introduces children to a different habitat and the animals that reside there. Little fingers will love turning the wheel to select an item and color to search for in each eye-catching scene. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ RAIN FOREST ANIMALS by Sandra Laboucarie; illustrated by @emilielapeyre, 2021 The opening page pops up to reveal three different layers of the rainforest and the animals who inhabit each one. Subsequent pages include lift -the-flaps, pull-tabs, and turntables to engage young learners as they discover the magical world of the Amazon! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ OCEANS AND MARINE LIFE by Stéphanie Babin, 2021 Jam packed with fascinating facts and vibrant illustrations, children are going to love learning all about the ocean and its many inhabitants. Complete with a table of contents, index, and review section between chapters to check for understanding, this makes a great gift to teach children about the world around them. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ What is one of your favorite nonfiction books? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ A big thank you to @chroniclekidsbooks for sharing these standout books with our family in exchange for an honest review.
So rarely have I found a book that can make my chi So rarely have I found a book that can make my children laugh out loud and also fill their hearts with empathy and understanding of others’ feelings. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU stars Joe, who simply wants to play his favorite game on the playground. Unfortunately, the other children are distracted by the fact that he only has one leg. Each one asks him what happened to it, offering outlandish and humorous guesses. Eventually, a girl joins in on Joe’s game. Then all of the children start playing together and realize that Joe’s missing leg is irrelevant to their fun. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ This incredible own-voices story is a must-read! Its spot-on text is perfectly combined with eye-catching illustrations that give the story tons of kid appeal and a priceless message of compassion and accepting differences. The story is further enhanced by an author’s note that provides grown-ups with tips on how to talk with children about disabilities. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I cannot recommend this one highly enough! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Don’t miss WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU? by James Catchpole @thecatchpoles; illustrations by Karen George @karengeorge_books; published by Faber & Faber @faberbooks.usa, 2021 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ A huge thank you to the author for sharing this book with me in exchange for an honest review and for @readwithriver for introducing me to this standout story!
For the last year, our family has realized the ben For the last year, our family has realized the benefits of slowing down and appreciating quiet moments. Lately, I feel like things are starting to speed up again and I want to make sure my children remember to continue taking the time to notice and enjoy the little things that make our world such a beautiful and interesting place. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ This sentiment is perfectly captured in the gorgeous new book EXTRAORDINARY! Gently flowing rhymes are paired with charming illustrations showcasing examples of moments that can be treasured in different seasons. I particularly love how it encourages children to dream of big achievements, but also find joy in everyday experiences. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ We recently had an extraordinary moment visiting our extended family for the first time in almost a year and a half in Florida. There were many small moments I know we will treasure for a long time, but my favorite was a special beach trip to watch the sunrise. We found a sea turtle’s nest and witnessed the sun rising from the ocean while a full moon hung in the sky above creating a truly awe-inspiring family experience. Watching my kids relish in the wonder and beauty of my childhood home is something that I know will stay with me for many years to come. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ What was your last extraordinary moment? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Don’t miss EXTRAORDINARY by Penny Harrison @pen.harrison; illustrated by Katie Wilson @inmybackyardnz; published by Kane Miller Books @kanemillerbooks, 2021 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ A big thank you to the publisher for sharing this special book with our family in exchange for an honest review.
Easter is only days away and we are reveling in a Easter is only days away and we are reveling in a few of our new and old favorite books this weekend! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Spot any that you love here? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
A comical dinosaur story that celebrates the power A comical dinosaur story that celebrates the power of books with a charm reminiscent of If You Give a Mouse a Cookie? Yes please! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ NEVER SHOW A T. REX A BOOK stars a young girl who imagines all the hilarious hijinks that would ensue if a dinosaur was introduced to a book. First you would have to teach the dinosaur to read, then she would want books on every subject, and the more she read the smarter she would get and then dinosaurs would take over the world!! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Brimming with creativity and fun, this is an excellent choice for a read aloud. There is a prompt at the end of the book that also makes it a perfect inspiration for a writing activity. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ What is one of your favorite new read alouds? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Don’t miss NEVER SHOW A T. REX A BOOK by Rashmi Sirdeshpande @rashmiwriting and Diane Ewen @creativedewen; published by Kane Miller Books @kanemillerbooks, 2021 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ A big thank you to the publisher for sharing this book with our family in exchange for an honest review.
Women’s History Month may officially be coming t Women’s History Month may officially be coming to a close, but that doesn’t mean you should stop reading about these remarkable trailblazers! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ With so many incredible picture book biographies celebrating women, I’ve added several new lists to my AMAZON STOREFRONT (link in bio) to help you continue learning about these noteworthy groundbreakers all year long. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ What is your favorite picture book biography about a feisty, fearless female? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
My children always happily agree with whatever I a My children always happily agree with whatever I ask them to do…..said no one ever! If you have had any interaction with children, you have probably realized that they love to get into power struggles challenging everything you say. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ NO! SAID RABBIT plays upon this common parenting problem and offers a terrific prompt for starting conversations. From requests to get dressed to sitting down to eat, little Rabbit loves to say, “no”. The patient parent doesn’t force Rabbit to participate in any of the actions, but allows him broach the tasks on his own terms. In the gratifying ending, Rabbit finds one thing he cannot resist saying yes to; hugs from his mother! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Children will love chiming in on the refrain of “no’s” while parents will love pointing out how Rabbit actually wants to do the activities. This endearing story is also a great way to prompt conversations on communication. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Since this one is sure to be a hit with both children and adults, I’m adding it to my list of PICTURE BOOKS ADULTS AND TODDLERS WILL BOTH LOVE! (link in bio). ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Don’t miss NO! SAID RABBIT by Marjoke Henrichs @marjokedraws; published by Peachtree Publishing Company @peachtreepublishing, 2021 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ A big thank you to the publisher for sharing this book with our family in exchange for an honest review.
NEW BOOKS ALERT! I literally let out a squeal of d NEW BOOKS ALERT! I literally let out a squeal of delight when I opened my latest book mail from @simonkids. Just look at all of these beauties! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Which one do you want to hear about first??? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
I’m saddened by the news of Beverly Cleary’s p I’m saddened by the news of Beverly Cleary’s passing, but feel so grateful that she has left behind an incredible legacy of children’s books that will be enjoyed by many generations to come. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ As a children’s librarian in the 1950’s, Beverly Cleary found that many of her young patrons were frustrated that there were no stories about kids like them, so Beverly started writing creating memorable characters including Ramona and Beezus, Henry Huggins, Ribsy, and Ralph S. Mouse. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Our family LOVES listening to the audio versions of her books and it is hard to capture into words the amount of enjoyment these charming stories have brought us. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Beverly Cleary will be deeply missed, but I am forever grateful for her beautiful storytelling! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ What is your favorite Beverly Cleary book?
I’m over the moon that there are so many standou I’m over the moon that there are so many standout picture book biographies showcasing women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math)! These incredible stories all feature remarkable women who broke barriers and became masters in their scientific fields paving the way for future girls to pursue their own dreams. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ There have been a ton of new releases in this area and I’m thrilled to add them to my list of PICTURE BOOKS ABOUT WOMEN IN STEM (link in bio). ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Recognize any favorites? Who am I missing that I need to add to my list? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Who is ready for Easter? I love filling my kids’ Who is ready for Easter? I love filling my kids’ Easter baskets each year with little candies, arts and crafts materials, and, above all else, books! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ If you are looking to add a special book for your child’s basket, hop over to LIBRARYMOM.COM for my list of BEST BOOKS FOR EASTER BASKETS (link in bio). ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Here are two new favorites that are at the top of my list of Easter-themed activity books: ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ EGGCELENT EASTER MAZES With its myriad of spring-time scenes, little ones will love completing these engaging mazes! Mazes are a great way to effortlessly help children boost their problem-solving skills, fine tune their fine-motor control, and build their confidence. Plus, they are a ton of fun! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ EASTER HUNT: OVER 800 EGG-CITING OBJECTS! (LOOK AND FIND) Our family cannot get enough look-and-find books. They are perfect for browsing during that chocolate-induced coma that sets in after opening Easter baskets, a rainy-day boredom buster, perusing during long car rides, or while waiting in line. This gem features a variety of eye-catching Easter scenes that are sure to entertain children and adults! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ What are you putting in your kids’ baskets this year? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ A big thank you to the @cleverbooks.us for sharing these books with our family in exchange for an honest review.
A true pioneer in her field, Vera Rubin is conside A true pioneer in her field, Vera Rubin is considered to be a “guiding light” to an entire generation of female astronomers. Her impressive story is eloquently captured in the new book, THE STUFF BETWEEN THE STARS. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ While most astronomers concentrated on the stars and planets, Vera Rubin questioned the dark space between the stars. Even after being ridiculed and dismissed by male scientists, Vera persisted in her studies, demanding to be hired as the first woman at the Carnegie Institution. Her determination paid off when she discovered dark matter and proved that it consisted of more than 80% of the universe. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I love how the imaginative artwork adds a whimsical element to the book while the text playfully winds in several celestial associations with Vera’s life. Vera’s passion and persistence is admirable and inspirational, making this a good choice for budding scientists. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ For more standout science-related picture book biographies, visit LIBRARYMOM.COM (link in bio) for my list of PICTURE BOOKS ABOUT WOMEN IN STEM. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Don’t miss THE STUFF BETWEEN THE STARS: HOW VERA RUBIN DISCOVERED MOST OF THE UNIVERSE by Sandra Nickel @sandranickelbooks; illustrated by Aimée Sicuro @aimeesicuro; published by Abrams @abramskids, 2021 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ A big thank you to @blue_slip_media for sharing this special book in exchange for an honest review.
This is the book that every single teacher needs t This is the book that every single teacher needs to read! Each year, teachers pour their hearts and souls into helping their students not just with academics, but with building children’s confidence, helping them form friendships, giving them the tools to reach their full potential, and so much more. While it is a rewarding profession, it is also grinding and exhausting. This last year has been one of the toughest years in many teachers’ careers and they could really use a pick me up. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ A TEACHER LIKE YOU is written by teachers for teachers. Thanks to the amazing CHECK IT OUT hosted by @ramonarecommends and @bookishburnsss, I was able to listen to the creators discuss how the book came together. Every line in the book was inspired by real students or events and that authenticity shines through. Kayla Harren’s stunning illustrations are not only beautiful, but represent so many different body types, ages, skin colors, and abilities; this series is one of the most inclusive I’ve ever seen. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ This book makes the PERFECT gift for Teacher Appreciation Day or for the end of the school year. If you’re a parent, please share this with other parents. If you’re a teacher, I hope this book ends up in your classroom as a thank you for all the incredible work that you do! You are truly unsung heroes that make this world a better place! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Don’t miss A TEACHER LIKE YOU by Frank Murphy @frankmurphy2009 and Barbara Dan @reach4diversity; illustrated by Kayla Harren @kaylaharren; published by Sleeping Bear Press @sleepingbearpress, 2021. I also highly recommend the other two books in the series, A BOY LIKE YOU and A GIRL LIKE YOU. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ A big thank you to the publisher for sharing this book with our family in exchange for an honest review.
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