My Favorite Books & Recommendations

"In my almost two decades of teaching children ages 2-5, I have seen how kids react and relate to certain stories. Many of my recommendations include older books that are beloved and timeless. Enjoy!"

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My Favorite Book from Childhood

Andy and the Lion by James Daugherty. First published in the U.S.  by Viking Penguin, Inc., 1938.

A story of gratitude, empathy, and friendship between Andy and the Lion. It’s also a retelling of a classic tale, Androcles and the Lion. This may explain my life-long love of mythology and writing parodies. Great read-aloud for preschoolers and wonderful for beginning readers.

Read Alouds for Little Ones

  • Owl Babies

    Written by Martin Waddell, illustrated by Patrick Benson. Published by Candlewick Press, 1992. A comforting book about coping with separation from caregivers for the first time (like starting school). Baby Owls learn their Owl mommy always comes back.

  • No, David!

    Written by David Shannon. Published by Blue Sky Press, 1998. Young listeners see they aren’t the only children who hear “No!” a lot in this longtime bestseller with colorful illustrations. Kids are mesmerized by David’s constant and funny antics.

  • Beautiful Oops!

    Written by Barney Saltzberg. Published by Workman Publishing Company, 2010. A life lesson for every child! Parents will love teaching their kids not to worry about a spill, a smear, a smudge, or a tear. Don't get frustrated; turn it into something beautiful!

Bedtime Books

  • Hush Little Alien

    Written and illustrated by Daniel Kirk. Published by Scholastic, 1999. A play on Hush, Little Baby, this rhyming bedtime story set in outer space can be read or sung. Toddlers love sleepy little alien’s nighttime journey!

  • Llama Llama Red Pajama

    Written and illustrated by Anna Dewdney. Published by Viking Books for Young Readers, 2005. There’s “llama drama” at bedtime, but with a sweet, reassuring response from Mama Llama.

  • I Took the Moon for a Walk

    Written by Carolyn Curtis, illustrated by Alison Jay. Published by Barefoot Books, 2008. A rhyming, magical adventure between a boy and the Moon right before bedtime.

Nonfiction Read Alouds for Young Children

  • Me...Jane

    Written by Patrick McDonnell. Published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2011. Written in the author’s characteristically heartwarming style, the story of young Jane Goodall and her favorite toy chimpanzee, Jubilee is made accessible for young readers.

  • The Tree Lady

    Written by H. Joseph Hopkins, illustrated by Jill McElmurry. Published by Beach Lane Books, 2013. Tree-lover and activist, Kate Sessions, uses her talents and degree in Science to help San Diego go from a dry desert town to a green, leafy city full of parks and gardens.

  • Earth!

    Written by Stacy McAnulty, illustrated by David Litchfield. Published by Henry Holt and Co., 2017. Children learn kid-friendly facts about Earth told from the point of view of kid-like Earth herself! Funny and very informative with content for older readers and teachers, too.

  • Opposites with Frank Lloyd Wright

    Written by Mudpuppy, illustrated by Lydia Ortiz, with Frank Lloyd Wright the artist. Published by Mudpuppy Books, 2018. Using Wright’s use of shapes, children are introduced to opposites in his work with just-right vivid detail for little ones.

Books About Empathy

  • Be Kind

    Written by Pat Zietlow Miller, illustrated by Jen Hill. Published by Roaring Brook Press, 2018. This New York Times bestseller shows children how to be thoughtful to others and pass kindness along in a practical way even when others are not.

  • The Big Umbrella

    Written and illustrated by Amy June Bates and cowritten with Juniper Bates. Published by Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books, 2018. A sweet, simple read aloud book about inclusion and welcoming others.