What’s that on your bookshelf? It’s a story… It’s an adventure… It’s a superhero book!
From their first appearances in comic books to the blockbuster films featuring them every summer, kids have loved superheroes. They represent so much that children cherish—good triumphing over evil, ordinary people secretly being extraordinary, and really cool costumes. Children live in a world where they have very little power. They have to go where adults tell them, do what adults ask, wear what adults buy them, and eat what adults cook. They can be picked on by older siblings or teased at school. They’re often not quite strong enough or old enough to help others in large-scale ways. So, for kids, superheroes can epitomize what they wish for and wish to be.
Because of their appeal, superhero children’s books are a natural way to draw your child into books and reading (or reading more). Even better, you can select from a myriad of children’s books that feature superheroes whose true superpowers are traits your child already possesses or you would like to help them develop. Traits like patience, bravery, kindness, and empathy. After all, what’s better than seeing a superhero fly? Seeing a superhero that’s just like you. So cuddle your caped crusaders and enjoy one of these amazing superhero picture books for preschoolers and beyond!
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This Diwali, ignite your child’s imagination and welcome them into a world of colors, traditions, and togetherness through a selection of enchanting picture books about Diwali. To get you started, we’ve compiled a selection of high-quality Diwali children’s books, which blend the magic of storytelling with valuable cultural exploration.
For those unfamiliar with it, Diwali is a vibrant holiday celebrated in Southeast Asian countries like India and Bangladesh, as well as by Hindu, Jain, and Sikh families around the world. Also known as the Festival of Lights, it marks the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. During Diwali, families come together to light oil lamps (diyas), exchange gifts, enjoy festive meals, and make colorful art (rangoli).
If you celebrate, imagine your child’s delight as they discover characters and stories that reflect their own heritage and traditions. It’s like finding a treasure trove of relatable experiences and celebrations, all within the colorful pages of a book. And for little explorers who may not be familiar with Diwali, these stories offer a gateway into a world of new customs and festivities. So snuggle up and enjoy these captivating tales about the Festival of Lights.
Want more book recommendations? Check out our curated reading lists!
Female athletes have finally been getting more notice, from movements for equal pay to fans following their achievements. And female soccer players, including the women of U.S. soccer, have been leaders among them.
When we appreciate both women’s and men’s professional sports, we teach our children to value them and support all our kids to dream big—plus, we gain double the fun in terms of games and events to watch. For little soccer players and budding fans of the stars in the Women’s World Cup, picture books about female soccer players are a great fit. These empowering books not only inspire young minds but also foster a deep appreciation for the achievements and determination of women in the world of soccer.
So, whether you have a young soccer aficionado, a future champion in the making, or simply a child that loves great stories, this curated book list is designed to captivate their imaginations and leave a lasting impression. Use these books to celebrate the achievements of female athletes and, hopefully, create a generation of children who believe that they, too, can achieve greatness on and off the field.
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Exposing children to poetry is a fun and impactful way to help them develop into readers. It helps them grasp concepts such as rhyming, alliteration, word families, and more—building their awareness of the sounds that make up words. Poetry can help children develop a love for language, creativity, and self-expression, too.
When it comes to children’s poetry, parents and teachers often reach for classic standbys, from Mother Goose to Shel Silverstein and Jack Prelutsky. These are fun, inventive, and high-quality, but they’re not particularly varied. Just as diversity matters when choosing fiction and nonfiction picture books, it’s also important to seek out diverse poetic voices for our children’s bookshelves.
Black authors have made significant and unique contributions to the world of children’s poetry. These contributions include works that celebrate the beauty of black culture, history, and identity. Children’s poems by black poets allow black children to see themselves centered, celebrated, and heard. And they can support other children to develop empathy, understanding, and appreciation for diversity.
Fall in love with these 10 fabulous children’s poems by black poets and watch your child fall in love, too.
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The famous oceanographer Jacques Cousteau once said, “No aquarium, no tank in a marine land, however spacious it may be, can begin to duplicate the conditions of the sea.” How right he was! The different types of beaches: sandy beaches, pebble beaches, beaches with boardwalks, and isolated beaches. The chance to explore tide pools or build sandcastles. The sound of seagulls crying above the waves, or the pitter-patter of sandpiper feet rushing between waves and wet sand.
Unfortunately, many of us don’t have easy or frequent access to the beach. But we can evoke the majesty of this experience for our children with thoughtfully chosen picture books. Now, there’s no shortage of books about the beach and the ocean, of course, but not all books are created equal. That’s why I’ve rounded up my absolute favorite, high-quality beach picture books for you and your family to enjoy. They explore the sensations we can experience at the beach and encourage curiosity, bravery, and respect for the shore and its visitors (human, plant, and animal).
Read them to get excited about an upcoming beach visit or to take a vacation in your imaginations while snuggled up with your child. No matter how you use them, these kids’ beach books offer oceans of fun.
As a preschool teacher, my classroom is filled with music. If it’s not the latest Disney hit, it’s the sound of us singing at circle time, or the banging of drums made from cereal boxes. It may be noisy, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. Why? Because music is incredible! Many attest to music’s power to help children with motor skills, math, social-emotional skills, creativity, and even literacy. So if you have a little one who’s always ready to turn the volume up and get down to the beat, then this is the book list for you. We’ve got a selection of 12 toe-tapping picture books for kids who love music!
Many parents are surprised to discover wordless picture books. After all, aren’t the words the point? And, indeed, it is important to expose your child to plenty of words and letters (including using books to draw kids’ attention to print).
But pictures-only storybooks also have their own unique benefits, from sparking imagination and encouraging interaction to allowing near-readers to focus on a story without worrying about text. They give early or struggling readers the opportunity to enjoy books independently without the pressure of decoding. Including them as a part of your collection lets your child luxuriate in the joy of story.
Plus, imagining a story together from pictures also naturally promotes an interactive story time, which is tremendously beneficial for kids (and, incidentally, for parents). For best effect, alternate narrating wordless books to your child and inviting them to tell their own versions. Want some help getting started? This guided reading activity demonstrates how to use wordless picture books with your child.
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As Beyoncé put it, “Who run the world? Girls!” From art to science to running a country, women and girls have so many wonderful things to contribute. And positive role models help kids realize just what they and their peers can accomplish. If you’re looking to inspire your children and build out your girl power picture book library, introduce them to these 11 amazing women authors and their lovely children’s books.
Next time you’re on a trip to your local library or hunting for a new bedtime story to snuggle with, remember to check out these fabulous female authors. You never know who they might inspire your children to be!
Who are your favorite female children’s authors? Have a suggestion to include in our list? Let us know!
Teaching kids how to feed themselves and how to live in a community responsibly is the center of an education.
Alice Waters
As we stumble out from the gray skies of winter into the bluer skies of spring, there seems to be a collective moment to pause and notice the awakening of the world around us. Leaves and buds begin to appear on trees, birds build nests, shoots push their way up through soil and between sidewalk cracks. When we take time to notice life waking up to say “hello,” it’s a great opportunity to introduce the idea of growth to our children.
Research shows that children who spend more time positively interacting with nature end up valuing nature more as adults. This may lead them to make stronger choices about recycling, taking alternative modes of transportation, and becoming active in other conservation efforts.
And if you’re looking for a fun way to encourage outdoor time and mindfulness to the miracle of life all around us, picture books about gardening are a fantastic place to start. They teach children about plants and why they grow, and show kids that they can be a part of growing, cultivating, and eating flourishing gardens! Get ready to be inspired (and maybe just a little hungry) after reading these lovely kids’ books about gardening.
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We’ve all heard the phrase “Silence is golden.” Well if that’s true, then the most golden letter of them all has to be silent E!
We often see E at the end of the word, but we don’t pronounce it. That’s silent E. But silent E does more than sit around the ends of words like a bump on a log. It changes whatever vowel comes earlier in the word. The preceding vowel changes from a “short” vowel sound to a “long” vowel sound (meaning the vowel is pronounced as its own name). Here are examples of silent E changing short vowel sounds into the long sounds:
- Hop ⇨ hope
- Kit ⇨ kite
- Can ⇨ cane
- Cod ⇨ code
We grownups read these words without thinking about it. But for kids, this change can really trip them up. So, how to teach silent E? I often describe it to my students with a cute story, like this. “Vowels like to be the most important letter in the word. When silent E shows up, the first vowel wants to let E know that they’re the boss, so they shout their name.” We practice shouting the long vowel sounds together. (Kids love a good excuse to yell.) And then we practice with a few sample silent E words. I stick to words they know the meaning of, like rope, cake, and made.
After that, it’s just a question of practice. But before you pull out the worksheets and flashcards, consider snuggling up on the couch with your child and some good books instead. Below are some awesome picture books that help parents teach silent E and kids practice reading it. Snag some of these, or keep an eye out during story time for silent E words to point out in the books you already have. (Bonus: Print and make our easy Cake in a Cup Read with Me Recipe for more practice with silent E.)
Do you have any favorite books that are great for practicing silent E? Connect on social and let us know!