picture books

7 St. Patrick’s Day picture books to read with your family

Posted on March 3, 2020 by Lindsay Books

I have long loved St. Patrick’s Day because I love green and love an excuse to wear it (since oddly I don’t wear it much otherwise). I’m sure I learned about what the holiday is really about in elementary school, but I admit that I had long forgotten it when I started reading up on it.

My kids and I learned so much about St. Patrick through these books, and we loved reading about leprechauns’ tricks, too. Here are a few picture books to help you ring in St. Patrick’s Day with your family.

Patrick: Patron Saint of Ireland by Tomie DePaola. Yes, he’s known for Strega Nona, but Tomie DePaola has also written several great bios and Irish picture books. If you’re looking for a book that tells all about St. Patrick and why we celebrate him, this is it. It also explains a few of the legends, like St. Patrick casting all the snakes out of Ireland. If only he could have done that in the United States (I’m a little scared of snakes).

How to Trap a Leprechaun by Sue Fliess. I’m not the mom who helps her kids build leprechaun traps or really encourages that, so I was hesitant about picking up this book. Fortunately, it’s got really cute illustrations and shows the kids building these cool traps with rainbow slides and glitter. It’s also more about creativity than the greed of stealing a leprechaun’s gold. Plus it rhymes, so it’s fun to read out loud. Of course, the leprechaun gets away, and the narrator tells you to try again next year.

St. Patrick’s Day in the Morning by Eve Bunting. The vintage-looking illustrations are what make this picture book shine. When parents tell a little boy he’s too young to participate in the St. Patrick’s Day parade, he sets out to prove them wrong and brings his dog with him. Along the way up the hill, he meets people from his village who keep an eye on him and even give him gifts (like an Irish flag) to prove he can go to the top on his own.

Fiona’s Luck by Teresa Bateman. This story captures the magic of Irish folktales and also has stunning illustrations. The leprechaun king has stolen all the good luck from Ireland, and a girl named Fiona decides to outwit him and get it back. I just checked out the audiobook from my library, and the narrator reads it in an Irish brogue. That might be a fun way to introduce your kids to this book, too.

The Leprechaun’s Gold by Pamela Duncan Edwards. I really love folk stories (if they’re done well), and this one about two men competing to be the best harpist in Ireland is so good. When the young man tries to sabotage the old man by breaking his harp string, the old man is rewarded for helping a leprechaun and ends up with more than he ever dreamed. Yes, it’s predictable, but sometimes you want a story where good triumphs over evil.

St. Patrick’s Day Shamrocks by Mary Berendes. Normally I don’t like nonfiction children’s books about holidays because they’re often dry and instantly look dated. This one surprised me and was very engaging. There is one picture that looks straight out of the ’90s with a mom and her son dressed up for a St. Patrick’s Day parade. Other than that, though, it felt classic and was a great way to learn about St. Patrick’s Day traditions and shamrocks. Also? I am in my 30s and somehow never knew the shamrock was a symbol of the Trinity. I’m a little embarrassed (and glad I know now). I couldn’t find this on Amazon to link to it, but your library may have it.

Too Many Leprechauns: Or How that Pot o’ Gold Got to the End of the Rainbow by Stephen Krensky. Finn O’Finnegan comes home to find leprechauns have overrun his village and are making so much noise while making shoes that no one can hear themselves think. He decides to trick them into leaving his village. In the process, you also discover why leprechauns hide their pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. This book was so fun!

Share your favorite St. Patrick’s Day books with me! I still have a few waiting for me at the library, and there’s plenty of time for us to check out more.

10 Valentine’s Day picture books you’ll love

Posted on February 2, 2020 by Lindsay Books

Valentine’s Day kind of gets a bad rap as a “Hallmark holiday” or “Singles Awareness Day.” Honestly, I did not love this holiday after we stopped handing out valentines and candy in grade school and everyone became obsessed with romantic love.

Today, though, it’s one of my favorite holidays! I hang heart banners in the window and decorate with red and pink, and of course I read lots of books about love (though not romantic love) to my kids. For me, it’s a day to celebrate love for my family and friends.

Here are 10 of my favorite books about love for Valentine’s Day!

Love Monster and the Last Chocolate by Rachel Bright. I saw the original Love Monster book on Instagram and checked it and all the sequels out from the library this week — and I have to say that sometimes the sequel is better than the original. In this one, Love Monster returns from a trip to find a box of chocolates on his doorstep and agonizes whether to share them with his friends (because then he might end up with a yucky coffee chocolate). The ending surprised me and was SO sweet. I’m already planning to buy this one for our collection.

Love Is by Diane Adams. I read this adorable book to my kids a few years ago and immediately bought a copy. It’s that cute. A little girl rescues a duckling who got separated from its family and cares for it at home for a while. In the process, she learns how to feed and bathe and take care of it and then has to return it to the park when it grows too big to keep as a pet anymore. The illustrations are absolutely darling, and I love the message about how love is taking care of others.

Mirabel’s Missing Valentines by Janet Lawler. In this sweet book, a timid mouse named Mirabel makes valentines for all the kids in her class and is anxious about delivering them during the school party. Unfortunately, all of the valentines fall through a hole in her backpack as she walks to school, and other people in town pick them up thinking they’re for them. It’s a fun story about how you can brighten someone else’s day with kind words.

Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch by Eileen Spinelli. A lonely man, Mr. Hatch, receives a heart-shaped package filled with candy and tied with a note that says “Somebody loves you!” He has no idea who the package is from, but he starts to be happier just because he knows he has a secret admirer. Of course, there’s a twist and he discovers the mystery behind the package (but it has a happy ending). This is a great one for little kids and helps you have a discussion about how everyone deserves love.

I Heart You by Meg Fleming. I just discovered this book a few weeks ago, and I thought it was appropriate for Valentine’s Day. The rhyming verses talk about different ways to show love (I hide you. / I tease you. / I find you. / I squeeze you.), while the beautiful illustrations show lots of animals with their children. One page finally leads to a little girl and her mother. Little kids will love the rhythm and rhyme and sweet pictures.

Hedgehugs by Steve Wilson. I bought this a few years ago as a gift for a friend who has a pet hedgehog, but then I ended up loving it and buying my own copy. Two hedgehogs, Horace and Hattie, love to play together but have realized that they can’t hug each other because it’s just too poky. As the seasons pass, they try different tactics like covering themselves in leaves to soften their sharp quills, but nothing quite works. The solution they come up with is SO cute. I also like this because I’m trying to teach my kids that not everyone likes hugs and it’s OK to not have a hug if you don’t feel comfortable.

Plant a Kiss by Amy Krouse Rosenthal. My kids absolutely LOVE this book, and I do, too. A little girl plants a kiss in the ground, and then it sprouts and grows lots of sparkly glitter — which, of course, is raised, touchable glitter that you have to run your hands over. The kiss grows and spreads love to everyone! I love all of Amy Krouse Rosenthal’s books AND Peter H. Reynolds’ illustrations, and this is a match made in heaven.

My Heart by Corinna Luyken. Have I mentioned that I really like children’s books that help kids understand and process their feelings? Only all the time, I know. But this one has stunning illustrations and rhyming text all about the emotions your heart feels. It’s also a great way to tell your child that they’ll be angry and hurt and even heartbroken sometimes, but their heart can heal and open up again. This one is on my kids’ bookshelf, and the cover always makes me smile.

Love by Stacy McAnulty. This book has beautiful illustrations of people of all different colors and sizes and talks about the many different ways to show love, like giving someone flowers, sharing video phone calls with a parent overseas in the military, speaking in sign language, and cooking dinner together. I love all the diversity in this book and the message that love (and life) isn’t perfect.

The Day It Rained Hearts by Felicia Bond. This book is nearly 40 years old, and yet somehow I never read it as a child. One day, it rains hearts, and a little girl catches them and realizes they would be perfect to use for making valentines. She decorates the hearts and sends them to her animal friends! The pictures are adorable, and fans of If You Give a Mouse a Cookie will recognize this author and illustrator.

I want to hear your favorite books about love (or Valentine’s Day specifically). Any great ones you read each year?

The 10 best picture books of 2019

Posted on January 1, 2020 by Lindsay Books

I read at least 500 picture books to my kids in 2019, mainly because I was trying to meet the 1,000 books before kindergarten challenge I discovered about a month before they started kindergarten.

While I don’t plan to replicate this in 2020, I do try to keep an eye on new releases and check them out from the library. 2019 had some fantastic new releases, and some even made their way to our bookshelf (a big deal, since I don’t buy a lot of books). Here are my picks for the 10 best picture books published in 2019.

Saturday by Oge Mora. I have loved Oge Mora’s illustrations since reading Thank You, Omu! in 2018, and this book is just as beautiful. It’s about a girl and her mom who have a special routine on Saturday, the only day the mom doesn’t work. When everything goes wrong, they find a way to be optimistic and still have a great day together.

Just Like Rube Goldberg: The Incredible True Story of the Man Behind the Machines by Sarah Aaronson. I am not always a fan of nonfiction picture books, because some of them include way too much detail and simply aren’t in a good format for kids. This book was AMAZING. My kids and I loved looking at the hilarious machines Goldberg came up with and learning more about his life. I had no idea he was a cartoonist!

A Boy Like You by Frank Murphy. Yes, I included this in the list of books I gave my kids for Christmas, but it’s definitely in my 2019 top 10 list. There are far too few empowering books for boys out there, and I love the messages and illustrations in this one. Buy it for your kids!

Unicorn Day by Diana Murray. I have been on a quest to find unicorn books for my daughter, who absolutely loves them. This one is SO great. It has fun, colorful pictures of unicorns and a fantastic rhyme scheme that begs to be read aloud. It’s also a story of friendship and acceptance when the unicorns discover an impostor at their party.

The Proudest Blue: A Story of Hijab and Family by Ibtihaj Muhammad. I saw this on Amazon as an upcoming release and waited for months for it to come to my library. It was worth the wait. This story about a girl who watches her sister wear her hijab to school for the first time beautifully illustrates a part of Islam. It also shows the relationship between siblings and students. I really loved this book.

Maybe: A Story About the Endless Potential in All of Us by Kobi Yamada. You have probably seen other inspiring Kobi Yamada books out there, but I think this is his best. It’s about how each person is here at this time for a reason and that we all have limitless potential. The illustrations are also stunning and go along perfectly with the text.

Tallulah Plays the Tuba by Tiffany Stone. Somehow this book escaped notice when it was published. It only has four reviews on Amazon! I laughed and laughed while reading this story about a tiny girl who really wants to play the tuba and won’t take no for an answer when everyone keeps telling her she is too small to hold it. It’s hilarious, but it’s also got a great message about determination.

Ruby Finds a Worry by Tom Percival. Have you noticed a theme for this year? Apparently I really like books that help kids understand and process feelings. I LOVED this story about a little girl and the Worry (who looks like a colorful blob) that follows her around until she learns to talk about it. This would be such a great addition to any classroom.

Between Us and Abuela: A Family Story from the Border by Mitali Perkins. There were so many diverse books released this year, and I loved reading them with my kids! This one tells the story of a family visiting their grandmother on the border of California and Mexico for Christmas. Apparently there is a celebration that allows families to meet for a few minutes along the border when they can’t pass into each others’ countries. When the kids realize they can’t give their grandma their gift through the border, they find a unique way to get it to her. This is a sad story but also a hopeful one. It’s a great way to start talking to your kids about immigration.

How to Walk a Dump Truck by Peter Pearson. If you have a vehicle-lover in your house, this quirky book about kids that have a dump truck for a pet will be delightful. My son kept looking at this over and over when we got it from the library, and I ended up buying it for Christmas. Who doesn’t like pictures of dump trucks on a leash and eating nuts and bolts for dinner?

Give me your favorite picture book recommendations! We’re headed to the library this week for something new now that Christmas is over.

7 picture books my kids are getting for Christmas

Posted on December 12, 2019 by Lindsay Books

Can you believe there are just two weeks left until Christmas? December is flying by. Fortunately, I really only have to get gifts for my husband (the hardest person to shop for) and my in-laws and parents, so I’m feeling good about that.

One way I keep the stress low when buying Christmas gifts is stocking up on picture books throughout the year and saving them until Christmas. We check out A LOT of books from the library, and I keep an eye on the ones my kids absolutely loved. Then I order them from Amazon, Barnes and Noble or eBay (yes, I even buy gently used books as gifts) when they’re on sale and keep the stack in my closet until December.

Whether you need some last-minute gift ideas or just want some non-Christmas books to break up all the Santa stories right now, here’s the list of books my kids are actually getting for Christmas.

The Pigeon HAS to Go to School by Mo Willems. My kids love all of the Pigeon books (and they’re funny for adults, too), so I ordered this from the book order way back in the summer and quietly slipped it away for Christmas without them noticing. This one was also a great read for this year, since my kids just started kindergarten.

Three Cheers for Kid McGear by Sherri Duskey Rinker. If you have a truck- and vehicle-lover in the house, you’ll love the newest book from Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site author Sherri Duskey Rinker. When I bought this book, though, I actually didn’t realize that the skid steer is female! It’s a subtle but important way to make it clear that girls love trucks and tractors just like boys do. Bonus: Somehow this book is only $7.99 right now on Amazon, which is WAY less than I paid!

Miss Lina’s Ballerinas by Grace Maccarone. My daughter has been in ballet for a year and adores dancing, and she really liked this cute book about what happens when a ninth ballerina throws off all the pairs (spoiler alert: they learn to work together). The illustrations are darling and remind me of the Madeleine books.

Be Kind by Pat Zietlow Miller. We talk about kindness all the time in our home, and this book explains why it can be hard to be kind and child-friendly ways to help other people. I really like the pictures and the simple text, and my kids liked this one, too.

Dear Girl, by Amy Krouse Rosenthal. We read this one a while back, but I decided we needed to add it to our library this year. I love the empowering messages for girls and inspiring words about being yourself. I did NOT like the version for boys, written after Rosenthal’s death (which is probably the problem), so my next pick is…

A Boy Like You by Frank Murphy. I nearly cried when I read this book, because THIS is the story I wanted to write for my own son. Frank Murphy is an elementary school teacher, and his message is that you don’t have to be brave or put on a face all the time. He also empowers boys to be themselves and figure out what they’re good at, because the world needs them as they are. This really is such a beautiful book that I have been waiting for.

How to Walk a Dump Truck by Peter Pearson. This quirky book about kids that have a dump truck for a pet delighted both my kids, but especially my son. Since he hasn’t been as interested in reading as his sister (though he’s improved a lot this year), I really want to get books that grab his attention. This one made us all laugh.

Do you like to give your kids books for Christmas? I want to hear what’s going under your tree this year!

Christmas picture book advent: 24 books you’ll love

Posted on November 28, 2019 by Lindsay Books

One of my favorite Christmas traditions is reading a different Christmas picture book every night. My husband and I wrap up all our books a few days before December starts and put them under the tree, and then our kids take turns picking what they want to open.

After Christmas, all the books go back into the Christmas decoration box, so it makes it extra special to pull them out just once a year. Each year, I’ve been weeding out some of the more childish ones as my kids get older (Pete the Cat Saves Christmas didn’t make it, for example), and of course there are always some new books I love.

Whether you want to do a Christmas picture book advent or just want some great books to read with your children this season, I hope you find this list helpful! Here are 24 Christmas books to check out.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss. It’s a classic for a reason, and last I checked, it was only $9 for a sparkly hardcover on Amazon. My whole family loves this one and the classic cartoon.

When Santa Was a Baby by Linda Bailey. This cute book about what Santa was like as a kid (and how he ended up becoming Santa) has darling illustrations and a sweet story.

I Spy: Christmas by Walter Wick. What kid doesn’t like to find hidden pictures? This holiday-themed I Spy book is really fun to look at and has the most detailed photographs. It’s also the only I Spy book we own (why, I don’t know), so it’s extra-special when we pull it out for Christmas.

The Christmas Train by Thomas S. Monson. A retold story from my church’s former president, this sweet tale about a boy who is reluctant to share with another boy in need has become a favorite in our home. My son loves trains, so he particularly likes the illustrations of the electric train.

The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg. The illustrations make this story absolutely magical. I always hoped that a train would come pick me up as a child on Christmas Eve, and jingle bells remind me of this beautiful book. Also, we always skip the movie. Tom Hanks’ multiple characters were a bit too kooky for me.

Red and Lulu by Matt Tavares. I seriously stopped in my tracks when I read this gorgeous book for the first time. It’s about two birds who end up finding each other again after their tree is cut down to be used as the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree in New York City. The illustrations are stunning.

The Christmas Wish by Lori Evert. My dad served a mission for our church in Norway 40 years ago, and my family has long had an appreciation for Nordic culture and Christmas traditions. This story is told through amazing photographs of a little girl and her reindeer and always makes me want to live in Norway.

A Pirate’s Night Before Christmas by Philip Yates. A friend recommended this book last year, and I immediately bought it after we checked it out from the library. It is SO GOOD. The rhyming text is spot-on, and you’ll love seeing what the pirates hope Santa will bring them for Christmas. Bonus: You have to read this in a pirate voice. The text just begs it.

The 12 Sleighs of Christmas by Sherri Duskey Rinker. If you have a vehicle-lover in your home, you’ll love this book by the author of Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site. Santa’s sleigh is broken, so his elves come up with lots of different designs for a new sleigh. My son adores this book.

Pick a Pine Tree by Patricia Toht. I love this cute book about a family that picks out their Christmas tree together and then decorates it. The rhyming text is fun, and the illustrations are just beautiful. This author and illustrator also collaborated on my new favorite Halloween book, Pick a Pumpkin.

The Berenstain Bears Meet Santa Bear by Stan and Jan Berenstain. I grew up reading this one and still love it. Sister Bear is concerned about how Santa Bear will get down their chimney and how many gifts she should ask for. In the end, she learns that Christmas is about giving, not receiving.

Mr. Willowby’s Christmas Tree by Robert Barry . This is one of my favorites! When the Christmas tree is too tall for Mr. Willowby’s home, the butler chops it off and a bunch of people and animals keep chopping off the top of the tree to make it fit in their own homes. It’s a classic you’ll want to own.

Santa Claus: The World’s Number One Toy Expert by Marla Frazee. I absolutely adore Marla Frazee’s illustrations, and this book is darling. It explains how Santa picks out toys for all the kids and delivers them. Such a sweet book!

The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey by Susan Wojciechowski. If you have small children (probably younger than 4), you may want to wait to read this one to them, since it requires a longer attention span. It’s about a gruff carpenter who makes friends with a widow and her young son and begins carving a nativity for them. The pictures are beautiful, and the story is such a great reminder about why we celebrate Christmas.

Construction Site on Christmas Night by Sherri Duskey Rinker. Clearly we are big fans of this author, since this is the second book by her on the list. My son just loves all things tractors and trucks, and the rhyming text and fun illustrations make this a great one. All of the trucks and tractors work together to build a new home for the fire engines before Christmas.

Llama Llama Holiday Drama by Anna Dewdney. I love all of the Llama Llama books, but this one is such a great way to talk to kids about having patience while they wait for Christmas to come — and a gentle reminder to parents that the holidays can be overwhelming for little ones.

The Night Before Christmas illustrated by P.J. Lynch. You can find a bunch of different versions of this classic poem, but I immediately bought this one from our local bookstore when I saw that P.J. Lynch illustrated it. He also illustrated The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey listed above, and I love his work.

The Little Reindeer by Nicola Killen. We LOVE all of Nicola Killen’s animal friend books (we also have her Easter and Halloween stories), and this one has beautiful illustrations and a cute story about finding a lost reindeer in the woods. Bonus: The pages have foil, and there are cut-outs!

Snowmen at Christmas by Caralyn Buehner. I wish snowmen really did come alive and have parties at night the way they do in this book (and the other ones in the series). The illustrations make it look so fun!

The Berenstain Bears’ Christmas Tree by Stan and Jan Berenstain. There is actually an updated version of this book that apparently isn’t as good as the original, so make sure you buy/check out the one published in 1980. In this story, Papa and the cubs go out to find the perfect Christmas tree in the woods, even though Mama suggested they just get a tree from the nearby lot. It ends up snowing and they come back empty-handed, only to find that there are no Christmas trees left. Luckily, all the woodland creatures have banded together and decorated their treehouse for Christmas to say thank you for not cutting down the trees where they live.

The Princess and the Christmas Rescue by Caryl Hart. All of Caryl Hart’s books are cute, and I love the message of friendship and acceptance in this one. Princess Eliza is bored all alone in her castle, and then she stumbles upon the elves, who are backed up and not going to get the Christmas gifts out in time. She figures out faster ways of making the toys and makes a bunch of new friends in the process.

The Day Santa Stopped Believing in Harold by Maureen Fergus. This is an off-beat Christmas book about how Santa and a boy named Harold stop believing the other exists. On Christmas morning, however, they both get the surprise of their lives. This story is so funny and charming at the same time!

Silent Night by Lara Hawthorne. If you want a peaceful book that reminds you of Christ’s birth, this is it. Lara Hawthorne’s gorgeous illustrations perfectly complement the lyrics from the hymn “Silent Night,” and you’ll finish this book with more appreciation for Mary and Joseph. I just discovered Lara Hawthorne also illustrated Twelve Days of Christmas. I’m adding that to our collection.

The Nutcracker illustrated by Valeria Docampo. I wanted a whimsical, pretty version of this classic story for my little kids, and this one fits the bill. My daughter and I have begun going to the Nutcracker ballet each year, too, so I love to read this before we go.

Your turn! What are your favorite Christmas books? Do you do a Christmas picture book advent?

8 Thanksgiving picture books you’ll love

Posted on November 15, 2019 by Lindsay Books

Ah, Thanksgiving. This is basically the only time of year when I eat pie, and you can bet I’m looking forward to it — and my mom’s famous marshmallow-topped yams.

While I’m all about celebrating holidays with themed books, I don’t ever remember reading Thanksgiving books as a kid and only read a few of them to my own kids last year. Therefore, we plowed through a ton of Thanksgiving books to find options that were fun (there are a lot of dumb turkey books out there), touched on gratitude, and explained the history of the holiday. I hope you and your family enjoy our Thanksgiving picks and can snag some from the library before the big day!

Giving Thanks: A Native American Good Morning Message by Chief Jake Swamp. This stunning book is written and illustrated by Native Americans and shares a traditional Thanksgiving address still given by the Iroquois at ceremonial events. It’s not technically about the Thanksgiving holiday as we know it, but it’s about giving gratitude to the earth for everything we have.

A Plump and Perky Turkey by Teresa Bateman. My kids and I laughed at this story about a smart turkey who outwits an entire town trying to find him and eat him for Thanksgiving. The illustrator gave the turkey the best facial expressions, and the rhyming text is fun to read aloud. I also just discovered that the author was born in the same city I was and that we attended the same college. How cool is that?

The Memory Cupboard: A Thanksgiving Story by Charlotte Herman. This sweet book is about a girl who accidentally breaks a family heirloom during Thanksgiving dinner at her grandma’s house. Instead of scolding her, Grandma teaches her that family is most important. We loved this one!

Balloons over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy’s Parade by Melissa Sweet. If you buy just one Thanksgiving book this year, make it this one. We read it last year, and I can still remember the bright, colorful illustrations and the amazing story of the puppeteer who started the tradition of giant balloons in the Thanksgiving Day parade.

One Little, Two Little, Three Little Pilgrims by B.G. Hennessy. This is a counting book geared to younger kids, but older kids will have fun listening to it, too. My 5-year-olds really liked the illustrations and the rhythm of the text (I sang it to the tune of “Ten Little Indians,” but you could just read it). It describes life for both the pilgrims and the Wampanoag tribe in a simple way that kids can understand.

Apple Cake: A Gratitude by Dawn Casey. You could read this book anytime, but I think it’s perfect for fall and Thanksgiving. A little girl says thank you for lots of different things, like farmers, eggs and milk, and the illustrations are adorable. At the end, you discover she is thankful for all the ingredients that go into an apple cake, and then there’s a recipe on the back page. This book was absolutely darling!

Sarah Gives Thanks: How Thanksgiving Became a National Holiday by Mike Allegra. There’s actually another book about Sarah Hale called Thank You, Sarah: The Woman Who Saved Thanksgiving that is great, too, but I preferred this one because it offered more insights into Sarah’s life and the illustrations were more accessible for younger kids. It explains how it took 38 years for Sarah Hale to get the president to make Thanksgiving an official holiday. There are a lot of interesting details here!

I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Pie by Alison Jackson. The illustrations and fun rhyme and rhythm make this book a winner. I even found myself chuckling as the old lady swallowed a giant cooking pot after turkey, pie, cider, and other various Thanksgiving foods. The “swallowed a fly” books are not always my favorite, but this one is hilarious.

Share your favorite Thanksgiving books with me! I’m on the hunt for even more great options for this season.

How to score children’s audiobooks under $2

Posted on October 23, 2019 by Lindsay Books

I recently professed my love for audiobooks and listed a few of my favorites for adults (with a few kids’ chapter books mixed in). Now, however, my kids have become completely obsessed with the audio versions of their favorite picture books and ask to listen to them ALL THE TIME in the car. Here’s a quick tutorial on buying books from Audible (you don’t’ have to subscribe!) and a list of our favorites — all under $2.

Buying individual books from Audible

You’ve all seen the commercials for Audible or have at least heard of it and know it’s an audiobook subscription service. What you might not know is that you can buy audiobooks from Audible without a subscription — or you can buy them individually without using your monthly credit.

Amazon owns Audible, so you can search Amazon for your favorite books and buy audiobooks directly through Amazon. When you look at a book product page, you’ll usually see hardcover, paperback, Kindle (ebook) or Audible versions. Click on the Audible version, and it’ll give you an individual price or allow you to use a credit if you’re an Audible member.

Once you buy your audiobook, just download the free Audible app, create an account (or sign in with your Amazon account), and all the audiobooks you’ve bought will appear in your library. Then you can download them straight to your phone and listen to them anywhere.

Bonus: If you have an Amazon Echo Dot, you can ask Alexa to play your audiobooks in any room! Grab the physical copy of the book (if you have it), plop your kids down on the couch, and let them flip through it while the book plays over the speaker. It’s a fantastic way to help your kids recognize the words and learn to read or just entertain them while they’re playing with something else.

Five favorite children’s audiobooks under $2

The Three Little Pigs by James Marshall. My kids have listened to this at least 20 times, and this is the first one they ask for in the car. If you only buy one book, buy this one. The narrator is fantastic and does an amazing wolf voice. He even wheezes convincingly when he’s trying to blow down the house. I laugh every time he says “Colossal!” Just buy this one. Trust me.

Miss Nelson is Missing by Harry Allard. If you haven’t read this classic about a teacher who teaches her class to behave by disguising herself as the evil Ms. Viola Swamp, you’re in for a treat. My kids always ask to listen to this one, and it’s fun to relive a book I loved as a child.

Caps for Sale by Esphyr Slobodkina. I don’t ever remember reading this one when I was little, but my kids have loved it ever since their teacher read it to them at preschool. If you’re not familiar with the story, a bunch of monkeys steal the caps from a peddler while he naps under a tree. He tricks them into giving them back when he realizes they imitate everything he does.

Red Riding Hood by James Marshall. Many of James Marshall’s books are really affordable on Audible, and this one is just as fun as The Three Little Pigs. The narrator is great, especially with Granny’s voice, and my kids love that Red Riding Hood and Granny jump back out of the wolf’s tummy when the woodcutter comes because the wolf “didn’t even bother to chew.”

Strega Nona by Tomie de Paola. I loved this book as a kid, and I’m delighted that this is also one of my kids’ favorites. The narrator does all the voices (the surprised nun voice always makes me laugh), and the Italian music playing in the background and bubbling sounds from the pasta pot make it even more special. We listen to this one a lot.

There are many other classic audiobooks available on Amazon/Audible, but these are the ones currently on repeat. They are absolutely worth the money, too. Where else can you spend $10 and get instructional entertainment for your kids that you’ll love, too?

Do you buy Audible audiobooks for your kids? I want to hear your favorites!

13 picture books for Halloween

Posted on October 2, 2019 by Lindsay Books

I enjoy Halloween, but I think I enjoy anticipating it more than I do the actual holiday. The decorations come out at the beginning of October (fall still has to have its time to shine), the playlist of spooky songs is on repeat, and I started a tradition of reading 13 picture books to my kids to celebrate Halloween.

Some of these books actually stay on our shelves year-round because they’re not Halloween-specific, while others get tucked away in the bin on November 1 to enjoy the next year. You can start early in the month on your countdown or do it more as an advent with just 13 days left until Halloween. No matter how you do it, these picture books will help you get in the mood for Oct. 31. I wrote this post later with even MORE Halloween books!

Pick a Pumpkin by Patricia Toht

This book was released in July, and I actually preordered it and got it then because I just KNEW it would be good, thanks to her first book Pick a Pine Tree (also with illustrator Jarvis). It did not disappoint. The story follows a family who picks out pumpkins at a pumpkin patch, carves them into jack-o-lanterns, and then dresses up for Halloween. The illustrations are stunning, and I love the diversity of skin tones in this book! This one would look so pretty displayed on a themed book shelf for the season.

The Berenstain Bears Trick or Treat by Stan and Jan Berenstain

You probably read this as a kid, along with all the other books in the series, but this Berenstain Bears book was always one of my favorites. Brother and Sister Bear dress up and go trick-or-treating with their friends, but they’re afraid to go to Old Miz McGrizz’s home because of the rumors about her. It ends with a message about how appearances can be deceiving. While I don’t think I’d ever let my kids trick-or-treat on their own, I still think this is a classic (and my kids love it, too).

Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson

The same duo that created The Gruffalo (which I LOVE) is responsible for this fun rhyming story about a witch who keeps losing things while she’s flying, like her hairbow, her hat, and her wand. Animals help her find them when she lands, and then they keep climbing aboard her broom for a ride. There’s also a cute animated cartoon of this available on Amazon Prime, so if your kids like the book, they can watch it come to life on screen.

How to Make Friends with a Ghost by Rebecca Green

I just discovered this book a couple weeks ago, and it is delightful. Written in the same vein as Dragons Love Tacos or How to Give Your Cat a Bath: In Five Easy Steps, this faux self-help book explains how to make a ghost feel comfortable, what to feed it, how to take care of it, and what to do as you get older and your ghost stays the same. The illustrations are adorable, and I love that it takes something scary like a ghost and makes it seem like caring for a pet.

Snowmen at Halloween by Caralyn Buehner

If you’re familiar with the other Snowmen books, this one follows the same format. Some kids make snowmen when snow falls early before Halloween, and then the snowmen come to life and do crazy and fun things to celebrate the holiday together. It’s fun to look at these pictures with your kids and see the snowmen dressed up in costumes and bobbing for apples. Also, we own several of the Snowmen books, and I somehow missed the fact that there’s a mouse hidden on every page! Bonus: If you have school-age kids, this book is on sale right now in the book order.

Bonaparte Falls Apart by Margery Cuyler

Skeletons can’t be cute, right? Wrong! At least Bonaparte, the skeleton in this book, is absolutely adorable. He keeps falling apart and losing different bones (it sounds creepy, but I promise it’s not), and he’s worried about going to school for the first time. Luckily, his friends have some ideas about how to help him stay together.

The Biggest Pumpkin Ever by Steven Kroll

This author has several books like this one for holidays, but this story about two mice taking care of the same pumpkin is so sweet. One mouse wants to enter the pumpkin in a contest, while the other just wants to carve it into a giant jack-o-lantern for Halloween. They both carefully water the pumpkin, even giving it sugar water, and make sure it has the right soil, and neither knows the other one exists — until they discover each other putting blankets over the pumpkin to keep it warm.

Ghosts in the House! by Kazuno Kohara

I was blown away by this book when I first checked it out a few years ago. A witch moves into a haunted house, but she isn’t afraid of the ghosts living there. Instead, she finds creative ways to put the ghosts to use, like hanging one as a curtain, using another as a tablecloth, and putting one on the bed like a sheet. The entire book is orange and black with translucent white ghosts on the pages, and the color scheme just makes the story pop.

The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything by Linda Williams

When a little old lady goes out for a walk one night, she starts to hear strange noises and see various articles of clothing walking behind her. They all keep building on each other to create a sort of ghost/monster, but she is NOT afraid of it and has some tricks up her sleeve. This book has a great rhythm to it and is so fun to read out loud!

Sir Simon: Super Scarer by Cale Atkinson

This quirky book caught me off-guard when I checked it out last week, because I was NOT expecting it to be so funny! Simon, the ghost who narrates the story, explains that professional scarers have “ghost chores” they have to do, like flushing the toilet in the middle of the night, making floors creak, and slamming doors. Then, when a grandma and her grandson move into his house, he realizes he can enlist the boy’s help in doing some of his ghost chores. The illustrations and dialogue in this book are so great.

Ten Orange Pumpkins by Stephen Savage

While this is a basic counting book in which one pumpkin disappears in a different way on every page, the illustrations are so engaging that even parents will like this book. The numbers are bold throughout the book, and Savage uses bright colors and a minimalist style to bring the story to life. Your kids will be engaged by the rhymes and the pictures.

The Scariest Book Ever by Bob Shea

I will be honest and say that I’m not normally a Bob Shea fan, because his books are always too weird for me. However, I do like this one a lot. The ghost narrating the story is nervous about everything and warning you not to turn the page because any number of things might be waiting. Of course, when you turn the page, there are neon colors and charming woodland creatures, and treats and doughnuts. Also, the ghost spills orange juice on his white sheet, so then he’s translucent through the rest of the book, and I just love the texture and his facial expressions. This one is goofy, but give it a try.

What Was I Scared Of? by Dr. Seuss

Somehow I missed this classic Dr. Seuss book when I was a kid, but I still love it as an adult. The narrator is terrified by a pair of pants walking around with no one inside them, but the pants are ALSO afraid of him. Make sure to get the version with glow-in-the-dark pictures. The pants glow on every page when you shine a flashlight on them, and it’s so fun to look at the book with your kids.

Now it’s your turn! What are your favorite Halloween books? Do you read the same books to your kids each year?

10 fall picture books your kids will love

Posted on September 23, 2019 by Lindsay Books

It’s the first day of my FAVORITE season, fall! As much as I like Halloween, I like to decorate for and celebrate fall first, and I also love reading picture books about this beautiful time of year. Adults, don’t worry: I’ve got a post with recommendations for novels coming soon. Here are 10 of my favorite fall picture books to check out:

Sophie’s Squash by Pat Zietlow Miller

I checked this book out for my kids a couple years ago and IMMEDIATELY bought it, something I never do (minimalist problems). This story about a little girl who gets a squash from the farmer’s market and turns it into a pet is hilarious and heartwarming at the same time. We read it year-round, but it’s perfect for autumn.

Too Many Pumpkins by Linda White

This is a classic about a woman who hates pumpkins because she ate too many as a child when her family was poor. Of course, when a huge pumpkin gets smashed in her yard and spreads seeds everywhere in her yard, she can’t ignore the gourds growing all over the place. I love the message about making the most of an unpleasant situation and serving others in the process.

Leaves by David Ezra Stein

The adorable illustrations make this simple book about a bear confused by the falling leaves special. It’s a great way to show little kids how seasons change, but the colors are also vibrant and beautiful.

Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn by Kenard Pak

If Kenard Pak’s name is on a book, you can bet I will check it out. This one has stunning illustrations and follows a little girl with a red scarf who walks through nature saying hello to every animal and plant she sees. They all answer her and explain how they’re changing for the fall season. If you like this one, check out his book Goodbye Autumn, Hello Winter.

Yellow Time by Lauren Stringer

Can you tell I’m enamored with beautiful illustrations yet? I just checked this book out last week and loved the story about kids and animals who celebrate autumn in different ways. The book also has pictures in varying shades of yellow and orange and has a vintage feel to it that I love.

The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost (illustrated by Vivian Mineker)

Who doesn’t think of Robert Frost poems during the fall? I often have “Nothing Gold Can Stay” running through my head when the leaves change color. This brand-new picture book has gorgeous illustrations that bring new meaning to “The Road Not Taken” and help kids understand the poetry. I may be buying this one for our collection.

Autumn Leaves by Ken Robbins

This book features beautiful photographs of autumn leaves from 13 different trees. I actually learned a lot from this book and was fascinated by all the facts it includes. If you have really small children, you can skip over the detail and just let them look at the pictures. I think it would be fun to bring leaves from your own neighborhood in and compare them to the ones in the book.

Storm by Sam Usher

I love Sam Usher’s series of weather-themed books, and this one is set in autumn. A little boy and his grandfather look outside at the windy day and decide it’s the perfect time to fly a kite. They search through the house for it and finally find it and have an adventure flying it together. It’s a really simple story, but I love the relationship between the boy and his grandfather.

Tap the Magic Tree by Christie Matheson

Technically this book is about all seasons, but books about trees often make me think of autumn — and falling leaves is a natural time to talk to your kids about why the weather and trees are changing. I love the interactive nature of this story. You shake the book, tap pages, and even “blow” the leaves off the tree. It’s fun to read aloud.

Leaf Man by Lois Ehlert

At first glance, this book just looks like a collection of leaf photographs — but when you look closer, you see that the leaves are cleverly arranged to look like different animals, vegetables, insects, plants, and even trees. This is a quick read, but you’ll love seeing how creatively the leaves come together.

I’m always on the lookout for new fall books, and I have several on hold at the library I can’t wait to read. What are your favorites?

10 great picture books to read aloud

Posted on August 29, 2019 by Lindsay Books

I had several friends ask for a list of the 1,000 books we read before kindergarten. However, I decided to break it down into smaller posts instead for several reasons:

I wouldn’t recommend ALL of the books we read. Some of them weren’t great, and I don’t want you to pick up a poorly written book if I can help it.
Do you really want to scroll through a list of 1,000 books and try to find them at the library? The answer is no. You don’t. I also don’t want you to print off a list of 1,000 books and roam the shelves in confusion.
You could easily plow through 10 picture books in a week. Breaking it down makes reading to your child more manageable, because you absolutely could read one or two books to your child each day.

I am really picky when it comes to picture books. If the rhyme scheme is off or it’s trying too hard to be goofy/funny/different, it’s off the table. Here’s my list of books I enjoyed reading aloud to my kids — and it’s in alphabetical order by author’s last name, just in case you do want to search the shelves while you’re waiting for your library holds to come in.

No Sleep for the Sheep by Karen Beaumont. I immediately bought this book online when we read it the first time, which says a lot. Poor Sheep just wants to sleep, but the other farm animals keep coming to the barn and making noise. You’ll be able to quote this book when your kids won’t go to sleep, and everyone in the house will be laughing while you read it.
Little Excavator by Anna Dewdney. This is currently my son’s favorite book. Written by the author of the popular Llama Llama books (which I also recommend), this story has the same rhythm and easy-to-read rhyme scheme, and the pictures are darling. Who doesn’t love a tale about an underdog that saves the day?
The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson. To protect himself from being eaten, a mouse tells all the creatures he meets about a scary “gruffalo” he’s about to have lunch with. This book is SO fun to read aloud, and I adore the illustrations.
You Don’t Want a Unicorn by Ame Dyckman. This one is on the weirder side, all about the hazards of owning a unicorn you don’t know about (they poop cupcakes, for example). Yet its goofiness is endearing, and the pictures (and the fact that it directly addresses the reader) make it even better.
The Seven Silly Eaters by Mary Ann Hoberman. I count this as one of my top 10 favorite children’s books. Easily. Any mother whose kids won’t eat what she makes will relate to this book about Mrs. Peters, who has to make different foods for each of her seven children every day. One of them only eats applesauce, for example, while another only likes milk. Marla Frazee is also one of the BEST illustrators, in my opinion, and her pictures make this story pop.
The Bad Seed by Jory John. I admit that when I first picked this book up after seeing it everywhere, I skimmed through it and went What? When I actually took the time to read it, I loved the subtle message about how everyone can change and no one should be stuck being a “bad seed.” It’s an interesting book to discuss with your kids, and the illustrations make it fun.
Library Lion by Michelle Knudsen. Even though this was published 13 years ago, I just discovered it this year when a blogger posted a picture of her reading it to her daughter’s class. This sweet story is about a lion who comes to the library but gets in trouble for roaring when they’ve told him to be quiet. There’s a gentle message about how sometimes you need to break the rules to help someone (and that libraries don’t always need to be quiet).
I Need My Monster by Amanda Noll. My mom actually gave us this book years ago, and it’s been well-loved and read many times. In a fun twist, the boy in this story realizes he needs the monster who normally lives under his bed to help him go to sleep. When his monster leaves unexpectedly for the night, other monsters audition for the role — but they’re just not the same.
Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Rubin. I loved this book so much I actually used it as a theme for my kids’ fourth birthday. The dragons love tacos and eat boatloads of them (seriously — the illustrations even show this), but if they have any spicy salsa, it gives them the tummy troubles and they breathe fire. You can probably guess where this is going. I laugh every time I read this with my kids.
Creepy Carrots by Aaron Reynolds. This funny book won the Caldecott medal, and it absolutely deserves it. The illustrations only include varying shades of grey, white, and orange and perfectly complement the story about a bunny being pursued by creepy carrots. My kids often ask for this one (and the companion book, Creepy Pair of Underwear, is just as good).

Have you read these? Share your favorites in the comments!

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Lindsay

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