Safe Book Reviews
Bear and Bird
Bear and Bird are the sweetest of friends—kind, brave, gentle, and full of joy. Together they set off on adventures (and the occasional misadventure!) that
One More Try and The Perfect Fit
Here are 2 shape-filled books about friendship, cooperation, kindness, and belonging. In The Perfect Fit, a triangle tries to find other shapes exactly like itself.
A Bear Grylls Adventure 4: The Sea Challenge
If you can get your hands on this series by Bear Grylls, grab a copy! Unfortunately, they’re no longer being printed, which makes them a
Esme!
Finding very early illustrated chapter books can be a challenge. They sit in that tricky space between picture books and longer chapter books, where stories
I Promise
This children’s picture book, “I Promise” by David McPhail (Little, Brown and Company), paired with a soft teddy bear, makes a thoughtful and timeless gift
Ellie Has A Secret
This is a wonderful story to share with your kids at home or in the classroom—especially at the start of a new school year. Ellie
School is Coming
Meet Martin, a lovable little bear who’s just about to begin school. He isn’t quite sure he’s ready, but with gentle encouragement from his mom,
Wherever You Go, I Want You To Know…
Are you looking for the Christian version of Oh The Places You’ll Go? I found it in Wherever You Go, I Want You To Know…
The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy
Over the past year, I’ve read some truly wonderful chapter books, and this one easily ranks in my top five favorites. The Penderwicks: A Summer
Little Helper, Big Imagination
Encouraging your little one as a helper can transform the way they see chores, turning them into fun and meaningful moments. Little Helper, Big Imagination
The Leaf Detective: How Margaret Lowman Uncovered Secrets in the Rainforest
Introduce your family to The Leaf Detective: How Margaret Lowman Uncovered Secrets in the Rainforest by Heather Lang, illustrated by Jana Christy for Calkins Creek
Polly and the Screen Time Overload
Books can be wonderful tools for parents and caregivers to start meaningful conversations with their kids—especially about tough topics. One subject that can stir up
Best Buddies
Do you have a reluctant reader at home? If your child is just beginning to build reading fluency, the Best Buddies series by Vicky Fang
The Jesus Storybook Bible
Ash Wednesday is March 5th, which starts Lent. Whether you traditionally observe Lent or not, I have a fun idea for preparing your heart for
Bears Make the Best Math Buddies
How perfect is it to pair our counting bears with Bears Make the Best Math Buddies by Carmen Oliver and illustrated by Jean Claude for
Brain Twisters Smart Puzzles
If you have a child like mine, one puzzle book is never enough! This one, Brain Twisters: Smart Puzzles by Arcturus Limited, offers a greater
How Many Hugs?
Is this a sweet picture book about parents cuddling their babies, or is it math? Great question! How Many Hugs? by Heather Swain, illustrated by
Science Puzzles for Clever Kids
I have a child who absolutely loves puzzles and brain teasers. Worksheets, logic puzzles, games—he’s all in! A few years ago, I bought him Science
Hector Fox Book Series
We have been enjoying the Hector Fox stories in our home. We recently read three books from the Hector Fox series by Astrid Sheckels, published
My Love for You is Always
Lunar New Year is almost here, and I found the sweetest book to help celebrate the season! My Love for You Is Always by Gillian
Where Do Creatures Sleep at Night
I love a good bedtime book! Getting your little one snuggled, cozy, and ready for bed isn’t always easy, but settling down with a book
Button & Popper
Button & Popper by Oili Tanninen, published by Thames & Hudson Books, is a delightful tale about a pixie family in search of a new
Not Pop-Pop
I won this book Not Pop-Pop by Angela DeGroot and MacKenzie Haley for Waterbrook books on World Kindness Day—how fun is that? It checks all
Lola Dutch When I Grow Up
Lula Dutch thinks so much about what to do when she grows up. Could she be an opera singer, inventor, or botanist? Lola’s friends help
Degas Painter of Ballerinas
Degas, Painter of Ballerinas by Susan Goldman Rubin, published by Abrams Books for Young Readers, was the perfect read to prepare for our visit to
Cardboard Box Engineering
If you’re looking for a fun and engaging way to introduce your child to engineering, this book is an excellent resource! It offers a brief,
I Spy Christmas: A Book of Picture Riddles
I Spy Christmas: A Book of Picture RiddlesPhotographs by Walter Wick, riddles by Jean Marzollo for Scholastic Books This book might be 100% nostalgia for
The Gift of the Christmas Cookie: Sharing the True Meaning of Jesus’ Birth
The Gift of the Christmas Cookie: Sharing the True Meaning of Jesus’ Birth by Dandi Daley Mackall and Deborah Chabrian for Zonderkidz books. This beautiful
One Small Donkey: A Christmas Story for Little Ones
One Small Donkey: A Christmas Story for Little Ones by Dandi Daley Mackall and Marta Alvarez Miguens for Tommy Nelson Books is a Christmas board
From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler
From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg is a Newbery Medal-winning classic. The story follows a brother and sister from
Howard B. Wigglebottom and the Power of Giving: A Christmas Story
Howard B. Wigglebottom and the Power of Giving: A Christmas Story by Howard Binkow and Susan F. Cornelison is a sweet picture book about a
How Does Santa Go Down the Chimney?
How Does Santa Go Down the Chimney? By Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen for Candlewick Press Books. If Santa comes to your house this book
Nate the Great
When my child was ready to move on from picture books but not quite ready for chapter books, we discovered the Nate the Great series—and
The Adventures of Rooney Cruz Series
The Adventures of Rooney Cruz by Erin Weidemann, illustrated by Megan Crisp, Rob Corley, and Chuck Vollmer for Truth Becomes Her. The Adventures of Rooney
Layla and the Bots Built for Speed
Layla and the Bots Built for Speed by Vicky Fang, illustrated by Christine Nishiyama for Branches Scholastic Books. We are always on the lookout for
The Parables and Wisdom of Jesus: Go and Do Likewise!
The Parables and Wisdom of Jesus: Go and Do Likewise! By John Hendrix for Abrams Books for Young Readers. This book is a follow-up to
Beautiful Butterflies
Beautiful Butterflies art by Margarida Esteves for Gibbs Smith Books is an interactive children’s picture board book. The pages all have different shapes making this
The Illustrated Robert Frost 25 Essential Poems
The Illustrated Robert Frost 25 Essential Poems edited by Ryan G. Van Cleave for Bushel & Peck Books is a collection of poems that will
In A Jar
In A Jar by Deborah Marcero for G. P. Putnam’s Sons Books is one of my favorite picture books that I read this year. Llewellyn
Evergreen
Evergreen by Matthew Cordell for Feiwel & Friends Books is a children’s picture book about courage, bravery, adventure, and friendship. A timid squirrel gets sent
The Greatest Song of All: How Isaac Stern United the World to Save Carnegie Hall
The Greatest Song of All: How Isaac Stern United the World to Save Carnegie Hall by Megan Hoyt and illustrated by Katie Hickey for Quill
Lola Dutch, I Love You So Much
Lola Dutch, I Love You So Much by Kenneth Wright and illustrated by Sarah Jane Wright for Bloomsbury Children’s Books is a children’s picture book
Heartwood Hotel: A True Home
The first book of the Heartwood Hotel Series by Kallie George and illustrated by Stephanie Graegin for Little Brown Books for Young Readers was truly
Hannah Sparkles Hooray for the First Day of School!
Hannah Sparkles Hooray for the First Day of School! by Robin Mellom and Vanessa Brantley-Newton for Harper Books is a sweet story of a first
Bear and the Whisper of the Wind
Bear and the Whisper of the Wind by Marianne Dubuc for PA Press is a slow, sweet book. In a world that is sometimes too
Behold Our Magical Garden
Behold our Magical Garden by Allan Wolf and Daniel Duncan for Candlewick Press is a book of poems centered around a school garden. I loved
The King of Kindergarten
The King of Kindergarten by Derrick Barnes and Vanessa Brantley-Newton for Nancy Paulsen Books is a great children’s picture book you can use to introduce
Dead Sea Squirrels
The Dead Sea Squirrels is a fun early chapter book series that is character-driven. Each book starts with a bible verse and you can bet
Beautiful Useful Things: What William Morris Made
Introduce your children to designer William Morris in this beautiful children’s book Beautiful Useful Things: What William Morris Made by Beth Kephart and Melodie Stacey
My Father’s Dragon
My Father’s Dragon by Ruth Stiles Gannett with illustrations by Ruth Chrisman Gannett for Random House books is so clever, we really enjoyed this Newberry