February may still be a cold month, but these heartwarming stories are sure to keep everyone in the family toasty and cozy.
For the Young
‘I See Me: A Guess How Much I Love You Mirror Book’
By Sam McBratney and Anita Jeram
Young fans of the Little Nutbrown Hare and Big Nutbrown Hare from the “Guess How Much I Love You” series will find much joy in this delightful mirror book. As the Hares go exploring the woods where they live, they see many lovely things—and one that’s especially loveliest to see. Expect many smiles, grins, and funny faces from happy babies and toddlers who will definitely enjoy this book.
This delightful board book is sure to engage little ones, especially those who are already familiar with “The Very Hungry Caterpillar.” Toddlers are challenged to find the beloved green caterpillar somewhere on each page. It’s a true Valentine’s book with hearts overload—heart-shaped leaves, cookies, balloons, and treats. Little readers will love the bright colors and recognizable Eric Carle illustrations that make his books so popular.
The lovable little green peas are back in another holiday book. As these wee round legumes scamper and scuttle about on each page, they get themselves ready to celebrate Valentine’s Day. From unloading a dump truck full of candy hearts, to making pizza hearts, to sending out cards, these little peas make it work because, in the end, it’s all worth it to let people know they’re loved.
Kids will be entertained by all the antics the little green veggies are up to on each page. Another great addition to “The Peas Series.”
While teaching children at her church, author Elaine Vickers gave her students a bag full of cutout hearts. The children were encouraged to do something loving for someone—helping mom out at home or giving a treat to a neighbor. Every time they did an act of love, they left one of the paper hearts behind. That activity is the basis for “Heartfelt,” a great reminder that love is meant to be shared.
Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books, Jan. 7, 2025
‘The World Needs the Wonder You See’
By Joanna Gaines and Julianna Swaney
Interior designer and television personality Joanna Gaines has just released her third children’s book. In “The World Needs the Wonder You See,” she’s inspired by her youngest son Crew’s fascination with nature and the things that we, as adults, often take for granted. It’s a beautiful reminder that there’s so much to appreciate in this world—if we only learn to look at it through the eyes of a child.
Beautifully illustrated with the visually soothing colors of the greens of nature, the rhyming verses will delight young and old alike.
The second book in “The Carrick Hall Novels,” set a few years after the first book “Once a Queen” ends, gets off to a suspenseful start.
A castle suddenly appears out of nowhere in the English countryside. Even more surprising is the appearance of giants. Where did they come from and how did they get there?
In the same vein as C.S. Lewis’s “Narnia” series, readers are led to portals that open to another world— a world of queens and fairy tales, mythical creatures, and talking animals. A cast of young characters from this world and from other realms must unearth long-held secrets to save the home they love.
It’s a story where bravery, selflessness, and strong bonds of friendship play an important part in this young group’s mission. The second book follows the first, so it’s best to follow the order in reading this series. Appropriate for children ages 12 and up.
The wholesome days of the “Sweet Dreams” teen romance series of the 1980s and 1990s are long gone. But that doesn’t stop contemporary author Colleen Marie from injecting traditional small-town values into the YA genre with her book “Kayleigh’s Knight,” the second in her “Emerald Isle University” series.
After breaking up with her boyfriend, Kayleigh O’Reilly sets aside her broken heart to focus on her college creative writing classes. Leaving her familiar Maryland home, she arrives at the Dublin airport to attend Emerald Isle University, She’s literally met by a knight in armor, at least, that’s how he’s dressed. Seamus Murphy, already a friend of the family, becomes a constant companion and support throughout Kayleigh’s struggles to adjust to university life. They’re drawn even closer when mysterious gang-related sightings and happenings take place in the otherwise quiet town of Cloverdale. Will Kayleigh’s association with Seamus put her in grave danger?
Complete with adventures set in the Irish countryside, an infusion of traditional Irish culture and lore, as well as a healthy dose of Jane Austen references, “Kayleigh’s Knight” is a faith-filled traditional romance appropriate for teens of today.
Signed print copies are available here. There will be elements from the first book mentioned, for those who haven’t read “Teagan’s Treasure.”
Self-published, 220 pages, Jan. 28, 2025
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