For many, post-Thanksgiving is a special season: the sparkly lights, the music, and the family celebrations. Cultural traditions bring a sense of comfort and a feeling of being part of something bigger than oneself. What a perfect time to choose children’s books that are associated with positive messages.
‘The First Notes: The Story of DO, RE, MI’
This book deserves an A+. It is not only unique; readers will literally find themselves singing with joy as they read. Fantastic illustrations add to the celebratory quality of the book.
‘I’m So Glad You Were Born: Celebrating Who You Are’
Children need to feel that they are valued by their parents and society, no matter who they are. This book celebrates children’s lives and their uniqueness. Children are the promise of the future. In children, many hopes and ambitions are embodied. With the foundation of good families, nations thrive. Author Ainsley Earhardt also captures perfectly the idea of how to nurture and protect children.
‘Patrick Picklebottom and the Longest Wait’
This is the second book about Patrick Picklebottom. The first book, published in 2020, emphasized that a book can be superior to technology in many ways. In this second book, Patrick decides to go to storybook hour, but he is early. He sits and waits; time goes by really s-l-o-w-l-y. Then Patrick starts singing and dancing. Following that, he writes a short poem. After that he draws. Storybook hour arrives, but Patrick is there on the wrong day. No problem. He decides to come back on the right day and to arrive early again because he had so much fun waiting.
‘The Stack’
Luna, whose name means “moon,” is afraid of the dark. Her solution to her dilemma is to catch a star and put it in a jar to help her sleep at night. Being short doesn’t stop her from trying to reach her goal. She begins to stack objects on top of each other in order to get her closer to the stars. In her stack, she piles a bathtub, a dragon, a whale, a car, and a pirate ship. Finally, she gets her wish.
‘Not All Sheep Are Boring!’
The theory behind counting sheep is that a simple, repeated, boring procedure will put people to sleep. Bobby Moynihan, best known for his nearly 10 years as a cast member on “Saturday Night Live,” shows a creative way to think of sheep at night. This book shows how when children are bored, they can use their imagination. His book makes the whole counting sheep experience fun.
‘Bright Winter Night’
‘The Storyteller’s Handbook: 52 Illustrations to Inspire Your Own Tales and Adventures’
This book has many pictures and few words. The pictures are beautifully done, with fascinating details. It is designed for children to begin a journey into their imagination. They can tell their own stories and think about what it would be like to go through these experiences. The adults reading with them can gain greater insights into their children’s thoughts, and vice versa. The adults can also introduce their own perspectives. This book is truly a unique way to communicate among family members.
By Elise Hurst Compendium, June 28, 2022 Hardcover: 128 pages
