A Year of Everyday Wonders
Written by Cheryl B. Klein
Illustrated by Qin Leng
2021
Wonderfully illustrated and fun to read, this is a great book for children in the earliest grades. I’m reading it to my three year old who is just starting to catch on to the idea of annual events and seasons. Everyday Wonders touches on the big events, like holidays, that mark our progress through the calendar, but mostly captures the the little moments that create so many special memories throughout the year. This book is one you will enjoy returning to year after years as well.
There’s a Tiger in the Garden
Written and Illustrated by Lizzy Stewart
2018
There’s a Tiger in the Garden is all about imagination, and creativity is the antithesis of boredom. The story opens with Nora telling her Grandma, “There’s nothing to do and I’m bored.” As she sits in a room with toys strewn about the floor and piles of crafting activities on the kitchen table, her Grandma being the wiser, suggests a change of scenery. Grandma says she thought she saw a tiger in the garden and sends a skeptical Nora to investigate. Does she find him?
Can I sit With You?
Written and Illustrated by Sarah Jacoby
2021
I enjoyed reading this to my daughter as much as she enjoyed hearing me read it. Can I Sit With You is a cute and, at times, poetic story about a girl and her dog. The illustrations are as beautiful as the words. The book is a great read at bedtime or anytime when we need to transition from playtime to calm.
The Neighbors
Written and Illustrated by Einat Tsarfati (Translated by Annette Appel)
2018
The Neighbors is my favorite on this list. A young girl who lives on the seventh floor with her boring ol’ parents is the main character of this story. On her way home she tells us about each neighbor on each floor as she climbs the stairs to her apartment. The lives of the neighbors are over the top, the illustrations are so fun to look over, and the silliness of it all keeps it interesting with each reading for dad and the kids. And don’t worry, parents; the parents aren’t as boring as they first seem.
Kitten and the Night Watchman
Written by John Sullivan and Illustrated by Taeeun Yoo
2018
Another cute story on this week’s list is Kitten and the Night Watchman. This is a great book for children with Dads that work overnight. Working overnight while everyone else is asleep may be difficult for a child to understand, and may even sound scary. But working overnight will sound much less frightening if your children think you are hanging out with a harmless little kitten all night. My daughter and I loved the imagination of this story and the shadowplay in the illustrations.
Thanks for reading! I hope this post helped you find some books to enjoy with your kiddos! Please subscribe and share to show your support or purchase the recommended books through IndieBound.org which also links you to local booksellers.
Winning at Dadding 