Newsletter Promoted Titles

A solar eclipse will take place on April 8, 2024.

These three books are the perfect way to introduce children to the science of an eclipse and how to view it safely.

One paperback for children ages 9-11 years and two hardcovers for children 5-7 years.

Planet Earth needs our help, and children are naturals at pitching in for a good cause. To foster a commitment to the planet, it's important for children to learn about the natural world. From plant life to animals, weather patterns to the seasons, our planet offers endless learning and inspiration. The books below focus on migration of birds and butterflies in North America, teaching about the habits of these amazing animals, the way humans have disrupted their populations, and how we can create change to help them thrive.

Women's History Month was created in the 1980s to celebrate the often overlooked contributions of women to American society. These contributions have often been made while fighting the headwinds of discrimination designed to limit women's efforts. As they fought for their right to succeed in the same arenas as men, women not only found success for themselves, but their contributions helped the nation. The same stories can be found around the globe. 

It has been 98 years since Carter G. Woodson, the second African American to receive a Ph.D. from Harvard University, created Negro History Week to put a spotlight on the impact African Americans have had on the course of U.S. history. Celebrated today as Black History Month, the purpose remains, as does the understanding that Black History must be taught all year, in addition to the special celebration it receives in February.

This year's theme is African Americans and the Arts. African Americans have borrowed from their rich and complex history to create some of the most important art movements the country and world have known, from music to writing to the visual arts to dance. Two of the books below feature lesser-known African Americans who made large contributions to arts and culture. And the third is the story of a little girl who works hard against race-based obstacles to ensure her achievements are recognized, which is exactly what this month of celebration aims to do.

We can't control what the world lays at our doorstep, but we do get to decide how we treat those around us. Treating others with kindness can be transformative for us and them. Kindness is more than being nice. It's more than being polite and saying the easiest thing. It's about listening with a sympathetic ear, considering the other person, and finding ways to help. Sometimes it's easy, sometimes it's really hard, and sometimes we just need a little practice and some good examples.

 

This is the time of year for celebrating major holiday traditions in many cultures. But traditions are important year-round. They can be big or small, and they can be part of big holidays or simple everyday routines. Whether it's blessing a bite of food, inviting the whole family over, or shared remembrance, our traditions lend purpose to everyday life, give us a reason to gather, and help us impart values to the next generation. Amidst plentiful difficulties in life, traditions help us circle back to that which we can be grateful for, and gratitude has always been some of the best medicine.

Who are the Twos you might ask? 

Embracing the joy of life, the Twos are little sponges, ready to absorb new experiences with a charming innocence and sense of awe. 

These 12 board books provide opportunities for building communication skills, learning new words, naming feelings, learning to share, and more. 

 

 

Inclusion is the third piece in the DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) triad. Diverse representation and equitable opportunities for all are essential starting points, but inclusion completes the picture. Inclusion means not just being invited to participate, not just being given opportunities, but having a sense of belonging in the group and feeling safe in one's identity, whether that's in relation to race, gender, socioeconomic status, or ability. The books below focus on the inclusion of differently-abled children.

The Indigenous Peoples of the Americas are distinct groups with ancestral ties to the lands that came to be inhabited by European settlers. Their early interactions with Europeans have often been romanticized, and their distinct cultures are frequently mischaracterized as homogenous. Today, their history is better understood. And picture books are recognizing the unique traditions of different tribes and the modern ways in which Indigenous Peoples live today.

Mindfulness means staying in the present moment, able to observe one's thoughts, feelings, body sensations, and surroundings. It means slowing down, centering our focus on the here and now, and not letting racing thoughts of past and future distract us. Mindfulness is a crucial part of self-awareness, which is an important facet of childhood learning. How did that make me feel? How am I reacting? It helps children see themselves in connection with others and gives them the information they need to build friendships, manage themselves in school, and navigate challenges. Also, mindfulness exercises are calming! They make us feel good by clearing the clutter in our minds. These books give children the perspective and the tools to focus their thoughts and to listen to what the present moment has to offer.

Two board books, one paperback, and four hardcovers.

Ages 3-8.

 

Children have a big task in learning to navigate the social world around them—including being a friend, following classroom customs and community systems, and working together within their families. Self-confidence is crucial in helping children approach these complex interactions with greater equanimity. And having self-awareness helps them do it with greater skill and finesse. In the books below, the characters grapple with feelings of insecurity about their place in the world, but they learn to trust themselves and to reveal their authentic selves to those around them, strengthening their families and communities in the process.

The arrival of a new school year comes with so much anticipation! There's excitement, but there's also plenty to be anxious about. Whether starting in a new school or preparing to be in a new classroom, students wonder what school will be like and whether they'll be comfortable there. Conversations about what their day will look like—and books that give them an idea of what's ahead—can answer their questions and be immensely reassuring.

 

Children take pride and comfort in their families, and they derive confidence from those who love them at home. One size doesn't fit all. Some families are separated by oceans, others live in the same town. Some are huge, others are tiny. Some have one parent, or two parents, or a grandparent who is like a parent. It's important that children's books reflect a variety of family structures so that children see themselves reflected in their books and appreciate that not all families are alike.

We asked our staff about their favorite picture books and we were delighted by their choices, and the reasons that make these books their favorites. 

June is Pride Month, a time to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community, raise visibility, and push for continued acceptance and equal rights. Children's books are a crucial part of that effort. They teach children to understand and respect the LGBTQ+ people in their communities. And readers who are LGBTQ+, or whose family members are LGBTQ+, deserve to see themselves in their own children's books!  We're so happy that there has been a large increase in the number of LGBTQ+ books available for children over the past 10 years, including trans or gender-fluid books in the most recent years.

Early childhood teachers can attest that board books really are the best thing since sliced bread. They are the gateway to literacy and art for young children. Their sturdy pages mean that toddling paper-tearers everywhere can have the freedom to hug and hold and feel and tug on and turn pages of their favorite books, without causing expensive damage or requiring constant close supervision. But like every transitionary tool, there comes a time for the next step. Children become eager for the bigger, bolder illustrations and longer stories in hardcovers. These seven books feature thicker pages to stand up to those learning to turn pages in hardcover books. 

One of childhood's most important social-emotional lessons is about developing empathy. It's important to feel for and to help someone else, whether a friend or a stranger. And while altruism may be nice, givers and sharers typically reap big benefits for their kindness, including appreciation or friendship or kindness in return. Good stories—ones in which characters realistically grapple with big feelings or vexing choices, not ones that preach pat life lessons—and the classroom discussions that stem from them are wonderful ways to nurture empathy.

Children rely on math and engineering-two components of STEAM learning-to navigate and interact with the physical world around them. Whether examining patterns in art, building a sandcastle, or loading a backpack, everyday routines and play call on children to think like mathematicians and engineers. Good books can support their exploration!

National Hispanic Heritage Month, which starts in mid-September, is an opportunity to celebrate Americans whose ancestors arrived from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. People immigrated from these countries throughout U.S. history, making Hispanic history and contributions a fundamental part of the fabric of America. Children's books celebrating Hispanic heritage are increasingly specific in the countries and traditions they feature. It's important for children to understand that, under the umbrella of Spanish-speaking heritage, there are diverse and distinct stories that merit their attention.

Change can be hard for young children, who derive a sense of security from consistency and routine. And yet, it's unavoidable. Adapting to change is one of the most essential skills we learn. Social-emotional book titles which discuss navigating change are important in any classroom, whether it's about changing one's daily routine or saying goodbye to ailing relative. These books display a variety of strategies for handling the big life changes that everyone experiences. Young readers will feel comfort in the characters' stories and in knowing that they're not alone.

Sparking and interest in science, technology, engineering, art and music means encouraging creative and varied approaches to learning. These six hardcovers and one board book fit the creative, the interesting and the dynamic text and illustrations we look for in high-quality STEAM titles. 

Asian immigration to America began with the arrival of Chinese laborers in 1850. In the decades following, waves of immigration came from Japan, Korea, India, the Philippines, and other Asian countries. Each wave was met in its new home by two opposing tensions: the need for laborers to build the growing country, and racist policies of exclusion that led to routine and painful discrimination. The books featured below explore the incredible contributions and struggles of Asian immigrants, raising awareness among young readers of the Asian American experience in its many iterations.

Six hardcovers for ages 4-8, and one hardcover for ages 6-9.