​What James Said
Written by Liz Rosenberg
Illustrated by Matt Myers
Age Level: 4 – 8
Grade Level: K – 3

You Are My Friend:
                  The Story of Mr. Rogers and His Neighborhood
Written by Aimee Reid
Illustrated by Matt Phelan
Age Level: 5 – 8
Grade Level: K – 3

Have you ever wondered how Mr. Rogers came up with the ideas for his neighborhood? You should read his story. I’m glad I did! It’s fictional, but it helped me picture his childhood. I didn’t know allergies kept him inside, or that he hid his feelings. They only came out when he played with his puppets. His mother taught him to look for helpers when he needed them, and that’s what Mr. Rogers taught kids on his TV show. Don’t forget to read the back matter! It includes a short biography, a note from the author and illustrator, plus a bibliography of resources so you can learn more about him.

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​How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodbye?
Written by Jane Yolen
Illustrated by Mark Teague
Age Level: 2 – 3
Grade Level: P – K

I love this series, but this book is especially well-done. Each spread asks the question, How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodbye? Each dinosaur must face their worst fear – that Mom, Dad, or Grandma’s leaving. It’s a great way to help kids handle it too. (The same fear) And best of all, they get to do it with dinosaurs! 

​​The Great Santa Stakeout
Written by Betsy Bird
Illustrated by Dan Santat
Age Level: 4 – 8
Grade Level: PS – 3
                                      
This book is just plain fun! Meet Freddie Melcher. He’s Santa’s #1 Fan, and he’s determined to get a selfie with Santa. Freddie reminds me a little of Kevin from Home Alone. They both come up with brilliant strategies and use maps to do it. Freddie may or may not get that selfie, but his story is fun from cover to cover. 

Rocket Says Look Up
Written by Nathan Bryon
Illustrated by Dapo Adeola
Age Level: 3 – 7
Grade Level: PS – 2

Meet Rocket. She’s as bright as this book cover! Rocket loves everything about space, and she wants to be an astronaut someday, just like her hero, Mae Jemison. Every night before bed she sets up her telescope, searches the sky, then makes a wish. Rocket’s problem – getting her family to look up and notice the meteor shower tonight. Don’t worry . . . Rocket’s the girl for the job!

​Dragon Was Terrible
Written by Kelly DiPucchio
Illustrated by Greg Pizzoli
Age Level: 3 – 7
Grade Level: PS – 2

Dragon is so terrible that the King has to do something. He offers a reward to his knights to stop Dragon. One by one they all fail, and Dragon gets more terrible with the village next door. The King and the villagers offer another bigger and better reward, but who can save them? Dragon already defeated every knight in the land. Who’s left? You’ll have to read and find out how Dragon is stopped. He might be terrible, but this story is terrific.

​Pirate Stew
Written by Neil Gaiman
Illustrated by Chris Riddell
Age Level: 4 – 8
Grade Level: P – 3

​Kids will love this book! I did! Imagine – your babysitter is a pirate, and he’s bringing his buddies to help him cook up some pirate stew, just for you. The story is as much fun as the title and the cover promise, and it’s a great read aloud for kids, parents, and teachers. Bon Appetit! 

​Zuri Ray Tries Ballet
Written by Tami Charles
Illustrated by Sharon Sordo
Age Level: 4 – 8
Grade Level: P – 3

​What’s better than a story about best friends? One with BFFD’s – Best Friends From Diapers. That’s Zuri and Jessie, until they try ballet class, with tutu’s and everything. What are two friends supposed to do when one loves ballet, and the other is all about soccer? You’ll have to read to find out, but BFFD’s don’t let a little thing like ballet, or soccer,  ruin their friendship.

PS – if you liked this story as much as me, it’s the first in a brand new series.

​Ben’s West Texas Snow
Written by Callie Metler-Smith
Illustrated by Christee Curran Bauer
Age Level: 5 – 8
Grade Level: K – 3
 
What would you do if you lived in West Texas, and all you dreamed about was snow? You’d wait – for the fields to bloom. Would you believe this book began with a real boy who wished for snow? The best part – the mixture of fiction and nonfiction – they make this book fun to read, but they also let you discover something new.

​Ida, Always
Written by Caron Levis
Illustrated by Charles Santoso
Age Level: 4 – 8
Grade Level: P – 3

​Are you looking for a beautiful story about friendship and saying goodbye? This is it! Meet Gus and Ida, two polar bears who are also best friends. They lead the perfect life until Ida refuses to come outside. That’s the day the zookeeper tells Gus that Ida’s dying. Gus spends the rest of the story figuring out how to say goodbye. The fascinating part – this story was inspired by a real pair of bears. Sometimes, animals are amazing!