Welcome to my obsession with children’s books–especially the ones that deal with everyday challenges in a fun and compelling way. I’ll share old classics, new gems, and everything in between to help support you and your kids (or just your kids if they like to read solo). Sign up and you’ll get my top-pick resources, delivered to your inbox each month on the full and new moon.
Old Turtle by Douglas Wood (Scholastic Press, 1992)
When Old Turtle spoke, all the beings of the world became quiet and listened. She hardly ever said anything. It started out as an argument long ago. Back then, all the beings of the world (animals, rocks, wind, water, trees, birds, and fish) could understand each other. The argument was… Read More
Holes by Louis Sachar (Scholastic Inc., 1998)
This dark, funny, and clever story takes place at Camp Green Lake, a boys’ detention centre. There is no lake at Camp Green Lake. And the boys spend all day digging holes to “build character.” This book is about bad boys being punished in harsh conditions. It’s an edgy read… Read More
How Full is your Bucket? For Kids by Tom Rath and Mary Reckmeyer (Gallup Inc, 2009)
When your bucket is empty, it’s hard to feel good. My bucket has been emptied this past year dealing with my child’s behaviour, family pressures, and a whole lot of unexpected twists and turns. What’s going on in our lives and every day interactions can fill or empty our invisible… Read More
Journey to the River Sea by Eva Ibbotson (MacMillan Children’s Books, 2001)
Sometimes I wonder why adults think children’s books are not for them. Journey to the River Sea is a great example of a kids’ book you don’t want to miss! The plot is so exciting, you won’t be able to put it down. Read it with a young person you… Read More
Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon by Patty Lovell (G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers, 2001)
Molly Lou Melon has buck-teeth, a voice “like a bullfrog being squeezed by a boa constrictor” and she’s the shortest girl in first grade. Molly Lou’s grandma tells her to walk proudly, smile big, sing out clear and strong and believe in herself. When she moves to a new town,… Read More
A Busy Year by Leo Lionni (Scholastics Inc., 1993)
It’s a snowy January when two twin mice, Winnie and Willie, discover a tree that can talk! Of course his name is Woody. The curious mice befriend Woody and watch him change each month over a year. They see his buds grow and fruit blossom and his leaves fall—so much… Read More
Malala Activist for Girls’ Education by Raphaële Frier (Charlesbridge Publishing, 2017)
“They thought that the bullets would silence us, but they failed…Nothing changed in my life except this: weakness, fear, and hopelessness died. Strength, power, and courage was born.” -Malala This book review is for you if you: Care about making the world a better place Are curious about the youngest… Read More
A Handful of Quiet: Happiness in Four Pebbles by Thich Nhat Hanh (Plum Blossoms Books, 2012)
“Breathing in, I see myself as a mountain. Breathing out, I feel solid. Mountain, solid.” Could you or the children in your life benefit from some calming, relaxing, or grounding energy today? Introduce kids to meditation with a practical, hands-on activity that uses four pebbles to… Read More
The Rough Patch by Brian Lies (Green Willow Books, 2018)
Evan did everything with his best friend, until one day the unthinkable happens—his dog dies. Nothing will ever be the same. Death changes everything. This time of year always reminds me of death. As fall transitions to winter, we let go of the old decaying leaves on the trees and… Read More
The Most Love Ever! by Mary Hoy Schmidt (Infinity Times Eternity, 2018)
What if you could teach your child about big concepts like time, space, and quantum physics, and how there are no boundaries to love? What if you could do this in a simple, relatable way? Mary Hoy Schmidt lets us into her bedtime ritual with her granddaughter, and opens up… Read More