Early each September, there’s a Sunday for honoring grandparents. Traditionally many picture books have shown children interacting with each other and with their parents. Grandparents have been stepping into the pictures and stories in recent years, adding both dynamic interactions and authenticity that kids—and their grandfolks—recognize and can enjoy together. This Grandparents Day, share these
Picture Books to Share for Grandparents Day Read More »
While many associations, journals, bloggers, and libraries publish their lists of best kids’ books of the year right at calendar’s close, some important ones do arrive later in the winter and even into spring. With summer on the horizon, we want to share these with you so that you can restock your shelves for vacation
More Best Lists for 2025 Kids’ Books Read More »
This is one in our Double Scoop Sundae series featuring a pair of thematically-related books and ideas for teachers and library program developers seeking ways to extend reading from them. Picture books pack the power to introduce, share, and discuss a wide range of topics, including current events that can often be difficult for young minds to
Carrying Home in Our Hearts: Picture Books That Illuminate Refugee Experiences Read More »
This article was authored by Publisher Spotlight intern Sophie Morris. Family is one of the most important structures in a young child’s life, but family often looks different for every child. One way to teach kids about the beauty of families is through the beauty of picture books. With the reassurance and humor they provide,
Branching Out: Family Units in Children’s Books Read More »
World Sleep Day, celebrated on March 13, is a perfect invitation to slow down, snuggle up, and talk with children about one of the most important (and often most elusive) parts of their day: sleep. Picture books are uniquely suited to this conversation, offering gentle reassurance, playful humor, and big ideas wrapped in cozy illustrations.
While the World Sleeps: Picture Books About Rest and Night Read More »
Cumulative tales build the way a snowball does: they get bigger as each new point in the tale passes to add another layer to the whole. Items (and sometimes people) are collected as the story moves along. “Stone Soup” is such a tale and has various versions in many cultures. Cumulative stories are sometimes rhythmic,
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For many decades, children’s picture books we see in North America that include realistic descriptions and/or illustrations of dwellings have largely featured homes that appear to be single family, often suburban with lawns. Like others around the world, however, many kids here live in homes that are apartments—whether middle class, well-to-do, or economically struggling. What
Many Doors, One Home: Apartment Living in Kids’ Books Read More »
This article was last updated 16 January 2026 What’s better than a book award? A list of best books! Why? There are more titles to choose among and to compare and contrast. While judges who determine book awards are looking at lots of competing titles critically, with a list of bests, we get to see
Best of the Year Lists Are the Best! Read More »
This article was authored by Publisher Spotlight intern Zoe Spangler. Libraries are more than just places filled with dusty books and information databases; they’re vital community centers open to everyone, regardless of status or background. They provide social access for older adults, the wherewithal to enrich child-raising support for parents, language connection for immigrants, and
Uncovering Incredible Library Books Read More »
