PICTURE BOOKS TO READ WITH KIDS
Explore my favorite books for parents to use with kids. I've included all of my favorites from babies to around 8. Although kids may still benefit from a picture book at 8 they may start to see these as too young.
Jo Witek and Christine Rousse
Susan Verde and Peter H Reynolds
A great example of peaceful meditation and mantras for kids. A bedtime favorite in our house. Ages 2+
Mary Nhin
Dr. Melissa Munro Boyd
Corinna Luyken
Mark Pett and Gary Rubinstein
Michael Dahl
Anthony Best
This is one of my absolute favorites, but it is no longer produced. Bert and Ernie have a miscommunication about the park that makes each of them really angry. They resolve it in the end. Ages 1-5
Grace Byers
This is another favorite in our house. One line per page makes this book accessible for even young kids once they get into books.
Tom Rath & Mary Reckmeyer
This is a great book for explaining the importance of being in kind, but I do add that some people are treated so poorly that there bucket can get holes in the bottom. We want to be able to try to be kind, but notice if it isn't received and over time set healthy boundaries. Ages 4+
David Shannon
This book is about being authentic self even when it is a bit different from others.
Age 4+
Deborah Diesen
This board book is good for babies and toddlers. It takes a negative belief and reframes which I love because it features flexible thinking.
Katie Crenshaw
Pat Zietlow Miller
This book discusses what it might mean to be kind and gives examples of kindness in action.
Alexandra Cassel
A board book for very young kids modeling social norms and conflict resolution around sharing toys.
Dr. Seuss
This is a book for feeling recognition. It can be appropriate for very young kids or older kids.
Dan Santat
This is one of our absolute favorites. It’s about anxiety, determination, and bravery. It also features some reframing.
Marianne Richmond
Shel Silverstein
Kobi Yamada
Pat Schwiebert & Chuck Deklyen
This book describes grief. It is adaptable for young kids, but deals with content for older kids. If your kid has a major loss this would be a good one to pick up.
Gabi Garcia
Todd Parr
Cindy R Lee, LCSW, LADC
If you child has a lot of energy and lower impulse control this one might be for you. It features a redo which I like for all my parents as a strategy. 2+
Stan Berenstain
Dr. Seuss
Chelsea Clinton
Several stories featuring grit. Our favorite it Dr. Apgar. I read it with my almost 3 year old, but modify it heavily by skipping pages and cutting text. It’s meant for older kids.
DK
While not a perfect book this one is emotions primer for 0-2. Babies love looking at faces, and this was a favorite for a long time. I also used Shutterfly to create a similar book featuring me & her making around 25 different faces to pair with emotions in a similar style to this.
Ruben Lora & Ksenia Startseva-Lora
This book introduces situations in which sharing is useful and problem solves with that information.
Dr. Seuss
This one discusses an issue between the star belly Sneeches and those without stars, and how one group excludes the other. We also love the empty pants story in this version which discusses being afraid of someone different.
James Dean
We like this book for the reframe: I love my ______ shoes. On the last page I do change it to "Because its all how you look at it"