Jennifer Lambert

A Sacred Balance

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Favorite Easter Books

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Easter is a great time of year as we welcome spring.

I remember getting a frilly new dress and having a fun barbecue at my aunt’s house. She always had an Easter egg hunt, even though it was just for me and my two close-in-age cousins.

I love these Easter books about eggs, bunnies, and the resurrection of Jesus.

And there are some fun silly books too.

Books make great Easter gifts – fill those baskets with more than just candy!

The Berenstain Bears and the Easter Story by Mike and‎ Jan Berenstain

The Bear cubs are candy-crazy this Easter! But Missus Ursula and some Sunday school students tell the cubs about Jesus’s resurrection and show them that salvation is much sweeter than candy!

The Biggest Easter Basket Ever by Steven Kroll

As Mouseville prepares for a gala Easter celebration on the village green, complete with a biggest Easter Basket contest, two lovable mice learn a lesson in cooperation — and fun!

Town mouse Clayton and country mouse Desmond continue to teach the benefits of collaboration and friendship in another sweet story centered around this joyful holiday.

Egg by Kevin Henkes

This masterful and stylistically original picture book introduces young children to four eggs. One is blue, one is pink, one is yellow, and one is green. Three of the eggs hatch, revealing three baby birds who fly away. But the green egg does not hatch. Why not? When the three birds return to investigate, they’re in for a big surprise! What will happen next?

The Easter Egg Artists by Adrienne Adams

The Abbotts, established Easter egg artists, let their son develop a style of his own when he shows interest in painting.

The Best Easter Egg Hunt Ever by Dawn Casey

It is Easter and Rabbit is on the hunt for the most special egg of all and with help from her friends she hopes to find it.

The Egg Tree by Katherine Milhous

One Easter morning, Katy and Carl went on an egg hunt through Grandmom’s house. Katy couldn’t find anything until she went up to the attic. And there she discovered a very special set of eggs…
Grandmom had painted them when she was a little girl. And now, she hung them from the branches of a tiny tree — an Egg Tree! So began a very special Easter tradition.

The Easter Egg by Jan Brett

Jan Brett’s lovable bunny hero, Hoppi, and her remarkable Easter Rabbit will enchant readers as they pore over illustrations filled with dazzling eggs made by Flora Bunny, Aunt Sassyfrass and others.

If Hoppi can make the best Easter egg, he will get to help the Easter Rabbit with his deliveries on Easter morning. But it is not so easy. Discouraged, he goes into the woods to think when a blue robin’s egg tumbles out of its nest. Hoppi keeps it safe and warm until the baby bird hatches, and when the Easter Rabbit arrives, he declares the empty blue eggshell the very best one to reward Hoppi for his kindness.

Spring is everywhere in gorgeous illustrations framed with pussy willows, flowering vines and flowers. Side borders feature busy rabbits making their unusual eggs and, in a border above, the Robin’s family drama unfolds.

A gatefold surprise reveals the Easter Rabbit.

Easter Eggs for Anya: A Ukrainian Celebration of New Life in Christ by Virginia Kroll

A Ukrainian Celebration of New Life in Christ Children love coloring Easter eggs, and here’s a story to explain one of the origins of this tradition. In early nineteenth-century Ukraine, Christians celebrated Easter by exchanging colorful, hand-decorated pysanky eggs—but with Papa away at the war and Mama struggling to make ends meet, Anya’s family was too poor to buy eggs to decorate one year. That is, until Anya discovered an abandoned nest of goose eggs and began planning an Easter surprise for her family. But God had an even better surprise in store, and when the eggs unexpectedly began to hatch, Anya learned what the Easter story teaches: spring brings gifts of myriad new beginnings, just as the risen Christ gave the gift of new life to us all. Each Traditions of Faith book features a story of how significant Christian traditions emerged in cultures around the world, with a note about the origin and history of the tradition, and offers ideas and activities each family can adopt as its own.

Petook: An Easter Story by Caryll Houselander

Petook and Martha, proud parents of twelve chickens, are visited by a stranger, and years later, they learn the meaning of Easter when they witness that stranger lifted onto a cross, as another batch of Martha’s eggs hatch.

Rechenka’s Eggs by Patricia Polacco

Babushka, known for her exquisite hand-painted eggs, finds Rechenka, a wounded goose, and takes her home. When she’s ready to try her wings again, Rechenka accidentally breaks all of Babushka’s lovingly crafted eggs. But the next morning Babushka awakens to a miraculous surprise

Easter Bugs: A Springtime Pop-up by David A. Carter

All kinds of bugs are hiding behind colorful Easter eggs, just waiting for you to find them!
(And there are lots more fun surprises, too!)

Home for a Bunny by Margaret Wise Brown

Generations of children have followed this furry, lovable bunny on his springtime journey to find a home. A family favorite since 1956, Margaret Wise Brown’s simple yet playful tale is perfectly complemented by Garth Williams’s exquisite artwork.

The Runaway Bunny by Margaret Wise Brown

Celebrating 75 years, The Runaway Bunny by Margaret Wise Brown, beloved children’s book author of Goodnight Moon.

“If you run away,” said his mother, “I will run after you. For you are my little bunny.”

A little bunny keeps running away from his mother in this imaginary game of hide-and-seek. Children will be profoundly comforted by this lovingly steadfast mother who finds her child every time.

The Runaway Bunny, first published in 1942 and never out of print, has indeed become a classic. Generations of readers have fallen in love with the gentle magic of its reassuring words and loving pictures.

The Night Before Easter by Natasha Wing

“Twas the night before Easter, just before dawn, Not a creature was stirring out on the lawn.” The Easter bunny takes center stage in this delightful spin on a beloved poem that will send families hopping to the bookstore for an Easter treat sweeter than any sugar plum!

The Story of the Easter Bunny by Katherine Tegen

Everyone knows who the Easter Bunny is. Each year, he comes with a basket of painted eggs and chocolates for children. But not everybody knows where he comes from. On a snow-cold day in a snug little house… So begins the true story of the Easter Bunny!

With gorgeous and peaceful art, this fresh, innovative story describes how one little rabbit became a legend. The perfect addition to Easter baskets!

The Country Bunny and the Little Gold Shoes by DuBose Heyward

The country bunny attains the exalted position of Easter Bunny in spite of her responsibilities as the mother of twenty-one children.

It’s Not Easy Being a Bunny by Marilyn Sadler

Meet P. J. Funnybunny in this humorous and touching Beginner Book by Marilyn Sadler and Roger Bollen. It’s Not Easy Being a Bunny tells the “tail” of P.J. and his quest to become something other than what he is. Is it more fun to be a bear, a bird, or a pig? Read along as P.J. tries to determine who he is—and where he belongs.

How to Catch the Easter Bunny by Adam Wallace

Is this the year you’ll be able to catch the Easter bunny in action? Start an Easter tradition with this fun and funny children’s book, from the New York Times bestselling creators of How to Catch a Leprechaun!

“I’ve been working long and hard
with all my peeps and crew.
We’ve made the eggs, and now I’m here
to bring them all to you!”

The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter

The Tale of Peter Rabbit is the original classic by Beatrix Potter. The Tale of Peter Rabbit was first published by Frederick Warne in 1902 and endures as Beatrix Potter’s most popular and well-loved tale. It tells the story of a very mischievous rabbit and the trouble he encounters in Mr McGregor’s vegetable garden!

The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams

At first a brand-new toy, now a threadbare and discarded nursery relic, the velveteen rabbit is saved from peril by a magic fairy who whisks him away to the idyllic world of Rabbitland. There, he becomes “Real,” a cherished childhood companion who will be loved for eternity.

How to Be a Bigger Bunny by Florence Minor

When Tickles the bunny’s family goes on an adventure without her, Tickles reads her book, How to Be a Bigger Bunny, and then winds up on an adventure of her own. When she finds her furry family in trouble, she must become a bigger bunny and save the day. Perfect for Easter time and springtime as well as year-round reading aloud and sharing.

The Little Rabbit Who Lost Her Hop by Jedda Robaard

Little Rabbit is on her way to the party, but something has gone wrong! Somehow, she’s lost her hop! Join Little Rabbit on a lift-the-flap adventure as she tries to get to the party in time without it.

Little Rabbit has lost her hop! Can you help her find it? Children can lift the flaps to help Little Rabbit look for different ways to get to her party without her hop.

Big Bunny by Rowboat Watkins

Once upon a time there was a book about . . .
MONSTERS!
No.
SPACE ALIENS?
Nope . . . a BUNNY!
A GIANT SCARY TRUCK-EATING BUNNY?!?
Um . . . well, maybe it was a tiny bit big.

From the curious mind of Rowboat Watkins comes a ginormously imaginative story that is as funny as it is philosophical. How big is Big Bunny? And how will this story end? Delightfully meta and humorously subversive, Big Bunny will take its place as the next go-to story about stories.

Marshmallow by Clare Turlay Newberry

Oliver is a tabby cat who is always the center of attention.

Marshmallow is a baby rabbit who moves into Oliver’s home.

At first Oliver does not welcome Marshmallow, but the little bunny’s charms are impossible to resist. This is the true story of how Oliver and Marshmallow become friends.

The Story of the Easter Robin by Dandi Daley Mackall

In the center of the nest lay one perfect egg, the color of a spring sky. The father robin sat on a branch nearby, guarding his family. Tressa spotted raccoon tracks below and a blue jay eyeing the nest. “Gran, how are we going to keep the egg safe?”“We’ll have to leave that one to the Creator,” Gran said.Robins have built a nest on the window ledge at Grandmother’s house! Tressa is thrilled―and concerned. What will happen to the sky-blue egg laid by the mother robin? As more eggs appear, Tressa witnesses the daily drama of the robins’ nest and learns how God cares for all creatures.Besides watching the birds, there are Easter eggs to color. And there is a very special story to hear―a tale of long ago about one small bird with a very big heart. How did the robin get its red breast? Tressa is about to find out as Gran tells her the story of the Easter robin.Brought to life with colorful, tender illustrations, The Story of the Easter Robin will captivate and teach your child about compassion and faith.

The Parable of the Lily by Liz Curtis Higgs

Maggie, the farmer’s youngest daughter, loves getting gifts, especially mysterious ones. One wintry day, she receives a package in the mail. She excitedly opens the package to find a bulb buried in a crate of dirt. This was not what Maggie expected. She had hoped for a doll or a game, not a bulb that would one day become a plant. When spring comes, she finds the bulb in the cellar and tosses the lifeless thing into the garden, never to think of it again. . . . Until she walks outside on Easter morning and finds the most beautiful lily she has ever seen. Through the unique gift of a bulb, Maggie discovers the power of grace and forgiveness and the true meaning of Easter.

Here Comes the Easter Cat by Deborah Underwood

A cat with flair to spare, an Easter Bunny with a job to do, and a hilarious break from sticky-sweet Easter fare for fans of Patrick McDonnell and the Pigeon books by Mo Willems.

Why should the Easter Bunny get all the love? That’s what Cat would like to know. So he decides to take over: He dons his sparkly suit, jumps on his Harley, and roars off into the night. But it turns out delivering Easter eggs is hard work. And it doesn’t leave much time for naps (of which Cat has taken five–no, seven). So when a pooped-out Easter Bunny shows up, and with a treat for Cat, what will Cat do? His surprise solution will be stylish, smart, and even–yes–kind.

An homage to classic comic strips from the author of The Quiet Book and The Loud Book, this Easter treat has a bit of bite, a sweet center, and a satisfying finish—sure to inspire second helpings.

Easter Croc: Full of pop-up surprises! by Roger Priddy

Expect the unexpected in Easter Croc, a hilarious seasonal pop-up book that features a cast of funny characters enjoying their eggs from the Easter Bunny, and a grumpy Crocodile who goes in search of one.

The Easter Bunny has done her rounds and Crocodile has been missed out again! He asks the other animals, but they aren’t going to give him their eggs, so he stomps off to find the Easter Bunny. But where is she? Hiding, of course! Croc is big, and he looks angry. But then Crocodile says something unexpected. Open the door for an egg-tastic surprise that proves nothing impresses the Easter Bunny more than good manners.

Here Comes T. Rex Cottontail by Lois G. Grambling

Peter Cottontail is out sick, and there’s only one dinosaur who’s up to the task of delivering his eggs on Easter: T. Rex! All T. Rex has to do is work on hopping—without the wiggle. He keeps breaking all the eggs! Join T. Rex and his friends as he saves the day in a very special way. Will practice make perfect?

There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Chick! by Lucille Colandro

A wacky new Easter version of the classic “There Was an Old Lady” song!

This time, the hungry old lady swallows a chick, some straw, an egg, some candy, a basket, and a bow!

And just as she’s hopping and skipping along, who should she meet but the Easter Bunny! Watch what happens when she trips, with amazing results!

With rhyming text and funny illustrations, this lively version of a classic song will appeal to young readers with every turn of the page–a fun story for Easter!

Easter Crack-Ups: Knock-Knock Jokes Funny-Side Up (Lift-The-Flap Knock-Knock Book) by Katy Hall

Knock, knock
Who’s there?
Sherwood.
Sherwood who?
Sherwood like to be in the Easter parade.
Get ready to crack up with more than two dozen egg-citing Easter knock-knock jokes in this egg-straordinary lift-the-flap book. Hop along with a bunch of funny bunnies and enjoy an egg hunt, a parade, and more.

You’ll just dye laughing!

How the Rabbit Became the Easter Bunny by Bob Bohlken

This book tells the story of how the rabbit and colored eggs became a part of the Easter celebration. Children ages 3 to 10 can follow along this journey as the WiseMan searches for a special way to celebrate Christ’s resurrection and the rebirth of spring. This rebirth is a celebration of new life, forgiveness, peace, and love.

In the far-off Land of Oohs and Ahs, the citizens ask the Wise Man how they can celebrate Easter. Each holiday has it’s own way of recognition, but there was no Easter celebration to bring attention to Christ’s resurrection into Heaven and the rebirth of Spring. The Wise Man must find appropriate ways to represent rebirth, new life, forgiveness and peace and spread it throughout the land. He meets with different animals to help him decide what to do.

Find out why the rabbit is the ideal animal to express the love and hope of Easter. This book will enlighten your children as they prepare for Easter and its celebration. Original color artwork.

The Longest Night: A Passover Story by Laurel Snyder

Unlike other Passover picture books that focus on the contemporary celebration of the holiday, or are children’s haggadahs, this gorgeous picture book in verse follows the actual story of the Exodus. Told through the eyes of a young slave girl, author Laurel Snyder and illustrator Catia Chien skillfully and gently depict the story of Pharoah, Moses, the 10 plagues, and the parting of the Red Sea in a remarkably accessible way.

This dramatic adventure, set over 3,500 years ago, of a family that endures hardships and ultimately finds freedom is the perfect tool to help young children make sense of the origins of the Passover traditions.

Humphrey’s First Palm Sunday by Carol Heyer

A new follow-up to the popular Humphrey’s First Christmas that finds Humphrey in the midst of Jesus’ triumphal entry.
The delightfully goofy camel we met in Humphrey’s First Christmas is back, three decades older and not much wiser. He wants nothing more than to be the lead camel in the caravan, so he can improve his view. When the caravan leads him to Jerusalem, he crosses paths with Jesus making his triumphal entry. Humphrey is delighted to see Jesus, now a grown man, and remembers the Child to whom he gave his coveted blanket all those years ago in Bethlehem.

Carol Heyer’s rich acrylic paintings showcase the quirkiness of the camel and add humor to the story. Here is a book that both entertains and informs without ever straying from the meaning of Palm Sunday and the Easter holiday.

The Legend of the Sand Dollar: An Inspirational Story of Hope for Easter by Chris Auer

Eight-year-old Kerry loves the ocean. But on this visit to the beach, she discovers a little-known treasure and learns of the story of Easter revealed in the sand dollar. Now you and your child can discover the story behind this small ocean treasure as stunning illustrations form the backdrop for this familiar seaside legend. Seen through the eyes of children, The Legend of the Sand Dollar shares the timeless hope of resurrection and new life—the promise of Easter.

The Legend of the Easter Egg by Lori Walburg

Featuring the beloved setting and characters from the best-selling Legend of the Candy Cane, this moving story about Thomas and Lucy takes us deeper into the mystery of Christianity. When his older sister Lucy falls sick, Thomas goes to stay with John and Mary Sonneman at their candy store. But all the candy he could desire does not cure Thomas’s aching heart. Only when Mary Sonneman shares with him the story of Easter does he understand the hope he has — and what he can do for his sister.

The Blackbird’s Nest: Saint Kevin of Ireland by Jenny Schroedel

Kevin was always different. He loved animals and seemed to understand their secret language. But other children brought out the worst in him. He chased, bullied, and shoved, until one spring when he learned an unforgettable lesson from an unlikely teacher–a blackbird who built a nest in his hand. The Blackbird’s Nest: Saint Kevin of Ireland is the story of Kevin’s transformation into one of Ireland’s best-loved saints (AD-618), revered in many Christian traditions. Written with simplicity and humor by Jenny Schroedel, and brought to life with stunning illustrations by Douglas Montross, The Blackbird’s Nest is a rich, vibrant tale of renewal and a welcome addition to children’s Lenten literature.

The Tale of Three Trees: A Traditional Folktale by Angela Elwell Hunt

Once upon a mountaintop, three trees stood and dreamed of what they wanted to become when they grew up. Each of their dreams come true in the most unexpected of ways.

Walking with Jesus to Calvary: Stations of the Cross for Children by Angela M. Burrin

A beautiful introduction to the Stations of the Cross, this book that will help children understand what really happened on Calvary and just how much Jesus loves them. Gorgeous illustrations are accompanied by a simple but moving narration of the events of Jesus passion and death. Each station ends with a heartfelt prayer. Walking with Jesus to Calvary is a thoughtful gift for Lent, Easter, or any time of the year.
Prayer intentions for family, friends, and others are suggested for each station.

Includes prayers traditionally used for the Stations of the Cross.

Amon’s Adventure: A Family Story for Easter by Arnold Ytreeide

Following in the footsteps of his widely popular Advent series–Jotham’s Journey, Bartholomew’s Passage, and Tabitha’s Travels–well-known author Arnold Ytreeide presents a captivating story to take families through the season of Lent, culminating on Easter Sunday.

Thirteen-year-old Amon, the son of Jotham and Tabitha, enjoys playing with his friends but is also ready to join his father in the temple court where only men are allowed. Eager to be considered a man, Amon struggles to divide his time betweenhis friends and his duties to family and faith. But when Jotham is falsely accused of a terrible crime, Amon willingly sacrifices his childhood ways in order to save his father’s life. Along the way, he sees the jubilant crowds that gathered on Palm Sunday, outwits the Roman soldiers that planned to kill both his father and Jesus, hears the Messiah address the angry crowds, is present during the daring betrayal of Judas Iscariot, and witnesses the ultimate sacrifice made on Good Friday.

With short, exciting chapters, reflections for family devotions, and advice for making Lent a meaningful experience, Amon’s Adventure will help families discover anew the spiritual power of the resurrection story.

Benjamin’s Box: The Story of the Resurrection Eggs by Melody Carlson

What are the treasures in Benjamin’s Box? Come along with Benjamin and see. Like all boys and girls, Benjamin is very, very curious. When Jesus comes to Jerusalem, Benjamin decides to follow him and find out who he really is. At first, Benjamin thinks Jesus is a teacher, then a king. At last, he learns the good news―news that every child (and grown-up!) will want to share. Can be used in conjunction with Resurrection Eggs® from Family Life!

The Easter Cave by Carol Wedeven

Help Children Discover the Glorious Gift of Easter. Rhythm, rhyme, and soft illustrations teach the miraculous Easter story. The Lent and Easter season is a special time for the family to read the Easter story together. Parents of beginning readers look for Easter books that reinforce reading skills while helping children learn about Easter. The Easter Cave from Concordia Publishing House (CPH) draws children ages 4 to 7 into the Easter story. Line by line and rhyme by rhyme, the story builds, covering often-overlooked details. Children learn about Joseph of Arimathea, the crowing rooster, and the crown of thorns. Through repetition and colorful illustrations, the joyful story unfolds on every page until it reaches the empty tomb, reminding families of Gods greatest gift and the Good News to share.

A Tale for Easter by Tasha Tudor

You can never tell what might happen on Easter… You might find colored eggs waiting in your shoes, or a basket of ducklings at your kitchen table, or a sweet bunny in Grandma’s rocking chair. Now available in a Classic Board Book edition, and with a fresh new cover, Tasha Tudor’s beloved tale about the magic of Easter is a treasure for every generation.

The Story of Easter by Jean Miller

This gentle introduction to the biblical account of Jesus’s final days on earth, and Resurrection, is perfect for preschoolers. Lush, colorful illustrations of the Last Supper, Jesus carrying his cross, and the angel in the empty tomb are accessible to little readers who are just learning about Easter. At the end of the book, Easter traditions from around the world are introduced, from Ukrainian painted eggs (Pysanky) to the greeting of the Easter sunrise in the British Isles. It’s a perfect first book about an important holiday for many, and an ideal Easter gift.

The Easter Story by Brian Wildsmith

Radiant watercolor illustrations enhanced with gold tones set the scene for this simple retelling of the Easter story as seen through the eyes of a little donkey who carried Jesus through the streets on Palm Sunday. The creative perspective will engage your children; and you’ll savor the artwork and reverent tone.

The Story of Easter by Patricia A. Pingry

Here is the story of Easter told in about 200 words that are simple enough for a toddler to hear. From Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem through the crucifixion and the Resurrection, the Easter story is presented in its most traditional form. Vibrant illustrations paired with classic text bridge the connection between the biblical story and today’s Easter celebration. This book is unsurpassed as an introduction to the significance of Easter.

The Very First Easter by Paul L. Maier

The Gold Medallion Award-winning team of the renowned ancient historian and the gifted illustrator make the story of Jesus death and resurrection come alive for children aged 5 to 10. Difficult questions are asked, reasonable answers given.

The Beginner’s Bible The Very First Easter by Zondervan

The Beginner’s Bible, The Very First Easter introduceschildren to one of the most inspiring stories of all time: Jesus’ death to save us from our sins. Readers will learn about the events leading up to Jesus’ death and his miraculous return to life. With exciting new artwork from the bestselling The Beginner’s Bible, this book will help children understand why we celebrate this special day.

The Donkey That No One Could Ride by Anthony DeStefano

Author Anthony DeStefano begins his creative telling of the beloved Bible story of Christ’s triumphant entry by introducing the young donkey who has yet to realize his important mission. The lowly creature believes he can do nothing noble, but that’s before he meets the Master…

Then Jesus said to the donkey,
“It’s time that you knew
About the great thing
That you’re destined to do…”
He hears the sad donkey cry,
“Just leave me alone and cast me aside.
I’m just a poor donkey that no one can ride.”

The Donkey Who Carried a King by R.C. Sproul

Davey was a young donkey who was bored and unhappy because he was never given anything to do. Then one day, some strangers came to the gate and Davey’s master picked him for a very special task. Davey carried the King, Jesus, into Jerusalem. A few days later, Davey saw some angry people making the King carry a heavy beam of wood. Davey could not understand it until another donkey helped him see that the King was being a Servant on behalf of His people.

The Colt and the King by Marni McGee

A donkey tells how he reluctantly played a part in Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem on the first Palm Sunday, in a sweet and poignant tale that will help the youngest readers come to understand the true spirit of the Easter season.

Simon and the Easter Miracle by Mary Joslin

The gospels tell of Simon of Cyrene—“a man coming in from the country”—who was ordered to carry Jesus’ cross.

Over the centuries, his story has been woven into Polish folklore: When Simon the farmer brings his wares to market, little does he expect how he will be involved in the events of that very special day, nor how his produce—of bread, eggs, and wine—will become important symbols of Jesus’ passion and resurrection, remembered throughout the ages.

Together with sophisticated artwork, this picture book retelling of a traditional European tale is thought-provoking, with the events and meaning of the first Easter at its heart.

How do you celebrate Easter?

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Favorite Spring Books

This blog may contain affiliate links: disclosure.
Please see my suggested resources.

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I’m so ready for spring!

I’m tired of the dreary cold snowy weather of winter.

We love to cuddle and read books while the wind wuthers, hopefully blowing in some warmer weather.

Favorite Spring Books

Here’s a list of fun books to celebrate everything spring: gardening, clouds, warm rain, wind, flowers, and being outside in the sunshine!

A Gardener’s Alphabet by Mary Azarian

With her signature woodblock prints, the Caldecott medalist Mary Azarian invites readers into her own garden to discover its simple joys. Revealing the variety of life underground, the bright comfort of a greenhouse on a winter’s day, or the anticipation of starting seeds indoors in early spring, this striking alphabet book reminds us that gardens are perhaps our best way to live closer to the land and to the rhythm of the seasons.

I Love the Rain by Margaret Park Bridges

Molly hates rainy days. The gray sky, the soggy wait for the school bus, they seem to make everyone grumpy. Everyone except her friend Sophie, who shows Molly the magic she has been missing.
The simple, poetic language in this lovely book takes readers on a journeyfrom the girls’ first tentative steps into the drizzle to a rain-drenched romp in a puddle. The lyrical text is perfectly matched by the joyful watercolor paintings, which capture not only the color and beauty of a rainy day, but the warm interactions of the girls’ blossoming friendship. An exuberant homage to finding pleasure where it’s unexpected, the power of imagination, and the joys of friendship, I Love the Rain will have readers singing, “Sun, sun, go away!”

From Tadpole to Frog by Wendy Pfeffer

Female frogs lay eggs in the water, but what hatches isn’t a frog yet—it’s a tadpole! This classic Level 1 Let’s-Read-and-Find-Out picture book shows the incredible metamorphosis that occurs as a tadpole loses its fishy tail and gills and becomes a frog.

Now rebranded with a new cover look, this book includes a find out more section with an illustrated guide to identify different frog species and a map showing where bull frogs can be found throughout the United States.

The Falling Flowers by Jennifer B. Reed

Mayumie and her grandmother take a trip into Tokyo to see a surprise even more fun than the zoo and more beautiful than the shrine: cherry blossoms flowering in the heart of the city.

It Looked Like Spilt Milk by Charles G. Shaw

The white shape silhouetted against a blue background changes on every page. Is it a rabbit, a bird, an ice-cream cone, or just spilt milk? In this childhood classic, kids are kept guessing until the surprise ending, and they’re encouraged to improvise similar games of their own. This board book features sturdy pages and is just the right fit for small hands.

Zinnia’s Flower Garden by Monica Wellington

Springtime is here, and Zinnia can’t wait to plant her seeds and watch them grow. She carefully takes care of her garden, watering her plants, weeding, and waiting patiently for something to sprout. And soon enough, the first seedlings appear! With art just as colorful as a garden in bloom, young readers will enjoy watching Zinnia’s beautiful garden grow, and may even be inspired to start one of their own.

The Tree Lady: The True Story of How One Tree-Loving Woman Changed a City Forever by H. Joseph Hopkins

Unearth the true story of green-thumbed pioneer and activist Kate Sessions, who helped San Diego grow from a dry desert town into a lush, leafy city known for its gorgeous parks and gardens.

Katherine Olivia Sessions never thought she’d live in a place without trees. After all, Kate grew up among the towering pines and redwoods of Northern California. But after becoming the first woman to graduate from the University of California with a degree in science, she took a job as a teacher far south in the dry desert town of San Diego. Where there were almost no trees.

The Gardener by Sarah Stewart

Lydia Grace Finch brings a suitcase full of seeds to the big gray city, where she goes to stay with her Uncle Jim, a cantankerous baker. There she initiates a gradual transformation, bit by bit brightening the shop and bringing smiles to customers’ faces with the flowers she grows. But it is in a secret place that Lydia Grace works on her masterpiece — an ambitious rooftop garden — which she hopes will make even Uncle Jim smile.

Planting a Rainbow by Lois Ehlert

An array of collages follows the progress of a mother and daughter as they plant bulbs, seeds, and seedlings and watch them grow into a rainbow of colorful flowers

The Garden of Happiness by Erika Tamar

A littered lot in New York’s Alphabet City is transformed into a lush garden by people of the neighborhood. Young Marisol finds a small patch of her own, where she plants a large, flat seed. As it grows up and up, it surprises everyone and becomes the most special plant in the Garden of Happiness.

Spring Board Book by Gerda Muller

One of a series of chunky board books which lead young children through the seasons.

Seedfolks by Paul Fleischman

Kim begins the garden, planting a few lima beans to connect with her father who died when she was a baby in Vietnam. Then Tío Juan, a farmer from Guatemala, gains purpose when he teaches the neighborhood children how to plant. Soon curious neighbors join in and together they grow a beautiful garden. With each bean sprout and cucumber blossom the residents of Gibs Street find hope and meaning in their little green paradise.

Spring: An Alphabet Acrostic by Steven Schnur

New grass and daffodils, hopscotch and kite flying, kittens under the porch and baby birds under the eaves are the subjects of Steven Schnur’s evocative verses and Leslie Evans’s luminous linoleum-cut illustrations. When read vertically, each poem reveals a playful acrostic, making every handsomely designed page a double treat for the eye as well as a joyous tribute to the season.

Fletcher and the Springtime Blossoms by Julia Rawlinson

Fletcher loves everything about spring: listening to the birds sing, smelling just-opened flowers, and playing chase with butterflies. But then Fletcher sees something he never expected to see in spring: snow. Oh, no!

But it turns out that spring has another surprise in store for Fletcher—a warm and wondrous one.

Jump into spring with Fletcher and friends!

And Then It’s Spring by Julie Fogliano

Following a snow-filled winter, a young boy and his dog decide that they’ve had enough of all that brown and resolve to plant a garden. They dig, they plant, they play, they wait . . . and wait . . . until at last, the brown becomes a more hopeful shade of brown, a sign that spring may finally be on its way.

Explore Spring!: 25 Great Ways to Learn About Spring by Lauri Berkenkamp

Combining hands-on learning with solid science, trivia, riddles, and terrific illustrations, projects investigate “the reason for the season” and include identifying trees and measuring their growth, recording soil temperature, and observing the forest floor. Bird migration and nest building are covered, and the movement of air and water is studied with experiments in capillary action and in such activities as “Making Parachutes,” Making Kites,” and “Mapping Air Currents with Bubbles.”

Everything Spring by Jill Esbaum

We think of spring and we feel warmer, sunny days, we smell the freshness of nature’s flowers blooming again, and we picture little chicks and furry bunnies. These adorable baby animals are fun to look at and they represent the spirit of renewal and life that is spring. Every young creature finally ventures outside to play as the dreary days of winter fade away and color surround us all. Spring is about being outdoors enjoying all that our wonderful planet has to offer—it’s about living life to the fullest.

A Rainbow of My Own by Don Freeman

A small boy imagines what it would be like to have his own rainbow to play with.

Spring is Here! by Heidi Pross Gray

Discover the world as it wakes from its winter slumber as the flowers blossom, the animals come out from their resting place, and nature comes alive during this season of renewal. Head outside and play soccer and baseball with your friends while enjoying a wonderful picnic lunch from the food you grew in your garden! Heidi has done it again with this wonderful, wholesome book about the spring season, tying family and nature together in a book that will leave you feeling excited about spring!

What Can You See in Spring? by Sian Smith

Books in this series introduce emergent readers to the four seasons. In Spring, children are taken on a tour of things they can see in spring including typical spring activities and new life and growth in the natural world. Beautiful photos, very simple repeated text, high frequency and decodeable words and strong photo-to-text matching make this a perfect book for early readers to enjoy.

In Like a Lion, Out Like a Lamb by Marion Dane Bauer

March comes in with a roar.
He rattles your windows
and scratches at your door.

In this exuberant, rhythmic story, March, personified as a lion, enters a boy’s cozy home and leaves a trail of snow flurries and muddy footprints. The boy calmly observes the pouncing, howling, growling lion until in comes the lamb on the crest of a huge sneeze.

Escorted by grass, flowers, sunshine, showers, and animal babies, the lamb brings forth spring.

Feel the Wind by Arthur Dorros

Have you ever felt the wind tickle your face or heard it whistle through your window? Did you know that some wind travels faster than a car? Read inside to find out more about what causes wind, and learn how to make your own weather vane!

Have you ever felt the wind tickle your face or heard it whistle through your window? Did you know that some wind travels faster than a car?

Air is always moving. We can’t see air moving, though we can watch it push clouds across the sky, or shake the leaves of a tree. We call moving air the wind. In this enlarged edition, find out about the wind – what causes it, how it can be used to help us, and how it affects the weather.

Kite Day: A Bear and Mole Story by Will Hillenbrand

On a windy spring day, what do Bear and Mole decide to do? Why, fly a kite, of course! But first they have to build one. They design, measure, and finally construct their kite. With a zoom, zoom, zoom the kite soars up, up, up in the air. But when a storm rumbles in –SNAP!–the kite string breaks! The chase is on as the two friends tear after their kite and find it in a tree, protecting a nest of baby birds from the rain.

Spring is Here by Will Hillenbrand

Sniff. Sniff. Sniff. Spring is in the air. Mole can smell it. But Bear is still asleep after his long winter nap. How will Mole wake up Bear so they can celebrate together? When a knock, knock, knock and toot, toot, toot can’t get Bear out of bed, Mole cooks up a special treat.

Spring fever is catching in this vibrant story of friendship.

Who Likes Rain? by Wong Herbert Yee

It’s time to put on your rain gear for a rainy-day romp!

With spring come April showers. It’s time to put on a raincoat, grab an umbrella, and head outdoors. The worms like rain, and so do the fish and frogs. But what about the cat and dog? In this lyrical picture book, one spunky little girl discovers just who likes rain–and who doesn’t–as she explores the rainy-day habits of the world around her.

A New Beginning by Wendy Pfeffer

The spring equinox signals the time of year when the days are getting longer, the growing season has begun, and animals give birth to their young. With accessible, lyrical prose and vibrant illustrations, this book explains the science behind spring and shows how the annual rebirth of Earth has been celebrated by various cultures throughout the ages and the world.

How Robin Saved Spring by Debbie Ouellet

If Lady Winter has her way, the world will stay covered in blankets of snowy white and icy blue. Sister Spring will slumber forever and the winter will never end. Can Lady Winter really keep spring from coming or is there something the animals might do to help? Led by harbinger Robin, the animals are determined to wake Sister Spring, but what price will they each have to pay?
Through beautiful words and pictures, this enchanting tale about the battle of the seasons highlights one special bird who saves much more than just the day.

Bloom: An Ode to Spring by Deborah Diesen

Dig holes in the autumn soil.
Drop the bulbs in one by one.
Cover them with dirt.
Come spring, the bulbs will flower!

In this lushly illustrated story from Deborah Diesen that celebrates life and growing up, a mother and daughter plant a garden to see how something small blooms into something as beautiful and strong as their love.

When Spring Comes by Kevin Henkes

Before spring comes, the trees are dark sticks, the grass is brown, and the ground is covered in snow. But if you wait, leaves unfurl and flowers blossom, the grass turns green, and the mounds of snow shrink and shrink. Spring brings baby birds, sprouting seeds, rain and mud, and puddles. You can feel it and smell it and hear it—and you can read it!

Spring Walk by Virginia Snow

After a long winter’s sleep, the soil is springing to life. Spring flowers break through the ground to welcome warmer days. Come with Grammy and her grandchildren as they explore and learn all about 24 different flowers. Once home, she teaches them how to plant their own flowers from seeds and make beautiful bouquets.

The Story of the Root Children by Sibylle von Olfers

The root children spend the winter asleep. When spring comes, they wake, sew themselves new gowns, and clean and paint the beetles and bugs. All summer they play in fields, ponds and meadows before returning in the autumn to Mother Earth, who welcomes them home and puts them to bed once more.

When The Root Children Wake Up by Audrey Wood

Complimented with Ned Bittinger’s stunning illustrations, best-selling author Audrey Wood’s new version of a timeless classic is the perfect read aloud for this spring and gift all year round.

When Old Grandfather Winter disappears into his ice palace high in the mountains, Young Robin chirps her wake-up song to the Root Children deep underground. “Wake up,” she sings. “It’s time for the masquerade!”

Right away, the Root children set to work sewing their flowering costumes, and painting bugs with rainbows until they sparkle like jewels. Then, they frolic out into the world in a joyous chorus of color and song. They sing and dance through summer. But all good things must come to an end, and as the frosty autumn winds blow away the leaves and flowers, the Root Children must return to their underground bed with gentle Mother Earth.

Elsie and Pooka Stories – Spring by Lora Craig-Gaddis

These stories guide children through the Wheel of the Year in a way that is entertaining and amusing. Through these pages, Elsie, with her patience and gentle wisdom, provides a positive role model and instructor while children identify with Pooka. He asks questions. He makes them laugh. Sometimes, he even gets into trouble. They learn as he learns.

Ostara: Rituals, Recipes & Lore for the Spring Equinox by Kerri Connor

Ostara―also known as the Spring Equinox is a time of renewal, a time to plant seeds as the earth once again comes to life.

Ostara: Customs, Spells & Rituals for the Rites of Spring by Edain McCoy

Embrace Ostara as a point of balance in your life, a moment in time where both dark and light and night and day are in harmony before the light is victorious and carries us on to the bounty of summer pleasures. Ostara is packed with rituals, spells, recipes, crafts, and customs to celebrate the awakening earth.

This delightful guidebook will help you deepen your understanding of the spiritual aspects of this ancient spring holiday, and discover new ideas for expressing that spirituality.

Spring by Tanya Thayer

Crisp photography teams with easy-to-understand, repetitive sentences that encourage beginning readers to discover the world–one season at a time.

The Spring Equinox: Celebrating the Greening of the Earth by Ellen Jackson

Describes some of the ways in which people have celebrated the coming of spring, including the Mayas, the ancient Romans, and the Cree, as well as such holidays as Passover, No Ruz, Holi, and Easter, and suggest related activities.

It’s Spring by Susan Swan

Simple text and bold, beautiful paper sculpture convey the animal life, plant life, weather, colors, clothing, and feelings associated with the spring season.

What’s your favorite thing about spring?

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Easy Lo Mein

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We love lo mein but we can’t afford to get takeout every week nor do we want MSG that’s often in it.

My teen daughter complained the other day that holidays at our house are boring because we don’t ever have special meals. She said we cook too well at ordinary times to do anything extraordinary at holidays.

I’m hurt, but she’s not wrong.

This easy lo mein is pretty healthy and natural and comes together in a pinch!

It’s pretty easy to make lo mein at home and we add in the veggies and meats we like, customized for everyone.

I usually buy a bag of shredded carrots. I slice onions and bell peppers very thin.

The kids like the crunch of water chestnuts and baby corn.

You can add any veggie you like to customize.

I add some napa cabbage or some greens to steam as the last step.

I often top the bowls of lo mein with chopped green onions and sesame seeds.

I often use leftover chicken or stirfry up a quick batch of marinated chicken breast or shrimp. You can use tofu or any or no protein for frugal meals.

We often just use a box of cheap spaghetti, but the Asian lo mein noodles really are superior. I boil and drain it and toss it with some sesame oil while I saute meat and veggies.

It’s best to do things in batches and then toss it all together at the end so it’s fresh and hot.

I tend to make a quick sesame teriyaki sauce that pleases everyone’s taste buds. Those of us who like a bit of spice just add some chili garlic sauce at the table. Chopped cilantro is also nice.

This quick and easy meal is a crowd-pleaser.

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Lo Mein

Course Main Dish
Cuisine Asian
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 6

Ingredients

Lo Mein

  • 1 package spaghetti
  • 1 can water chestnuts, sliced or chopped
  • 1 can baby corn, sliced
  • 1/2 bag chredded carrots
  • 1/2 head Napa cabbage, chopped or baby bok choy or spinach or whatever
  • 1/2 medium bell pepper, sliced
  • 1/2 medium onion, sliced
  • 1/2 cup mushrooms, sliced
  • 2 chicken breasts, sliced into bite-sized pieces or shrimp or pork or beef or tofu

Teriyaki Sauce

  • 1/2 c Tamari
  • 1/4 c sesame oil
  • 1 clove crushed garlic
  • 1 t grated ginger
  • 1/8 c brown sugar
  • 1/8 c Mirin or sherry

Instructions

  1. Marinate chicken or other protein: 2 T soy sauce and 1 T sesame oil. Add 1 T sugar. Toss in 1-2 T cornstarch. It should make a paste coating the meat.
  2. Boil a pot of salted water. Prepare noodles according to package instructions.
  3. Heat 1-2 T peanut or other mild oil in wok or large pan. Saute carrots and onions. Add peppers, water chestnuts, corn, mushrooms. Drain vegetables in a colander or on paper towels.
  4. Heat 1-2 T oil in pan. Saute chicken in batches until cooked through. Drain in colander or on paper towels.
  5. Heat sauce in pan and combine with noodles, vegetables, chicken. Use tongs to gently coat every noodle with the sauce.
  6. Add in Napa cabbage or other greens to steam the last minute. Divide into pretty bowls. Sprinkle with chopped green onions and/or sesame seeds. Season with chili garlic sauce to taste.
Linking up: Holiday Journey, Modest Mom, Darling Downs Diaries, Blogghetti, Life of Faith, Squishable Baby, MaryAndering Creatively, GodSized Dreams, Holley Gerth, Inspiration for Moms, Simple Life for a Fire Wife, Lori Schumaker, Trekking Thru, That Recipe, Timeless Mama, Home Stories A to Z, Live Randomly Simple, Teaching What is Good, LouLou Girls, April Harris, Jaime Wiebel, Wise Woman, Jessi’s Design, Ducks in a Row, Marilyn’s Treats, Soaring with Him, Mississippi Mom, Sarah Frazer, Becoming Press, Our Three Peas, Raven Would, Bringing up Georgia, Breakthrough Homeschooling, Gingersnap Crafts, Journeys in Grace, Jennifer Dukes Lee, Life Beyond the Kitchen, A Bountiful Love, Life with Lorelai, Creative K Kids, Sugar Spice and Family Life, Our Mini Family, Coffee With Us3, Being a Wordsmith,
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Flavor Your Life with Extra Virgin Olive Oil

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I received this product for free from Moms Meet (momsmeet.com) to use and post my honest opinions. Compensation for this post was provided and this page may contain affiliate links.

We absolutely adore olive oil.

We are reminded of our trips to Italy and Greece with this delightful and rich-flavored European Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

This wonderful olive oil works well in salads, marinades, sautéing, roasting, and drizzled over cheese.

We had a lovely Greek-inspired feast featuring this oil in almost all the dishes!

The fresh olive flavor is perfect poured over feta cheese and sprinkled with dried oregano.

It was served this way alongside fresh Kalamata olives and darling little bread rolls all over Greece.

I also made a Greek salad dressing with red wine vinegar with oregano and basil.

Traditional Greek salads don’t always have lettuce.

It’s just good quality olive oil and oregano.

The olive oil roasted gorgeous my eggplant and zucchini for Briami, a Greek version of the French Ratatouille.

I used olive oil in a marinade for Za’atar grilled chicken.

I sauteed onions in olive oil for Lemon Rice Pilaf.

I probably use olive oil every single day.

Olive oil also a great substitute for butter when making scrambled eggs or omelets. It imparts a unique flavor and health benefits.

About Flavor Your Life

The Flavor Your Life campaign, supported by the European Union, Unaprol, and the Italian Ministry of Agriculture, is dedicated to providing the latest in industry news on European Extra Virgin Olive Oil. The program aims to educate US consumers so they can make informed decisions when purchasing Extra Virgin Olive Oil. To learn more visit flavor-your-life.com.

About Extra Virgin Olive Oil

• Olive oil comes from the fruit (known as a drupe) of the plant Olea europaea, or European olive. Extra Virgin Olive Oil is made by pressing without heat or chemicals. It represents the freshest
and purest olive oil available.
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil is virtually free of acidity—below 0.8%. This is to assure its quality rather than its taste, because overly processed and rancid oils contain higher levels of oleic acid.
• Olive oils are also tested for peroxide values. Lower values indicate fresher oil and more rapid processing, and are required for Extra Virgin designation. Each oil is judged by expert tasters,
who must agree that it meets the high flavor standards of an Extra Virgin rating.
• These experts also test for taste defects and the presence of positive attributes of fruitiness, bitterness and spiciness. If the oil doesn’t have the signature fruity taste and harmonious balance
it won’t receive an Extra Virgin rating.
• Olive oil has a high smoke point (400° F), so it can handle anything from a light sauté to a deep (and deeply flavorful) fry. You can bake with olive oil as well.
• Between uses, store your oil someplace dark and cool (around 57° F, if possible), not on a counter or near a stove, and never in the refrigerator. Keep the lid screwed on tight and use
your oil within 6 months of opening and within 18 months of purchasing.

Why Choose European?

• The olive tree has been revered in Europe since antiquity. Over thousands of years farmers have evolved hundreds of varieties of olive trees (cultivars) and optimized them for different
environment conditions and terrains to produce the most delicious yields.
• The result of this centuries old bond between the people and the land is the finest extra virgin olive in the world.
• The greatest impact on taste is the type of olive tree (cultivar), region (which affects climate and soil), and time of harvest. Europe offers a vast array of flavor profiles, so keep a variety of
oils in your pantry for different occasions.
• Olives harvested early in the season, late August (varies by region), are under-ripe and produce oils that are greener, more bitter and pungent.
• Olives harvested at the end of the season, late November into December, are overripe and tend to taste mild and buttery.
• Spanish oil is typically golden yellow with a fruity, nutty flavor.
• Italian olive oil is often dark green and has an herbal aroma and a grassy flavor.
• Greek olive oil packs a strong flavor and aroma and tends to be green.
• French oil is typically pale in color and has a milder flavor.

About Zucchi

Zucchi is a premier Italian Olive Oil Company delivering traceable and sustainable products that you can trust. You can find Zucchi at Big Y, HEB, King Kullen and Shaw’s.

Learn more online:

Connect with the Flavor Your Life campaign online to learn more about European Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
flavor-your-life.com
facebook.com/ FlavorYourLifeNA
twitter.com/Flavor_YourLife

Print

Za’atar grilled chicken

Ingredients

  • 4 chicken breasts or thighs boneless, skinless
  • 1/4 c olive oil
  • 1/4 c lemon juice
  • 1/4 c Za'atar seasoning
  • 2 cloves garlic fresh, chopped or minced
  • 1 t salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Marinade chicken in all ingredients in plastic bag or bowl for at least one hour in the fridge.

  2. Grill chicken on medium-high heat for about 8 minutes per side. Don't flip often or push down or they will become dry. Grill until internal temperature reaches at least 155 degrees. (We think charcoal grills impart more flavor.)

  3. Serve with your favorite rice and salad!

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Favorite Poetry Books for Kids

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I love poetry.

I am raising my kids to be linguists, to love language and words and sounds and rhythms.

I read to them while they were being knitted in my womb. I read aloud to them daily and the oldest one is in college.

Genuine poetry can communicate before it is understood. ~T.S. Eliot

I don’t teach poetry.

I don’t even teach English.

I don’t want to ruin the magic. We read it and sometimes discuss it. We ooh and aah over some of it. We giggle and act it out. We sing it.

The purpose of poetry is to enjoy it, not tear it apart or dissect it. I occasionally point out an example of a literary term or ask them to notice something special about a particular word, line, or poem.

Analyzing poetry is fine for high school or college, but not for small children.

Poetry is the place where language in its silence is most beautifully articulated. Poetry is the language of silence… It is interesting to look at your language and the words that you tend to use to see if you can hear a stillness or silence. One way to invigorate and renew your language is to expose yourself to poetry. In poetry your language will find cleansing illumination and sensuous renewal.

John O’Donohue, Anam Ċara

Poetry should be fun.

Poetry should be recited, performed, read aloud, acted out with costumes, laughed at, cried with, sung, shouted, whispered…read outside under trees while watching clouds and listening to the wind.

The Poetry of earth is never dead.

John Keats

We read lots and lots of poetry with our literature during our history cycles.

We also like to keep up with poet laureates for US and UK and other contemporary poets: Joy Harjo, Simon Armitage, Amanda Gorman.

Favorite Poetry Books for Kids

The Random House Book of Poetry for Children by Jack Prelutsky


The Random House Book of Poetry for Children offers both funny and illuminating poems for kids personally selected by the nation’s first Children’s Poet Laureate, Jack Prelutsky. Featuring a wealth of beloved classic poems from the past and modern glittering gems, every child who opens this treasury will finda world of surprises and delights which will instill a lifelong love of poetry. Featuring 572 unforgettable poems, and over 400 one-of-a-kind illustrations from the Caldecott-winning illustrator of the Frog and Toad series, Arnold Lobel, this collection is, quite simply, the perfect way to introduce children to the world of poetry.

This is a great poetry collection to get started.

Read-Aloud Rhymes for the Very Young by Jack Prelutsky


“No one better recognizes the essence of the child-poetry connection than poet and anthologist Jack Prelutsky…Here are more than 200 little poems to feed little people with little attention spans to help both grow. Marc Brown’s inviting illustrations add a visual dimension to the poems, which further engage young imaginations.” The poems are by 119 of the best-known poets of the 20th century.

The 20th Century Children’s Poetry Treasury by Jack Prelutsky


Here in one gloriously illustrated volume are 211 wonderful poems that represent the best this century has to offer. From sibling rivalry, school, monsters, food, and just plain silliness, to such ageless themes as the seasons, Who am I? and the many moods of childhood, this is a collection that begs to be read aloud and shared with the whole family. The poems, from every decade of this century, showcase 137 famous poets.

Poems to Learn by Heart by Caroline Kennedy

There’s a poem to celebrate every moment in life-whether it’s hitting a home run, watching a sunset, or laughing with your best friend. A poem is a gift of the heart that can inspire, reassure, or challenge us. Memorize it-share it-it’s yours forever.

These are just fun.

Color Me a Rhyme: Nature Poems for Young People by Jane Yolen

What colors do you see in nature – the green of a fern, the brown of a desert, the gray of a lifeless tree? Look closer. You’ll find more than meets the eye. Is that a white flower, or a star that fell in the forest? Is that an orange sunset, or a piece of fruit that’s ripe for eating? Is that a blue sky, or the slate on which a bird writes?

We love every single book by Jane Yolen. She has exquisite nature poetry books and celebrations for all sorts, in addition to fantasy and dinosaurs.

Where the Sidewalk Ends: Poems and Drawings by Shel Silverstein

You’ll meet a boy who turns into a TV set, and a girl who eats a whale. The Unicorn and the Bloath live there, and so does Sarah Cynthia Sylvia Stout who will not take the garbage out. It is a place where you wash your shadow and plant diamond gardens, a place where shoes fly, sisters are auctioned off, and crocodiles go to the dentist.

All of Silverstein’s books are delightful. I loved them as a kid and now my kids love them!

Hailstones and Halibut Bones: Adventures in Poetry and Color by Mary O’Neill

Poetry about the colors of the spectrum, has become a modern children’s classic.

Rootabaga Stories by Carl Sandburg

Welcome to Rootabaga Country – where the railroad tracks go from straight to zigzag, where the pigs wear bibs, and where the Village of Cream Puffs floats in the wind. You’ll meet baby balloon pickers, flummywisters, corn fairies, and blue foxes–and if you’re not careful, you may never find your way back home!

Fold Me a Poem by Kristine O’Connell George

Join a young boy as he creates a world filled with origami creatures of all shapes and sizes out of an array of brightly colored paper. From roosters waking up and buffalo pawing the tablecloth to cheetahs racing lions and moths that yearn for butterfly colors, here is a glimpse into the vibrant imagination of a child.

Old Elm Speaks: Tree Poems by Kristine O’Connell George

This tree across the stream is a trickier bridge than it might seem…Deceptively simple verses reveal what trees think about and what they say to one another, as well as how they look and all the things they do for us. Humor and an unerring ear for the sounds of language make these poems an irresistible read-aloud; the luminous oil paintings evoke a country setting and the children who enjoy it through the year.

Julie Andrews’ Collection of Poems, Songs, and Lullabies by Julie Andrews and Emma Walton Hamilton

Featuring a wide range of beloved classics from William Shakespeare, Emily Dickenson, and Robert Frost to playful poems by Jack Prelutsky and Shel Silverstein, this is the perfect collection for families to share throughout the years. Julie and Emma additionally contribute a number of their own poems and reveal the stories behind some of their family favorites. James McMullan’s stunning watercolor paintings bring each page to glorious life with his spectacular vision and artistic point of view.

The Collection, now featuring a brand-new cover design, is packaged with a special CD featuring mother and daughter alternately recording twenty-one poems, some of which are recited together. This special keepsake anthology is one that readers of all ages will return to and treasure.

We have a slight obsession with Julie Andrews. We are not ashamed.

Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening by Robert Frost

There are more animals to find among the trees, and the kindly figure with his “promises to keep” exudes warmth as he stops to appreciate the quiet delights of winter. The handsome new vellum jacket will attract new and old fans as it evokes a frost-covered windowpane.

We love reading poetry aloud. We love writing limericks and fun poems of our own.

I love reading poetry to my kids.

There are whole series of about 12 poetry books – Poetry for Young People. Maya Angelou, Emily Dickinson, William Wordsworth, and Walt Whitman are just lovely.

I read to my kids from Shakespeare and Norton’s literature anthologies. I haven’t bought any kids collections’ of poems. We often check out fun poetry books from the library.

My favorite poets are TS Eliot, WH Auden, Seamus Heaney, Sylvia Plath…

Do you enjoy poetry?

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6 Steps Toward Financial Security

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Between the staggering statistics on average household debt and the difficult economic climate, there is a lot of discussion about family finances. If you struggle with budgeting, thinking about managing your money better can seem overwhelming. However, even small steps can make a big difference, especially in the long term.

Here some simple ways to start taking control of your financial independence.

1. Analyze Your Debt

If you are spending money every month paying off debt, you know how big of an impact it can have on your overall finances. You may have a goal of paying off all your loans, but that process can take several years. Before you start making bigger payments toward your debt, you may want to figure out the most efficient way to pay it off. You could start with the credit card with the highest interest. Maybe you want to refinance to consolidate your debt. Try to find the plan that works best with your income and goals.

2. Make Savings Automatic

You may find it much easier to allocate money to your savings account if you don’t have to think about it. There are several ways to make saving automatic. You can request to have part of your paycheck deposited in a savings account or set up an automatic transfer at your bank. You can also use a savings app to move money into savings automatically.

3. Recycle and Reuse

If a lot of your budget goes toward disposable items, you may want to think about changing to reusable alternatives. Switching to cloth napkins and ditching the paper plates can save you money and reduce your environmental impact as well.

4. Lower Energy Consumption

Utility bills can be expensive, but you can make a few simple changes to lower your usage and your monthly costs. Consider switching to energy-efficient light bulbs and low-flow showerheads. You can also use a programmable thermostat to reduce the load on your home’s HVAC system when you are out of the house.

5. Use the Library

For most families, entertainment takes a large percentage of the discretionary spending. Whether your family loves books, movies, or music, you can drastically reduce your spending by taking advantage of your local library. Most libraries have large selections of CDs and DVDs along with magazines and books. You can also check to see if your library offers eBooks through an online service.

6. Take It Slow

When you decide to take control of your family finances, it can be discouraging if you don’t see big changes in your bank account right away. However, changing your financial habits can take time. Be patient with yourself and your family, and find encouragement in small changes.

Financial management can take a long time to master, especially if you are overseeing all the income and expenditures for your entire household. If you are trying to save more money or pay off debt, there are several small things you can do to start moving in the right direction without dramatically changing your entire lifestyle. Reducing your home’s energy consumption, making savings automatic, and using the library are just a few ways to reduce your expenses and grow your savings.

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Learning Styles and Personality Types

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I have a master’s in education with a bachelor’s in English lit and a minor in psychology.

Knowing myself and my family members helps me to understand our interactions and work towards peace and cooperation.

Personalities, learning styles, emotions, and motivations have always interested me. This interest has guided my work with my students and my family. It’s important to understand and work with differences for good leadership.

My kids enjoy taking the tests and discussing the results. We learn about each other and it helps us in our relationships.

Enneagram

The Enneagram of Personality has been widely promoted in both business management and spiritual contexts. The underlying structure of Enneagram is based on testable ideas about motivations and emotions. There are 9 types.

I’m a combo 1 and 5.

My husband is a solid 3.

Two of my kids are 7 and two of my kids are 9.

Knowing and working from this knowledge helps us with conflict transformation.

We first heard about Enneagram about 6 years ago when we attended a hippotherapy family camp. That whole week was the beginning of improving our family relationships.

https://parade.com/899499/lesley-chen/enneagram-personality-type/

Learn your Enneagram here or here.

MBTI

The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® (MBTI®) personality inventory makes the theory of psychological types described by C. G. Jung understandable and useful. There are 16 types.

I am INTJ (which is apparently unusual for a female).

My husband is ENTJ.

My kids are ENTP, ENFP, ENFJ, and INFJ (which is apparently the rarest personality type).

Having only two introverts in a household of extroverts can be stressful.

When my 7-year-old son took the MBTI quiz, one of the questions was “Would you prefer your son to be kind or smart?” He didn’t hesitate before saying “kind.” I am so proud.

Find your MBTI type here.

Another fun personality test is the Gary Smalley John Trent test from Making Love Last Forever. I’m a lion and my husband is a golden retriever. You can probably guess how that works out.

The Four Lenses Assessment assigns colors. I’m purple and my husband is green. There’s a similar FREE test: True Colors.

Learning Styles

As a teacher, learning styles have always been important in the classroom.

I taught English for over 10 years…and incorporating all the learning styles in a lesson could be challenging at times.

As a homeschool mom, I make sure to include different learning and teaching styles in our educational activities.

Discover the Types of Learners:

There are four main types of learning:

  • Visual: The occipital lobes at the back of the brain manage the visual sense. Both the occipital and parietal lobes manage spatial orientation.
  • Auditory: The temporal lobes handle aural content. The right temporal lobe is especially important for music.
  • Reading/Writing: The temporal and frontal lobes, especially two specialized areas called Broca’s and Wernicke’s areas (in the left hemisphere of the two lobes).
  • Kinesthetic: The cerebellum and the motor cortex (at the back of the frontal lobe) handle much of our physical movement.

Pure Flix offers a variety of wholesome content to supplement homeschool curriculum for visual learners, and check out these 20 activities for learning with Legos to use with your kinesthetic learner!

I am definitely not an auditory learner. My teen creates little jingles and parody songs all the time and she has a great ear to teach herself piano and guitar. I try not to fall into the comfort zone of verbal and visual teaching all the time. Kinesthetic lessons help us all to learn by doing.

Multiple Intelligences

I’m careful not to place my children into a box. Schools make it more difficult for students to shine in their talents and abilities.

Howard Gardner uses the word “intelligence” where other people have traditionally used words like “ability” and “aptitude.”

I know what my kids exhibit as their natural abilities. We work together to hone that and also improve in other areas, without shaming. We want to be well-rounded.

There are 8 (maybe 9) intelligences. Moral or Existential is sometimes included.

I love how these Intelligences further explain personality and learning style. My extrovert family members are interpersonal. Two of my kids are so naturally self-aware, intrapersonal, that it astounds me.

Emotional Intelligence

An often forgotten issue is emotion. We learn and teach to stifle emotion…but that’s not healthy. We are a shaming and humiliating culture.

In our home, we are learning how to be healthy with our emotions – in all their mess and discomfort.

Emotional intelligence is defined as the ability to monitor one’s own and other people’s emotions, to discriminate between different emotions and label them appropriately, and to use emotional information to guide thinking and behavior.

Emotional Intelligence gained popularity in his 1995 book, written by the author and science journalist Daniel Goleman.

Since our culture stigmatizes mental health issues, I feel it’s very important to help my children realize their emotional intelligence. We discuss and learn together.

Getting in touch with our emotions, recognizing and experiencing both positive and negative feelings is key to being wholehearted.

We have many wonderful tools to help us wholeheartedly teach our children well.

I use these tools so I know myself and my children. I want my children to know themselves and their abilities and vulnerabilities so they can grow into whole and healthy adults.

More Resources:

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Everyone Loves to Get a Gift Basket

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Gift baskets are sometimes the best answer to the question “what should I send for a gift?” There are times when you may not know exactly what someone you only have a limited knowledge of would like, but you feel giving them a gift would be appropriate. A gift basket could be the perfect choice, check online to choose one of Canada’s gift baskets for the occasion. This Toronto company offers baskets to celebrate special holidays that include Christmas and Mother’s Day, and also wedding, birthday, baby baskets and several other theme baskets.

One significant advantage of sending a thoughtful gift basket is the very reasonable cost. Baskets can be delivered anywhere in Canada for a shipping charge of only $9.95 or less, and deliveries to the USA are also very reasonable at $14.99. Of course the actual price of the basket does not include the delivery charge. It should be noted that gift baskets can only be delivered to North America which includes Canada and the United States.

Shipping is not a problem no matter where the recipient of your gift lives. Your gift basket will be packed so carefully that you need not question that it will arrive in excellent condition. Whether the destination of your gift is anywhere throughout Canada or even in North America, next day delivery is assured for any order placed before 12:00 PM EST.

While you are no doubt aware that it is usually best to deliver your gift in person, there are times when travel is just not possible. It may be the distance is too far, or you may have previous responsibilities that you cannot cancel. Most people are very understanding about these situations, but a thoughtfully chosen gift basket will deliver your good wishes.

Canadian and American companies often have business contacts, and a gift basket sent from one office to another is a great way to foster good will. The gift can be a personal gift chosen for one person, or it could be a larger basket intended for the entire office staff. With so many choices available the basket could contain treats such as cookies or fudge, or it could be a sports themed basket intended to supply treats and beverages to be enjoyed while watching TV sports.

There is virtually no limit to the ways a gift basket can be packaged, so make sure to check out gift baskets when you find yourself needing to send a gift. You and the recipient will both be pleased with your choice.

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Favorite Valentine Books

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It’s fun to celebrate holidays and Christian holy days.

St. Valentine’s Day is a fun secular holiday and a great religious history lesson.

I like to gather books to read each month for the major holiday(s). It’s good to have themes.

The books on this list are fun, silly, lovey-dovey, and historical!

Our Favorite Valentine Books:

A Charlie Brown Valentine
Celebrate Valentine’s Day with Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and the rest of the Peanuts gang in this retelling of a beloved Valentine’s Day TV special!

Charlie Brown is excited about Valentine’s Day. It’s the perfect excuse to finally talk to the Little Red-Haired Girl! He’s ready to wear his heart on his sleeve…and so are Lucy, Peppermint Patty, Sally, and Linus. Will the Peanuts gang find love once and for all? With Snoopy’s help, anything is possible!

How Do Dinosaurs Say I Love You? by Jane Yolen
Even when little dinosaurs are naughty, it’s important to remind them that no matter what they do, they are always loved. In this book, readers will laugh aloud as parents cope with the typical antics of childhood, but in the end, hugs and kisses show your little one how much you care.

Snuggle Puppy! by Sandra Boynton
I used to sing this to my son when he was a baby!
A great big hug in book form, Snuggle Puppy is a year-round valentine from parent to child. It is bright, chunky, a pleasure to hold, and has a die-cut cover that reveals a glimpse of the joy inside before it’s even opened. Best of all, it’s packed, of course, with pure Boynton: her inimitable language, her inimitable illustrations, her inimitable sense of fun.

Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney
“Guess how much I love you,” says Little Nutbrown Hare. Little Nutbrown Hare shows his daddy how much he loves him: as wide as he can reach and as far as he can hop. But Big Nutbrown Hare, who can reach farther and hop higher, loves him back just as much. Well then, Little Nutbrown Hare loves him right up to the moon, but that’s just halfway to Big Nutbrown Hare’s love for him.

Love Is by Diane Adams
This story of a girl and a duckling who share a touching year together will melt hearts old and young. In this tenderly funny book, girl and duckling grow in their understanding of what it is to care for each other, discovering that love is as much about letting go as it is about holding tight.

There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Rose! by Lucille Colandro
Our favorite lady is back and hungry for Valentine’s Day treats!

That lovely old lady has returned just in time for Valentine’s Day. Now she’s swallowing items to make a very special gift for her valentine!

With rhyming text and hilarious illustrations, this wacky version of the classic song will appeal to young readers as they follow the Old Lady on a wild Valentine’s Day adventure.
We never get tired of these fun rhymes!

Cranberry Valentine by Wende Devlin
“Suffering codfish! Somebody’s after me,” Mr. Whiskers groans. And somebody is.
It all starts on a gray February day in Cranberryport, when Mr. Whiskers admits to Maggie and Grandmother that he has never, ever, received a valentine. Then two days later, a big lacy valentine arrives for him, full of cupids, lovebirds, hearts and flowers.
“How sweet,” says Maggie.
“Revolting,” says Mr. Whiskers.
The next day three more fancy valentines arrive for Mr. Whiskers, and he begins to get worried…particularly when he hears that a lady in green has been asking for him all over town.
Then more valentines arrive and Mr. Whiskers is terrified! Should he hide or leave town?

Roses Are Pink, Your Feet Really Stink by Diane deGroat
Gilbert is all set to write fifteen friendly valentine cards to his classmates. But how can he write a nice poem for the boy who tweaked his nose, or the girl who made fun of his glasses? Instead, Gilbert writes two not-so-nice valentines…and signs the wrong name on both!

When his classmates read his poems, their feelings are hurt, and Gilbert’s prank quickly turns into pandemonium. But with the help of a friend and an honest apology, there’s always time for a change of heart on Valentine’s Day.

Happy Valentine’s Day, Mouse! by Laura Numeroff
This follows Mouse as he makes valentines for all of his friends. Each Valentine is made to represent what he loves most about each of his friends, such as Pig “because she’s a good dancer” and Bunny “because she’s the best at hide-and-seek.”

Plant a Kiss by Amy Krouse Rosenthal
Little Miss planted a kiss…

One small act of love blooms into something bigger and more dazzling than Little Miss could have ever imagined in this epic journey about life, kindness, and giving.

The Secret of Love by Sarah Burg
Accompanied by charming spare pencil drawings accentuated by bursts of red color, this wordless picture book follows two best friends as they, unable to share the special heart-shaped flower they’ve found, find a creative solution that celebrates their friendship!

The I LOVE YOU Book by Todd Parr
I love you when you give me kisses.
I love you when you need hugs…
Most of all, I love you just the way you are.

The Ballad of Valentine by Alison Jackson
Oh my darling, oh my darling, oh my darling Valentine. I have written forty letters, but you’ve never read a line.
Set to the tune of the song “Clementine,” Alison Jackson tells the sweet tale of Valentine and her beau. Valentine goes about her day, doing chores around her mountain cabin, while her secret admirer is hard at work trying to ask her an important question. He tries many ways to contact her, including Morse code and smoke signals, but he can never complete his message. Will he ever be able to reach his beloved Valentine?

Mr. Goat’s Valentine by Eve Bunting
After reading in the newspaper that it’s Valentine’s Day, Mr. Goat sets out in search of very special gifts for his first love. But just what would a goat choose as the perfect gifts to show how he feels? Readers will be in for a surprise at Mr. Goat’s nontraditional selections.

Here Comes Valentine Cat by Deborah Underwood
Cat does NOT like Valentine’s Day. It’s much too mushy, and no way is he making anyone a valentine—especially not his new neighbor, Dog. Dog refuses to respect the fence: He keeps tossing over old bones and hitting Cat in the head! But just as Cat’s about to send Dog an angry “valentine” telling him exactly what he can do with his bones, Dog throws a ball over the fence. What is Dog playing at? Cat is in for a hilarious—and heartwarming—surprise in this story about being perhaps too quick to judge.

I Love You Already! by Jory John
Bear can’t wait to spend a pleasant day by himself. His persistent next-door neighbor, Duck, wants to take a morning stroll . . . with Bear. He just wants Bear to like him already. . .

A Crankenstein Valentine by Samantha Berger
See what happens to an ordinary kid on the most lovey-dovey, yuckiest day of the year-Valentine’s Day!

Cheesy cards, allergy-inducing bouquets, and heart-shaped everything? It’s enough to turn anyone into a monster!

YECHHHH!

But Crankenstein might just find a way to turn his sour day sweet… because even the crankiest monsters have hearts!

Valensteins by Ethan Long
Something strange is in the air on this dark, cold night.

The members of Fright Club are always ready to scare, but tonight Fran K. Stein has something else on his mind. He’s busy making something, and the other monsters want to know what it is.

Could it be a mask with fangs? A big pink nose? Or maybe a paper butt? No . . . it’s a Valentine!

That means one thing . . . EEEEK!! Is Fran in love? What could be scarier than falling in love?!?

Even the scariest of monsters have true feelings.

The Yuckiest, Stinkiest, Best Valentine Ever by Brenda Ferber
Leon has a crush. A let-her-cut-in-line-at-the-water-fountain kind of crush. And he’s got the perfect valentine. But this valentine has no intention of getting caught up in any romantic conspiracy. “Love is yucky, kid! Valentine’s Day is all about CANDY!” the card yells at Leon, before leaping out the window and running away, leaving Leon to chase it across town, collecting kids along the way. Saying “I love you” has never been so yucky or so sweet.

Zombie in Love by Kelly DiPucchio
Mortimer is looking for love. And he’s looking everywhere! He’s worked out at the gym (if only his arm wouldn’t keep falling off). He’s tried ballroom dancing lessons (but the ladies found him to be a bit stiff). He’s even been on stalemate.com. How’s a guy supposed to find a ghoul? When it seems all hope has died, could the girl of Mortimer’s dreams be just one horrifying shriek away?

Froggy’s First Kiss by Jonathan London
He can’t even think straight when she’s around. When Frogilina smiles at him through the monkey bars, Froggy falls smack on his head-bonk! So with Valentine’s Day just a week away, Froggy gets busy making an extra-special valentine. The fifth book about the irrepressible Froggy, this is sure to keep children giggling with delight.

Henry in Love by Peter McCarty
Henry is a bit of a dreamer and not much of a talker. Then there’s Chloe, who says what she thinks and knows how to turn a spectacular cartwheel.

This is the story of how one blueberry muffin makes all the difference.

If You’ll Be My Valentine by Cynthia Rylant
Charming prose and captivatingly sweet art create an adorable tableau of loving wishes from one little boy to all the members of his family.

The Valentine Express by Nancy Elizabeth Wallace
Minna, an appealing rabbit character, comes up with a great Valentine’s Day project which involves enlisting her little brother to do kind things for their neighbors.

Love and Kisses by Sarah Wilson
This little love story proves that a kiss is not just a kiss. It is a bountiful fount of surprises, spreading love far and wide and growing sweeter as it goes! What better message to give someone you love than one of such joy and happy affection?

What Color Is a Kiss? by Rocio Bonilla
This sweet, heartwarming story asks one simple question: What color is a kiss? Sassy and intrepid Monica loves to paint and sees her world in every color of the rainbow, but this question nags at her. She paints and paints, hoping to discover the answer. With the help of her mother, Monica discovers that kisses and love come in all colors.

Snowy Valentine by David Petersen
Step out into a snowy Valentine’s Day with Jasper the bunny as he searches the forest valley for a special gift for his loved one.

The Valentine Bears by Eve Bunting
Mr. and Mrs. Bear have never celebrated St. Valentine’s Day because they hibernate during the winter.

Dinosaur Kisses by David Ezra Stein
For newly hatched dinosaur Dinah, the world is an exciting place. There is so much to see and do. She tries this — STOMP! And she tries that — CHOMP! Then she sees a kiss and knows just what she wants to try next. Who can she kiss? And after a few disastrous attempts, can she figure out how to give someone a kiss without whomping, chomping, or stomping them first?

The Day It Rained Hearts by Felicia Bond
One day it rains hearts, and Cornelia Augusta catches them. She realizes that the hearts are perfect for making valentines. Each heart is special in its own way, and Cornelia Augusta knows exactly who to send them to: her animal friends.

The Biggest Valentine Ever by Steven Kroll
When Mrs. Mousely asks her class to make valentines, Clayton and Desmond decide to make one together and give it to their teacher as a surprise. But things don’t go as planned. First Clayton puts too much glitter on the card. Then Desmond puts on too many hearts. Soon the friends are arguing and they rip the card in half. “I’m going to make my own valentine!” they both say and go home in a huff.
But then Desmond and Clayton realize that by working together they can make the biggest, best valentine ever!

Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Rubin
Perhaps not a traditional Valentine’s book, but it’s one of our favorites!
Dragons love tacos. They love chicken tacos, beef tacos, great big tacos, and teeny tiny tacos. So if you want to lure a bunch of dragons to your party, you should definitely serve tacos. Buckets and buckets of tacos. Unfortunately, where there are tacos, there is also salsa. And if a dragon accidentally eats spicy salsa . . . oh, boy. You’re in red-hot trouble.

Pete the Cat: Valentine’s Day Is Cool by Kimberly and James Dean
At first, Pete thinks Valentine’s Day isn’t cool…until he realizes all the special cats there are in his life. Once Pete the Cat realizes how much fun Valentine’s Day can be, he decides to make Valentine cards for his family and friends. But what happens when he realizes he’s forgotten to make a card for a very important cat?

Love Monster by Rachel Bright
Love Monster is a slightly hairy monster trying to fit in with the cuddly residents of Cutesville. But as it turns out, it’s hard to fit in with the cute and the fluffy when you’re a googly-eyed monster. And so, Love Monster sets out to find someone who will love him just the way he is. His journey is not easy―he looks high, low, and even middle-ish. But as he soon finds out, in the blink of a googly eye, love can find you when you least expect it.
This whole series is cute!

Groggle’s Monster Valentine by Diana Murray
Groggle has been up all night making a Valentine’s Day card. This isn’t just any Valentine, though, and it has to be perfect—it’s for Snarlina, his beast friend in the whole wide world.

Searching in the dark forest, he finds just the right heart-shaped leaves. He collects some bog slime and squirts everything he wants to say in bold, gooey letters. Groggle’s creation looks horribly good. But there’s just one problem—gobble, crunch, crunch, slurp! He has a monster appetite!

Groggle tries again, this time writing poem after poem to make sure he has some extras just in case. He picks skunk flowers, carefully ties on snake bows, and sprinkles shiny beetle glitter. He decorates each card with care. But . . . gobble, crunch, crunch, slurp! Groggle’s monster impulses foil his efforts and he’s run out of time.

Will Groggle ever be able to give his toothsome, stomping, monstrous friend Snarlina a Valentine? Find out in this monster of a tale.

Slugs in Love by Susan Pearson
Marylou loves everything about Herbie—how his slime trail glistens in the dark, how he can stretch himself thin to squeeze inside the cellar window, and how he always finds the juiciest tomatoes. But Marylou is a shy slug. How can she get Herbie to notice her? Find out how Marylou woos her beloved in this must-have love story that’s perfect for Valentine’s Day.

This Is Not a Valentine by Carter Higgins
This book is not a valentine. It doesn’t have lacey edges or sugary hearts. But it is full of lucky rocks, secret hiding spots, and gumball machine treasures. This is a book about waiting in line and wishing for cinnamon buns. About recognizing that if you care so much about someone not thinking you care, maybe you really do. But wait—isn’t that exactly what love is about? Maybe this book is sort of a valentine after all. A testament to handmade, wacky, bashful, honest love—sure to win over the hearts of all readers—this offering from debut picture book author Carter Higgins and children’s book veteran Lucy Ruth Cummins is the perfect gift to celebrate every relationship, from parent to child, sibling to sibling, partner to partner, crush to crush.

Ollie’s Valentine by Olivier Dunrea
Looking for a valentine. Gossie, Gertie, Peedie, and BooBoo all have valentines, but Ollie wonders who will be his. His search leads him to a special valentine of his very own—a surprise for Ollie!

Love is You & Me by Monica Sheehan
A sweet celebration of what LOVE is all about!

This adorable book, by best-selling author/illustrator Monica Sheehan, helps us to remember that LOVE— whether between a parent and child, best friends, or even a dog and a mouse—is the greatest gift of ALL.

Never Too Little to Love by Jeanne Willis
Tiny Too-Little loves someone who’s very, very tall, and Tiny wants a kiss. What if he stands on his tiptoes on top of a thimble? What if he stands on his tiptoes on top of a matchbox on top of a thimble? Clever cut-away pages show Tiny’s precarious pile growing higher and higher, while the object of his affection stays just out of reach. When the teetering stack finally falls with a crash, will his hopes be dashed? How can a tiny mouse get the kiss he needs?

Consider Love: Its Moods and Many Ways by Sandra Boynton
From the sentimental to the soulful, this delightful book explores the many and curious modes of love using adorable pictures and pleasing phrases. Also it rhymes. And it makes a fantastically thoughtful gift that anyone will, well, love!

This refreshed edition of Sandra Boynton’s celebrated tribute to affection, devotion, and all things lovely features the original endearing illustrations with an all-new cover—and a whole lotta heart.

Love by Matt de la Peña
“In the beginning there is light
and two wide-eyed figures standing near the foot of your bed
and the sound of their voices is love.
…
A cab driver plays love softly on his radio
while you bounce in back with the bumps of the city
and everything smells new, and it smells like life.”

I Am Loved by Nikki Giovanni
There is nothing more important to a child than to feel loved, and this gorgeous gathering of poems written by Nikki Giovanni celebrates exactly that. Hand-selected by Newbery honoree Ashley Bryan, he has, with his masterful flourish of color, shape, and movement, added a visual layering that drums the most impartant message of all to young, old, parent, child, grandparent, and friend alike: You are loved. You are loved. You are loved.

My Valentine for Jesus by Laurie Lazzaro Knowlton
This Valentine holiday book for young children will help parents of children ages 2-5 share the meaning of love. The rhyming text and delightful illustrations tell the story of a child’s love for his family―and his special love for Jesus.

The Story of Valentine’s Day by Clyde Robert Bulla
Everybody knows what Valentine’s Day means: Red and pink hearts, flowers and chocolates, and cards and letters with sweet sayings written on them. But why? Who was St. Valentine, anyway?

Here is a close look at one of our oldest and most mysterious holidays. The ancient legends behind the celebration are revealed – including how Valentine’s Day evolved over the centuries and who wrote the very first valentine.

Saint Valentine by Robert Sabuda
How did Valentine’s Day, one of our most popular holidays, begin?
It started in ancient Rome when a kind physician named Valentine took an interest in a young blind girl. With his healing skill and his deep faith he restored her sight. What we now call Valentine’s Day began when he sent the little girl a secret message, which she received after the Christian martyr was executed. For this tale rich in sentiment, master illustrator Robert Sabuda has created exquisite paper mosaics to suggest early Christian art that resonates with both subtlety and power.

The Story of Valentine’s Day by Nancy Skarmeas
In only 200 words, author Skarmeas tells the story of how Valentine’s Day came into being. In simple words that every child can understand, here is the story of the kindly Valentine who cared for the children of Rome, who prayed for a miracle for a blind child, and who is remembered each February 14. Artist Pickett has painted the scenes in bright colors from the schoolroom scenes to those of ancient Rome. This book is unusual in that it briefly explains the history of a holiday to toddlers.

Saint Valentine by Ann Tompert
Every February 14 we exchange cards and flowers as expressions of love. Valentine’s Day is among our most popular holidays, But what do the words “Be my valentine” mean? Who was Valentine? We know he lived in third-century Rome, during the reign of Claudius II. We know that he was a Christian priest. But he lived during a period of military anarchy, when many of Rome’s records were destroyed. The facts of Valentine’s life have been lost to history. What survive, however, are legends. And legends often contain the residue of truth. Ann Tompert beautifully weaves together the most enduing stories of Valentine to create a tapestry of the saint’s life, while Kestutis Kasparivicius’s illustrations take the reader back to ancient Rome. Together, author and illustrator pierce the historical fog that surrounds Saint Valentine to offer a glimpse of the man whose life remains a mystery.

The Story of St. Valentine: More Than Cards and Candied Hearts by Voice of the Martyrs
Read the inspiring tale of Valentinus, the courageous Christian man behind Valentine’s Day who lived in third century Rome. Follow him as he goes against the Roman emperor’s edicts by performing secret marriage ceremonies in the woods and how he refuses to worship Roman gods. See how he faithfully followed Christ, even to his death.

What’s your favorite Valentine book or tradition?

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Kitchen Tools for Kids

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Our kids like being helpful and useful around the house and they want real tools, not just toys.

While we love and encourage pretend play, my kids also want to use real tools to make real food. Our kids quickly got bored with play kitchens and wanted to use the real kitchen. These tools are functional, sturdy, fun, and fit smaller hands well.

I’m a big believer in letting kids help shop for and make their own food, along with helping during the more boring preparation and cleanup. It’s an easy authentic way to teach about healthy eating habits and household management.

We live in our kitchen and show our love for each other by cooking and eating together.

I don’t assign chores or use checklists or charts. See how I motivate here. We all work together cheerfully to keep the household running smoothly.

These are our favorite kids’ tools for children to help with household chores.

Kuhn Rikon Knives were a huge hit for our kids. They loved the fun design and could really cut veggies, helping in the kitchen.

They’re sharp enough to chop carrots, but don’t slice into little fingers.

Peelers are appealing to kids and these bright fun ones are perfect for little and big hands!

We also like this spiralizer for all sorts of uses!

Toaster tongs are a great safety tool to keep little (and big!) fingers from getting singed by hot toaster parts. Toasted breads are an easy item for kids to make!

Even when they were too small to use the oven, my kids loved having their own oven mitts.

They would often just help by holding a corner of that cookie sheet to bring it near the countertop.

Silpats are great for nonstick baking and can also be used on the countertop for nonslip use when rolling out dough or kneading bread.


Immersion blenders are handy (almost mess-free) tools for whipping up sauces, scrambling eggs, and blending soups.

One of the first things our kids learn to cook is scrambled eggs and we love these pans for their quality, sturdiness, and nonstickiness.

This is my absolute favorite silicone whisk for so many jobs!

Electric kettles keep boiling water in a safe container rather than an open pot on the stovetop. The kids love helping to make tea!

Cleaning supplies made for smaller hands are great and my kids loved having their very own kid-sized items to help clean up!

Reusable cloths help get any cleanup job done with pretty colors and without harsh chemicals.

I love this fun mop, broom, and dustpan.

My kids each had their own broom set. The bright colors are really fun and they’re the perfect size and very sturdy.

Pretty soon, my kids are using the same tools I do and we’re dancing around each other in a lovely choreography as we make meals together.

You can see many of these tools in action here!

You might also like my Kitchen Essentials List.

What are your favorite kids tools?

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