Purchase where readers devour the “I Survived” series by Lauren Tarshis.
A solid, heartwarming addition to early chapter book collections.
This new standout early reader series is highly recommended for general purchase.
This rhyming tale of an unusual character in a wacky situation will appeal to fans of Dr. Seuss.
This wonderful early reader about a variety of sports is a great addition to any preschool or elementary library collection.
The perfect chapter book for young lovers of science or fantasy, especially bug enthusiasts who enjoy a hint of suspense in their stories as well. Strong female characters will also inspire readers of all ages.
A recommended purchase for libraries where Pete the Cat is popular and early readers circulate widely.
Sure to be a hit with vehicle lovers, this engaging title for early chapter book readers cleverly uses a bulldozer child protagonist to address social fears about new situations and friendships. Highly recommended.
An accessible introduction to preschool, helping young children as they prepare to transition to a new environment.
A simple, yet impactful, story about big feelings and how kids can effectively manage them.
A delightful celebration of global connection through the lens of education.
Sensitive and only slightly spooky, this book makes Yeti’s first day of school amusing and relatable.
Dinosaurs are perennially popular, making this a sound addition to picture book collections.
Libraries, especially those with fans of buses and vehicles, looking to increase their board book collections will find this title worth the purchase. Otherwise, an additional purchase.
Perfect for the younger crowd to get them excited about going to school, or for a back-to-school storytime.
Purchase where back-to-school collections need bulking up.
Recommended for school and public libraries: going back to school is an event that most children will encounter at one point or another.
Grumpy Monkey retains his usual humor while slipping in a little new knowledge in this book that may become a favorite reread.
A must-purchase. This one will leave kids wanting more.
A great addition to any library collection. Children will enjoy seeing themselves in activities they have done in their school.
For public libraries or early childhood programs looking for works that eases nerves and makes school look like a place to learn and grow.
A generally amusing title for cat lovers and school newbies.
A cute social-emotional back-to-school must-purchase.
Young children will relate to Tiny and his first day of school jitters, while being reassured that school is a place to make mistakes and grow.
Children will enjoy reading about Henry’s first day of school and seeing how he maintains his individuality and makes new friends.
This is an awesome addition to all collections. People are always looking for community helpers books, and the bonus here is the school setting.
An academically solid, aesthetically underwhelming volume of math-themed poetry.
An amusing and memorable story for cat lovers.
A comforting tale about a necessary and sometimes overlooked companion in a successful school day. This story will resonate with beginning school populations and lovers of things with wheels.
This is a peppy first day of school story to knock game-day jitters out of the park.
A whimsical and relatable tale that is fun and engaging for children and adults alike.
A story of ancestors, love, loss, and self-acceptance wrapped in the meaning of long hair for men in Native American tradition, this rare topic in picture books makes it a good pick for most libraries.
A family who lives in their van has everything they need in an important and seldom discussed topic done extremely well. A must-have for most libraries.
A perennial ghost-next-door story that readers will enjoy any time they long for a bit of mystery.
A unique addition to any collection.
Rich with information and heart, this standout blends STEM learning with community building in a memorable package.
A wacky tale that encourages readers to reflect on self-awareness and tolerance of others. Highly recommended for a fun discussion starter on living and learning in a community.
A relevant and redemptive tale of hope in the darkest of times, with gregarious graphics to satisfy kids and a message to break even the most callous adult’s bitter shell.
A well-intentioned sibling story that misses the mark.
This book may leave readers with more questions than answers; better options for young readers include Mari C. Schuh’s My Life with Epilepsy and Dr. Roopa Farooki’s The Brilliant Brain.
An entertaining, slightly spooky tale with a friendly group of race cars makes for a charming story with plenty of appeal for young readers.
A great message but not a first choice book without a more appealing main character.
A strong addition to school and public library collections, this book fosters historical empathy, supports classroom discussion, and serves as a meaningful introduction to Holocaust education.
An additional purchase for larger collections.
A fun retelling of the gingerbread runaway with exceptional illustrations.
A terrific back-to-school read, perfect for classroom and library collections. With its blend of humor, heart, and prehistoric fun, this book is sure to be a hit with fans of dinosaurs, rhyming books, and school stories.
Fun and unexpected, this charming back-to-school book lovingly supports children who are preparing for their first day of school.
This unique story is a good fit for home library collections, especially those with children for whom school attendance is a struggle.
The eighth book in this easy reader series features a beach party filled with fun; purchase where need dictates or where "Really Bird" books are popular.
Give to patrons who are eager for an compelling story as well as a book to develop their vocabulary.
While not an essential addition to collections, this title’s gentle resolution suggests that reputations are not necessarily to be believed.
A delightful and relatable read, this book is a must-have for libraries and a sure hit with young readers.
A great purchase for libraries for showing persistence, patience, and acceptance; additionally, this book shows a single-parent family.
A warm and welcome addition to collections.
Art and text are a perfect match that all picture book lovers, especially young children, will continuously enjoy.
Combining cartoony illustrations and the eternal crowd-pleaser that is peekaboo, this is guaranteed to be a hit with the toddler crowd.
A sweet and deceptively simple story offers readers a new lens for looking at those they are familiar with as well as those who are different with an open heart
A fantastic addition to any early reader collection, Bear and Bird’s latest adventures are sure to keep young readers entertained while encouraging the growth of their reading skills.
Bright pictures and familiar characters will appeal to those who enjoy a story about magical creatures and helping the environment.
A great purchase; this book is more than a one-time read.
A new series perfect for fans of Alex T. Smith’s “Claude” books and Shirley Hughes’s “Digby O’Day” titles. With its hilarious antics, engaging illustrations, and accessible text, this series is sure to be a hit with young readers who will eagerly await each new installment.
Perhaps this is more certain to be a treasured gift for new or expecting parents; an additional purchase for picture book collections.
This title enticingly captures the imagination and creativity of a lonely girl who finds friends and joy in her community garden.
An optional title for public libraries and preschools looking to expand their nonfiction animal collections.
Use of thought/speech bubbles, the variety of half-page and full spreads, and highlights of a falling iguana make the illustrations a delight, especially with facts along the way.
A new series perfect for fans of Alex T. Smith’s “Claude” books and Shirley Hughes’s “Digby O’Day” titles. With its hilarious antics, engaging illustrations, and accessible text, this series is sure to be a hit with young readers who will eagerly await each new installment.
Recommended for early readers who are animal lovers.
A delightful import that will leave young readers eager to explore more of Mousse’s adventures in the rest of the series.
Good for fans of My Little Pony, this book is not a must-buy for early reader collections.
A comforting bedtime read, perfect for budding gardeners and animal lovers.
Bonilla’s latest displays an relevant and optimistic view of how a child might deal with grief. This book tackles a tough topic and will benefit any collection.
Perfect for sleepy little eyes, this combination of color, animals and bite-sized science facts is a winning addition to the bedtime ritual.
An adorable tale sure to resonate with kids learning their own independent skills.
While this book features little to no plot, it is a good emergent reader title. It’ll fly off the shelves with Spidey fans everywhere.
Sorely lacking in imagination, this collection of poems fails to understand the topic it purports to celebrate.
A feel-good story about sleepovers; good for children before their first sleepover, and a great addition to any primary section of a library.
This is a fun, cozy read to remind everyone how wonderful it is to share books with those they love, whether two legs or four.
An excellent addition for all early reader collections.
Fantasy writing for new-ish readers is growing increasingly robust, and this exciting series starter is proof.
This wonderful story about friendship and solving a mystery is sure to be a great addition to any elementary library section.
A must-have for preschool classrooms and to have on hand for families with young children.
A cut above the usual chapter book fare, this series is for clever kids who want a little substance and magic to their laughs.
Ariana is the kind, thoughtful friend every child would love to have. This delightful series is perfect for kids transitioning out of beginning readers.
The relatable story and structured repetition of both vocabulary and plot elements makes this a solid choice for emerging readers.
A gentle and heartfelt exploration of grief, this book is a must-have addition to any library shelf.
A solid purchase for board book collections.
A fun, interactive addition for any library.
A worthy title to add to a library’s early chapter book shelves, especially those featuring neurodiversity among young people.
New readers are about to start a long and wonderful friendship with this impeccable new series.
A recommended purchase for libraries expanding their early reader sections.
This volume may encourage young readers to expand their knowledge of naming words while engaging in picture hunt visual acuity exercises.
Silly, sweet, and achievable stories for beginning independent readers.
Readers who like realistic fiction, doing good, humor, and friendship stories will want to pick this one up. Recommended for library collections where early chapter realistic fiction is popular.
A gentle and wholesome title for growing early readers.
This book has everything: diverse characters, a funny and entertaining plot, and a stand-out, memorable main character. An essential purchase for all.
A fun, quirky read that will entertain young readers. The series promises more zany adventures, making this a solid choice for most collections.
An excellent entry in the “Juana and Lucas” series, this title is perfect for Spanish-language chapter book collections.
While there is nostalgia for parents, the series relies on outdated gender roles and predictable plots; this may limit its appeal compared to fresher, more engaging content for young readers.
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