New Children's Picture Books!
If you are looking for a heartwarming read-aloud to share with your little ones, I would recommend Andrew Gold’s new picture book Thank You for Being a Friend. I loved the soft illustrations by Sanne Dufft, too. If you're a fan of this classic song, like me, you'll love how the pages celebrate the iconic, nostalgic 70's lyrics we all know and love. I like the way they incorporated celebrations of everyday life from chaotic soccer games and school plays to quiet afternoon walks together. I found it to be very fun to read aloud because of course, I wanted to sing my way through the pages. I think it is a wonderful way to teach young children about gratitude and what it truly means to be a loyal friend.
If you want a picture book that will have your kids giggling through storytime while sneaking in a lesson on teamwork, Tomie dePaola’s The Knight and the Dragon is an must-have for your home library. I really love how this classic tale flips the traditional fairy-tale on its head with a funny premise: a clumsy knight and a equally inexperienced dragon are expected to fight each other, even though neither one has a clue how to actually do it. The story has a lot of visual humor as both characters go to the library to research "how to fight" before their big showdown. It all ends up being a complete disaster that leads to a fun backyard barbecue. We love it!
I love this comforting, thoughtful book: Meenal Patel’s Where Do Stories Live? This book explores how stories live all around us, waiting to be discovered in the rustle of autumn leaves, the comforting smell of a family kitchen, the cozy blankets of a makeshift fort, and the shared memories of our loved ones. Patel’s earthy illustrations possess a soft hand-painted look that goes so well with the gentle pace of the book. I especially love how it encourages us all to look at our own daily lives, heritage, and surroundings as tales just waiting to be told.
If you have a little sports fan at home who loves soccer, US Men’s National Team star Christian Pulisic’s picture book is a fantastic addition to your reading time. This inspiring story follows a young boy named Christian who is bursting with excitement to join a soccer team, only to be hit with a relatable wave of self-doubt when he realizes how much bigger the other kids look. I really like how it teaches kids that the ultimate "superpower" on the field isn't how fast you run or how hard you kick, but the confidence you find when you believe in yourself. It's a great read just in time for soccer season!