Reading is a great way to connect with your kids. Whether you enjoy a bedtime story each night or grab a book to snuggle up with after school or work, getting lost in a good story is always time well spent!
Each year, the Association for Library Services to Children (ALSC) creates a year-end list to highlight some of the most notable children’s books gaining attention over the last 12 months. Several authors have also been recently honored with literary prizes.
Our own Education team reviewed the lengthy line-up and selected five titles we’d love to share with you and your family. The books are recommended for younger readers from preschoolers to 2nd grade and are easy to read if your child is starting to recognize words too.
Grab these titles from your local library or click on the “Read Aloud” links and be delighted by the adventures that unfold as you read or listen together:
- Knight Owl by Christopher Denise (Read Aloud)
In this charming picture book, a young owl sets out to achieve his dream of becoming a knight. The amusing journey tests his bravery and clever nature. (A 2023 Caldecott Honor Book) - Too Early by Nora Ericson and Elly MacKay (Read Aloud)
This delightful, early morning story involves the dazzling reveal of a new day. Join a father and child as they watch the sunrise together with its rich mix of blues and yellows. - Lizzy and the Cloud by Terry Fan and Eric Fan (Read Aloud)
Authored by the Fan brothers, Lizzy takes us on a whimsical adventure as she cares for a new cloud, just like a pet! The sweet illustrations capture what it’s like to learn a tough, but heartwarming lesson about love and the inevitable changes that come with growth. - Hot Dog by Doug Salati (Read Aloud)
Simple words and alliteration bring this story to life! You’ll experience the bustling sights, sounds, and colors of the city during the heat of summer as the characters journey to the beach for some cooling relief. (2023 Caldecott Medal Winner) - A Seed Grows by Antoinette Portis (Read Aloud)
From seed to bloom, learn about the lifecycle of a sunflower in this simple, but effective story that uses lyrical text and vibrant images to highlight each stage of development. (A 2023 Geisel and Sibert Hon or Book) - The Cool Bean by Jory John Everyone knows the cool beans. They’re sooooo cool. And then there’s the uncool has-bean . . . Always on the sidelines, one bean unsuccessfully tries everything he can to fit in with the crowd—until one day the cool beans show him how it’s done.
- Where are you from by This resonant and award-winning picture book tells the story of one girl who constantly gets asked a simple question that doesn’t have a simple answer. A great conversation starter in the home or classroom—a book to share, in the spirit of I Am Enough by Grace Byers and Keturah A. Bobo.
You are your child’s first teacher. Spending close, nurturing time reading together offers your child so much. Reading together helps to cement the special bond you have with your child. It also supports the development of pre-literacy and language skills – and may lead them to becoming a life-long lover of reading!