Today is all about celebrating healthy mind, emotions, and body, and this picture book is the perfect pairing for this holiday:

This sweet book is all about certain moments (usually ones you don’t enjoy) that seem to take forever, but others (usually ones you do enjoy) that seem to go so quickly. Who can’t relate to that? Gabi Snyder’s lyrical text and Stephanie Graegin’s darling illustrations depict a story of a child who grapples with the concept of time and themes of mindfulness as they anticipate and then experience a family vacation. Complete with back matter that includes steps for how to appreciate the “here and now,” this book has something for everyone. Love it!
 
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​It’s the time of year when those of us who live in the northeast start thinking of snow. As an adult, I dread the shoveling, but I do remember how thrilled I was to wake up to a yard blanketed in snow and learn that I had a snow day off from school! This book captures the magic of snow from a child’s point of view:

This lyrical picture book is a beautiful ode to the snow. Told from the point of view of child, this story follows a day in his life, beginning when he wakes up to see his yard blanketed in white and ending with a warm fire, snuggles, and I love yous. Laura Gehl’s soothing rhyme and Sonia Sánchez’s dreamy illustrations in a muted color palette make this the perfect winter bedtime story.
 
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​Meet Merv, a very kind monster, in:

Every day, Merv sits in the same spot, eating “plants” (aka trees) – it’s just what he does. But one day, when he’s tired of hearing the nearby villagers complain about a monster, he decides to find someone who can do “something about that monster.” Oh, this book!
 
The text: Readers will fall in love with the kind-hearted, yet naïve, main character; they will chuckle as Merv tries his hardest to help his villager friends; they will think, “of course!” at the surprising, yet inevitable resolution; and they will sigh, “aw!” after reading the final page.
 
The art: The adorableness begins on the cover, continues with the map on the end papers and subtle hints throughout the pages of the book, and concludes with the surprise under the jacket. After reading the story once, you’ll want to read it again (and again!) to see the cues you missed the first time through.
 
Five stars for this perfect picture book!
 
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​Sesame street debuted on November 10, 1969, almost exactly a year after the day I was born. Following the success of the show came merchandise like puppets (I had several of them) and books. And this book was probably the most famous. It was one of my favorites when I was little:

I consider this the original meta book. I still have fond memories of my parents reading it to me in a Grover voice, and it had me in giggles all the way to the “surprise” ending (surprising to Grover, anyway). It may be 50 years old, but I think it stands the test of time. This book is brilliant!
 
 
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​Have you voted today? Here’s a picture book that reminds us of the importance of exercising our right to vote:

Told from the point of view of a young child, this poignant story is about the journey taken by not only her and her grandmother, but by a community of people  who “walk on” until they reach (spoiler alert) their polling place to vote. Along the way the girl learns the importance of THE WALK—“to show up, show out, and show them” that they won’t be silenced. This beautifully told and illustrated book is about community connection, standing up for your beliefs, speaking up, and hope, and I think it belongs in everyone’s home or classroom library collection.
 
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​Halloween is the perfect holiday to recommend a middle grade book about the day strange events occur at the home of a horror film director:

​Halle dreams of someday becoming a horror movie scream queen, so when she gets the chance to deliver flowers to horror film director Maximus Price, she jumps at it. What she doesn’t know is that her real life is about to turn into horror movie, complete with mysterious creatures lurking around every corner. If you’re looking for a middle grade with mystery, thrills, humor, and fun, this is the book for you. Quick pacing, tension building, engaging characters, and additional themes of friendship, cooperation, and heroism make this a super fun read. Loved it!
 
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​Whether or not you had a special plushy, stuffy, lovey, blanky, or whatever you chose to call it, you can probably relate to this book:

Who doesn’t know a child (or was a child) who has a special stuffed animal, doll, blanket, or toy that they are SO attached to, they can’t live without it? That’s what Olive has in Mr. Snuggles, until one day he disappears! She’s devastated! But then, one day he miraculously reappears. Or so she thinks. Enter THE IMPOSTER! Children always know, don’t they? This book is so relatable and, without being preachy, shows themes of kindness, compromise, and acceptance. Overall, this is a really sweet story with engaging illustrations and characters and tons of kid-appeal.
 
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​“It’s my party and I’ll be quiet if I want to, quiet if I want to. You would be quiet too if  you were a snail too!” Read on and find out:

This book is adorable! It’s got everything I love in a picture book—tongue-and-cheek humor, a heartfelt message that’s not too message-y, charming characters, art that tells a story beyond the text, illustrated end papers, and a bonus surprise under the dust jacket. This one is for anyone who likes a party. I enthusiastically (but quietly) recommend HOW TO PARTY LIKE A SNAIL.
 
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​Today’s book recommendation is about a party-going badger that is pure fun!

A badger finds himself invited to Claire’s 5th birthday party, so he dresses in a “bow tie and his little jacket with the buttons down the front” and (spoiler) does NOT behave properly at the party! But the narrator would have you believe otherwise. Proper Badger would never claw at the birthday cake looking for delicious grubs, right? Lauren Glattly’s irreverent humor had me in stitches, and Rob Sayegh’s collage illustrations had me pouring over details like the clothing patterns and the characters’ reactions to the party mishaps, including the dog who appears on most every spread. PROPER BADGER WOULD NEVER! is properly hilarious!
 
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​If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction issues and are in need of a children’s book that addresses the topic in a heartfelt, honest, and approachable way, I highly recommend:

This heartfelt story of addiction is told from the point of view of a young girl, Fiona, as she notices changes in her older brother, Dylan. Changes she struggles to understand. Changes she doesn’t like. Changes that make it difficult to be around the brother who was once her hero. Diane O’Neill’s text tackles a difficult subject with honesty, emotion, and in an approachable way for children to understand a very complex topic. Her author’s note to the reader provides more explanation about addiction and mental illness as well as a number to contact for help. Further, she reassures the reader that if they have a family member with an addiction, they are not alone, and it is not their fault. Anastasiya Kanavaliuk’s expressive illustrations convey all the emotions Fiona faces throughout the book, from disappointment, fear, uncertainty, sadness, guilt, and hopefulness. With so many families dealing with addiction and mental illness, this book is a valuable resource to help explain and open the door for further discussion.
 
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