​Today’s recommendation is all about giving – giving shelter to those in need:

This cumulative story tells the tale of a milk cow who receives several visitors on a cold night long ago. No matter how many visitors knock at her door, she and her guests make room for one more, even a newborn infant. Young readers will enjoy the repeated refrain, building tension, unique point of view, and darling illustrations in this Christmas story with themes of kindness and generosity.
 
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​Hola! Bonjour! Hello! Words are not the only way you can say hello. This book celebrates many ways people around the world greet each other.

This story begins with a family of three who ponder how they will say hello to the new baby about to be born. But this is no ordinary about-to-be-a-big-sibling-themed book. Turn the page and the reader embarks on a trip around the world to learn how people say hello, from tipping your hat and saying “good day” in England to saying “buenos dias” or “Buenos noches” in Guatapé to signing in ASL to making a sign. Andrea Denish’s rhyming text and Bluebean’s bright, cheerful illustrations depicting a diverse cast of characters will keep readers turning the pages until they reach a sweet and celebratory conclusion. And, just when you think the story has ended, readers will find supplemental back matter that explores more about saying hello, plus a surprise illustration under the dust jacket (one of my favorite features in a picture book). Adorable book!
 
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​The days might be getting shorter, but that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy the outdoors to walk, play, and maybe even draw some pictures with sidewalk chalk like the main character in this book:

This darling story about children creating art on their neighborhood streets perfectly captures  the creativity and imagination of childhood play. Lyrical text and vibrant illustrations make this an engaging read aloud for a group or one-on-one. Highly recommend!
 
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​Harold LOVES his hat. When he wears it, he knows he’s a special bear. So, when a crow swoops down and steals it, he’s understandably angry. He offers one trade after another, he begs and pleads, but the crow keeps all that Harold offers and doesn’t return his hat. I loved this book from beginning to end, from the adorably illustrated Harold on the cover inviting me inside, to the under-the-dust-jacket surprise illustration, to the sweet storyline that urged me to turn page after page, to the heartfelt resolution. This one gave me all the feels!
 
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I’m with Harold. I don’t like it when the days get shorter and shorter “until it’s dark before playtime has even begun.” This sweet follow-up to Harold Loves His Woolly Hat has all the things I loved in the first book: adorable illustrations, an under-the-dust-jacket surprise illustration (check out that grumpy expression!), sweet lines of text and story themes (a bedtime story with a dab of kindness and hint of hibernation), and a heartfelt ending. Love it!
 
 
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​Take a look at this fascinating picture book about fish!

This rhyming picture book full of onomatopoeia introduces readers to the symphony of sounds beneath the ocean. The musicality of the words makes this book a great read-aloud, and the information shared in the text and accompanying back matter make it a great addition to a school, library, or home with kids curious about underwater creatures. Cheerful illustrations capture the rainbow of colors of an underwater reef, so much so that as I read, I felt like I was snorkeling right inside the book. Wonderful book all around!
 
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What a fun read! This picture book answers the question of what might happen if your librarian turns out to be an alpaca. Bright and cheerful illustrations, amusing antics, and a ridiculous premise will have young readers turning the pages to find out what will happen next!
 
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And now a nonfiction picture book:

This cheerfully illustrated, rhythmic book is a great primer about alpacas. Carrie Tillotson’s rhyming text accompanied by Elisa Chavarri’s bright, colorful illustrations tells a parallel story of how alpacas are raised “here” in North America and “there” in South America (or vice versa, depending on your perspective). Readers will enjoy the playful language and expressive art while learning a lot through sidebar comments and back matter that provide supplemental facts, glossary, and author and illustrator notes. This was a fun read!
 
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​I’m all for this holiday! When you take a break from cooking today, give this picture book a read.

This sweet picture book combines a healthy serving of a classic underdog story with a dollop of an intergenerational theme and a contemporary twist of a kids’ cooking competition . Kids will cheer on Emily Snook as she competes against the older, “more advanced” competitors and attempts to prove that even the smallest cook has a chance to win the big prize. Laura Bower’s heartfelt story of perseverance, determination, and resiliency is told in perfect rhyme that kids will love. Rekha Salin’s expressive illustrations are inviting, inclusive, and charming. This book is a winner!
 
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This historical fiction picture book tells the story of through the eyes of Lily as she celebrates ten Rosh Hashanah holidays beginning in 1937. Though fictional, this story gives a historical context to what a Jewish family living in Vienna might have experienced during that time. Lily’s first Rosh Hashanah is spent in her family’s bustling bakery filled with customers in “fine suits and dresses” and “bakery boxes tied with pink satin ribbons.” Two years later, her family is forced to close their shop and board a ship for Shanghai, China. Her family opens a new shop, and Lily learns to measure and bake as well as speak Chinese. As time goes on, she also learns to “make do” as they have less and less until they can’t even bake their traditional honey cake for Rosh Hashanah. But Lily’s family always finds a way to celebrate the holiday, and her Mama always wishes Lily a sweet year. This heartfelt, beautifully told and illustrated story is about emigration, Rosh Hashanah, and honey cakes, but also about resiliency, family, and community connection. Highly recommend!
 
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​Here is a picture book inspired by the author’s mother’s true story:

Imagine receiving the news you must leave your home immediately. Imagine sitting on a crowded train for days, traveling to a foreign place, not knowing if you will ever return home. That’s what happens to Azra and her family in THE MOON FROM DEHRADUN. Author Shirin Shamsi’s text, inspired by her mother’s true story, conveys Azra’s anger, grief, anxiety, and uncertainty as she faces the loss of her home, and her beloved doll, and journeys with her family to a new one. Backmatter supplies additional information about the 1947 Partition of India, a glossary of terms, and an author’s note. Tarun Lak’s choice of muted colored illustrations tie in with the somber circumstances of the story, but, together with the text, offer a glimmer of hope by the story’s end. An important story, thoughtfully told and illustrated, from the point of view of a child.
 
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​To celebrate, I’m reading a story about a stuffed lion who longs to be a real lion. Presenting the adorable…

After watching real lions on family movie night, a little stuffed lion named Leroy can’t stop thinking about them. He wants to be a real lion! So, when Addie leaves for school, Leroy goes on a wild adventure to prove he is fierce! He is king! He is a protector! This story is adorable! Natallia Bushuyeva’s sweet expressive illustrations are the perfect match for Krista Legge’s heartfelt story full of adventure, self-acceptance, lions, and hugs. I love it!
 
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