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The Ultimate Kids’ Book List – From Classics to New Adventures”
12
items Parents, educators, and gift-givers want to know why a book is worth their time or money for kids
Sections
1
STORY BOOKS
STORY BOOKS
Get lost in stories that inspire, teach, and spark your imagination. From heartwarming fiction to powerful real-life tales, I love sharing books that speak to the soul and keep you turning the page.
📚 What you'll find:
1. Emotional & motivational stories
2. Easy-to-read storytelling for all ages
3. Books about life, love, growth, and purpose
4. Great picks for quiet nights, self-care days, or deep thinking moments
Perfect for readers who enjoy meaningful stories and beautiful writing that stays with
you.
This fun and adorable book introduces babies and toddlers to the wonders of space in a playful, gentle way. With bright illustrations and simple facts, it's perfect for curious little minds and bedtime learning.
👶 Great for:
1. Ages 0–3 Early STEM learning Baby’s first space book
2. Fun read-aloud moments with parents or siblings
✨ Because it’s never too early to start asking big questions like: “What’s out there beyond the sky?”
👶 Great for:
1. Ages 0–3 Early STEM learning Baby’s first space book
2. Fun read-aloud moments with parents or siblings
✨ Because it’s never too early to start asking big questions like: “What’s out there beyond the sky?”
Nerdy Babies: Space
💖 We Sang You Home by Richard Van Camp
A tender love letter from parent to child.
This beautifully illustrated board book celebrates the deep bond between parents and their baby. With poetic, soothing words and diverse, inclusive artwork, it’s perfect for bedtime, baby showers, and first libraries.
👶 Perfect for:
1. Newborns to age 3
2. Parents, guardians, and caregivers Gentle bedtime routines
3. Celebrating love, welcome, and belonging
✨ A soft, meaningful gift that whispers: “You were dreamed of, sung for, and loved long before you arrived.”
A tender love letter from parent to child.
This beautifully illustrated board book celebrates the deep bond between parents and their baby. With poetic, soothing words and diverse, inclusive artwork, it’s perfect for bedtime, baby showers, and first libraries.
👶 Perfect for:
1. Newborns to age 3
2. Parents, guardians, and caregivers Gentle bedtime routines
3. Celebrating love, welcome, and belonging
✨ A soft, meaningful gift that whispers: “You were dreamed of, sung for, and loved long before you arrived.”
We Sang You Home
👨👩👧👦 A Family is a Family is a Family by Sara O’Leary
Every family is special, just like yours.
💛 When a teacher asks, “What makes your family special?”, the answers come from all kinds of kids—each with a unique family story. Whether you have two moms, grandparents, foster parents, or just a big group of people who love you, this sweet book reminds us: Love makes a ...
📚 Ideal for:
1. Ages 4–8 Teaching inclusion & kindness
2. Classroom storytime
3. Family diversity conversations
✨ A beautiful reminder that: There’s no “right” way to be a family—just love.
Every family is special, just like yours.
💛 When a teacher asks, “What makes your family special?”, the answers come from all kinds of kids—each with a unique family story. Whether you have two moms, grandparents, foster parents, or just a big group of people who love you, this sweet book reminds us: Love makes a ...
📚 Ideal for:
1. Ages 4–8 Teaching inclusion & kindness
2. Classroom storytime
3. Family diversity conversations
✨ A beautiful reminder that: There’s no “right” way to be a family—just love.
A Family Is a Family Is a Family
📖 What Makes a Family by Hannah Bruner
A heartwarming celebration of all the ways a family can be. 💞
Families come in all shapes, sizes, and stories—and this beautifully illustrated book embraces them all. Whether you’re adopted, have two dads, live with grandparents, or are surrounded by chosen family, this story reminds kids that love is the only ...
👶 Perfect for:
1. Ages 3–8 Bedtime or classroom reading
2. Family diversity discussions
3. Gentle introduction to inclusion 🧸
Because what really makes a family... is love.
A heartwarming celebration of all the ways a family can be. 💞
Families come in all shapes, sizes, and stories—and this beautifully illustrated book embraces them all. Whether you’re adopted, have two dads, live with grandparents, or are surrounded by chosen family, this story reminds kids that love is the only ...
👶 Perfect for:
1. Ages 3–8 Bedtime or classroom reading
2. Family diversity discussions
3. Gentle introduction to inclusion 🧸
Because what really makes a family... is love.
What Makes A Family?
🌦 It Was Supposed to Be Sunny by Samantha Cotterill
A gentle story about embracing changes, sensory needs, and showing up with love—even when things don’t go as planned.
Laila had big plans for her special day—sunshine, fun, and the perfect backyard party. But when the weather and her feelings take an unexpected turn, she learns that it's okay to feel disappointed… and that love and understanding from family can help...
This beautifully illustrated book supports:
1. Kids with sensory processing sensitivities
2. Families navigating emotional ups and downs
3. Inclusive classrooms and social-emotional learning
✨ A must-read for parents, educators, and caregivers looking to build empathy and emotional resilience in children.
A gentle story about embracing changes, sensory needs, and showing up with love—even when things don’t go as planned.
Laila had big plans for her special day—sunshine, fun, and the perfect backyard party. But when the weather and her feelings take an unexpected turn, she learns that it's okay to feel disappointed… and that love and understanding from family can help...
This beautifully illustrated book supports:
1. Kids with sensory processing sensitivities
2. Families navigating emotional ups and downs
3. Inclusive classrooms and social-emotional learning
✨ A must-read for parents, educators, and caregivers looking to build empathy and emotional resilience in children.
It Was Supposed to Be Sunny
🐺 Lone Wolf by Sarah Kurpiel
A charming story about identity, belonging, and being proud of who you are—even if you don’t quite fit the mold.
Maple the husky hears it all the time: “She looks just like a wolf!” But Maple isn't a wild creature—she's a beloved family dog! As she explores what it means to be herself, Maple discovers that you don’t have to be what others expect—you just need t...
A charming story about identity, belonging, and being proud of who you are—even if you don’t quite fit the mold.
Maple the husky hears it all the time: “She looks just like a wolf!” But Maple isn't a wild creature—she's a beloved family dog! As she explores what it means to be herself, Maple discovers that you don’t have to be what others expect—you just need t...
Lone Wolf
🌱 Just Ask! Be Different, Be Brave, Be You
By Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor “Why don’t you just ask?”—a gentle, empowering message for every curious mind.
This vibrant picture book celebrates the many ways kids can be different—and how those differences make us strong. Inspired by her own experience living with diabetes, Justice Sonia Sotomayor introduces readers to a group of children, each with uniqu...
📖 Great for:
1. Ages 4–8
2. Inclusive classrooms and storytimes
3. Building a foundation of understanding & compassion
💬 Why Parents & Educators Love It:
1. Encourages empathy and inclusion
2. Opens safe conversations about disabilities & chronic illnesses
3. Inspires kids to ask questions with kindness and curiosity
By Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor “Why don’t you just ask?”—a gentle, empowering message for every curious mind.
This vibrant picture book celebrates the many ways kids can be different—and how those differences make us strong. Inspired by her own experience living with diabetes, Justice Sonia Sotomayor introduces readers to a group of children, each with uniqu...
📖 Great for:
1. Ages 4–8
2. Inclusive classrooms and storytimes
3. Building a foundation of understanding & compassion
💬 Why Parents & Educators Love It:
1. Encourages empathy and inclusion
2. Opens safe conversations about disabilities & chronic illnesses
3. Inspires kids to ask questions with kindness and curiosity
Just Ask!: Be Different, Be Brave, Be You
♿ We Move Together
By Kelly Fritsch, Anne McGuire & Eduardo Trejos A joyful, inclusive picture book about community, disability justice, and moving through the world—together.
💬 Why Parents & Teachers Love It:
1. Shows disability as a natural part of community
2. Perfect for empathy, inclusivity, and anti-ableism conversations
3. Includes a helpful glossary for adults and young readers
📖 Great for:
1.Ages 4–10
2. Disability & inclusion reading
3. Diverse classroom libraries and storytime
By Kelly Fritsch, Anne McGuire & Eduardo Trejos A joyful, inclusive picture book about community, disability justice, and moving through the world—together.
💬 Why Parents & Teachers Love It:
1. Shows disability as a natural part of community
2. Perfect for empathy, inclusivity, and anti-ableism conversations
3. Includes a helpful glossary for adults and young readers
📖 Great for:
1.Ages 4–10
2. Disability & inclusion reading
3. Diverse classroom libraries and storytime
We Move Together
🍂 We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga
Told from the viewpoint of a Cherokee child and family, this vibrant picture book follows a full year of community, tradition, and appreciation. Centered around the word "Otsaliheliga", meaning “we are grateful” in Cherokee, it shows how Native famil...
🧡 A gentle, meaningful read that honors resilience, heritage, and togetherness.
📚 Great for:
1. Ages 4–10
|2. Teaching gratitude and seasonal traditions 3. Native American Heritage Month
4. Diverse classroom and home libraries
💬 Why This Book Matters:
1. Uplifts contemporary
2. Indigenous voices
3. Celebrates gratitude and everyday joy
4. Promotes cultural awareness and inclusion Includes a helpful
5 Cherokee glossary at the back
Told from the viewpoint of a Cherokee child and family, this vibrant picture book follows a full year of community, tradition, and appreciation. Centered around the word "Otsaliheliga", meaning “we are grateful” in Cherokee, it shows how Native famil...
🧡 A gentle, meaningful read that honors resilience, heritage, and togetherness.
📚 Great for:
1. Ages 4–10
|2. Teaching gratitude and seasonal traditions 3. Native American Heritage Month
4. Diverse classroom and home libraries
💬 Why This Book Matters:
1. Uplifts contemporary
2. Indigenous voices
3. Celebrates gratitude and everyday joy
4. Promotes cultural awareness and inclusion Includes a helpful
5 Cherokee glossary at the back
We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga
By Kevin Johnson | Illustrated by Kitt Thomas
When a child loses someone they love, the world changes. But with the help of a red cape, imagination, and the memories of those we hold dear, strength begins to grow—one brave step at a time.
CAPE is an emotionally rich, beautifully illustrated story that reminds readers:
🌟 Even in loss, hope and love remain.
🌟 Heroes don’t always wear capes—but sometimes they do.
💬 Why You'll Love It:
1. Tackles grief with tenderness and truth
2. Celebrates emotional resilience |
3. Stunning art by Kitt Thomas (known for bold, expressive visuals)
4. Ends with a gentle lift that stays with the reader
📖 Ideal for:
1.Ages 4–10
2. Kids navigating loss, sadness, or big feelings
3. Teachers, counselors, and families seeking healing stories
4. Fans of The Invisible String and The Rabbit Listened
When a child loses someone they love, the world changes. But with the help of a red cape, imagination, and the memories of those we hold dear, strength begins to grow—one brave step at a time.
CAPE is an emotionally rich, beautifully illustrated story that reminds readers:
🌟 Even in loss, hope and love remain.
🌟 Heroes don’t always wear capes—but sometimes they do.
💬 Why You'll Love It:
1. Tackles grief with tenderness and truth
2. Celebrates emotional resilience |
3. Stunning art by Kitt Thomas (known for bold, expressive visuals)
4. Ends with a gentle lift that stays with the reader
📖 Ideal for:
1.Ages 4–10
2. Kids navigating loss, sadness, or big feelings
3. Teachers, counselors, and families seeking healing stories
4. Fans of The Invisible String and The Rabbit Listened
Cape
❤️ The Kindest Red
A follow-up to the bestselling The Proudest Blue, this story is full of:
🧣 Sisterhood and self-expression
🤝 Friendship that uplifts
🌍 A message of unity and compassion
💬 Why You'll Love It:
1.Centers Muslim joy and representation
2. Written by award-winning author S.K. Ali 3. Uplifting story with vibrant illustrations
4. Perfect for classroom, bedtime, or cultural conversations
📖 Ideal for:
1. Ages 4–9
2. Celebrating hijab, identity, and inclusivity
3. Storytime with values of kindness & self-love
4. Fans of Eyes That Kiss in the Corners or I Am Every Good Thing
A follow-up to the bestselling The Proudest Blue, this story is full of:
🧣 Sisterhood and self-expression
🤝 Friendship that uplifts
🌍 A message of unity and compassion
💬 Why You'll Love It:
1.Centers Muslim joy and representation
2. Written by award-winning author S.K. Ali 3. Uplifting story with vibrant illustrations
4. Perfect for classroom, bedtime, or cultural conversations
📖 Ideal for:
1. Ages 4–9
2. Celebrating hijab, identity, and inclusivity
3. Storytime with values of kindness & self-love
4. Fans of Eyes That Kiss in the Corners or I Am Every Good Thing
The Kindest Red: A Story of Hijab and Friendship
“I am because we are.” This heartfelt story invites kids to explore how we are all connected, how kindness creates ripple effects, and how understanding others helps us understand ourselves.
💖 What’s Inside:
1. A beautiful message of empathy, unity, and belonging
2. Inspired by Ubuntu, the African value of community Vibrant, inclusive illustrations
3. Simple yet profound child-friendly language
📚 Perfect For:
1. Ages 4–9
2. Diversity-focused storytime
3. Teaching kindness, inclusion & global values
4. Schools, homeschool, and bedtime reflections
💖 What’s Inside:
1. A beautiful message of empathy, unity, and belonging
2. Inspired by Ubuntu, the African value of community Vibrant, inclusive illustrations
3. Simple yet profound child-friendly language
📚 Perfect For:
1. Ages 4–9
2. Diversity-focused storytime
3. Teaching kindness, inclusion & global values
4. Schools, homeschool, and bedtime reflections
I Am You: A Book about Ubuntu