Children's Bookshelf: Editor's Picks
8 hours ago
14 min read
A selection of highly recommended books selected by our teachers and editors (presented in no particular order)
Table of Contents:
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The Quacken
"A funny, slightly spooky campfire tale with big laughs and even bigger illustrations, The Quacken is a playful monster story that kids love and teachers enjoy reading aloud."
The Quacken
Author: Justin Colon
Illustrator: Pablo Pino
Here’s a fun, beautifully illustrated book about campfire legends, silly scares, and what can happen when you don’t follow the rules.
Features Cucumonga Campground, where everyone whispers about a local legend of a monster known as the Quacken, that lives in the lake. A curious camper named Hector ignores the warning and breaks the most important rule:
DON’T FEED THE DUCKS!
Hector feeds the ducks and unwittingly summons the legendary lake creature… that’s when things get wild. A massive duck-monster comes up from the lake and causes havoc at the camp site. It even tries to eat Hector only to discover that kids taste terrible, and spits him out.
This story does a great job blending humor and spookiness. The illustrations are amazing, very professional and very humorous. It’s also a great conversation starter in class, a fun way to talk about why we should follow the rules, camping, monster legends etc.
The Quacken feels both scary and silly at the same time… like a lighthearted, playful homage to classic horror tropes. Perfect as a read aloud and a guaranteed crowd pleaser, especially for ages 4 to 8.
Grab this one if you can!
This book is also featured in our Books About Camping for Kids collection.
Book Details for teachers and parents
Title: The Quacken
Author: Justin Colón
Illustrator: Pablo Pino
Publisher: Simon & Schuster / Little Bee Books
Publication year: 2023
Recommended age: 4–8
Reading level: Preschool–Grade 3 (ideal K–Grade 2 read-aloud)
Book type: Picture book
Best for: read-alouds, camping units, summer themes, humor lessons, light spooky fun
Themes: camping, monsters, curiosity, consequences, humor, imagination, legends
Classroom use:
Great for discussions about following rules, storytelling traditions, summer camp themes, and comparing silly vs scary elements in books.
Keywords:
camping books for kids, monster picture books, funny scary books, summer read aloud, campfire stories for kids, books about following rules, humorous picture books ages 4-8
Be A Tree
"Be a Tree! by Maria Gianferrari, illustrated by Felicita Sala, is a picture book that introduces children to the science of trees and the idea that forests thrive through connection and cooperation. Combining nature concepts with poetic language, the book encourages readers to reflect on how living things support one another... both in the natural world and in their communities."
Be A Tree
Author: Maria Gianferrari
Illustrator: Felicita Sala
Here’s an awesome book all about trees, the second graders loved this one!!
The story invites children to see themselves in nature and to embody the qualities of trees drawing powerful parallels between human beings and trees… It highlights anatomical similarities between trees and humans, such as bark and skin, or heartwood and the human heart. It delves into the concept of the “wood wide web,” where trees communicate and support each other through underground fungal networks. The book culminates in a call to action for readers to emulate the cooperative and nurturing aspects of forest ecosystems in their own communities. Encouraging kids to “be a tree” 🌳
This book masterfully blends science and poetry to explore how trees communicate through the “wood wide web,” a fungal network that supports entire forests, (used here as a metaphor for human relationships built on kindness, cooperation, and interdependence).
The illustrations really stand out, I love the style! The text follows the growth of trees into a forest, echoing the idea that people, like trees, flourish in community. I found it both a joy to read aloud and a powerful tool for sparking classroom discussions about nature, empathy, and connection. Definitely check this one out!
Book Details for teachers and parents
Title: Be a Tree!
Author: Maria Gianferrari
Illustrator: Felicita Sala
Publisher: Greenwillow Books (HarperCollins)
Publication year: 2021
Recommended age: 4–8
Reading level: Kindergarten–Grade 2
Book type: Picture book (poetic nonfiction)
Best for: nature units, Earth Day lessons, SEL discussions, classroom read-alouds
Themes: trees, forest ecosystems, cooperation, interdependence, empathy, community, nature connection
Classroom use: science + literacy integration; forest ecosystem lessons; comparing tree parts to human/body connections; “wood wide web” discussion; empathy/community reflection writing.
Keywords:
trees for kids, forest ecosystem picture book, nature SEL books, Earth Day books for kids, environmental picture book, science read aloud, books about cooperation, interdependence for kids, plant science for elementary, wood wide web for kids
"If You Happen to Have a Dinosaur by Linda Bailey, illustrated by Colin Jack, is a humorous picture book that imagines all the creative and practical ways a child might use a dinosaur at home. Through playful scenarios and exaggerated illustrations, the story explores imagination, problem-solving, and creative thinking, making it an engaging read-aloud for classrooms and families alike."
If You Happen To Have A Dinosaur
Author: Linda Bailey
Illustrator: Colin Jack
Ever wondered… what life would be like if you suddenly had a dinosaur at home?
If you happen to have a dinosaur by Linda Bailey and Colin Jack explores all the hilarious ways a dinosaur might help with everyday life… from mowing the lawn and clearing snow to acting as a burglar alarm or even a diving board. The illustrations really bring to life all the different uses one might have for a Dinosaur.
I love the silly concept and the artwork is great, this book works well as a springboard for classroom activities. It’s perfect for creative writing lessons or homework eg:(“If I had a dinosaur, I would…”) or drawing projects where students invent their own silly uses for dinos etc… The options are endless.
If you’re looking for a lighthearted book, that works really well in the classroom… this one you’ll love, it’s a guaranteed crowd pleaser.
Book Details (For Parents & Teachers)
Title: If You Happen to Have a Dinosaur
Author: Linda Bailey
Illustrator: Colin Jack
Publisher: Tundra Books
Publication year: 2014
Recommended age: 4–8
Reading level: Kindergarten–Grade 2
Book type: Picture book (humorous fiction)
Best for: creative writing prompts, imagination units, classroom read-alouds, humor studies, back-to-school icebreakers
Themes: imagination, creativity, problem-solving, humor, resourcefulness, fantasy play, inventive thinking
Classroom use: creative writing springboard (“If I had a dinosaur…”); persuasive writing (convincing someone to keep a dinosaur); STEM problem-solving discussions; drawing/design projects inventing dinosaur “uses”; oral storytelling activities
Keywords:
dinosaur picture book, funny dinosaur book for kids, creative writing mentor text, imagination books for elementary, humorous read aloud, books about problem solving for kids, dinosaur classroom activities, fantasy picture books, inventive thinking for kids, dinosaur storytime book
" Wolf in the Snow by Matthew Cordell is a Caldecott Medal–winning, nearly wordless picture book about empathy, courage, and compassion in the natural world. Through expressive pen-and-ink illustrations, the story follows a young girl who rescues a lost wolf cub during a snowstorm and is later helped in return, making it a powerful classroom read-aloud about kindness, survival, and the bond between humans and animals.."
Wolf In The Snow
Author: Matthew Cordell
Here’s a book that will capture your heart. It’s about empathy, courage, and the quiet bond between man and nature.
Wolf in the Snow by Matthew Cordell is a nearly wordless picture book that follows a young girl who finds a lost wolf cub during a big snowstorm. When the girl finds the frightened cub, she realizes it needs her help and carries it through the snow, eventually reuniting it back with the wolves. As the storm rages on, she becomes lost herself. The wolves find her and help lead her family to her, bringing the story full circle in a very meaningful way. Returning kindness for kindness.
The illustrations are perfect… they capture emotion beautifully, showing the cold, the fear, the courage, and finally the relief of safety. The nearly wordless format encourages children to slow down, observe closely, and use their imagination to understand the story. Because there are so few words, it’s useful in class and can be used across many grade levels.
Honestly I have to say, this book pleasantly surprised me. Admittedly, I’ve overlooked it in the past because it has very words. I just wasn’t sure what to expect and unfairly didn’t give it a chance. I now realize what the hype was about, I massively underestimated this book… which is truly work of art.
Bottom line… it’s a GREAT book!
At its heart, it shows that empathy can cross boundaries and that small acts of compassion and respect matter. It proves that you don’t need to overcomplicate a perfectly good story with unnecessary words.
This is one of those books that you find yourself thinking about long after you read it. Definitely a must have!!
Book Details (For Parents & Teachers)
Title: Wolf in the Snow
Author: Matthew Cordell
Illustrator: Matthew Cordell
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends (Macmillan)
Publication year: 2017
Recommended age: 4–8
Reading level: Kindergarten–Grade 3
Book type: Picture book (nearly wordless fiction)
Best for: SEL lessons, empathy discussions, winter units, visual literacy studies, classroom read-alouds
Themes: empathy, compassion, courage, survival, kindness, reciprocity, human–animal connection, resilience
Classroom use: visual storytelling analysis; inference and prediction exercises; empathy writing prompts; character perspective journaling; comparing text-heavy vs. wordless storytelling; winter-themed literacy units; Caldecott Medal studies
Keywords:
Caldecott Medal picture book, nearly wordless picture book, empathy books for kids, SEL picture books elementary, wolf picture book for children, winter read aloud, visual literacy mentor text, books about kindness and courage, Matthew Cordell books, wordless storytelling for classroom
" Wolf in the Snow by Matthew Cordell is a Caldecott Medal–winning, nearly wordless picture book about empathy, courage, and compassion in the natural world. Through expressive pen-and-ink illustrations, the story follows a young girl who rescues a lost wolf cub during a snowstorm and is later helped in return, making it a powerful classroom read-aloud about kindness, survival, and the bond between humans and animals.."
Broken Crayons Still Color
Author: Toni Collier with Whitney Bak
Illustrator: Natalie Vasilica
Follows a little girl who loves to draw, but when her crayons start to break, she feels frustrated and sad. To her, a broken crayon seems useless, much like how she sometimes feels when she makes mistakes or doesn’t feel “good enough.”
As she looks closer, though, she notices that the crayons still have life in them. Each crayon comes to life with its own little face and personality (some smiling, some looking worried or shy) but all of them still eager to help her create a beautiful illustration. Even though they’re broken, they can still draw, color, and bring beauty into the world.
With their cheerful personalities encouraging her, the girl begins to see that being broken doesn’t mean being finished. Just like her crayons, she still has value and purpose, even when she feels imperfect. She discovers that she can still make something wonderful, not in spite of the broken pieces, but often because of them.
By the end, she embraces both her crayons and herself, realizing that broken things can create bright, colorful, and meaningful art … and that she, too, is full of hope, creativity, and possibility.
This is a really great addition to any collection!
Book Details (For Parents & Teachers)
Title: Broken Crayons Still Color
Authors: Toni Collier with Whitney Bak
Illustrator: Natalie Vasilica
Publisher: Tommy Nelson
Publication year: 2023
Recommended age: 4–8
Reading level: ATOS 2.9; Interest Level K–3; Text Difficulty 0–2
Book type: Christian children’s picture book; social-emotional fiction
Best for: SEL lessons, helping children process big emotions, anxiety and frustration, building confidence, coping-skills discussions, creativity and self-expression, Christian classrooms and families, children facing changes or new experiences
Themes: emotions, anxiety, frustration, resilience, self-worth, imperfection, creativity, courage, positive thinking, coping skills, faith, God’s love
Classroom use: identifying and expressing emotions; SEL activities; discussing anxiety and frustration; drawing feelings; breathing and coping exercises; confidence and self-esteem discussions; creativity activities; responding to mistakes and challenges; Christian education and faith-based discussions
Keywords: Broken Crayons Still Color book, Broken Crayons Still Color Toni Collier, Whitney Bak, Natalie Vasilica, Christian picture books for kids, books about big emotions for kids, SEL books for children, children’s books about anxiety, books about self-esteem for kids, books about coping skills for children, books about mistakes and imperfection, Christian books about emotions, resilience books for kids, social emotional learning picture books, books about God’s love for children
" The Mess That We Made by Michelle Lord, illustrated by Julia Blattman, is an environmental picture book that introduces children to ocean pollution, plastic waste, conservation, and environmental responsibility. Through cumulative, rhythmic storytelling and detailed illustrations, the book follows a group of children as they explore how human waste enters the ocean and harms marine life before shifting toward solutions such as cleanups and positive action. Engaging and educational, it makes an excellent classroom read-aloud for Earth Day, ocean and marine-life units, and discussions about recycling, environmental stewardship, and how children can help protect our oceans."
The Mess That We Made
Author: Michelle Lord
Illustrator: Julia Blattman
This is a beautiful and thought provoking book about how human actions impact our oceans and the world around us.
The Mess That We Made by Michelle Lord, is written in a cumulative, repeating style. Following a group of kids as they highlight the huge mess we’ve made in the ocean. Readers see how trash enters the water, spreads across the ocean, and affects sea life. Fish, turtles, and other animals are shown struggling with pollution, nets and plastic. Helping children understand the real consequences of waste clearly. It ends with highlighting the need and the results of clean up efforts, like beach trash clean ups and floating plastic and net clean ups. Also clearly showing sea life like whales and seals living happily without pollution.
This is an excellent book for classroom use, especially when discussing environmental awareness, conservation, and responsibility. The structure makes it fun to read out loud, and the artwork is outstanding.
I really appreciate how the story shifts toward solutions, encouraging children to think about how their actions can make a difference. The illustrations are detailed and impactful, showing both the problem and the possibility for change in a meaningful way.
Change begins with educating our children and this book is an important part of that process… definitely check this one out!
Book Details (For Parents & Teachers)
Title: The Mess That We Made
Author: Michelle Lord
Illustrator: Julia Blattman
Publisher: Flashlight Press
Publication year: 2020
Recommended age: 4–8
Reading level: Grade Level Equivalent 2; Guided Reading Level M; Lexile AD710L
Book type: Children’s nonfiction picture book; cumulative, rhythmic environmental story
Best for: Environmental education, Earth Day, ocean conservation lessons, pollution and recycling discussions, elementary science, classroom read-alouds, teaching environmental responsibility
Themes: ocean pollution, plastic waste, marine life, environmental conservation, recycling, stewardship, teamwork, responsibility, positive change
Classroom use: Earth and human activity lessons; ocean and marine-life units; pollution and recycling discussions; cause-and-effect activities; identifying a central message; problem-and-solution analysis; environmental stewardship projects; Earth Day activities; text-to-world connections
Keywords: The Mess That We Made book, The Mess That We Made Michelle Lord, ocean pollution books for kids, environmental books for children, plastic pollution picture book, ocean conservation books for kids, Earth Day books for kids, recycling books for children, marine life books for kids, environmental picture books, environmental responsibility for kids, ocean pollution classroom books, Michelle Lord books
" Walkies: A Dog’s Tale by Estrela Lourenço is a wordless picture book about dogs, perspective, positivity, and the special bond between children and their pets. Told entirely through expressive illustrations, the story follows a reluctant child and an enthusiastic dog on a rainy-day walk that transforms from a gloomy chore into a joyful outdoor adventure. Funny, energetic, and ideal for developing visual literacy, inference, and storytelling skills, this charming dog picture book encourages young readers to appreciate the moment, embrace a different perspective, and discover how our four-legged friends can help us find joy in everyday experiences."
Walkies: A Dog's Tale
Author: Estrela Lourenço
Here’s one for the dog lovers!! A wordless book offering a great lesson about perspective, and a beautiful depiction of how uplifting man’s best friend can be!
Walkies: A Dog’s Tale by Estrela Lourenço is a wordless picture book that follows a child who comes home on a gloomy, rainy day with plans to stay indoors. Unfortunately, the family dog has a different idea and is eager to head outside for a walk. Reluctantly pulled along, the child begins the journey feeling frustrated and unimpressed by the weather.
As the walk continues, the enthusiastic dog finds excitement everywhere… splashing through puddles, exploring muddy paths, and loving all the sights, sounds, and smells of the outdoors. What first seemed like a miserable afternoon gradually transforms into something pretty darn fun.
I love how this book tells an entire story without using a single word. The expressive illustrations do all the storytelling, and they’re fantastic! The contrast between the child’s grumpy mood and the dog’s endless enthusiasm creates a lot of humor while also delivering a meaningful message.
The story highlights the special bond between children and their pets, showing how animals can help us slow down, appreciate the moment, and see the world a little differently. This would be an excellent choice for preschool through early elementary readers. Because it is wordless, children can revisit the book again and again, often discovering new details and telling the story in their own unique way.
If you’re looking for a charming and beautifully illustrated book… Walkies: A Dog’s Tale is definitely worth checking out!
Book Details (For Parents & Teachers)
Title: Walkies: A Dog’s Tale
Author: Estrela Lourenço
Illustrator: Estrela Lourenço
Publisher: Page Street Kids
Publication year: 2024
Recommended age: Not verified from the publisher information I found
Reading level: Not applicable in the conventional sense; wordless picture book
Book type: Wordless picture book; children’s fiction
Best for: Dog lovers, preschool and early elementary readers, visual literacy, storytelling activities, social-emotional learning, pet-themed units, classroom discussions about perspective and positive thinking
Themes: perspective, positivity, human-animal bond, companionship, pets, appreciating the moment, outdoor adventure, changing attitudes, finding joy in everyday experiences
Classroom use: visual literacy; inference and prediction; sequencing; creating dialogue from illustrations; retelling stories in students’ own words; character perspective; identifying emotions through facial expressions and body language; creative writing prompts; discussing how attitudes and perspectives can change
Keywords: Walkies A Dog’s Tale book, Walkies Estrela Lourenço, Estrela Lourenço books, wordless picture books for kids, dog books for children, picture books about dogs, wordless books for preschoolers, visual literacy picture books, books about pets for kids, human animal bond children’s books, books about perspective for kids, wordless storytelling for classroom, rainy day picture books, dog walking children’s book
" The Thing by Simon Puttock, illustrated by Daniel Egnéus, is a thought-provoking children’s picture book about friendship, kindness, curiosity, belonging, and how we react to things we don’t understand. When a mysterious Thing falls from the sky, four strangers come together to care for it, but growing attention soon turns the strange visitor into a worldwide attraction and the subject of heated debate. With imaginative illustrations and gentle social commentary, this unusual friendship story makes an excellent classroom conversation starter about compassion, acceptance, different perspectives, fear of the unknown, and the unexpected ways new experiences can bring people together. "
The Thing
Author: Simon Puttock
Illustrator: Daniel Egneus
What would you do if something completely mysterious fell from the sky? Would you be curious? Afraid? Or would you simply sit beside it and keep it company?
One day, a strange Thing does exactly that. It doesn’t move, it doesn’t make a sound, and nobody knows what it is or what it does.
Four strangers discover it and begin asking questions. Is it alive? Does it belong to someone? They agree the Thing looks lonely, and decide to stay and keep it company. Eventually, they even build a shelter to protect it from the rain.
Then word gets out!
People come from far and wide to see the Thing, and before long it turns into a huge attraction with food stands, souvenirs and even a camera broadcasting the Thing around the world.
But not everyone is happy. Some people think the Thing is strange or dangerous, and soon people everywhere are arguing about whether it should stay.
Then one morning, just as mysteriously as it arrived, the Thing disappears.
The crowds leave and everything shuts down, but the four discover that the Thing has left something rather wonderful behind. Before it arrived they were strangers and now they’re friends.
We really enjoyed this story! The illustrations are lovely and It’s a great conversation starter about kindness, curiosity, friendship and how we react to things we don’t understand.
If you’re looking for a thought provoking book about friendship… this is definitely worth checking out!
Book Details (For Parents & Teachers)
Title: The Thing
Author: Simon Puttock
Illustrator: Daniel Egnéus
Publisher: Egmont UK (now under Farshore)
Publication year: 2017
Recommended age: 3+ (publisher's original rights guide)
Reading level: No verified standardized reading level found
Book type: Children’s picture book; fiction with gentle social commentary
Best for: Friendship and kindness discussions, SEL lessons, exploring curiosity and uncertainty, belonging and acceptance, critical-thinking activities, classroom discussions about different perspectives and reactions to the unknown
Themes: friendship, kindness, compassion, curiosity, belonging, acceptance, thoughtfulness, fear of the unknown, community, differing perspectives, prejudice, friendship between strangers
Classroom use: discussing reactions to unfamiliar things; comparing different characters’ perspectives; exploring kindness and compassion; friendship and belonging activities; inference and prediction; debating whether the Thing should stay; examining how crowds and media influence opinions; creative writing about the Thing’s identity or origin; discussing prejudice and fear of difference
Keywords: The Thing Simon Puttock, The Thing children’s book, Daniel Egnéus illustrator, picture books about friendship, books about kindness for kids, children’s books about belonging, books about acceptance for children, SEL picture books, books about curiosity for kids, books about fear of the unknown, thought-provoking picture books, friendship books for children, picture books about different perspectives, classroom books about kindness and compassion
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