Children's Book Recommendations

Five New Picture Books with Grandparent Characters

March 12, 2023 The Retired School Librarian1 Comment

Recommended by Angela Ferraris, The Retired School Librarian

(This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, I may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you).

I’m always on the lookout for picture books with grandparents and grandchildren relationships and have been pleased to see five brand-new ones in our public library. I hope there are more to come this year.

Mama Shamsi at the Bazaar

by Mojdeh Hassani (Author), Samira Iravani (Author), Maya Fidawi (Illustrator). Publisher ‏ : ‎ Dial Books. 2023. K-2. Hardcover. ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0593110614.

Brief summary: Samira is a bit nervous about going to the bazaar with her grandmother for the first time to buy groceries. She repeatedly asks Mama Shamsi to hide in her chador, but the woman wisely resists using humor to soothe her granddaughter’s fear.

At the Drop of a Cat

by Élise Fontenaille (Author), Violeta Lópiz (Illustrator), Karin Snelson (Translator), Emilie Robert Wong (Translator). Publisher ‏ : ‎ Enchanted Lion Books. 2023. K-3. Hardcover. ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1592703821.

Brief summary: A grandson visits his Grandpa Luis every Wednesday and Sunday. His grandpa is not only a talented artist but can make anything grow, creating the beautiful garden where they spend their days. The six-year-old is learning to read and write and tells us that his Grandpa does not know how as he was an immigrant from Spain to France who had to work in the fields as a child.

This is a French translation and captures the two kindred spirits. I like the mixed-up idioms and how the grandson narrates how he is getting to know Grandpa Luis.

Buy here in ENGLISH

Buy here in FRENCH.

Abuela’s Super Capa

by Ana Siqueira (Author), Elisa Chavarri (Illustrator). Publisher ‏ : ‎ HarperCollins. 2023. K-3. Hardcover. ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0063113657.

Brief summary: Luis and his abuela have fun every Saturday going around the neighborhood being superheroes. One Saturday, she does not visit. Luis learns that his abuela is very sick in the hospital. She comes to stay with them as she recovers. Although Luis is saddened that his abuela is unable to be as active, he tries to come up with a way to have fun and realizes his sister, Isabel, can be his new sidekick and fight and do adventures together in their capes.

There is a glossary of the Spanish words used in the book.

Buy here in ENGLISH.

Buy here in SPANISH.

In Every Life

by Marla Frazee (Author, Illustrator). Publisher ‏ : ‎ Beach Lane Books. 2023. PreK-2. Hardcover. ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1665912488.

Brief summary: The text has seven lines with seven words each(except for the last line). Each line is across the top of a two-page spread with small illustrations below, and then the next two-page spread is an illustration matching that color scheme.

The words are calm and straightforward. The stunning illustrations are done with pencil and gouache and are detailed little scenes of family members with everyday interactions. I stopped and looked at the details of each one before continuing to the following line and was glad to see that grandparents were included.

Together with You

by Patricia Toht (Author), Jarvis (Illustrator). Publisher ‏ : ‎ Candlewick. 2023. PreK-1. Hardcover. ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1536223514.

Brief summary: A grandmother and her grandchild put on rain gear to play in Spring’s rain. Summer arrives with them cooling off from the hot sun. Autumn brings the wind they need to fly a kite and enjoy the falling leaves. Winter comes with them getting cozy and watching the snow from inside. Each season is spent with one another.

The seasonal color schemes go in hand with this gentle and calming book that blends from one season to the next.

Children's Book Recommendations

Four St. Patrick’s Day Children’s Books and One Irish Tale

February 28, 2023 The Retired School LibrarianLeave a comment

recommended by Angela Ferraris, The Retired School Librarian 📚❤️

(This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, I may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you).

St. Patrick’s Day (New & Updated)

by Gail Gibbons (Author & Illustrator). Publisher ‏ : ‎ Holiday House. 2023. PreK-3. Hardcover. ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0823453399

Brief summary: This narrative nonfiction tells about the customs that are celebrated on St. Patrick’s Day. Readers will also learn about St. Patrick’s life and some of his legends. I learned why it is celebrated on March 17th as well as that some say his real name was Maewyn.

Leprechaun vs. Easter Bunny

by Todd Tarpley (Author), Stephanie Laberis (Illustrator). Publisher ‏ : ‎ Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. 2023. PreK-3. Hardcover picture book. ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0316374262

Brief summary: A leprechaun and the Easter Bunny battle over the space in a garden. The leprechaun wants to hide his pot of gold, and the Easter bunny wants to grow tulips to hide colored eggs. Cupid comes along and wants to make plans for next year’s Valentine’s Day, moving all of their things out of the way. The two join forces and launch the baby out of the garden. Rhyming

Let’s Celebrate With St. Patrick’s Day Origami (Let’s Celebrate with Origami Series)

by Ruth Owen (Author). Publisher ‏ : ‎ Enslow Pub Inc. 2021. Primary/Intermediate grades. Paperback. 32 pages. ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1978526679

Brief summary: Large colorful pictures with step by step directions to make a Celtic cross, shamrock, pot of gold, rainbow celebrations, and green ribbons. Explanation of St. Patrick’s Day, origami tips, glossary, index, and suggested websites for more information.

Saint Patrick the Forgiver: The History and Legends of Ireland’s Bishop

by Ned Bustard (Author). Publisher ‏ : ‎ IVP Kids. 2023. PreK-3. Hardcover. ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1514007242

Brief summary: If you are looking for more of a religious story about Saint Patrick, this is the book. “Hello, my name is Patrick. You may have heard my story. I walked the span of Ireland to tell of God’s great glory.” Young readers will learn about Saint Patrick’s life as a child, being kidnapped to become a slave in Ireland and his escape back home. Saint Patrick continues to tell the reader how he forgave the Irish people and decided to preach Christianity there. The story is told through the viewpoint of a saint. Told in rhyme.

The Fog Catcher’s Daughter

by Marianne McShane (Author), Alan Marks (Illustrator). Publisher ‏ : ‎ Candlewick. 2022. Primary grades. Hardcover picture book. ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1536211306

Brief summary: Eily and her father live on the coast of Ireland across from the isle of fairies, Lisnashee. Her father is the Fog Catcher and must row to the island and collect the magical fog on it every Midsummer. Eily helps prepare to keep her family safe from the Good People. Her father rows out to the island. Eily is worried as she has found his protection charm in a tree.

Young readers will be enchanted by Eily’s adventure to find her father and keep him safe. Beautifully illustrated with dreamy watercolors.

Children's Book Recommendations

St. Patrick’s Day Children’s Books for Your Wee Ones

February 28, 2023March 13, 2023 The Retired School Librarian1 Comment

recommended by Angela Ferraris, The Retired School Librarian 📚❤️

(This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, I may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you).

A leprechaun dressed in green and wearing a little green hat. Rainbow connecting the trees. A pot of gold. Fairy's mushroom circle. Shamrocks

The Littlest Leprechaun (Littlest Series)

by Brandi Dougherty (Author), Michelle Todd (Illustrator). Publisher: ‎ Cartwheel Books. 2022. PreK-K. Paperback with stickers. ISBN-13: ‎ 978-1338796698

Brief summary–Although Liam is the smallest leprechaun in his family, he is still able to help with the St. Patrick’s Day celebration.

Peppa the pig is dressed in a green outfit with shamrock's across the cover

Peppa Pig: Peppa Loves St. Patrick’s Day

by Scholastic (Author), EOne (Illustrator). Publisher: Scholastic Inc. 2022. PreK-K. Paperback. ISBN-13: ‎ 978-1338794342

Brief summary: Peppa and family go to Ireland for an Irish dancing festival. The fact sheet in the back explains more about the St. Patrick’s Day celebration than the actual story. Great for Peppa the Pig booklovers or the hit show on Nick Jr.

Yellow puppy dressed in a green vest and hat holding a four leafed clover with the background of a giant shamrock

Spot’s Lucky Day

by Eric Hill (Author& Illustrator). Publisher: ‎ Warne. 2022. Baby-toddler. Board book. ISBN-13: ‎ 978-0241529775

Brief summary: The sweet and cute puppy, Spot, has a St. Patrick’s Day party and dresses up as a leprechaun. The book is shaped like a shamrock.

Thing One and Thing Two holding a black pot full of gold. Shamrocks all over the cover.

Thing One, Thing Two and the Leprechaun (Dr. Seuss’s Things Board Books)

by Dr. Seuss(Author). Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers. 2022. Baby-toddler. Board book. ISBN-13: ‎ 978-0593484951

Brief summary: Thing One and Thing Two chase a leprechaun through a St. Patrick’s Day parade. Rhyming book.

Boy with a four leafed clover holding it over his sun where the sun is shining upon it.

Baby Loves Photosynthesis on St. Patrick’s Day! (Baby Loves Science)

by Ruth Spiro (Author), Irene Chan (Illustrator). Publisher: Charlesbridge. 2022. Baby-toddler. Board book. ISBN-13: ‎ 978-1623543075

Brief summary: Baby is told that the reason the clovers are green is because of photosynthesis. Advance vocabulary is used with charts to help explain the parts of the clover. St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated in the story with bright and happy illustrations. Comprehension may be best for older readers(PreK-2), but a baby or toddler could still enjoy the story.

You Shamrock My World: A Sweet and Lucky St. Patrick’s Day Board Book for Babies and Toddlers (Punderland)

by Rose Rossner (Author), Ela Smietanka (Illustrator). Publisher: ‎ Sourcebooks Wonderland. 2022. Baby-toddler. Board book. ISBN-13: ‎ 978-1728256337

Brief summary: This book is done with pairs of characters using various St. Patrick’s Day symbols in cute rhyming puns. Colorful.

Disney Baby My First St. Patrick’s Day

by Disney Books (Author), Jerrod Maruyama (Illustrator). Publisher: ‎ Disney Press. 2022. Baby-toddler. Board book(touch and feel). ISBN-13: ‎ 978-1368069137

Brief summary: Baby is introduced to various St. Patrick Day symbols with the help of various Walt Disney characters. Some touch and feel objects.

Five Little Leprechauns

by Jeffrey Burton (Author), Tommy Doyle (Illustrator). Publisher: ‎ Little Simon. 2022. Baby-toddler. Board book. ISBN-13: ‎ 978-1665910835

Brief summary: This is a variant of the “Five Little Monkeys” story and with the same fun rhyme and rhythm. “Five little leprechauns hiding in the clover.
One leaped up and then fell over.“

This Is the Way the Leprechauns Play

by Arlo Finsy (Author), Yuyi Chen (Illustrator). Publisher: ‎ Random House Books for Young Readers. 2022. Baby-toddler. Board book. ISBN-13: ‎ 978-0593482681

Brief summary: The lyrical and rhyming text of the leprechauns on St. Patrick’s Day is sung to “Here We Go ‘Round the Mulberry Bush.”

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