It’s a new year with new challenges for kids of all ages. We’ve rounded up some books about kindness, being yourself, and helping others. Along with these books we have books that remind us to laugh and have fun, find out about the world around us, and the creatures we share it with.
Winter is an exciting time to read with your kids and encourage them to read independently. Enjoy!
Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Rubin – Dragons are perfectly wonderful party guests, especially of you serve tacos, but what happens if you serve them salsa? Kids will laugh and enjoy what happens next. For ages 2-5
Owl Moon by Jane Yolen – Kids will enjoy this story about a little girl and her dad who stay up late one night to journey to the woods to observe the owls. What happens when there are no owls in sight? For ages 2-7
Maybe: A Story About the Endless Potential in All of Us by Kobi Yamada – Sometimes children need a reminder of how incredible they are and the wonderful things they can do. For ages 3 and up
The Jar of Laughter by Joy Yi – Larry discovers laughter for the first time and learns it’s even better when you share the gift of laughter with everyone. For ages 3-8
The Mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverly Cleary – Meet Ralph the Mouse and share his many adventures in this timeless book series. For ages 5-9
Matilda by Roald Dahl - Matilda is different. Her parents don’t like different. The head mistress of her new school doesn’t like different, but Matilda isn’t different, she’s magical and stronger than the people trying to stop her from being herself. For ages 7 and up
Odder by Katherine A. Applegate – Odder the sea otter spends her days doing what otters do only better. What happens when she becomes the intended prey of a great white shark? Who will save her? Based on a true story about a Monterey Bay Aquarium program that pairs orphan otter pups with surrogate mothers. For ages 8-11
The Eyes and the Impossible by Dave Eggers – Johannes is a free dog living in a park with a special mission. Johannes and his friends must report to the park elders about everything that happens in the park. What happens when too many humans move into the area and start encroaching on this sacred space? For ages 9 and up
Fearless by Kristin F. Johnson – Jessie and her dad move to a small town in Minnesota while her mom is deployed. It’s a tough adjustment until she makes friends with Nicky and Oscar, The friends discover an illegal puppy mill and must decide how to help the animals. Who can they trust? After Jessie rescues one of the pups, she learns that hiding it, and taking care of it won’t be easy. A wonderful story about responsibility and trying to make a difference. For ages 9-12
The Paper Girl of Paris by Jordyn Taylor – Sixteen-year-old Alice heads to Paris after she inherits an apartment from her grandmother that nobody in the family knew existed. Why has no one visited it in 70 years, and what secrets from her grandmother’s past will she discover? For ages 12 and up