On the Shelf: February children’s books to celebrate and educate
This month’s children’s new releases count among them some powerful stories that belong in libraries and classrooms and on your shelf at home. Celebrate Black History Month and then get little ones ready for Valentine’s Day. Words matter – tell your favorites that you love them.
“Shine Bright: A Joyful Four-Book Collection” by Ruth Forman, illustrated by Geneva Bowers and Talia Skyles (Little Simon, preschool and older)
Ruth Forman’s bestselling board books, “Curls,” “Glow,” “Ours,” and “Bloom,” celebrate Black joy and self-confidence in beautiful illustrations and sweet text. Let little ones see just how special they are.
“Parker’s Big Feelings” (Ready-to-Read Level 1) by Parker Curry and Jessica Curry, illustrated by Brittany Jackson and Tajae Keith (Simon Spotlight, ages 4 – 6)
The Parker Curry series started with the stunning “Parker Looks Up.” This new story helps little ones get big help for big feelings, just like Parker, and in a book they can come back to on their own whenever they need a reminder.
“Do You Know Them? Families Lost and Found After the Civil War” by Shana Keller, illustrated by Laura Freeman (Atheneum Books for Young Readers, ages 4 – 8)
Written for ages 4 – 8, but I suspect you might be in tears by the end, no matter what your age. This is an incredibly powerful story, based on real events. After the Civil War, newly freed people who had been enslaved and forcibly separated from their loved ones placed ads in newspapers across the country, desperately hoping to find their way to each other. The young girl in this story is fictional, but author Shana Keller notes that each ad in the story is real. For classrooms and story times and to read at home together, this is one picture book not to be missed.
“Mermaid for Each Other” by Hannah Eliot, illustrated by Denise Holmes (Little Simon, preschool)
Even the tiniest readers get the giggles with word play. This board book tells the tale of love all year.
“You're My Galentine” by Hannah Eliot, illustrated by Grace Habib (Little Simon, preschool)
A heart-shaped board book to celebrate the gals? Yep! This one is a great Valentine’s Day gift from aunts and moms and grandmas to the little ones they love.
“On Valentine's Day, We Show We Care!” a CoComelon book adapted by Tina Gallo (Simon Spotlight, ages 4 – 8)
Younger kiddos (still) love CoComelon, but take note that this sweet book includes stickers. Preschoolers will love using them to make cards for friends or maybe a special teacher.
“Too Many Valentines” (Ready-to-Read Level 1) by Margaret McNamara, illustrated by Mike Gordon (Simon Spotlight, ages 4 – 6)
This level one reader is part of the Robin Hill School series. Be yourself and like what you like – that’s the message here for emerging independent readers, and it’s a good one all year long. This is a story of kindness and treating friends as they want to be treated. Good stuff.
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: On the Shelf: February children’s books to celebrate and educate
