Mostly Mice!

A Delicious Story written and illustrated by Barney Saltzberg

Two mice–one big and one small–have a terrible problem. Little Mouse is looking for a story–they’re in a book, after all! –and Big Mouse has to admit the truth. The story is gone. And (gasp!) he ate it. That is not okay with Little Mouse, who is all ready to hear a story and will settle for nothing less.

Cinderella and a Mouse called Fred written by Deborah Hopkinson

A modern-day retelling of Cinderella narrated by the mouse who becomes Cinderella’s stage coach.

The Voice in the Hollow written and illustrated by Will Hillenbrand

During a blizzard, Hubert takes a shortcut home from the library and finds himself in a story of his own when a mysterious woman appears to guide him.

Red & Green written and illustrated by Lois Ehlert

On a cold, snowy night, all is quiet throughout the house except for a small, mischievous mouse.

Mouse Seasons written and illustrated by Leo Lionni

There is more than one way to prepare for a long winter, as Frederick tells his friends in the classic story. Gathering food and other supplies is important, but gathering the smells, sounds, and sights of a beautiful day to recall later are just as vital.

Albie on his Way written by Jutta Bauer

Albie is on a mission! The king has commanded him to deliver an important message to the neighboring castle. Dutifully he dashes away. But once on his way, something comes up . . . and then another thing, and then another! What is one to do when a squirrel, a tired mother and her many children, and an old animal need Albie’s help, just has much as his king?

The Real Story written and illustrated by Sergio Ruzzier

When Cat asks Mouse how the cookie jar broke and where the cookies went, Mouse tells Cat implausible story after implausible story.

Dakota Crumb and the Secret Bookshop: a tiny treasure hunt written by Jamie Michalak

Cousin Julien has summoned Dakota Crumb to Paris to solve a mystery. A book of lost treasures has been hidden somewhere in the City of Light. Who better than Dakota to find it?

Out Cold: A Little Bruce book written and illustrated by Ryan T. Higgins

The mice want to celebrate winter doing all their favorite outdoor things. But poor Bruce is inside with a cold. Luckily, the mice decide to bring the winter fun indoors.

Nonfiction

Mice written by Louise Spilsbury

This book explores the fun parts about keeping mice as pets, and looks at their natural behavior. It describes how to properly care for a mouse including feeding, grooming, and health problems.

Paper mouse finger puppet: https://www.redtedart.com/how-to-make-a-paper-mouse-finger-puppet/

Egg carton mice craft: https://patchworkparent.blogspot.com/2019/10/egg-carton-mice.html

Easy Peasy Paper Mouse Craft: https://www.easypeasyandfun.com/easy-peasy-paper-mouse-craft/

Worlds of Words

Who I Am: words I tell myself written by Susan Verde

This empowering collection of positive affirmations shows kids how to silence the unkind voice in their minds and find the uplifting voice instead that will tell them words that are positive, supportive and true.

Stacey’s Extraordinary Words written by Stacey Abrams

When she is chosen to compete in the local spelling bee, Stacey learns that, win or lose, her words are powerful, and sometimes perseverance is the most important word of all, in this debut picture book from the iconic voting rights advocate.

A Day with No Words written by Tiffany Hammond

Young children will learn what life can look like for an autistic child who uses nonverbal communication by following a mother and child on a day where they use a tablet to communicate with others.

A Walk in the Words written and illustrated by Hudson Talbott

Through a story from his own childhood, Hudson Talbott shares the challenges–and ultimately the rewards–of being a non-mainstream kind of learner.

Hornswoggled!: a wacky words whodunit written by Josh Crute

Deer wakes up to find one of his antlers is missing…and there’s a tennis racket in its place? One by one his friends also uncover that their important items from glasses to lucky boots have been swapped with silly, useless replacements like donuts and swim flippers. They’ve been hornswoggled! (Hornswoggled means tricked.) It’s pure poppycock! (Poppycock means nonsense.) Once they gather together to find out what happened, will they find the true thief or be outfoxed? Laugh along with a hilarious cast of animal characters searching for the mysterious trickster in this humorous whodunit bursting with exciting, wacky words that kids will love.

Bigger Words for Little Geniuses written by Sue Patterson

Do you know your gnashnabb from your widdershins? When was the last time you saw something orchidaceous or dolichopodous? Learn all these sophisticated words and more.

If a Horse Had Words written by Kelly Cooper

For horse-loving readers of all ages, a lyrical and exquisitely illustrated picture book following the relationship between a boy and a horse, separated then reunited. This is a story about enduring friendships and how language is shaped by our experiences.

Word rolls: https://laughingkidslearn.com/word-rolls/

Word dominoes: https://nurturestore.co.uk/word-dominoes-game-cvc-words

All Kinds of Cooking!

Spicy Spicy Hot! Written and illustrated by Lenny Wen

Lintang is determined to embrace the spice of sambal in order to connect with her Indonesian grandmother and heritage.

Dim Sum Palace written and illustrated by X. Fang

Liddy is so excited about tomorrow’s trip to Dim Sum Palace that she can barely sleep! When she smells a delicious aroma coming from down the hall, she follows her nose to a gigantic kitchen where she’s the size of a mouse, and a pair of outsized chefs are preparing dumplings. As she climbs up steamers and around bulky stalks of bok choi, she slips and tumbles right into a bowl of filling, where she’s summarily scooped up and bundled into a dumpling herself!

The Babka Sisters written by Lesléa Newman

Dueling baker sisters Esther and Hester meet their new neighbor Sylvester, who gladly becomes their babka tester, determining which shvester’s (sister’s) babka is the best.

Plátanos Are Love written by Alyssa Reynoso-Morris

A young girl learns the cultural significance of plantains while cooking alongside her abuela.

The Sugar Plum Bakers: a tale of 12 holiday treats written by Patricia Tanumihardja

Sugar Plum, Mr. Gingerbread, and their Sugar Plum Bakers prepare twelve delicious holiday treats from countries around the world. Includes information about the treats and a recipe.

Big Dreams, Small Fish written and illustrated by Paula Cohen

When the opportunity arises, Shirley, the daughter of immigrants who live above their corner grocery store, turns some overlooked gefilte fish into a marketing strategy that changes the flavor of the neighborhood.

Tofu Takes Time written by Helen H Wu

Lin makes tofu with her grandma and discovers that patience brings a whole universe together in a simple dish made by a modern Chinese American family.

Granny’s Kitchen: a Jamaican story of food and family written by Sadé Smith

Shelly-Ann lives with her grandmother on the beautiful island of Jamaica, where the sun is always shining and the weather is sweet. One afternoon, Shelly-Ann becomes hungry, so she asks Granny for something to eat. Granny tells her, ‘GYAL, YOU BETTA CAN COOK!’ and teaches Shelly-Ann how to cook delicious Jamaican food.

Nonfiction

Cooking class global feast! : 44 recipes that celebrate the world’s cultures written by Deanna F. Cook

Food is a fun way to celebrate diversity, and in her new kids’ cookbook, best-selling author Deanna F. Cook leads young chefs on a tasty tour of global cultures and cuisines. Kids gain practical kitchen skills through preparing breakfasts, drinks, snacks, dinners, and desserts from around the world.

Learn to read recipe book: http://www.laforcebewithyou.com/2010/12/learn-to-read-recipe-book.html

Gratitude

Lucky Me written by Lawrence Schimel

Bruno’s friend Sanjay has his own room and a pet iguana. His brother, Mateo, who is visually impaired, has a dog named Rocco who helps him get around, and Mateo is a fantastic storyteller. Bruno doesn’t have a pet, and he has to share his room with Mateo, but he still feels like the luckiest of all to have such a great brother and amazing friend.

Sallie Bee Writes a Thank-you Note written by Courtney Sheinmel

One handwritten note leads to many more as Sallie realizes just how much she has to be thankful for. Includes tips for writing thank-you notes.

Thank You for the Little Things written by Caryl Hart

What are the things that make YOU feel happy? From swinging high on playground swings to licking melty ice cream, there are lots of small things that can cheer up a grey day. This reassuring, uplifting picture book celebrates the little things that bring us joy and happiness. We all have bad days and sad days, but sometimes it’s the smallest things that make us smile!

One Grumpy Day written by Christina M. Butler

Fox is in a terrible mood. Little Hedgehog and his friends try many different things to make Fox feel better–they give him hot chocolate and cookies, and Little Hedgehog even gives him his treasured red hat. Fox begins to feel his bad mood start to fade, but when more unfortunate things happen, his bad mood returns, and he stomps off into the forest. Will Little Hedgehog and the others be able to find Fox before it gets dark?

Thank You, Neighbor! Written and illustrated by Ruth Chan

Join our narrator and her dog on their daily walk as they greet the people in their neighborhood–from the mail carrier and bus driver to the sanitation workers and grocery clerks and more. Whether listening, asking, helping, or just saying hello and thank you, it is our patience and kindness that make a neighborhood feel like home. This story gently reminds us to slow down and be grateful for all the people, places, and things around us. Includes an author’s note about how Ruth Chan’s own Brooklyn community inspired her to create this picture book.

Thanks for Nothing! Written and illustrated by Ryan T. Higgins

It is autumn in Soggy Hollow and the mice have a lot to be thankful for, but Bruce the bear is not so thankful for all the thanking.

We Give Thanks written by Cynthia Rylant

A rabbit and a frog zip around town talking to their friends about all the things they love, before cooking up a way to show everyone their gratitude.

Our Table written and illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds

Violet longs for the time when her family was connected: before life, distractions, and technology pulled them all away from each other. They used to gather at the table, with food and love, to make memories, share their lives, and revel in time spent together. But now her family has been drifting apart, and with nobody to gather around it, the table grows smaller and smaller. Can Violet remind her family of the warmth of time spent together, and gather around the table once more?

Nonfiction

A World of Gratitude written by Claire Saunders

What is gratitude? Why is it important to appreciate things both big and small? Do we all give thanks in the same way? With this joyful and enriching book, young readers can learn all about this essential concept. The pages in the first half take children on a visual tour of the world’s continents, featuring colorful maps and guides on how to say and pronounce “Thank you” in different languages. The second half of the book deepens readers’ knowledge, with spreads on fascinating gratitude customs, famous “Thank yous” from history, stories of special thanksgiving celebrations around the world, examples of different ways to give and show thanks, and much more!

Thankful tree: https://www.pbs.org/parents/crafts-and-experiments/thankful-tree

70 Ways to teach kids gratitude: https://www.thedatingdivas.com/70-ways-teach-kids-gratitude/

So Many Seeds!

Eco Girl written and illustrated Ken Wilson-Max

Emulating her favorite baobab trees, Eve contributes to the beauty of the forest by nurturing her very own baobab seedling, becoming an environmental steward to express her love for all things leafy and green.

Hundred Years of Happiness written by Thanhhà Lại

An’s grandmother Bà sometimes gets trapped in her cloudy memories. An and her grandfather Ông come up with a plan to bring her back to a happy moment: growing gấc fruits so they can make xôi gấc, Bà’s favorite dish from her wedding in Vietnam many years ago. An and Ông must be patient as the seeds grow, flower, and turn into fruit. When the xôi gấc is finally ready, An is hopeful that her grandmother will remember her wedding wish with Ông: hundred years of happiness.

Moving Words About a Flower written by K. C. Hayes

Follows the fortunes of a single dandelion, springing up in a crack of the sidewalk but living to spread its seeds to fertile ground. Includes information on the life cycle of a dandelion.

The Flower Garden written and illustrated by Renée Kurilla

After planting a seed packet in the backyard, things don’t go as expected for best friends Anna and Tess. They fall asleep in the sun and wake up to blooms as tall as buildings! Did the seeds really grow that fast? All is explained when Anna and Tess meet May, a little garden gnome whose magic is responsible for the transformation.

Sun in My Tummy written by Laura Alary

In this accessible introduction to the concepts of matter and energy, and how the sun’s light becomes fuel for our bodies through the food we eat, a mother takes readers on a journey into the earth where sleepy seeds are tickled awake and grow into golden oats; into blueberry patches, where green leaves break apart water and air to build sweet sugar; and into a pasture where sun becomes grass, becomes cow, becomes milk.

Oscar’s Tower of Flowers written by Lauren Tobia

Staying in his Nana’s apartment while his mother is away, young Oscar helps tend a thriving flower garden that he then shares with neighbors in his community.

Hundred Feet Tall written by Benjamin Scheuer

A rabbit cares for a seed brought home from the countryside and anticipates being able to climb its branches one day, so they will both be one hundred feet tall.

Stay, Little Seed written by Cristiana Valentini

A moving tale of love, fear, and the courage of letting go. Beyond the hill where the tree lives, lies Who Knows Where. Every year when the wind blows, the tree’s seeds sail to this mysterious place–until the day an especially tiny seed decides to remain on its branch. At first, the tree feels the seed should leave. If it doesn’t, it will never grow roots of its own. But the tree also feels lonely, and Who Knows Where is…who knows? This strikingly illustrated picture book celebrates the rhythms of the natural world as it gently reminds parents and children that letting go and being brave can lead to life’s greatest adventures.

Non fiction

A Seed grows written by Antoinette Portis

An educational picture book about the life cycle of a sunflower.

Seeds written and illustrated by Lemniscates

Seeds harbor immense potential. They defy their size by sprouting and growing into plants. And these plants develop beautiful flowers and delicious fruits and vegetables. Even in the most unlikely environments, seeds manage to thrive. Like seeds, we can cultivate and nurture something wonderful. There is much we can learn from seed

It Starts with a Seed written by Laura Knowles

With lyrical text, enchanting illustrations, and a beautiful fold-out scene to complete the story, this award-winning picture book takes you on a journey through the seasons and years as you follow a seed’s transformation from a seedling to a sapling, then a young tree, until it becomes a large tree with its branches and roots filling the page. As the tree grows, it is joined by well-loved woodland creatures – squirrels and rabbits, butterflies and owls – who make it their home. A rhyming poem builds page on page, echoing the rings of a growing tree. The story culminates with a foldout page showing a mature tree shedding seeds to continue the beautiful cycle of life.

Exploring Vegetable Seeds: https://lemonlimeadventures.com/exploring-vegetable-seeds-simple-science-toddlers/

Seed Germination for Kids: https://www.howweelearn.com/seed-germination-kids/