Reading picture books is not only fun but also has many educational rewards. Picture books help build language skills and vocabulary, inspire visual thinking, increase engagement, and improve school readiness. Picture books are for all ages and all readers!

Ms. Wollaston recommends reading I Am Peace by Susan Verde.

Ms. McVey recommends reading The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein.

Mrs. O'Brien recommends reading Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs by Judi Barrett.

Ms. Faulls recommends reading Strega Nona by Tomie dePaolo.

I am Peace by Susan Verde

Mindfulness means being fully in the present moment. Children can learn how to manage their emotions, make good choices, and balance their busy lives by learning to be mindful, express emotions through speech, find empathy through imagination, and wonder at the beauty of the natural world.

The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein

A story about a tree's generosity to a boy she loved!

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs by Judi Barrett

A grandfather reads a bedtime story, chronicling the lives of the citizens of an imaginary town called Chewandswallow, which is characterized by food raining from the sky.

Strega Nona by Tomie dePaolo

A story about a witch who's apprentice tries to use her magic pasta pot and shenanigans ensue.

You Don't Want a Dragon by Ame Dyckman

Be careful what you wish for! You Don't Want a Dragon points out the hilarious mishaps that come with adopting a dragon.

Duck! Rabbit! by Amy Krouse Rosenthal

Follow two narrators as they debate whether an illustration is a picture of a duck or a rabbit.

Same, Same But Different by Jenny Sue Kostecki-Shaw

Elliot lives in America, and Kailash lives in India. They are pen pals. By exchanging letters and pictures, they learn that they both love to climb trees, have pets, and go to school. Their worlds might look different, but they are actually similar.

Sticks by Diane Alber

A heartwarming story about finding your place in the world. Sticks is about a Popsicle that accidentally melts and becomes just a plain stick.

Silly Sally by Audrey Wood

A rhyming story of Silly Sally, who makes many friends as she travels to town--backward and upside down.

Unstoppable by Adam Rex

If you could have any superpower, what would it be? Well, what if the answer was: ALL OF THEM!

The Interrupting Chicken by David Ezra Stein

It's time for the little red chicken's bedtime story — and a reminder from Papa to try not to interrupt. But the chicken can't help herself!

*Recommended by Ms. Wollaston

Here Comes the Big Mean Dust Bunny! by Jan Thomas

The dust bunnies are back for another round of rhyming fun. But this time a big MEAN dust bunny wants to play—and run and chase and grab!

You Will Be My Friend! by Peter Brown

Today is the day the exuberant Lucy is going to make a new friend! But she finds it's harder than she had thought.

I Walk With Vanessa by Kerascoet

A story of one girl who inspires a community to stand up to bullying with a simple act of kindness!

How to Look After Your Dinosaur by Jason Cockroft

After a dinosaur turns up on his doorstep, the little boy must learn exactly how to look after his dinosaur: what to feed it for breakfast, where to take it for walks, and, most importantly of all, how exactly to deal with its dinosaur-sized poo!

The Star Keeper by Faith Pray

A fallen star and one child's kindness lead to a chain of good works that change her town from a dreary, dark place to one of dazzling brightness.

I Am Enough by Grace Byers

I Am Enough contrasts the different sides of us—the hard and soft, the peaceful and wild, the right-side-up and the upside-down.

Eyes That Kiss in the Corners by Joanna Ho

Drawing from the strength of the powerful women in her life, she recognizes her own beauty and discovers a path to self-love and empowerment.

The Bad Seed by Jory John

A funny yet touching tale that reminds us of the remarkably transformative power of will, acceptance, and just being you.

*Recommended by Ms. Wollaston

Bark, George by Jules Feiffer

George likes to please his mother, but when she tells him to bark he says "meow" and "quack-quack" and "oink" and "moo"!

The Thing Lou Couldn't Do by Ashley Spires

Usually Lou loves adventures, but she has never climbed a tree before. The story reminds us it is okay not to succeed and to always try again!

Sammy the Seal by Syd Hoff

Sammy, the adventurous seal, leaves the zoo for the day and ventures into the big, busy city.

Wordy Birdy by Tammi Sauer

Meet Wordy Birdy, a very chatty bird who talks WAY more than she listens.

Ambitious Girl by Meena Harris

Meena decides to reject the labels of too-this or too-that and embarks on a journey where she learns to not only reclaim words meant to knock her down, but also to take up space and own her power.

Oliver the Curious Owl by Chad Otis

Oliver the owl questions anything and everything in this charmingly funny story that asks who, what, when, where, and why! The only question Oliver's family ever asks is Who? Who? Who?