Preschool

Riley made a paper airplane and couldn’t wait to let it soar. But just before the plane could take off—SQUAWK. An eagle swoops in and insists Riley’s plane could never fly. It’s much too small. So Riley makes it bigger! But just as this bigger paper airplane is ready to go, a parrot squawks that the plane is way too boring to fly. So Riley makes it fancier! Bird after bird offers advice, and Riley tries making the airplane faster, longer, taller, and slimmer. When the plane crashes to the ground after all these changes, Riley finally meets a more supportive friend . . . and rediscovers the joy and wonder of soaring. (From the publisher)

Curricular use: Could be used to help students understand the value of listening to their own ideas and also the value of finding someone who supports you.

Hedgehog loves his new home. But even before he can set foot inside, his house is destroyed. No matter how much he cries, yells, complains, worries, or even feels sorry for himself, Hedgehog is powerless to change the situation. It isn't until he learns to see things differently that Hedgehog turns his obstacle into an opportunity. (From the publisher)  

Curricular use: Use to demonstrate the power of resilience. 

Bitsy is a little bat with big star dreams of making friends at her new school. But when she arrives, Bitsy doesn’t feel like she fits in. The other kids sit on their chairs, but sitting upright makes Bitsy dizzy. The other kids paint with their fingers, but Bitsy would rather use her toes. Everyone tells Bitsy she’s doing things wrong-wrong-wrong, so she tries harder…and ends up having a five-star meltdown. (From the Publisher)

Curricular use: This book is useful for Autism representation in the early years. A second title, Bitsy Bat, Team Star, was published in 2025, and features a student who uses an AAC device. 

Whether you are learning to skate, baking a cake, or even making a mistake, this hilarious and heartfelt rhyming book reminds us that trying our best is reason to celebrate. (From the publisher)  

Curricular use: Many students will likely recognize Sandra Boynton’s signature style, so could be a nice way to introduce author/illustrator. 

Where, oh where is Kitty? She's not upstairs... not in her litter box... not at her food bowl. Hmm...There's only one thing to do: find this lost cat. As the cat's owner roams town in hopes of finding her pet, she discovers she's not the only one missing their beloved animal. There's also a lost dog...a lost bird...even a lost giraffe! (From the publisher)  

Curricular use: A nice story to demonstrate the fun in wordless picture books, and useful for introducing the framework of panels, which many students will encounter as they encounter graphic novels.

Stephanie Allain and Jenny Klion

Summary: Who’s in charge of you? You are! With bright, energetic illustrations, the children in this book wiggle, stomp and clap a refrain that reminds readers that they have autonomy over their bodies, their voices and their personal space.  Simple, joyful and empowering. (From the front flap)

Curricular Use: A gentle and happy way to reinforce that children have ownership of their bodies and behavior, whether it is exploring the world or interacting with others.  (At my house, it helped remind my child that she is in charge of her arms, whether hugging or hitting, and she is in charge of her legs, whether dancing or kicking.)

Max Amato

Summary: Explore the world of dinosaurs with a triceratops named Terri.  As Terri explores her world, she learns quickly that other dinosaurs are LOUD (From the front flap) 

Curricular Use: Most kids know that a Tyrannosaurus roared, but this book adds sounds that created a whole noisy dino-world, with bugs, bushes, volcanoes and even other dinosaurs.  A great book to pair with some dinosaur movement-break songs. 

Drew Daywalt

Summary:  Freddie tries more and less pants, and even underpants, as he struggles to find just the right number of pants (and which legs they should go on.)  Readers will laugh out loud at Freddie, his monkey friend, and the wild ways they try on clothes.  Can Freddie ever find just the right number of pants?

Curricular Use:  Through a hilarious topic, Daywalt (The Day the Crayons Quit) introduces basic math concepts of addition, subtraction, greater than and equal to that are cleverly reinforced with illustrations.  Kids will laugh so hard they won’t even notice the math.

Kristin Mahoney

Summary:  Rocks in winter. Petals in spring. Seashells in summer. Acorns in fall. (Front Flap.) 

Curricular Use:  A perfect fit with a nature walk with young observers. Children could explore the changing seasons with science and imagination as they create their own collection of nature’s wonders.

Audrey Perrott

Summary: When the wind is strong enough to blow House’s hat (roof) right off his head, many different friends try to help House, but nothing is quite the right fit.  As House wonders if he will ever be himself again, neighbors come with a plan to make House safe and snug again.  

Curricular Use: This sweet story includes big ideas, like what does a shelter need to have to keep us safe? And, how can a community come together to help each other? This could also have a local connection related to how we rebuild after strong storms like derechos and tornados.