 This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases with no additional cost for you. Why We Frequent Our Local LibrariesWe visit the library almost every week, and it has become one of our favorite family routines. My husband and I both have a deep love for reading, and we want to instill that same passion in our children. Taking regular trips to the library helps us expose them to a wide range of interesting and engaging books. Whether it's a silly story, a beautiful picture book, or something brand new, I love watching my son get excited about choosing his own books and sharing his discoveries. Our goal is to raise readers who love stories, not just know how to read them. How to Find Great Books at the LibraryI find books for our library visits in a few different ways. Sometimes we simply browse the shelves. I’ll do this on my own, but I also love letting my kids search with me so they feel proud about picking out their own books. Giving them ownership makes reading even more exciting. Other times I plan ahead by making book lists. Some titles are recommended by other parents, while others are Caldecott Medal winners that I think my kids would enjoy. I also take photos of books I come across at children’s museums or in bookstores, and I check the Novel Effect app to see what stories are currently featured there. When my kids become interested in a specific topic, I like to build little book hunts around that theme. For example, they recently fell in love with the audio Peter and the Wolf, Op. 67 – Narrated by Leonard Bernstein, so I searched for picture book versions of that story. I also looked for other books featuring wolves as main characters to keep the theme going. Once I have a list of titles, I use our library’s website to search for them and place holds. That way, the books are ready and waiting for me at the front desk when we arrive. It makes our library trips smooth and stress-free while keeping our reading time fresh and fun. Bringing Our Library Favorites to the BlogI’m starting this series to share the books we’ve been checking out in hopes that it gives you a little inspiration for your own storytimes. As a parent, I’m always looking for fresh ideas and trusted recommendations, so I figured—why not do the same for others? Whether you're a fellow homeschooler, teacher, or caregiver, I hope these lists help you discover something new to read with your little ones. And I’d love to hear from you too! Let me know what your kids are enjoying lately so we can keep the book love going both ways.  Is 2 a Lot? An Adventure with NumbersIf you've been following my blog posts, you know that my son has a special place in his heart for numbers. When I find a book about numbers that has great illustrations and isn't too wordy, I know I'll have his undivided attention. Is 2 a Lot? An Adventure with Numbers is a playful story that helps kids see numbers in fun and surprising ways. Joey and his mom turn everyday moments into imaginative adventures, showing that numbers can feel big or small depending on what you’re counting. From a couple of skunks to a thousand balloons, the comparisons spark curiosity and laughter while making math feel exciting and easy to understand. Young readers will love the colorful illustrations, the silly ideas, and the chance to imagine their own “is that a lot?” moments. It’s the kind of book that makes learning about numbers feel like play.  On Account of the GumOn Account of the Gum is a laugh-out-loud story that takes a sticky problem and turns it into pure comedy. When a kid gets gum stuck in his hair, the “helpful” solutions just keep getting sillier and messier, from using butter to calling the fire department. Each page piles on more outrageous fixes, making the story funnier and funnier as it goes. Young readers will love the rhymes, the wacky twists, and the totally relatable “oh no” moment at the center of the book. With its mix of clever wordplay and zany illustrations, this is the kind of story kids will want to hear again and again. I know mine did!  The Legend of Rock Paper ScissorsSo this book was a little wordy and I wasn't too sure my son would sit through it. I had to be more animated than normal for this read aloud, but he actually LOVED it. The Legend of Rock Paper Scissors is a hilarious and action-packed tale that brings the classic game to life in the most epic way. Rock, Paper, and Scissors are fearless warriors who have conquered every challenge in their own kingdoms, from printers to chicken nuggets, yet none of their victories feel complete. When they finally meet each other, their battles are fierce, funny, and endlessly entertaining. Kids will love the bold illustrations, the over-the-top humor, and the exciting backstory that makes a simple game feel like an adventure. It’s the perfect read for young readers who enjoy silly stories with lots of laughs. We also listened to several read alouds on different YouTube channels as we turned the pages and we used Novel Effect for this book as well. I don't know how many times we read it before returning it to the library, but I'm definitely going to have to buy it lol.  King LionKing Lion is a warm and funny story about a mighty lion who longs for a friend but doesn’t know how to show it. Every roar he gives scares the townsfolk away, even when he’s only trying to wave, smile, or share a joke. Lonely and misunderstood, King Lion’s sadness fills the air until a brave little girl decides to listen with her heart. With sweet illustrations and a gentle message, this book reminds young readers that kindness and empathy can turn even the loudest roar into the beginning of a friendship. It’s a delightful tale that encourages understanding and connection.  The Little Engine That CouldThe Little Engine That Could is an inspiring classic that shows kids the power of perseverance and believing in yourself. When a train filled with toys and treats breaks down, the little blue engine steps up to help, even though she isn’t the biggest or the strongest. With determination and her cheerful “I think I can” spirit, she pulls the train over the hill and delivers joy to the children waiting on the other side. Young readers will love the hopeful message, the sense of adventure, and the reminder that even small helpers can do big things.  The Book That Almost RhymedThe Book That Almost Rhymed is a lively and clever story about the fun (and chaos) of storytelling with a sibling. A big brother tries to spin a perfect rhyming tale, but his little sister keeps jumping in with wild, unexpected ideas that don’t quite rhyme like knights on rockets and fire-breathing armadillos. At first, it seems frustrating, but soon he realizes her imagination makes the story even better. With humor, creativity, and a sweet message about teamwork, this book shows kids that sharing ideas can turn any story into an adventure. It’s a joyful read that celebrates family, fun, and the magic of working together.  OddbirdOddbird is a sweet and uplifting story about being yourself and finding where you belong. While the fancy birds are too worried about their perfect feathers to enjoy the water, Oddbird just wants to dive in and cool off. At first, he’s left out because he doesn’t look like the others, but his courage to be different shows everyone a new way to have fun. With bright illustrations and a heartwarming message, this story encourages kids to celebrate what makes them unique and reminds them that true belonging comes from being yourself.  100 Cats100 Cats is a playful, rhyming romp that will have kids giggling from start to finish. With cats of every kind—silly cats, sneaky cats, even knitting-tangled cats—each page bursts with funny surprises and lively illustrations. The catchy rhythm makes it a joy to read aloud, while the hidden cat-and-mouse subplot keeps readers coming back to spot new details. Young readers will love the humor, the energy, and the celebration of cats in all their quirky glory. It’s a purrfectly fun book for storytime that’s sure to become a favorite.  Dino-RacingDino-Racing is a fast and funny adventure that brings dinosaurs to the racetrack for the ultimate prehistoric showdown. With helmets on and engines roaring, these dino-drivers zoom, swerve, and race to the finish line in a wild competition full of excitement. The playful rhymes and action-packed illustrations make every page a thrill ride, keeping young readers hooked from start to finish. My little guy enjoyed trying to guess who was going to win each race and requested this one to be read at least twice each time we picked it up. It’s a fun, high-energy read that’s perfect for little fans of cars, dinos, and big adventures.  Have you or your child read any of these books? What did you think? Which library books have been a hit in your home lately? I'd love to add them to our list! Do you have a favorite read aloud for 4-year-olds? Share it below! Please leave your comments below. Your feedback is always appreciated. 
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Good Morning, Ms. Williams!Creating, Blogging & Sharing Educational Resources 
Categories
All
|
RSS Feed