Whether shopping for Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or “just because,” here are the best books to gift to babies and toddlers this holiday season.

no no 9780593750896 Bluey and Bingo’s Book of Singy Things by Penguin Young Readers Licenses

Tap into your child’s love of Bluey with this playful board book featuring Bluey and Bingo’s fun playtime songs. Filled with tunes like Poor Little Bug on the Wall and The Wheels on the Bus, this tabbed book is perfect for little fans of the show who want to sing along during playtime.

9780593521731 The Very Hungry Caterpillar’s Peekaboo Christmas by Eric Carle

Help your toddler look for The Very Hungry Caterpillar as he wanders around the Christmas tree. Try to spot him between the ornaments or peeking out from behind the presents. This book makes an excellent addition to your child’s holiday book collection!

9780593428900 I’m Growing Great by Mechal Renee Roe

This book will draw little readers in with its lovely illustrations of Black and Brown hairstyles donning bright-colored blooms. It radiates positivity and joy and makes a delightful read-aloud in springtime or anytime.

9780593426869 I Am the Grinch by Alastair Heim, illustrated by Tom Brannon

This sturdy board book introduces Dr. Seuss’s iconic character to babies and toddlers. Join the Grinch as he humorously shares what he doesn’t like before revealing what he truly loves: spending time with a friend and growing his heart. It is a delightful stocking stuffer that’s sure to win over little readers!

9781664350700 Noisy Babies by Lauren Crisp, compiled by Tiger Tales

This is the ultimate interactive board book for the littlest readers! It includes three features that babies and toddlers absolutely adore:
1) full-color photographs of other real babies
2) a variety of sounds
3) touch-and-feel elements throughout.
Little ones will engage their senses while connecting with familiar sights and sounds.

RELATED: Best Touch-and-Feel Books for Your Baby’s Bookshelf

no no 9780593659717 Play with Me by Kat Chen, illustrated by Lorraine Nam

Need a playmate? Look no further than this fun interactive book. Play with Me invites toddlers to join a playful picnic, giving them choices and teaching them about sharing and friendship. It’s the perfect companion for quiet moments when your little one wants someone to play with. This holiday season, it’s a thoughtful gift that encourages social skills and interactive play. Pair it with Play Outside with Me and Play Games with Me to keep the playtime fun going.

9781536234831 Peekaboo: Lion by Camilla Reid, illustrated by Ingela P. Arrhenius

The Peekaboo series is a delight for young readers. Bright, bold illustrations with sparse, repetitive text and sturdy pages come together in this stylish, interactive board book. Easy-to-use peekaboo sliders and a surprise mirror ending make it a hit for babies and toddlers!

9780593811252 Ms. Rachel and the Special Surprise: Encouraging Speech and Learning Through Play and Music by Ms. Rachel, illustrated by Monique Dong

Ms. Rachel is everyone’s favorite teacher — and for good reason! She is fun and full of love. This board book is a natural extension of her show and does a wonderful job of encouraging speech development and learning. With more than 20 important milestones, it incorporates gestures and speech from her popular videos into an interactive story that makes learning engaging and playful.

9780593703366 My First Book of Coffee by Robyn Wall, illustrated by Lydia Nichols

This one is sure to make parents chuckle. Celebrate coffee culture in this board book featuring babies and toddlers with their coffee-loving grown-ups. Families coping with sleepless nights and early mornings will enjoy this humorous book. It’s an excellent holiday gift because it provides a touch of humor and warmth, perfect for brightening up the winter season.

9781664351202 Group Hug! by Sophie Aggett, illustrated by Anna Terreros-Martin

This truly adorable counting book celebrates the power of group hugs! Join a cast of animals from around the world, including pandas, lemurs, and llamas, as they share warm embraces. This board book features cleverly shaped pages and peek-throughs that bring the animals together in sweet hugs. Families will love how it highlights the themes of love and friendship.

9781536234800 Bizzy Bear: Ferry Captain illustrated by Benji Davies

This title is the latest installment in one of my top series for little hands. The interactive elements are engaging and sturdy — something parents love! In this dynamic new title, Bizzy Bear is a ferry captain. Join him on a day of adventure with tabs to slide, push, and pull as he takes readers to their destination. It’s a fantastic choice for toddlers who love hands-on fun and exploration!

9780593660447 My Hands Can by Ammi-Joan Paquette, illustrated by Sabrena Khadija

This title teaches young readers about their hands and all the wonderful things they can do. It can be used to discuss themes like kindness, bodily autonomy, and self-regulation. My Hands Can is part of a larger series that celebrates the amazing abilities of our bodies. The series is incredible and has so much teaching potential!

9780593181775 Tree: A Peek-Through Board Book by Britta Teckentrup

What I love most about this title is its appeal across seasons. Readers watch a tree change through spring, summer, fall, and winter. Toddlers will enjoy exploring the peekaboo holes throughout the book, showing different critters living in the tree each season.

RELATED: STEM-Themed Books for Babies and Toddlers

9780593704103 You Are a Unicorn!: A Little Book of AfroMations by April Showers, illustrated by Anthony Conley

This addition to the Afro Unicorn world is full of affirmations for little readers and empowers Black and Brown children. You Are a Unicorn! celebrates their unique, divine, and magical selves, making it a powerful, uplifting read for little ones.

9780593808337 Richard Scarry’s Cars and Trucks Touch-and-Trace by Richard Scarry

Enjoy the nostalgia of Richard Scarry with this hands-on, interactive twist to Richard Scarry’s Cars and Trucks and Things That Go. This touch-and-trace board book brings Busytown to life, letting little ones use their fingers to follow paths and solve mazes. With various wacky vehicles and playful mazes, it’s the perfect gift for youngsters to explore and engage with the classic world of Busytown.

9781536226591 Teeny Tiendas: The Fruit Shop/La frutería by Lourdes Heuer, illustrated by Zara González Hoang

Especially great for bilingual families, this darling title introduces kids to fruits sold in the fruit shop (la frutería) in English and Spanish. It includes common fruits like watermelon and lesser-known fruits like loquat and dragon fruit. Kids will enjoy the illustrations of diverse families, including children and babies, as they stroll through Mr. Manzano’s fruit shop. This bilingual board book is a sweet way to explore new words while celebrating the vibrant community around them.

9780593480113 Touch and Learn: Space by Becky Davies, illustrated by Mei Stoyva

Journey through outer space and explore the solar system with this touch-and-feel board book. Colorful artwork with seek-and-find objects on every page will make it a favorite for little readers.

9780593533178 Dragon’s First Taco by Adam Rubin, illustrated by Daniel Salmieri

The only thing better than a real taco is a board book shaped like a taco! This book, designed by the creators of Dragons Love Tacos, makes a delightful gift for the littlest readers. I especially love how the cover art is a removable sticker, allowing littles to make their “taco” look extra realistic.

9780593695647 Hair Love ABCs by Matthew A. Cherry, illustrated by Vashti Harrison

Inspired by the bestselling title Hair Love, Hair Love ABCs is an inclusive and empowering alphabet book! The story features Zuri and her dad from the original title, and each letter represents an element or description of Black hair.

9780593710111 10 Little Construction Trucks by Annie Bailey, illustrated by Jeff Harter

A counting book featuring a popular, high-interest topic for toddlers? Yes, please! Fans of cars and trucks can count down from ten to one as they follow construction vehicles on a busy workday. This sturdy board book is perfect for the youngest readers and will delight little vehicle lovers. With action-packed pages showcasing bulldozers, rollers, forklifts, and concrete mixers, it pairs beautifully with construction-themed toys for a holiday gift.

9781984849489 Who Will You Be? by Andrea Pippins

The holidays are a great time to gift keepsake books children can grow alongside. This is one of them! Who Will You Be? is full of inspiration for young readers and boasts the most charming, colorful illustrations.

9780241634721 Little Dinosaur by Rhiannon Fielding, illustrated by Chris Chatterton

An absolutely perfect book to add to the bedtime story rotation! Follow Rumble the Triceratops as he races through the jungle to get to bed on time. The imaginative story and vivid illustrations capture little ones’ attention while settling them down for sleep.

9780736444750 Meet the Emotions (Disney/Pixar Inside Out 2) by RH Disney, illustrated by Disney Storybook Art Team

With the recent release of Inside Out 2, this book offers the perfect opportunity to further the social-emotional learning themes introduced in the movie. With it, your little one can get to know the different emotions from the film. Babies and toddlers will love exploring these feelings through the fun characters and engaging, colorful illustrations.

RELATED: Board Books About Big Feelings for Babies & Toddlers

9780593623169 Latke’s First Hanukkah by Alan Silberberg

Latke and his friends enjoy an eight-night Hanukkah celebration in this playful board book! The party grows as the days go on, culminating with all eight candles lit on the menorah and the shamas. This is an excellent choice to make your holiday celebrations more inclusive.

9780593572108 Rosita (Sesame Street Friends) by Andrea Posner-Sanchez

My toddler has most of the titles in the Sesame Street Friends series, and she loves them all! With minimal text on each page and bright, bold graphics, this series is a toddler favorite. Each title focuses on a different friend from Sesame Street — check them all out! Rosita is a great character for bilingual families.

9781580897945 First Laugh–Welcome, Baby! by Rose Ann Tahe, Nancy Bo Flood and Jonathan Nelson

Even those unfamiliar with the Navajo custom of the First Laugh Ceremony will adore this delightful story. Family members to see who will be the first person to make the new baby laugh. Who will it be? We’ll see! A charming tale that so sweetly captures the magic of this precious moment.

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These titles are useful tools to help toddlers process and cope with their feelings. They encourage using words to describe emotions and offer valuable skills for self-management. By sharing these board books about big feelings with our little ones, we can create a safe and nurturing environment where they can thrive.

no no 9781680106558 My Book of Feelings by Nicola Edwards, illustrated by Thomas Elliott

My toddler has loved this title since she was a baby. The full-color photographs make the content particularly relevant and appealing. Babies and toddlers can see familiar situations, allowing them to make connections with the emotions depicted in the book. It does an excellent job of being inclusive by featuring children with various skin tones and disabilities. The emoji spinners make it extra engaging!

9781611808575 Happy Puppy, Angry Tiger by Brad Peterson, illustrated by Betsy Peterson

We’ve thoroughly enjoyed this board book in our home! Each page features a different animal or insect paired with an emotion or attitude. Some pairings are funny and unexpected (e.g., the praying mantis is grateful), making this an enjoyable read-aloud! The illustrations are super quirky and have bold, cheerful colors. Toddlers will have fun guessing each feeling based on the illustrations.

9780593482520 A Change of Plans for Elmo!: Sesame Street Monster Meditation in collaboration with Headspace by Random House

Toddlers thrive on routines and predictability, and change can be difficult. The Monster Meditation series is a perfect social-emotional learning tool for little ones who love Sesame Street! In this title, Elmo learns to cope with disappointment when a special playdate gets canceled. Readers will enjoy and benefit from the game Elmo learns (1, 2, 3, Freeze) when they experience big feelings of their own.

RELATED: The Best Books for Fans of Elmo

9780593465127 Llama Llama Feelings by Anna Dewdney, illustrated by JT Morrow

Sometimes Llama Llama feels happy, sometimes he feels sad. This easy-to-understand board book follows Llama Llama as he feels a number of emotions, especially as he gets ready for bed, a time where kids can experience a range of highs and lows. This excellent book, from the New York Times bestselling author Anna Dewdney will help kids learn about their emotions and better express the way they feel.

9781664350380 My Bag of Feelings by Danielle McLean, illustrated by Lisa Koesterke

Young readers will be drawn to the fun design of this board book: A smiling yellow backpack overflowing with emojis and familiar objects. In the book, a child shares objects that remind them of various emotions. This format could be replicated in real life to help toddlers practice articulating their feelings through a show-and-tell activity.

9780593119877 Mindfulness Moments for Kids: Hot Cocoa Calm by Kira Willey, illustrated by Anni Betts

This board book walks young readers through an easy mindfulness routine that they can use to manage their feelings. A group of woodland animals goes through the mindfulness exercise together. While this is a fantastic tool at any time of year, the chilly setting makes it a cozy read-aloud during winter.

RELATED: Board Books on Wellness for Babies & Toddlers

9789888341047 Why Cry? by Yusuke Yonezu

Babies and toddlers will enjoy the animated characters and interactive elements of this creative lift-the-flap book. As readers turn the pages and see one tearful, wailing expression after the next, they also see a rainbow forming color by color. The delightful, surprise ending will help little ones realize they will get through tough times and things will be okay!

9780744062625 Everybody Feels Fear by Ashwin Chacko

Help young readers learn all about fear with this cheerful, silly, and touching board book from author-illustrator Ashwin Chacko. This book is equal parts hilarious and inspiring. It will make kids laugh while helping them understand they are never alone. We all have fear, and it does not make us weak. It’s a hopeful read-aloud for groups or one-on-one.

9780593432846 Grumpy Monkey Says No! by Suzanne Lang, illustrated by Max Lang

Does it feel like your toddler’s favorite word is “no”? You and your (sometimes stubborn) little one will love reading this funny book featuring everyone’s favorite grumpy monkey, Jim Panzee, who responds to every question with “no.” But as the story continues, Jim (and hopefully your toddler) will learn that “no” isn’t always the best answer and they could actually be missing out on some great adventures!

RELATED: Learning To Ride Out Uncomfortable Emotions With Grumpy Monkey

9781664350533 Touch and Feelings: Angry Bear by Dr. Naira Wilson, illustrated by David Creighton-Pester

This darling board book helps kids understand anger through the story of a bear whose anger presents itself in different ways. The author is a child psychologist specializing in children’s emotions, so you know it is a reliable tool. I love the mirror included in the book, and my toddler does, too!

9781632173010 Ollie Feels Fine by Toni Yuly

Ollie, the octopus, has big feelings! One day, when those big feelings get overwhelming, he finds support in his friend Stella the Starfish. This book reminds little readers it’s okay to not feel okay and that it’s good to talk about their feelings. I love how this title represents Ollie in a different hue each time his emotions change. This visual helps kids grasp the feelings he’s experiencing.

9781536203806 Mad, Mad, Mad by Leslie Patricelli

How can little ones recover from enormous tantrums? Through Baby’s story, the author shares tips for calming down and finding happiness again. All toddlers have tantrums, which makes this book relevant and helpful. The simple illustrations and exaggerated expressions will appeal to the littlest of readers.

9781465498250 I Feel Sad by DK

In this board book, toddlers learn that sadness is a normal part of daily life. Although sadness can feel unpleasant, this story details the many ways to deal with it as it comes. With bright and charming illustrations that show how our feelings affect our bodies and minds, little readers will feel emotionally informed!

Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2023 and updated in 2024.

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Much of this newfound understanding is because of the book Every Body by Megan Madison, Jessica Ralli, and Tequitia Andrews. This newest addition to the First Conversations series introduces little ones to essential topics, including body diversity, disability justice, fatphobia, and body liberation.

no no 9780593661505 Every Body: A First Conversation About Bodies by Megan Madison and Jessica Ralli, illustrated by Tequitia Andrews

The book begins: “I have a body. My body is awesome.” It then explains how everyone has a body, and there are many ways bodies can look. They are all special and deserving of care. The book teaches kids about the beauty and importance of fat, an often-stigmatized subject, explaining how it helps us store energy, which allows our bodies to do the things we love.

This title will help young readers realize their body’s power; it communicates what it needs and can even provide clues about our feelings. Like the other titles in this series, questions sprinkled throughout the pages encourage reflection and connection between grown-ups and children. Some questions include, “How does your body tell you what it needs?” and “How does your body feel right now?”

The bold and inclusive illustrations will appeal to young readers. As I read this with my three-year-old, she loved pointing out details in the pictures. For example, on the page about how our bodies change, she pointed at the baby pictures on the wall and connected them to her own baby pictures hanging in our family room. On the pages discussing disability and accommodations, she noticed the characters using wheelchairs and crutches, like other special people in her life.

I am grateful that more and more caregivers are seeing the importance of teaching kids about consent from a young age. This book encourages these conversations, reminding readers that their bodies belong to them and them alone. The verbiage modeled in the text can be easily brought into homes and used by grown-ups and kids alike.

While this entire book is powerful and important, the discussion on BMI is the most impactful. It begins, “But there’s a big problem. There are pictures and ideas all around us that say some bodies are healthier and more beautiful than all other bodies. That’s a lie people made up a long time ago.” Readers learn that BMI was established by a group of white men who decided being fat was bad and being skinny was good. These toxic ideas permeated our culture and still are very much present today, as evidenced by my adolescent experiences.

While these ideas certainly impacted my body image as a teen, they have been even more damaging toward fat people, who haven’t always received the care they need. The text teaches readers that there are people working hard to ensure that things become more fair for every body and invites readers to join these efforts.

I am grateful that my three-year-old will grow up with a more empowering view of her body and the bodies of others due to the ideas introduced in this book and reaffirmed in her daily life. She will grow up believing that every body is a good body and that ALL bodies can be healthy.

Available in board book and picture book format, Every Body offers caregivers language and background information (there’s lots of helpful back matter) they can use in conversations with their children. I truly believe that Every Body is as much for parents as for children. It is an essential title for every home.

The post Teach Your Child (and Yourself) To Love Every Body appeared first on Brightly.

Very Good Hats by Emma Straub playfully explores the concept of a hat. What qualifies as a hat? More than you probably think! As the book reads, “Some people think hats are fancy things that you can buy at a haberdashery, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg.”

no no 9780593529430 Very Good Hats by Emma Straub, illustrated by Blanca Gomez

Straub’s debut children’s book shows readers how acorns can be hats for fingers, clouds can be hats for an airplane’s passengers, and a lid can be a hat for a pot. My toddler’s favorite featured hats include the “soup hat” (the hat you get when an empty bowl hat turns out to be full of soup) and the “ice cream hat” you can get at a baseball stadium.

It’s hard to imagine this book being illustrated by anyone else. Blanca Gómez’s illustrations are, as always, truly delightful. Her distinctive style and color palette are charming and add to the playful, quirky vibe of the title.

Wearing my “teacher hat,” my mind swims with ideas for using this book with children. It would be an excellent kick-off for exploring different jobs and their required tools. Many jobs are easily recognizable by their hats and uniforms, and Very Good Hats showcases several of these, including a pirate, firefighter, and chef. Take the title further by encouraging readers to consider how someone’s hat influences how they see and interact with the world. Perspective is a needed skill in today’s world.

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Additionally, adults can use this book with children to inspire divergent thinking and healthy debate. This title asks readers, “If a turtle can tuck its head into its shell, does that make its shell a hat?” Consider with your reader what else they could consider a hat. Is a lampshade a hat for a lamp? Is the sun a hat for our planet? Explore objects that typically go on heads but aren’t considered hats. For example, why is a hairbow not a hat? How about a wig or even our hair? This book offers an opportunity to practice categorizing and comparing.

The book ends with the reminder, “Anything can be a hat if you believe it is.” In a world that can feel so heavy and polarized, let’s raise children who think outside the box and embrace joy and whimsy. Very Good Hats is an excellent place to start.

The post <i>Very Good Hats</i> Is a Playful Exploration of Imagination appeared first on Brightly.

no no 9780593173053 The Creature of Habit by Jennifer E. Smith, illustrated by Leo Espinosa

Lesson: It can feel great to try something new!

It’s easy to get stuck in our ways. The Creature of Habit knows this firsthand! This book, which takes place on a colorful tropical island, helps kids see that change can be good and new experiences can be rewarding. This book makes an excellent read-aloud before a life change — big or small — like a transfer to a new school or a new morning routine.

9780593174173 Ruby and the Itsy-Bitsy (Icky) Bug by Allison Wortche, illustrated by Sally Walker

Lesson: Once you get to know something, it might not be as scary as you thought.

When Ruby discovers a bug outside her bedroom window, she’s disgusted! Ruby’s transformation in the story will encourage readers to approach things they dislike with an open mind. Parents working to support their littles through fear or aversion will appreciate this book.

9781623542658 Abuelita and I Make Flan by Adriana Hernández Bergstrom, illustrated by Adriana Hernández Bergstrom

Lesson: Honesty is the best policy.

Have you ever broken an item and feared telling its owner what happened? In this story, young Anita learns to be honest after breaking Abuelita’s special plate. Readers will empathize with Anita’s struggle and connect with the story’s relatable premise. This is an excellent introduction to Cuban culture and cuisine.

9780593387085 My Fade Is Fresh by Shauntay Grant, illustrated by Kitt Thomas

Lesson: It’s important to speak your mind and stay true to yourself.

A little girl goes to the barbershop knowing precisely what hairstyle she wants. While those around her try to influence her decision, she remains resolute! This book challenges gendered hairstyles and encourages kids to be their true selves.

9781536221985 Tisha and the Blossoms by Wendy Meddour, illustrated by Daniel Egnéus

Lesson: A slower pace can feel good.

When we embrace a slower pace, we relax enough to notice more of the world around us. After a hectic and fast-paced day, Tisha tells her mom that a slowdown is in order. The afternoon that commences is lovely and may encourage readers to follow suit. This is an excellent pick for parents and educators wanting to promote mindfulness in their homes and classrooms.

9781536216790 The Mouse Who Carried a House on His Back by Jonathan Stutzman, illustrated by Isabelle Arsenault

Lesson: You can always make room for another.

This story of a little mouse with a portable home and a growing heart will inspire readers to consider how they can make others feel welcome. I absolutely adore this title’s illustrations — the die-cut art is fun and whimsical!

9780593428160 Blue Bison Needs a Haircut by Scott Rothman, illustrated by Pete Oswald

Lesson: Sometimes waiting is necessary.

Desperately needing a haircut, Blue Bison is frustrated when he discovers that every place is closed! What will he do? I love Blue Bison’s animated expressions and know kids will, too. This hilarious book will keep kids entertained all the way through.

9780593352588 The Wills and the Won’ts by Angela Woolfe, illustrated by Roland Garrigue

Lesson: It’s better to come together than to build a wall.

The Wills and the Won’ts cannot agree on anything. The solution? They will build a wall between their two communities. Reminiscent of Dr. Seuss’s The Sneetches, this rhyming title has themes of tolerance and cooperation. Teachers supporting their students through classroom conflict will really appreciate its message.

9781536207743 Joy Ride by Sherri Duskey Rinker, illustrated by Ana Ramírez González

Lesson: How you feel matters more than what others think of you.

It can feel awful when someone makes you feel bad about something you love. Joy experiences this when her peers make fun of the bike that she poured her time and love into alongside her supportive grandpa. This book is perfect for kids who care what their peers think.

9780525553304 Time to Recharge, Harper! by Kelly Leigh Miller

Lesson: Rest is important.

It’s a fact: Kids don’t like napping (at least my kid doesn’t). Time to Recharge, Harper! is about a little robot who does NOT want to go down for a nap. This book will help readers see the importance of rest and hopefully make nap time go more smoothly for everyone.

9780399186301 Maxine and the Greatest Garden Ever by Ruth Spiro and Holly Hatam

Lesson: Friendship matters more than success.

Maxine and her friend Leo want to create the greatest garden ever. After butting heads, Maxine reflects on how to make things right with her friend. In a world focused on achievement, teaching our kids how to be good people is critical. Showing them to care for and value the people in their lives is the perfect place to start.

9781984813022 Don’t Hug Doug (He Doesn’t Like It)

Lesson: Don’t touch people without their consent.

This colorful title uses humor to teach kids the importance of consent. It tells readers they can hug a whole host of things (a slug, a porcupine, etc.) but NOT Doug. Doug doesn’t like hugs. I love that this title teaches kids a simple way to determine if they can hug someone — by asking!

9781984815521 Teo’s Tutu by Maryann Jacob Macias, illustrated by Alea Marley

Lesson: Being true to yourself is the bravest thing of all.

Anxious, Téo joins his first ballet class in his pink tutu. With time and hard work, the class reaches recital time, and Téo needs to decide what costume he will choose — pants and shirt or leotard and tutu. It will hearten readers to see Téo stay true to himself, even when it’s hard. I appreciate how this title questions gender norms without including a bullying narrative.

9780593326374 Out of a Jar by Deborah Marcero

Lesson: Being true to yourself is the bravest thing of all.

Anxious, Téo joins his first ballet class in his pink tutu. With time and hard work, the class reaches recital time, and Téo needs to decide what costume he will choose — pants and shirt or leotard and tutu. It will hearten readers to see Téo stay true to himself, even when it’s hard. I appreciate how this title questions gender norms without including a bullying narrative.

9781984815651 Laxmi’s Mooch by Shelly Anand, illustrated by Nabi H. Ali

Lesson: Our bodies are perfect however they are.

Laxmi has a small mooch, or a bit of hair above her lip. When her classmates say she looks like a cat with whiskers, she goes home upset and self-conscious. Her parents set a brilliant example for adults reading this book with children, as they do a fantastic job at making Laxmi feel better. This title encourages kids to embrace their bodies as they are, body hair and all.

The post 15 Picture Books That Teach, Not Preach appeared first on Brightly.

Here are some of my favorite ideas for helping kids learn to problem-solve:

• • Make a problem-solving toolkit together. This can be as simple as a poster with various strategies listed in writing or images tailored for your child. Examples of strategies might include:
    • Break down the problem into smaller steps.
    • Draw a picture or model.
    • Think about if you’ve done this before.
    • Guess and check.

• • Brainstorm the traits of a problem solver. Then consider ways you can work on developing those specific traits with your child. Who do you know in real life that shows these traits? Read biographies of people from history who’ve exemplified those traits. Being a good problem solver is as much about attitude as it is about intelligence, possibly even more!
  • Read stories and news articles that have an obvious conflict and resolution. As you read, pause at the problem and brainstorm potential solutions for the character/person in the text. You can even use the toolkit you created and act out possible responses. What character traits are being shown? For kiddos who are writing, consider using a problem/solution graphic organizer.

The titles featured in the collection below, which include picture books, board books, and an early reader, address skills and traits involved in problem-solving. These skills include managing frustration, fostering perseverance, embracing failure, and encouraging effort and productive struggle.

no no 9781536207163 Jabari Tries by Gaia Cornwall

In this follow-up to Jabari Jumps, Jabari attempts to make a flying machine in his backyard. He’s confident he can do it on his own, but when things don’t go as planned, he gets frustrated. He eventually realizes flexibility and some help can go a long way.

9781580897457 The Boo-Boos That Changed the World: A True Story About an Accidental Invention (Really!) by Barry Wittenstein, illustrated by Chris Hsu

This delightful informational tale recounts the accidental invention of Band-Aids. This story shows young readers that great discoveries can be made through their mistakes!

9781770498730 Solutions for Cold Feet and Other Little Problems by Carey Sookocheff

This sweet book showcases small, daily problems experienced by a child and how she solves them. It will get young children thinking about how they problem-solve every single day without even realizing it.

9781524773274 How to Solve a Problem by Ashima Shiraishi, illustrated by Yao Xiao

In the vein of The Little Engine That Could — only this time it’s one of the world’s youngest rock climbers achieving the seemingly impossible — Ashima Shiraishi shows young readers that with diligence and creative thinking, any problem can be overcome.

9780735227927 The Book of Mistakes by Corinna Luyken

This charming title shows readers how their mistakes can unexpectedly transform into inspiration. Readers will see the value of having an optimistic, open-minded attitude as they approach their own “mistakes.”

9780593173176 The Problem with Problems by Rachel Rooney, illustrated by Zehra Hicks

In this colorful story, problems are personified as creatures of various shapes and sizes. Readers learn that problems can be troublesome but aren’t impossible to manage. This title will teach kids to manage emotions and express their feelings to minimize problems.

9780744062618 Jonny Lambert’s Bear and Bird: Try, Try Again by Jonny Lambert

Bear must persevere as he learns to ride a bike in this heartwarming friendship story. It shows readers the importance of persistence when things get tough and supporting others when they need help.

9780593482506 Try, Try Again, Two-Headed Monster! by Random House, illustrated by Random House

In this newest edition to the Sesame Street Monster Meditation series, Two-Headed Monster experiences great frustration when his block tower falls. Mr. Andy teaches Two-Headed Monster the calming strategy of taking belly breaths, which will support young readers when they face their own challenges.

9780823427567 I Will Try by Marilyn Janovitz

This early reader from the I Like to Read® series tells the story of Ella, an aspiring gymnast who admires Jan, the star of her gymnastics class. When Ella tries to be like Jan, things don’t go well. But when Jan supports Ella in trying again, Ella finds success! This title shows young readers the importance of trying again, accepting support from others, and offering it when appropriate.

9781680102888 Dinos Don’t Give Up! by Smriti Halls, illustrated by Richard Merritt

This silly rhyming tale features Diplodocus Dinah, a talented dinosaur who excels at all she does — except surfing. When the Surfing Contest comes to Dino Town, Dinah loses. This book teaches the value of perseverance and reminds readers they might not be the best at everything they do — and that’s okay!

9780744085747 A Kids Book About Failure by Dr. Laymon Hicks

Encourage your kids to embrace failure as a means to learn and grow with help from this insightful book. Readers will step away from this book understanding that they need not avoid failure. We all fail at some point.

9780399257377 Stuck by Oliver Jeffers

In this delightfully silly tale, Floyd’s kite gets stuck in a tree. He is set on getting it out, but unfortunately, his problem worsens as he throws item after item at the tree in an effort to knock the kite down. This laugh-out-loud story will entertain kids while encouraging them to reflect on the concept of problem-solving.

9780140502022 Whistle for Willie by Ezra Jack Keats

A young boy named Peter wants his dog Willie to respond when he whistles. He practices and practices until he finally gets it right. This simple, delightful story shows kids that practice pays off, even when it feels like things are going nowhere.

The post Books & Strategies for Teaching Kids Problem-Solving Skills appeared first on Brightly.