Books I Love
A room without books is like a body without a soul. ~ Cicero
Twenty Favorites
From,
The Whale Class
I have been blessed to play a role in the education of a preschooler for the past 20 years.
Instilling a “love of learning” is the greatest goal.
One wonderful way is through the gift of a story.
1, 2, 3...By the Sea
By: Sheryl Dianne Moritz
A counting book with rhyming delight as it shares the story of a day at the sea.
A Bad Case of Stripes
By: David Shannon
Camilla Cream and her case of stripes will find children laughing, but learning about the value of "staying true to who you are" as well.
Always in Trouble
By: Corrinne Demas
The adventures of a mischievous dog weave the days of the week into a delightful tale.
Apple Trouble
By: Michael Terry and Ragnhild Scamell
Children love joining in with the repetition as they hear how objects continue to pile upon poor Hedgehog’s back.
Betty Bunny Loves Chocolate Cake
By: Michael B. Kaplan
Betty discovers a love of chocolate cake as well as a lesson in patience in this amusing story.
Caps for Sale
By: Esphyr Slobodkina
Mischievous monkeys create mishap for a peddler of caps in this timeless story, with the use of patterns and repetition.
The Koala Who Could
By: Rachel Bright
A story of a reluctant koala shares the unexpected joy that can result when we try something new.
The Quiltmaker’s Gift
By: Jeff Brumbeau
This is a beautiful illustration of the joy we receive when we simply focus on giving.
The Snail and the Whale
By: Julia Donaldson
This ocean tale shares how size doesn’t matter when it comes to making a difference.
Tops and Bottoms
By: Janet Stevens
A clever rabbit tricks a lazy bear in this story of a garden with a lesson on how vegetables can be found above and below the ground.
Underwear!
By: Mary Monsell
Children can’t help but giggle their way through listening to how a grumpy buffalo learns to love underwear.
We’re All in the Same Boat
By: Zachary Shapiro
Noah and the animals of the ark learn how to get along in this humorous tale of animals, from A to Z.
You Can’t Move a Hippo
By: Michael Catchpool
Humor and a surprise ending from a little mouse remind all of the importance of using good manners.
Duck Soup
By: Jackie Urbanovic
Caring and worrisome friends create mishaps and laughter, in this story of a loving friendship.
Giraffes Can’t Dance
By: Giles Andreae
A humorous story of a giraffe and having the courage to be different.
I Like Myself
By: Karen Beaumont
This story of rhyming fun encourages children, as they grow, the value of self-esteem.
Miraculous Sky
By: Michelle Weltz
This uplifting story of a sweet young pup named Sky gives a message of hope and trusting God during difficult times.
Red (A Crayon’s Story)
By: Michael Hall
A fun book about colors with an unfolding message about embracing who you are.
Ruthie and the (Not So) Teeny Tiny Lie
By: Laura Rankin
Ruthie’s lie and how it makes her feel are relatable reminders for children of the value of honesty.
Share, Big Bear SHARE!
By: Maureen Wright
A hard of hearing bear provides for laughter and a lesson about the importance of sharing.
There is a simple joy in being in the presence of a friend. Even more so, when you embrace and gaze at your beautiful reflections.
In honor of sweet friendships, here are a few favorites of ours about the gift of friends.
Four Favorites on Friendship
From,
The Whale Class
A Friend Like You
By: Andrea Schomburg, Barbara Rottgen, and Sean Julian
Although Squirrel and Bird are very different, they discover that even unlikely friendships can be sweet.
Apple Trouble
By: Michael Terry and Ragnhild Scamell
As objects land on a hedgehog’s back, his animal friends offer him advice for how he can still fit inside a winter nest.
Duck Soup
By: Jackie Urbanovic
Concerned and worrisome friends create mishap for Duck, in this story of laughter and friendship.
Whale Gets Stuck
By: Karen Hayles and Charles Fuge
When Whale lands trapped on the ice, his friends do their best to rescue and return him to the water.
Happy children. Happy teachers. In this little classroom, we’ll spend our mornings together growing and learning.
So many things to discover! And, of course, these little “whales” will learn about their namesakes - the magnificent and mysterious creatures of the sea.
Wonderful Whales
From,
The Whale Class
Blue Whale Blues
By: Peter Carnavas
Whale has a case of the blues, so his friend Penguin is determined to cheer him up.
If You Want to See a Whale
By: Julie Fogliano and Erin E. Stead
What must you do if you want to see a whale? A little boy finds out just that in this sweet story.
Rainbow Fish and the Big Blue Whale
By: Marcus Pfister
It’s up to Rainbow Fish to make peace with Whale, if the problems from a misunderstanding can be solved.
The Snail and the Whale
By: Julia Donaldson
This ocean tale shares how size, even as tiny as a snail, doesn’t matter when it comes to helping others and making a difference.
The Whale in my Swimming Pool
By: Joyce Wan
Laugh along as a little boy searches for a solution after he discovers a whale in his swimming pool.
Whale Gets Stuck
By: Karen Hayles and Charles Fuge
When Whale lands trapped on the ice, his friends do their best to rescue and return him to the water.
Whale in a Fishbowl
By: Troy Howell and Richard Jones
A beautiful story about a whale who longs to see the “bit of blue” she can spy from her tank in the city.