Kids Picks
By Jennifer James Davenport
Spring has finally arrived! The sun is shining, the birds are chirping, and baseball season is back. It’s the perfect time to put the tablets away and head outside for some fresh air. When you’re ready for a break, grab a good book and find a sunny spot to sit and read. Here are some great new spring titles to check out.
Ages 3-5
“When You Dream Big!” by Peter H. Reynolds
Charley’s class is celebrating Dream Big Week at school. Everyone is excited to share what they want to be when they grow up: an astronaut, a scientist, an artist … but Charley isn’t so sure about her own dream yet. On her walk home, Charley starts thinking about all the possibilities ahead of her. She realizes that even if she doesn’t know exactly what job she’ll have someday, she does know the kind of person she wants to be: kind, curious, and brave enough to keep trying new things. Sometimes the best thing you can do is keep moving forward, follow your heart, and dream big along the way.
“Kitty Caterpillar” by Annabeth Bondor-Stone and Connor White
Kitty Caterpillar is exactly what she sounds like: part kitty, part caterpillar, and completely adorable. She rules over her cozy little “kittydom,” where she spends her days enjoying tasty treats, taking naps, and getting lots of hugs from her favorite human, Hazel. But one day Kitty Caterpillar discovers something exciting: the great outdoors! Curious and brave, she sets off on an adventure to explore this big new world. Along the way, she learns that adventures are even better when you have friends to share them with.
Ages 6-8
“The Fly Who Flew Under the Sea” by Lauren Sánchez Bezos
Flynn the fly is supposed to be heading to Cape Canaveral, but one wrong turn sends him somewhere completely unexpected: under the sea! What starts as a mistake quickly turns into an amazing adventure. As Flynn explores the ocean, he discovers colorful coral reefs, mangrove forests, deep underwater mountains, and even some surprising sea creatures along the way. With each new discovery, Flynn learns that sometimes getting a little lost can lead to the most exciting journeys.
“Best Bunny Brother Ever” by Marilyn Sadler
Honey Bunny Funnybunny loves baseball, but she’s still a little too small to play on a team. Luckily, her big brother P.J. is ready to help! He teaches Honey everything she needs to know about T-ball, from warming up and catching the ball to swinging the bat and running the bases. With P.J. cheering her on, Honey practices and practices until she’s ready for her very first game. When the big moment comes, Honey steps up to the plate and gives it her best swing.
Ages 9-12
“Isle of Ever” by Jen Calonita
Everly “Benny” Benedict and her mom have always gotten by, even when money is tight. But everything changes when Benny learns she may inherit a huge fortune from a mysterious relative who lived over a hundred years ago. There’s just one problem: Benny has to win a game first. Following clues left behind in an old diary, Benny has only two weeks to find a secret island that disappeared from maps 200 years ago. If she can track it down, the inheritance is hers. But the journey may be more dangerous than she expected. Full of puzzles, adventure, and a little bit of mystery, “Isle of Ever” is an exciting story about bravery, family secrets, and what happens when you chase the impossible. It’s a great pick for readers who love treasure hunts and magical adventures.
“The Unlikely Tale of Chase and Finnegan” by Jasmine Warga
Chase the cheetah cub and Finnegan the rescue dog might seem like an unusual pair, but sometimes the best friendships come in the most surprising ways. Chase has lost her mother and is feeling scared and unsure in her new home at the zoo. Finnegan is a rescue dog who has had a tough past of his own and is still learning how to trust again. When the two are brought together, Finnegan is given an important job: help Chase feel brave enough to be around people during the zoo’s educational programs. At first it isn’t easy, but slowly the two begin to help each other heal. With patience, courage, and a lot of heart, Chase and Finnegan discover that friendship can come from the most unexpected places.
