06/18/2026
Board book:
But Not the Hippopotamus by Sandra Boynton
Serious silliness about a shy hippo who watches other animals play but is hesitant to join in until she finally gathers the courage to say "YES!" and participate, leading to a fun, rhyming conclusion.
Picture books:
Clifford and the Big Storm by Norman Birdwell
Clifford protects the neighborhood during a big storm.
Blueberries for Sal by Robert McCloskey
A classic 1948 children's book featuring a young girl named Sal and a bear cub, Little Bear, who get mixed up while picking blueberries with their mothers on Blueberry Hill in Maine.
We’re Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury
A family's adventurous journey to find a bear, encountering obstacles like tall grass, a river, mud, a forest, and a snowstorm before finding a bear in a cave and quickly retreating home.
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? By Bill Martin Jr.
Known for its simple, repetitive text and colorful collage art that teaches colors and animals.
First Reader:
A Kiss For Little Bear by Else Holmelund Minarik
About a kiss that travels from Little Bear's grandmother back to him through a chain of animals (Hen, Cat, Skunk, etc.) after he sends her a drawing, celebrating love and family
Chapter book:
The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo
About a small, brave mouse named Despereaux Tilling who falls in love with a human princess, leading to his banishment to a dungeon where he meets a light-loving rat named Roscuro and a servant girl named Miggery Sow, whose stories intertwine in a tale of bravery, forgiveness, and the power of stories.
Any of these a family favorite? If so, share with us below!
