Inspire your curious kids with these fun picture books about inventions and inventors. The list includes pictures books about the joy found in turning one's mind towards inventing and creating, as well as nonfiction books about the invention of curiosities like bubble gum, traffic lights and the Super Soaker! Stories with celebrate perseverance and innovation,...
Children's Books About the Joy of Inventing
Children's Books about Being Different and Being Yourself
Has your child ever come to you with anxieties about fitting in? Or that being different from the other kids is a bad thing? Feeling out of place is a common fear and not one that is always easily soothed since it can be so tied up with self-esteem. These children's books about the joys...
Fraction Reduction Math Card Game
Help your kids learn fraction reduction with this fun math card game. This game teaches kids about fractions by helping them learn and recognize which fractions can be reduced. Since fraction reduction involves division, it also helps them practice simple division skills. Win-win. In general, games are a great way to approach learning. By taking the...
Pattern Play for Toddlers and Preschoolers
An understanding of patterns and patterning is an important early math skill. Pattern play with felt shapes teaches shape and color recognition, along with patterning, one to one correspondence, and exercises fine motor skills. This felt pattern puzzle is a simple indoor activity to make at home and have on hand for those moments with...
Magic Triangle: Math Puzzle for Kids
Are you ready to give your kids a fun math puzzle and brain teaser to stretch their brains? I'm ready to give you one! Have you ever heard of the magic triangle puzzle? The concept is similar to the magic square, which is part of our DIY Camp Mathematics. In that case, the numbers were...
Children's Picture Books about Kids with Disabilities
Representation in books matters. But not only that, representation in good books matters! This list of picture books not only present stories of children with disabilities, or "differently abled," if you prefer, in a positive light, but are beautifully illustrated and rise above didacticism. As you spend time reading these books with your children, make...
Construction Work Picture Books Kids Will Request Over and Over
I think it's fair to say that every child goes through a construction truck phase. It's also fair to say some of them never grow out of it! Books about construction work and trucks have been a staple in our home from the very beginning. Does anyone love construction vehicles as much as a three...
Books Are for Everyone Printable Bookmarks
Our collection of printable coloring page bookmarks designed exclusively for us by children's book author and illustrator, Melanie Hope Greenberg, is very popular and her latest addition is sure to be loved by everyone, because books are for everyone! Inspired by a classroom poster with the words, "Everyone is Welcome Here," each bookmark features an...
Nonfiction Kids Books about Oceans and Marine Life
Kids will love these nonfiction books that teach them about the amazing way the oceans and marine life contribute to the health of our planet. On this list of children's ocean books I've included a variety of topics, like individual sea animals, general knowledge books, biographies, and saving the oceans. In addition to picture books,...
Math-Themed Novels and Chapter Books
Did you know there are lots of great math-themed novels, chapter books and short stories where calculations play a central role in the story? My math-loving kid helped me compile this list of books where mathematical concepts are front and center. These books are excellent tools for cross-disciple learning because even if your child's favorite subject...
Picture Books about the Moon for Imaginative Children
Are your kids as fascinated with the moon as mine are? If so, then you need to put these imaginative children's books about the moon on your reading list! We humans have long woven myths and folktales around that gleaming silver globe in the sky. (Oooh, dear. Stop me before I reveal what a truly...
Favorite Easy Readers With Diverse Characters
If you are the parent of a child learning to read, you know it is sometimes challenging to find quality easy readers. You also want easy readers that reflect the diverse world your kids inhabit, which is where this list of easy reader books comes in handy! Don't Throw It to Mo! (series) by David...
Mindfulness Books for Children
Although the practice of mindfulness has been around for centuries, it has seen a resurgence in the last few years. As the research shows, teaching mindfulness to kids is effective in helping them learn life-long techniques which aid self-regulation, increase emotional intelligence, and improve resiliency. Most of these books focus on being thoughtful and quiet,...
Active Art Projects for Kids (Suitable for Indoors!)
Not all kids have the temperament to sit quietly at a table and draw. That's where these active art projects come in! You might think active projects have to be done inside to avoid a big mess, these are all safe for indoors! The active art projects vary in their level of physical activity involved...
Creative Journal Ideas for Kids
Through journaling kids can exercise self-expression, explore their creativity and communication skills. Journaling is a low pressure activity, teaches mindfulness and even improves mood! The following helpful and creative journal ideas cover both writing and art journals, but many kids will naturally mix the two forms. Allow your kids to find their own way of...
Wonderful Wordless Picture Books
Wordless picture books are a lovely way to engage children in the storytelling process. They build reading comprehension, increase vocabulary (Yes! Even without text!), and spur the imagination. Plus, tired parents can get their kids to read their own bedtime stories! Some parents shy away from reading wordless books, but don't be afraid! MORE: Wordless...
Imaginative Books Like Alice in Wonderland
If your kids love Lewis Carroll's Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass they are not alone. Carroll's imaginative characters, whimsical wordplay, and ability to wrap thought-provoking ideas in a surrealist story were groundbreaking when published, and continue to inspire authors today. This list of books for people who enjoyed Alice's Adventures is...
Math Cube Riddle: Brain Teaser for Kids
Math play, or "recreational mathematics" is an effective way to help your kids exercise their brains without making it seem like work. This math cube riddle puzzle is a terrific mind-stretching activity that promotes growth mindset and rewards perseverance. In order to solve the puzzle, kids use logical reasoning, spatial awareness and problem solving skills,...
Rainbow Coloring Pages Collection
Kids love rainbows! And what's not to love about the orderly progression of colors, especially when they appear in the skies after a rainy storm? Rainbows are fun to draw. You can put the colors in the scientific order of Red Orange Yellow Green Blue Violet (Roy G. Biv anyone?) or use your imagination and...
Picture Books About Spirited and Boisterous Girls!
These picture books feature strong, girls who active, noisy, spirited, spunky, and dangerous (in the best sense of the word). They jump, wriggle, sing, and sometimes explode! These girl power books have characters who stir things up, test behavior boundaries and emotional boundaries. Most of all, they are charming and independent! By the way both...
Short Story Anthologies for Middle Grade Readers
Don't have the time or attention span to read an entire novel? Try a short story! Short stories still have a beginning, middle and end, but their length makes them appealing to a wide audience. They also make great read aloud choices because you can finish the story in one sitting. No cliffhangers! This list...
9th Grade Summer Reading List - Books for 14-15 Year Olds
If you've already been looking for a list of good books for 9th graders you've probably noticed that high school summer reading lists focus either on classics or dystopian fiction. These recommended summer reading books for 14-15 year olds are different than the usual fare! You might find that during the teen years, kids spend...
LGBTQ Books For Tweens
Children need to see themselves, and others who are not like them, depicted in the stories they read. I've selected my favorite LGBTQ middle grade books for kids that speak to universal experiences like self-acceptance, needing to being seen by others, navigating friendships, and family dynamics. Books with LGBTQ Protagonists Better Nate than Ever (series)...
Books for 13-Year-Olds
Young teens rarely want their parents to pick out their books for them. That's okay, but it you find your child is reading less I suggest leaving a few of these tempting books for 13-year-olds around the house in conspicuous places. Contemporary Realism Slider by Pete Hautman Find it: Bookshop | Amazon When David accidentally...
8th Grade Reading List
8th grade is a tough age for finding just the right book. That's because 13-14 year-olds may not yet want to read YA fiction, but they also don't want to read middle grade books about 9-year-olds. These books fall in the "upper middle grade" category, and are well-suited for 8th graders. Use this as recommended...
Books for 12-Year-Olds
This book list includes a selection of books for 12-year-olds across a variety of genres. Many of them are titles my 12-year-old personally selected for the list! Contemporary Fiction The Usual Suspects by Maurice Broaddus Find it: Bookshop | Amazon Broaddus' tale of false accusation and the tragic way Black boys are unjustly blamed is...
7th Grade Summer Reading List (Ages 11-13)
The titles on this 7th grade summer reading list are good books for ages 11-13 (or thereabouts) and will aid in the prevention of the "summer slide" as well as peak their interest and help them maintain good reading habits. More summer reading lists for 7th graders: Contemporary Realism Nothing but the Truth by Avi...
6th Grade Summer Reading List
This summer reading list for 6th graders is chock full of great books that tackle a wide variety of subjects that will interest kids heading off to middle school. The books are great for kids ages 11-12. There is a book to satisfy every sixth grader, whether they want funny books, serious stories, fantastical tales,...
A Musical Ukulele Coloring Page
Put on some tunes, get out a box of crayons and doodle your to your heart's content with this adorable ukulele coloring page from children's book illustrator and author, Melanie Hope Greenberg. Melanie's coloring page features two dancing children alongside a woman playing the ukulele. Surrounding the singing trio is a collection of musical notes...
5th Grade Summer Reading List (Ages 10-11)
Summer reading is a great opportunity for fifth graders to discover new books from a variety of topics and genres. So, whether you're headed to the library, or want to supplement a classroom reading list, there's something for every rising 5th grader on this book list! Since fifth graders (10-11 year olds) read at different...
Nonfiction Summer Reading List for 4th and 5th Graders
4th and 5th graders (ages 9-10) who love nonfiction will enjoy the variety of subjects on this nonfiction summer reading list made just for them! Young readers can pick their favorite subject like science, art and history, or read a sampling of books on a range of topics! General Nonfiction FACTopia (series) by Kate Hale...
4th Grade Summer Reading List (Ages 9-10)
The books on this 4th grade summer reading list will transport readers into new and exciting worlds. Whether your 9-10 year old loves adventure, mystery, fantasy, or graphic novels, the books on this list are sure to delight. More useful summer reading recommendations for 4th graders can be found on these lists: Fantasy and Science...
Middle Grade Sports-Themed Books (Ages 8 and Up)
These sports-themed middle grade books that will help pass the time when the weather is not conducive to getting out there on the field. You'll find a wide variety of sports represented on this book list. Besides the big three—basketball, baseball and football—you will find sports novels featuring young athletes who ice skate, play tennis, run...
3rd Grade Summer Reading List (Ages 7-9)
Rising third graders will love the diverse selection of chapter books and nonfiction books on this summer reading list. More useful summer reading recommendations for third graders can be found on these lists: Chapter Books & Graphic Novels Once Upon a Tim (series) by Stuart Gibbs Find it: Bookshop | Amazon Kids will love this...
Children's Books with South Asian Characters
Enjoy these children's books with characters of South Asian descent which tackle the universal themes of favorite foods, identity, friendship, and family. South Asia includes India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, and Maldives. I'm sharing my favorite books that are set in those countries as well as in the west. You will find...
2nd Grade Summer Reading List (Ages 6-8)
Want to inspire your rising second grader to read this summer? Give them a stack of books from this 2nd grade summer reading list. 7 and 8-year-olds (and some 6-year-olds, too) may be starting to enjoy longer books and summer is a great time for these new readers to explore a variety of books to...
First Grade Summer Reading List (Ages 6-7)
In a class of first graders and you will find a wide spread of reading abilities and reading levels. This 1st grade summer reading list of books takes that into consideration with easy reader books for beginning readers, as well as very easy chapter books. Kids become readers when they are allowed to choose the...
Kindergarten Summer Reading List (4-6 Year Olds)
Ease the transition between preschool and kindergarten by spending lots of time bonding with your rising kindergarteners while reading the books on this kindergarten summer reading list! Instead of the typical alphabet and number books, this summer reading list focuses on wordplay! Rising kindergarteners will love listing to rhymes, nonsense language, mixed-languages, puns, vocabulary and...
Passover Coloring Page
Celebrate Passover with this fun coloring page from children's book illustrator and author, Melanie Hope Greenberg. Melanie's coloring page feature children celebrating by dancing among palm trees and around a fabulously gigantic Passover cup. Print it out here (By clicking on the following link you agree to our terms of service* see end of post)...
8 Poetry Games for Kids
Poetry isn't all serious odes and tragic ballads. It can also be fun and games, and make your kids laugh themselves silly. The joy of these poetry games is that they take the pressure off learning about writing poems, and can open up new avenues to learn about poetic devices, expose kids to new vocabulary,...
