Book Lists

The Best Father’s Day Books for Preschoolers

By Marnie Craycroft Filed Under: Activities Tagged With: Book Lists, Father's Day, Preschool This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure for more info.

I lost my dad when I was an infant so Father's Day was always a day that approached with nervousness. However, my brother, sister, and I were extremely close to our Pa and we had a blast celebrating him each year. It is important to remember that – as cliche as this sounds – it truly does take a village to raise a family. Celebrate with whomever you see as your dad this year. In the meantime, however, we have curated an amazing set of Father's Day Books for Preschoolers. What better way to celebrate!

Learn The Best Children's Books for Father's Day

Made For Me

This story displays the tender love that a father has for his child. It is so sweet and demonstrates that all the little things are what makes their relationship so special.

The Night Before Father's Day

This book tells a beautiful story of compassion and the importance of showing someone you love them. A mom and her children work together in showing appreciation and gratitude on Father's Day.

I Love Dad with The Very Hungry Caterpillar

Another beautiful book by Eric Carle. The caterpillar that all kids are familiar with tags along on a journey of the special qualities in a dad.

And Tango Makes Three

This is an adorable true story about two male penguins at the Central Park Zoo that mate and raise a baby penguin together.

Papa, Please Get The Moon For Me

A story of the unconditional love a dad has for his daughter. By trying to get the moon for her he shows that he will do anything to make her happy.

My Father Knows the Names of Things

Every Dad is so special! Each father has a unique gift to share and something special to teach their children. The cute little boy in this book is so proud of the things that his Dad knows.

A Wild Father's Day

I love the rambunctious wild nature of a Dad. Dad's are great for sitting on their shoulders, wrestling, horseback rides, and playing ghost in the graveyard. This book is a tribute to all those special moments.

Owl Moon

This is one of my favorite stories, so it had to be on this list. Owl Moon makes a great bedtime story. It is a peaceful story of a father and his daughter connecting on a midnight walk through the woods. If you haven't been on a walk through the forest at night you may be able to imagine what a magical experience this can be. Owl Moon is a story of true connection to nature for a father and his daughter.

A Tale of Two Daddies

This book builds on the natural curiosity of children. When a little boy at school learns his friend has two daddies he is naturally curious. He has many questions for his friend. A Tale of Two Daddies is approached with a beautiful non-judgmental and approachable nature.

How to Surprise a Dad

We have all been in a situation where a child has surprised us with something! These surprises are often very sweet and sometimes a bit peculiar. The natural kindness that this exudes from a child is something worth fostering and encouraging as they grow. This story is an adorable example of this caring nature.

For other amazing books for preschoolers, check out these book list posts.

For more Father's Day goodness, check out:

Sweet & Endearing Children’s Books for Mother’s Day

By Marnie Craycroft Filed Under: Parenting Tagged With: Book Lists, Mother's Day This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure for more info.

Mother's Day is a time to celebrate yourself with a little self-care and to celebrate the role you play in your children's lives. I am a sucker for feel-good children's books, especially ones that teach our children a wonderful life lesson. Add Mother's Day to that mix and you got me.

Sweet & Endearing Children's Books for Mother's Day

Below are a few of our favorite children's books for Mother's Day. Hopefully, these books will ignite conversation, connection, and a bit of laughter to your family's day of celebration. If you're looking for gifts for mom, definitely check out these posts:

Children's Books to Celebrate Mother's Day

Five Minutes Peace

I love this cute mother's story that makes light of the chaos in motherhood. Sometimes we just need five minutes of peace without any distractions or anyone for that matter.

The Night Before Mother's Day

This children's book tells a beautiful story of compassion and the importance of showing someone you love them. A dad and his children work together in showing appreciation and gratitude on Mother's Day.

I've Loved You Since Forever

This story was inspired by Hoda's adoption of her daughter. It tells a poetic tale of timeless love that was always meant to be and always will be.

Where's My Mom

A little monkey can't find his mom. Harkening back to the infamous “Are You My Mother?” by P.D. Eastman All of the animals come together to figure out what she looks like and where she is. The rhyme and the illustrations invite children into the story.

I Love Mom With The Very Hungry Caterpillar

Another beautiful book by Eric Carle. The caterpillar that all kids are familiar with tags along on a journey of the special qualities in a mom.

What Not To Give Your Mom on Mother's Day

This is a hilarious story of all the things children like to give it as gifts, but probably could have done without…

Heather Has Two Mommies

This book was one of the first children books to be written about lesbian parents. Heather is worried about what the kids at school will think when they find out she has two mommies. The story shares a beautiful lesson about how all families are different and each one is special.

The Different Dragon

A bedtime story about a happy family with a little boy who has two mommies. You read a story about a dragon who feels different and learns to appreciate that being different is really special

Mama, Do You Love Me?

This is one of my favorite stories. For the perspective of the Inuit tribe, it explores the unconditional love a mother has for her child.

My Mom is a Foreigner, But Not to Me

This book tells the story of how some moms may be from different places. They might speak another language, have an accent, different beliefs or traditions, cook unique food, and show their love in different ways. But at the end of the day, every Mom is the best and their love is special!

Someday

Someday is a sweet book that I often give as a gift to friends expecting a baby girl. This book celebrates a wonderful mother/daughter relationship.

Wherever You Are: My Love Will Find You

Wherever You Are: My Love Will Find You simply brings tears to my eyes every time I read it. The illustrations are beautiful and the message is comforting.

Are You My Mother?

Are You My Mother? is a classic book that never gets old. The baby bird alone draws us into the story. His journey to find his mother is endearing and interesting to children as the baby seeks out a variety of animals and objects to ask: ‘Are You My Mother?'

Ladybug Girl and Her Mama

Ladybug Girl and Her Mama made my day! I was so happy to see this book released earlier this month.

Good Night, Little Rainbow Fish!

Good Night, Little Rainbow Fish! contains illustrations that are both intriguing and captivating to my family. The story of this little fish and his mom is sweet and loving. A sure favorite!

Fancy Nancy's Marvelous Mother's Day Brunch

Fancy Nancy's Marvelous Mother's Day Brunch is nothing short of glittery and fancy! Fancy Nancy is hard not to love by boys and girls. My sons adore Fancy Nancy. Nancy goes over the too with celebrating her mother in a way that all of us appreciate and find endearing.

The Runaway Bunny

The Runaway Bunny is a classic book for all children for many generations. The gentle, soft illustrations are as lovely as the story about a mother who always finds her baby.

The Invisible String

The Invisible String is a heartwarming story that helps children begin to understand the idea that even when people are not physically with us, we are together in spirit. A great read for dealing with separation anxiety but also lovely to celebrate family and friends in our lives.

Mama Says: A Book of Love for Mothers and Sons

I hope that you enjoyed this list of children's books for Mother's Day. What books would you add to the list? Leave me a comment! Hearing from you makes my day!
Marnie

15 Must-Have Books to Teach Kids How to Have Purpose

By Marnie Craycroft Filed Under: Positive Discipline Tagged With: Book Lists, Raising Sons This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure for more info.

You want to teach your kids purpose & meaning? Put these 15 books on your bookshelf.

Create the environment & they will come to discover and to develop in their own time.

Prepare the environment and allow for liberty within the environment. My husband and I lie and breathe that fact of life, including with the books on our shelf. Helping our sons find a sense of purpose in meaning in life is our main priority as parents.

Most of the books in this list below are not children's' books. However, the ideas and concepts can certainly be introduced to a child. The idea is to curate a bookshelf of books that teach your kids about the world and what it means to exist within it. The hope is to pique curiosity and to garner questions about the world.

These books you will want to read multiple times at multiple points during life to present various relevant lessons about cultivating discipline and finding meaning.

Teach Kids Purpose & Meaning with these Books

#1 – A Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl

Lesson: To find meaning in life is to find a purpose.

“Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.”

#2 – The Way of a Warrior Kid by Jocko Willink

Lesson: Hard work & grit will get you results

“Discipline equals freedom.”

#3 – Pinnochio by Carlo Collodi

Lesson: Always let your conscience be your guide.

“A conscience is that still small voice that people won't listen to.”

#4 – There's No Such Thing as A Dragon by Jack Kent

Lesson: Don't ignore problems.

“The Dragon came close to Billy, in a friendly manner, and wagged its tail. But Billy didn't pat it. If there's no such thing as something, it's silly to pat it on the head.”

#5 – The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain

Lesson: Resourcefulness & Individuality

“Well, everybody does it that way, Huck.”
“Tom, I am not everybody.”

#6 – Moby Dick by Herman Melville

Lesson: Avoid the cult of personality.

“It is not down on any map; true places never are.”

#7 – Crime And Punishment – Fyodor Dostoevsky

Lesson: Human nature is capable of many things.

“To go wrong in one's own way is better than to go right in someone else's.”

#8 – Brave New World – Aldous Huxley

Lesson: Happiness cannot be manufactured or cultivated based on logical principals.

“I want to know what passion is. I want to feel something strongly.”

#9 – 1984 – George Orwell

Lesson: The dangers of power

“Power is in tearing human minds to pieces and putting them together again in new shapes of your own choosing.”

#10 – The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

Lesson: Fear is the biggest obstacle.

“The secret of life, though, is to fall seven times and to get up eight times.”

#11 – The Daily Stoic by Ryan Holiday

Lesson: A focus on the little things will get you to your goal.

“Well-being is attained by little and little, and nevertheless is no little thing itself.”

#12 – Ernest Hemingway: A Farewell To Arms

Lesson: Accept that suffering is part of being.

“Cowards die a thousand deaths, but the brave only die once.”

#13 – The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

Lesson: The relationship between good and evil.

“People want to forget the impossible. It makes their world safer.”

#14 – A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle

Lesson: Embrace your uniqueness.

“Experiment is the mother of knowledge.”

#15 – 12 Rules for Life by Jordan Peterson

Lesson: How to be responsible and how to be and do good.

“Aristotle defined the virtues simply as the ways of behaving that are most conducive to happiness in life.”

Check out the best documentaries for kids for more awesome learning at home!

Talk to you soon!

Marnie

25+ Amazing & Beautiful Children’s Books about Gardening

By Marnie Craycroft Filed Under: Activities Tagged With: Book Lists, Gardening This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure for more info.

Being in the middle of winter makes thinking about a garden a bit difficult. This is the time for planning, inspiring, introducing, and motivating ourselves and the little spirits in our lives. I am thrilled to bring you an extensive list of children's books about gardening.

Gardening Books for Kids

The Tiny Seed by Eric Carle is a classic. Beautifully written and illustrated, this book will draw a child into wanting to learn more.

From Seed to Plant by Gail Gibbons is another gem that nicely illustrates one of nature's wonders.

Miss Rumphius by Barbara Coonie is an all-time favorite of my family. We have loads of lupines in our yard. The message this story sends is absolutely lovely. We've painted with lupines, worked fine motor skills cleaning out pods and planted seeds around our yard.

Jack’s Garden by Henry Cole is a sweetly illustrated story. Any child will adore the illustrations and the main character, Jack.

Eating the Alphabet by Lois Ehlert is a well-known children's book ripe (no pun intended) for getting kids excited about planting and gardening! Plus, kids learn a bit of vocabulary while they are at it!

Planting a Rainbow by Lois Ehlert is another gem from Lois Ehlert. This book truly gets children intrigued about botany! There are loads of fun activities to go along with this book. Check out this Planting a Rainbow activity using Montessori's color tablets from Smiling Like Sunshine.

How a Seed Grows by Helene Jordan is an adorable book giving children just enough to ignite their desire to want to learn more.

The Carrot Seed by Ruth Krauss is a classic that I cannot read enough to my children. The presentation is so simple yet packs a punch getting kids wondering about this seed's life.

Oh Say Can You Seed? is a classic children's book about seeds. This book is jam-packed full of awesome information about botany. A fun book full of facts to guide the interests of children.

Garden Books for Preschoolers

A Seed Is Sleepy by Dianna Aston is a beautifully illustrated and lovely story about the journey of a seed. The book has a gorgeous design and tells the detailed story about the life of a seed.

Growing Vegetable Soup by Lois Ehlert is yet another beauty from Ehlert. The author truly helps children make the connection between farm to table. This book ties nicely into a cooking activity with kids.

One Bean by Anne Rockwell is adorable and simple. Cute illustrations and kids will learn from this book.

How Groundhog's Garden Grew by Lynne Cherry is a sweet story of friendship where a groundhog learns a lesson about gardening. Kids join the groundhog as he learns the ins and outs of gardening.

Compost Stew by Mary McKenna Siddals teaches children about one of the most important aspects to gardening. This book teaches kids where to start with composting, what it takes to compost, and why it matters.

Wiggling Worms at Work by Wendy Pfeffer introduces the wonders of the worm. We may not see them at all times but this little creatures are busy preparing our soil for growing food.

Wonderful Worms by Linda Glaser is another classic celebrating an often underestimated tiny creature of our ecosystem.

Dirt: The Scoop on Soil by Natalie M. Rosinsky lets us in on what makes up dirt. Through colorful art work, the reader will learn soil components and what makes soil healthy.

Inch by Inch by Leo Lionni is one of my all-time favorite books. Classic Lionni with sweet prose and gentle illustrations guide the reader through the beauty that is gardening.

Inch by Inch: The Garden Song by David Mallett brings to life the wonderful children's folk tune that we all know so well. Sweetly illustrated and easy to sing along, this book is not to miss.

Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt by Kate Messner

Grandma Lena's Big Ol' Turnip by Denia Lewis Hester is a fun story about Grandma Lena's gardening. She loves her turnips. One grows so big that she needs the help of several family members. Kids love this book.

The Life and Times of the Honeybee by Charles Micucci introduces the important role honeybees play in our ecosystem. Learn about pollination in this post!

If You Hold a Seed by Elly MacKay is hands down one of the most gorgeously illustrated books! This book illustrates the magic that happens in a garden. Planting a seed requires patience, care, and devotion. Eventually, with the right mix of love, a gift will blossom. A wonderful message for kids.

Miss Maple's Seeds by Eliza Wheeler is a perfect companion to Miss Rumphius. So naturally, I had to dive in. The book has a loving message as Miss Maple gathers seeds that have yet to find the perfect place to sprout. So sweet and worth every minute.

The Dandelion Seed by Joseph P. Anthony is melodic in taking us on the journey of a seed in the wind. Children love this story and always have loads of questions.

Planting the Wild Garden by Kathryn O. Galbraith gives us a unique and lovely perspective on seed planting. The books tells us about the seeds planted by things other than people, such as animals and the wind. Don't miss out on this one.

I hope you enjoyed this book list.

Marnie

My Top Pick for Montessori Books for Parents

By Marnie Craycroft Filed Under: Montessori, Parenting Tagged With: Book Lists This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure for more info.

Whether you're new to Montessori or a veteran, these Montessori Books for Parents will be ones you want to own. Each of these books touched me in a profound way as a parent and as an educator.

Montessori Books for Parents

Understanding the Human Being: Importance of the First Three Years of Life

Hands down THE book to get for new parents interested in learning Montessori.

Montessori Madness! A Parent to Parent Argument for Montessori Education

Love Trevor Eissler, the author, and you definitely need to check out his Montessori Youtube video. Amazing.

Montessori: The Science Behind the Genius

Amazing read for any parent and teacher interested in learning more about child development.

Montessori Play And Learn: A Parent's Guide to Purposeful Play from Two to Six

One of my first purchases after I discovered Montessori. Rock solid resource.

Montessori: A Modern Approach

Beautiful read. Ms. Lillard writes well. Easy to get through the pages and learn a ton while you're at it.

Teaching Montessori in the Home: Pre-School Years: The Pre-School Years

Same as above. I highly recommend for parents and potential homeschoolers to study and begin to create the Montessori at Home environment.

How To Raise An Amazing Child the Montessori Way

Teach Me to Do It Myself: Montessori Activities for You and Your Child

Montessori from the Start: The Child at Home, from Birth to Age Three

Montessori Read and Write: A Parent's Guide to Literacy for Children

Positive Discipline for Preschoolers: For Their Early Years–Raising Children Who are Responsible, Respectful, and Resourceful

Basic Montessori: Learning Activities For Under-Fives

Parenting 5: Practical and Independent Little People

Are you hooked on Montessori yet? If so, definitely take time to check out 100s of the Best Montessori Toys & Activities for All Ages!

The Best Children’s Books about Eyes

By Marnie Craycroft Filed Under: Science Tagged With: Book Lists, Life Science, Zoology This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure for more info.

We just began a mini-unit on Animal Eyes in our homeschool. My son is four years old and is fascinated with all things human body. So, getting him hooked on the learning was not a problem. This post contains a list of children's books about eyes.

I have a more detailed post in the work on our Eye unit. In the meantime, this post introduces you to a wonderful book called Does an Owl Wear Eyeglasses? by Harriet Ziefert and Emily Bolam. This book is one of many in a “think about” series. It is the perfect children's book about eyes to begin your learning and to ignite a child's desire to want to learn more. We began our unit with this book.

Why You Need to Read these Children's Books about Animal Eyes

Although I am a huge fan of real images, this book is too adorable not to adore. The book opens with a note to parents on how to use this book. Honestly, I entered this eye unit without much thought about the sensitivities dealing with the inability to see – What do you do if you are having trouble seeing? How do we treat those who cannot see? So, I appreciated the author's guidance.

The artwork is simple and easy on the eye. The child can easily take in the illustrations. The book uses humor to get the child's attention. She gets the child (and adult for that matter) to giggle before diving in with the details. The humor is used as a segue for the child to understand what makes these animals eyes so unique and special to their existence. The book covers the owl, goat, butterfly, fish, scallop, earthworm, monkey, and human.

The end touches on the obstacle many children face in their lives – not being able to see – and introduces the work of the ophthalmologist. The book also includes types of glasses and a list of visual instruments such as a telescope, braille, and a magnifying glass.