Create a book nook with your kids and have them curl up with these reading recommendations from local libraries, authors, moms, and Northeast Ohio Parent editors and writers. These books are parent- and library-tested to help you kick off your family’s book season.
Birth to Preschool
Dragons Love Tacos
By Adam Rubin and Daniel Salmieri
This cleverly-written tale details exactly why dragons love tacos. But no matter how many boatloads of tacos you have on hand for your taco party, do not serve spicy salsa. Even the slightest hint of spice will lead to some very unfortunate consequences.
— Denise Koeth, mom of two boys and managing editor/digital editor at Northeast Ohio Parent magazine
Daddy Sat on a Duck
By Scott M. Cohn
This is a hilarious book about dads! I think one of my favorite parts about the book was the clever layering. Adults reading the book will snicker at how the dad explains the sounds away.
— Michelle Park Lazette, mom of one, professional writer and Northeast Ohio resident.
A Piece of Cake
By LeUyen Pham
The book is about a mouse who creates a special treat for little bird’s birthday. Children will find out how mouse delivers this cake and how everyone gets a little piece of this charming tale.
— Recommended by Willoughby-Eastlake Public Library, we247.org
Let Me Hold You Longer
By Karen Kingsbury, illustrated by Mary Collier
My kids love when I read it because I can’t get through it without crying and then they can say, “Oh, Mom!” This book reminds parents to remember and savor their children’s milestone moments.
— Lorilynn Wolf, communications director at Connecting for Kids, connectingforkids.org
You Are My I Love You
By Maryann Cusimano Love,
illustrated by Satomi Ichikawa
A day in the life of parent and child is full of smiles and giggles, messes and meals, boundless energy and well-earned rest. In a simple rhyming verse, the book has colorful, playful illustrations to show a parents’ love.
— Recommended by Willoughby-Eastlake Public Library, we247.org
You Belong Here
by M. H. Clark, illustrated by Isabelle Arsenault
In this bedtime story, a narrator assures listeners that they belong right where they are, safe in the arms of a loved one. A gift for all ages, particularly for families welcoming a newborn or adopting.
— Recommended by Cuyahoga Falls Library, cuyahogafallslibrary.org
I Am a Story
By Dan Yaccarino
A powerful picture book that celebrates storytelling — from the past to the present and beyond.
— Rachele Alpine Mielke, YA and middle grade author, teacher, and contributor for Northeast Ohio Parent magazine, rachelealpine.com
Pirasaurs!
By Josh Funk, illustrated by Michael H. Slack
Meet the Pirasaurs, a ragtag team of seasoned pirate dinosaurs looking for adventure and treasure, as well. One new recruit is small but eager to prove he can learn the ropes and earn his place on the team.
— Recommended by Shaker Heights Public Library, shakerlibrary.org
It Could Have Been Worse
By A.H. Benjamin, illustrated by Tim Warnes
My all-time favorite storybook. It’s short and sweet and sits on the bedside even though all my kids are now teenagers. The story follows the adventures of a mouse who thinks he’s having a lousy day, when in reality (and as the pictures reveal) he’s been averting even bigger disasters all along the way.
— Kristen Gough, mom of three and contributor to Northeast Ohio Parent magazine
Fanny’s Dream
By Caralyn Buehner and Mark Buehner (authors and illustrators)
I used to love this version of the Cinderella story when I’d read it to my three girls. Fanny dreams of Prince Charming but finds a more realistic version of happiness with a farmer and a full life — no fairy godmother needed (although she does make an appearance at the end of the storybook).
— Kristen Gough, mom of three and contributor to Northeast Ohio Parent magazine
The Typewriter
By Bill Thomson
Bill Thomson uses just nine words and some of the most beautiful illustrations you’ll see this year to take you and your children on a lovely, affecting journey.
— Recommended by Mentor Public Library, mentorpl.org
All Ages, All Abilities
My Brother Charlie
By Holly Robison Peete and Ryan Elizabeth Peete, illustrated by Shane Evans
A picture book that helps siblings and others understand kids with special needs. The main character’s twin, Charlie, has autism. The author collaborated with her daughter on this book, which is based on her 10-year-old son, who has autism.
— Sarah Rintamaki, founder and executive director of Connecting for Kids, connectingforkids.org
Ian’s Walk
By Lauren Lears, illustrated by Karen Ritz
This is my favorite book for siblings or peers of children who are on the autism spectrum. The book provides insight about how the main character, Ian, a child with autism, reacts differently to sights and sounds than his siblings.
— Paula Papp, early childhood and special education consultant for Connecting with Kids, connectingforkids.org
The Kissing Hand
By Audrey Penn, illustrated by Ruth E. Harper and Nancy M. Leak
This is a great book for parents who have children dealing with separation anxiety. The book tells the story about a little raccoon who tells his mother he doesn’t want to go to school. His mother provides him with a secret to making his days at school as comfortable, warm and loving as home.
— Karla Fitch, webmaster and social media at Connecting For Kids, connectingforkids.org
I Funny: A Middle School Story
By James Patterson and Chris Grabenstein
Jamie Grimm doesn’t let anything get him down. Samie, who is in a wheelchair who hopes to someday become a comedian. He shows the world what he can do when he enters “The Planet’s Funniest Kid Comic,” despite what his bully cousin says.
— Sarah Rintamaki, founder and executive director of Connecting for Kids, connectingforkids.org
Elementary Age
Hercufleas
By Sam Gayton
This is a story about family, friendship and loss, and the power of hope and unity. To protect her village from a giant, Greta recruits a champion: Hercufleas. Big heroes come in small packages in a superbly imagined tale that is part comedic adventure, part poignant coming-of-age epic, and wholly original.
— Recommended by Shaker Heights Public Library, shakerlibrary.org
The Piper Morgan Series
By Stephanie Faris
Eight-year-old Piper Morgan is adjusting to a new home and all the new places and faces she meets along the way.
— Rachele Alpine Mielke, YA and middle grade author, teacher, and contributor for Northeast Ohio Parent magazine, rachelealpine.com
The Three Little Pigs and the Somewhat Big Bad Wolf
By Mark Teague
My 7-year-old and I couldn’t stop laughing at these pages. We read it each night after he checked it out from his school’s library. This is a good twist on a classic tale, including an ending that explains a lot about how the wolf felt and that if he would have just been satisfied at the beginning of the story, he wouldn’t have met those three little pigs.
— Angela Gartner, editor at Northeast Ohio Parent magazine
Timmy Failure Series
By Stephan Pastis
Looking for a new series for my 9-year-old, I came across these at the local bookseller. Timmy is CEO of the best detective agency in town and the first book, “Mistakes were Made,” details his life as an agent with his polar bear partner, Total. This five-books series is engaging, funny and will be a quick, delightful read.
— Angela Gartner, editor at Northeast Ohio Parent magazine
Danger is Everywhere (and Danger is Still Everywhere)
By David O’Doherty, illustrated by Chris Judge
Beware of the puddle shark, the scorpion on page 9 and many other things inside or outside your neighborhood. Danger is everywhere, according to Dr. Noel Zone, self-proclaimed dangerologist. In the first book, your elementary-age kids will learn how to skip over these danger zones in the handbook. In the second book, they will meet Napkin the dog. Both tales had my 9-year-old laughing at this dangerously silly book series.
— Angela Gartner, editor at Northeast Ohio Parent magazine
What Do You Do with a Problem?
By Kobi Yamada, illustrated by Mae Benson
This book takes on the impossible task of explaining to children what they should do when there’s a problem — any problem: big, small, whatever. And it does more than succeed. It satisfies. It scintillates. It educates and entertains. It’s beautiful in concept and execution. Read it with your children, then prepare to re-read 17 times.
— Recommended by Mentor Public Library, mentorpl.org
Tween and Teen Picks
Pax
By Sara Pennypacker, illustrated by
Jon Klassen
It’s about a boy, Peter, and his fox, Pax, who had an unbreakable bond that was tested when Peter had to move 300 miles away.
— Rachele Alpine Mielke, YA and middle grade author, teacher, rachelealpine.com
Isabella for Real
By Margie Palatini, illustrated by LeUyen Pham
Isabella Antonelli becomes an YouTube sensation and needs to figure out a way to tell everyone the truth.
— Recommended by Shaker Heights Public Library, shakerlibrary.org
Save Me a Seat
By Sarah Weeks and Gita Varadarajan
Joe and Ravi are very different and don’t have much in common, until they have a common enemy in the biggest bully in their class.
— Recommended by Shaker Heights Public Library, shakerlibrary.org
The Star-Touched Queen
By Roshani Chokshi
Seventeen-year-old Queen Maya is cursed. She must unravel an ancient mystery to save the lives that she loves most.
— Recommended by Hudson Library and Historical Society, hudsonlibrary.org
Ghost
By Jason Reynolds
Nothing lights Castle “Ghost” Crenshaw up like a full-out sprint. After joining the track team, he begins to realize that running isn’t the answer to his problems.
— Recommended by Cuyahoga Falls Library, cuyahogafallslibrary.org
Truth or Dare
By Barbara Dee
A few white lies during a simple game of truth or dare spin out of control and make life very complicated.
— Recommended by Shaker Heights Public Library, shakerlibrary.org