Welcome to the 2026 PICTURE BOOK CLUB – WEEK FOUR
How to participate in Picture Book Club …
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Get the suggested books from the library or bookstore (local or online). See 2026 PICTURE BOOK CLUB: COMPLETE LIST OF BOOKS for the list of books suggested for each week.
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Before reading each of the weekly books to your child, READ FIRST “Things to Think About.”
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Read one or both books to your child as many times through the week as your child wants to hear them and you have time to read.
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Consider doing whatever activities you think are appropriate for the age and maturity of your child from “Making the Story Come Alive .”
WE WELCOME FEEDBACK ABOUT YOUR PARTICIPATION. YOU CAN LEAVE A COMMENT BY USING THE “WHAT DO YOU THINK?” BUTTON AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST.
BY THE LIGHT OF THE MOON by Frann Preston-Gannon
(a story about the importance of every person)
A little frog sang to himself by the light of the moon, but he was lonely singing all by himself. He headed off to find some more singers. His quiet voice along with the drumming of the crocodile was still not enough. Even the addition of a trio of mice, a school of fish, and a flock of birds didn’t work. Then, the frog noticed a shy little bug who announced she was too small and her voice too weak to help with the song. The frog convinced her to try. Once the song included everyone’s voice it was the best it could be.
Things to Think About
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Children need to know that their world is small enough that they can be
safely wrapped up in the comfy and cozy center of it. Being the center of this small universe will make them feel comfortable and safe. It will lead to their having the confidence to explore their world. It will be their source of discovery after discovery.
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A child needs to know he is the apple of someone’s eye – that he is important. This will make him feel loved and appreciated. It will lead to trusting his world, other people, and himself. It will be the source of his knowing how to love and be loved.
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Self-esteem is the foundation for healthy, happy, successful children (and adults). For that statement to be true, self-esteem must be thoughtfully defined.
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It depends on deeply believing you are worthwhile and cared about – just because you are who you are.
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It depends on deeply believing you can do things well, take care of oneself, and live with others following necessary rules and expectations.
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Self-esteem is not fostered by giving complements that you don’t really mean, letting people off the hook of responsibility, or never allowing a person to be sorry or sad.
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Making the Story Come Alive
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Tell your child he is the apple of your eye. Ask him what he thinks that means? Ask what it’s like to be the apple of someone’s eye? Who is the apple of his eye?
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Have your child draw a picture, make up a dance or song, or make a sculpture out of play dough about being the apple of someone’s eye.
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All children need to be recognized. They need to know they matter. Look for ways to put a spotlight on your child. Let her know she is important.
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Together, read Dr, Horton Hears a Who! by Dr. Seuss. Talk about the line, “A person’s a person, no matter how small.” Explain that it means he is important at every age and every size and no matter whether he is just beginning to learn something new or has already become excellent at something.
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Ask your child how she thinks the firefly felt both before and after she met up with the frog’s choir. Ask her if she ever has felt those feelings.
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Find as many ways as possible to say or act out the following messages with your child:
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I enjoy you and want to be with you.
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I enjoy you when you are quietly just being you.
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I enjoy you just as much when you are busy and into everything.
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I love to watch you grow and learn to do new things, including how to follow rules.
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(Messages adapted from GROWING UP AGAIN, Jean Illsley Clarke)
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PICK A PUP by Marsha Wilson Chall
(a story about kids and pets)
In PICK A PUP, “Sam can’t wait to pick a pup, but which one will he pick? Is there a way to know the one – a clue, a sign, a trick?” Many types of pets were described: “… sit-in-your-lap…sound asleep…runs-right-up…woolly…loves-to-sniff…kissy….” Sam wondered how he would pick a pet and wished he “… knew the trick.”
Things to Think About
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Many choices are required to add a pet to the family.
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What type of animal – dog, cat, bird, hamster, fish, farm animal, etc.?
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What type of cleanup is required?
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How much space is needed?
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What will travelling be like?
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What are the costs for health care and food?
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How much people-attention will the pet need?
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What do you expect to get back from the pet (cuddling, protection, playtime)?
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People all are different and so are pets. Various breeds and species tend to act differently. Consider a good fit between how a pet acts and your child’s personality – sleepy, big, small, noisy, fast, slow?
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Pets show that they like their caregivers. They give attention to a child enthusiastically.
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Picking and caring for a pet is about establishing a relationship between child and pet and encouraging that relationship to keep growing stronger.
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The pet and the child are equal participants in the relationship. Sometimes the pet shows love first which invites the child to give love back. Sometimes the child shows the love first which invites the pet to give love back.
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As the child/pet relationship grows stronger, children can develop a sense of responsibility for the pet.
Making the Story Come Alive
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Ask your child:
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What does he think about the different types of animals?
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What does she think it would be like to have a pet?
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What would be fun about having a pet?
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What would be yucky about having a pet?
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What will he be able to do to help take care of a pet?
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Ask your child how he would want his pet to act – busy, quiet, fast, slow, playful, lovey, etc.?
Picture Book Parenting 
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