Picture Book Conversations


We have been amazed at how much good parenting information is in children’s picture books – books that we hope you are reading everyday to the children in your lives – your own, your class, those you take care of.  
We will be pointing these parenting gems out to you so that every time you read one of our featured books to a child you will be reminded of the parent you want to be.

Postings inspired by specific picture books are listed below. They are followed by all 2016 and 2017 postings which are focused, to-the-point postings inspired by many sources.  

The Art Lesson by Tommie dePaola

How Kids Learn a Skill

Back to School Tortoise by Lucy M. George

Lessons Learned about Back-to-School

A Ball for Daisy by Chris Raschka

Children and Loss (of Special People or Special Things)

Because I’m your Dad by Ahmet Zappa

Dad’s Are So Important!

Betty Bunny Loves Chocolate Cake by Michael B. Kaplan

Sneaky or Clever, Which Is It?

Learning to Wait

The Chandeliers by Vincent X. Kirsch

Quality Time

Clever Jack Takes the Cake by Candace Fleming

Birthday Parties, Part 1

Birthday Parties, Part 2

Doctor Ted by Andrea Beaty

Make-Believe and Funny: Two Good Things

The Dream Jar by Lindan Lee Johnson

Getting Kids to Sleep

A Duck So Small by A. H. Benjamin

And Calm Fell Over the Household

Ella by Carmella and Steven D’Amico

Lessons Learned about Back-to-School

Ella Sarah Gets Dressed by Margaret Chodos-Irvine

What it Means When Children Say “No!”

Elmer and the Monster by David McKee

All about Monsters

Emily’s First 100 Days of School by Rosemary Wells

Lessons Learned about Back-to-School

Emma’s Question by Catherine Urdahl

Why Grandparents Are Important

George Upside Down by Meghan McCarthy

Meet Kids Where They Are

Homemade Love  by Bell Hooks

Love with No Strings Attached

How Do Dinosaurs Go to School by Jane Yolen

Lessons Learned about Back-to-School

If I Crossed the Road by Stephen Kroninger

When Are Kids Old Enough?

Iggy Peck, Architect by Andrea Beaty

Your Child’s Special Talents, Part 1

Your Child’s Special Talents, Part 2

Your Child’s Special Talents, Part 3

I’ll Love You No Matter What by J. Rutland

Love Your Kids No Matter What (part 1)

Love Your Kids No Matter What (part 2)

Katie and the Puppy Next Door by John Himelman

Kids and Sharing (part 1)

Kids and Sharing (part 2)

King Arthur’s Very Great Grandson by Kenneth Kraegel

Agression in Kids

Knuffle Bunny by Mo Willems

Decisions Babies Make

Let’s Go, Hugo by Angela Dominguez

Fear is not all Bad

Light Up the Night by Jean Reidy

Being the Center of the Universe

Mom, It’s My First Day of Kindergarten by Hyewon Yum

Lessons Learned about Back-to-School

The Monster Who Lost His Mean by Tiffany Strelitz Haber

Correct; Don’t Criticize (part 1)

Correct; Don’t Criticize (part 2)

Morris the Artist by Lore Segal

The Benefits of Art, Choices, and Discipline: Part III

The Benefits of Art, Choices, and Discipline: Part II

The Benefits of Art, Choices, and Discipline: Part I

Mr. Zinger’s Hat by Cary Fagan

The Importance of Storytelling

My Grandma Lives in Florida by Ed Shankman

Grandparent Greatness

My Very Big Little World by Peter H. Reynolds

Preschoolers – Who Are They? Part 1

Preschoolers – Who Are They? Part 2

Nurse Clementine by Simon James

That Special Gift, part 1

That Special Gift, part 2

Holiday Gift Ideas Revisited

Holiday Traditions Revisited

Oliver and His Alligator by Paul Schmid

First Days of School

Pick a Pup by Marsha Wilson Chall

Kids and Pets: The Basics

Kids and Pets: More about Responsibility, Love, Independence, and Loss

Pete’s a Pizza by William Steig

Summer Fun

Summer Activities List (2015) #1

Summer Activities List (2015) #2

Summer Activities List (2015) #3

Summer Activities List (2015) #4

Phoebe and Digger by Tricia Springstubb

Making Children Feel Safe and Important, Part 1

Making Children Feel Safe and Important, Part 2

Pigsty by Mark Teague

Sticking to the Rules

Plaidypus by Janet Stevens and Susan Stevens Crummel

Kids Keeping Track of Their Things

Princess in Training by Tammi Sauer

Becoming a Lovable and Capable Prince or Princess

Suki & Mirabella by Carmela and Steven D’Amico

Fighting for Attention

Stars by Mary Lyn Ray & Marla Frazee

Your Child is a Star

Stop Thief! by Adam J. B. Lane

Growing Up is Hard to Do (part 1)

Growing Up is Hard to Do (part 2)

The Things I Can Do by Jeff Mack

Kids Need to DO Things, Part 1

Kids Need to DO Things, Part 2

Tia Isa Wants a Car by Meg Medina

Teaching Kids to Wait (part 1)

Teaching Kids to Wait (part 2)

That Makes Me Mad! by Steven Kroll

What You Need to Know about an Angry Child, Part 1

What You Need to Know about an Angry Child, Part 2

Vera’s New School by Vera Rosenberry

Lessons Learned about Back-to-School

A Violin for Elva by Mary Lyn Ray

One Way Kids Grow Up: Exploration

Willow Finds a Way by Lana Button

Bullying

2020 Postings

A Question about a Child Saying No from a Real Mom

A Fact of Life: Children Say No

A Question about Giving a Child Choices from a Real Mom

Four Things to Know about Children Making Choices

How to Give Children a Chore

A Question about Art from a Real Mom

Five Reasons for Children to Do Art

Stepparents and Discipline

Your Child’s Report Card – With Love

Six Pretend Activities for Kids

Tips for Playing Make-Believe

What Good Is Make-Believe?

Three Steps to Good Problem-Solving

Children Who Put Themselves Down about Homework

Your Gift to Children You Care About

Two-Year-Olds Who Whine

Kids Who Don’t Say What’s on Their Minds

17-, 18-, and 19-Year-Olds: Who They Are and How to Talk to Them

16-Year-Olds: Who They Are and How to Talk to Them

15-Year-Olds: Who They Are and How to Talk to Them

13-Year-Olds: Who They Are and How to Talk to Them

What You Need to Know about Teenagers

Stay-At-Home Activities with Kids, Part 4

Stay-At-Home Activities with Kids, Part 3

Stay-At-Home Activities with Kids, Part 2

Stay-At-Home Activities with Kids, Part 1

How COVID-19 “Stay-At-Home” Time Can Improve Parenting Teens and Pre-Teens

What’s on Your Children’s Minds about the COVID-19 Crisis?

Four Ways to Encourage Persistence in Young Children

What Grandparents Can Give

What Do Temper Tantrums Mean?

Growing Up – What Children and Adults Have in Common

When Children Make Mistakes

We All Make Mistakes

The Stars within Your Child

COVID-19: Convincing Loved Ones to Protect Themselves and Others

COVID-19: Encouraging Teens to Protect Themselves and Others

COVID-19: What Your Teen Is or Should Be Thinking

Is Your Discipline Working?

Six Things to Know about Consequences for Breaking Rules

Four Things to Know about Discipline

What to Tell Your Children

Are You Able to Be on Your Own?

How Many Things Do You Do Well?

Are You a Powerful Person

What If You Think Differently Than Others?

Is Your Life Adventuresome Enough?

Are Your Needs Getting Met

2019 Postings

A Question for Adults Who Care about Children

Five Interesting Things about Babies

Four Things to Teach Your Kids

How to Love a Child

Four Reasons to Teach Children to DO Things

When Should Children Start Thinking about Careers?

What Do You Want to Be When You Grow Up?

How to Teach Your Child a Skill

Six Ways to Encourage Your Child

Teaching Children to Be Good Explorers and Learners

Kids Who Don’t Want to Finish What They Start

Safety: a Key to Curiosity, Exploration, and Learning

Kids Need to Explore

Teaching Responsibility: Say What You Need or Want

Teaching Responsibility: Give Clear Messages

Teaching Responsibility: Know Your Thoughts and Feelings

Teaching Responsibility: Yes or No Answers Are Important

Teaching Responsibility: Make It Good for the Child

Teaching Responsibility: Know Who Is Responsible

Six Important Things to Know about Responsibility

Summer Activities for Children Part 6

Summer Activities for Children Part 5

Summer Activities for Children Part 4

Summer Activities for Children Part 3

Summer Activities for Children Part 2

Summer Activities for Children Part 1

Summer Picture Books

What Does Loving Your Kids Look Like?

Loving Your Kids DOES NOT Mean …

When Children Think It’s All about Them

Children Need to Know They Are Important

Are Your Kids’ Monsters Scary or Nice?

Getting Real about Pretend Play

Monsters and Fear

Helping Children Be Good Family and Community Members

Helping Your Child with Homework

Should We Slay the Monsters?

Why Kids Can’t Wait

Six Ways to Help Kids Learn to Wait

Kids and Waiting

Training for Good Thinking

Becoming Clever, Innovative, Inventive, and Smart

Parent-Teacher Conferences

Helping Young Children Learn

Can Things Get Better with Your Kids in the New Year?

Having “Too Much” Is Risky Business

2018 Postings

Encouraging High Self-Esteem

Hot Buttons

Children’s Interests and Talents Belong in School

Could Your Child Become an Engineer?

It’s Never Too Early for Children to Think about Future Jobs

Should Children Always Follow Their Dreams?

Three More Ways to Encourage Your Child’s Talents

Three Ways to Encourage Your Child’s Talents

Six Questions for Learning about Your Child’s Talents

Be on the Lookout for Grandparents

Six More Reasons That Grandparents Are Great

Six Reasons That Grandparents Are Great

Back-to-School Picture Books

Five More Lessons Learned about Back-to-School

Five Lessons Learned about Back-to-School

When Children Are Sick or Hurt

Caring for a Sick or Hurt Child

Attention: As Necessary as Food

When Children Tell a Story

What Children Learn by Helping Others

How Kids Learn about Feelings

Make Your Child Laugh Today

Summer and Job Exploration

Enjoy Celebrating with Your Child

The World of Work Has Changed

Who Are the “Three Men in a Tub”?

Know How to Pretend and How to Get Real

What Children Show Us When They Play

The Importance of Pretending

Four Things a Story Can Teach Your Children

What Happens When Children Read or Hear a Story?

Four Reasons to Read to Your Children

Happy Mother’s Day

Tips for Helping Your Children Learn to Read

More Ways to Learn What Your Children Can Do or Wish They Can Do

Making Mistakes Can Be Good for Kids

Ways to Learn What Your Children Can Do or Wish They Can Do

How to Teach Your Child to Do a Chore

Is Your Child Safe When Doing Chores?

Seven Things We Can Learn from Chores

What Children Learn from Your Love

A Recipe for Love

Birthday Gifts for My Child

When Is a Kid’s Birthday Party Too Much?

When My Child Needs a Gift for a Friend’s Birthday

Kids’ Birthday Party “Rules.”

Love That Is Unconditional

Four Things to Know about Sadness

“I Quit!”

Three Life Lessons Kids Learn from Pets

2017 Postings

Discipline without Anger

Discipline vs. Punishment

Happy Father’s Day

Logical Consequences

Natural Consequences

Standing Your Ground When Your Children Say “No”

Thinking for Yourself

Be Angry or Give In When Your Child Says “No”

What Is Good about Saying “No”

Four Things to Do When a Child Says “No”

1o Rules for Shopping with Your Child

How to Give Children Choices

The Artist’s Chore

“Staying in the Lines”

April Fools Day

Art and Determination

Art and Concentration

Art and Decision-Making

All Children Love Art

Blended Families

Giving Your Children Undivided Attention

Power and Parenting #3

Power and Parenting #2

Power and Parenting #1

2016 Postings  

Two More Holiday Gift Ideas

Holiday Traditions

Holiday Gift Ideas

Six Things to Do Before Shopping with Your Child

Six Things You Can Do When Your Child Says “No!”

Stand-In Grandparents

How Art Helps Kids

Love Is Not a Competition

Stepparents Are Important

Over-parenting

Thinking about Stuff

The Circle of Love

How Grandparents (and Others) Can Be Special in a Child’s Life

Your Child Can Be a Designer

Art Appreciation

“Acting” Out

Why Grandparents (and Others) Are So Special

Training Your Pet

Storytime

No Lunch

Homework

Special Play Places

Laugh Time

Showtime

Ice Cream Time

Your Child’s Special Game

Make-Believe Art

Let Kids Hunt for Treasure

Children Doing for Themselves

Showing-Off Can Be a Good Thing

Taking Care of Yourself Is Important

Pictures Become Memories

Parades Can Be Fun

Create an Art Gallery

Teaching Your Child Empathy

Moviemaking for Children

Geography Can Be Fun

Handmade Gifts Are Extra Special

Sail Along with Your Child

“No Rules” Can Be Fun

Gardens Can Teach Responsibility

Rhymes Are Fun

Asking for Help Is a Powerful Thing to Do

Celebrate Grandparents

July 4th Celebrations

Summer Activities (List #4)

Summer Activities (List #3)

Summer Activities (List #2)

Summer Activities (List #1)

Four Ways Children Benefit from Learning to Think for Themselves

Three Ways Children Learn to Think for Themselves

Happy Father’s Day

Suggestion From a Parent: “Tax” Your Child’s Money

One Way to Teach Your Child about Money

Three Things to Know about Your Kids and Your Family Money

When Children Say “No”

Five Positive Things about Children Saying “No”

Three Things to Know about Children Saying “No”

Happy Mother’s Day

Growing Up Can Be Hard for Both Children and Adults

Three Things to Know about Making Amends

Explaining “Mess Ups” to Children

Four Ways to Make Your Child Feel Like a Star

Five Things about Making Your Child a Star

Four Ways to Stay on Track with Discipline

Four Things That Make Discipline Work

Six Things You Should Know about Logical Consequences for Bad Behavior

Five Things You Should Know about Natural Consequences for Bad Behavior

Four Things to Say to Your Children

What Messages Are in Your Child’s Head?

Give a Double Valentine This Year

What Would Life Be Like If …

Five Important Things about Babies

Four Things Your Children Should Know

Three Things Not to Do As a Parent

Does Your Child Have High Self-Esteem?

What do you think?

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