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
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
Betty Bunny Loves Chocolate Cake by Michael B. Kaplan
Sneaky or Clever, Which Is It?
The Chandeliers by Vincent X. Kirsch
Clever Jack Takes the Cake by Candace Fleming
Doctor Ted by Andrea Beaty
Make-Believe and Funny: Two Good Things
The Dream Jar by Lindan Lee Johnson
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
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
Homemade Love by Bell Hooks
How Do Dinosaurs Go to School by Jane Yolen
Lessons Learned about Back-to-School
If I Crossed the Road by Stephen Kroninger
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
King Arthur’s Very Great Grandson by Kenneth Kraegel
Knuffle Bunny by Mo Willems
Let’s Go, Hugo by Angela Dominguez
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
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
Oliver and His Alligator by Paul Schmid
Pick a Pup by Marsha Wilson Chall
Kids and Pets: More about Responsibility, Love, Independence, and Loss
Pete’s a Pizza by William Steig
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
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
Stars by Mary Lyn Ray & Marla Frazee
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
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
A Question about Art from a Real Mom
Five Reasons for Children to Do Art
Your Child’s Report Card – With Love
Six Pretend Activities for Kids
Three Steps to Good Problem-Solving
Children Who Put Themselves Down about Homework
Your Gift to Children You Care About
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
Growing Up – What Children and Adults Have in Common
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
Six Things to Know about Consequences for Breaking Rules
Four Things to Know about Discipline
Are You Able to Be on Your Own?
How Many Things Do You Do Well?
What If You Think Differently Than Others?
Is Your Life Adventuresome Enough?
2019 Postings
A Question for Adults Who Care about Children
Five Interesting Things about Babies
Four Things to Teach Your Kids
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
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
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
Helping Children Be Good Family and Community Members
Helping Your Child with Homework
Six Ways to Help Kids Learn to Wait
Becoming Clever, Innovative, Inventive, and Smart
Can Things Get Better with Your Kids in the New Year?
Having “Too Much” Is Risky Business
2018 Postings
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
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
What Children Learn by Helping Others
Enjoy Celebrating with Your Child
Who Are the “Three Men in a Tub”?
Know How to Pretend and How to Get Real
What Children Show Us When They Play
Four Things a Story Can Teach Your Children
What Happens When Children Read or Hear a Story?
Four Reasons to Read to Your Children
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
When Is a Kid’s Birthday Party Too Much?
When My Child Needs a Gift for a Friend’s Birthday
Four Things to Know about Sadness
Three Life Lessons Kids Learn from Pets
2017 Postings
Standing Your Ground When Your Children Say “No”
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
Giving Your Children Undivided Attention
2016 Postings
Six Things to Do Before Shopping with Your Child
Six Things You Can Do When Your Child Says “No!”
How Grandparents (and Others) Can Be Special in a Child’s Life
Why Grandparents (and Others) Are So Special
Showing-Off Can Be a Good Thing
Taking Care of Yourself Is Important
Handmade Gifts Are Extra Special
Gardens Can Teach Responsibility
Asking for Help Is a Powerful Thing to Do
Four Ways Children Benefit from Learning to Think for Themselves
Three Ways Children Learn to Think for Themselves
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
Five Positive Things about Children Saying “No”
Three Things to Know about Children Saying “No”
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
Five Important Things about Babies
Four Things Your Children Should Know
Picture Book Parenting 