Many of us parents are hunkering down during this pandemic. We are being creative by finding ways to entertain the kids while we take it day by day, spending our time keeping our children’s minds busy and still learning.
Reading stimulates the brain and opens our kids’ to adventure and possibility. Although the coronavirus has changed our world, books will forever be the best escape for all. Here are 15 books that can be purchased or downloaded.
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Chapter Two is Missing, written by Josh Lieb, drawn By Kevin Cornell
This book is filled with tons of fun and adventure! Help this lost narrator who isn’t getting much help from an inexperienced detective and a tricky janitor with his missing second chapter. A humorous text and illustration book that can be read out loud to younger kids while the more experienced readers can enjoy this fun book that includes cool interactive elements that older kids will appreciate. Preschool and up, $12.79, amazon
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Philippe and The Marshmallow & Candy Floss Clouds, by Lennice A. Norwood
A sweet e-book story of Philippe, a boy with a big imagination by New York native Author and Illustrator Lennice A. Norwood. What if tomorrow’s weather report said that we could eat the clouds in the sky? What if some were said to taste like marshmallows and others, like candy floss? Would you hop on a plane tomorrow to eat the sky? Well, that’s exactly what happens to one young boy in Philippe and The Marshmallow & Candy Floss Clouds. One day, the weather forecast predicts edible clouds that taste just like marshmallows and candy floss. Will Philippe finally be able to try the confectionery clouds in the sky? This delightful and uplifting tale will have you looking up to the sky in a whole new way and have you wishing every day was a cloudy day! Grades Prek to 1st grade, $7.99, grasshopper.com
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The Big Book of Super Powers, written by Susanna Isern, illustrated by Rocio Bonilla
What are your superpowers? Explore 18 stories of kids who turn their everyday know-hows into awesome-ness. In this book, kids can read how characters like Elena, Carlos, Sofia, and more use there “superpowers” like storytelling, math skills, and curiosity which allows them to all be unique and special. Kindergarten to 3rd grade, $18.99, target.com
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What’s In Your Mind Today?, written by Louise Bladen, illustrated by Angela Perrini
We love this guided, illustrated meditation for kids that offers simple mindfulness practice. Not only do little ones get to sharpen their reading skills, but they’ll learn how to breathe and center themselves in their bodies, find different ways to think about their positive and negative thoughts, and ultimately learn that they have the ability to feel calm and at peace no matter what. Best for early readers in kindergarten and first grade in terms of reading level, the content of the book is beneficial for older kids as well! Kindergarten to 3rd grade, $13.49, amazon.com
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Lubna and Pebble, written by Wendy Meddour, illustrated by Daniel Egnéus
Lubna’s best friend is a pebble. Pebble always listens to her stories. Pebble always smiles when she feels scared. But when a lost little boy arrives in the World of Tents, Lubna realizes that he needs Pebble even more than she does. In an unforgettable story that subtly addresses the refugee crisis, a young girl must decide if friendship means giving up the one item that gives her comfort during a time of utter uncertainty. Pre-K to 4th grade, $17.99, penguinrandomhouse.com
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The Day the Crayons Quit, written by Drew Daywalt, illustrated by Oliver Jeffers
Young Duncan wants to color, but when he opens his box of crayons, he finds only letters, all saying the same thing: His crayons have had enough! They quit! Beige Crayon is tired of playing second fiddle to Brown Crayon. Black wants to be used for more than just outlining. Blue needs a break from coloring all those bodies of water. What can Duncan possibly do to appease all of the crayons and get them back to doing what they do best? Kids will be imagining their own humorous conversations with crayons as they read all about Duncan’s. Handpicked by Amazon kids’ books editor, Seira Wilson, for Prime Book Box — a children’s subscription that inspires a love of reading, we couldn’t recommend this read more! Kindergarten to 3rd grade, $16.19, scholastic.com
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Kindness Starts With You, by Jacquelyn Stagg
Teach your kids all about the importance of kindness with this bestselling children’s book. Follow Maddy through her day at school. From taking turns on the swing to including everyone in the game, this storybook shows that no act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever gone unnoticed! A lightbulb lesson of kindness is found on each page. Included in the book is a Kindness BINGO download and a Weekly Kindness Challenge to help encourage your child to say sorry, be polite, take turns, be a helping hand, include others, and show respect. Pre-K to 3rd grade, $10.79, amazon.com
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The Magic Misfits: The Minor Third by Neil Harris
The third book in the #1 New York Times bestselling Magic Misfits series is finally here and we couldn’t be more excited! When a famous ventriloquist arrives in town, the Misfits know he (and his creepy dummy) are up to no good. With their mentor, Mr. Vernon, suddenly called away, can they come together to stop another member of the villainous Emerald Ring? It’s time for Theo to make a choice about where — and with whom — he belongs. Your kids will learn about adventure, friendship, and of course, magic. Grades 3rd to 7th, $16.99, amazon.com
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Mr. Tiger, Betsy and the Blue Moon, written by Sally Gardner, illustrated by Nick Maland
A 2018 Times book of the year, this is a must-read for late elementary and middle school readers. If your kids are crazy about fairytales, they’ll love this imaginative story about the daughter of a mermaid and an ice-cream maker, who meets the mysterious Mr. Tiger. The two have a huge challenge ahead of them: a moon to turn blue, berries to collect, and wishable-delicious ice cream to create. For any reader who enjoys a fantastical, creative narrative with beautiful illustrations, Mr. Tiger, Betsy and the Blue Moon is for you. All grades. $16.99, barnesandnoble.com
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The Ship We Built by Lexie Bean
A moving story for kids, The Ship We Built is all about finding the bravery to stand up for yourself, even to those you love. Rowan struggles to fit in — he’s not the “right kind” of girl and he’s not the “right kind” of boy. Feeling abandoned by his parents and classmates at school, Rowan discovers another way to share his secrets: letters attached to balloons. But when Rowan befriends a classmate who knows what it’s like to be lonely and scared, even at home, Rowan realizes that there might already be a person he can trust right by his side. Coming out late May, you can preorder the book now. Grades 5th to 8th. $16.99, penguinrandomhouse.com
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The Creativity Project: An Awesometastic Story Collection by Colby Sharp
This isn’t your typical read — it’s an explosion of creativity on the page! Colby Sharp invited more than forty authors and illustrators to provide story starters for each other; photos, drawings, poems, prose, or anything they could dream up. When they received their prompts, they responded by transforming these seeds into any form of creative work they wanted to share. The result is a stunning collection of words, art, poetry, and stories by some of our most celebrated children book creators. A section of extra story starters by every contributor provides fresh inspiration for readers to create works of their own. Kids get to be both readers and creators with The Creativity Project. Grades 4th to 6th, $10.89, amazon.com
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The Science of Breakable Things, by Tae Keller
A story of mental illness and the struggle of watching your loved ones go through an illness, The Science of Breakable Things is an uplifting story of a child’s efforts to “save” her mother from depression. Natalie enters an egg drop competition to win prize money to fly her botanist mom to see the miraculous Cobalt Blue Orchids — flowers that survive against impossible odds. Natalie’s mother has been suffering from depression, and Natalie is sure that the flowers’ magic will inspire her mom to love life again. Follow Natalie’s journey of science, hope, love, and miracles in this touching book, perfect for middle school readers and up. $13.98 Penguinrandomhouse.com
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The Extraordinaries by TJ Klune
A queer coming-of-age story about a fanboy with ADHD and the heroes he loves, The Extraordinaries is an important read for young adults. After a chance encounter with Shadow Star, Nova City’s mightiest hero (and Nick’s biggest crush), Nick sets out to make himself extraordinary. A silly, yet incredibly impactful and timely book for generating an accepting, welcoming society, teens will really enjoy reading TJ Klune’s masterpiece. Teenage/ Young Adult, $9.99, amazon.com
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Mem by Bethany C. Morrow
As Buzzfeed’s #1 Book to Read this spring and A Best Book of the Month at The Washington Post, Bustle, and Chicago Review of Books, Mem is the kind of story that stays with you long after you finish. A blend of speculative, science, and historical fiction, Mem takes readers back to the glittering art deco world of a century ago. A scientist in Montreal discovers a method allowing people to have their memories extracted from their minds. Morrow explores identity, memory, and history, all in the shadows of Montreal’s now forgotten slave trade. Teenage/Young Adult, $10.99, amazon.com
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Epoca: The Tree of Ecrof written by Ivy Claire, created by Kobe Bryant
From the mind of the late basketball legend, Academy Award-winning, and New York Times-bestselling storyteller Kobe Bryant, comes a new tale of finding your strength against all odds. Set in an alternate classical world dominated by sports and a magical power called grana, the story takes place in the most elite sports academy in the land, where the best child-athletes are sent to hone their skills. When two new kids arrive, they suspect that something evil is happening at the school. Over their first year there, they must learn to master their grana in order to save the world from dark forces that are rising. For sports-fanatics and anyone who appreciates a story about strength, courage, and perseverance, this book is right up your alley. Teenage/Young Adult, $14.60, amazon.com
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Jane Against the World, by Karen Blumenthal
Tracing the path to the landmark decision of Roe v. Wade and the continuing battle for women’s rights, Blumenthal examines, in a straightforward tone, the root causes of the current debate around abortion and repercussions that have affected generations of American women. This is an empowering and timely read for young adults, sparking difficult discussions and an awareness of a topic that is so prevalent in American society and government today. For readers interested in learning about the fight for reproductive rights in the United States, we totally recommend this eye-opening book. Teenage/Young Adult, $16.99- 23.00, penguinrandomhouse.com
