The Best Family in the World by Susana Lopez

Publisher: Kane Miller Ages: 3-8

Children are born inquisitive, and my little guys, ages 3 and 5, sure did have plenty of questions after reading The Best Family in the World, written by Susana Lopez, and illustrated by Ulises Wensell . This is a sweet story about a little girl named Carlota who dreams of who will adopt her. As she anxiously awaits the arrival of her very own family, Carlota can’t sleep, and so she fantasizes about what her new family might be like. Will they be pastry chefs, or pirates?

The fact that Carlota lives in an orphanage, and is being adopted was what inspired so many questions from my curious kiddos. I found delight in the way they tried to wrap their minds around the concept, and came to an understanding of a new perspective on family. I was thrilled to discuss this tender topic with them in the hopes that they’ll be all the better for it. My kindhearted 5 year old daughter expressed sympathy and concern for Carlota at first, but in turn felt assurance that Carlota’s new family is wonderful and loves her no less than if she had been their biological child. Overall, Lopez created a cute story which was artfully woven to include a lesson about an important topic.

My Father Knows the Names of Things by Jane Yolen

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Ages 4-8

My Father Knows the Names of Things is a story about a young boy that discovers no matter where he goes with his

father he can learn from his dad. His father can identify the names of different cheese, names of dogs, and seven words that all mean blue. When they travel outside, his father can categorize insects by their bodily characteristics, the name of different fish when sailing, and different kinds of clouds. This is a great book for sons and their fathers.

Have you Ever Seen a Stork Build a Log Cabin? By Etta Kaner

Publisher: Kids Can Press Ages 4-7

Children will learn how a variety of animals build homes just like humans. The contents page offers children the choice to discover how a stork, hornet, mouse, crawfish, polar bear, jawfish, or termite build their respective homes, page numbers included. Each four page explanation demonstrates with words and pictures how the specific animal build their home and a picture of a similar human home throughout different parts of the world. Kids can identify how their home is similar and different to the variety of animal homes.

C’mere BOY by Sharon Jennings & Ashley Spires

Publisher: Kids Can Press Ages 3-7

Dog lives in a home with his mother and desperately wants to find a ‘boy’ to call his own. Throughout the week, Dog prepares for a boy by buying ‘Boy Food’ and a leash to take his boy for a walk. While searching for the boy who has the ‘right smell’, Dog becomes frustrated because he cannot attend obedience school, go to the Pooch Spa, mall, or the park without a boy. While out searching for his partner, he is caught by the Dog Catcher and taken to the local shelter. On Saturday, Dog is taken out for adoption day and meets the boy with the perfect smell! Dog and boy can now finally do everything together. Lastly, Dog writes a letter to his mother and tells her he is happy, safe, and loved with the boy’s family.

Book reviews written by Cecelia, Shannon and Jamie

Smart Tip: Check out the first volume of “Baby Kid Bookshelf: Books for Preschoolers” for additional smart picks.

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