What Riley’s Been Reading (March & April 2021)

Swashby and the Sea by Beth Ferry

This has been a favorite for both Riley and I! She cried when we had to take it back to the library because it was so beloved here so I ended up making it one of the books for her Easter basket! It is the sweetest and most charming book about a grumpy recluse, a young girl and the meddling sea who helps a reluctant Swashby to accept the friendship offered by the girl and her granny.

Owl Babies by Martin Waddell

This book drove home to me why I always try again later with books that don’t seem to quite land but that I think are good. I had gotten this one out when she was around 18 months and she didn’t seem to care for it but we just got it out again and it quickly because one of her favorites that she wanted read every night.

It’s the cutest little book about 3 owl siblings who wake up to find that Mama Owl isn’t there with them anymore. As the night progresses and the mama hasn’t come back yet, they get a little nervous and wonder where she is. But, just when it gets too much, Mama comes back! Nice little book if your kid has some separation anxiety (idk what that’s like my child doesn’t even say bye when I drop her off with the cousins haha). It has some nice repetition and Riley seemed to like when I exaggerated the one part when the smallest owl says “I miss my mommy!”

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In the Wind by Elizabeth Spurr

I’m actually surprised at how much she still loves this series. It was a hit for sure last year and I think it’s meant for a little younger of an audience but she really enjoyed this addition of it. We got this one out a while ago but after a windy day we had, where we flew a kite, she was really chatty about the wind and kites and I remembered this book. It’s just a really simple little story about a girl who flies a kite on a windy day but the wind is too much and takes the kite away. She and her mom walk home sadly without the kite but a surprise awaits her at home!

Grumpy Pants by Claire Messer

Riley really loved this one and I can see why (and also enjoyed it!). I got it out thinking it was going to be a good book about rain based on the cover when I saw it but instead it was a darling little book about a grumpy penguin who is trying to get in a better mood but finally decides he needs to wash the grumpy day away. He takes off his grumpy pants and other items of clothing, jumps into the bath and washes that grumpiness off him. Really cute! Also we had a nice conversation about what we do when we are grumpy that makes us feel better.

What Riley Wore by Elana K. Arnold

Now Riley thought this was the coolest book ever because it had her name and she seemed to really enjoy it. I think this is a FANTASTIC book and love all the conversations to be had from it. It’s about a child named Riley who showcases all the various of outfits and how they express themselves throughout it. When a child asks if they are a boy or girl, Riley simply says “Today I’m a firefighter. And a dancer. And a monster hunter. And a pilot. And a dinosaur.”

Inclusive but not preachy/heavy handed. My Riley and I already have lots of conversations about gender norms (because 3 year olds often want to know if girls can do this or that or if boys can wear skirts/wear nail polish) and it was a nice book to be able to continue that conversation when it comes to 1) just letting clothes be clothes but also a 3 year old friendly way of introducing the fact that not everyone identifies as a boy or girl. Riley’s gender is not every explicitly said and I appreciated that because I feel like at this age I’ve really noticed Riley getting hung up on if someone is a boy or girl and wanting to be able to “sort” them into one or the other.

Hurry Up: A Book About Slowing Down by Kate Dopirak

I will be honest — I think I loved this book more than Riley right now but she did enjoy it. A gorgeous book about learning how to slow down in the midst of busy life. A perfect message for parents and children alike! This books makes me smile because it’s something kids are so naturally good at and WE always try to get them to hurry up. I’ve learned to love the slow down more since having Riley. Anyways, I love this book so much and this will be one I’m buying for our collection.

Say Hello by Rachel Isadora

While this wasn’t a favorite that she asked for over and over, she did seem engaged by it and I will probably try again in 6 months with it. A cute little book about a little girl who walks around her very multicultural neighborhood and greets all of her neighbors. Each “hello” is in a different language and Riley had fun repeating them though.

Bark, George by Jules Feiffer

Riley howls at this book. It is really silly and humorous and fun so I can’t blame her. It’s about a dog who can’t bark but instead makes other animal noises and, when his mother takes him to the vet, they discover JUST WHY he is making other animal noises.

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The Old Truck by Jarrett and Jerome Pumphrey

I really need to update my heartwarming picture books that made me cry list to include this one. Oh my heart. Riley really did like this one too though maybe she didn’t understand some of the larger concepts that struck me.

It’s about a little old truck on a farm (with a Black farming family), which eventually falls into disrepair, and then the little girl of the family grows up to own the land and fixes the truck that was a part of her family and her childhood. And now it can become that to her child. Oh, god did I weep at that. I’m tearing up just thinking about this book honestly and how that passage of time was so beautifully written and illustrated. Growing up, getting old! New life! The things we pass on and forward to the generations after! Hard work!

So that’s some of our highlights of books we’ve been reading lately! Have you read any of these? Tell us what picture books you’ve been reading lately — we are always looking for recommendations!