Every year on April 2nd (Hans Christian Anderson’s birthday!), the world celebrates International Children’s Book Day – highlighting the creative, beautiful stories available around the world to educate, entertain, and empower kids and help them grow.
Sure, a great book hits different at every age, but exposing children to reading at a young age is critical for their long-term development – it builds the skills, values, and memories that stick with them long after the last page is turned.
Team CLC put our heads together and came up with a list of stories we absolutely love – the ones we think every family, educator, and literacy champion should have in their back pocket to share with the kids in their lives.
ERIC’S CHOICE
Each Kindness
Author: Jacqueline Woodson; Illustrator: E.B. White
Best for Readers: Kindergarten – 3rd Grade
Each Kindness teaches us about the importance of never taking for granted any opportunity to be kind to others, and that kindness to others is kindness to ourselves. It does this by leaving us with a message we can reflect on rather than a nicely tied up pretty package of a book with a bow on it. The book is a powerful statement that we never know what others are experiencing in life, just as they do not know what struggles we have in ours, but we do not need to know anything about each other to be the light in someone else’s day. That’s always a choice we can make. For most of my childhood and adolescense I was like the main character, Maya, bullied and cast aside by my peers. The bright moments in that dark time for me were the classmates, teachers, librarians, and strangers who show me kindnesses great and small. They were for me what Maya needed and deserved and this book illuminates the significance of making the choice to be that for others, every moment, rather than to, like Chloe, regret having not shown up our best selves.
MOLLY’S CHOICE
Stargirl
by Jerry Spinelli
Best for Readers: Intermediary School / Middle School / Early High School
I remember reading this in middle school and thinking it was the coolest book ever! It’s pretty popular but still flies under the radar when it comes to book recs. It teaches readers about noncomfority and the importance of being yourself, despite what others think. This is a great book for kids transitioning from picture books to chapter books. Stargirl, the main character, is cool, the writing is cool, everything about this book is cool! It’s definitely one of those books that sticks with you.
JACKIE’S CHOICE
Every Monday Mabel
Authored and illustrated by Jashar Awan
Best for Readers: Pre-K – 3rd Grade
A Caldecott Honor Book, Every Monday Mabel tells the story of young Mable’s Monday morning habit of dragging her chair and breakfast outside for a view of the neighborhood trash pickup. A short and sweet testament to children’s awe and amazement for the mundane that older adults sometimes miss or take for granted.
BRAXTON’S CHOICE
The New Kid on the Block
Author: Jack Prelutsky Illustrator: James Stevenson
Best for Readers: Kindergarten – 5th Grade
This goofy poetry collection is right up there with Shel Silverstein, Dr. Seuss, and Roald Dahl as easy entries for kids into the world of poetry. I have fond memories of reading this near nightly for months as a kid with my Mom. While it definitely shows it’s age, it’s still a great option to expose younger children to poetry.
Clothes to Make You Smile: Patrick Kelly Designs His Dreams
Author: Eric Darnell Pritchard Illustrator: Shannon Wright
Best for Readers: Kindergarten – 3rd Grade
Earlier this year, our very own Dr Pritchard released a new children’s book telling the story of Patrick Kelly – one of fashion’s most influential Black designers – exploring how he worked through adversity and went from little Vicksburg, Mississippi to become one of the world’s top designers. You can purchase it here.
What are some of your favorite children’s books? Let us know on socials: you can find us on Instagram, Bluesky, Facebook, and LinkedIn.