The best picture books for early childhood educators

Why am I passionate about this?

I began my career as an assistant nursery school teacher when I graduated from college. My head teacher was my mentor. She knew how to engage children with her storytelling. She also managed to inspire children with an enthusiasm for learning. She challenged each child to develop his/her own individual skills. I loved the way she was able to connect with children, and for me, she was the ideal role model. Throughout my teaching career, I tried to connect with the children I taught. My goal was to reach every child, to stimulate their desire for learning, and to help them develop positive self-esteem in a nurturing environment.


I wrote...

In My Preschool, There is a Time for Everything

By Sylvia A. Rouss,

Book cover of In My Preschool, There is a Time for Everything

What is my book about?

New experiences can be scary, especially going to school for the first time. My newest book is inspired by the children from my classrooms. I took the verses of Ecclesiastes – the ones that inspired Pete Seeger’s song “Turn, Turn, Turn” – and transformed them into an engaging look at what kids can expect in preschool. In My Preschool, There is Time for Everything shows all the new and exciting activities a child can experience. They learn that there's a time to talk and listen, to play and be quiet, to walk and run, to be messy and clean, to be noisy and quiet, and more. Children can see that preschool isn’t scary, but a safe environment that provides an opportunity to explore, discover, and learn while making friends.

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The books I picked & why

Book cover of Where the Wild Things Are

Sylvia A. Rouss Why did I love this book?

This is the story of a little boy who feels misunderstood by his parents and imagines escaping to an island full of “wild things”. 

After he discovers that he is the “wildest thing” on the island he grows bored and returns home to a “hot supper”. The story is beautifully illustrated by the fanciful drawings of Sendak, while Max’s behavior and experiences are easily understood by children.

By Maurice Sendak,

Why should I read it?

14 authors picked Where the Wild Things Are as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 4, 5, 6, and 7.

What is this book about?

Read-along with the story in this book and CD edition!

One night Max puts on his wolf suit and makes mischief of one kind and another, so his mother calls him 'Wild Thing' and sends him to bed without his supper.

That night a forest begins to grow in Max's room and an ocean rushes by with a boat to take Max to the place where the wild things are. Max tames the wild things and crowns himself as their king, and then the wild rumpus begins.

But when Max has sent the monsters to bed, and everything is quiet,…


Book cover of How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight?

Sylvia A. Rouss Why did I love this book?

This is a favorite of mine and my students.

Every preschool child loves dinosaurs, and nothing is more exciting and fun than a dinosaur baby saying, “good night”! Laughter abounds when the silly dinosaur says things just like the children hearing the book say when they have to go to bed. The rhymes have a charming flow that keeps the attention of young listeners.

By Jane Yolen, Mark Teague (illustrator),

Why should I read it?

1 author picked How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight? as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 4, 5, 6, and 7.

What is this book about?

A playful peek into the homes of dinosaur babies and their parents at bedtime!How do dinosaurs say good night?Brimming with humor and familiar good-night antics, here is a playful peek into the homes of dinosaur children and their parents at bedtime. Perfect for sharing and reading aloud, this is one nighttime book your own little dinosaur will want to read again and again.


Book cover of Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?

Sylvia A. Rouss Why did I love this book?

The rhyming, almost musical, text is easily memorized by students who delight at repeating and repeating the story. 

Eric Carle’s illustrations are engaging and colorful. I like the book because I am able to see the joy on the children’s faces when they join me in “reading” the story.

By Bill Martin Jr., Eric Carle (illustrator),

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 2, 3, 4, and 5.

What is this book about?

OVER 175 MILLION ERIC CARLE BOOKS SOLD WORLDWIDE

A much-loved classic, illustrated by the creator of The Very Hungry Caterpillar

Vibrant artwork and favourite animals make this rhythmic story the perfect introduction to learning about colours. Each spread leads seamlessly into the next and young children will delight in Eric's colourful collage animals and simple repetitive language.

Discover more books by Bill Martin Jr and Eric Carle:

Panda Bear, Panda Bear, What Do You See?

Baby Bear, Baby Bear, What Do You See?

Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear?


Book cover of Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!

Sylvia A. Rouss Why did I love this book?

Can a Pigeon drive a bus? The bus driver asks the “readers” to say “No”. But the Pigeon keeps trying.

It’s a fun easy read, and the whimsical illustrations make the book memorable for children and help cue the listener's part. I especially like the book because the responsive “No” fully engages children in the story.

By Mo Willems,

Why should I read it?

4 authors picked Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 3, 4, 5, and 6.

What is this book about?

When the bus driver decides to take a break from driving, a wild and wacky pigeon pleads and begs to take his place, in a hilarious picture book that perfectly captures a preschooler's temper tantrum.


Book cover of Good Night with The Very Hungry Caterpillar

Sylvia A. Rouss Why did I love this book?

The story, a favorite of both children and parents, focuses on the metamorphosis of a caterpillar into a butterfly.

Both at home and in the classroom, the book lends itself to so many arts and crafts activities that the story continues to grow and evolve. 

By Eric Carle,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Good Night with The Very Hungry Caterpillar as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 2, 3, 4, and 5.

What is this book about?

Christmas is. . . sharing with others . . . giving gifts with love . . . enjoying the magic of the season

Join The Very Hungry Caterpillar for a celebration of Christmas and all the ways to wish the ones you love a Very Merry Christmas.

This delightful board book features Eric Carle's bright and distinctive artwork from sparkling stars and snowy scenes - and you can spot The Very Hungry Caterpillar on every page.

With it's festive artwork and gentle rhyming text, this is the perfect gift for Christmas!


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A Whale of a Tale: A Sabbath Summer Solstice Story

By Kerry M. Olitzky,

Book cover of A Whale of a Tale: A Sabbath Summer Solstice Story

Kerry M. Olitzky Author Of Heroes with Chutzpah: 101 True Tales of Jewish Trailblazers, Changemakers & Rebels

New book alert!

Why am I passionate about this?

Author Rabbi Academic Practitioner Educator

Kerry's 3 favorite reads in 2023

What is my book about?

This is a picture book created to help children learn how to determine Shabbat, the Jewish Sabbath, in countries where the summer sun remains high in the sky.

Tova travels with her mother to Alaska during the summer solstice. In the Land of the Midnight Sun, she is uncertain how to tell time because the sun never rises or sets. Tova wonders how she will know when the Sabbath begins or ends. Eventually, she talks to a wise orca. The whale shares her secret to understanding time with a circular sun and reminds Tova of the magic of Shabbat is more than telling time.

A Whale of a Tale: A Sabbath Summer Solstice Story

By Kerry M. Olitzky,

What is this book about?

A Whale of a Tale: A Sabbath Summer Solstice Story is a picture book created to help children learn how to determine Shabbat, the Jewish Sabbath, in countries where the summer sun remains high in the sky. Tova travels with her mother to Alaska during the summer solstice. In the Land of the Midnight Sun, she is uncertain how to tell time because the sun never rises or sets. Tova wonders how she will know when Sabbath begins or ends. Eventually, she talks to a wise orca. The whale shares her secret to understanding time with a circular sun and…


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