Why am I passionate about this?

I continue to find hope as a constant theme in my talks and my various media appearances. Hope is so integral to being able to fight for another day. When we can plant the seed of hope and perseverance in kids from a young age, by giving the gift of books that show them the true meaning of hope and aspirations, we give them a gift that carries them well through life.


I wrote

Someday Soon

By Ari Gunzburg,

Book cover of Someday Soon

What is my book about?

Someday Soon was written and published in the deep part of the coronavirus pandemic, to give hope to children in…

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The books I picked & why

Book cover of Oh, the Places You'll Go!

Ari Gunzburg Why did I love this book?

Dr. Seuss’s writing and illustrations are both real and surreal at the same time. Oh, The Places You’ll Go encompasses the hurdles and triumphs that life involves, yet it is hopeful and optimistic. This book inspires one to use his or her innate skills, strength, and wisdom and give it their all in order to get the best out of life. This is one of my all-time favorite books. I love how I’ve read this book at many stages of my life and it has always been applicable.

By Dr. Seuss (author & illustrator),

Why should I read it?

8 authors picked Oh, the Places You'll Go! as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Celebrate life's ups and downs in this exquisite slipcase and hardback edition of the bestselling Dr. Seuss classic!

Congratulations!
Today is your day.
You're off to Great Places!
You're off and away!

For more than thirty years, this Dr. Seuss classic has carried us through life's ups and downs - from fun times and triumphs, to lurches and slumps!

Take an entertaining look at the adventures life has in store for all of us in this very special slipcase and hardback edition of the beloved classic.

The perfect gift for every moment in life, from graduations, weddings and birthdays, to…


Book cover of The Giving Tree

Ari Gunzburg Why did I love this book?

The pure poetry of the story - not the words themselves, which are poetic as well, but the story - always hits me emotionally when I read this book, often evoking tears. In the book, The Giving Tree is completely selfless, giving all the time; even when it is not the best thing to do, and yet she gets nothing in return. The character of the Tree is a poignant view of human existence, elucidating how we are happiest when we give, and how we remain ever hopeful, despite all appearances. The Tree also evokes a warning of the dangers of giving selflessly with no care for oneself; we must only give that which we can afford to give, otherwise, we risk our own peril.

By Shel Silverstein,

Why should I read it?

5 authors picked The Giving Tree 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?

As recommended by Meghan Markle as the one book she can't wait to share with her child - the timeless fable about the gift of love

Once there was a little tree ... and she loved a little boy.

So begins the classic bestseller, beautifully written and illustrated by the gifted and versatile Shel Silverstein.

Every day the boy would come to the tree to eat her apples, swing from her branches, or slide down her trunk ... and the tree was happy. But as the boy grew older he began to want more from the tree, and the tree…


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Book cover of Totally Turtles!

Totally Turtles! By Ginjer L. Clarke,

Did you know that leatherback turtles can weigh up to 2,000 pounds? Or that the Florida softshell turtle can breathe through its snout and its skin? Turtles have been around for millions of years, and we’re still learning more about them!

With simple language and vivid photographs, Totally Turtles! is…

Book cover of The Little Engine That Could

Ari Gunzburg Why did I love this book?

This book was originally published in 1930 and also goes back a long way in my own life as well. I have fond memories of my father reading this story to me when I was young, acting out all the parts of the story, using different voices, and more. Despite being little and unassuming, the Little Blue Engine uses hope and belief to get over the mountain. Without belief in ourselves we often can’t even begin to try, but the Little Blue Engine chose to trust in himself and it paid off - big time. We can all use a little more belief in our own abilities to create massive change in our lives.

By Watty Piper,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked The Little Engine That Could as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

The classic story in a board book format

One of the true classics in children's books is now available in a sturdy board book edition perfect for little hands! The story has been slightly abridged and features the famous illustrations from the original Hauman edition. Now toddlers can cheer on the little blue engine and that "can-do" attitude that keeps her chugging along!


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

Ari Gunzburg Why did I love this book?

Okay, maybe this book isn’t as hopeful as some of the others on here, but it has two major things going for it. First, it is fun. Pure, laugh-out-loud fun, that children love and enjoy immensely. You’ll enjoy reading it to children as well. Second, it shows an admirable trait of persistence as Pigeon uses tact and wit to try to achieve what he wants – to drive the bus! The story goes on to show that even though persistence alone does not always get the outcome we want, there is still value in persevering. You can even discuss the book with your older kids, talking about ways to change some No’s to a Yes, such as taking driving lessons, or getting a license first. This positive trait of perseverance also shows how hopeful Pigeon remains the entire book that maybe now he’ll get to drive the bus.

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.


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Book cover of The City Sings Green & Other Poems About Welcoming Wildlife

The City Sings Green & Other Poems About Welcoming Wildlife By Erica Silverman, Ginnie Hsu (illustrator),

A unique and artful blend of poetry, science, and activism, this picture book shows how city dwellers can intervene so that nature can work her magic.

In Oslo, Norway: citizens create a honeybee highway that stretches from one side of the city to the other, offering flowerpots, resting spots, bee…

Book cover of Love You Forever

Ari Gunzburg Why did I love this book?

This story shows a mother’s unconditional love for her child, no matter how old they become. It’s the kind of love that is felt, appreciated, and reciprocated. The son in the story experiences this eternal love and gives it back to his mother when she reaches old age, up to and including at the time of her death. As a grown man, we see that he has felt and absorbed his mother’s message of love all along. The son then showers that same unconditional love, hope, and care to his young daughter. This book is almost pure hope; hope for a new generation, hope for a better tomorrow, hope for a loving family. While putting my kids to sleep, I coined a tune for the song in this book as well, and it quickly became an integral part of our bedtime songs each night.

By Robert Munsch, Sheila McGraw (illustrator),

Why should I read it?

4 authors picked Love You Forever as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

A young woman holds her newborn son And looks at him lovingly. Softly she sings to him: "I'll love you forever I'll like you for always As long as I'm living My baby you'll be." So begins the story that has touched the hearts of millions worldwide. Since publication in l986, Love You Forever has sold more than 15 million copies in paperback and the regular hardcover edition. AGES: 4 to 6 AUTHOR: Robert Munsch is the bestselling, widely celebrated author of more than 50 books for children. Love You Forever is his internationally bestselling book with over 30 million…


Explore my book 😀

Someday Soon

By Ari Gunzburg,

Book cover of Someday Soon

What is my book about?

Someday Soon was written and published in the deep part of the coronavirus pandemic, to give hope to children in those troubling times. In the very early days of the pandemic, everyone was scared and stayed in to save themselves and those around them. 

As we move past those early days in which everyone felt to be in mortal danger, with mass shutdowns occurring throughout the known world, many people see that Someday Soon is finally on the horizon. This book is a tool to open a discussion about those troubled times, or to remember what those times meant. Times when there was no school, no friends, no family, no trips to the store - when every part of our lives shut down.

Book cover of Oh, the Places You'll Go!
Book cover of The Giving Tree
Book cover of The Little Engine That Could

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