100 books like Are We There Yet?

This book by Beth Ferry is great because it's a heartfelt story about unlikely friendship, compassion, and the warmth that can be found in the most unexpected places. The story of a lonely scarecrow who opens his heart to care for a vulnerable crow is deeply touching, showing how even the most seemingly unfeeling characters can have profound kindness.

The poetic text, combined with the stunning illustrations, creates a beautiful, emotional experience that resonates with readers of all ages. It’s a book that reminds us of the importance of empathy, the connections we share, and the simple yet powerful acts of love and care that can change lives.

I love this book by Kenard Pak because it perfectly captures the magic of seasonal change through a child's eyes. The gentle narrative and stunning illustrations create a sense of wonder as the young girl notices the subtle shifts in nature around her.

This book beautifully conveys the idea that each season has its own unique charm, teaching readers to embrace change and find beauty in every moment. The story feels like a quiet celebration of nature, making it a comforting and reflective read that resonates with both children and adults.

This is a sweet and simple tribute to the love between a mother and child. The familiar and beloved character of the Very Hungry Caterpillar adds a nostalgic touch, making the book feel warm and comforting. Eric Carle's vibrant illustrations, combined with the heartfelt message, perfectly capture the special bond between mothers and their children.

It’s a book that celebrates the small but meaningful ways in which mothers show their love, making it a perfect gift for Mother’s Day or any occasion that honors moms. The simplicity of the text, paired with Carle’s iconic artwork, creates a timeless and touching story that resonates with readers of all ages.

This book beautifully portrays the themes of family, resilience, and the value of hard work. The story follows a young girl, her mother, and her grandmother as they save coins to buy a new, comfortable chair for their home after a fire.

It captures the warmth and love of their close-knit family and the significance of working together towards a common goal. Vera B. Williams' vibrant illustrations and heartfelt narrative convey a sense of hope and determination, making it a touching reminder of the importance of family support and the joy found in even the simplest of comforts.

This book blended fantasy and science fiction in a way that caught me and didn’t let go. I appreciate the moral dilemma of: is it better to interfere and stop a wrong if the interference might cause an even greater wrong? I like to make decisions based on facts rather than emotion, but this book shows how both are needed in balance. And how even doing good comes at a cost—are we willing to pay the cost?

I was enthralled by this book. I didn’t want to leave its strange but familiar world. Lai slipstreams between a near-future dystopia and ancient origin stories.

This book made me question the common assumption that eating and reproduction are unrelated processes. I started wondering if I carried the smells of my mother’s diet on my skin like Lai’s protagonist, who smells like durian fruit.

When I finished this book, I knew I would read it several more times, and I have!

It is in Bergson's Time and Free Will that I first encountered an inspiring way to think of time. A way of thinking about time that does not focus on the time of clocks and calendars; that does not emphasize the physical homogeneous aspect of time, but rather reveals the relation between time and human existence. This book opened up not only an entirely new way of thinking about time, but a new way of approaching life: instead of focusing on the spatial, static, exterior, homogeneous milestones of life, I rather focus on the temporal, fleeting, inner, heterogeneous qualities of my life. Bergson writes in a relatively clear style, and his texts are accessible also for the interested layperson.

The haunting themes and mood of The Owl Service lodged themselves in my imagination when I first read it as a teenager and there they stay, decades later. I’ve returned to its mysterious and beguiling world several times since then, and on each occasion, the book has immediately woven its old spell around me. It is rich in Welsh magic as the past is played out against the backdrop of the present, and a hidden collection of plates decorated with what might be a pattern of owls becomes something far more potent and sinister. This is one of the books that first introduced me to the mysteries of landscape, the power of the past, and the enduring life of myths.

Edward Eager’s books were my inspiration when I started writing the President and Me series. I picked The Time Garden here because it specifically deals with the concept of time, but most of Eager’s books would fit the bill, including Half Magic. Eager’s books, published in the 1950s and ‘60s, feature kids who have magic adventures, often through time travel but are also grounded in their own present-day reality, with issues they have to cope with in between their escapades.

This book features Princess Ying Yue, a character who defies numerous conventions, including traditional gender norms and the expectation that royalty must prioritize duty over love. I adored the complex dynamic between Ying and her two princes; I really couldn’t predict which direction the love triangle would go from the outset. There were so many twists and turns, but everything came together in a satisfying end.

This book was so creepy, eerie, and unsettling, yet beautifully written and carefully crafted with a rare elegance. The worldbuilding completely enamored me, and the creepy Mirror World is something that I’ll be thinking about for a long time.