Picture Books Ages 3 to 8 - Gift Suggestions
Season's readings from our family to ours!
Looking for the perfect gift for a child on your list? The Lorain Public Library System staff recommends these titles.
“Hope in a Jar” by Deborah Marcero
Llewellyn the bunny and his friends dream of many things. Their dreams feel so precious that the bunnies place them in jars for safekeeping. But when a storm comes and destroys their collection of jars, Llewellyn and his friends wonder: what's the point of dreaming if everything could be lost?
“Don’t Trust Fish” by Neil Sharpson
Reasons to NEVER EVER trust a fish: they spend all their time in the water where we can’t see them, some are as big as a bus (that is not okay), we don't know what they're teaching in their "schools” …and they are likely plotting our doom.
“A Scrub in the Tub” by Jan Thomas
Rabbit and Weasel know their pal Pig needs a scrub in the tub. There’s just one problem: Pig does not like baths! He tries every alternative, but alas, the stink persists. With some help from his friends, can Pig open his mind to a bit of bath time fun?
“The Escape Artist: A True Story of Octopus Adventure” by Thor Hanson
Inky the octopus has only ever known his tank at the aquarium in New Zealand. Understimulated, he watches people and wonders where they go, until one day when the lock on his tank is left unlatched. Inky escapes, and he makes his way through a drainpipe and to the ocean.
“Summer is Here: A Bear and Mole Story” by Will Hillenbrand
Baseball-loving Mole is ready to play, and he’s swinging for the fences! It’s a swing and… a miss? Mole measures, wishes, grits his teeth and swings — still nothing! But with the gentle support of his friend Bear, lots of patience and a new pair of glasses, Mole is ready to play all summer long.
“Umami” by Jacob Grant
Umami is tired of eating cold fish. But fish is what the penguins eat. To find new exciting foods, Umami adventures across the sea and discovers flavors and spices that are inspiring! But will the other penguins share her love for these different foods?
“Earl and Worm: The Bad Idea and Other Stories” by Greg Pizzoli
Earl and Worm have been friends for a very, very long time, but their friendship had a rocky start. How will these very different neighbors become the very best of friends? With some sweet lemonade, the right shade of paint, an unfinished poem and, most of all, sharing a little bit about themselves.
“Not a Dog” by Claudia Guadalupe Martinez
A Mexican prairie dog may look like a dog, but it is actually part of the rodent family. Explore the life cycle of the Mexican prairie dog, the species' contribution to a healthy ecosystem and the ways farming has destroyed their habitat and made them an endangered species.
“Faith Takes the Train” by Kesi Augustine
Faith takes the train with her mother most days, and today she's eating one of Grandma's delicious sandwiches. Isaiah, who usually sings a song on their ride home, instead asks a question that quiets a busy train into awkward silence.
“Squirrel and Bird” by Laura Baker
Squirrel and Bird are the best of friends, but they're very different. This eye-opening, thought-provoking story encourages us to embrace the wonderful variety of traits that make us who we are and challenge the reductive labels others may place upon us.
“So Tortoise Dug” by Emmy Kastner
Tortoise and Mouse are best friends and best burrowmates. When their home gets flooded, however, it’s up to Tortoise to dig them a new place to live. And so she digs a room of her own and a room for Mouse. But where is Mouse?
“Ray: How Light Works” by Emily Kate Moon
Meet Ray. He's light! And he's been shining since time began. Wherever there's life on Earth, there's Ray, helping everything under the sun thrive. And Ray can move REALLY fast. Have you ever hurtled through space? Become a rainbow? Made food for plants? Ray has!
“Ablaze” by Jessica Lawson
Deanne knew she had to do her part in fighting the fires so she spent years on different crews. But what Deanne really wanted was to be a smokejumper, to jump from planes and parachute into dangerous wildfires that no truck could ever reach. The only problem? There had never been a female smokejumper before.
“Squash and Pumpkin: #SquashGoals” by G.G. McQueen
Acorn Squash is determined to step out of Pumpkin's trendy shadow and into the autumnal limelight. From a harvest festival booth to an unexpected partnership, everyone has something special to offer, and being someone's favorite can be the best feeling of all.
“Who’s Making All That NOISE?!” by Darrin Lunde
Animals make all sorts of sounds for all sorts of reasons! Can you guess the noisemaker from the noise? Featured animals include woodpecker, dolphin, quacking frog and so much more!
“A Monstrous Bedtime” by Kerilynn Wilson
But what if the monster under your bed can’t fall asleep? How do you help it? Join one little girl determined to help her monster with a special — monster-sized! — version of her nightly ritual.