Growing Book by Book

Books About Eggs For Kids

Jodie Rodriguez — Sun, 08 Mar 2026 15:37:44 +0000

Which came first- the chicken or the egg? Well, I did create a chicken book list first so I guess we’ll go with that. But, today I have books about eggs for kids for you to enjoy reading aloud to the children in your life.

Egg Board Books

Full Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.

Where Are the Eggs? by Grace Lin invites us to walk around and look behind, in the middle, and next to things to locate the eggs.

Egg, Egg, Egg! by Sarah Finan celebrates the variety of way to eat eggs- scrambled, fried, poached… How do you like them?

Picture Books About Eggs

Egg by Kevin Henkes seems like a simple book but it is full of things to notice. Three eggs hatch and one doesn’t. What will the birds discover about the green egg.

How to Hatch: A Gosling’s Guide to Breaking Free by Sara Holly Ackerman is an informational book about the hatching of a gosling told in a funny and engaging way.

Eggs From Red Hen Farm: Farm to Table with Mazes and Maps by Monica Wellington invites readers right into the book. ⁣Many of the page spreads have a map/maze the students can use their fingers to maneuver around based on the text. ⁣Help Ned and Ruby get the eggs from the farm into the hands of people who can use them.

Speaking of birds, enjoy the beautiful wordless book,Nesting by Henry Cole. Get up close and personal with the beautiful robin blue eggs.

An Egg is Quiet by Dianna Aston explores all the eggs that appear in nature. How many colors of eggs do you think there are? Who lays eggs? What sizes do them come in. Take a nature walk and see in the pages of this book.

Shake a Leg, Egg! by Kurt Cyrus is the story of the one last goose egg that is slow to hatch. We get a close-up and birds-eye-view of the highly anticipated scene.

The Good Egg by Jory John is book two in the Food Group Series. Our Good Egg has trouble staying good under all the pressure around it. It really can be tiring always trying to be perfect especially in an imperfect world. We all need a little balance.

The Donkey Egg by Janet Stevens and Susan Stevens Crummel is the story of bear tending to a donkey egg. Say what? Look closely and you’ll see that the egg is very green and fruity. But, it does end up bearing a donkey and another sweet reward.

Peg’s Egg by Jo Renfro would pair nicely with the book above. This time we have another egg want to be that isn’t what it appears. Cue the giggles.

The farm has been invited to Eggday. Will goat, horse, pig, or chicken have the best decorated egg? Nope, duck wins with a real life surprise. Check out Eggday by Joyce Dunbar.

Humpty Dumpty has to face his fears and overcome them in After the Fall by Dan Santat.

Easter Egg Books

The Great Easter Egg Hunt by Rachel Piercey will keep young children busy looking for eggs in the detailed beautiful pictures.

Forget Christmas tree farms. How about Easter egg farms? That’s exactly what happens in The Easter Egg Farm by Mary Jane Auch.

Bentley & Egg by William Joyce follows a frog who is in charge of watching a duck egg. He decides that the white egg is boring and colorfully decorates it. Well, it is mistaken for an Easter egg and the adventure begins.

Get ready to make some decorated eggs in The Easter Bunny’s Assistant by Jan Thomas. And, wait until you meet the assistant!

Printable Book List of Egg Books

Grab a printable list you can download and take to the library.

RELATED RESOURCES

Egg Sound Mat

Literacy Activities to Do With Plastic Eggs

The post Books About Eggs For Kids appeared first on Growing Book by Book.

Read-Alouds for March Holidays

Jodie Rodriguez — Tue, 24 Feb 2026 19:10:00 +0000

Celebrate and honor different holidays of the year from the well-known holidays to the odd, funny, and wacky holidays. Try these read-alouds for March holidays. Read a book a day with the children in your life.

March Holidays with a Book a Day

Full Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.

March 1st: National Pig Day

Huff & Puff by Claudia Rueda is an interactive variation perfect for engaging young children. The students get to actually blow through the holes on the pages.

For more Three Little Pigs variations, check out this big list.—>Three Little Pigs Variations

March 2nd: International Rescue Cat Day

Ethan and the Strays by John Sullivan is the story of two brothers who befriend some stray cats in their neighborhood. After seeing a sign encouraging “catch, neuter, release,” they help out. And in the end, Ethan even gets to adopt one of the cats he’s grown close to.

March 3rd: National I Want You to Be Happy Day

Layla’s Happiness by Maria Hadessa Ekere Tallie will warm you and send sensations of happiness through your veins as you see the simple things in life that make 7-year-old Layla happy.

March 4th: National Grammar Day

A clever story that also helps kids understand how punctuation works. This is a fun one to act out or to do as reader’s theater. Semicolons, Cupcakes, and Cucumbers by Steve Newberry is a great book to add to your elementary classroom and use during writer’s workshop.

March 5th: National Potty Dance Day

Goldilocks and the Just Right Potty by Leigh Hodgkinson is a silly tale about a little girl looking for that just right potty. Then, she has to find that just right time when she needs to go potty. My older kids even thought this was pretty funny.

March 6th: National Dentist’s Day

Take the anxiety out of going to the dentist with ABC Dentist by Harriet Ziefert. Each letter highlights a different experience from A for appointment to S for saliva. A vocabulary-rich pick.

March 7th: National Cereal Day

Ketchup on Your Cornflakes? by Nick Sharratt is a fun interactive read. It’s a mix and match book so the kids can create lots of funny combos such as, “Do you like toothpaste in your bed?”

A fun project to do today would be to take a an empty cereal box, cut out the front and back to make book covers, add blank pages between, bind, and you have your own blank book.

March 8th: International Women’s Day

Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History by Vashti Harrison gives a glimpse of 40 different amazing women who have impacted our lives. This is a neat one where you can read about a different woman each day throughout the month.

Read more throughout Women’s History Month in March.—>Books Celebrating Women’s History Month

March 9th: National Meatball Day

Imagine food raining from the sky. That is what happens in Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs by Judi Barrett.

March 10th: National Pack Your Lunch Today

Hopefully, you can find this one at your library because I believe it’s out of print. Monster’s Lunch Box by Marc Brown is exactly what you would expect monsters might eat for lunch from spider Jell-O to a ball of belly button lint. Get ready for the giggles, snorts, and groans with this one.

March 11th: Dream Day

Dream of a better world. Think peace in The Peace Book by Todd Parr. Fill the world with friendship, caring, and acceptance.

March 12th: National Plant a Flower Day

From the crocuses that blossom announcing to spring to the tulips that blaze with bursts of color, celebrate all the flowers in A Season of Flowers by Michael Garland.

March 13th: National K9 Veterans Day

Dogs can be amazing companions even during a time of war. Stubby : A True Story of Friendship by Michael Foreman is a story of a dog who served in WWl who sniffed out danger and was loyal to soldiers.

March 14th: Learn About Butterflies Day

Señorita Mariposa by Ben Gundersheimer is a sing-along bilingual book about the yearly migration of the Monarch butterfly.

Keep reading about butterflies.—>Books About Butterflies

March 15th: National Shoe the World Day

When a kind and resourceful shoe man repairs old shoes, he makes sure that rich and poor can get shoes in Shoebox Sam by Mary Brigid Barrett.

March 16th: Panda Day

Xander is throwing a party in Xander’s Panda Party by Linda Sue Park and the guest list keeps growing and growing.

March 17th: St. Patrick’s Day

Green Shamrocks by Eve Bunting is the story of a rabbit who plants shamrock seeds in hopes of having enough to create a necklace to wear to the St. Patrick’s Day parade. But, then his pot of shamrocks disappears. Can he find them in time?

March 18th: Global Recycling Day

One Plastic Bag by Isatou Ceesay is the story of how a group of women took a problem of too much trash and turn it into an art that became a money maker.

Read more books about recycling.—>Recycling Books for Kids

March 19th: Let’s Laugh Day

Warning…Crash, Splash, Moo! by Bob Shea is not the one to read if you are trying to quiet the kids. This is one that will stir all their sillies. This is one that will make them laugh. This is one that will make them say, “Read it again!” It is game show meets book and your kids get to be the contestants.

Keep laughing with these read-alouds.—>Silly Books for Kids

March 20th: First Day of Spring and The Very Hungry Caterpillar Day

Abracadabra, It’s Spring! by Anne Sibley O’Brien ushers in all that signals spring. It’s almost magical how things change in the spring.

Keep reading about the new season.—>Books About Spring

March 20th also happens to be The Very Hungry Caterpillar Day. Enjoy the book and all these awesome literacy activities I have to go with the book too.—->Very Hungry Caterpillar Activities

March 21st: National Countdown Day

Determined chickens are about to break out of the pen. Count along as they do so in Chicken Break!: A Counting Story by Cate Berry. But, just as soon as they break, they have to get back home for another kind of break.
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This is a fun one for counting to ten and back down again. You can also use it for rhyming and talking about the multiple meanings of “break.” Makes a perfect circle-time read-aloud pick.

March 22nd: World Water Day

One Well The Story of Water on Earth by Rochelle Strauss takes readers on a fascinating look into the water on our planet.

March 23rd: National Puppy Day

We all know that puppies can be a lot of work and get into lots of mischief. We find ourselves calling the puppy a lot and that’s what is highlighted in Please, Puppy, Please by Spike Lee and Tonya Lewis Lee.

March 24th: National Chocolate Covered Raisins Day

It’s always so fascinating to think about the people and places behind where our food comes from. Travel to the Ivory Coast in Grandpa Cacao: A Tale of Chocolate From Farm to Family by Elizabeth Zunon. A father tells his daughter about her grandfather and his work of harvesting the cacao as a farmer. Eating chocolate-covered raisins while reading is optional.

March 25th: International Waffle Day

Baron Van Waffle is lounging in his Onion Ring Cave in Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast in the Stinky Stench by Josh Funk. Can help the fridge mates discover what is causing such a stink? No, he has no idea. But a little sleuthing by the others help uncover the odor.

March 26th: Wear a Hat Day

Twelve Hats for Lena by Karen Katz walks us through the months of the year as Lena makes a new hat for each month. We also learn about the symbols associated with each month. I think the kids would like to make their own sets of hats after being inspired by this book.

March 27th: International Scribble Day

Never Let a Unicorn Scribble by Dian Albers is the story of a unicorn who eats crayons even though her owner pleads with her to scribble with them. So, the child ties a wad of crayons to her horn and well that horn did something pretty magical with them.

March 28th: National Weed Appreciation Day

A poetry book to enjoy about flowers is Moving Words About a Flower by K. C. Hayes. Some consider a dandelion a weed but it’s probably one of the most picked flowers by little ones! Learn about how the seeds of a dandelion travel in these concrete poems..

March 29th: Mermaid Day

The Mermaid with No Tail by Jessica Long is the story of a mermaid with no tail. Even though she is made fun of for not having a tail, she decides to compete in the Mermaid Games. With the support of her adoptive parents, friends, and coach she trains and wins.

March 30th: Doctors’ Day

Masked Hero: How Wu Lien-teh Invented the Mas that Ended an Epidemic by Dr. Shan Woo Liu and Kaili Liu Gormley takes us to the person who invented the first version of the N95 mask in 1910 during a plague.

March 31st: National Crayon Day

When you think colors, you think crayons. Learn all about the inventor of the Crayola crayon in The Crayon Man by Natascha Biebow.

Printable List of March Holiday Books

Grab a printable list of the books to enjoy with the kids.

Enjoy sharing books with children this March.

The post Read-Alouds for March Holidays appeared first on Growing Book by Book.

Books to Enjoy for Hat Day at School

Jodie Rodriguez — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 11:57:00 +0000

Are you a hat person? Hats can say a lot about person from causes or teams they support to hats worn for religious significance. And, sometimes hats are worn for fun such as on crazy hat days at school. Let’s read books to enjoy for hat day at school or any day of the year.

Hat Day Books for Toddlers

Full Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.

My son’s favorite book of his early years was Blue Hat, Green Hat. I love the humor in the story. This one also helps with recognizing colors.

Hats of Faith by Medeia Cohan is a simple board book that identifies different headdresses worn for religious reasons.

Cats in Construction Hats Sudipta Bardhan-Qualle is filled with colorful cats in colorful hats using construction equipment to build a house. Also check out Cats in Conductor Hats. (releasing June 2026)

Hat Day Picture Books

We all think we know what a hat is. But, this book challenges you to think outside the box.⁣
⁣Hats are really everywhere you look.⁣
-Bubbles make great bath time hats.⁣
-Some jobs require certain hats.⁣
-Clouds can airplane hats.⁣
⁣A fun and playful read-aloud that will engage kids and have them looking for all those less obvious hats.⁣ Enjoy Very Good Hats by Emma Straub.

Mac Wears a Hat by Vicki Johnson is the story of how empowering a child feels when hats are worn. There are even directions for making your own paper hat in the back of the book. (releasing April 2026)

Tiara’s mom is a very talented hat maker. But, a new hat store is on the block and Momma’s studio business dries up. Tiara launches a plan to showcase Momma’s hats again in Tiara’s Hat Parade by Kelly Starling Lyons.

We all want our kids to love themselves. Old Hat by Emily Gravett is a sweet story of a dog in search of the perfect hat. But when he acquires the newest and best hat, his friends make fun and say it’s an old and out of style. He just can’t keep up with the newest trends. Disgusted, Harbet decides to ditch the hats and just be himself and soon everyone wants to be just like him.

I Want My Hat Back by Jon Klassen is an award winning book about a bear in search of its missing hat. Watch the illustrations closely as the bear searches and asks over and over for his hat back.

Hooray for Hat! by Brian Won takes us on a journey of cheering up friends with a parade of hats. This is a fun one to celebrate hat day at school.

The Hat by Jan Brett is a companion book to the class, The Mitten. A stocking becomes a hat on a hedgehog causing quite the scene amongst the animals.

Hat Day Beginning Reader Books

In The Favorite Hat: Ready-to-Read Level 1 Ariel Bernstein, Olive and Oscar discover that a hat can be a multipurpose tool.

Printable Book List About Hats

Grab this list to take to the library.

RELATED POSTS

Clothing Books for Preschoolers

The Mitten Book Activities

The Jacket I Wear in the Snow Book Activities

The post Books to Enjoy for Hat Day at School appeared first on Growing Book by Book.

Read-Alouds for February Holidays

Jodie Rodriguez — Mon, 26 Jan 2026 01:56:27 +0000

We continue our series of posts celebrating and honoring different holidays of the year from the well-known holidays to the odd, funny, and wacky holidays. Try these read-alouds for the February holidays. Enjoy reading a book a day with the children in your life.

Books for Kids About February Holidays

Full Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.

February 1st: World Hijab Day

Hana’s Hundreds of Hijabs by Razeena Omar Gutta is the story of a young girl who loves hijabs and accessories. But, her collection is overflowing and she needs a fashionable plan to deal with it.

February 2nd: Groundhog Day

It’s Groundhog Day and Brownie steps outside to see her shadow. Disappointed she travels on when a fox pounces right on her. Brownie convinces the fox that he’ll have to wait for a meal. Together they continue on looking for signs of spring all the while teaching the fox not to eat her for a snack. Read Brownie Groundhog and the February Fox by Susan Blackaby.

And, read even more books to celebrate the day.—> Groundhog Day Books

February 3rd: American Painters Day

I’ll admit I wasn’t familiar with Horace Pippin until I read A Splash of Red: The Life and Art of Horace Pippin by Jen Bryant. That’s the great thing about children’s books. Even adults can learn from great picture books. Meet an incredible artist who overcame obstacles and pursued his talent.

February 4th: Thank a Mail Carrier Day

Good-bye Curtis by Kevin Henkes will inspire you to write a thank-you note to your mail carrier.

February 5th: National Monarch Day

Winged Wonders: Solving the Monarch Migration Mystery by Meeg Pincus uncovers the mystery that was solved in 1976 about where the monarch butterflies go each year.

February 6th: Pay a Compliment Day

Pass it On by Sophy Henn is a beautiful message to share kindness all around from a smile to a laugh.

February 7th: National Periodic Table Day

What words or images come to mind when you think of the color purple? Did you know that purple was pretty hard and smelly to create until 1856? That’s when William Henry Perkin accidentally invented a new way. Read all about him and the chemistry behind purple in Perkin’s Perfect Purple by Tami Lewis Brown and Debbie Loren Dunn.

February 8th: Opera Day

The Story Orchestra The Magic Flute illustrated by Jessica Courtney-Tickle takes Mozart’s opera and melds story, music, and illustrations into a beautiful book. As you read, press buttons to hear sounds from different acts.

February 9th: National Pizza Day

How to Eat Pizza by Jon Burgerman starts out with a slice of pizza asking the question, “How do you eat pizza?” and that leads to first picking the right slice. Perhaps you like chili flakes or basil on your piece. But, when “the” slice of pizza determines we are about to eat him, he tries to sway us to try another slice. My kids were totally amused by the “crusty bottom” pages.

Keep reading.—>More Pizza Books for Kids

February 10th: National Umbrella Day

The Big Umbrella by Amy June Bates and Juniper Bates seems like a very simple story, but when you let it soak in there is a great message about inclusion and the fact that there is room for everyone no matter size, race, or preference.

February 11th: International Day of Women and Girls in Science

Shark Lady: The True Story of How Eugenie Clark Became the Ocean’s Most Fearless Scientist by Jess Keating takes you deep into the sea to study those feared creatures-sharks. Well, Eugenie Clark wouldn’t say they needed to be feared.

February 12th: National Lost Penny Day

A Penny’s Worth by Kimberly Wilson is a clever treat. Penny feels great coming off the minting press. But, soon she discovers that the bigger denominations are the ones who get all the love. Does Penny have a place in the world? Full of puns and a quick primer on basic coin values.

February 13th: National Apology Day

A sincere apology has different parts. Learn all about apologizing in How to Apologize by David LaRochelle.

February 14th: Valentine’s Day

My Creepy Valentine by Arthur Howard is the story of Mitzi the Witch and her quest to create the perfect valentine for someone special. She definitely has a way with words that will have the kids giggling. And, of course, there is a sweet ending.

Keep celebrating the day.—>Valentine Books and Activities

February 15th: National Hippo Day

Who knew that learning about hippos could be so fascinating. But, Hippos are Huge! by Jonathan London will captivate your group of preschoolers. It’s packed with interesting facts, danger, and huge everything.

February 16th: National Almond Day

So we aren’t reading specifically about almonds today. But, we are going with the nut theme.

Norman and Bella are craving donuts. In fact, they can smell them in the air. But, they have to figure out how to outsmart a donut food truck baker first in order to get some in ⁣ Donut Feed the Squirrels. Turns out they create a sensational new donut flavor in the process in Donut Feed the Squirrels by Mika Song.⁣

February 17th: Random Acts of Kindness Day

Every Little Kindness by Marta Bartolj is the a look at the chain reaction one small act of kindness can have on the world.

Keep the kindness going.—> Books About Kindness

February 18th: Pluto Day

How do you think Pluto felt getting that call that it wasn’t a planet anymore?⁣ Well, Adam Rex, has some ideas in this fun and informative read-aloud.⁣ The kids will be giggling and soaking up lots of solar system information as they enjoy the text and playful illustrations in Pluto Gets the Call.

February 19th: National Dance Day

Waltz of the Snowflakes by Elly Mackay takes us along on a first outing to the ballet and theater to see The Nutcracker for the first time. There is an interesting play with color in the illustrations.

February 20th: National Muffin Day

If You Give a Moose a Muffin is part of a very fun series by Laura Numeroff. When a moose comes to visit, you will have to give him a muffin. And of course, if you give him a muffin, he will want some jam to go with it. One thing will remind him of another until eventually, we circle back to him wanting a muffin again at the end of the story.

Of course, you need to make these yummy hot chocolate muffins too.—>If You Give a Moose a Muffin Recipe

February 21st: Language Day

My First Book of Korean Words: An ABC Rhyming Book of Korean Language and Culture is a series of seven books. You can also check out the Filipino, Japanese, Chinese, and more books.

February 22nd: National Cook a Sweet Potato Day

Strong family ties and creative problem-solving are in store when you enjoy Sweet Potato Pie by Kathleen Lindsey.

Sadie’s family is faced with a drought. Sweet potatoes are the only crop that can be saved. With money being tight, the family comes up with the idea to turn those sweet potatoes into sweet potato pies and sell them at the Harvest Celebration.⁣
⁣
It takes a lot of hard work to pull off the pie-making process. All hands are on deck.⁣
⁣
Best of all…there is a recipe for sweet potato pie including a homemade flaky crust in the back of the book.⁣

February 23rd: Play Tennis Day

Names that immediately come to mind when you think tennis! Check out Game Changers: The Story of Venus and Serena Williams by Lesa Cline-Ransome.

February 24th: National Tortilla Chip Day

Run through the desert in The Runaway Tortilla by Eric A. Kimmel. Check out Kimmel’s other book variations for tales too. We love his Three Little Tamales. Along the same lines of the Runaway Tortilla, try Senorita Gordita by Helen Ketteman.

February 25th: Quiet Day

Listen… it’s something I think we can all do more of with each other.⁣ Listen by Gabi Snyder challenges us to not just listen to all that is going on around us, but listen to what is going on inside of each of us too.⁣

February 26th: National Tell a Fairy Tale Day

Frederico is on his way to visit his Abuelo when he runs into a hungry wolf Federico and the Wolf by Rebecca J. Gomez. Of course, he outwits him and celebrates with a yummy treat with his Abuelo in the end. This story is an American-Mexican variation of Little Red Riding Hood. And, it’s a delight to read. Plus, you can follow the recipe for pico de gallo.

February 27th: National Strawberry Day

I LOVE Strawberries! by Shannon Anderson is diary-style book will inspire you to plant your own strawberry patch this spring.

February 28th: National Tooth Fairy Day

How to Trick the Tooth Fairy by Erin Danielle Russell is full of mischief. The tooth fairy meets a cunning little girl named Kaylee who loves to pull pranks. The two try to outwit each other until they eventually become great friends.

Printable List of February Holiday Books

Grab a printable list of the books to enjoy with the kids.

Enjoy reading with the kids this February.

And, get ready to read in March too.—> March Read-Alouds

*This post first appeared 1/24/22 and has since been updated.

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I’m Hungry!/¡Tengo Hambre! Book Activities

Jodie Rodriguez — Sat, 24 Jan 2026 15:00:14 +0000

I do enjoy when you suggest a book for me to create book activities for and today is one of those days. Today I bring you early literacy activities to use with I’m Hungry ¡Tengo Hambre! by Angela Dominguez.

I’m Hungry ¡Tengo Hambre! Book

Full Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.

A little blue bird encounters a feeling down dinosaur and tries to get to the bottom of what is troubling the dino. The dinosaur replies that it is “¡Tengo hambre!” and the blue bird asks many questions of what it might like to eat. But, in the end that just right food that will hit the spot is discovered- cookies.

This book is told in English by the blue bird and Spanish by the dinosaur.

Book Activities for I’m Hungry! ¡Tengo Hambre!

Activity One: Counting Cookies in English and Spanish

Before reading, ask the kids what they notice on the front cover. The dinosaur is holding a slice of pizza. As the kids if they think the dinosaur might want to eat it. Then turn to the front set of endpapers. What do the kids notice.There are lots of whole cookies. You can even count them with the kids. Ask the kids why they think there are so many cookies.

After reading, show the kids back endpapers. Compare them with the front endpapers.

Now, let’s practice some hands on cookie counting. Each child will need a set of colored cookies (see printable below). Practice counting in the cookies in English and Spanish from 1-5.

1/Uno, 2/Dos, 3/Tres, 4/Quarto, 5/Diez

Here’s a little poem/chant to use with the cookies too. This will help to practice color recognition and counting.

Five Little Cookies
Five little cookies with frosting galore.
_____ (insert the name of a child or faculty member) ate the orange one, then there were (pause here and have the kids figure out the answer)four.

Four little cookies with sprinkles for me.
_________ ate the yellow one, then there three.

Three little cookies, but before I knew,
______at the blue one, then there were two.

Two Little Cookies, oh, what fun.
_____ ate the green one, then there was one.

One little cookie, watch me run.
I ate the pink one, then there were none.

Activity Two: Retelling of I’m Hungry! and Building Vocabulary

Use the words cards (see download below) to sequence and retell the story. The cards can also be used to work on vocabulary. The English and Spanish words are printed on the cards.

Download the Printables for I’m Hungry! ¡Tengo Hambre!

The printables for the activities are a thank you gift for becoming a free member of the Growing Book by Book community. Click the purple button to have the printables emailed to you.

2026 Reading Challenge for Families and Classrooms

Jodie Rodriguez — Fri, 02 Jan 2026 02:47:23 +0000

I love a good attainable challenge especially when it comes to reading. Last year I wanted to read a Christmas themed book each month of the year to keep that magical season alive all year long. In 2025, I created a Reading Bingo card for you and I’m excited to share a new reading challenge with you for 2026.

I was listening to Anne Bogel’s podcast, What Should I Read Next? when a listener shared a reading challenge she was planning for the new year. She plans on reading 26 books- one for each letter of the alphabet. And, I thought it would be a perfect challenge for kids, families, and classrooms.

2026 Reading Challenge

Full Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.

How the Challenge Works

In 2026, read 26 books (one for each letter of the alphabet) and track your progress. Here are a couple ways you could approach it.

Read a book a day for a total of 26 days.
Read a book a week for a total of 26 weeks which would take you half way through the year.
Make it a year long challenge and read 2-3 books a month.

Which Books Do I Pick to Read

There is flexibility here too.

Read a book published from 2024-2026 that begins with each letter of the alphabet. I have a list for you below.
Read a book from any year that begins with each letter of the alphabet. Sign up for the free Reading Challenge Newsletter and I’ll be sending out ideas throughout the year.
Read a book by a different author whose last name begins with each letter of the alphabet. Again, make sure you are the special Reading Challenge Newsletter list to get those ideas too.

How Do I Track Our Progress

I have a special tracking form you can use to help you keep on track and to celebrate your hard work. That sheet is available below too.

Are There Prizes?

Every fun challenge has a reward. When you finish the challenge, you can enter the Growing Book by Book giveaway of a fun prize book package.

You can also have mini award prizes for your kids. Here are some ideas.

Read 5 books and have a special snack or lunch such as alphabet crackers or cookies, alphabet soup, or a food for each letter that you’ve read (a for apples, b for burgers, and c for cookies).
Read 10 books and head to the bookstore for a new book pick based on your next letter to read.

26 Reads from A to Z

Alphabedtime! by Susanna Leonard Hill
Buzz! Boom! Bang! by Benjamin Gottwald
Cranky, Crabby Crow by Corey R. Tabor
Downpour! by Yuko Ohnari

Echo by Adam Rex
Fireworks by Matthew Burgess
Goldfinches by Mary Oliver
Hogbert by Briony May Smith
Imogen: The Life and Work of Imogen Cunningham by Elizabeth Partridge

Junia, The Book Mule of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson
Kittybunkport by Scott Rothman or Kende! Kende! Kende! by Kristen Cappy
Loops by Jashar Awan
Mistaco! by Eliza Kinkz
Nightsong by Sally Soweol Han

Oh, Carrots! by Mariajo Ilustrajo
Papilio by Andy Chou Musser, Ben Clanton, and Corey R. Tabor
Quill The Forest Keeper by Marije Tolman
Rising by Sadura Ludwig
Stalactite & Stalagmite by Drew Beckmeyer

Toes, Teeth, and Tentacles: A Curious Counting Book by Steve Jenkins & Robin Page
Umami by Jacob Grant
Volcano by Claire Saxby
While We Wait by Bee Johnson

Xolo by Donna Barba Higuera
You’re So Amazing by James Catchpole
Zero! The Number That Almost Wasn’t by Sarah Albee

Printable 2026 Reading Challenge A-Z Resources

Grab a tracking sheet and printable book list. They are thank you gifts for joining the free 2026 Reading Challenge A-Z newsletter. Click the purple button below.

365 Books to Enjoy for all the Wacky Holidays

2026 Family Dinner Book Club

The post 2026 Reading Challenge for Families and Classrooms appeared first on Growing Book by Book.

Free Printable Reading Log and Planner

Jodie Rodriguez — Tue, 30 Dec 2025 16:43:45 +0000

I’m sharing a free printable reading log and planner to help you organize all the books for kids that you want to read in the new year.

Have you ever had a friend tell you about the greatest book they just read to their kids and you think I need to remember that title? Then, you forget. Happens to me quite often.

Did you ever dream of documenting all the great read-alouds you share with your class or for families who read with their kids? Maybe the first 100 books your child ever heard or the first books he read on his own? Me too.

Would you like to set reading goals for your child, family, or class and actually remember the ones you set when it’s July? Yep, been there.

I’ve got you covered.

Yep, I’ve created your dream printable reading log and planner. And, get this… It’s FREE for YOU for being a newsletter subscriber. Think of it as my little gift to help you read more with the kids.

So, let me tell you what you’ll find in the free download.

Reading Goals– a place to set goals for the week, month, quarter or year
Books to Read– jot down all those books that are recommended to you or you read about on blogs
Books To Be Read– must-read books that you don’t want to forget about for the future
Books to Read Again– a list for all those books that were so good that you want to remember to read them again
Our Reading Streak– challenge yourselves to see what your longest reading streak will be
Quotes to Remember– a place for all those little gems that speak to you
Book Logs– 5 different types of book logs to keep for children of different ages
Family Dinner Book Club– track the books you will read for your very own monthly Family Dinner Book Clubs
Cookies and Bookies– enjoy a new monthly ritual of eating cookies and sharing books with our Cookies and Bookies project
Summer Reading Challenge– a summer library reading challenge
Winter Reading Challenge– pass the cold winter months with these weekly reading challenges

Become a member of the Growing Book by Book community and get this planner as a thank you. Just click the subscribe button below.

Still want to get even more organized? You may have heard of toy rotation, but have you tried a book rotation? Here’s how- How to Do a Book Rotation

Now, you just have to decide what books to read. I’ve got you covered there too. Try this list of 101 Books Every Child Should Hear Before Kindergarten and our Ultimate List of Preschool Books.

The next time someone says, “You just have to read this book,” you’ll have a handy place to keep the recommendation.

The post Free Printable Reading Log and Planner appeared first on Growing Book by Book.

31 Read-Alouds for January Holidays

Jodie Rodriguez — Sun, 28 Dec 2025 20:32:48 +0000

Welcome to a year-long series of posts celebrating and honoring different holidays of the year from the well-known holidays to the obscure, weird, and wacky holidays. We kick off the new year with holiday read-alouds for January. Enjoy reading a book a day with the children in your life.

Books for Kids About January Holidays

Full Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.

January 1st: New Year’s Day

Felíz New Year, Ava Gabriela! by Alexandra Alessandri teaches us some Spanish words and many Colombian customs to celebrate the New Year from eating 12 grapes at midnight to enjoying fireworks lighting up the sky.

And, for more New Year’s books, check out my whole list.—>New Year’s Day Books

January 2nd: National Science Fiction Day

Old MacDonald Had a Farm E-I-UFO by Zach von Zonk made my favorite read-aloud list of 2025. It’s a gem of a read-aloud and fun take on a classic story for National Science Fiction Day.

January 3rd: Festival of Sleep Day

This is a day to celebrate good sleep habits. And, what better habit before sleep than a bedtime story?

Everyone is asleep in the red brick building until the baby wails, “Waaaaah!” That starts a chain reaction of sounds and awakenings. But, just as soon as the noises rise everyone, other noises soothe everyone back to sleep. Check out Everybody in the Red Brick Building by Anne Wynter.

January 4th: World Braille Day

Six Dots: A Story of Young Louis Braille by Jen Bryant is the story of the inventor of the touch alphabet. Learn all about him in this fascinating read.

January 5th: National Bird Day

Bird Watch by Christie Matheson is a great introduction and inspiration for bird watching through all the seasons. Plus, you can bird-watch right in the book and find the birds on each page. The dedication sums it up by E.B. White, “Always be on the lookout for the presence of wonder.” You’ll want to grab a bird guide from the library and head out into nature after reading.

For more books about birds, check out this list.—>Bird Books for Kids

January 6th: National Cuddle Up Day

No More Cuddles! by Jane Chapman is the story of a very cuddly creature, but he’s getting a bit tired of all the cuddles. So, he comes up with a plan!

January 7th: Old Rock Day

In A Dinosaur Made Me Sneeze: A Rock Cycle Adventure by Carla Mae Jansen, you’ll learn about how sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous rocks are formed and how that cycle repeats over and over again. It’s fun, playful, and educational read.⁣

For more books about rocks, check out this list.—> Books About Rocks for Kids

January 8th: National Bubble Bath Day

Discover that the best step for giving a bath is to NOT do it in How to Give Your Cat a Bath in Five Easy Steps by Nicola Winstanley.

January 9th: National Word Nerd Day

The Word Collector by the great Peter H. Reynolds. Most people love to collect things and Jerome loves to collect words. I love what Reynolds writes on the end page, “Reach for your own words. Tell the world who you are and how you will make it better.”

January 10th: National Houseplant Appreciation Day

The Plant Sitter by Gene Zion is an oldie. Tommy has a holiday job of caring for houseplants and he does a mighty fine job…almost too fine.

January 11th: National Milk Day

When you are a milk-producing cow, of course, you must love cookies too. The Cow Loves Cookies
by Karma Wilson is a fun read-aloud.

January 12th: National Hot Tea Day

Chaiwala! by Priti Birla Maheshwari introduces us to the warm spiced milk tea- chai. Come to India and get in a line for a cup.

For more books about tea, check out this list.—> Teatime Books

January 13th: National Rubbery Ducky Day

Ducks Overboard! by Markus Motum takes us to the Great Pacific Garbage Patch to learn about the impact that plastic and garbage are having on our oceans.⁣ We take this journey with thousands of yellow rubber ducks that fell overboard off a ship during a storm at sea.⁣⁣

January 14th: International Kite Day

Kite Flying by Grace Lin is a story that celebrates the Chinese tradition of kite making and kite flying. Follow a family as they shop for materials to build a kite and follow them through the kite-making process.

January 15th: National Hat Day

January 16th: Appreciate a Dragon Day

In Long Goes to Dragon School by Helen H. Wu, we meet Long (Chinese word for dragon) who is off to dragon school. The professor announces that the dragons are there to discover their unique talents. And, their first lesson is using fire breath to cook. But, Long doesn’t breathe fire but rather water. Can he use his unique talent to cook food?⁣ Don’t miss sliding off the book jacket of the book to reveal a poster. I love a book with a bonus!⁣

January 17th: Kid Inventors’ Day

What Do You Do With An Idea? by Kobi Yamada is a wonderful and inspirational book about nurturing new ideas and watching them grow. It is a great reminder not to discount an idea that seems too big, too hard, or too odd. Give it time and space then watch it grow!

January 18th: National Thesaurus Day

Stegothesaurus by Bridget Heos is one of my favorites on this list. This little dinosaur has a way with words. When the other dinos say something is big, his mind fills with more descriptive words like gargantuan, gigantic, and goliath. And, then one day he meets an Allothesaurus and he says a whole new set of words.

January 19th: Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Be a King: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Dream and You by Carole Boston Weatherford shows us how we can emulate many of the qualities of a man who created great change in the world.

January 19th: National Penguin Day

Do Penguins Like the Cold? by Huw Lewis Jones allows us to take a front-row seat on a penguin expedition. You’ll learn about emperors, kings, rockhoppers, and more. Most importantly we’ll learn how to protect the environment for the penguins to thrive.

For more penguin reads, check out this whole list of read-alouds- Penguin Books for Kids

January 21st: Squirrel Appreciation Day

Girl Versus Squirrel by Hayley Barrett is the story of a birdfeeder problem and squirrels.⁣ But Pearl is resourceful. She is up to the challenge of keeping the squirrel out of the feeders. She comes up with some clever ways to keep the squirrel out of the seed, but really she ends up creating quite the amusement park for the squirrel in the process. A squirrel can be very determined. And, then Pearl discovers something that changes her heart about the squirrel.⁣

January 22nd: National Grandpa Day

The Big Five by Bella Makatini is the story of a young boy who is staying with his grandpa for the week. Grandpa has a picture of animals from his home country that the boy notices. That leads to a story a day.

January 23rd: National Pie Day

The Blueberry Pie Elf by Jane Thayer is an older book about an elf who loves blueberry pie.⁣ He’s determined to let the family of humans know that he wants them to make another blueberry pie. ⁣ And, he finds a creative way to do so.⁣

January 24th: Global Belly Laugh Day

And, for more laugh-out-loud books, check out this list.—>Funny Read Alouds

January 25th: Opposite Day

The Perfect Seat by Minh Le and Gus Gordon is all about the quest for that just-right spot. But some seats are too big and some are too small. And, some are too tall and some are too short.

For even more opposite reads, check out this list.—> Books About Opposites for Kids

January 26th: Australia Day

Wombats are Pretty Weird by Abi Cushman introduces to a fascinating animal from Australia.

January 27th: National Geographic Day

Celebrate the gorgeous photographs of National Geographic with one of their many books for children. Photo Ark ABC: An Animal Alphabet in Poetry and Pictures by Debbie Levy gives us stunning photography and poetry.

January 28th: International Lego Day

In I’m Fun, Too! by Jonathan Fenske, a LEGO figurine of the past meets LEGO figurines of the present.

January 29th: Read Your World Day

Check out Eyes That Speak to the Stars by Joanna Ho. In this story, a young Asian boy notices his eyes look different from other classmates after looking at a drawing by his friend. After talking and reflecting with his family, he develops a great appreciation for his eyes, himself, and his connection to his family. It is the companion book to the beautiful, Eyes that Kiss in the Corners.

For more multicultural books, check out this list.—> Multicultural Books for Kids

January 30th: National Draw a Dinosaur Day

Watch a dinosaur appear shape by shape in Shape by Shape by Suse MacDonald.

January 31st: National Inspire Your Heart With Art Day

Sometimes little brothers and sisters can get ahold of our artwork. That is what happens in Louise Loves Art by Kelly Light.

For more artish reads, check out this list.—>Art Books for Kids

Printable List of January Holiday Books

Grab a printable list of the books to enjoy with the kids.

Enjoy reading this January.

Related Posts

February Read-Alouds

A Year of Reading Challenges

Bookies and Cookies

The post 31 Read-Alouds for January Holidays appeared first on Growing Book by Book.

37 Best Picture Books of 2025

Jodie Rodriguez — Wed, 26 Nov 2025 02:07:02 +0000

I prepare for this post all year. It’s time for me to share my favorite picture books of 2025 with the Growing Book by Book community. Get comfy under a blanket with a nice warm drink and let’s get reading.

I read thousands of picture books through my educator and parent lense. I enjoy sharing my favorites with you here on Growing Book by Book, through my newsletter, and on Instagram. Here are my tip-top picks of 2025.

Please note that these are my personal favorites that I have read. Though I read a lot of children’s books throughout the year, I haven’t read them all. I’m sure there are some great ones that I have missed.

You can shop for all the books I share below HERE. Or, click on each link or book cover in the descriptions below.

It seems every year there are multiple books that have a reappearing topic, theme or item. Well in 2025, we saw lots of ghosts and bananas.

Jodie’s Favorite Children’s Books of 2025

Full Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.

On Growing Book by Book, I focus on great books for kids ages 0-8. I share mostly read-alouds and some books new independent readers can read to themselves.

Best Illustrations in a Picture Book

This category is always hard for me to narrow down. I always have lots of honor books because it’s so hard to choose.

Travel along on an emotional journey as Mei Mei works through the emotions she has after accidently breaking her Ama’s mug. This book would work for SEL lessons on guilt, truth, anxiety and more. Plus, it’s a well done story kids will relate to. Enjoy Broken by X. Fang

Since I have 14 more honor books, I put them all on one list for you HERE.

Favorite Book for Toddlers

Let’s Be Bees by Shawn Harris is a lovely interactive read-aloud that invites our young listeners to join in and participate being different things in the book from buzzing bees to rustling trees. So imaginative and fun!

Fairy Tale Mash-Ups and Vibes

Bear and the Three Goldilocks by Patrick Horne changes the point of view from our traditional tale. The Goldilock family goes on a hike and their campsite is visited by a Bear. Bear needs to check out their s’mores, instruments, and tents. But, none of them seem “just right.”

HONOR

The Bear Out There by Jess Hannigan

Laugh Out Loud Funny Read-Alouds

Who Ate Steve? by Susannah Lloyd and Kate Hindley is a fun read-aloud will have kids giggling throughout. In fact, you can even have the book read aloud to you. Just scan the QR code on the back of the book.⁣

HONORS

A Quick Trip to the Store by Sam Wedelich

Don’t Trust Fish written by Neil Sharpson

Circle Time Picks to Capture a Crowd’s Interest

Here’s another category that I always have a hard time narrowing down so we’ve got lots of honors.

Jashar Awan is a master at early childhood read-alouds. Every Monday Mabel highlights that glorious event each week for so many kiddos. The day the refuse collector arrives on the block. Mabel lives for this even each week with purpose and satisfaction. The kids will enjoy this read-aloud over and over again.

I even created literacy resources to go with the book.—> Every Monday Mabel Book Activities

It Started With a P written by Brittany Pomales

We Are the Wibbly! A Tadpole’s Tail written by Sarah Tagholm

Cranky, Crabby Crow (Saves the World) by Corey R. Tabor

Dear Duck, Please Come! by Sarah Mackenzie

Bear Loves His Home by Karen Jameson

Summer Reads That Take You Right Back to the Season

Fireworks by Matthew Burgess and Cátia Chien showcases the iconic sight and sound of summer- fireworks. You even get to unfold the pages in the book for the grand finale. If summer came in a book, this would be it.

I could have easily put this one in the best illustrated book category too.

Celebrating Inclusivity Through Books

Everybelly by Thao Lam shows us that all people are different and that is just fine. Be uniquely you!

HONOR

Mama Car by Lucy Catchpole

SEL(Social Emotional Learning) Nugget of the Year

Zip Zap Wickety Wack by Matthew Diffee fits our desire for a book to teach a lesson but in a clever and entertaining way. Think a barnyard of bickering critters meets an alien from outer space.

Gather Grateful by Megan Litwin

The Hare Who Wouldn’t Share by Steve Small

The Mushroom of Doom! by Becky Davies

Wordless Wonders

Community Snowman by Deborah Kerbel is a wordless book that invites readers to narrate their own story about kindness and community in a local park. Bring on the snow!

A Place for Us by James E. Ransome

The Polar Bear and the Ballerina by Eric Velasquez

Informational & Nonfiction Pick

⁣
Our two characters Stalagmite and Stalactite carry on a conversation as they grow together over the course of millions of years in Stalactite & Stalagmite by Drew Beckmeyer

Meet the Mini-Mammals by Melissa Stewart

The Escape Artist by Thor Hanson

Hurricane by Jason Chin

Math Book that Gets Us Counting

Menudo Sunday: A Spanglish Counting Book by María Dolores Águila gets us counting in this beautiful book full of family and Spanglish.

HONOR

All About Patterns by Elizabeth Rusch & Elizabeth Goss

Holiday Picks Throughout the Year

The Grumpy Ghost Upstairs by Mamiko Shiotani is a beautifully illustrated book about new friendships. Though our main character ghost enjoys being alone, it turns out meeting a new friend can be enjoyable too.

HONOR

Mr. Willowby’s Head Over Heels Christmas by Robert Barry

Out of the Box/Unique Pick

Check out Papilio by Ben Clanton, Corey R. Tabor, and Andy Chou Musser Three author/illustrato/friends collaborated on this book that walks us through the challenges and joys of change as we watch a caterpillar become a butterfly. Such a cleverly done book!

The Agatha Case Files: Welcome to Kittyville! by Paul Martin

Beginning Reader Gems

Pack your tacos and go on six fun, silly, clever, and intriguing adventures with our duo friend group. Everyone has something on their head from volcanoes to toilets in Cabin Head and Tree Head by Scott Campbell

HONORS

Stop That Mop! by Jonathan Fenske

Earl & Worm #1: The Bad Idea and Other Stories by Greg Pizzoli

The Letter Setters in BOP! by Ethan Long

What new books did you enjoy this year?

I’m already starting my list for 2026. You can see the sneak peeks of that too.—>Books Jodie is Looking Forward to in 2026

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Booking Across the USA: Family Dinner Book Club 2026

Jodie Rodriguez — Sun, 23 Nov 2025 14:00:33 +0000

For 2026, the Family Dinner Book Club theme is Booking Across the USA. Our goal is to celebrate beauty, kindness, love, and adventure all while having a sense of awe. We are focusing on the good in our country as we celebrate America’s 250th birthday.

Family Dinner Book Club FAQs and Changes

Before we get to books for each month, let me share a little more about Family Dinner Book Club.

Jodie and Jazmin will share a featured book for a different state or region each month. We will also include conversation starters and have links to a themed menu around the featured book. All of the information will be able to be accessed on the Growing Book by Book website right here on this post and that will be updated throughout the year. So, pin this post or bookmark it so you can back to it time and time again.
Sign up for our special Family Dinner Book Club email to get the links to each part of your dinner. This is the best way to receive the information each month.—->Sign Up Here to Get Your Monthly Email

*Please note that this is a special Family Dinner Book Club list. If you receive the Growing Book by Book newsletter, you will also need to sign up for this newsletter specific to Family Dinner Book Club.

You read the book with your family/class/group and then pick a day to share a meal and discuss the book.
The book club is geared towards families with children ages 4-8 but is super easy to adapt to younger and older children too. We have even had adults in church groups use the books for club meetings!
We again have a special addition option! This year it is called Pit Stop. This new feature is for families or clubs who would like to go a little deeper into the books. Each month you will have what you need at your fingertips with the digital download PDF resource pack. There is information about the state/region, a map, an activity, pit stop snack idea, and a printable additional reading book list based on the featured the book or region. The resource pack includes all of that plus the printable conversation starters and menu links. Many families will enjoy utilizing this resource before, after, or in place of your Family Dinner Book Club. If you would like to take advantage of this awesome addition, GRAB IT HERE.

Booking Across the USA: Month by Month List

Full Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.

To purchase books: View the List

January- Alaska

Selected Book: Moon Song by Michaela Goade

Moon Song by Michaela Goade is the second book in a four book series. The first book in the series, Berry Song, won a Caldecott Honor. In Moon Song, we journey to an island on the edge of a shimmering sea where we meet a young girl who spins a story for her cousin who is worried about the dark winter. For there is so much beauty that comes with the night from the moonlight to the northern lights.

Family Dinner Book Club Resources

Conversation Starters:

How many things can you think of to do at night? Which one is your favorite?
Our book utilizes a feature called a gatefold. It’s a part of the page that folds out from the center of the book. Find the gatefold in the book. Why do you think the author/illustrator chose this spot to use one?
Our story takes places on an island. What does this mean? Look at a map of Alaska. Can you find other islands in and around Alaska?
Take a look at the night sky tonight. What shape is the moon? Where in the sky is it?
Our story takes places in the winter. What are your favorite things about this season?
Goade’s first book in this series was Berry Song and we just read Moon Song. She has two more books coming out in the series. What do you think the titles may be?

Themed Menu:

For our dinner this month we are going to have a warm and comforting meal.

Creamy Parmesan Italian Sausage Soup

Homemade Crescent Rolls

Chocolate Sheet Cake

Milk

February- All the States

Selected Book: 50 States of Love by Anna Aronson

50 States of Love: A Celebration of America by Anna Aronson invites us to journey through the 50 states exploring lovely things in each state from the sweet peaches in Georgia to the Appalachian Mountains of West Virginia.

Family Dinner Book Club Resources

Conversation Starters:

What do you love about the state that you live in currently?
Many states are known for things. What is your state known for?
After reading the book, is there a state or states that look interesting to visit? Why?
A lot of places in nature were showcased in the story. What did you notice about nature in the book?
What are some different ways that people can travel in the United States? Which mode of transportation most appeals to you? Why?
Love is a theme throughout the book. What does love mean to you?

Themed Menu:

This month we are traveling through the USA and trying out foods known for or grown in different states

Bison Meatloaf (North Dakota)

If you don’t have access to ground bison, you could substitute ground beef.

Baked Potatoes (Idaho)

Cranberry Sauce (Wisconsin)

Canned cranberry sauce works, but if you happen to have some cranberries frozen in the freezer, try this easy recipe.

Peach Cobbler (Georgia)

March- California

Selected Book: Redwoods by Jason Chin

Get ready to learn lots of amazing information about the ancient Redwoods trees as we travel to the forest in Redwoods by Jason Chin.

Family Dinner Book Club Resources

Conversation Starters

Redwoods are the tallest living things on the planet. What other things can you think of that are tall?
What else did you learn about Redwoods?
How do Redwoods protect themselves from fire? And, how does fire help Redwoods?
What do you think it would be like to climb to the canopy of the Redwood?
What questions do you still have about Redwoods?
Many authors visit places they write about including Jason Chin for this book. Where is a place you visited that could inspire you to write a book?

Themed Menu

This month we are going to have a meal filled with items that come from trees or are tree inspired. Pretend you are dining at the Treehouse Cafe.

Apple Grilled Cheese

Roasted Broccoli
(My kids use to call these mini trees.)

Coconut Water

Chocolate Chip Banana Bars

April- National Parks

Selected Book: I Am Made of Mountains by Alexandra S.D. Hinrichs

Discover some of the unique aspects of different National Parks in I Am Made of Mountains: An Ode to National Parks- The Landscapes of Us by Alexandra S.D. Hinrichs and Vivian Mineker. Sixteen different parks are featured in the book.

Family Dinner Book Club Resources (Coming April 2026)

May- Across the States

Selected Book: Are We There Yet? by Stacy McAnulty and Elizabeth Baddeley

Are We There Yet? by The First Road Trip Across the USA by Stacy McAnulty and Elizabeth Baddeley is the story of a man who took a bet that he couldn’t drive across the USA in less than three months. Will he, his mechanic driver, and Bud the bulldog make it? It won’t be easy but it will definitely be an adventure.

Family Dinner Book Club Resources (Coming May 2026)

June- Tennessee- Smoky Mountains

Selected Book: Firefly Song by Colleen Paeff and ji-Hyuk Kim

After growing up observing fireflies, Lynn realizes there is something special about them. She notices that they perform a synchronized light show. But, scientists try to tell her that isn’t possible for that type doesn’t exist in the Western Hemisphere. With hard work and persistence, Lynn convinces the scientists that she is right.

Family Dinner Book Club Resources (Coming June 2026)

July- America

Selected Book: Blue Sky White Stars by Sarvinder Naberhaus and Kadir Nelson

Blue Sky White Stars by Sarvinder Naberhaus and Kadir Nelson is a story showing the parallel between America and the American flag. The illustrator showcases the resilience of the American principles in addition to the beauty of our strength and perseverance.

Family Dinner Book Club Resources (Coming July 2026)

August- Pacific Northwest

Selected Book: Salmon Run by Annie Chen

Salmon Run: An Epic Journey to the Ocean and Back by Annie Chen takes us on the journey of a coho salmon from egg to spawning adult which can be found in the waters of the Pacific Northwest.

Family Dinner Book Club Resources (Coming August 2026)

September- Across the States

Selected Book: The Friendship Train by Debbie Levy and Boris Kulikov

Read The Friendship Train: A True Story of Helping and Healing after World War II by Debbie Levy and Boris Kulikov.

After the end of WWII, Europe was in desperate need of food. American citizens rallied together collecting food. A friendship train traveled from the West Coast to the East Coast collecting the donations. This is the story of that journey. We are left with an understanding that acts of small kindness can have a great impact.

Family Dinner Book Club Resources (Coming September 2026)

October- Great Lakes Region

Selected Book: Great Lakes by Barb Rosentock and Jamey Christoph

The Great Lakes by Barb Rosenstock is about how the Great Lakes formed, how they flow, the plants and animals that call the lakes home, and so much more.

Family Dinner Book Club Resources (Coming October 2026)

November- Washington D.C.

Selected Book: Honor Flight by Jeff Gottesfeld and Matt Tavares

Honor Flight by Jeff Gottesfeld and Matt Tavares honors our aging military veterans by escorting them to Washington, D.C. for a day of honor and celebration of their service.

Family Dinner Book Club Resources (Coming November 2026)

December- New York

Selected Book: Red and Lulu by Matt Tavares

New York City during the holidays is pretty magical. And, Red and Lulu by Matt Tavares captures that feel with a gorgeously illustrated and sweet story about two cardinals finding each other after a separation.

Family Dinner Book Club Resources (Coming December 2026)

Family Dinner Book Club for Schools and Libraries

If you are an educator, you can even let your families know about Family Dinner Book Club. In fact, many schools and libraries host Family Dinner Book Club events.

I created a letter that you can send home with families introducing the Family Dinner Book Club and inviting families to join in 2026. Click HERE to download, print, and pass out the letter to families.

And, you can shop all of the books using the links above and via my Bookshop list HERE.

Get the 2026 Family Dinner Book Club Resource Pack

The printable resource packet includes the following resources for each month:

A Map of the USA
Book Synopsis
Themed Menu with Links to Recipes
Conversation Starters
Pit Stop Book Activity Idea
Pit Stop Snack Idea
Printable Additional Reading Themed Book List

The resource pack is wonderful for people who just want to do Family Dinner Book Club, the Pit Stop version, or both! There is no need to wait and check in for Family Dinner Book Club resources each month. You can access EVERYTHING now with this option, plus get the bonus Pit Stop activity and snack idea and the themed book list.

And, this year I’m offering the resource pack as a “pay what you can” option. The suggested price is $7, but you can change the price in the cart to reflect what is feasible for you in this season.—> Get the 90 page 2026 Family Dinner Book Club Resource Packet

Not interested in having everything in one package or don’t wish to have the Pit Stop option? Not a problem. Check this post each month for the themed menu with links and the conversation starters for free.

Let’s get ready to travel through America through books in 2026.

The post Booking Across the USA: Family Dinner Book Club 2026 appeared first on Growing Book by Book.