It’s fun documenting Fleet’s favorite books every few months. You never know what kids are going to gravitate towards as some books are always at the forefront, others sometimes get a bookshelf break, new favorites can be surprising, and there is always variety. It is also amazing how they zero in on certain books and want to read them repeatedly.
Not that anyone needs a holiday as a reason to give a child a book, but since it’s February, maybe one of these options could be a Valentine’s Day gift for the special kiddo in your life. Here are Fleet’s latest top ten favorites:
Corduroy by Don Freeman – Published in 1968, this book is a classic for so many reasons – the most important of which is that it teaches the value of friendship. I’m not surprised that it is listed by the National Education Association as one of its Teachers’ Top 100 Books for Children and one of the Top 100 Picture Books by School Library Journal.
Little Owl’s Snow by Divya Srinivasan – Best enjoyed during the winter for obvious reasons, this book beautifully depicts what it’s like to experience snow for the first time. The story follows a little owl who watches the seasons change and learns that each of his friends – including bear, raccoon, and hedgehog – spend the winter differently.
Ansel Adams and his Camera by Kate Coombs and Seth Lucas – As a longtime fan of photography and the west, I was excited to introduce this book to Fleet because it shows that art can be found everywhere – especially in the outdoors. Even though this book was published in 2020, I already feel like it’s a classic.
Time For School, Little Blue Truck by Alice Schertle and Jill McElmurry – Fleet loves the original Little Blue Truck story so reading about another adventure featuring the same character makes him very happy. He enjoys naming all the animals that show up from the original, along with some new friends who are all trying to get to school on time.
Eli and Mort Learn to Snowboard by Elyssa and Ken Nager and Eduardo Paj – Supporting local authors and advocating for snowboarding are equally important in our household so reading a book about Eli and Mort’s latest adventure is fun for all three of us. It’s especially exciting to see Eli and Mort visit the same places we visit at Beaver Creek and Vail.
Goodnight Miami by Patricia Baloyra and Sarah Knotz – Similar to Eli and Mort, this book highlights what makes Miami unique including Vizcaya (“where Aunt Carly and Uncle Justin got married”), Stiltsville, the beloved Hurricanes football team, and Calle Ocho. Clearly written by a Miami local, the book’s stunning illustrations make me want to go back to my hometown….to visit.
Poppy and the Brass Band by Walter Foster and Magali Le Huche – Giving the gift of music runs in the family, so I can’t recommend this book enough. Fleet loves pressing all the buttons to hear the different instruments including the snare drum, saxophone, trombone, and more, played by a variety of animals.
Bonny’s Big Day by James Herriot – My mother saved my copy of this book (published in 1987) so now it belongs to Fleet. Each time we read about Bonny and Dolly it brings back childhood memories of loving horses and always wanting to live in Colorado. As for Fleet, every time he sees white and bay horses at nearby ranches their names are Bonny and Dolly.
The Snail and the Whale by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler – It’s no surprise that this book won the 2004 Early Years award for the best preschool book, the 2005 Blue Peter award for Best Book to Read Aloud, and the 2007 Giverny award for Best Science Picture Book. Beautifully illustrated and cleverly written, The Snail and the Whale is a tale about bravery, adventure, and the importance of knowing that, big or small, everyone needs a helping hand from a friend.
Welcome to Jazz by Carolyn Sloan and Jessica Gibson – Anyone who has been to New Orleans knows the infectious sound of music coming out of every corner of the city. Similar to Poppy, this book includes buttons that match each instrument described. Featuring a tuba, drums, piano, and the entire band singing “When the Saints,” this book is a fun way to learn about the magic of music legends like Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, and Billie Holiday.
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