When the ducklings become bored with their pond Mama duck takes them on a long journey in order to find a new place to explore.  Just like children, the ducklings struggle a bit with the journey.  This sweet tale is beautifully illustrated and makes for a wonderful read aloud.

Last Day Blues is a cute book which features teacher Sarah Jane Hartwell and her students.  It is the final week of school, and the students are worried that Mrs. Hartwell will miss them during the summer.  As a result, they put a plan in motion to ensure their beloved teacher will not be sad.  Little do the children know that Mrs. Hartwell and the other teachers have plans of their own…

Oddrey is a little girl who is a bit different.  She loves doing things in her own unique way, but she sometimes feels a bit lonely and wishes she had friends who saw things in a unique way as well.  The school play turns into a magical opportunity for Oddrey when she is able to take her role as a tree and “branch out and really blossom” which changes everything.  Oddrey is a delightful book and a new favorite!

A Friend Like You is a wonderful story of friendship between a little monkey and a panda.  Initially Monkey does not fully appreciate Panda, but he comes to realize that although they are very different, Panda is a a true friend who will always be there for him.   This book provides a terrific beginning for a discussion about what true friendship looks like.  Additionally, the pictures are beautiful and enhance this sweet tale.

While exploring at the library last week, I came across this gem.  The Red Boat introduces the reader to a little girl who has just moved into a big, new home and is feeling uncertain about making friends in her new neighborhood.  With the help of her little dog George she finds joy playing in the garden where they find a little red boat.  The boat becomes a key character in this story that celebrates the endless possibilities available to us when we use our imaginations.

John Grogan has followed up the phenomenal success of his book Marley and Me:  Life and Love with the World’s Worst Dog with a series of children’s books which feature Marley.  In this book, Marley is none to happy that his favorite little girl is heading to school, and he is expected to stay at home.  Marley decides he simply must head to school as well.  His journey to get there and his visit to the school are filled with excitement and mishaps that little ones will find highly entertaining.

If you have a child who struggles with perfectionism, this one is a must read!  Beatrice Bottomwell never made a mistake until one day she finally does, and the mistake is very public.  What Beatrice learns from the experience and how she moves on are worthwhile lessons for little ones as well as grown ups who define their success via their attempts at perfection.