Me is the favorite subject of conversation for kids. Don’t worry – it’s not just your kid. That’s completely normal.
They are finding their place in the world. Figuring out who they are, what they are capable of, what their limits are – let’s help with a fun list of picture books that are All About Me.
All About Me Picture Books
Monday: Read an All About Me Book
I Like Me by Nancy Carlson
This little pig is full of confidence and it’s delightful. Through good and bad days, she is proud of who she is and all the things she can do. The positive spirit and relentless optimism always put a smile on my face. 1+
Tuesday: Read a Book about Names
Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes
It is impossible not to like Chrysanthemum. She is spirited and creative and goes through things that every little mouse…ahem children goes through. In this story, Chrysanthemum adores her name until she starts school. All of a sudden she’s not so sure about it, until her teacher tells her the most amazing thing of all. A great book about names and being proud of who you are. 3+
Wednesday: Read a Book about Hands or Handprints
Hands & Hearts by Donna Jo Napoli
I have read several good books that integrate sign language in some way, but this is by far the best. This beautiful story is about a mom and her daughter and their day at the beach. It is told with simple words and an American Sign Language example on each of the 15 pages. Illustrated with soft watercolor paintings, this is a gentle story about hands, love, and simple joys. 2+
Thursday: Read a Book about Skin Tone
Shades of People by Shelley Rotner
Illustrated with beautiful photos of children, this is a great book for discussing skin color. It gracefully broaches the topic of similarities and differences in a child friendly way that encourages conversation. 2+
Friday: Read a Book about Families
Everywhere Babies by Susan Meyers
Everywhere every day babies are born. The sweet text spells out the universality of babyhood from eating and crawling to exploring the world. The illustrations, however, are the true gem. They are drawn with care and beautifully explore the wide range of parenting styles, family types, and diverse experiences that babies have in their early years. This perfectly addresses how we are all the same and yet so wonderfully different all at the same time. 0+
Saturday: Read a Book about Homes
At the Same Moment, Around the World by Clotilde Perrin
There are some amazing books about homes, but I am kind of obsessed with this book right now. Each page depicts a child in one part of the world and as you turn the page you travel from one time zone to the next until you circle back around the globe. This is a beautiful and completely fascinating look at the world, different children’s homes and lives, and a humbling glance at how much is happening in just one moment in this vast world of ours. This book works for discussing different homes and would also be fun to use in a unit on time, clocks, the globe, or anything involving diversity. 4+
Sunday Author Spotlight: Read a Book by Mac Barnett
Extra Yarn by Mac Barnett
Mac Barnett is a must for anyone who reads to children. His books run the gambit from outrageously silly to intelligently serious and often touch on a little of both ends of the spectrum. Despite the fact that it is quite a diverse collection of picture book titles, we have yet to find one we don’t love and we own the vast majority. That being said, this is probably our favorite although I will likely throw in several more of his books before our 52 weeks are up.
Extra Yarn is the tale of a little girl and a magic box of yarn. She starts by sewing a simple sweater and soon the whole town is covered in colorful yarn. When someone comes and steals her magic box the real adventure begins. Entertainingly told, beautifully illustrated by the incomparable Klassen, and ultimately leaves you with something to think about – this one really needs to go on your list! 3+
