If you’re shopping for holiday book gifts for little ones ages 0-2 — whether for Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or “just because” — this list has you covered. Below, you’ll find the best board books that inspire learning, laughter, and connection all season long.

Our Top 5 Holiday Book Gifts for Babies & Toddlers (2025)

If you’re short on time, start with these can’t-miss favorites:

• Little Dino Boo-Boos!: An interactive treat where kids help dinos feel better with reusable bandage stickers.
• The Very Hungry Caterpillar’s Peekaboo Christmas: A festive spin on a timeless classic.
• A Day on the Farm (Ms. Rachel): An interactive farm adventure filled with animal sounds and early learning fun.
• Bluey: A Big Pop-Up Book: A playful, 3D experience perfect for Bluey fans.
• Group Hug!: A sweet, counting-themed story that celebrates love and togetherness.

Scroll down for more delightful picks to gift this holiday season!

no no 9798217029198 A Day on the Farm (Ms. Rachel) by Mr. Aron and Ms. Rachel

From the beloved Ms. Rachel comes this new board book featuring twelve animal sounds your toddler will love. The farm theme makes this book a universal hit and a fun gift for any toddler, especially fans of Ms. Rachel.

9780241740316 Bluey: A Big Pop-Up Book by Penguin Young Readers Licenses

Little Bluey fans will be enamored with this playful pop-up adventure! Join Bingo and Bluey as they explore their world. Bright, interactive pages make it a fun gift and a surefire storytime favorite.

9781536226621 Teeny Tiendas: The Toy Store/La juguetería by Lourdes Heuer, illustrated by Zara Gonzalez Hoang

This entire series is adorable, and this title is no exception! Young readers will enjoy exploring the toys and the juguetería while picking up Spanish words. You could even pair this book with one of the toys from the story for an extra-special gift.

9780593521731 The Very Hungry Caterpillar’s Peekaboo Christmas by Eric Carle

Help your toddler look for The Very Hungry Caterpillar as he wanders around the Christmas tree. Try to spot him between the ornaments or peeking out from behind the presents. This book makes an excellent addition to your child’s holiday book collection!

9780593426869 I Am the Grinch by Alastair Heim, illustrated by Tom Brannon

This sturdy board book introduces Dr. Seuss’s iconic character to babies and toddlers. Join the Grinch as he humorously shares what he doesn’t like before revealing what he truly loves: spending time with a friend and growing his heart. It is a delightful stocking stuffer that’s sure to win over little readers!

9781664351455 Little Dino Boo-Boos! by Sophie Aggett, illustrated by Jannie Ho

Toddlers who are hesitant about doctor visits or who love playing with bandages will enjoy this interactive book. Dinos get boo-boos and need some tender loving care. Young readers can apply the sturdy, reusable remedies one by one until all the dinosaurs feel better.

no no 9781664351202 Group Hug! by Sophie Aggett, illustrated by Anna Terreros-Martin

This truly adorable counting book celebrates the power of group hugs! Join a cast of animals from around the world, including pandas, lemurs, and llamas, as they share warm embraces. This board book features cleverly shaped pages and peek-throughs that bring the animals together in sweet hugs. Families will love how it highlights the themes of love and friendship.

9780593181775 Tree: A Peek-Through Board Book by Britta Teckentrup

What I love most about this title is its appeal across seasons. Readers watch a tree change through spring, summer, fall, and winter. Toddlers will enjoy exploring the peekaboo holes throughout the book, showing different critters living in the tree each season.

9780593750896 Bluey and Bingo’s Book of Singy Things by Penguin Young Readers Licenses

Tap into your child’s love of Bluey with this playful board book featuring Bluey and Bingo’s fun playtime songs. Filled with tunes like Poor Little Bug on the Wall and The Wheels on the Bus, this tabbed book is perfect for little fans of the show who want to sing along during playtime.

9780593623169 Latke’s First Hanukkah by Alan Silberberg

Latke and his friends enjoy an eight-night Hanukkah celebration in this playful board book! The party grows as the days go on, culminating with all eight candles lit on the menorah and the shamas. This is an excellent choice to make your holiday celebrations more inclusive.

9781536244311 We’re Going on a Bear Hunt: Pull, Slide and Play! by Michael Rosen, illustrated by Helen Oxenbury

Readers of all ages will adore this classic story reimagined as an interactive board book. Parents will love the nostalgia, while toddlers stay engaged with every slide and flap as the family ventures on a bear hunt.

9780593386965 Birding for Babies: Migrating Birds by Chloe Goodhart, illustrated by Gareth Lucas

This delightful title introduces young readers to various migrating birds while teaching them their colors. The bright, vibrant illustrations make it especially engaging — and a fun pick for parents who love birding!

9780593379226 Let’s Cook with Teddy by Danielle McLean, illustrated by Jordan Wray

In this adorable board book, toddlers use felt pieces to cook alongside Teddy and his Grandma. Together they’ll whip up vegetable soup, pizza, and even ice cream sundaes! With its playful pieces, this story feels as much like a toy as it does a book.

9780399168413 Alphabedtime by Susanna Leonard Hill, illustrated by Betsy Snyder

This favorite read-aloud is now available as a board book. Alphabedtime follows the bedtime routine of a rambunctious family with 26 kids from A to Z. Adorable and hilarious, this story is fun at bedtime and any time of day.

9781536240672 Ada, Go, Go, Go! by Daishu Ma

Young children will love following Ada and her animal friends on a race in this playful board book. The fun story feels relatable, with a subtle message of kindness and teamwork over competition. This delightful series is truly a win!

9780593903254 There’s a Little Snowman in Your Book by Tom Fletcher

From the popular Who’s in Your Book? series, this interactive board book invites young readers to play along with an adorable little snowman. It’s the perfect winter read and a cozy pick for the holiday season.

9780593694718 Bus! Stop! by James Yang

A child waits for his bus in this delightful board book featuring minimal text. The playful illustrations tell the story, making it engaging for even the youngest readers.

9780593387009 This Is Music: Drums by Rekha S. Rajan, illustrated by Tania Yakunova

Explore the world of drums in this engaging series which introduces instruments to young readers. It strikes the perfect balance between informative and silly. Readers will learn that a tummy can be a drum, but a cake cannot!

9780593659755 Play Games with Me by Kat Chen, illustrated by Lorraine Nam

This interactive, play-date-in-a-book brings new excitement to story time! With simple games built into the pages, it’s a fun way for little ones and caregivers to read and play together.

9780593325896 Adurable: Little Pups in Big Trucks by Bob Shea, illustrated by Brian Won

If you have a vehicle lover in the family, this book is an excellent choice. If your child also adores dogs, it’s a total home run! This board book features three “adurable” pups in puppy school, learning about teamwork.

9781536234824 Five Speckled Frogs by Yu-hsuan Huang

Little ones will love this interactive board book edition of the classic nursery rhyme, “Five Speckled Frogs.” It invites toddlers to make the frogs jump into the pool one by one until there are none left on the log. This joyful read-aloud is entertaining for caregivers and toddlers to sing along to together.

9781984849519 Hey, Baby! by Andrea Pippins

This joyful board book follows a baby and mom throughout their day. With real photographs and high-contrast doodles, it’s especially engaging for the youngest readers.

Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2019 and updated in 2025.

The post The Best Books To Gift Babies and Toddlers appeared first on Brightly.

These titles are useful tools to help toddlers process and cope with their feelings. They encourage using words to describe emotions and offer valuable skills for self-management. By sharing these board books about big feelings with our little ones, we can create a safe and nurturing environment where they can thrive.

no no 9781680106558 My Book of Feelings by Nicola Edwards, illustrated by Thomas Elliott

My toddler has loved this title since she was a baby. The full-color photographs make the content particularly relevant and appealing. Babies and toddlers can see familiar situations, allowing them to make connections with the emotions depicted in the book. It does an excellent job of being inclusive by featuring children with various skin tones and disabilities. The emoji spinners make it extra engaging!

9781611808575 Happy Puppy, Angry Tiger by Brad Peterson, illustrated by Betsy Peterson

We’ve thoroughly enjoyed this board book in our home! Each page features a different animal or insect paired with an emotion or attitude. Some pairings are funny and unexpected (e.g., the praying mantis is grateful), making this an enjoyable read-aloud! The illustrations are super quirky and have bold, cheerful colors. Toddlers will have fun guessing each feeling based on the illustrations.

9780593482520 A Change of Plans for Elmo!: Sesame Street Monster Meditation in collaboration with Headspace by Random House

Toddlers thrive on routines and predictability, and change can be difficult. The Monster Meditation series is a perfect social-emotional learning tool for little ones who love Sesame Street! In this title, Elmo learns to cope with disappointment when a special playdate gets canceled. Readers will enjoy and benefit from the game Elmo learns (1, 2, 3, Freeze) when they experience big feelings of their own.

RELATED: The Best Books for Fans of Elmo

9780593465127 Llama Llama Feelings by Anna Dewdney, illustrated by JT Morrow

Sometimes Llama Llama feels happy, sometimes he feels sad. This easy-to-understand board book follows Llama Llama as he feels a number of emotions, especially as he gets ready for bed, a time where kids can experience a range of highs and lows. This excellent book, from the New York Times bestselling author Anna Dewdney will help kids learn about their emotions and better express the way they feel.

9781664350380 My Bag of Feelings by Danielle McLean, illustrated by Lisa Koesterke

Young readers will be drawn to the fun design of this board book: A smiling yellow backpack overflowing with emojis and familiar objects. In the book, a child shares objects that remind them of various emotions. This format could be replicated in real life to help toddlers practice articulating their feelings through a show-and-tell activity.

9780593119877 Mindfulness Moments for Kids: Hot Cocoa Calm by Kira Willey, illustrated by Anni Betts

This board book walks young readers through an easy mindfulness routine that they can use to manage their feelings. A group of woodland animals goes through the mindfulness exercise together. While this is a fantastic tool at any time of year, the chilly setting makes it a cozy read-aloud during winter.

RELATED: Board Books on Wellness for Babies & Toddlers

9789888341047 Why Cry? by Yusuke Yonezu

Babies and toddlers will enjoy the animated characters and interactive elements of this creative lift-the-flap book. As readers turn the pages and see one tearful, wailing expression after the next, they also see a rainbow forming color by color. The delightful, surprise ending will help little ones realize they will get through tough times and things will be okay!

9780744062625 Everybody Feels Fear by Ashwin Chacko

Help young readers learn all about fear with this cheerful, silly, and touching board book from author-illustrator Ashwin Chacko. This book is equal parts hilarious and inspiring. It will make kids laugh while helping them understand they are never alone. We all have fear, and it does not make us weak. It’s a hopeful read-aloud for groups or one-on-one.

9780593432846 Grumpy Monkey Says No! by Suzanne Lang, illustrated by Max Lang

Does it feel like your toddler’s favorite word is “no”? You and your (sometimes stubborn) little one will love reading this funny book featuring everyone’s favorite grumpy monkey, Jim Panzee, who responds to every question with “no.” But as the story continues, Jim (and hopefully your toddler) will learn that “no” isn’t always the best answer and they could actually be missing out on some great adventures!

RELATED: Learning To Ride Out Uncomfortable Emotions With Grumpy Monkey

9781664350533 Touch and Feelings: Angry Bear by Dr. Naira Wilson, illustrated by David Creighton-Pester

This darling board book helps kids understand anger through the story of a bear whose anger presents itself in different ways. The author is a child psychologist specializing in children’s emotions, so you know it is a reliable tool. I love the mirror included in the book, and my toddler does, too!

9781632173010 Ollie Feels Fine by Toni Yuly

Ollie, the octopus, has big feelings! One day, when those big feelings get overwhelming, he finds support in his friend Stella the Starfish. This book reminds little readers it’s okay to not feel okay and that it’s good to talk about their feelings. I love how this title represents Ollie in a different hue each time his emotions change. This visual helps kids grasp the feelings he’s experiencing.

9781536203806 Mad, Mad, Mad by Leslie Patricelli

How can little ones recover from enormous tantrums? Through Baby’s story, the author shares tips for calming down and finding happiness again. All toddlers have tantrums, which makes this book relevant and helpful. The simple illustrations and exaggerated expressions will appeal to the littlest of readers.

9781465498250 I Feel Sad by DK

In this board book, toddlers learn that sadness is a normal part of daily life. Although sadness can feel unpleasant, this story details the many ways to deal with it as it comes. With bright and charming illustrations that show how our feelings affect our bodies and minds, little readers will feel emotionally informed!

Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2023 and updated in 2024.

The post Board Books About Big Feelings for Babies & Toddlers appeared first on Brightly.

Much of this newfound understanding is because of the book Every Body by Megan Madison, Jessica Ralli, and Tequitia Andrews. This newest addition to the First Conversations series introduces little ones to essential topics, including body diversity, disability justice, fatphobia, and body liberation.

no no 9780593661505 Every Body: A First Conversation About Bodies by Megan Madison and Jessica Ralli, illustrated by Tequitia Andrews

The book begins: “I have a body. My body is awesome.” It then explains how everyone has a body, and there are many ways bodies can look. They are all special and deserving of care. The book teaches kids about the beauty and importance of fat, an often-stigmatized subject, explaining how it helps us store energy, which allows our bodies to do the things we love.

This title will help young readers realize their body’s power; it communicates what it needs and can even provide clues about our feelings. Like the other titles in this series, questions sprinkled throughout the pages encourage reflection and connection between grown-ups and children. Some questions include, “How does your body tell you what it needs?” and “How does your body feel right now?”

The bold and inclusive illustrations will appeal to young readers. As I read this with my three-year-old, she loved pointing out details in the pictures. For example, on the page about how our bodies change, she pointed at the baby pictures on the wall and connected them to her own baby pictures hanging in our family room. On the pages discussing disability and accommodations, she noticed the characters using wheelchairs and crutches, like other special people in her life.

I am grateful that more and more caregivers are seeing the importance of teaching kids about consent from a young age. This book encourages these conversations, reminding readers that their bodies belong to them and them alone. The verbiage modeled in the text can be easily brought into homes and used by grown-ups and kids alike.

While this entire book is powerful and important, the discussion on BMI is the most impactful. It begins, “But there’s a big problem. There are pictures and ideas all around us that say some bodies are healthier and more beautiful than all other bodies. That’s a lie people made up a long time ago.” Readers learn that BMI was established by a group of white men who decided being fat was bad and being skinny was good. These toxic ideas permeated our culture and still are very much present today, as evidenced by my adolescent experiences.

While these ideas certainly impacted my body image as a teen, they have been even more damaging toward fat people, who haven’t always received the care they need. The text teaches readers that there are people working hard to ensure that things become more fair for every body and invites readers to join these efforts.

I am grateful that my three-year-old will grow up with a more empowering view of her body and the bodies of others due to the ideas introduced in this book and reaffirmed in her daily life. She will grow up believing that every body is a good body and that ALL bodies can be healthy.

Available in board book and picture book format, Every Body offers caregivers language and background information (there’s lots of helpful back matter) they can use in conversations with their children. I truly believe that Every Body is as much for parents as for children. It is an essential title for every home.

The post Teach Your Child (and Yourself) To Love Every Body appeared first on Brightly.

Very Good Hats by Emma Straub playfully explores the concept of a hat. What qualifies as a hat? More than you probably think! As the book reads, “Some people think hats are fancy things that you can buy at a haberdashery, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg.”

no no 9780593529430 Very Good Hats by Emma Straub, illustrated by Blanca Gomez

Straub’s debut children’s book shows readers how acorns can be hats for fingers, clouds can be hats for an airplane’s passengers, and a lid can be a hat for a pot. My toddler’s favorite featured hats include the “soup hat” (the hat you get when an empty bowl hat turns out to be full of soup) and the “ice cream hat” you can get at a baseball stadium.

It’s hard to imagine this book being illustrated by anyone else. Blanca Gómez’s illustrations are, as always, truly delightful. Her distinctive style and color palette are charming and add to the playful, quirky vibe of the title.

Wearing my “teacher hat,” my mind swims with ideas for using this book with children. It would be an excellent kick-off for exploring different jobs and their required tools. Many jobs are easily recognizable by their hats and uniforms, and Very Good Hats showcases several of these, including a pirate, firefighter, and chef. Take the title further by encouraging readers to consider how someone’s hat influences how they see and interact with the world. Perspective is a needed skill in today’s world.

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Additionally, adults can use this book with children to inspire divergent thinking and healthy debate. This title asks readers, “If a turtle can tuck its head into its shell, does that make its shell a hat?” Consider with your reader what else they could consider a hat. Is a lampshade a hat for a lamp? Is the sun a hat for our planet? Explore objects that typically go on heads but aren’t considered hats. For example, why is a hairbow not a hat? How about a wig or even our hair? This book offers an opportunity to practice categorizing and comparing.

The book ends with the reminder, “Anything can be a hat if you believe it is.” In a world that can feel so heavy and polarized, let’s raise children who think outside the box and embrace joy and whimsy. Very Good Hats is an excellent place to start.

The post <i>Very Good Hats</i> Is a Playful Exploration of Imagination appeared first on Brightly.

no no 9780593173053 The Creature of Habit by Jennifer E. Smith, illustrated by Leo Espinosa

Lesson: It can feel great to try something new!

It’s easy to get stuck in our ways. The Creature of Habit knows this firsthand! This book, which takes place on a colorful tropical island, helps kids see that change can be good and new experiences can be rewarding. This book makes an excellent read-aloud before a life change — big or small — like a transfer to a new school or a new morning routine.

9780593174173 Ruby and the Itsy-Bitsy (Icky) Bug by Allison Wortche, illustrated by Sally Walker

Lesson: Once you get to know something, it might not be as scary as you thought.

When Ruby discovers a bug outside her bedroom window, she’s disgusted! Ruby’s transformation in the story will encourage readers to approach things they dislike with an open mind. Parents working to support their littles through fear or aversion will appreciate this book.

9781623542658 Abuelita and I Make Flan by Adriana Hernández Bergstrom, illustrated by Adriana Hernández Bergstrom

Lesson: Honesty is the best policy.

Have you ever broken an item and feared telling its owner what happened? In this story, young Anita learns to be honest after breaking Abuelita’s special plate. Readers will empathize with Anita’s struggle and connect with the story’s relatable premise. This is an excellent introduction to Cuban culture and cuisine.

9780593387085 My Fade Is Fresh by Shauntay Grant, illustrated by Kitt Thomas

Lesson: It’s important to speak your mind and stay true to yourself.

A little girl goes to the barbershop knowing precisely what hairstyle she wants. While those around her try to influence her decision, she remains resolute! This book challenges gendered hairstyles and encourages kids to be their true selves.

9781536221985 Tisha and the Blossoms by Wendy Meddour, illustrated by Daniel Egnéus

Lesson: A slower pace can feel good.

When we embrace a slower pace, we relax enough to notice more of the world around us. After a hectic and fast-paced day, Tisha tells her mom that a slowdown is in order. The afternoon that commences is lovely and may encourage readers to follow suit. This is an excellent pick for parents and educators wanting to promote mindfulness in their homes and classrooms.

9781536216790 The Mouse Who Carried a House on His Back by Jonathan Stutzman, illustrated by Isabelle Arsenault

Lesson: You can always make room for another.

This story of a little mouse with a portable home and a growing heart will inspire readers to consider how they can make others feel welcome. I absolutely adore this title’s illustrations — the die-cut art is fun and whimsical!

9780593428160 Blue Bison Needs a Haircut by Scott Rothman, illustrated by Pete Oswald

Lesson: Sometimes waiting is necessary.

Desperately needing a haircut, Blue Bison is frustrated when he discovers that every place is closed! What will he do? I love Blue Bison’s animated expressions and know kids will, too. This hilarious book will keep kids entertained all the way through.

9780593352588 The Wills and the Won’ts by Angela Woolfe, illustrated by Roland Garrigue

Lesson: It’s better to come together than to build a wall.

The Wills and the Won’ts cannot agree on anything. The solution? They will build a wall between their two communities. Reminiscent of Dr. Seuss’s The Sneetches, this rhyming title has themes of tolerance and cooperation. Teachers supporting their students through classroom conflict will really appreciate its message.

9781536207743 Joy Ride by Sherri Duskey Rinker, illustrated by Ana Ramírez González

Lesson: How you feel matters more than what others think of you.

It can feel awful when someone makes you feel bad about something you love. Joy experiences this when her peers make fun of the bike that she poured her time and love into alongside her supportive grandpa. This book is perfect for kids who care what their peers think.

9780525553304 Time to Recharge, Harper! by Kelly Leigh Miller

Lesson: Rest is important.

It’s a fact: Kids don’t like napping (at least my kid doesn’t). Time to Recharge, Harper! is about a little robot who does NOT want to go down for a nap. This book will help readers see the importance of rest and hopefully make nap time go more smoothly for everyone.

9780399186301 Maxine and the Greatest Garden Ever by Ruth Spiro and Holly Hatam

Lesson: Friendship matters more than success.

Maxine and her friend Leo want to create the greatest garden ever. After butting heads, Maxine reflects on how to make things right with her friend. In a world focused on achievement, teaching our kids how to be good people is critical. Showing them to care for and value the people in their lives is the perfect place to start.

9781984813022 Don’t Hug Doug (He Doesn’t Like It)

Lesson: Don’t touch people without their consent.

This colorful title uses humor to teach kids the importance of consent. It tells readers they can hug a whole host of things (a slug, a porcupine, etc.) but NOT Doug. Doug doesn’t like hugs. I love that this title teaches kids a simple way to determine if they can hug someone — by asking!

9781984815521 Teo’s Tutu by Maryann Jacob Macias, illustrated by Alea Marley

Lesson: Being true to yourself is the bravest thing of all.

Anxious, Téo joins his first ballet class in his pink tutu. With time and hard work, the class reaches recital time, and Téo needs to decide what costume he will choose — pants and shirt or leotard and tutu. It will hearten readers to see Téo stay true to himself, even when it’s hard. I appreciate how this title questions gender norms without including a bullying narrative.

9780593326374 Out of a Jar by Deborah Marcero

Lesson: Being true to yourself is the bravest thing of all.

Anxious, Téo joins his first ballet class in his pink tutu. With time and hard work, the class reaches recital time, and Téo needs to decide what costume he will choose — pants and shirt or leotard and tutu. It will hearten readers to see Téo stay true to himself, even when it’s hard. I appreciate how this title questions gender norms without including a bullying narrative.

9781984815651 Laxmi’s Mooch by Shelly Anand, illustrated by Nabi H. Ali

Lesson: Our bodies are perfect however they are.

Laxmi has a small mooch, or a bit of hair above her lip. When her classmates say she looks like a cat with whiskers, she goes home upset and self-conscious. Her parents set a brilliant example for adults reading this book with children, as they do a fantastic job at making Laxmi feel better. This title encourages kids to embrace their bodies as they are, body hair and all.

The post 15 Picture Books That Teach, Not Preach appeared first on Brightly.

Here are some of my favorite ideas for helping kids learn to problem-solve:

• • Make a problem-solving toolkit together. This can be as simple as a poster with various strategies listed in writing or images tailored for your child. Examples of strategies might include:
    • Break down the problem into smaller steps.
    • Draw a picture or model.
    • Think about if you’ve done this before.
    • Guess and check.

• • Brainstorm the traits of a problem solver. Then consider ways you can work on developing those specific traits with your child. Who do you know in real life that shows these traits? Read biographies of people from history who’ve exemplified those traits. Being a good problem solver is as much about attitude as it is about intelligence, possibly even more!
  • Read stories and news articles that have an obvious conflict and resolution. As you read, pause at the problem and brainstorm potential solutions for the character/person in the text. You can even use the toolkit you created and act out possible responses. What character traits are being shown? For kiddos who are writing, consider using a problem/solution graphic organizer.

The titles featured in the collection below, which include picture books, board books, and an early reader, address skills and traits involved in problem-solving. These skills include managing frustration, fostering perseverance, embracing failure, and encouraging effort and productive struggle.

no no 9781536207163 Jabari Tries by Gaia Cornwall

In this follow-up to Jabari Jumps, Jabari attempts to make a flying machine in his backyard. He’s confident he can do it on his own, but when things don’t go as planned, he gets frustrated. He eventually realizes flexibility and some help can go a long way.

9781580897457 The Boo-Boos That Changed the World: A True Story About an Accidental Invention (Really!) by Barry Wittenstein, illustrated by Chris Hsu

This delightful informational tale recounts the accidental invention of Band-Aids. This story shows young readers that great discoveries can be made through their mistakes!

9781770498730 Solutions for Cold Feet and Other Little Problems by Carey Sookocheff

This sweet book showcases small, daily problems experienced by a child and how she solves them. It will get young children thinking about how they problem-solve every single day without even realizing it.

9781524773274 How to Solve a Problem by Ashima Shiraishi, illustrated by Yao Xiao

In the vein of The Little Engine That Could — only this time it’s one of the world’s youngest rock climbers achieving the seemingly impossible — Ashima Shiraishi shows young readers that with diligence and creative thinking, any problem can be overcome.

9780735227927 The Book of Mistakes by Corinna Luyken

This charming title shows readers how their mistakes can unexpectedly transform into inspiration. Readers will see the value of having an optimistic, open-minded attitude as they approach their own “mistakes.”

9780593173176 The Problem with Problems by Rachel Rooney, illustrated by Zehra Hicks

In this colorful story, problems are personified as creatures of various shapes and sizes. Readers learn that problems can be troublesome but aren’t impossible to manage. This title will teach kids to manage emotions and express their feelings to minimize problems.

9780744062618 Jonny Lambert’s Bear and Bird: Try, Try Again by Jonny Lambert

Bear must persevere as he learns to ride a bike in this heartwarming friendship story. It shows readers the importance of persistence when things get tough and supporting others when they need help.

9780593482506 Try, Try Again, Two-Headed Monster! by Random House, illustrated by Random House

In this newest edition to the Sesame Street Monster Meditation series, Two-Headed Monster experiences great frustration when his block tower falls. Mr. Andy teaches Two-Headed Monster the calming strategy of taking belly breaths, which will support young readers when they face their own challenges.

9780823427567 I Will Try by Marilyn Janovitz

This early reader from the I Like to Read® series tells the story of Ella, an aspiring gymnast who admires Jan, the star of her gymnastics class. When Ella tries to be like Jan, things don’t go well. But when Jan supports Ella in trying again, Ella finds success! This title shows young readers the importance of trying again, accepting support from others, and offering it when appropriate.

9781680102888 Dinos Don’t Give Up! by Smriti Halls, illustrated by Richard Merritt

This silly rhyming tale features Diplodocus Dinah, a talented dinosaur who excels at all she does — except surfing. When the Surfing Contest comes to Dino Town, Dinah loses. This book teaches the value of perseverance and reminds readers they might not be the best at everything they do — and that’s okay!

9780744085747 A Kids Book About Failure by Dr. Laymon Hicks

Encourage your kids to embrace failure as a means to learn and grow with help from this insightful book. Readers will step away from this book understanding that they need not avoid failure. We all fail at some point.

9780399257377 Stuck by Oliver Jeffers

In this delightfully silly tale, Floyd’s kite gets stuck in a tree. He is set on getting it out, but unfortunately, his problem worsens as he throws item after item at the tree in an effort to knock the kite down. This laugh-out-loud story will entertain kids while encouraging them to reflect on the concept of problem-solving.

9780140502022 Whistle for Willie by Ezra Jack Keats

A young boy named Peter wants his dog Willie to respond when he whistles. He practices and practices until he finally gets it right. This simple, delightful story shows kids that practice pays off, even when it feels like things are going nowhere.

The post Books & Strategies for Teaching Kids Problem-Solving Skills appeared first on Brightly.