Every morning, sometimes as early as 5:30, I hear the squeak of her bedroom door and tiptoe taps up the stairs. She grabs her “upstairs” book (not to be confused with the “downstairs” book she reads at bedtime) and snuggles up with me on the couch. The occasional sighs, gasps, and giggles interrupt the still morning, as well as the inevitable “oh my gosh mom listen to this part,” but mostly we’re quiet, together. It’s my favorite part of the day.

Finding books for this advance reader who is also still an eight year old has not been easy. Finding the right balance between the “baby-ish” books and the “too boy crazy” books can be challenging for us. Adding a pandemic to that mix and limited access to libraries didn’t help either. But it also made for a fun way to hunt for books. When I go in to pick up my library holds, I don’t want to linger in the library. So I make a quick grab and swipe down the book shelves and wait for the book report when she finishes. Some have been misses. But many have been surprise wins which I can only refer to as Book Magic.

I say my favorite part is the morning together. But I think maybe its more than that. It’s watching the way her eyes sparkle when she tells me about a book she is loving. It’s the way she runs up to my bedroom when a book is finished, setting it on my bedside table (somewhere on the mountain of other books), and insists I read this RIGHT NOW! It’s when I notice her curled up under a blanket with a most contented look on her face and I realize I have given her everything she could ever need. I have given her books.

That is more magical than Christmas.

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I am sharing some of Caroline’s favorites from this year in case you have a middle grader in need of new book ideas. You will notice a big theme for her is magic, fairy tales, and friendships. Mystery has also always been a favorite but there were fewer mystery books this year. The bridge between the “too easy” and the “too complicated” is still a tricky one for us. If your middle grader has some favorites, we would love new ideas.

For a complete list, visit my bookshop Favorite Big Kid Books 2020 as well as the Graphic Novels for All Ages. You can also find last year’s favorites here.

Like Magic - I lead with this one because it was one of my magical finds that turned out to be her BEST book of the year. A story of three girls with different backgrounds that all find the same secret book leading them to a surprise friendship. She loved this one so much that it inspired her to start an online book club with a couple friends just so she could talk about it. It is as adorable as it sounds.

Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy - If you love Little Women and you want your children to love it too, give them this book. It reimagines the orignal story as a modern day retelling in the graphic novel style. I adored it as much as Caroline. And she wanted to make sure I say she cried all the way through this book.

Whatever After - Our first venture into the fairy tale remakes. She loves this series but especially enjoys listening to them.

Charmed I’m Sure - She didn’t think she would like this one at first because — eww, boyfriends — but she ended up loving the message about just being ourself. This one sits on my nightstand right now.

Share Your Smile - Raina Telgemeier is a favorite graphic novelists and this is her nonfiction book about how to write your own story. I think I might also need to read this one.

Pashmina - An excellent introduction into immigration and belonging in this multi-award winning graphic novel.

Stargazing - Another graphic novel with a friendship story about growing up Chinese-American. I am trying to be more intentional on providing a wide range of perspectives in my kids’ reading and this is an excellent one for that.

Phoebe and her Unicorn - All you need to know about this graphic novel series is “Unicorn.” And also Caroline still pronounces the name “Pho-bee,” even after I corrected her, and I kind of love it.

Polly Diamond - The back cover of this book read “magical chapter book series about a girl named Polly who loves words and writing stories.” It might as well have been written about Caroline. There are only two in this series so far but we are hope for more.

Missy Piggle Wiggle - Mrs. Piggle Wiggle was a favorite in my house as a child. It was fun to discover this sequel with Mrs. Piggle WIggle’s niece written in a very similar but updated style.

Upside Down Magic - A great series of books for the Harry Potter fans taking place in a school for magic.

Just Add Magic - Caroline has been obsessed with the Amazon Prime show of the same name for a year now and I was excited to find it was a book series first. A great one for the cooking and magic crossover fans.

Shai and Emmie - A very sweet series written by Academy Award-nominated actress Quvenzhané Wallis about two third grade friends with dreams of stardom.

Fairy Mom and Me - This was another surprise find on the shelves that became an instant hit. A girl with a mom as a fairy (aren’t we all, though?)

Misfits - Admittedly, Caroline only just started this series for Royal Academy Rebels but she already loves it. Another fun fairy tale retelling but more advanced than Whatever After.

Flunked - Caroline hasn’t read this Fairy Tale Reform School series yet but it is by the same author as Misfits and the series is another of the fairy tale school kind so I’m sure she will like these too.

I’ve been moody lately. I don’t even feel like I need to explain it to you because I think you’re feeling it too. I’ve been hunting for “The Thing” that might pull me out of it. But I think you also already know “The Thing” doesn’t exist. It’s never one thing that helps. It’s a hundred tiny little things that work differently at different times. The more we experience this feeling, the more tools we have to help us. And yet this year requires an entirely new set of tools, which apparently, like toilet paper, is all sold out.

Some are turning to Christmas trees and twinkle lights for “The Thing.” I support this. I will get there. But it hasn’t felt like what I wanted quite yet. Really, I don’t know what I want. It certainly isn’t in a gift list. It never is in a gift list. And you know that, too (you are so smart.)

But it also isn’t NOT in a gift list. What I mean is, I remembered this week that I am no stranger to funky moods during Christmas. I’ve been first trimester pregnant, I’ve been third trimester pregnant. I’ve had new babies, I’ve been in new places. Now here we are in Pandemic Christmas, certainly new but still quite similar to these uncomfortable transitions. So I looked back at years past and tried to find one small thing that brought me joy when holiday depression settled.

Gift giving. 

Really, it’s not even in the gift giving but rather the gift curating I love so much. It’s a creative nudge that I can handle when my body just wants to be still. My favorite gift planning of all is in my Book and Toy Pairing Gift guides. As a form of resistance against the negative feelings, I set about creating this year’s list. The process involves books and creativity, all things I love. And when we go hunting for the things we love, we find joy. That’s not a small thing.

I hope you enjoy this year’s list. Feel free to visit these archives for year’s past.

And if you, too, are sitting in the middle of an unfortunate mood, I hope you can find something small that brings you joy soon. 

Sometimes it is the toys that drive me to find a book. This year it was the books. Many are favorites. Some are new and on our wish lists and library lists. All are sure to delight both you and the children in your lives. Because extending story to play is another small joy worth finding. 

P.S.When you make a purchase though my links, I make a small commission. That being said, these are my honest opinions and I was not paid to talk about any of the products mentioned. I just think they are pretty great!

Winter Books

I think one guy of the best ways to mark the changing of a season is in reading books that fit that season. Winter brings some of my favorite books. You’ll find many of them in this list. Here are some new ones we have enjoyed. 

The Wish Tree / Penguin Problems / Mice Skating / Goodbye Autumn, Hello Winter / Lines

While sleds or winter gear might be an obvious pairing with winter books, I feel I need to give a plug to these indoor snowballs. Trust me, you will like these more than you think. I have taken great pleasure at pelting my children at the end of a long week, and their giggle fits tell me they like it too.

Notable People in History Books

I gather many of my books from the library, but these are some I don’t mind having in our own collection. Reading about heroes in history feels like one of the best ways I can teach my children how to be good humans.

Goodnight Stories for Rebel Girls / Little Dreamers / Dream Big Little One / Think Big Little One

One of the primary reasons we pair books with toys is so the story can continue long after the last page. Along with a diverse set of books, adding diversity to our children’s play things is just as important. These stickers would be fun for kids to put together different people. These little peg dolls are so simple and sweet. I’m also heart eyeing this collection of inspiring women. I love the idea of Frida Kahlo, RBG, and Rosa Parks all having tea together inside a little dollhouse. Or better yet, going on a road trip like Thelma and Louise! Step aside, Barbie. There are some new women in town!

How Things Work Books

We have the How Trains Work and How Airports Work and thoroughly enjoy this series. There is so much to find in each picture that I don’t think we will ever tire of it. I want to add the third book in this series How Cities Work. 

How Airports Work / How Trains Work / How Cities Work

The toy to pair with these books is pretty obvious and there is no shortage of cars and trains and plane options out there for you. But I especially love these rubber ones from Wonder Wheels for Battat. We have the airplane and I will be adding the garbage truck along with the How Cities Work book. They have a few moving pieces but also as sturdy as can be which is important.

Bike Books 

All of these books on bikes charmed me with their covers and I haven’t even read them yet. They would be the perfect gift to your wheel loving little one.

Go Bikes Go / Cycle City / Born to Ride / The Red Bicycle

This bike light with multiple sounds is sure to impress the neighborhood bike gang.

USA Travel Books

Very few of us are traveling these days. But the planning is half the fun anyway. There are some great index books on fun facts about the country. Or dive into the Larry Gets Lost series, always a fun way to introduce your kids to new places around our country. Get your kids in on dreaming up the next big adventure!

National Parks of the USA / 50 Adventures in the 50 States / National Geographic Ultimate US Road Trip Atlas / Larry Gets Lost in Chicago / Larry Loves Chicago

We love this puzzle to go along with a big road trip. Also you could consider any of these favorite road toys in this post. And these journals look like so much fun, especially if you are headed to any of these national parks. Also, I found this camper van when looking at the Wonder Wheels from above and I think this would be such a cute addition. Santa is adding this to his bag for our house this year.

Shape Books

The best books are those that tell such a great story you don’t even notice you are learning. These books are all fun ways of teaching about shapes.

Round is a Tortilla / Square / Circle / Triangle / Shape Shift

Bring the shapes out of the story and into your kids hands with creativity while also teaching geometry. These tangrams have been a big hit for our kids this fall. It is even satisfying for adults.

Cardboard Creation Books

It is true that you give a kid a present and all they really want to play with is the box. But there is no greater beginning point for imagination. These books capture the magic in a box.

A Fort on the Moon / Cardboard Kingdom / The Fort

And these cardboard creation tools continue it into play. Start saving your cardboard now!

"Who are you reading to?" Elliott wanders into the living room to find me reading outloud to an empty room.

"Well, I was reading to Leo but he didn’t like my book choice so he left."

I continue reading, and he squeezes in next to me. Another page later his sister enters the room and climbs up onto the top of the couch (why this is comfortable, I’ll never know but they all do it. I wonder if the couch testers put bodies onto the couch ledge when they test for durability?)

The toddler finally returns, sitting at my feet thumbing through his own stack of books. 

When I finish, they all wander off again. I continue to answer questions and make meals and follow them around like a personal Roomba. 

But for that moment, it was calm, the reset that I needed. 

It’s been a rough week. I’m tired of answering the question "what are we doing today?" I’m tired of making meals, I’m tired of listening to their whines, I’m tired of picking up their endless trails of stuff. This is not unusual for the end of August. This part of the summer is necessary for making the launch from the nest into the classroom easier for all. 

But there won’t be a launch this year. Not in the way we once knew. The weight of this reality hangs like the humidity cloud outside our windows.

I’m trying to dissipate the stress in the usual healthy ways. But it feels like it still trails me, on the running path as I listen to my podcasts, on my social media feeds as I mindlessly scroll, and in bed when I should be sleeping but instead my mind is doing mental gymnastics. 

And yet, there is something magical about these children’s books. I might be tempted to say reading them takes me back to when I was a child and my world was simpler. But I don’t think that’s the case. I actually think children’s books can be just as complex and enriching as adult reading, perhaps even more so. As a writer I’m learning the art of saying more with less. Children’s authors have that nailed. And art to push it over the top.

I learned long ago that the right children’s book is as good if not better than an entire self help book. Our neighborhood library reopened for easy holds pickup recently. Which means I can walk off my stress to pick up another antidote to my stress, and be home in time to read to anyone, or no one. 

This collection of books I share today are exactly the right amount of cozy, emotional, and uplifting. I can’t speak for whether or not the kids are into them. But as I’ve said before. I don’t pick children’s books for them. I pick them for me. And if they wander in to listen every now and then, that’s just icing on the ice cream book cake. 

PS I threw that in because I made the cutest ice cream cake for Caroline’s birthday with a reading theme and I figured this August Book Collection wouldn’t be complete without that little nod. Happy Reading and Happy Eating!

My Favorite Children’s Books Read in August, and one great Ice Cream Cake.

Brave

Elliott has asked me to read this one many times, and I do not tire of it. I am always trying to remind my kids there are many ways to be brave. And we need this reminder more and more these days. 

The Uncorker of Bottles 

This story took my breath away. It is sad and lonely and then it is warm and tender. I can relate to all of these feels. Also it makes me miss parties with friends and the healing power of this.

What’s Cooking 10 Garden Street

Speaking of parties with friends, this book ends with a potluck dinner with all of the members of the apartment buildgng and it reminds me why I love living in mixed housing communities. Every shows a peak into someone’s kitchen, including the recipe they make. But it’s the details in the illustration that show each person as unique that i love so much. Part of my obsession with peaking into windows at night! I just love how food is a connector in our communities. 

Here and Now

This story is a meditation from beginning to end. And the page that reads “somewhere…an idea is blooming,” I choke up every time. 

Home in the Woods

I was drawn to this book because of the little house in the woods that reminded me of my cabin. But I had no idea the story would be so lovely. This one also begins sad, but with the mother’s hope. The illustration where she is in bed with all of her children, awake nursing her baby and “whispering to the stars,” oh mama, I feel that.

Green on Green

These last two books I feel especially drawn to from a writer perspective. The poetic nature of this story is such a lovely example of how simple repetitive words can tell a story too. I love any book that tells of the season changes. 

I Can Write the World

This story is of a girl who decides the best way to share the voices of her community is to be a writer. I love the message it shares with young children.

And one more thing…that ice cream cake!

Heres a quick recipe that I plan on using every time:

Quarter ice cream sandwiches and arrange upright around the edge of a spring form pan, as if setting books on a book shelf with pages facing out (get the book thing now?) Crush up Oreos and add to bottom of pan inside ice cream sandwiches. Cover Oreos with softened ice cream. Freeze. Top with whipped cream, hard shell chocolate sauce and any decorations, refreeze. Slice and enjoy!

P.S.When you make a purchase though my links, I make a small commission. That being said, these are my honest opinions and I was not paid to talk about any of the products mentioned. I just think they are pretty great! And Happy Shopping!