Great Books for Children Under 10

I added this book to my list because it’s a cute book for kids but the illustrations in this book is amazing.  Any page could stand alone as graphic designs for a child’s room.  I also love that Little Elliot himself would be a great toy for both a boy and a girl.  Little Elliot, Big City is the first in a series of books.  This book follows Elliot as he tries to navigate the big city and find a friend.  Although he’s small, he also learns that his size can have advantages and that there are others smaller than him.  A great story for bedtime, Little Elliot is sure to be a classic for years to come.  Parents you can grab an activity sheet for your little one.

About Little Elliot, Big City:

Mike Curato’s debut LITTLE ELLIOT, BIG CITY, the first in a three book series about a little elephant looking for friendship and cupcakes in a city a lot bigger than himself. I am not exaggerating when I say this new picture book character is absolutely irresistible. What I love most about this book is how simple the reminder is that you will find friends in unlikely places, and often when you’re not expecting it.

You can purchase a copy on Amazon – Little Elliot, Big City: $10.26 free shipping with Amazon Prime or orders over $35.  Find out more about the book, the author and watch the book trailer on the MacMillan website.

Don’t Judge a Lizard by His Scales is the first book in the series The Principlel Gang.  With October being National Bullying Prevention Month I wanted to include the books because they are a great way to encourage your children to be kind and not judge others.  This first book is a great reminder that we shouldn’t judge others and to be open to accepting people as they are.  I like that this series is aimed at kids ages 4-10 years old.  That’s a great age to introduce principles like respect for others, being kind, not judging and standing up for what is right.  This book is perfect for having a conversation with your children about bullying.

About The Principle Gang: Don’t Judge a Lizard by His Scales

Danny the Wizard Lizard goes on a fly-free diet as he sets out to prove that he is not like all the other lizards. During their quest for friendship, Danny the Wizard Lizard and Bli the Fly encounter the Lousy Lizard Gang, a no-good group of bullies. Danny the Wizard Lizard gives the first glimpse into why he is a Wizard Lizard by exhibiting special powers to stop the bullying that goes on at the movie theater. Witnessing his heroic act, Bli the Fly’s mother, Mrs. Fly, realizes that she misjudged this lizard, and Bli the Fly gets her first lesson in giving second chances.

Don’t Judge a Lizard by His Scales, Book One in The Principle Gang series by Dr. Dan and Bli Dugi, delivers lessons in anti-bullying, prejudice, and the value of friendships. The Principle Gang series introduces the foundational principles that guide families, relationships, and communities.

You can purchase it on Amazon – The Principle Gang: Don’t Judge a Lizard by His Scales: $7.99 on Kindle and $11.94 for Hardcover.  Shipping and handing fees apply.

The second book in the Principle Gang Series, Wizard Lizard Rides the Subway will be released in October for National Bullying Prevention Month.  This book is another great book for kids ages 4-10 that helps with starting conversations about bullying and showing respect for others.  Parents wanting to have those conversations with their children can purchase the books and have those conversations with their children.  The authors also invite kids to join the Principle Gang by taking the oath to promise respect and encouragement, while learning important principles to make a difference.  The Dugis also launched a “No Bullies Allowed” campaign for elementary schools.  Every school that signs up will receive a PG No Bullies Allowed starter pack, which includes an introductory letter, full-color poster for the school library, coloring sheet, and a power-point presentation for classroom instruction.  This is another great book and one to pick up in October for sure.

About the Principle Gang: Wizard Lizard Rides the Subway

Wizard Lizard Rides the Subway, Book Two in The Principle Gang Series, finds Danny the Wizard Lizard and Bli the Fly receiving positive attention for their mission to rid the world of bullying. In recognition of their great work, Mrs. Gecko, their school counselor, registers The Principle Gang for an anti-bullying conference in New York City.

Enlisting the driving talents of Mrs. Fly, Danny the Wizard Lizard and Bli the Fly make the long drive to the Big Apple for the conference. Before the conference, Danny the Wizard Lizard shows his friends around the city, where they experience speeding taxis, street food, and the subway. At the conference, The Principle Gang shares their three rules to prevent bullying: don’t be mean; tell your teacher; and, be a friend. Mrs. Fly, Bli the Fly, and Danny the Wizard Lizard leave the Big Apple having signed up 132 new members of the Principle Gang–a resounding success for their anti-bullying mission!

Pre-order on Amazon – The Principle Gang: Wizard Lizard Rides the Subway: $7.99 for Kindle and $11.73 for Hardcover.  Shipping and handling fees applies.

Earlier this year I had the opportunity to review Oliver’s Tree by Kit Chase.  It is one of the cutest books I’ve ever seen.  The illustrations alone would stand out as nursery art and decor.  They were masterfully drawn and make this book even more adorable for kids.  The story is about friendship and helping one another.  Oliver’s friends notice that he’s sad and they do everything they can to make him feel better and they don’t stop until they find a way to make him happy.  My daughter loved reading this book to her siblings.  They all loved the drawings and characters in the book.  Oliver’s Tree would make a great book for ages 0-8.  This classic in the making is a must have for any child’s library.  Kit Chase not only pulls your in with a beautiful story she also pulls you in with her amazing illustrations.

About Oliver’s Tree

Meet three adorable best friends from debut author/illustrator talent with a huge Etsy following

Oliver, Charlie, and Lulu love to play outside together. Their favorite game is hide-and-seek, but it’s not fun for Oliver when his friends hide in the trees—he can’t reach them! So the friends set off to find a tree that Oliver can play in.

But there’s a reason we don’t see elephants in trees, and just when Oliver is ready to give up the search, Charlie and Lulu surprise him with the perfect tree for them all to play in together!

Purchase the book on Amazon – Oliver’s Tree: $10.99 for Kindle and $12.67 for Hardcover.  Shipping and handling charges apply.

While looking through book reviews on my site I came across this review I wrote almost two years ago.  It was when my blog was a little newer and I had the opportunity to review What Daddy Did Today: A Father’s Bedtime Story.  Reviewing the book was a no brainer for me.  My husband is on bedtime story duty and at the time he was working in DC.  His travel time was so long, he was gone before the kids woke up and often he was home just in time for dinner and their bedtime story/routine.  This book was great for my family because my husband got to share a great story with the kids and he also had the chance to talk to them about his day.  This is a great book for all dads, whether they’re new dads or seasoned dads.  This independently published book is a great addition to any kids library of books.

About What Daddy Did Today

What Daddy Did Today is a bedtime story for a father to read to his child. When I was a kid, I would always wonder where my father went when he left the house for work every morning. What did he do? Who was he with? Why would it take so long? Of course, I learned later that Dad was just going to the office every day. But my imagination, up to that point, told me differently. I imagined my dad traveling to space, fighting dragons, and hitting home runs while he was away “at work.” So, this is a story that, as a kid, I would have loved to hear my dad tell. And now, as a grown man and future dad, it’s also a story that I would love to tell my son or daughter before they go to sleep. Because, although the story is filled with fun and adventure, ultimately, it is about how much Daddy loves his kid. I hope you enjoy it.

You can purchase the book directly from the author Walter Wally – What Daddy Did Today: $15.99

Little Humans by Brandon Stanton is a little different from the other books on this list.  It’s more like a ‘Coffee Table Book for Kids’.  You may or may not be familiar with Brandon Stanton and his photography project Humans of New York.  He started the project in 2010 and it’s grown tremendously with over six million dedicated followers.  This book features photos of kids.  Filled with stunning photography of the littlest humans of New York, you’re going to love looking at all the amazing photographs he captured and shared in this book.  While the text is sparse in the book they do tell a powerful story of how resilient children can be.  How they stand tall, they get up when they fall, and how big their hearts are.  It’s a great conversation piece and I like this book because if you love photography you can share that love with your children along with an empowering reminder that they are STRONG!

About Little Humans

Street photographer and storyteller extraordinaire Brandon Stanton is the creator of the wildly popular blog “Humans of New York.” He is also the author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Humans of New York. To create Little Humans, he’s combined an original narrative with some of his favorite children’s photos from the blog, in addition to all-new exclusive portraits. The result is a hip, heartwarming ode to little humans everywhere.

You can pre-order the book on Amazon – Little Humans: $17.99 for Kindle and Hardcover.  Shipping and Handling charges apply.

I wanted to add this book because it’s not a story book and while I am all for my kids reading and I know it’s important, I also want them to have fun.  Playful Hoodies features 25 reinvented sweatshirts for dress up, for costumes and for fun.  I jumped at the chance to share this book with my kids and my readers because it’s a great way to spend some time together as a family.  Reading isn’t just about telling stories.  As kids get older they will be reading for lots of different reasons and craft and recipe books are great ways to encourage your children to read all kinds of books and not just ones they like or entertain them.  The bonus of Playful Hoodies is the finished project at the end.  I can’t wait to try one of the projects with my daughter.  Maybe we’ll make a her a ‘Red Riding Hood Shawl’.  Who knows and adding this book to your book shelf can lead to endless hours of fun memories and fun.

About Playful Hoodies

Take one store-bought sweatshirt, add fleece embellishments, and voilà! You’ve got a really cool costume. These 25 imaginative and fun projects provide a delightful solution to the annual Halloween conundrum—or for any time kids want to play dress-up. It’s amazingly easy to put together a range of creative characters, including a princess, gnome, frog, owl, pumpkin, and Little Red Riding Hood. There are even a few simple extras to make to complete the outfits, like a wand and a crown. And as a bonus, with these warm sweatshirts, kids won’t even have to wear a coat on Halloween!

You can purchase the book on Amazon – Playful Hoodies: $17.95 for paperback.  Shipping and handing fees applies.

If you have a child that’s a fan of dinosaurs, cops & robbers, and turtles then they are going to love Kid Sheriff and the Terrible Toads.  The book follows the adventures of a kid who outsmarts a gang and shady thieves.  My kids love the story because it’s funny and they like how the kid sheriff tricks the bad guys.  My son really loved it the most because he’s a fan of dinosaurs and cops.  This reminds me that children are a lot smarter than we think they are.  The book is by Bob Shea and if you’re ever watched Nick Jr, then you have seen his story ‘Dinosaur vs Bedtime’.  With his name alone I knew this would be a story my kids would love.

About Kid Sheriff and the Terrible Toads

Drywater Gulch has a toad problem. Not the hop-down-your-britches, croaking-all-night toad kind of problem. The thievin’, hootin’ and hollerin’, steal-your-gold never-say-thank-you outlaw toad kind of problem.

Then hope rides into town. Sheriff Ryan might only be seven years old, and he might not know much about shooting and roping. But he knows a lot about dinosaurs. Yes, dinosaurs. And it turns out that knowing a thing or two about paleontology can come in handy when it comes to hoodwinking and rounding up a few no-good bandits. From Bob Shea and Lane Smith comes this hilarious picture book, Kid Sheriff and the Terrible Toads.
You can purchase the book on Amazon – Kid Sheriff and the Terrible Toads: $9.99 for Kindle and $17.99 for Hardcover.

Ylleya Fields Princess Cupcake Jones is a great book for young girls.  I love them for my daughter because it seems like they have so much in common.  She’s a spunky preschool who oves to wear a tutu.  This book is about her first day of school adventures and how she adjusts to starting school for the first time.  I had the opportunity to review Princess Cupcake Jones Won’t Go To School and my daughter just loved it.

About Princess Cupcake Jones Won’t Go To School

The first day of school is daunting for many children, especially if they haven’t been in daycare or some other group setting. Will the other children like me? What if I don’t know what to do or where to go? These and other worries rattle around in their little heads.

In the new children’s book, Princess Cupcake Jones Won’t Go To School by Ylleya Fields, Princess Cupcake initially refuses to go to school.  When this strong-will young princess finally goes to school and meets her nice teacher and makes friends with another little girl (also wearing a tutu), school doesn’t seem so bad.

You can purchase it from the author’s website – Princess Cupcake Jones Won’t Go To School: $15.95.

Since it’s almost Halloween I think I have to add a book of Monsters.  As a mom I’ve blogged before about being a “Monster Trapper”.  My kids don’t have bad dreams often and but when they do it usually don’t involve monsters.  I love this book because of the Monsterator in the back of the book.  It’s the first thing my kids noticed when the book arrived and I picked it up to read for their bedtime story that night.  They couldn’t wait to get home from school the next day and create all kinds of monsters.  The back features a section to change the head, body and feet of a boy, into over 600 different monsterful combinations.  Perfect for Halloween and for the rest of the year.  Now kids don’t have to be afraid of monsters ever again.  This is a great book for kids in grades one through three.  It’s hours of fun and your kids are going to enjoy creating all the monster combinations and the story as well.

About The Monsterator

When he entered a dusty costume store, one that he hadn’t seen before.  He got what he’d bargained for . . . and more.

Enter the Monsterator if you dare.  Put a coin in the slot . . . but beware!

Join Master Edgar Dreadbury as he discovers the Monsterator, a machine that changes people into monsters in this spooky Halloween adventure from Keith Graves.

You can purchase the book on Amazon – The Monsterator: $17.99 plus shipping.