Do you know that Earth Day is this month? It's April 22, as a matter of fact & coming up fast! What do you and your family do to celebrate Earth Day? I love planting things! I've planted a small tree before, & when we first moved to Arizona, we planted some cabbage seeds in a recycled egg carton. We also visited a nursery & bought a few new plants last year, so the options are limitless! Just find some way to honor the earth :) Here are some books to help you celebrate & come up with your own ideas of how to celebrate our wonderful earth. 
Also, some of these books are available for free on Kindle Unlimited. Did you hear that Amazon is offering 2 months free of Kindle Unlimited? That's pretty awesome, so if you have the app on a device or a kindle, you can download a lot of books for free right now!
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1. Thank you, Earth: a Love Letter to our Earth
by: April Sayre 
https://www.amazon.com/Thank-You-Earth-Letter-Planet/dp/006269734X/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Thank+you+Earth&qid=1586363585&sr=8-1
2. I Am Earth
by: James McDonald 
​https://www.amazon.com/Am-Earth-Day-Book-Kids/dp/099829490X/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1586363627&sr=8-1
*Kindle version for FREE available*

3. The Earth Book 
by: Todd Parr
https://www.amazon.com/EARTH-Book-Todd-Parr/dp/031604265X/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=the+Earth+Book&qid=1586451074&sr=8-1
4. Earthrise (Apollo 8 photo) **
by: James Gladstone
(This is one of my son's favorite books, since it's about rockets & outer space, but it's also neat since it explains that this photo taken in space inspired the celebration of an Earth Day.) 
https://www.amazon.com/Earthrise-Apollo-Photo-Changed-World/dp/1771473169/ref=sr_1_14?dchild=1&keywords=Earthrise&qid=1586451172&s=books&sr=1-14 
5. The Big Earth Book
by: Mark Brake
https://www.amazon.com/Earth-Book-Lonely-Planet-Kids-ebook/dp/B0758WMHX1/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=the+big+earth+book&qid=1586451347&s=books&sr=1-1 
*FREE Kindle Unlimited book*

6. Fancy Nancy: Every Day is Earth Day 
by: Jane O' Connor 
​https://www.amazon.com/Fancy-Nancy-Every-Earth-Level/dp/0061873268/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2P3MY1YDN5OXT&dchild=1&keywords=fancy+nancy+every+day+is+earth+day&qid=1586451794&s=books&sprefix=fancy+nancy+every+day+is+earth+%2Cstripbooks%2C479&sr=1-1 
7.Here we Are
​by: Oliver Jeffers 
https://www.amazon.com/Here-We-Are-Living-Planet/dp/0399167897/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=here+we+are&qid=1586451974&s=books&sr=1-1 

8. No Place Like Earth (Mickey Mouse Clubhouse)
by: Susan Amerikaner 
https://www.amazon.com/Mickey-Mouse-Clubhouse-Place-Earth-ebook/dp/B007GIWTLM/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=no+place+like+earth&qid=1586452179&s=books&sr=1-2
*Free Kindle Unlimited version* 

9. Earth Day, Birthday!
by: Maureen Wright 
https://www.amazon.com/Earth-Day-Birthday-Maureen-Wright-ebook/dp/B007IVLDPU/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Earth+day+birthday&qid=1586452597&sr=8-1
*FREE Kindle Unlimited version!*

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​What does SPRING look like or smell like to you? I realize some of my favorite things about spring are: rain showers, blossoming flowers, birds chirping, new baby animals & fresh cut grass.
I've nearly found at least one children's book that deals with one of these aspects of spring. I have included book links to www.kidsbooks.com (which is one of my new favorite online bookstores, especially when I find good deals!)
Please check out & enjoy this list of 20 children's picture books about spring! I would love to hear some of your favorites too!

1. Hedgehugs & the Hattiepillar
by: Steve Wilson
(This has to be one of the most darling books of ALL time; it deals with hedgehogs who become friends with a caterpillar & then watch its life cycle transformation into a butterfly. There's a little twist/surprise at the end & my son loves this one!)
https://www.amazon.com/Hedgehugs-Hattiepillar-Steve-Wilson/dp/162779414X/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1585848216&sr=8-1

2. We Are the Gardeners
Joanna Gaines
https://www.amazon.com/We-Are-Gardeners-Joanna-Gaines/dp/1400314224/ref=sr_1_1?crid=RRB3Y44YO6SY&dchild=1&keywords=we+are+the+gardeners+by+joanna+gaines&qid=1585804797&s=books&sprefix=we+are+the+gard%2Cstripbooks%2C222&sr=1-1
3. Shake a Leg, Egg!
Kurt Cyrus
https://kidsbooks.com/Store/Browse?q=shake+a+leg%2C+egg
4. Little Blue Truck Springtime
Alice Schertle
(The Little Blue Truck series is always a hit at my house! The cute rhymes and friendly nature of Little Blue as he beep beeps around are even more endearing as he meets all the baby animals in this book.)
https://www.amazon.com/Little-Trucks-Springtime-Alice-Schertle/dp/0544938097/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2KD1ML22O7BZU&dchild=1&keywords=little+blue+truck%27s+springtime&qid=1585846404&sprefix=Little+Blue+Truck%27s+%2Caps%2C1369&sr=8-1
5. You're my Little Bunny
by: Claire Freedman
(We have some of her other soft-cover books & really love them. The bear one is our favorite!)
https://www.amazon.com/Youre-Little-Bunny-Claire-Freedman/dp/0545207215/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=you%27re+my+little+bunny&qid=1585848395&sr=8-1
​ 6. Hop Little Bunnies
Martha Mumford
https://www.amazon.com/Hop-Little-Bunnies-dp-1408892936/dp/1408892936/ref=mt_paperback?_encoding=UTF8&me=&qid=1585804650
7. Goodbye Winter, Hello Spring!
by: Kenard Pak
https://www.amazon.com/Goodbye-Winter-Hello-Spring-Kenard/dp/1250151724/ref=sr_1_1?crid=313O3M354V1PN&dchild=1&keywords=goodbye+winter+hello+spring&qid=1585848771&sprefix=goodbye+winter+hello%2Caps%2C612&sr=8-1
8. Baby Bird
by: Andrew Gibbs
(A little reminiscent of the message in the Ugly Duckling, this is an endearing story about a little bird who has difficulty learning to fly.)
https://www.amazon.com/Baby-Bird-Andrew-Gibbs/dp/178603591X/ref=sr_1_8?dchild=1&keywords=baby+birds&qid=1585848569&sr=8-8
​9. Bears & Blossoms
by: Shirley Parenteau
(These are the same bears from Bears and a Birthday, ​which is another really cute one!)
https://www.amazon.com/Bears-Blossoms-Chairs-Shirley-Parenteau/dp/0763697559/ref=sr_1_5?dchild=1&keywords=springtime+blossoms&qid=1585850204&sr=8-5
​10.Clifford's Spring Clean-Up
by: Norman Bridwell
(This is Clifford the big red dog; we are big fans of him here at our house!)
https://www.amazon.com/Cliffords-Spring-Clean-Up-Clifford-Big/dp/0590060120/ref=sr_1_1?crid=269BKIJST840J&dchild=1&keywords=clifford%27s+spring+cleanup&qid=1585850378&sprefix=clifford%27s+spring+clean%2Caps%2C207&sr=8-1
​
11. When Spring Comes
by: Kevin Henkes (author of the Lilly series)
​https://www.amazon.com/When-Spring-Comes-Kevin-Henkes/dp/0062741675/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=when+spring+comes&qid=1585854544&sr=8-1
12. Let it Rain
by: Maryann Cocca- Leffler
https://www.amazon.com/Let-Rain-Maryann-Cocca-Leffler/dp/0545453437/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=let+it+rain&qid=1585854676&sr=8-2
13. Spring Hike
by: Dineo Dowd
https://www.amazon.com/Spring-Hike-arrival-blooming-childrens-ebook/dp/B084X3W3KT/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=spring+hike&qid=1585854769&sr=8-1
14. A Duckling for Daniel
by:Angela Santomero
https://kidsbooks.com/Store/Details/9781481457811B/a-duckling-for-daniel-daniel-tigers-neighborh
​15. The Tiny Seed
by: Eric Carle
https://www.amazon.com/Tiny-Seed-World-Eric-Carle/dp/1416979174/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=the+tiny+seed&qid=1585855062&sr=8-1
16. Finding Spring
by: Carin Berger
https://www.amazon.com/Finding-Spring-Carin-Berger/dp/0062250191/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=finding+spring&qid=1585855287&sr=8-1
17. The Thing about Spring
by: Daniel Kirk
​https://www.amazon.com/Thing-About-Spring-Daniel-Kirk/dp/141974383X/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1585855417&sr=1-1
​18. Mouse Loves Spring
by: Lauren Thompson
https://www.amazon.com/Mouse-Loves-Spring-Lauren-Thompson/dp/1534401849/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=Mouse%27s+first+spring&qid=1585855667&s=books&sr=1-2
19. The Honeybee
by: Kirsten Wilson
https://www.amazon.com/Honeybee-Kirsten-Hall/dp/1481469975/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=the+honeybee&qid=1585855945&s=books&sr=1-1
​20. Spring in the Forest (a lift-the-flap book!)
by: Rusty Finch
https://www.amazon.com/Spring-Forest-Lift-flap-Surprise/dp/1680524828/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=spring+in+the+forest&qid=1585856112&s=books&sr=1-1
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*Bonus Read: Flowers are Calling by: Rita Gray & Kenard Pak (gorgeous illustrations!!!)
https://www.amazon.com/Flowers-Are-Calling-Rita-Gray/dp/0544340124/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Flowers+are+Calling&qid=1585866802&sr=8-1

5 Baby Spring Board Books:
1. That's Not my Lamb/Bunny (Usborne books)
2. The Very Hungry Caterpillar (Eric Carle)
3. Planting a Rainbow (Lois Ehlert)
https://www.amazon.com/Planting-Rainbow-Lois-Ehlert/dp/015204633X/ref=sr_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=spring+board+books&qid=1585872753&sr=8-4
​4. ​A Little Book About Spring (Leo Lionni)
https://www.amazon.com/Little-About-Spring-Lionnis-Friends/dp/0525582274/ref=sr_1_10?dchild=1&keywords=spring+board+books&qid=1585872834&sr=8-10
5. Bright Baby Touch & Feel Spring (Roger Priddy)
​https://www.amazon.com/Little-About-Spring-Lionnis-Friends/dp/0525582274/ref=sr_1_10?dchild=1&keywords=spring+board+books&qid=1585872834&sr=8-10

What are your family Easter traditions? One of mine is reading kid literature about Easter with my kids & giving each of them a new book. (Pictured above are the books each kid will get this year!) We also love to do an Easter egg hunt (probably a modified, social distancing one this year) & an Easter egg advent (opening an egg & looking at a symbol from Christ's life & reading the accompanying scriptures in the week before Easter.)
This post will include both a picture book list for children (16 favorites) &  a list of baby board books (6 favorites.) I hope your Easter can be a restful & healing time for you & your family this year. I always love traditions surrounding Easter, but especially when they're centered on Christ & new life. Many of these books will be fun ones for kids, but I will also share a few of my favorite Christ-centered Easter books too. 
And I should go ahead & mention that I will have a spring book list coming out (separately) in a couple of weeks. Hoppy reading everybody!  ​

Children's Books List 
1. The Easter Story 
by: Parragon Books 
https://www.amazon.com/Easter-Storybook-Bible-Stories-Showing/dp/0830778608/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?dchild=1&keywo
rds=the+easter+story&qid=1584646806&s=books&sr=1-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzRU9PQ1I1S01IWENZJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNTAwNjQ2MkcyOUNaMTROSlY5MiZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwOTIzNjc5MzY0TVhSV0k2RjFCUSZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=

2. The Easter Egg
by: Jan Brett 
https://www.amazon.com/Easter-Egg-Jan-Brett/dp/039925238X/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=the+easter+egg&qid=1584646843&s=books&sr=1-2

3.God Gave Us Easter
by: Lisa Tawn Bergren 
https://www.amazon.com/God-Gave-Us-Easter/dp/0307730727/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=god+gave+us+easter&qid=1584646887&s=books&sr=1-1

4.Marley & The Great Easter Egg Hunt
by: John Grogan
https://www.amazon.com/Marley-Great-Easter-Egg-Hunt/dp/0062125249/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2DJ9A99GB3558&dchild=1&keywords=marley+and+the+great+easter+egg+hunt&qid=1584652900&sprefix=Marley+%26+the+great+easter+egg+%2Caps%2C231&sr=8-1
5. Wake Up, It's Easter!
by: James Kruss
https://www.amazon.com/Wake-Its-Easter-James-Kruss/dp/0735840709/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=wake+up+its+easter&qid=1584652927&sr=8-1

6. Who Hid the Easter Egg? 
by: Pirrko Vainio  
https://www.amazon.com/Who-Easter-Eggs-Pirkko-Vainio/dp/0735823049/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=who+hid+the+easter+egg&qid=1584652954&sr=8-1

7. How to Catch the Easter Bunny
by: Adam Wallace

8. The Easter Bunny that Overslept 
by: Priscilla & Otto Friedrich 
www.amazon.com/Easter-Bunny-That-Overslept/dp/0060296453/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=The+Easter+Bunny+That+overslept&qid=1584645049&s=books&sr=1-2

9.Chester's Colorful Easter Eggs
by: Theresa Smythe 
https://www.amazon.com/Chesters-Colorful-Easter-Christy-Ottaviano/dp/0805093265/ref=sr_1_1?crid=35QI1M5LGMGU3&dchild=1&keywords=chester%27s+colorful+easter+eggs&qid=1584648920&s=books&sprefix=chester%27s+colorful+easter%2Cstripbooks%2C-1&sr=1-1

10. Happy Easter, Mouse!
by: Laura Numeroff 
https://www.amazon.com/Happy-Easter-Mouse-Laura-Numeroff/dp/0545332133/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1584649026&sr=1-2

11.The Berenstain Bears & the Easter Story  OR  Easter Sunday
by: Mike Berenstain 
https://www.amazon.com/Berenstain-Easter-Sunday-Living-Lights/dp/0310749026/ref=sr_1_6?dchild=1&keywords=easter+religious&qid=1584646484&s=books&sr=1-6

12. Max's Chocolate Chicken 
by: Rosemary Wells 
www.amazon.com/Maxs-Chocolate-Chicken-Max-Ruby/dp/0140566724/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Max%27s+Chocolate+Chicken&qid=1584645309&s=books&sr=1-1

13. Mickey's Easter Hunt 
by: Sheila Sweeny Higginson 

14.Pete the Cat: Big Easter Adventure 
by: James Dean
https://www.amazon.com/Pete-Cat-Big-Easter-Adventure/dp/006219867X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2OCS9ADQ9TDBG&dchild=1&keywords=pete+the+cat+easter+adventure&qid=1584646308&s=books&sprefix=Pete+the+Cat+Easter%2Cstripbooks%2C655&sr=1-1 
​
15. The Story of Easter (Little Golden Book) 
by: Jean Miller
https://www.amazon.com/Story-Easter-Little-Golden-Book/dp/0399555145/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=easter+religious&qid=1584646542&s=books&sr=1-1 

16.The Great Easter Race 
​by: Sesame Workshop
https://www.amazon.com/Great-Easter-Sesame-Street-Scribbles/dp/1492638374/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=The+Great+Easter+Race&qid=1584648967&s=books&sr=1-1

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​
5 Baby Board Books
1. The Story of Easter
by: Patricia A. Pingry
www.amazon.com/Easter-Story-Patricia-Pingry/dp/B0099SCZKM/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1584639005&sr=1-3

2. Jesus Rose for Me:The True Story of Easter
by: Jared Kennedy
https://www.amazon.com/Jesus-Rose-Me-Story-Easter/dp/164507045X/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?dchild=1&keywords=Jesus+Rose+for+Me&qid=1584641795&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUFBSDNZUUdJUTJIT1QmZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTAxNjYyNDYyMUtaNE5EUEtRRzFaJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTEwNDYwMjY4ODVPSU0wTVo4WVYmd2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGYmYWN0aW9uPWNsaWNrUmVkaXJlY3QmZG9Ob3RMb2dDbGljaz10cnVl

3. Hatch (Peek & See the Baby Animals)
by: Make Believe Ideas Ltd. & Dawn Machell 
www.amazon.com/Hatch-Make-Believe-Ideas-Ltd/dp/1788438515/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=Hatch&qid=1584641887&s=books&sr=1-2


4. Hop 
by: Cottage Door Press
https://www.amazon.com/Hop-Peek-flap-Board-Book/dp/1680527797?ref_=ast_sto_dp

5. Biscuit's Pet & Play Easter-- Touch & Feel books
by: Alyssa Capucilli 
www.amazon.com/Biscuits-Easter-Capucilli-Alyssa-Satin/dp/B00OHX6RBC/ref=sr_1_7?dchild=1&keywords=biscuit%27s+touch+and+feel+books&qid=1584642463&s=books&sr=1-7 

Bonus Read: Big Egg, Small Egg (Channel lift-the-flap book) 

www.amazon.com/Foreman-Farley-Backhoe-Penguin-Concepts/dp/0448463989/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=foreman+farley+had+a+backhoe&qid=1584041281&sr=8-1-spell
I have a son who thinks construction vehicles are pretty awesome. To make this post even more authentic, I will post a picture of him on a stray excavator we found by the side of the road two weeks ago. :) 
Of all the construction vehicles, excavators are definitely his favorite (and he will correct you if you call it a "digger.") He also loves to sing along to Blippi's "Excavator" & "Tractor" songs.
Without further ado, here are our top 12 favorite picture books! 


1. Dig, Dogs, Dig! A Construction Tail
by: James Horvath
www.amazon.com/Dig-Dogs-Construction-Tail/dp/0062189646/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=work+dogs+work&qid=1584038520&sr=8-3
The rhyming about construction work in this book will have you hooked on the construction project these hardworking dogs are completing. 

2. Backhoe Joe!
by: Lori Alexander
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to find a stray backhoe in the road & take it home as a pet? This is an adorable, feel-good story about the cutest little boy with that ambition. 
https://www.amazon.com/Backhoe-Joe-Lori-Alexander/dp/0062250159/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=backhoe+joe&qid=1584039625&sr=8-1
3. Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site
by: Sherri Duskey Rinky   
Even construction vehicles need a good night's sleep! This one is pretty cute with the sound bar too. 
https://www.amazon.com/Goodnight-Construction-Sherri-Duskey-Rinker/dp/1452111731/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=2C9VW8C0KLM21&keywords=goodnight+goodnight+construction+site&qid=1584039798&sprefix=goodnight+goodnigh%2Caps%2C262&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzOFBRVUpWTks3OUNRJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwMjU0MzQ5MkRCT0s1NTBMWlQ2MyZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwMjE3NzY0MTIwUk5FVEtWRzhRMSZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=
4. The Construction Alphabet
by: Jerry Pallotta
https://www.amazon.com/Construction-Alphabet-Jerry-Pallottas-Books/dp/1570914389/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=the+construction+alphabet&qid=1584040485&sr=8-1

5.Foreman Farley Had a Backhoe
by: Jenny Goebel
www.amazon.com/Foreman-Farley-Backhoe-Penguin-Concepts/dp/0448463989/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=foreman+farley+had+a+backhoe&qid=1584041281&sr=8-1-spell
6.Jack's House
by: Karen Magnuson Beil
www.amazon.com/Jacks-House-Karen-Magnuson-Beil/dp/0823422429/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=jack%27s+house&qid=1584041321&sr=8-1
7. Mike Mulligan's Steam Shovel
by: Virginia Lee Burton
www.amazon.com/Mike-Mulligan-His-Steam-Shovel/dp/0395259398/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=mike+mulligan%27s+steam+shovel&qid=1584041350&sr=8-1

8. Grandpa's Tractor
by: Michael Garland
www.amazon.com/Grandpas-Tractor-Michael-Garland/dp/1590787625/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=grandpa%27s+tractor&qid=1584041372&sr=8-1

9. Where Do Diggers Sleep?
by: Brianna Caplan Sayres
www.amazon.com/Where-Do-Diggers-Sleep-Night/dp/0385374151/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=where+do+diggers+sleep%2F%3E&qid=1584041399&sr=8-2

10. Little Excavator 
by: Anna Dewdney
https://www.amazon.com/Little-Excavator-Anna-Dewdney/dp/1101999209/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=little+excavator&qid=1584041942&sr=8-1

11. Digger, Dozer, Dumper 
by: Hope Vestergaard 
​
​12.  The Mixed Up Mixer 
by: Stephen Savage
www.amazon.com/Mixed-Up-Truck-Stephen-Savage/dp/162672153X/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=cement+mixer+book&qid=1584038379&sr=8-2

​

I think it's amazing that an individual can write their own story & illustrate it. Author-illustrators have to do a lot of work to publish a book. Here are some of my favorites or classic author-illustrators with at least one example of a book they've produced. I respect people who can craft their own story entirely on their own; I wish I could do the same with my children's books! Instead, I've found some pretty talented women to help me out on the illustrations in my books & I think you will all thank me for that! ;)


1. Bill Peet wrote & illustrated Big Bad Bruce, The Caboose who Got Loose, Cowardly Clyde, Farewell to Shady Glade, Smokey & many more!
www.amazon.com/Big-Bad-Bruce-Bill-Peet/dp/0395329221/ref=sr_1_10?keywords=bill+peet&qid=1582752049&sr=8-10
2. Graeme Base wrote & illustrated Little Elephants, The Water Hole, & Animalia
www.amazon.com/Animalia-Picture-Puffins-Graeme-1996-10-01/dp/B01FKUQX4Q/ref=sr_1_26?keywords=Graeme+Base&qid=1582752262&sr=8-26
3. Brian Floca wrote & illustrated Moonshot, Lightship, Locomotive (which won the Caldecott medal award) & The Racecar Alphabet.
www.amazon.com/Locomotive-Caldecott-Medal-Brian-Floca/dp/1416994157/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=brian+floca&qid=1582756761&sr=8-3
4. Penny Dale wrote Dinosaur Rocket & Dinosaur Pirates.
www.amazon.com/Dinosaur-Rocket-Penny-Dales-Dinosaurs/dp/085763397X/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=Dinosaur+Rocket&qid=1582752370&sr=8-2
5. Lisa Stubbs wrote Lily and Bear.
www.amazon.com/Lily-Bear-Lisa-Stubbs/dp/1481444166/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=lily+and+bear&qid=1582752444&sr=8-1
6. Don Freeman wrote & illustrated the beloved Courduroy series.
www.amazon.com/Corduroy-Don-Freeman/dp/0451470796/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=courduroiy&qid=1582752533&sr=8-1-spell
7. Ezra Jack Keats wrote the Snowy Day.
www.amazon.com/Snowy-Day-Ezra-Jack-Keats/dp/0140501827/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1DY7QPI0XIM4U&keywords=the+snowy+day&qid=1582754739&sprefix=the+snowy%2Caps%2C274&sr=8-1
8. Joseph Kuefler wrote & illustrated The Digger & the Flower & Rulers of the Playground.
www.amazon.com/Digger-Flower-Joseph-Kuefler/dp/0062424335/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=joseph+kuefler+books&qid=1582752607&sr=8-4
9. Marianne Richmond wrote & illustrated Be Brave Little One & In My Heart.
www.amazon.com/Brave-Little-One-Marianne-Richmond/dp/1492658812/ref=sr_1_1?crid=12BTSE6YXP4Z5&keywords=be+brave+little+one&qid=1582758079&sprefix=be+brave+litt%2Caps%2C205&sr=8-1
10. Bruce Degen wrote & illustrated Jamberry.
www.amazon.com/Jamberry-Bruce-Degen/dp/0694006513/ref=sr_1_2?crid=322LFMIPOK7XK&keywords=bruce+degen+books&qid=1582757824&sprefix=bruce+degan+b%2Caps%2C193&sr=8-2
11. Daniel San Souci who wrote & illustrated by North Country Night.
www.amazon.com/North-Country-Night-Daniel-Souci/dp/0440410290/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=North+Country+Night&qid=1582758656&sr=8-1
12. Eric Carle wrote & illustrated the Very Hungry Caterpillar & the Very Busy Spider.
www.amazon.com/Very-Hungry-Caterpillar-Eric-Carle/dp/0399208534/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1582758443&sr=8-3

13. Chris Gall wrote & illustrated Dinotrux.
https://www.amazon.com/Dinotrux-Chris-Gall/dp/0316405841/ref=sr_1_37?dchild=1&keywords=dinotrux&qid=1584581699&sr=8-37
14. Melanie Watts wrote & drew the Scaredy Squirrel series.

​15. Lane Smith wrote & illustrated Grandpa Green (which won a Caldecott award.)


​16. Maurice Sendak wrote & illustrated the beloved Where the Wild Things Are.

I have a toddler son who LOVES anything and everything that moves & beeps or honks; this list of 15 picture books is dedicated to him, since these are the books he has exclusively requested at bedtime for about a year now. Think airplanes, trains, cars...VROOM! (Not included but coming soon will be a list of all our favorite construction books.)
I grouped the books below by trains, cars & trucks, & airplanes. Enjoy!

- A quick disclaimer: I am not sponsored by Amazon, but all the book links below are on Amazon.com simply because my server kept crashing with Barnes & Noble and Target. That being said, I'm sure you could find quite a few of these books at those stores.
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1. The Little Engine that Could
by: Watty Piper
www.amazon.com/Little-Engine-Could-Original-Classic/dp/0448405202/ref=sr_1_1?crid=11FSPYHBEQUGT&keywords=the+little+engine+that+could&qid=1581556298&s=books&sprefix=the+little+engine%2Cstripbooks%2C212&sr=1-1

2. How to Train a Train
by: Jason Carter Eaton
www.amazon.com/How-Train-Jason-Carter-Eaton/dp/0763663077/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=how+to+train+your+train&qid=1581558294&sr=8-2
​3. Trucker & Train
by: Hannah Stark
www.amazon.com/Trucker-Train-Hannah-Stark/dp/0544801814/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=trucker+and+train&qid=1581572432&sr=8-1
4. Steam Train, Dream Train
by: Sherri Duskey Rinker
(This cute one comes with sound book options also. See the link below! We also like Steam Train Dream Train COLORS.)
www.amazon.com/Steam-Train-Dream-Sound-Book/dp/1452128251/ref=sr_1_6?crid=1J4YPOCS8ECSW&keywords=steam+train+dream+train&qid=1581572615&sprefix=steam+train+dream%2Caps%2C-1&sr=8-6
5. Trains Run!
by: George Ella & Benn Lyon
www.amazon.com/Trains-Run-George-Ella-Lyon/dp/1481482025/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=trains+run&qid=1581572673&sr=8-1
6. If I Built a Car
by: Chris Van Dusen
www.amazon.com/Built-Car-Chris-Van-Dusen/dp/0142408255/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=If+I+built+a+car&qid=1581572815&sr=8-1
7. Little Blue Truck (the entire series is great! We love Little Blue Truck Leads the Way & the seasonal ones too!!)
by: Alice Schertle
www.amazon.com/Built-Car-Chris-Van-Dusen/dp/0142408255/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=If+I+built+a+car&qid=1581572815&sr=8-1
8. Little Fire Truck
by: Margery Cuyler
www.amazon.com/Little-Fire-Truck-Vehicles/dp/1627798056/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Little+fire+truck&qid=1581573140&s=books&sr=1-1
9. How to Track a Truck
by: Jason Carter Eaton
www.amazon.com/Track-Truck-Jason-Carter-Eaton/dp/0763680656/ref=sxbs_sxwds-stvp?cv_ct_cx=how+to+track+your+truck&keywords=how+to+track+your+truck&pd_rd_i=0763680656&pd_rd_r=b505170d-76bf-4a5e-aed5-1904c2fa4a2f&pd_rd_w=ITk8p&pd_rd_wg=OBLTo&pf_rd_p=a6d018ad-f20b-46c9-8920-433972c7d9b7&pf_rd_r=Q13K2AYGW6YBGNJB8EBA&psc=1&qid=1583283999&s=books
10. “and the cars go...”
by: William Bee
www.amazon.com/Cars-Go-William-Bee/dp/0763665800/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=and+the+cars+go&qid=1583278484&s=books&sr=1-1
11.Vroom!
by: Barbara McClintock
www.amazon.com/Vroom-Barbara-McClintock/dp/162672217X/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=vroom&qid=1581573376&s=books&sr=1-1
12.Elbow Grease
by: John Cena
www.amazon.com/Elbow-Grease-John-Cena/dp/1524773506/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=elbow+grease&qid=1581573423&s=books&sr=1-2

13. If I Built a Car
by: Chris Van Duesen 
www.amazon.com/Built-Car-Chris-Van-Dusen/dp/0142408255/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=if+I+built+a+car&qid=1583278559&s=books&sr=1-1
14. Violet the Pilot
by: Steve Breen
(I love that the protagonist of this story is a girl & she's very innovative in creating her own airplane & wanting to race it against other pilots as a young girl. She ends up doing something more important with her aircraft on the day of the race, however.)
www.amazon.com/Violet-Pilot-Steve-Breen/dp/0425288196/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=violet+the+pilot&qid=1581573484&s=books&sr=1-1
15.Little Smokey
by: Robert Neubecker
www.amazon.com/Little-Smokey-Robert-Neubecker/dp/1984851047/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=little+smokey&qid=1581548366&s=books&sr=1-1
16.Planes Fly
by: George Lyon
www.amazon.com/Planes-Fly-George-Ella-Lyon/dp/1442450258/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=planes+fly&qid=1581573513&s=books&sr=1-1
17.The Airport Book
by; Lisa Brown
www.amazon.com/Airport-Book-Lisa-Brown/dp/1626720916/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=the+airport+book&qid=1581573541&s=books&sr=1-1

18. Choo Choo
by: Virginia Lee Burton (same author of Mike Mulligan's Steam Shovel)
www.amazon.com/Choo-Virginia-Lee-Burton/dp/0395479428/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Choo+choo&qid=1582659947&sr=8-1 


**Bonus Book (mostly colorful pictures & less wordy): ABC's for Boys, by: Michael Kracht**

I firmly believe that when our kids are little, Valentines is more of a friendship day, or a day to show & share love from parent to child. So a lot of these books reflect that inclination. If you're interested in more adult-ish, romantic Valentines reads, than please join my online book club in reading Edenbrooke this month. :) 

BABY BOARD BOOKS: 
1. "Kiss it Better" by: Smriti Prasdam-Hatts
​www.amazon.com/Kiss-Better-padded-board-book/dp/1681194260/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=kiss+it+better&qid=1581027508&sr=8-4
2.  "With Love, from Me to You by: Manz Simon 
www.amazon.com/Love-You-Mary-Manz-Simon/dp/0310758157/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=with+love+from+me+to+you&qid=1581030238&sr=8-2
3. "Snuggle Puppy" by: Sandra Boynton (be prepared to sing a little ditty!) 
www.amazon.com/Snuggle-Puppy-Boynton-Board-Sandra/dp/0761130675/ref=sr_1_5?crid=233H52WJWJSUE&keywords=snuggle+puppy&qid=1581030274&sprefix=snuggke+puppy%2Caps%2C759&sr=8-5
4. "You are my Heart" by: Marianne Richmond
www.amazon.com/You-Are-Heart-Marianne-Richmond/dp/1492615412/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=you+are+my+heart&qid=1581030306&sr=8-2
5."How Many Do I Love You?" by: Cheri Love-Byrd
www.amazon.com/How-Many-Love-You-Valentine/dp/1680522744?ref_=ast_slp_dp

CHILDREN'S PICTURE BOOKS: 
1."The Biggest Kiss" by: Joanna Walsh & Judi Abbot 
All about animals & kisses; adorable!
www.amazon.com/Biggest-Kiss-Joanna-Abbot-Walsh/dp/B00K0OTBL0/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1581026466&sr=8-1
2. "Love Is" by: Diane Adams
A story of a little duck & a little girl who finds him & who grow to care for each other. 
www.amazon.com/Love-Diane-Adams/dp/1452139970/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=Love+is&qid=1581026500&sr=8-2
3. "I Love You, a Bushel & a Peck"  
(yes, the lyrics to the song from Guys & Dolls with adorable duck illustrations). My grandma always says this to us or writes it in our birthday cards, so this one is extra special to me.
www.amazon.com/I-Love-You-Bushel-Peck/dp/0064436020/ref=sr_1_13?crid=PTCERX064OWX&keywords=i+love+you+a+bushel+and+a+peck&qid=1581026750&sprefix=I+Love+you+a+Bu%2Caps%2C294&sr=8-13

4. "Plant a Kiss" by: Amy Rosenthal
Little Miss plants a seed or small act of love & is surprised by the grand result.  
www.amazon.com/Plant-Kiss-Board-Krouse-Rosenthal/dp/0062416529/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Plant+a+Kiss&qid=1581026814&sr=8-1
5. "Pete the Cat, Valentine's Day is Cool" by: James Dean

*Bonus book*: "Twosomes" is a book of love poems by Marilyn Singer 
"Splat the Cat" by: Rob Scotton

 
​
1. Dino Basketball 
by: Lisa Wheeler
https://www.amazon.com/Dino-basketball-Dino-Sports-Lisa-Wheeler/dp/0761363939/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2BMV20MEIZHFR&keywords=dino+basketball&qid=1580745855&sprefix=dino+basket%2Caps%2C216&sr=8-1
2. Don't Ask a Dinosaur 
by: Deborah Bruss
3. Triceratops Stomp
by: Karen Parakau
www.amazon.com/gp/product/1772780790?pf_rd_p=ab873d20-a0ca-439b-ac45-cd78f07a84d8&pf_rd_r=GJR76RCTHRYEE4XWQ7A1
4.Down at the Dinowash Deluxe 
by: Tim Myers
https://www.amazon.com/Down-at-Dino-Wash-Deluxe/dp/1402777981/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?keywords=down+at+the+dinowash+deluxe&qid=1580751018&s=books&sr=1-1-fkmr0

​5.A Dinosaur Named After Me
​by: Bernard Most
www.amazon.com/Dinosaur-Named-After-Me/dp/0152234942/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=a+dinosaur+named+after+me&qid=1580750198&sr=8-1

 1."The Big Snow" 
by: Berta & Elmer Hader 
The woodland animals are all making preparations for the long winter.  Geese are flying south on the winter & rabbit & deer grew thick fur coats. 
www.amazon.com/Big-Snow-Berta-Hader/dp/0689717571
2. "The Snowy Day" (Caldecott) 
by: Ezra Jack Keats 
A classic book about a boy and a big snowfall in the city. 
www.amazon.com/Snowy-Day-Ezra-Jack-Keats/dp/0140501827/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=the+snowy+day&qid=1579539407&s=books&sr=1-1
3. "Snowflake Bentley" 
by: Jacqueline Martin & Mary Azarian
Wilson Bentley thinks of the ice crystals in snow as miracles & uses his camera to document their beauty in Vermont. Bentley's pictures teach two important things about snowflakes; no two are alike & that each one is unique & beautiful. 
https://www.amazon.com/Snowflake-Bentley-Jacqueline-Briggs-Martin/dp/0547248296/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1ZUIAGUO2MLDM&keywords=snowflake+bentley&qid=1579539469&s=books&sprefix=snowflake+ben%2Cstripbooks%2C718&sr=1-1
4. "Winter is Here" (Caldecott Medalist & Newberry Honor) 
by: Kevin Henkes (author of Lilly's Purple Purse ​& Laura Dronzek 
Snow falls & animals burrow & children prepare for the wonder winter will bring them. 
​www.amazon.com/Winter-Here-Kevin-Henkes/dp/0062747185/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=winter+is+here&qid=1579539543&s=books&sr=1-1
5. "A Big Bed for Little Snow" (Caldecott Honor Winner) 
by: Grace Lin
A bed for sleeping & not jumping is presented to Little Snow for the long, cold winter nights.  But he really wants to jump on the bed!
www.amazon.com/Big-Bed-Little-Snow/dp/0316478369/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=a+big+bed+for+little+snow&qid=1579539667&s=books&sr=1-1