Early Childhood Education: Books and Articles

[Emotions] Helps young readers learn to recognize and identify different emotions, and explains what to do when those emotions get too big or become out of control.

[Transitional/Comfort objects] A story designed to help children with attachment issues that tells of Jake who has lost his favorite blanket and he must search the town for it.

[Transgender] From the time she was two years old, Jazz knew that she had a girl's brain in a boy's body. She loved pink and dressing up as a mermaid and didn't feel like herself in boys' clothing. This confused her family, until they took her to a doctor who said that Jazz was transgender and that she was born that way.

[Interracial marriage] Imagine not being able to marry the person you loved, just because they were of a race different from your own. This is the story of one brave family: Mildred Loving, Richard Perry Loving, and their three children. It is the story of how Mildred and Richard fell in love, and got married in Washington D.C. When they moved back to their hometown in Virginia, they were arrested for violating that state's law against interracial marriage. The Lovings refused to allow their children to get the message that their parents' love was wrong and so they fought the unfair law, taking their case all the way to the Supreme Court.

[Divorce] A little boy learns that he did not cause his parent's divorce because of the mess he made with chocolate pudding, and describes his new life living with his dad and seeing his mom on weekends.

[Death] Whether children are experiencing grief and loss for the first time or simply curious, it can be difficult to know how to talk to them about death. Using questions posed in a child's voice and answers that start simply and become more in-depth, this book allows adults to guide the conversation to a natural and reassuring conclusion. Additional questions at the back of the book allow for further discussion. Child psychologist Dr. Jillian Roberts designed the Just Enough series to empower parents/caregivers to start conversations with young ones about difficult or challenging subject matter.

[Human rights] A commemorative edition of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as adopted in 1948 by the United Nations General Assembly offers insight into the world's shared views about the rights of all people, with illustrations by artists from around the world.

[Military] An alphabet book about words used by the United States military.

[Foster care] A young girl living with her foster parent describes the emotional ups and downs of being separated from her mother and living in unfamiliar surroundings. Finding the Right Spot is a story for all kids who can't live with their parents, regardless of the circumstances. It's a story about resilience and loyalty, hope and disappointment, love, sadness, and anger, too. It's about whether life is fair, and wondering what will happen tomorrow, and talking about all of it. And finally, it's about what makes the spot you're in feel right. A "Note to Caregivers" by Jennifer Wilgocki, MS, and Marcia Kahn Wright, PhD, discusses the emotional experience of children who are in foster care, kinship care, or otherwise not living.

[Foster care] Written to help children understand why some kids get new foster parents or new adopted moms and dads, with resources for adults.

[Foster care] Explains that all children are important and need safe places to live and play, and describes what foster parents do and how foster children may feel when placed in a foster home.

[Foster care] Introduces the people and procedures involved in foster care, and the feelings, reactions, and concerns of new foster children. Includes an afterword for caregivers. Will I live with my parents again? Will I stay with my foster parents forever? For children in foster care, the answer to many questions is often "maybe." Maybe Days addresses the questions, feelings, and concerns these children most often face. Honest and reassuring, it also provides basic information that children want and need to know, including the roles of various people in the foster care system and whom to ask for help.

[Adoption] Simple text and ample pictures describe what adoption is and how it works.

[Emotions & Sign language] Playful stories in simple rhymes introduce the American Sign Language signs for feelings and emotions.

[Braille] This title invites readers to imagine living without sight through remarkable illustrations done with raised lines and descriptions of colors based on imagery. Braille letters accompany the illustrations and a full Braille alphabet offers sighted readers help reading along with their fingers.

[Anxiety, relaxation, visualization] A visualization exercise wherein children count giants instead of sheep, intended to encourage and help them get the sleep they need. In picture-book form.

[Post traumatic stress disorder] Introduces post-traumatic stress disorder and explains why it can occur in family members, its symptoms, and how to live with an individual affected by PTSD.

[autism] Russell is a boy with severe autism, and this is his story. First published in 1992 as Russell Is Extra Special, now extensively updated. In Russell's World, readers see the surprises, challenges and problems that Russell and his family experience as well as the happiness and rewards they recognize. Ages 6+

[Hurricane Katrina] Bobbi (the dog) and Bob Cat are the best of friends. When their hometown of New Orleans was struck by Hurricane Katrina, many lost everything. Bobbi and Bob Cat only survived by staying together. This is the story of their remarkable friendship.

[Discrimination & Courage] An introduction to the life of Marian Anderson, extraordinary singer and civil rights activist, who was the first African American to perform at the Metropolitan Opera, whose life and career encouraged social change.

[Friendship & Tolerance] Best friends Lily and Salma disagree over their preferred foods, but after trading sandwiches to see how they taste, the girls change their minds.

[Emotions] When Sophie gets angry, she climbs her favorite tree, and tries to cool off and then goes home.

[Emotions] A young chimp describes a variety of emotions he experiences.

[Emotions] This story addresses loss and sets a more serious tone.

[Moving to a new place] Describes the process of moving to a new home, as the Sparks' family packs, moves, unpacks, and meets their new neighbors.

[Death] Four-year-old Tommy enjoys his relationship with both his grandmother and great-grandmother, but eventually learns to face their inevitable death.

[Emotions] A young llama wants to play but must go shopping with his mother instead, and so he gets angry and makes a mess at the store.

[Adjustment] Strange new teacher. Strange new toys. Lots of kids and lots of noise! What would Llama like to do? Llama Llama feels so new ... It's Llama Llama's first day of preschool! And Llama Llama's mama makes sure he's ready. They meet the teachers. See the other children. Look at all the books and games. But then it's time for Mama to leave. And suddenly Llama Llama isn't so excited anymore. Will Mama Llama come back? Of course she will. But before she does, the other children show Llama Llama how much fun school can be!

Aware their grandmother is gravely ill, four siblings learn to realize the value of loss, life, and the importance of being able to say goodbye.

[Military families & Coping] Jenny and her best friend K.C. accompany Jenny's mother, a tanker pilot in the Air Force, to the air base, where they explore her plane, a KC-135, prior to her departure on a training mission to Europe.

[Transgender] Bailey longs to wear the beautiful dresses of her dreams but is ridiculed by her unsympathetic family which rejects her true perception of herself.

[LGBT]
Elmer the duck is teased because he is different, but he proves himself by not only surviving the winter, but also saving his Papa.

[Identity, Acceptance & Differences] An enterprising chicken attempts to help an artist paint the barnyard and accidentally turns the whole picture blue.

[LGBT] When the queen insists that the prince get married and take over as king, the search for a suitable mate does not turn out as expected.

[Death] A boy grieves for his dead pet Mousie, helps to bury him, and begins to come to terms with his loss.

[Bullying] Noni can do many things. But she can't say no. Find what happens that causes Noni to finally stand up for herself.

[Worry] A mouse named Wemberly, who worries about everything, finds that she has a whole list of things to be anxious about when she faces the first day of nursery school.

[Race Identity] An illustrated story of an African American boy who comes to appreciate his dark skin by learning about his African heritage from his grandfather.

[Abuse] After Sherman sees something terrible happen, he becomes anxious and then angry, but when a counselor helps him talk about these emotions he feels better.

[Death] Looking through the kitchen window, a little girl and her doting grandparents watch stars, play games, and, most importantly, say hello and goodbye.

[Child Development] Leo, a young tiger, finally blooms under the anxious eyes of his parents.

[Premature Infants] Parents find ways to bond with their premature babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

[Divorce, Remarriage & Stepfamilies] A boy's parents help him adjust to his new stepfamily when his mother remarries after a divorce. Includes note to parents.

[Honesty] Eli learns about the consequences of his fibs and the value of telling the truth. Includes note to parents.

[Teasing] Teased by his classmates because he is hairless, Mookey the monkey discovers there are many ways to handle teasing and still remain true to oneself.

[Divorce] A young boy named Alex enjoys the homes of both of his parents who live apart but love Alex very much.

[Military Families & Coping] Nine-year-old Lizzie writes to her mother, who is deployed overseas during wartime, and includes maps that show her mother what Lizzie has been thinking and doing. Includes nonfiction tips for helping children of military families.

[Death ] When his mother dies, a little boy is angry at his loss but does everything he can to hold onto the memory of her scent, her voice, and the special things she did for him, even as he tries to help his father and grandmother cope.

[Determination] Told in rhyming text, a little tree clings tenaciously to a granite cliff, determined to live, tended by a little boy, and ultimately loved by the people in the community.

When Heather goes to playgroup, at first she feels bad because she has two mothers and no father, but then she learns that there are lots of different kinds of families and the most important thing is that all the people love each other.

[Cancer] A story of a young boy whose dog is diagnosed with cancer. The boy becomes a loving caretaker to his dog, who undergoes the same types of treatments as a human under similar circumstances. Includes "For Creative Minds" educational section.

[Bullying] Mean Jean is the biggest bully on the school playground until a new girl arrives and challenges Jean's status as the Recess Queen.

[Death] "Gentle pastels capture the love shared by a boy and his dog. This sensitive story speaks of acceptance, remembrance and the importance of cherishing life's every moment" Cf. Our choice, 2003.

[Emotions] Children express different moods, including "I feel very mad," "I feel like reading books all day," and "I feel like wearing funny underwear."

[Family Relationships] Represents a variety of families, some big and some small, some with only one parent and some with two moms or dads, some quiet and some noisy, but all alike in some ways and special no matter what.

[Love] Celebrates the love one person has for another, whether they are dancing or strolling, on snowy days and sunny ones, no matter what.

[Mothers] Represents a variety of mothers, with short hair and big hair, driving minivans and motorcycles, swimming and dancing, and hugging and kissing their children.

[Reading] Simple text describes the characteristics and various advantages of reading.

[Adoption] The joy of adoption and bringing families together is presented in this tale.

[Emotions] A young girl learns a technique for dealing with anger--and it works.

[Autism] Callie is very proud of her brother Charlie. He's good at so many things -- swimming, playing the piano, running fast. And Charlie has a special way with animals, especially their dog, Harriet. But sometimes Charlie gets very quiet. His words get locked inside him, and he seems far away. Then, when Callie and Charlie start to play, Charlie is back to laughing, holding hands, having fun. Charlie is like any other boy -- and he has autism.

[Divorce] A girl finds that most things in her life remain the same after her parents' divorce. Includes suggested learning activities.

[Race Awareness] Photographs and poetic text celebrate the beauty and diversity of African American children.

[Dyslexia] At first, Trisha loves school, but her difficulty in learning to read makes her feel dumb, until, in the fifth grade, a new teacher helps her understand and overcome her problem.

At New York City's Central Park Zoo, two male penguins fall in love and start a family by taking turns sitting on an abandoned egg until it hatches.

[Illness & Fear] Although Ben is worried about his dog Aggie when the veterinarian spays her and while she recovers, he laughs at her problems with the cone she must wear on her head until her stitches are removed.

[autism] A boy describes his friendship with Matt, whose autism spectrum disorder causes him to behave strangely at times, and how he make things easier for Matt at school and in their neighborhood.

[Sportsmanship] After having her classmates walk away from her during a soccer game at recess because she hogs the ball, is bossy, and cares only about winning, Sally gets some good advice from her teacher and her mother. Includes note to parents.

[Divorce] A young girl named Nina recounts her feelings about her parents' divorce and describes what it is like to live in two households in this touching picture book. Everything is different from the way it was, and sometimes the behavior of the adults around her is upsetting to Nina. This honest, uncomplicated account of divorce from a child's point of view will reassure and comfort young readers who are experiencing the changes that divorce brings to a family.

[Courage & Determination] This delightful picture book from Ashley Spires, bestselling author of The Most Magnificent Thing, perfectly depicts what children go through when confronted with something difficult. With humor and endearing artwork, Spires sensitively portrays Lou procrastinating, making excuses, imagining alternatives and denying she cares. Ultimately, Lou faces her fear, and although she fails, the effort empowers her, encouraging a growth mindset. All the while, Lou's friends model compassionate friendship by offering to teach her how to climb and then moving the game. This book makes a perfect choice for a character education discussion about courage or resilience, or a life-skills lesson on facing challenges. The story also promotes the joy of imaginative play in the outdoors.--Provided by publisher.

[Calmness] Marvin is a calm and mindful gorilla living peacefully in the city, enjoying every minute of his day, unlike his sassy, curt, irreverent former Empire State-climbing Grandpa.

[Death] In an attempt to overcome his grief, a boy tries to think of the ten best things about his dead cat.

[Self-esteem] Disliking her appearance and the gobbling noise she makes, Toodles the Turkey tries to persuade other animals to give her their sounds.

[Depression & Coping] Alex begins to be negatively influenced by his father's depression, and as he wonders what the reasons are for his father's problems, he gets help from his mother, a friend, and a counselor, who explains the common mental health issue to him.

[Adjustment] When Yoko brings sushi to school for lunch, her classmates make fun of what she eats--until one of them tries it for himself.

[Death] Through the seasons, whenever City Dog visits the country he runs straight for Country Frog's rock to play games with him, but during the winter things change for them both.