•  God Gave Us You by Lisa Bergren

• But Not the Hippopotamus by Sandra Boynton

• *Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney

• Are You My Mother? by P.D. Eastman

• * What Are Hands For by Abbey Wedgeworth

• Happy Valentine's Day, Curious George! by N. Di Angelo

• Construction Site: You're Just Right by Sherri Rinker

• * I Love You, Little Pookie by Sandra Boynton

• * Ooo, Baby Baby! by Sandra Boynton

• * Little Love Songs by Sandra Boynton

• * Snuggle Puppy! by Sandra Boynton

  • Sandra Boynton board books are definitely worth owning for your own home library!

*Favorite

Here are some books for your emerging readers to enjoy during the month of February!

Note: These are listed in order of reading level, from beginner to advanced:

• Big Heart! A Valentine's Day Tale by Joan Holub

  • • Pre-Level 1, recognizing repetitive words

• The Berenstain Bears' Extra Special Valentine by Mike Berenstain

  • • My First I Can Read!, shared reading

• Just a Little Love by Mercer Mayer

  • • My First I Can Read!, shared reading

• Mouse Loves Love by Lauren Thompson

  • • Pre-Level 1, Rising Star Reader,  shared reading

• Valentine Mice by Bethany Roberts

  • • Level 1, getting ready to read

• Katy Duck and the Secret Valentine by Alyssa Satin Capucilli

  • • Level 1, Easy sight words and words to sound out

• A Valentine for Percy by Rev. W. Awdry

  • • Step Into Reading Step 2, reading with help, basic vocabulary, short sentences

• Petal and Poppy and the Mystery Valentine by Lisa Clough

  • • Green Light Level 2, reading with help

• * Elephant And Piggie: My Friend Is Sad by Mo Willems

  • • Reading with help

• * Elephant And Piggie: Pigs Make Me Sneeze! by Mo Willems

  • • Reading with help

• * Owl at Home by Arnold Lobel

  • • I Can Read! Level 2, high-interest stories for developing readers

• Happy Valentine's Day, Charlie Brown! by Charles M. Schulz

  • • Level 2, longer sentences, simple chapters, high-interest vocabulary words

• * Henry & Mudge & Mrs. Hopper's House by Cynthia Rylant

  • • Level 2, longer sentences, simple chapters, high-interest vocabulary words

• What is the President's Job? by Allison Singer

  • • DK Level 2, beginning to read

• Truth or Lie: Presidents! by Erica S. Perl

  • • Step Into Reading Step 3, reading on your own, grades 1-3

• Mouse & Mole Secret Valentine by Wong Herbert Yee

  • • Easy first chapter book

• * King & Kayla and the Case of the Lost Library Book by Dori Hillestad Butler

  • • Easy first chapter book

*Favorite

• Secret of the Hidden Scrolls by M.J. Thomas

  • I would describe The Secret of the Hidden Scroll series as a Christian version of The Magic Treehouse. Siblings Peter and Mary and their dog, Hank, discover ancient scrolls that transport them back to key moments in biblical history. These are excellent for kids who are ready for short chapter books to read independently.

• Cul-de-Sac Kids by Beverly Lewis

  • This is a cute series about neighborhood friends learning the value of friendship and faith.

• Good Dog by Cam Higgins

  • This is a new-to-me series. I've only read the first book, but it was very sweet! I have very trusted sources who vouch for the entire series, so I feel comfortable handing these to my boys without pre-reading each one. 

• Nancy Drew & the Clue Crew: Valentine's Day Secret by Carolyn Keene

  • This is the second book I have read in this spin-off Nancy Drew series that is aimed at girls ages 6-9. I was a HUGE Nancy Drew fan growing up, so I love that now there is an option to introduce Nancy and her best friends to an even younger crowd. The mysteries are very age-appropriate and not scary! 

• Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis

  • I read this when I was in middle school. I remember loving it! Here's a great review with detailed content considerations from Plugged In.

• Dog Diaries: Fido by Kate Klimo

  • I haven't read every book in this series, but they are epistolary historical fiction books written from the perspective of different dogs. This one is written by Fido—a “yaller” mutt who was Abraham Lincoln’s constant companion and pampered family pet at the time he was elected President. Perfect for animal and history-loving kids!

• Who Was Rosa Parks? by Yona McDonough

• Snow Treasure by Marie McSwigan

  • This is an excellent middle-grade historical fiction about Norwegian children who risk their lives to smuggle gold out of their country right under the Nazi's noses. I highly recommend it for ages 9-12, though I think 11 & 12-year-old boys will be the sweet spot! 

• The Winter of Red Snow: The Diary of Abigail Jane Stewart by Kristiana Gregory

  • This is another book that I read in middle school. I loved the Dear America series! The Winter of Red Snow is 11-year-old Abigail Jane Stewart's fictionalized diary about her life, family, friends, and neighbors, and the sides they have to choose in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, during the height of the Revolutionary War.

• The Long Winter by Laura Ingalls Wilder

  • Whether you're feeling the winter blues or you love winter, The Long Winter is an excellent book to read as a family during the winter season. You and your children will be struck with an overwhelming thankfulness for the day and age that we live in!

• Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan

  • My mom read this to me when I was little, and I have the fondest memories of it. I plan to read it to my boys this year!

• Mr. Popper's Penguins by Richard Atwater

  • This is our current family read-aloud. We only have 2 chapters left! It's such a fun and silly story!

• Sophie Mouse: Winter's No Time To Sleep! by Poppy Green

  • The Sophie Mouse series is excellent for young readers who are ready to start chapter books, but they also make great read-alouds with younger children. My 3 & 6 year olds love Sophie Mouse! 

• Twelve Kinds of Ice by Ellen Bryan Obed

  • I LOVED this short chapter book about the author's childhood winters in Maine. It's hard to classify, though. At 64 pages, some being full-page illustrations, it is a very easy read. But it's far from trite like some short chapter books. The prose is pure and cozy. I think it would make a great bedtime read-aloud for ages 6+. It's so calming and sure to send your littles off to sleep with dreams of their own backyard ice rink! 

• The Very, Very Far North by Dan Bar-el

  • If you're looking for a gentle, sweet, and cozy winter read-aloud, look no further! This book will be a huge hit with all ages, especially animal lovers! The writing is excellent. Bar-el transports readers into the "very, very far north" and introduces them to new friends like Duane, the polar bear. If your children enjoyed The Lighthouse Family, they will love The Very, Very Far North!

• Snow Treasure by Marie McSwigan

  • This is an excellent middle-grade historical fiction about Norwegian children who risk their lives to smuggle gold out of their country right under the Nazi's noses. As a family read-aloud, I think ages 8+ will enjoy it. 

• Vienna Prelude by Bodie & Brock Thoene

  • When I was in high school, my mom gifted me this series. I fell in love with it immediately! It combined so many of my favorite things - music, historical fiction, WWII. I highly recommend it, and I'm due to reread it myself.

• Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage by Alfred Lansing

  • I read this last year and really enjoyed it. Shackleton and his men were cut from a different cloth! If you're looking for a gripping narrative non-fiction story to read in the dead of winter, pick this one up! You can see my full review here.

• Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie

  • The Murder on the Orient Express may be the Queen of Crime's best-known work. If you've never read it, winter is the perfect time to pick it up! This is another one that I want to reread.