What happens when a mother and daughter find that they are all dressed up, with nowhere to go? Rushing turns to relaxation in this stunning picture book, as each lovely page begs readers to linger in the beauty of the story. Young and old alike may find themselves slowing down, taking time to meander through the pages and enjoy each lovely detail. And that's what it's ultimately about--pausing to savor the beauty and joy of relationship.

WHILE WE’RE HERE also touches on disappointment and change and the value of resiliency—pivoting when things don’t go as planned. Young readers will surely identify with the crestfallen child, and delight in the adventures that result from the unexpected circumstances. With spare text, gorgeous illustrations, and emotional resonance, this book will stand up to multiple readings and is sure to become a favorite!

Here are a few activities that align with the themes of this book:

• ​Plan a day to be together with a loved one. Or, find a way to spend time together spontaneously—a trip to a park, the zoo, an ice cream shop, etc..
• Think of a time when you made the best of a disappointing situation. What happened? How did you feel? What choices did you make? Write a poem or a story about it.
• Conversation starters:  "Do you prefer rushing around or relaxing? Why?" "What is your favorite activity to do with a loved one?" "Have you ever missed an important event? How did you feel?"

Looking for more perfect picture books? Check out Susanna Leonard Hill's website!

If you're looking for a picture book that takes a deep dive into the world of sea turtles, this one is for you! Beginning with eggs hatching in a sandy nest, the author, a marine biologist, photojournalist, and conservationist, traces the life of a single turtle through the adventures--and dangers--she faces throughout the various stages of her life-long journey. Young and old alike will be fascinated by the captivating illustrations and the depth of information presented in this gorgeous book.

I love that THE SECRET LIVE OF A SEA TURTLE doesn't just teach about these incredible creatures--it challenges readers to act to protect them and their environment. The back matter includes five actionable steps readers can take to help protect sea turtles, as well as information about the various sea turtle species, and the impact that environmental factors, such as temperature and artificial light, has on sea turtles. This book would make an excellent resource for classroom units on conservation, life cycles, or studies of animal habitats and behaviors. 

Here are a few activities that align with the themes of this book:

• ​Look through the list of sea turtle species in the back matter. Choose one species to study. Write a story or poem, incorporating some of the things you learned from your research.
• Read "Five Actions You Can Take to Protect Sea Turtles" in the back matter. Choose one action item to do or put into practice. 
• Choose a phase of a sea turtle's life--a hatchling escaping from her shell, a baby sea turtle catching currents, a young sea turtle munching on seagrass and growing, or a mother sea turtle searching for a place to lay her eggs. Write a story or draw a picture about what the sea turtle experienced in that stage.
• Conversation starters: "What is one interesting fact you learned about sea turtles from this book?" "If you could be any of the species of sea turtles, which one would you be? Why?" 

Looking for more perfect picture books? Check out Susanna Leonard Hill's website!

What actually happened on the night Paul Revere made his famous ride? This beautiful, informative picture book sets the record straight as it reveals first-hand accounts of the historic events. Beginning the afternoon of April 18, 1775, readers are transported back in time as a doctor, an enslaved man, a teenaged fifer, and others tell what they witnessed.

The book opens with a map that grounds readers in the setting of the story, detailing key places in Boston, and showing how far Paul Revere had to ride that night. Through each stage of the action, the author uses a combination of historical context, lyrical verse, and quotes from those who lived the events, to tell the story.  With bold illustrations, action-packed prose, and educational back matter, this engaging picture book would make a wonderful addition to classroom units on the American Revolution, or a perfect supplement to at-home learning. Additionally, the captivating prose and compelling action makes it accessible for younger learners, while the factual content and historical context will challenge older readers, as well. 

Here are a few activities that align with the themes of this book:

• Read the famous poem, "Paul Revere's Ride," by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Compare and contrast the story described in the poem with the facts you learned in the book. 
• Imagine what Paul Revere might have experienced during his ride. What might he have tasted, smelled, heard, or felt? Write a poem about what that experience might have been like. 
• Visit the Paul Revere House website and discover many fascinating facts, including an interactive map of Paul Revere's ride.
• Conversation starters:  "Of all the voices you heard in this book, which one was your favorite? Why?" "If you were Paul Revere, what do you think you would have felt during the ride--fear, joy, anger, excitement, etc...? Why?"

Looking for more perfect picture books? Check out Susanna Leonard Hill's website!

Beautifully illustrated, with splendid detail, this gorgeous picture book is as informative as it is lovely. From the moment readers open the cover, they are presented with learning opportunities. The endpapers at the front of the book show a comparative assortment of the many eggs discussed inside, while the endpapers at the back of the book show the animals hidden inside the eggs! Readers will love poring over the gorgeous illustrations as they discover fascinating facts about various animals' eggs. 

The thing I love about this book is its simplicity. Each page is anchored by a simple statement, which is then expanded on using educational sidebars or detailed illustrations, or both. In this way, the book can be adapted to the very young, or to older readers as well, making it perfect for at-home learning, library reading, or classroom discussions.

Here are a few activities that align with the themes of this book:

• ​Before reading this book, create a KWL chart listing things you KNOW (K) in one column, and things you WANT TO KNOW (W) in another column. After you've read the book, list all the things you LEARNED (L) about eggs in a third column. Click here for free KWL chart templates from Canva.
• Select an egg that interests you, from this book. Study it and then write a poem or draw a picture about it.
• Choose two eggs from this book. What do these eggs have in common? How are they different? Using a Venn diagram, organize your observations. Click here for a free, printable Venn diagram template.
• Conversation starters:  "Which egg did you find most interesting? Why?" "If you were an egg, which one would you be? Why?" "What is one thing you learned about eggs from this book?"

Looking for more perfect picture books? Check out Susanna Leonard Hill's website!

Something mysterious has happened in the field--a rabbit has disappeared! Soon, a group (or scurry) of squirrels is on the case, trying to discover her whereabouts, asking the other animals in the forest if they have any idea where she could be. Young learners will delight in identifying the various animals, and then counting the animals represented in each group. Additionally, the informative back matter will assist readers in learning the names of each animal collection. 

The lovely illustrations work well with the author's use of lyrical language to propel the action forward and keep young readers guessing--all the while, teaching collective nouns, many of which may be unfamiliar. A Fluffle of Bunnies would make an ideal addition to a unit on baby animals, or it could be a vehicle through which collective nouns are introduced and taught. With educational opportunities abounding on each page, it's the perfect choice for a library read-aloud, at-home learning, or bed-time snuggling. 

Here are a few activities that align with the themes in this book:

• Take a nature walk. Identify the animals you see and recall their collective nouns. 
• Which collective noun is your favorite? Draw a picture of those animals, or write a story or poem about them.
• Pair with Christie Matheson's A Mischief of Mice (Sourcebook Jabberwocky, 2024).
• Conversation starters:  "If you could be any animal in this book, which one would you be? Why?" "What is your favorite animal? Why?" "Which collective noun is your favorite? Why?"

Looking for more perfect picture books? Check out Susanna Leonard Hill's website!

Full disclosure:  this book is classified as middle grade and is significantly longer than a picture book, but in honor of the first day of spring, I had to include this gorgeous book, packed with information and overflowing with vivid illustrations. It contains fascinating facts about some of the most intriguing plants on earth--a meat-eating plant, a tree that makes the sound of an explosion when its seeds dry, the flower that killed Abraham Lincoln's mom.  

FANTASTIC FLORA would make an ideal resource for classroom teaching or at-home learning. The engaging illustrations and captivating content make it easily accessible to both younger and more advanced learners. Additionally, scattered throughout each chapter, are sidebars that extend learning opportunities, informing readers about the origin of a plant's name,  the science behind the plant's adaptations, or the ways the plant may have impacted history. ​Readers will love learning about all the wild, weird, and wonderful things that make these unique plants special.

Here are a few activities that align with the themes in this book:

• Choose your favorite flora and compose a poem, draw a picture, or write a story about it.
• Check out this website for a teacher's guide and extension activities to consider.
• Go on a stump hunt. Walk through a wooded area and look for tree stumps. Investigate the wood rings. What information about the tree can you gather by looking at the rings? 
• Conversation starters: "What was your favorite plant? Why?" "Of all the plants included in this book, which one did you find most interesting? Why?" "If you were a plant, which one would you be? Why?"

Looking for more perfect picture books? Check out Susanna Leonard Hill's website!

When a tiny baby joins a family, there's no limit to the love that is shared! CRAZY-MUCH LOVE is bestowed upon a child whose parents have waited and dreamed and traveled far distances in order to bring her into their family. As the child grows, she begins to realize just how special she is and how very much she is loved.

The lyrical words and the author's use of repetition work so beautifully to answer the questions of this child's heart: How much is she loved? and How long will that love last? The lively, fun, and vibrant illustrations in this gorgeous picture book reflect the vivacious nature of love that never quits or ends or gives up, but lasts forever and always!

Here are a few activities that align with the themes of this book:

• Think of a family member that you love. Write a letter or draw a picture for them. 
• Pair with Nancy Tupper Ling's The Story I'll Tell.
• Conversation starters:  "What is your favorite thing to do with your parent or caregiver?" "What are the things you love most about your parent or caregiver?" "What are the things you appreciate about your family? Is there anything you would like to change?"

Looking for more perfect picture books? Check out Susanna Leonard Hill's website!

DARK ON LIGHT, written in mesmerizing rhyme and coupled with captivating illustrations, is sure to inspire readers to grab a flashlight, go outside, and explore the wonder of night. Animals, vegetation, and starry skies take on a spellbinding beauty in this gorgeous picture book. 

What I love most about DARK ON LIGHT is in the way the lullingly lyrical text mingles with the adventure that is depicted in the illustrations.  Astute readers will notice that the children are not just out exploring their nighttime surroundings. Subtle clues along the way let the reader know that there is something else going on entirely. The siblings are not just out on a night walk, but rather leading a search! This element of mystery and discovery is sure to encourage multiple readings, making this a perfect choice for library and classroom learning, or bedtime snuggling!

Here are a few activities that align with the themes of this book:

• Take a night walk with a parent or caregiver. Use your five senses to discover the sights, sounds, and scents of nighttime.
• Write a poem about night! Consider including sensory words in your poem. (For a list of sensory words, click here.)
• Brainstorm a list of nocturnal animals. Write a story or draw a picture about a nocturnal animal's adventures at night.
• Pair with Marie Dorleans' The Night Walk.
• Conversation starters:  "Which is your favorite--day or night? Why?" "What is your favorite thing to do at night?" "If you were a nocturnal animal, which one would you be?"

Looking for more perfect picture books? Check out Susanna Leonard Hill's website!

"Jabberwocky," Lewis Carroll's classic nonsense poem gets reimagined in this vividly exciting, fast-paced picture book. With bold illustrations, Myers brings the babble to life in the form of a thrilling basketball match. Readers will love following along, with every turn of the page, as the tension builds and the dynamic illustrations complement the mesmerizing words. 

What makes this book even more compelling is the fascinating illustrator's note in the back of the book. Incredibly, Christopher Myers' extensive research uncovered a possible link between Lewis Carroll's gibberish and an ancient game played by the Aztecs and other cultures, similar to basketball, that could have influenced the author's vision for the poem. The thought and research behind Myers' illustrations brings another layer of possibility to a poem that has inspired imaginations for generations.

Here are a few activities that align with the themes of this book:

• Write a poem! It can be nonsensical, like "Jabberwocky," or not. It's up to you! You can even draw a picture to illustrate it, when you're finished. 
• Pair with Lewis Carroll's Through the Looking Glass:  And What Alice Found There.
• Grab a ball, find a court, and go outside and play a game of basketball, or practice shooting hoops.
• Conversation starters:  "What was your favorite part of this book? Why?" "Of all the nonsense words in this poem, which one was your favorite? Why?" 

Looking for more perfect picture books? Check out Susanna Leonard Hill's website!

text copyright Megan Clendenan, 2025, illustrations copyright Brittany Cicchese, 2025, Charlesbridge

Seeds are vital to life, and this informative picture book tells the story of a seed bank in Norway that plays backup to the roughly 1,700 other seed banks all around the world. Sometimes, seed banks are destroyed by war or weather. When that happens, the Svalbard Global Seed Vault comes to the rescue with extra seeds to replace those which were lost.

Through breathtaking illustrations and lyrical language, this gorgeous picture book details the effort it took to plan and build the vault that stores the world's seeds. Many of the spreads contain sidebars with cleverly phrased information that support the text and extend learning opportunities. Additionally, the comprehensive back matter at the end of the book makes this an ideal resource for classroom instruction or at-home learning. 

Here are a few activities that align with the themes in this book:

• Collect an assortment of seeds. Sort them, and compare the seeds you've sorted. Click here for a seed sorting activity.
•  Choose a seed that you would like to plant. Plant the seed and watch it grow. In a journal, draw pictures or write about what you observe. 
• Grow an assortment of seeds--flowers, fruit, and vegetables. Compare and contrast the sprouts. Which ones sprout quickly or slowly? Which ones grow tall or short?
• Pair with A Seed is Sleepy (Aston/Long, Chronicle Books, 2014) and It Starts With A Seed (Knowles/Webber, Words & Pictures, 2017).
• Conversation starters: "Which seeds are most important to you and your life now? Why?"  "What is one possession that you have that is worth protecting? How do you keep it safe?" "What things do seeds need in order to sprout and turn into plants?"

Looking for more perfect picture books? Check out Susanna Leonard Hill's website!