As the season changes, a family changes and grows with the passage of time.

When one season transforms into the next, new and exciting things are possible. Using various colors to represent the different seasons, this beautifully lyrical picture book explores the passage of an entire calendar year. Layered within the illustrations, and separate from the text, readers will discover a subplot of a family that is expanding. The more the seasons change, the closer the arrival of the new family member becomes. 

With lovely, captivating, and colorful illustrations, GREEN ON GREEN brings each season to life! The poetically lyrical language advances the story and begs for page turns, ushering young learners through the four seasons. The thoughtful layers of the text work together with the illustrations to produce a heartwarming story, sure to be enjoyed over and over, all year long!

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

• Identify the current season and take a nature walk. Observe the colors you see, and then draw a picture, using all the colors you discovered on your walk.
• Explore the many activities included on the author's website!
• Pair GREEN ON GREEN with Kenard Pak's Seasons Book Series (Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn; Goodbye Autumn, Hello Winter; Goodbye Winter, Hello Spring).
• Conversation starters:  "What is your favorite season? Why?" "What is your favorite color?" "Do you like it when things change? Why or why not?"

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

A family, displaced and grieving, finds hope and renewal as they restore their new home, deep in the woods.

This poignant picture book, with roots in Eliza Wheeler's own family history, tells the story of six-year-old Marvel, her seven siblings, and her mother, as they relocate to a new home after the loss of the children's father. In this tiny, broken-down shack in the woods, they find the ingredients they need to start building the next chapter of their lives, together. 

Beginning in summer, and moving through each season of the year, Eliza Wheeler depicts change in the tiny house, as a similar transformation is reflected in the people that live there. Darkness and gloom are replaced with warmth and laughter as the young family learns to survive and thrive, in the midst of pain and lack. With gorgeous illustrations and heartfelt text, this book is a testament to the strength and resilience of a family facing dire circumstances, but growing in love, together.  

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

• Find author interviews, extension activities, and a free downloadable coloring page at the author's website.
• In the story, the family took fresh fruits and vegetables and preserved them in cans. With an adult, find recipes to can fruits or vegetables, and try it together! For canning resources and recipes, visit this website.
• Conversation starters:  "Think about each of the four seasons. Which season do you think was most difficult for the family to survive in? Why?" "Which character in the story did you relate to most? Why?" 

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

A tender tale about taking risks, taking tumbles, and trying again.

A little bear cub, watching its mother enjoy fruit in a tree, wants to savor the sweet snack, too, but wrestles with feelings of fear and concern about the unknown. All the while, the patient mama bear encourages her little one with wise perspective and gentle reminders of the truth. 
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This heartfelt story, brought to life through spare text and beautiful illustrations, is a tender reminder that Sometimes We Fall--but that's all a part of taking chances and learning. And, how sweet it is to know that there are loved ones there, along the way, encouraging and helping us as we grow!

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

• Think about a time when you tried to do something, but it didn't turn out as expected.  Write a story or draw a picture about that experience.
• Identify someone who encourages you when you make a mistake or fail. Write a letter to them, thanking them, and letting them know how much you appreciate their encouragement.
• Conversation starters:  "Can you think of a time when you failed at something? How did that feel? Did you learn anything from that experience?" "In your opinion, do you learn and grow more when you fail at something, or when you succeed at something? Why?"

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

A beautiful, thought-provoking story about the origin of a house.

Looking back to the past often creates a greater understanding of--and appreciation for--the present. This gorgeous book presents a picture of what exists now, and gives readers a glimpse into what used to be. The door that was a tree. The bricks that were mud. The window that was sand. The author ties each object to elements in nature, while challenging young learners to infer what other parts of the natural world might be involved, as well.   

The soft warmth of the illustrations works together with the richly poetic language,  to evoke a cozy, satisfying feeling, reminiscent of home. Readers of all ages will love snuggling up with this book, in favorite parts of their own houses. Or, this story may inspire them to go outside, connect with nature, and explore the incredible, natural world that our homes ultimately come from.

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

• Draw a picture of the place where you live. Think about the materials your home is made of--wood, stone, brick, siding. Include those details in your picture.
• Click here for a list of fun ideas, worksheets, writing prompts, and extension activities for This House, Once.
• Conversation starters:  "Where do you live?"  "How might the place where you live influence the materials that are used for dwellings?"

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

A beautiful story of loyalty, sacrifice, and the joy of freely embracing one's calling.

One autumn night, a gust of wind suddenly frees a faithful scarecrow, giving him the unexpected opportunity to escape his post in the field and "dance" around the farm he guards. But with his new-found freedom, comes a clearer view of all that he protects--and all that could be lost.

There is so much rich, poetic meaning in the pages of this beautifully written and gorgeously illustrated picture book. As the poignant story unfolds, the reader is drawn further in, as the impact and implications of the scarecrow's actions become fully understood. With enthralling illustrations, and thought-provoking language and imagery, this book is sure to be enjoyed over and over, as new readings bring fresh layers of meaning. 

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

• If you're able, take a trip to visit a farm. Observe any crops that are being grown. Does the farm have any scarecrows? How do they keep birds or pests away from the crops?
• Make a scarecrow! Using a paper plate, tissue paper, construction paper and glue, create a paper plate scarecrow. Click here for detailed instructions.
• Conversation starters: "If you were a scarecrow and you'd been freed from your responsibilities, what choice would you have made?" 

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

Join a captivating cast of babies as they discover the similarities and differences in their baby names.

Get ready to have fun while learning! An adorable human baby leads the way, as various animal babies introduce themselves. This playful picture book will help young readers understand which baby names belong to different animals. But look out--there might be a few surprises! 

While this book is definitely about names, a closer look reveals that it's also about sorting and categorization. With a delightful rhythm, a repeated refrain, and colorful endpapers that illustrate the groups that baby animals can be sorted into, I Was Born A Baby is sure to enlighten and entertain, with every vibrant, creative page!

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

• ​Visit a zoo, farm, or wildlife preserve. Name the animals you see. When you see baby animals, identify them by their correct baby animal names.
• Use free, downloadable, printable pages, such as these, to match baby animals with their grown counterparts. Pictures can also be printed out, cut out, glued to index cards, and used to play matching games, such as "memory."
• Choose a baby animal and draw a picture, or write a story, about an adventure that little one might have. 
• Conversation starters:  "What is your favorite baby animal? Why?" "If you were a baby animal, which one would you be? Why?"

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

An acorn may seem small, or even insignificant, but a closer look reveals the enormous impact a tiny acorn can have. 

Some of my favorite books are ones that provoke deeper thought, using very few words, leaving the reader to ponder the meaning behind the story. With spare text and rich illustrations, Because of an Acorn shows the inter-connectedness of the natural world and illustrates how much one thing depends on--or happens as a result of--the next.

The simplicity of the text gives space for readers to make connections independently. It also provides opportunities for conversations, as each gorgeous page invites young learners to make inferences, explore layers of meaning, and understand more fully how one thing often greatly impacts the next. 

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

• ​Using paint and construction paper, make thumb-print acorns. Check out this website for detailed instructions. 
• If you live in an area where oak trees grow, go for a walk and collect acorns. Sort the acorns according to size. For detailed instructions, check out this website.
• After collecting acorns and sorting them into groups, according to their size (small, medium, and large), create a graph that illustrates the number of acorns in each group.
• "Can you think of other things in nature that appear small, but are very important?"  "Think of a time when you did something, or acted in a way, that had an impact of something else. Was the impact positive or negative? Why?"

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

A haughty, tough-talking buffalo realizes the power of acceptance, and the joy of being loved unconditionally!

Looking for a book that captivates, entertains, and challenges, all at once? Look no further! Bess Kalb's use of silly words, whimsical rhyme, and engaging refrain make this book a joy to read aloud. Young learners will love joining in as the protagonist huffs and puffs, and all the while, the bold and eye-catching illustrations compel readers toward the climax--where everything changes! 

This funny picture book, with its light-hearted language and comical surprise ending, provides a delightful vehicle for a more serious--and timely--message. In a world where people often present themselves in a way that hides the reality, this message of honesty, transparency, and acceptance is powerful, and much needed.

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

• Compare and contrast Buffalo Fluffalo, in the beginning and at the end of the book. What were his characteristics (both inside and out) before and after the storm?
• Using a paper plate, markers, and construction paper, create a buffalo mask. Check out this website for instructions!
•  Conversation starters:  "Why do you think Buffalo Fluffalo acted the way he did in the beginning of the book?" "Can you think of a time when you were concerned about what other people would think? What did you do?"

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

Join a little girl on her big adventure through the jungle--and learn along the way!

This little board book packs a BIG educational punch! As Marta makes her way through the jungle, readers learn about opposites, comparison, perspective--and jungle animals! All the while, Spanish and English are beautifully blended throughout, making this bilingual picture book a treasure for young learners. With spare text, bold and fun illustrations, and an exciting surprise ending, Marta! Big & Small is sure to be enjoyed over and over again--by big and small alike!

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

• Using the words, or names of animals, featured in this book, play charades, acting out each one. Students may guess the words in Spanish or in English.
• Go on a walk, and hunt for opposites in nature--things that are fast or slow, rough or smooth, small or big, noisy or silent, etc...
• Select five favorite stuffed animals. Line them up and compare them to each other. Is one big, and another small? Are some both small and big, depending on what they're compared to? What are their differences and similarities?
• Conversation starters:  "If you could learn any language, what language would you want to learn?" "Can you think of something that is both big and small, depending on what it is compared to?" 

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

Sometimes, with time and perspective, we realize that the things that appeared to be ordinary, were extraordinary, all along.

I read The Dress and the Girl for the first time and immediately wanted to read it again--to experience the layers of story and beauty and meaning this book offers, once more. The lovely simplicity of the illustrations, combined with the poignant storyline, make this a touching and heartwarming read.

It's the story of a hand-made dress, and a girl, who do everything together on a lovely Greek island. But when the family emigrates to the United States and their trunk, containing the beloved dress, gets lost, it's up to the two of them to try to find one another again. Full of aspiration, adventure, perseverance, and hope, this story is sure to challenge readers to reflect on the things that are important in life, and why. 

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

• ​Think about your family history. What are some important events that have taken place? (Marriages, births, moves, etc.) Create a timeline, charting the events that have been meaningful for your family.
• In this story, the dress traveled the world. Write a story, or draw a picture, detailing the dress's adventures.
• Conversation starters:  "Is there an item has special meaning to you? What is it, and why is it special?" "If you could travel the world, where would you go?" 

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