When big news arrives in the galaxy, Little Star must choose between hiding her light, or shining courageously.

Little Star is happy shining her little light in the night sky, but when a big announcement is made to the galaxy, everything changes--Holy Night is coming! When Little Star is called upon to play a special role, she must face her fears and decide whether she will hide her light, or embrace the exciting news--and her own part in it!

With captivating illustrations and lyrical language, this heartfelt picture book creatively tells the story of the birth of Jesus, from the perspective of a little star learning the truth about Holy Night. This beautiful book is sure to become a favorite, perfect for Advent celebrations, Christmas family traditions, or year-round reading. 

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

• Pair with the Christmas Story in the Bible (Luke 2:1-20).
• Create a hand-print picture of Little Star using finger paint. Paint one hand with yellow or gold finger paint. On a piece of dark blue or black construction paper, press painted hand (with fingers tightened together) in the shape of a five-pointed star. For instructions and pictures, check out this website.
• Conversation starters: "How did Little Star feel when Maker asked her to shine for Holy Night?" "Have you ever been asked to do a job that you'd never done before? How did  you feel?" 

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

A quiet picture book about the important role a blue table plays in the daily life of a family.

Sometimes, mundane or ordinary things play extraordinarily important roles in our daily lives. So it is for a simple blue table in Chris Raschka's THE BLUE TABLE. The hub of family life, it facilitates activities--meals, crafts, and gatherings--and becomes the centerpiece for feasting and thanksgiving for friends and family, alike. With text as simple and spare as the table itself, and illustrations that portray the vivid, vivacious nature of the day-to-day, this heartfelt picture book encourages readers to consider the value of family, hospitality, and thankfulness. Standing up to multiple readings, it would be a perfect choice for library story-time or at-home cuddling with young learners.

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

• ​Create your own blue table picture! On the top of the table, add the items or activities you and your family would enjoy together. For a free printable table template, click here.
• With the help of a care giver, plan a meal, cook it together, and invite a friend over to enjoy it with you.
• Conversation starters:  "What is your favorite thing to do around your table at home?" "What things are you thankful for?" 

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

 A thoughtful exploration of the life, death, and life-after-death of a Douglas fir.

As beautifully written as it is illustrated, this thought-provoking picture book will challenge readers to consider all the ways trees contribute to their environment, at all the stages of life. Young learners are often familiar with seeds, saplings, and younger trees, but decaying, dying, and dead trees are just as important--and their impact goes far beyond what is often understood. Even in their death, trees provide food, shelter, and nutrients to other living things. 

The lyrical text and captivating illustrations are enhanced by the informative back matter that clearly details the various stages of a tree's life. It also provides a brief explanation of the relationship between people and trees, a glossary of terms young learners may be unfamiliar with, and a source list for further study. This book would make a beautiful addition to a library's arboreal list, an instructive complement to a classroom unit on trees, or a perfect excuse to snuggle up and read aloud at home.

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

• Investigate trees in your area. Do you observe any signs of life--nests, insects, or animals--in the tree?  Do you notice any signs of decay? Did you see any wounds? Draw a picture or write about what you observed. 
• Pair with Hannah Barnaby's The Pine Cone's Secret (Sourcebooks Explore, 2025).
• ​​For extension activities, lesson plans, and more, check out the author's website.
• Conversation starters: "What did you learn about trees from this book?" "If you were a tree, which creatures would you want to shelter in your branches or in your trunk?" 

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

A simple, heartfelt reflection on the special things that bring joy. 

The Thanksgiving season offers opportunities to intentionally reflect on the things we are thankful for. Often, those are the things that fill our hearts with happiness. This board book prompts readers to recognize the things that might be taken for granted--stories, songs, or sunshine--that create a sense of wonder and delight. Then, young learners are challenged to discover what brings them joy. 

With spare text and vivid illustrations, this engaging board book will delight the youngest learners, while challenging older ones to ponder, too. It would make a perfect springboard into conversations about thankfulness and joy, as well as concepts revolving around emotions, community, and family relationships. MY HEART FILLS WITH HAPPINESS will stand up to multiple readings and would be an ideal fit for a read-aloud at the library, or incorporated into a bedtime routine.

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

• Choose an activity mentioned in this book and try it. Does it fill your heart with joy?
• The book refers to baking bannock. With the help of a trusted adult, gather the ingredients and make it. For a recipe for bannock, as well as a brief history of the bread, check out this website.
• Conversation starters:  "What brings you joy?"  "What things are you thankful for?" 

For more perfect picture books, check out Susanna Leonard Hill's website!

A delightful ode to family, feasting, and giving thanks.

When an extended family gathers together to celebrate Thanksgiving, each member pitches in to help. Whether it's making bread, stirring a pot, or baking a pie, everyone has a job to do or something to offer. This book illustrates the joys of teamwork, the delight of family, and the value of pausing together to be thankful.

Perfect for home, school, or library settings, SHARING THE BREAD begs to be read aloud! With poetic musicality, playful repetition, and gorgeous illustrations that capture a bygone era, this charming picture book is sure to be requested over and over, delighting readers of all ages. 

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

• Plan a meal to cook together with your family. Assign a task for each member of the family to do.  Then, enjoy the meal you've cooked all together.
• Who are the members of your family? Create a family tree to illustrate how each member is related to the others. For free, downloadable family tree templates, check out this website.
• What are you thankful for? Make a list, create a poem, or draw a picture of all the things you are most thankful for.
• Conversation starters:  "What is your favorite holiday? Why?" "Is there a holiday family tradition that you look forward to? What is it?" "If you could share any activity with your family, what would it be?"

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

"Gourd-eously" hilarious picture book celebrating fall, friendship, and the fulfillment that teamwork brings.

Poor Squash! When autumn comes around, Pumpkin gets all the attention. All the love. All the spice. What is a humble squash to do? Join Squash and Pumpkin as they navigate the ups and downs of friendship--appreciating the differences, resisting the urge to compare, and finding the joy in individuality--and teamwork! 

With witty, humorous puns and vividly engaging illustrations, SQUASH & PUMPKIN: #SQUASHGOALS will delight readers of all ages. Learners, young and old, will laugh out loud with Squash, and perhaps even ponder deeper questions of what makes each person unique, and how can we appreciate the differences in others. With endearing characters, adorable illustrations, and comedic readability, this book is perfect for library, school, and at-home reading.

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

• ​Visit a farm, a farm stand, or a grocery store that sells gourds. Observe the gourds and compare their characteristics. Are they large or small? Rough or smooth? Plain or multi-colored? 
• Make pie, bread, or even bisque using your favorite gourd. With the help of a caregiver, locate a recipe, shop for ingredients, and bake or cook safely. Then, enjoy the delicious food together!
• Plant a pumpkin or squash--or both! For detailed instructions on planting a pumpkin, check out this website. For detailed instructions on planting a squash, check out this website.
• Conversation starters: "Can you think of a time when you felt left out or overlooked? How did that make you feel? What did you do?" "Which do you prefer to eat, squash or pumpkin? Why?"

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

A little imagination is all that's needed to create the perfect day for a granddaughter and her grandmother. 

When playtime gets disturbed by noises all around, a young granddaughter and her grandmother escape to nature to find quiet--and maybe even a little rest. But will buzzing bees, noisy crows, and booming thunder destroy the peace they're looking for? Readers will love joining in the search for quiet, as imagination and the wonders of nature become the centerpiece to a perfect day.

With illustrations as vibrant as the main characters' imaginations, A CUP OF QUIET will challenge readers to recognize and experience the peaceful beauty found in nature. It may even inspire a little imagination, as well! Featuring intergenerational relationships, and brimming with witty insight and lyrical prose, this picture book makes the perfect gift for a special "Grand," as well as an excellent read-aloud for library, school, or at-home settings. 

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

• ​​Plan a visit to a grandparent's house. What activities will you do together? Is there something you can do together that involves imagination? 
• Write a letter or draw a picture for a grandparent who lives far away, or who you aren't able to visit. 
• Go outside, where it's quiet, and collect sounds in nature. Make a list of all the sounds you discovered. Which ones were your favorites? 
• Conversation starters: "What are your favorite things to do with your grandparents?"  "If you had a cup that captured the peaceful sounds of nature, which sounds would you catch? Why?" "What ways do you use your imagination?" "What are some of your favorite things to imagine?"

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

A comedic look at the seasons and what it means to be prepared.

Poor Cow. He's always ready for the wrong season! When his friends celebrate each new season with fun outdoor activities and new seasonal adventures, he just keeps getting mixed up. Will Cow ever be able to suit up just in time?

This lively and comical picture book, written in short, punchy rhyme and illustrated in bold colors that bring each quirky character to life, makes a perfect read-aloud. Holding up to multiple readings, it's ideal for home, library, and school settings. Kids will love identifying the seasons, making predictions, and laughing along with Cow's hilarious attempts to welcome each seasonal change. 

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

• ​What season is it? Make a list of all the activities that are fun to do in the season you are in. Pick an activity, plan it, and do it!
• Cow had some funny ideas in this story! Is there something fun, funny, or even a little unexpected that you'd like to do in the season you're in? Draw a picture or write a story about it.
• Conversation starters:  "What is your favorite season? Why?" "What are your favorite activities, in your favorite season?" 

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

A simple, thoughtful tribute to the characteristics of home.

Looking for a board book that introduces animals and their habitats, parent/child relationships, and the concept of home to young learners? A Home Like This does all of these things and more. In a preschool or home education setting, it's a perfect jumping-off point for a deeper look into the habits and habitat of each animal highlighted, as well as a tool for comparison between animals, their homes, and how each one thrives and survives. Written with lyrical simplicity, and illustrated beautifully with calming warmth, this sturdy book would also be perfect for library story time, or cozy bedtime reading. 

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

• Choose one animal featured in this book, for further study. On a chart, record what you already know about this animal, and what you want to learn. Then, check out books about the animal and, if possible, observe it in nature. On your chart, record what you learned. For a sample chart, visit this website.
• Pair this book with Hannah Barnaby's Home Is...(Beech Lane Books, 2021).
• Using a Venn Diagram, choose several animals in this book, and compare and contrast them. For a printable Venn Diagram, visit this website.
• Conversation starters:  "What do you love most about your home? Is there anything you would change?" "What are the unique challenges of each habitat featured in this book?" "If you could be one of the animals in this book, which one would you choose? Why?"

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

Fun facts about animals' eggs await discovery in this vibrant and informative, flap-lifting board book. 

Little hands will love lifting flaps, predicting the answers, and searching for hidden information in this vividly illustrated, informative board book. As they make their way through the story, young learners will discover that eggs come in all different sizes, colors, and textures, depending on the animals that lay them. There may be some surprises, along the way--who knew that a snake's eggs are soft, or that hens' eggs might be pink or blue or green?! Additionally, this little book, packed with educational opportunities, would make the perfect catalyst for conversations about various habitats and the importance of caring for the environment.

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

• Locate a chicken coup (perhaps on a nearby farm or a friend who raises chickens) and schedule a time to go visit.  Were there any eggs? If so, what color(s) were they? Were the eggs smooth or rough? Warm or cold? Plain or speckled?
• Practice counting, addition, and subtraction with this butterfly egg counting activity.​
• Conversations starters: "In this book, how did each parent protect their eggs?" "What is one thing that your parent does to protect you?" "Which eggs in this book were the smallest? The largest?"

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