Playfully charming and thought-provoking musings about trees.

Simply written and beautifully illustrated, this picture book presents thoughtful questions on each page for curious learners to consider. Readers will be challenged to wonder about all sorts of things they may have never thought of before--whether trees feel lonely, if a tree has dreams of its own, or if trees ever get scared. With spare text and captivating illustrations, this book is sure to capture the imagination and prompt many thoughtful musings!

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

• Go to a park and picnic under a tree. What kind of tree did you choose? What do you notice about the tree you chose to sit under? Draw a picture or write a story about what you observed.
• Pair with informational picture books about trees, such as Because of an Acorn (Schaefer/Preston-Gannon, Chronicle, 2016) What Do You See When You Look At A Tree? (Carlisle, Templar, 2022) and It Starts With A Seed (Knowles, Words & Pictures, 2017).
• Conversation starters:  "What are some questions you have about trees?" "If you were a tree, what kind would you be?" 

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

Tenderly poignant picture book about friendship in the midst of a refugee camp.

As relief workers hand out clothes at a refugee camp in Pakistan, sandals become a vehicle for friendship. When two girls each happen to find a single shoe, they ultimately find each other, as well. Working together, they must figure out how to share their new sandals. As their friendship grows, they rely on one another--not just for shoes, but for support as they navigate the difficulties and heartaches of life in a refugee camp. 

Each beautiful page of this tenderly inspiring picture book reveals a glimpse into the reality that many refugees face as they grapple with the loss of home, family, and possessions, as well as the unknown of what the future might bring. A note at the end of the book reveals that this story is based on experiences the author has had with refugees along the border of Afghanistan and Pakistan. 

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

• This story takes place in Pakistan, but Lina traveled on foot from Afghanistan. Locate those countries on a map. How far apart are they? Would that be a long way to walk? To carry a sibling?
• Pair with Wendy Meddour's Lubna and Pebble. 
• Consider partnering with organizations that provide relief to refugees. Fundraisers, such as bake sales or lemonade stands, may provide opportunities to raise funds and spread the word, as well.
• Conversation starters:  "The two girls in this story met when they each had a matching sandal. How did you meet your best friend?​" "Have you ever had to say goodbye to someone you loved? How did you feel?" "If you had to leave your home quickly, what things would you bring with you?"

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

A gorgeous tribute to the bond of siblings, the power of a storm, and the thrill of adventure.

When curiosity captures a sibling pair, they decide to venture out to the seaside to watch a storm approach. But as the wind gets stronger and the waves thunder against the shore, the children must decide what to do--make their way to safety or continue on and risk getting caught in the squall.

Told with lyrical language as lovely and captivating as the vivid illustrations, this story thrusts readers into the action from the very beginning. With every page turn, the intrigue--and danger--increases as the powerful force of a storm is explored. Island Storm is sure to inspire readers' curiosity about weather disturbances, and would make an excellent catalyst for conversations about storm safety, weather patterns, and the special bonds within family.

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

• From a safe distance and in a safe location, with the supervision of a trusted adult, watch a storm approach. What do you see? Smell? Hear? Feel?
  
• If you were one of the children in this story, what would you have done? Write a story or draw a picture about what decisions you would have made.
• Conversation starters: "The children in the story encountered a storm. How do you think they felt?" "Have you ever been caught in a storm? How did you feel? What did you do?"

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

A poignant story about a tough machine with a tender heart. 

Digger is a tough machine, built for tough work. But when he finds a little flower, something surprising takes place--the excavator becomes the protector. He waters and nurtures and cares for the little plant, until the unexpected happens. Then, it is up to Digger to find a way to ensure that future life is guarded and nourished. 

This durable little board book overflows with heartfelt messages of care and compassion, loss and grief, and rebirth and renewal. Additionally, its boldly illustrated pages may prompt young readers to begin to consider the impact of urbanization and the importance of protecting the natural world. With tender storytelling and captivating illustrations, The Digger and the Flower is sure to delight and inspire readers of any age.

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

• Discuss all the things a little seed needs to grow and flourish:  soil, light, air, water.  Plant a seed and watch it grow. Record its progress. 
• With a parent or caregiver, observe a construction site from a safe distance.  Watch the machines build. Which machines do you see? Can you identify the three machines featured in this book?
• Pair with other books in the Digger series, Digger and the Duckling, Digger and the Butterfly, Digger and the Dark, and Digger and the Christmas Tree (released September 16, 2025).
• Conversation starters:  "Digger lost something important to him. What feelings do you think he felt?" "How did Digger respond to his loss?" "When something unexpected or sad happens, what feelings do you feel? How do you respond to those feelings?"

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

The story of a seed, which becomes a sapling, which becomes a tree, which becomes a home.

This thought-provoking picture book explores the passage of time, the impact of human development on the natural world, and the fundamentals of an ecosystem, through the story of a tree. Spanning several hundred years, the tale begins in a forest, when a bird drops an acorn onto the forest floor. As years, decades, and centuries pass, the seed grows. But transformations occurs all around, as well. As the forest itself changes, the tree plays an important role in nurturing life and fostering community.

The story, simply told and gorgeously illustrated, deftly incorporates information about the life cycle of a tree and the inner-workings of a forest, while  informative back matter unpacks the basics of an ecosystem. Created with pen and ink, the intricate illustrations are astounding. Readers will love exploring the layers within the drawings to find hidden details and camouflaged creatures.  Cole brings the mighty oak to life, while helping young learners understand the enormous role that trees play in our world.

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

• Go for a walk and look for seeds. Which seeds did you find? What might those seeds become? Record your observations in a nature journal, draw a picture of the seeds you discovered, or write about them in a story.
• What do seeds need to grow and thrive? Germinate a seed, and then plant it in soil and watch it grow. Click here for instructions.
• Practice drawing with pen and ink, just like Henry Cole! Click here for detailed instructions.
• Conversation starters:  "Do all seeds become what they were intended to be? Why or why not?" "Do you think things happen by chance, or do you think there is a plan or design that determines the way nature is ordered?" "This book is about something that starts out very small, but has a very big impact. Can you think of other things that start out small but make a big difference?" 
  

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

A vibrant, lyrical, and informative picture book about the wonders of cicadas.

Who knew that cicadas have more than one set of eyes, or that males can't hear their own mating calls, or that a female can lay hundreds of eggs at one time? These are just a few of the fascinating facts that each page of this colorful book unearths. 

Told in rhyme, with informative sidebars scattered throughout the vivid illustrations, this beautiful and insightful picture book will help readers understand the cicada's life cycle, and better appreciate the role they play in the natural world. With a glossary of terms in the back, an author's note, and a diagram of a cicada, young learners will be equipped to go out and look for signs of cicadas, themselves.

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

• Go for a walk. Use your senses to try to locate cicadas. Do you hear their sounds? Observe their "chimneys" near tree trunks? Identify their molted exoskeletons? Record your observations.
• Make a list of animals that molt and choose one. Create a Venn diagram to compare and contrast that animal with cicadas. How are the two similar? What are their differences? Click here for a printable Venn diagram template.
• ​Check out this website for more information about cicadas and for free printable worksheets and activities.
• Conversation starters: "What is one thing you learned about cicadas, after reading CICADA SYMPHONY?" "If you could have one of the cicada's characteristics, (ability to molt, multiple sets of eyes, etc...) which one would you want to have? Why?"

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

The fascinating true story behind Margery Williams' classic, The Velveteen Rabbit.

Margery Williams' time-honored tale gets a fresh look in this beautifully illustrated picture book. With text from The Velveteen Rabbit deftly woven throughout, Molly Golden tells the story of a young girl, often left alone with her imagination. Through the loss she experiences, the adventures she encounters, and through her own love of story-telling, a beloved book is born. 

For readers unfamiliar with The Velveteen Rabbit, this picture book provides the perfect introduction, and for those who already are familiar with or admire the classic, Becoming Real grants a deeper look at the events that led to its creation. With an author's note that expounds on Margery Williams' story and an extensive list of social-emotional activities that encourage readers to enjoy time with their own special toy, this book is perfect for reading at the library, in the classroom, or curled up at home with a favorite stuffed animal! 

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

• Pair with Margery Williams' The Velveteen Rabbit.
• Read the section in the back of the book, "Social Emotional Activities to Share with Your Toy," and try a few of the activities.
• Conversation starters: "Do you have a toy that is special to you? What makes it so special?" "If you have a special toy, what is your favorite memory with that toy? What is your favorite shared activity?" "In the story, Margery used her imagination in creative ways. What are some ways you use your imagination?" 

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

A moving tribute to a man whose actions saved the lives of hundreds of children during World War II.

With poignant simplicity, Peter Sís skillfully weaves together two seemingly unrelated stories--one about a boy named Nicky who lives in England, collects stamps, and grows up longing for adventure, and the other about Vera, a girl who lives in Prague, loves her family, and cares for cats. The result is a stirring narrative that reminds readers of the power of courage and the incredible impact one life can have on another. 

The language simply and clearly tells the story, while the nuanced illustrations, with layers of meaning, offer springboards for conversations, with each page that's turned. This stirring picture book would be a valuable addition to any unit or classroom discussion on World War II or the Holocaust, or any conversation about courage and what it means to do what is right in the face of evil.

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

• ​If you happen to have a history museum nearby that explores the Holocaust, visit the museum, and write about what you learned. 
• In the story, Nicky helps others in need. Identify someone in need--a sick neighbor, a friend who feels sad, a teacher who seems overwhelmed--and think of something you can do to help or be an encouragement. 
• Pair this story with One Day:  A True Story of Survival in the Holocaust, by Michael Rosen, or Number the Stars, by Lois Lowry.
• Conversation starters:  "How does this story make you feel? Why?" "Nicky saw that bad things were happening and he acted quickly. Can you think of a time when something happened that you felt was wrong? How did you respond? Is there anything you would do differently now?" "In your opinion, is it hard or easy to be courageous? Why?"

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

A seemingly simple and fun introduction to colors, habitats, and the foods that nourish animals and people, alike.

What better vehicle to explore animals' diets than through the use of color! Readers will love identifying various colors, differentiating between the animals and their habitats, and predicting which color comes next. And to take it one step further, the informative back matter delves deeper into various habitats, the life they support, and the food sources that grow in each. 

The simplicity of the text belies the complex opportunities for learning this book presents. It would make a perfect springboard for units on color or animals, or it could be used to supplement explorations of nutrition, natural habitats, and biodiversity. With vibrant and captivating illustrations and intriguing text that asks questions and challenges readers to engage with the material, WHO EATS ORANGE? is sure become a favorite at the library, in the classroom, or at home.

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

• Take a trip to the grocery store! Make a list of your favorite fresh fruits and vegetables. When you get home, graph the foods, according to their colors. 
• Draw a picture of, or write a poem about, your favorite food, or your favorite animal. 
• Humans and animals all must eat food. Compare and contrast the types of foods that are eaten by both humans and animas. Can you think of any food that only animals eat?  Are there foods that only humans eat? Use a Venn Diagram to sort your answers. 
• Conversation Starters:  "If you could live in any habitat, what would it be? Why?" "What is your favorite animal? Why?" "What is your favorite animal? Why?"

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

Using the song, "Jesus Loves Me," this lyrical picture book explores the many ways God show His love through the natural world.

This delightful picture book brings the childhood song, "Jesus Loves Me," to life, as a child  and her family explore God's creation together. In the course of a single day, God's love is discovered--whether through the beauty of a rainbow, the magnificence of a mountain range, or the vastness of a star-studded sky--each page unfolds a different way that God's creation speaks of His love.  

Written in lyrical rhyme, with different variations of the first stanza of "Jesus Loves Me" on each spread, readers are invited to consider the natural world through the lens of God's love, and perhaps discover new meaning in the beloved song, as well. With gorgeous illustrations that bring each lovely page to life, and themes of love, hope, and family, this book is perfect for gift-giving on special occasions, or snuggling up with before bedtime.

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

• Go out and explore the natural world, wherever you live. What do you observe? How might those things reflect God's love for you?
• Plan a road trip together, like the family in the book. What places will you visit? 
• If you don't know the song, "Jesus Loves Me," you can listen to it here. If you do know it, try singing it, and then write a poem, or draw a picture, about His love for you.
• Conversation starters:  "Have you ever thought about all the ways God show His love?" "Have you ever felt or experienced God's love for you? If so, what happened and what was that like?" "Identify someone who loves you. What are some ways they show their love? What are some ways you can show love to others?" 

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