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Top New Children's Books Released in May 2025 May 2025 brought a fresh wave of children's books that are as engaging as they are diverse. Whether you're looking for heartfelt stories, laugh-out-loud adventures, or tales that spark the imagination, this month's releases have something for every young reader. Here's a curated list of standout titles that deserve a spot on your bookshelf. 📚 Picture Books 1. Growing Home by Beth FerryA charming tale about friendship and family, featuring chatty houseplants and a quirky man in purple shoes.  2. Papa Doesn't Do Anything! by Jimmy FallonA humorous and joyful celebration of dads, perfect for Father's Day reading.  3. I Am NOT a Vampire by Miles McKennaAn empowering story about self-acceptance, following Arlo, a boy who doesn't quite fit into his vampire family.  4. Sato the Rabbit: Morning Light by Yuki AinoyaA meditative and beautifully illustrated journey with Sato, who embarks on surreal adventures in a magical world.  📖 Middle Grade Novels 5. J vs. K by Kwame Alexander and Jerry CraftA hilarious tale of two creative fifth graders engaged in a battle of wits and creativity.  6. The Doughnut Club by Kristina RahimExplores diverse family dynamics through the eyes of Quinn, a girl seeking connection with her donor siblings 7. Land of the Last Wildcat by Lui SitA fantasy adventure with environmental themes, as Puffin Lau sets out to save a magical wildcat species.  8. Stuck by Kayla MillerDelves into middle school friendships and the challenges of summer camp, resonating with fans of Raina Telgemeier.  🌟 Noteworthy Mentions 9. The One and Only Ruby by Katherine ApplegateA novel-in-verse that tells the story of Ruby, a baby elephant, offering a fresh perspective in the beloved series.  10. The Gate, the Girl, and the Dragon by Grace LinAn enchanting tale that weaves together magic and adventure, perfect for young fantasy enthusiasts. These titles offer a blend of humor, heart, and imagination, making them excellent additions to any young reader's collection. Whether you're a parent, educator, or simply a book lover, these new releases are worth exploring.

  When school lets out, the learning shouldn't stop. Public libraries step in as unsung heroes during the summer months, offering more than just books—they provide a lifeline to literacy, learning, and community engagement. Here's why they're indispensable: 📚 Combatting the Summer Slide Summer break can lead to a decline in reading skills, especially for kids without access to books. Public library programs offer free access to a vast array of reading materials, helping children maintain and even improve their literacy levels during the break  🎯 Engaging Reluctant Readers Not every child is eager to pick up a book, but libraries make reading appealing through interactive programs, storytelling sessions, and reading challenges. These initiatives can ignite a passion for reading in even the most hesitant young readers  🌐 Bridging the Access Gap For families without the means to purchase books or educational materials, libraries offer an essential service. They provide free access to books, digital resources, and educational programs, ensuring all children have the opportunity to learn and grow .beanstack.com 🧠 Fostering Critical Thinking Beyond reading, libraries host workshops and activities that promote critical thinking and creativity. From science experiments to art projects, these programs encourage children to explore new ideas and develop problem-solving skills .Manistee News Advocate 🤝 Building Community Connections Libraries serve as community hubs where children can interact with peers, participate in group activities, and develop social skills. These interactions are crucial for personal development and fostering a sense of belonging . In Summary Public libraries are more than repositories of books; they're dynamic centers for learning, growth, and community engagement. By offering free resources and programs, they play a pivotal role in supporting children's development during the summer months. Check out your local library today!

Helping children fall in love with reading is one of the greatest gifts a parent, teacher, or caregiver can give. A strong foundation in literacy sets the stage for lifelong learning, curiosity, and confidence. But in a world filled with screens, distractions, and fast-paced entertainment, how do you nurture a genuine love of books in your child? Here are proven strategies to encourage a love of literature in children, plus a look at an innovative tool that helps bring stories—and family voices—to life: the Read To Me Recordable Book Buddy. 📚 1. Start Early and Make It Daily Children who are read to regularly from infancy develop stronger vocabularies, better listening skills, and more advanced language comprehension. Even ten minutes a day can make a world of difference. Keywords: reading to toddlers, early literacy tips, how to build reading habits in kids 🎧 2. Let Them Hear Your Voice—Even When You’re Not There Kids crave connection. That’s where the Read To Me Recordable Book Buddy comes in. This screen-free, recordable device allows parents, grandparents, and loved ones to record themselves reading children’s books aloud, so a child can play back the story in your voice—whenever they want. Whether you're traveling, deployed, working late, or live far away, your voice can still be part of their bedtime routine. It’s not just a gadget—it’s a literacy-building keepsake that helps foster a deep emotional bond through books. Keywords: recordable book reader, gifts that encourage reading, screen-free literacy tools, read aloud devices for kids 📖 3. Follow Their Interests Does your child love dinosaurs? Space? Silly jokes? Sports? Let them choose books that align with their passions. When kids get to pick what they read, they feel empowered—and excited to dive in. Keywords: book recommendations for kids, best books for reluctant readers, children’s books by interest 🌟 4. Make Reading Interactive and Fun Use voices, sound effects, or even act out scenes. Pause to ask questions or make predictions. If you’re using the Read To Me Book Buddy, add a personal touch to your recordings by inserting their name or little inside jokes to keep them engaged. Keywords: how to make reading fun for kids, interactive storytime ideas, personalized children’s reading experience 📚 5. Build a Reading-Friendly Environment Create a cozy reading nook at home. Keep books in the car, at the dinner table, in the bathroom—anywhere! Show your child that books are a normal (and wonderful) part of everyday life. Keywords: reading corner ideas, home literacy environment, tips for raising readers 🛌 6. Make Reading Part of the Routine Bedtime is one of the best times to foster a love of stories. When you're not there in person, the Read To Me Recordable Book Buddy helps maintain this routine—giving kids a sense of comfort, consistency, and connection. Keywords: bedtime reading for kids, screen-free bedtime routine, voice-recorded books for children ❤️ Why It Matters Children who develop a love of literature not only perform better academically, they also build empathy, imagination, and emotional resilience. The stories they hear in childhood shape the way they see the world—and themselves. 🎁 A Gift That Grows With Them Looking for a meaningful gift that encourages literacy and emotional connection? The Read To Me Recordable Book Buddy is a heartfelt choice for birthdays, baby showers, holidays, or back-to-school season. Combine it with a favorite book, and you’re giving a child the ultimate storytime experience: your voice reading to them, any time. Keywords: gifts for early readers, literacy gifts for kids, screen-free educational toys 2025, read aloud companion Final Thought:Every child deserves the magic of books—and someone they love to read them. Whether you’re snuggled up together or miles apart, you can be part of that story. So pick up a book, press record, and help the next generation fall in love with reading—one story at a time. 🧡 Discover the Read To Me Recordable Book Buddy and start creating storytime memories that last a lifetime.

The Best New Children’s Books to Brighten Your April 2025 Spring has sprung, and so have a fresh crop of beautifully written, brilliantly illustrated children’s books that are perfect for reading together. Whether you’re looking for laugh-out-loud picture books, heartwarming bedtime stories, or empowering tales for independent readers, April 2025 delivers a bookshelf full of gems. Here are some of the best new children's books to check out this month:

Time has a funny way of slipping through our fingers. One day you’re teaching your child how to tie their shoes, and the next they’re grabbing the car keys and heading out the door. While we can’t slow down time, we can make the most of it—by being intentional about creating moments that matter.

This is a really special book. Maybe even a really important book if you're a man or helping to raise a young man. I fall into both categories. Masculinity always seemed  Big Boys Cry is a tender, empowering picture book that gently challenges outdated notions of masculinity. Written and illustrated by Jonty Howley, the story follows a young boy on his first day of school. The boy is scared. His father is scared too and doesn't know what to do. He tells his son, “big boys don’t cry.” It's advice most of us men have received for a myriad of different reasons, but even if well-intended, it can have chilling effects as we grow into men. On his way to school, the boy sees a big tough fisherman with tears in his eyes as he says goodbye to his family. On his journey to school, the boy sees men of all sorts crying for a wide range of reasons. Spoiler alert: the boy has a good day at school and when he gets home, he finds his father with tears in his eyes. It was your fist day at a new school and I was scared for you his father tells him. The magic of this book lies in its simplicity and heart. Howley’s lyrical prose is spare yet deeply resonant, creating space for children (and adults) to reflect on their own feelings. The illustrations are bold and expressive, full of whimsical details and vivid color that capture both Levi’s internal emotional world and the supportive, tear-friendly community he finds.  Without preaching, it opens a window into the emotional lives of boys and encourages self-expression with compassion and grace. It’s an ideal read-aloud for families, teachers, or counselors looking to start conversations about feelings, empathy, and the power of vulnerability. This book is a wonderful tool for helping all children understand that there's a width and breadth to any emotion and that when men (or anyone for that matter) are more open to examining and understanding those emotions, they become stronger and the world becomes a better place. Gentle, affirming, and beautifully illustrated, Big Boys Cry deserves a place on every child’s bookshelf.