Skip to main content
Add Me To Your Mailing List

News / Articles

Book Picks: Love

The Crier Landing Page >>

BOOK PICKS: LOVE

By: Shannon Kaiser   |   February 28, 2022


Cuddle up with your little one and enjoy these sweet cuddly love books to add some extra special love to your reading time. These are some of my favorite stories to read with my children and I hope you enjoy them as well.


Toddler

LOVE FROM THE VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR  

By Eric Carle

Join The Very Hungry Caterpillar for a celebration of love and all the ways to tell that special someone how much you care. This delightful little book features Eric Carle's bright and distinctive artwork of favorite things, from pretty sweets to sparkling stars, with The Very Hungry Caterpillar making an appearance alongside each one. The perfect gift for Valentine's Day, or any day you want to say . . . I love you!


Purchase the book through Amazon Smile HERE.


 

LOVE MONSTER

By Rachel Bright

Love Monster is a slightly hairy monster trying to fit in with the cuddly residents of Cutesville. But as it turns out, it's hard to fit in with the cute and the fluffy when you're a googly-eyed monster. And so, Love Monster sets out to find someone who will love him just the way he is. His journey is not easy―he looks high, low, and even middle-ish. But as he soon finds out, in the blink of a googly eye, love can find you when you least expect it.


Purchase the book through Amazon Smile HERE

A LITTLE SPOT OF LOVE 

By Diane Alber

Everyone NEEDS to be loved! But sometimes its hard to figure out how to LOVE someone the way they want to be LOVED. This fun story visualizes LOVE as a fun PINK spot and it guides you through the ways you can express love, from listening to being kind. so any child can see how to grow their LOVE SPOT!


Purchase the book through Amazon Smile HERE




Preschool

I AM LOVE: A BOOK OF COMPASSION

By Susan Verde

Love means showing kindness, living with gratitude and taking care of our minds and bodies. Letting our hearts lead the way can help move us closer to a better world.
 
This book is a celebration of love in all of its forms. Grounded in mindfulness and wellness, I Am Love asks readers to look inward when they feel afraid, angry, hurt, or sad. When a storm is brewing inside us and the skies grow dark, the transformative power of love lets the light back in.

Purchase the book through Amazon Smile HERE.


IN MY HEART: A BOOK OF FEELINGS

By Jo Witek

Happiness, sadness, bravery, anger, shyness . . . our hearts can feel so many feelings! Some make us feel as light as a balloon, others as heavy as an elephant. In My Heart explores a full range of emotions, describing how they feel physically, inside, with language that is lyrical but also direct to empower readers to practice articulating and identifying their own emotions.
 
With whimsical illustrations and an irresistible die-cut heart that extends through each spread, this gorgeously packaged and unique feelings book is sure to become a storytime favorite.


Purchase the book through Amazon Smile HERE.

THE LOVE LETTER

By Anika Aldamuy Denise // Illustrated by Lucy Ruth Cummins

Fall in love with this endearing and adorable picture book that illustrates how a little bit of heart goes a long way to making the world a better place. Hedgehog, Bunny, and Squirrel are best friends. One day, they each find a letter. But not just any letter…

A love letter.
My word!
My whiskers!
Aww, nuts!

Someone loves them. But who? The answer may surprise you!

Celebrated author Anika Aldamuy Denise and beloved illustrator Lucy Ruth Cummins deliver this heartwarming tale about a wonderful mix-up that reminds us of the joys of friendship.


Purchase the book through Amazon Smile HERE.




Elementary School

BEFORE THE EVER AFTER

By Jacqueline Woodson

ZJ’s dad has always been a hero in their town: he’s a former professional football player who is as well known for playing ball with the kids in the neighborhood as he was for his achievements on the field. But when ZJ’s dad starts to forget things – even his own son’s name at times – and is constantly angry, ZJ learns it’s due to years of football injuries taking their toll. Jacqueline Woodson’s novel-in-verse is about the love families need to move forward when life brings sudden, world-shifting changes.


Purchase the book through Amazon Smile HERE.



THE STARS BENEATH OUR FEET 

By David Barclay Moore

Sometimes love is about what we must do to take care of ourselves so that we can go on giving. In David Barclay Moore’s novel – which won the Coretta Scott King - John Steptoe Award for new talent – 12-year-old Lolly Rachpaul is grieving his older brother’s death in a gang shooting and having a hard time of it. Then his mother’s girlfriend gives him a bag of Legos – a toy he’s always loved — but without the instructions. As he ponders whether to join a “crew” as his older brother did, he starts building a fantastical Lego city that might be the venture that brings him back to the world.


Purchase the book through Amazon Smile HERE.

 



Adults

PARENTING WITH LOVE AND LOGIC: TEACHING CHILDREN RESPONSIBILITY 

By Foster Cline and Jim Fay 

Designed for preschool and beyond, this helpful and practical psychology-based parenting method is an invaluable guide for all parents! Teach your children healthy responsibility and encourage their character growth from a young age. Learn to establish healthy boundaries with your children through easy-to-implement steps without anger, threats, nagging, or power struggles.

Trusted by generations of parents, counselors, and teachers to lovingly raise responsible children, Parenting with Love and Logic includes solutions for dozens of specific topics such as:
● Tantrums
● Managing screen time
● Grades and report cards
● Chores
● Getting ready for school
● Peer pressure
● Cyberbullying
● Navigating crisis situations and grief
● And much more!

Each issue is indexed for easy reference. Learn how to tame tempers and re-establish a calm, healthy relationship and positive communication with your child.

Purchase the book through Amazon Smile HERE.



Amazon Smile
Help raise money for SMMC philanthropy projects by selecting Southern Marin Mothers’ Club as your AmazonSmile beneficiary. AmazonSmile is an easy way to give back and support the organization with your Amazon purchases. Register your Amazon account HERE.

  


Shannon Kaiser lives in Tiburon with her husband, Rolf, and three crazy kids who are in 4th grade, 1st grade, and Montessori. She spends her days chauffeuring her kids around town, folding laundry and serving as the 2021-22 term Southern Marin Mothers' Club President. You can reach Shannon at president@southernmarinmoms.com.
More from this issue:

Black History Month Book Picks Read >>  

Community Spotlight: Mill Valley Family 
Read >>
 
Higher Anxiety Read >>  

Learn to Love Math Read >>

Mill Valley Friends of the Library Online Bookstore Read >>
  
Mindfulness in the Making: Metta For All Read >> 

My Five Point Perspective Read >>

Self-Love in the Time of Coronavirus Read >>
  
The Bubble Read >>