Stories for Growing

Readers worth
getting to know.

There’s a thoughtful reader behind every good book list. Explore the parent blogs and review sites that help us find books, then read their recommendations in their own words.

47 sources

Parent and homeschooling blog

A Quiet Simple Life

Sallie Borrink

Picture-book recommendations with family learning ideas.

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On our shelves

0 books

Still finding the right fit.

We’re following this source, but haven’t selected a book from it for our shelves yet. You can explore its writing on the original site.

Parent reading and activity blog

Baby Toddler Book Club

Baby Toddler Book Club

Parent recommendations used for value coverage research.

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On our shelves

1 book

Homeschooling parent’s book lists and curriculum

Brighter Day Press

Whitney

A homeschooling mother’s family favorites, within a Christian curriculum site.

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On our shelves

5 books

Parent-facing review site

Build Strong Children

David Horton

Honest reviews, age recommendations, and curated favorites for building strong children through stories and literacy.

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On our shelves

1 book

Parent and early-learning blog

Busy Toddler

Susie Allison

Picture-book choices with notes on reading together and early learning.

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On our shelves

0 books

Still finding the right fit.

We’re following this source, but haven’t selected a book from it for our shelves yet. You can explore its writing on the original site.

Parent-facing book list

Can we read? — Children’s books about values

Sarah Miller

Books grouped by values and character traits.

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On our shelves

15 books

Librarian’s book blog for parents and teachers

Children’s Library Lady

Children’s Library Lady

Parent-facing recommendations used for the courage, confidence and sharing expansion.

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On our shelves

1 book

Parent science-book blog

Dino Dad Reviews

Dino Dad

Parent recommendations used for value coverage research.

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On our shelves

1 book

Parenting and working-mother blog

Fab Working Mom Life

Julie

Books a mother uses to discuss kindness and behavior with her toddler.

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On our shelves

2 books

Parent-founded reading charity blog; author interview

Federation of Children’s Book Groups blog

FCBG

Parent-facing recommendations used for the courage, confidence and sharing expansion.

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On our shelves

1 book

Parent and school-librarian blog

Happily Ever Elephants

Lauren Bercuson

Parent book selections organized around feelings, friendship, and values.

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On our shelves

14 books

Parenting blog

Happy You, Happy Family

Kelly Holmes

Family-tested book lists about kindness and relationships.

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On our shelves

2 books

Librarian, educator, and mother’s book blog

Hey Mrs. Library Lady

Hey Mrs. Library Lady

Parent recommendations used for value coverage research.

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On our shelves

1 book

Parent-facing children’s reading blog

Imagination Soup

Melissa Taylor

Picture-book reviews with prompts for talking about kindness and other people’s choices.

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On our shelves

2 books

Parent and homeschool blog

Inspire the Mom

Jessica / Inspire the Mom

Family picture-book favorites for kindness and early learning.

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On our shelves

4 books

Children’s book review blog

Jama’s Alphabet Soup

Jama Rattigan

Picture-book reviews, author interviews, and book-inspired recipes.

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On our shelves

0 books

Still finding the right fit.

We’re following this source, but haven’t selected a book from it for our shelves yet. You can explore its writing on the original site.

Parenting blog

Kind and Firm Parenting

Kind and Firm Parenting

Parent recommendations used for value coverage research.

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On our shelves

1 book

Parenting newsletter and blog

lessons in chaos

Celena Kinsey

A mother’s reading choices about belonging, differences, and compassion.

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On our shelves

2 books

Parent and librarian book blog

LibraryMom

LibraryMom

Parent recommendations used for value coverage research.

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On our shelves

2 books

Children’s craft and reading blog

Little Green Crafts

littlegreencrafts1

Parent-facing recommendations used for the courage, confidence and sharing expansion.

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On our shelves

1 book

Parent and preschool activity blog

Mama.Papa.Bubba.

Jen

Book-based play and activities for friendship, acceptance, empathy, and early learning.

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On our shelves

10 books

Parent reading diary

mamairo

mamairo

Family reading observations from a parent of two.

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On our shelves

1 book

Parent-facing picture-book list

Miss Behavior

Miss Behavior

Picture books organized around perseverance, growth, and life lessons.

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On our shelves

1 book

Parent book blog

Musings of a Mathematical Mom

Musings of a Mathematical Mom

Parent recommendations used for value coverage research.

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On our shelves

1 book

Parent community blog

New Hampshire Moms

Laura McKinster and contributing parents

Parent-written recommendations about helping neighbors and wider communities.

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On our shelves

1 book

Parent community and parenting blog

New Orleans Mom

Brooke Osborn and contributing parents

Parent recommendations for feelings, anxiety, empathy, and school transitions.

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On our shelves

5 books

Parenting publication; recommendation essay by a mother of three

ParentMap

Allison Sutcliffe

Parent recommendations used for value coverage research.

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On our shelves

1 book

Parent and literacy blog

Pragmatic Mom

Mia Wenjen

Children’s book lists and read-aloud ideas, often organized around a skill or life lesson.

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On our shelves

17 books

Author and mother’s book blog

Rachel Funez

Rachel Funez

Parent recommendations used for value coverage research.

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On our shelves

1 book

Parent book blog

Read It Daddy

Read It Daddy and Charlotte

Parent recommendations used for value coverage research.

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On our shelves

1 book

Mother of four’s book blog

Read with Muse.on.Paper

museonpaper

Parent recommendations used for value coverage research.

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On our shelves

1 book

Homeschooling mother’s read-aloud site

Read-Aloud Revival

Sarah Mackenzie

Parent-facing recommendations used for the courage, confidence and sharing expansion.

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On our shelves

0 books

Still finding the right fit.

We’re following this source, but haven’t selected a book from it for our shelves yet. You can explore its writing on the original site.

Parent book blog

Read-at-Home Mom

Read-at-Home Mom

Parent recommendations used for value coverage research.

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On our shelves

1 book

Mother’s family blog

Read. Eat. Repeat.

Read. Eat. Repeat.

Parent-facing recommendations used for the courage, confidence and sharing expansion.

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On our shelves

1 book

Homeschooling parent book review site

Rebecca Reads

Rebecca Reid

Children’s literature reviews from a homeschooling, stay-at-home mother.

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On our shelves

1 book

Parent and educator blog

TeachingBrave

Liz

Early-childhood book reviews and discussion ideas.

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On our shelves

0 books

Still finding the right fit.

We’re following this source, but haven’t selected a book from it for our shelves yet. You can explore its writing on the original site.

Parent read-aloud review blog

The Baby Bookworm

Cara Broel

Parent-facing recommendations used for the courage, confidence and sharing expansion.

Visit the original site

On our shelves

0 books

Still finding the right fit.

We’re following this source, but haven’t selected a book from it for our shelves yet. You can explore its writing on the original site.

Science and family-reading blog

The Dispersal of Darwin

The Dispersal of Darwin

Parent recommendations used for value coverage research.

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On our shelves

1 book

Parent book blog

The Doctor and The Dad

The Doctor and The Dad

Parent recommendations used for value coverage research.

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On our shelves

1 book

Book blog

The Ladybug Reads

La Coccinelle

Parent-facing recommendations used for the courage, confidence and sharing expansion.

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On our shelves

1 book

Parent reading blog

The Little Wooden Horse

Polly

Parent recommendations used for value coverage research.

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On our shelves

1 book

Educator and parent blog

The Miss Rumphius Effect

The Miss Rumphius Effect

Parent recommendations used for value coverage research.

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On our shelves

1 book

Parent and activity blog

Toddler Approved

Toddler Approved

Repeated reading and book-based activities.

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On our shelves

0 books

Still finding the right fit.

We’re following this source, but haven’t selected a book from it for our shelves yet. You can explore its writing on the original site.

Family activities and reading blog

TOT: HOT OR NOT

TOT: HOT OR NOT

Parent recommendations used for value coverage research.

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On our shelves

1 book

Parenting blog

Urban Mom Tales

Shantall Bond

A mother’s book recommendations for helping children understand feelings and care for friends.

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On our shelves

4 books

Parent reading and activities blog

What Do We Do All Day?

What Do We Do All Day?

Family read-alouds and picture-book lists.

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On our shelves

7 books

Parent community blog

Wichita Mom

Ryan Clem and contributing parents

A mother’s picture-book favorites about confidence and growing up.

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On our shelves

1 book

Their recommendations.
Our selection.

A blogger’s recommendation is a starting point. We check story details and decide whether a book fits the values and behavior we want to highlight. We may choose some books from a list and leave others out.

The counts above cover books on our prototype shelves, not everything a source has reviewed. The selections and value labels are provisional.

These writers are independent. Linking to them does not imply a partnership or an endorsement of kidsbooks.

Read how we choose books

Beyond the blogs

TeachingBooks

A library and educator resource we consult for book information, author materials, and discussion guides. It supports our research and is separate from the parent-blog directory.

Explore TeachingBooks