books for kids Archives

April 2, 2024 by

I Am Different, I am Great

Mei Mei loves school, but sometimes she feels a bit out of place. She speaks with an accent that makes her stand out from everyone else. When she tells Mommy her worries, Mei Mei finds that she’s more than just her voice. $14.99, ages 2-8, amazon.com

AU ZOO (At the Zoo)

Kids will love this musical introduction to French, as they dance and sing along to playful and diverse musical rhythms from reggae, merengue, and blues to African sounds. Invites kids to sing and dance along to lively rhythms as they learn about animals, the alphabet, greetings, parts of the body, places in the community, and much more. $14.99 (CD)/$9.99 (digital download), whistlefritz.com

South Asian Girl Doll, Tara

Introducing Tara. She embraces her cultural heritage by adorning herself in traditional Indian attire, complete with a bindi and matching bangles. Meticulously handcrafted by skilled women artisans in India. Crafted from 100% cotton. $49.99, ages birth-4 years, theculturorama.com

Yeti, My Friend

An AI-based interactive storytelling platform that brings next-generation competencies (critical thinking and character building) to children through stories. Based on real-world topics such as – citizenship, differentiating facts and opinions, diverse abilities, inclusiveness, care for the environment and more. Encourages mindfulness and screen breaks to ensure the children improve their learning stamina. FREE, ages 5-8 years, yetimyfriend.com

February 4, 2022 by

NAPPA Award Winners Announced: January 2022

Meet our latest NAPPA Award Winners announced in January 2022:

Preschool Genius

A set of dry-erase activities and games with a genius twist. The set has questions that add a deeper engagement with learning. $27.95, ages 3-6, amazon.com

The 12 Systems of the Body: Adventure Series Book Set

Introduces 12 systems of the human body to build a foundation for human anatomy. This series includes the five senses, the skeletal, muscular, nervous, respiratory, digestive, immune system and more. $120, ages 8+, knowyourself.com

206 Bones of the Human Body- 4 Book Set

From your head to your toes, this 206 Bones of the Human Body- 4 Book set has a lot to discover about the human body, especially for children. Includes Hands, Arm & Shoulder; Foot, Leg & Pelvis; Rib Cage & Spine; Head, Face & Neck. $79 for set or $19.99 per book, ages 8+, knowyourself.com

Art Puzzle-Dancing Lion

Features Chinese cultural elements of traditional folk customs of the lion dance. Contains 18 knowledge points so kids can learn about these traditions as they explore their creativity. $21.99, ages 5-8, toiworld.com

My First Puzzle-Dinosaur

Double-sided puzzle pieces feature dinosaurs on one side and bones/skeletons on the other. Great for building problem-solving skills and imagination. The number of pieces increase step-by-step to challenge toddlers through their developmental growth. $13.99, ages 2-4, toiworld.com

Ahaaa Math

Make math fun with this game-based learning app for kids. Covers a wide variety of skills including geometry and logical thinking with 5,000+ exercises and games. Safe for kids with no ads. $59.99/yearly or $8.99/monthly, ages 4-10, ahaaamath.com

PJ Library Presents Podcasts: Afternoons with Mimi and Beyond the Books

Two new podcasts from the beloved organization that has been sharing free children’s book with Jewish values throughout the world. Well-known tales come to life in a fun new way that connects kids to Jewish traditions, culture, holidays and values. “Afternoons with Mimi” is designed for younger kids and “Beyond the Bookcase” is for kids ages 6 to 12. Free, PJLibrary.org/podcast

December 16, 2020 by

One of our favorite childhood memories is looking through toy catalogs and circling the ones we loved and hoped would arrive wrapped with a big bow. Flipping through the pages and dreaming about each item was a big part of the whole holiday experience – the anticipation of something wonderful. We want to give you that feeling again with our Jingle Holiday Gift Guide. We have been busy all year testing and evaluating to bring you this wonderful collection featuring more than 250 award-winning toys, games, books, family music and other unique finds. NAPPA Awards has been celebrating the best in family products for 30 years. This year’s selection includes products with positive messages of kindness, inclusion and community – products that celebrate diversity and uniqueness. This year, watching those smiles on our kids’ faces when they rip open their holiday gifts will be even more special. Happy Gifting!

Here’s what you’ll find inside:

Gifts with a Positive Message
Unique finds, including items perfect for those who love cozy and warm
Toys to spark imagination
Products that are all about creativity
Outdoor Fun
Book, music and games

April 15, 2020 by NAPPA Awards Team

One of our favorite things to do with our kids is READ! We can’t get enough books and we’re so excited to share these latest NAPPA Award winners!

A Celebration of the Shy, Introverted Kid in Us All

A Way with Wild Things by Larissa Theule and illustrated by Sara Palacios is a sweet story that celebrates the shy and introverted kids among us, as well as the other small creatures to be found if we look closely enough. Poppy loves nature and can be found playing with bugs, but around people she’s more comfortable blending into her surroundings. At a party, Poppy stays out of sight until a special bug lands on the cake and draws her into the spotlight. Soon, the rest of the guests notice the beautiful dragonfly and Poppy, too. Maybe she’s not a wallflower after all, but a wildflower.

All About Our Big Feelings

Ravi’s Roar by Tom Percival is the newest book in the Big Bright Feelings series, picture books providing kid-friendly entry points into emotional intelligence. Ravi never minded being the smallest in the family, until one day he runs into a lot of frustrations. Ravi gets so furious that he can’t control his temper anymore and he becomes a ferocious TIGER! Being a tiger is great, but when no one wants to play with him, Ravi discovers something very important about voicing his feelings.

A Hilarious Book About Potty Training and Independence

Sloth Went by Adam Lehrhaupt and illustrated by Benson Shum is a hilarious picture book about a sloth on the go. A sloth who is very slowly making his way to a major milestone: potty training! Today is Sloth’s big day. He’s excited. But he’s also nervous.What if something happens? What if NOTHING happens? More than a book about poop, this is an adventure story about facing your fears, gaining independence, and learning to do what you have to.

An Adventure of Limitless Imagination

The Girl and the Dinosaur is an evocative, enchanting picture book that celebrates one girl’s limitless imagination and takes readers on a magical journey far beyond the page, perfect for fans of the Fan Brothers. In a seaside town, Marianne often digs for buried treasure on the beach and one day finds a dinosaur skeleton! That night, Marianne wishes upon a star with all her heart that her dinosaur will come to life. When her wish comes true, Marianne’s adventures with her new friend are limited only by their imagination.

Strive & Grow with Exuberant Spirit

I Got the School Spirit is an exuberant celebration of the first day of school illustrated by award-winning Frank Morrison. This book will have every kid cheering for school to begin! Summer is over, and this little girl has got the school spirit. She hears the school spirit in the bus driving up the street–VROOM, VROOM!–and in the bell sounding in the halls–RING-A-DING! She sings the school spirit in class with her friends–ABC, 123! The school spirit helps us all strive and grow. What will you learn today?

Filled with Charm, Spunk and Kindness

From Newbery Honor and Coretta Scott King Author Award winner Renée Watson comes the first book in a young middle grade series about Ryan Hart, a girl who is pure spirit, kindness and sunshine. Acclaimed author Renée Watson writes her own version of Ramona Quimby, one starring a Black girl and her family, in this start to a charming new series — Ways to Make Sunshine.

A Delightful Story of Friendship and Kindness

Lily to the Rescue is an irresistible chapter book series from the New York Times bestselling author of A Dog’s Purpose Puppy Tales featuring Lily, a rescue dog who rescues other animals!

A Witty Book to Get Things Done

Flush! And 37 Essential House Rules is the family operating manual for the next decade – a witty book of research-backed rules to help you raise calmer, happier children. By drawing upon neuroscience, academic research and focus groups around everyday family life, Flush! brings essential house rules to life with Mrs. Wordsmith’s acclaimed hilarious illustrations and witty words of wisdom that kids and parents alike won’t stop repeating.

For more award-winning books and products, visit nappaawards.com

November 5, 2019 by Elena Epstein

As you begin your holiday shopping, don’t forget that books make a great gift. Here are some of our recent NAPPA Award winners.

Ditty Bird Musical Board Books

The perfect instrument for playful learning through music and sounds, featuring gentle touch contact points for inquisitive little fingers to activate your favorite “ditties” on each page. $16.49, 6 months-3 years, www.dittybird.com

Wild Bios Board Book Series

Meet history’s greatest figures in this adorable board book series with an animal twist. Includes famous Meowxican painter Frida Catlo, Baa-rd of Avon William Sheepspeare’s, brave pilot Amelia Harehart and astronaut Neil Armswan. $7.99, Birth-2, www.silverdolphinbooks.com

The Story of Rap & Rock Series

An adorable 2-part board book series that introduces iconic musicians who have transformed generations, including David Bowie, Janis Joplin, Grandmaster Flash and Kendrick Lamar. $8.99, Birth-2, www.silverdolphinebooks.com

Grandma’s Christmas Wish

Features a bedtime-friendly singsong rhythm and adorable holiday illustrations. $8.99, Birth+, www.sleepingbearpress.com

Santa’s Christmas Train

Journey “up, up, up, and down, down, down” on this merry train ride to the North Pole. $7.99, Birth+, www.hachettebookgroup.com

Baby Sees Board Book Series

Mesmerizing collection of high-contrast books with bold shapes and colors. $9.99, Birth+, www.gakkenbooks.com

When The Cousins Came

A sensitive story about insecurity, hosting and friendship inspired by the author’s own large, diverse family. $17.99, 4-8, www.holidayhouse.com

Rowdy Randy

Meet the toughest cowgirl around. Never mind that this broncobuster is a horsefly. She acts taller than any tall tale. $18.95, 5-9, www.caseyrislovbooks.com

What Should Danny Do? Book Series

This clever picture book series empowers kids with the understanding that their choices will shape their days. $17.99 each, 4-9, www.whatshoulddannydo.com

Dreamers by Yuyi Morales

In spare, lyrical verse and vibrant images for which she has become legendary, Morales has created a picture book memoir and a testament to the journey that she and her son took together from Mexico to the San Francisco Bay Area. $18.99, 4- 8, www.holidayhouse.com

Buckets, Dippers, and Lids: Secrets to Your Happiness

Grow in understanding, kindness, self-control, resilience, empathy and forgiveness. $10.95, 7+, www.bucketfillers101.com

The Princess and the Pickup Truck

an Appalachian retelling of The Princess and the Pea, perfect for your rough and tumble royalty. $15.95, 5-10, www.leppstorytelling.com

Claire Lost Her Bear at the World’s Fair and Benny Bear Book and Stuffed Toy Bundle

Vibrant and heartwarming story that also introduces interesting facts about the 1964-65 New York World’s Fair. $34.95, 5+,www.GoldenBellDirect.com

Sesame Street: The Monster at the End of This Book

An interactive refresh of the classic Sesame Street story where Grover tries everything to keep the reader from turning the pages. $14.99, 3-5, www.indiebound.org

For more gift ideas, visit nappaawards.com

August 6, 2019 by Elena Epstein

Silver Dolphin Books has two new series that are perfect for your little ones. Wild Bios and the Story of Rock and Rap are filled with colorful illustrations and witty writing that will delight parents along with their kids.

The Wild Bios series introduce four iconic historical figures with a fun animal twist.

Wild Bios: Frida Catlo

Famous Meowxican painter Frida Catlo was a pioneer for female artists. She always painted from the heart, even in the face of health problems and personal struggles. $7.99.

Wild Bios: William Sheepspeare

Dive into the life of the eloquent Baa-rd of Avon and the plays that shaped our language today. William Sheepspeare’s human themes have resonated with every generation. $7.99

Wild Bios: Amelia Harehart

Learn about the extraordinary life of the brave pilot Amelia Harehart, and the glass ceilings she flew through. Breaking records and always setting new goals to achieve, Amelia Harehart was an inspiration. $7.99.

Wild Bios: Neil Armswan

With wings to the future and beak held high, Neil Armswan was a model astronaut and pioneer in space travel, leaving webbed footprints on the moon. $7.99.

The History of Rock and Rap bring to life the greatest musicians of our time.

The Story of Rap

From Grandmaster Flash to Kendrick Lamar, rap has shaped generations and brought a voice to the voiceless. Bop along with the greats in The Story of Rap, an adorable baby book that introduces little ones to the rappers that started it all. $8.99.

The Story of Rock

From Elvis Presley to Beatlemania, from Janis Joplin to David Bowie—rock has transformed through generations while ringing true with passionate sound. Rock along with the greats in The Story of Rock, a delightful baby book that introduces little ones to the rockers that started it all!

For more book and product reviews, visit nappaawards.com.

December 10, 2018 by Makenna Sievertson

Make reading your kid’s favorite pastime with these NAPPA winners!

Sesame Street: Another Monster at the End of This Book: An Interactive Adventure

Who can resist a Sesame Street book, especially one that’s interactive! In this adorable story, Grover tries everything to keep Elmo from turning another page and reaching the monster at the end of the book. With lift-the-flaps, sliders, and pop-up elements that kids will delight in, Another Monster at the End of this Book is sure to be your family’s new story time favorite. $14.99, ages: 3 – 5

Happy Papas – Picture Book

Happy Papas is a beautiful read-aloud that celebrates the wonder of fatherhood, exploring how both animal and human fathers shelter, nurture, and interact with their little ones over the course of a day. From ocean to sky and savanna to jungle, Happy Papas speaks to the universal joys of fatherly love. $14.95, ages: 2 – 4

Growing Friendships: A Kids’ Guide to Making and Keeping Friends

Growing Friendships is a funny and practical book that helps children build the friendships they crave. It’s filled with cartoons showing common friendship challenges and research-based solutions, plus silly cat and dog characters who make goofy suggestions such as: “He should sniff their butts!”

$15.99, ages: 6 – 12

Ripley’s Believe It Or Not! Time Warp

If your kids love trivia, they will enjoy Ripley’s Believe It Or Not! Time Warp. It’s unlike any other trivia book for kids. The book is packed with comparisons across time that will amaze and delight ages 7 and up. Filled with fun and colorful illustrations, the all new, all true facts include things like “Beijing, China had existed for 300 years by the time Ancient Rome was founded; ” The Stegosaurus and the T. rex never coexisted. They were separated by about 85 million years;” and “Pocahontas was born in 1596, one year before Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet was published.” $16.99, ages: 7+

Photo Puzzlemania! (Highlights Photo Puzzlemania Activity Books)

Photo Puzzlemania is hours of challenging fun for the whole family! This innovative book is created by the puzzling experts at Highlights. Every puzzle is designed from intricate, full-color photographs. Kids will love searching photos to find the hidden objects in these unique photo Hidden Pictures puzzles. Other favorite Highlights puzzle types, like Double Checks, matching, and mazes take on a whole new life when they’re created from photographic images. $12.99, ages: 6+

Unusual Animals A-Z

Unusual Animals A-Z is quirky, imaginative, educational and just plain fun. Whether it’s Andre the aardvark or Zena the zorilla, each of these twenty-six unusual animals is introduced to the reader with a colorful watercolor painting and a factual characteristic. While Bernie the bearded dragon likes to bask in the sun, Morris the manatee uses his small front flippers and massive body to surf through the waves. Each animal has the same lettered name and when the reader reaches the end, he has twenty-six chances to come up with one of his own. $15.95, ages: 3 – 7

Reindeer In Here

Make a new Christmas friend this holiday season with Reindeer In Here. This cute furry friend comes with a story book to encourage children to celebrate their unique selves. As kids take their reindeer friend on daily adventures, encourage them to appreciate the different characteristics around them and appreciate the incredible diversity of our world. As your child’s bond with Reindeer grows throughout December, your child will learn how a “misfit” North Pole reindeer came up with the genius idea to come to their house to discover what makes each child different. $29.99, for the entire family

Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Wacky 123!

Your kids will have fun practicing their counting with these silly and strange animals from Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Wacky 123! Features numbers 1 through 12 in kid-friendly scenes and colorful and engaging illustrations by Ripley’s cartoonists.
Written at an age-appropriate level with high-frequency words. $6.99, ages: 0 – 5

Lobsters Are Red! But Sometimes They’re Not!

Your kids will enjoy learning their colors with this fun book from Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Lobsters Are Red, But Sometimes They’re Not! teaches colors with easy-to-understand, real-life examples and dynamic and engaging illustrations by Ripley’s cartoonists. Written at an age-appropriate level with repeating lines that immediately lets kids feel that they know the story. A fun way to learn colors. $6.99, ages: 0 – 5

Ripley’s Believe It or Not! ODDphabet

Learn the alphabet with this crazy A to Z animal bunch from Ripley’s Believe It or Not!. ODDphabet is filled with whimsical creatures and fun rhymes perfect for young readers. Engaging illustrations by Ripley’s cartoonists. Here’s a fun sample: “W is for weasel, Who was on the ground, He hopped on a woodpecker, Now he flies around!” $6.99, ages: 0 – 5

Ripley’s Believe It or Not! It’s a Circle: But Not Just a Circle!

It’s a Circle: But Not Just a Circle! brings shapes alive for young readers. From Ripley’s Believe It or Not! this colorful board book teaches kids about circles, squares, triangles and other shapes with easy-to-understand and real-life examples. Engaging illustrations by Ripley’s cartoonist. $6.99, ages: 0 – 5

Ripley’s Fun Facts & Silly Stories: PLAY IT LOUD!

From Ripley’s Believe It or Not! comes all-new stories, facts, and feats just right for ages 7 to 10. Fun Facts & Silly Stories PLAY IT LOUD! is filled with word games, photo puzzles, trivia and much more. Stunning photos and colorful pages will keep kids engaged for hours. $16.95, ages: 7 – 10

Ripley’s Believe It or Not! A Century of Strange!

Did you know you could get a spaghetti donut in Brooklyn, New York? This and hundreds of other fun and strange facts fill the colorful pages of Ripley’s Believe It or Not! A Century of Strange! This new edition of the bestselling series features over 1,200 amazing stories from around the world. Compelling photos, including exclusive images not found anywhere else. Perfect for curious kids and their parents! $28.95, ages: 10+

Our American Presidents – Their Lives and Legacies

Our American Presidents: Their Lives and Legacies gives readers a concise look into all 44 Presidents of the United States. The book is easy to read and includes a listing of cabinet members from each presidency. Kids and parents will enjoy learning little known facts, the truth about many “presidential myths” and getting a glimpse into the presidents’ personal lives. $29.95, for the entire family and students!

For more great books, click HERE!