Sometimes at storytime you want fantastical tales of elaborate intrigue ... and other times simple is best. "Cat Knit" (2016) by Jacob Grant is the latter, a sweet, simple story about friendship and embracing new things. Cat loves his new "friend" Yarn sooo much. But when Girl borrows Yarn and returns him profoundly changed, Cat's not so sure he likes his old friend at all anymore. A warm, modern take on a very traditional story idea, "Cat Knit" is a deeply satisfying read for a snuggly storytime. ⚫ ⚫ ⚫ #noodlenutskidsbooks #bookstagraminthe6ix #catknit #jacobgrant #feiwelandfriends #catknits #catknitting #catandyarn #catbooks #catsinbooks #booksaboutcats #findmestoriesabout_changes #embracingchange #friendship #teachersofinstagram #booklove #teacherfriends #preschoolteacher #ece #primaryteacher #homeschoolpreschool #homeschoolkindergarten #picturebookart https://www.instagram.com/p/B3xkW1xnADK/?igshid=cndd5hqmr8vg

Sleeeep! Most parents desperately want it, and toddlers will do anything to avoid it. And a great bedtime story can be of benefit to both! As I've mentioned previously, I'm not generally a huge fan of cumulative stories, which can feel overly repetitive and get boring fast. With "It Is Not Time For Sleeping" (2016), however, author Lisa Graff and Illustrator Lauren Castillo have struck an ideal balance. As they follow a little boy through his evening routine, from dinner to bedtime, there is just enough reiteration to lull unsuspecting little listeners into sleepiness with the gentle rhythms of repetition, without repeating EVERY SINGLE THING ad nauseum. The pictures are richly coloured but similarly sweet and "quiet", and overall I'd say this is a great going-to-bed selection. ⚫ ⚫ ⚫ #noodlenutskidsbooks #bookstagraminthe6ix #itisnottimeforsleeping #lisagraff #laurencastillo #clarionbooks #bedtimebooks #bedtimestory #bedtime #goingtobed #bedtimeroutine #bedtimestories #timeforbed #timetosleep #timetosleep😴 #motherhood #kidslit #librarylife #preschooler #bookrecommendation #bedtimereads #screenfreekids #mominspiration #readingtogether #picturebookaday #kidslovereading #earlyyearsreading #cumulativestory #nighttimestories #dadsofinstagram https://www.instagram.com/p/B3scL94niMG/?igshid=1th3ozx92krft

TACO TUESDAY! 🌮🌮🌮 So, I'm sure lots of you already know and love Adam Rubin and Daniel Salmieri's awesome "Dragons Love Tacos" (2012). BUT ... my honourary nephew and I both read it this past week, and felt equally adamant that EVERYONE needs this book. Plus we really love tacos, too. So it seemed important to share it in case any of you were missing out. "Dragons Love Tacos" is a hilarious letter to kids about everything you could possibly want to know regarding the dragon obsession with tacos (including their odd aversion to spicy salsa). It made me laugh, it made my 6-year-old friend laugh, and it'll make YOU laugh through repeated readings, guaranteed. ⚫ ⚫ ⚫ #noodlenutskidsbooks #bookstagraminthe6ix #dragonslovetacos #dragonslovetacos🐲🌮 #adamrubin #danielsalmieri #adamrubinanddanielsalmieri #tacotuesday #tacotuesday🌮 #dragonbooks #kidslovetacos #readwithriver_food #booksofinstagram #tacos #dragons #dialbooksforyoungreaders #bookhoarder #kidslit #littlereader #childrenslit #readingismagic #bookmagic #areadaday #ilovepicturebooks #gradeoneteacher #gradeoneteachers #literacycurriculum #whattoreadtoyourkids #coolkidsbooks #bestkidsbooks https://www.instagram.com/p/B3pmIOXHQuK/?igshid=86qsyhy8pkcf

WARNING! I've always been a huge fan of Florence Parry Heide, but this book is best read when you have the time and inclination for a good talk with your little audience! 💪💪💪 Heide's "How To Be A Hero" (2016), illustrated by Chuck Groenink, is a super clever look at the messages we give our kids and how they receive them, and the influence of pop culture. Gideon wants to be a hero, but his idea of what a hero is may be just a little skewed... The interplay between the story (Gideon's perspective) and Groenink's artwork (what's actually happening) is brilliant and often hilarious, and makes for a fun conversation with kids about the differences and what they mean. A great storytime book for prompting discussion! ⚫ ⚫ #noodlenutskidsbooks #bookstagraminthe6ix #howtobeahero #florenceparryheide #chuckgroenink #chroniclekids #heroes #heroism #mixups #misunderstanding #beingbrave #beingfamous #read #igbooks #librarylife #fortheloveofbooks #readwithriver_discussions #kidsbookstagram #readingmatters #talkingwithkids #talktoyourkids #kidsreading #readtokids #kidslitart #criticalreading #picturebooksofinstagram #kidslovebooks #newchildrensbook #lifelongreaders #classroomreadalouds https://www.instagram.com/p/B3nE0l5HPLF/?igshid=dwdpoy1yidb

Never assume! It's my dad's favourite motto, and possibly mine, too. We make so many assumptions about the people and world around us, but if we stop, watch, and listen, we often find out that we were completely wrong, in the most wonderful, eye-opening ways. To wit: I've never been a fan of princess stories, even as a kid, but Kate Beaton's "The Princess and The Pony" (2015) subverts expectations again and again, and THAT is something I love! 🐎🐎🐎 A multiracial warrior princess little girl; a chubby, flatulent pony that seems to be utterly, adorably useless; battles; cosy sweaters; hilarity, and a subtle message about love not being based on perceived worth, and not assuming that we know it all ... This book has everything! ⚫ ⚫ ⚫ #noodlenutskidsbooks #bookstagraminthe6ix #theprincessandthepony #katebeaton #warriorprincess #girlsandponies #girlscandoanything #girlpower #booksforstronggirls #feministkids #feministkidsbooks #inclusivechildrensbooks #inclusivekids #inclusivekidsbooks #multiracialkids #multiracial #multiracialfamily #inclusioninaction #inclusivebooks #inclusionandrepresentation #diversebooksforkids #weneedinclusivebooks #bookstagrammer #igreads #booksaremylife #raisingkindhumans #kindnessiscool #readwithriver_discussions #kidlitillustration #illustrationforkids https://www.instagram.com/p/B3kmwH_nAxw/?igshid=109n1agan2qt9

We often talk about being inclusive, but so many children's books meant to be about inclusion are just dreadfully ham-handed morality tales, unappealing to actual kids. On the other hand, there's a lot to love about Deborah Heiligman's "The Boy Who Loved Math: The Improbable Life of Paul Erdos" (2013), a picture book biography of the renowned Hungarian mathematician. What's the connection, you ask? As soon as I read this beautiful book, gorgeously illustrated by LeUyen Pham and strewn with brightly coloured numbers and mathematical symbols, something jumped out at me. Here was an academically exceptional man who saw the patterns in everything around him, yet struggled with the activities of daily life; a man who could be oddly blunt and eccentric but was nonetheless deeply beloved of those around him. He seemed ... familiar. And sure enough, when I looked deeper, I learned something not mentioned in the story: that it's believed that Erdos, like me, had Asperger's Syndrome, a form of autism. ❤ In my opinion, this book is brilliant not just for it's biographical elements, but for its beautiful, sympathetic portrayal of an autistic human, fully formed, dignified and worthy of love and respect INCLUSIVE OF, not DESPITE, his disabilities. Read this book to your kids. Let them learn that different is not a negative. ⚫ ⚫ ⚫ #noodlenutskidsbooks #bookstagraminthe6ix #theboywholovedmath #theimprobablelifeofpaulerdős #deborahheiligman #leuyenpham #paulerdos #paulerdős #picturebookbiography #picturebookbiographies #biographyforkids #mathematician #mathpicturebooks #mathspicturebooks #roaringbrookpress #aspergerssyndrome #aspergers #actuallyautistic #autisticpeople #autismisawesome #aspies #aspiepride #autisticpride #autistickidsrock #inclusionmatters #diversityandinclusion #inclusion #representation #readwithriver_discussions #inclusivechildrensbooks https://www.instagram.com/p/B3iCh2OnY96/?igshid=1os6f3xtnpt3k

I'm a firm believer that there's a perfect book for every occasion. And I have to say, while there are lots of books about toilet training, Janee Trasler's "Pottytime for Chickies" (2014) may well be my favourite. This little board book is less a primer on using the potty (though that does get covered) than a gleefully silly "what not to do" romp about chicks who just want to have a good time, but are eventually persuaded to "do their business". It's a genuinely entertaining read, and sure to pique any toddler's interest in potty training, while making them laugh at the birds' antics. ⚫ ⚫ ⚫ #noodlenutskidsbooks #bookstagraminthe6ix #pottytimeforchickies #janeetrasler #pottytraining #potty #pottytrainingproblems #pottytime #toilettraining #toilettrainingbook #pottytrainingfun #pottybook #pottyadventures #childhoodunplugged #childrensbooks #kidsbooks #readingtime📖 #ready4school #teachingchildren #readingtogether #boardbook #boardbooks #readtoyourbabies #readbabyread #booksforgifts #bestkidsbooks #learningthroughreading #fatherreading #bookextension #teachthroughatext https://www.instagram.com/p/B3fhVQfH0Bz/?igshid=ehg06bh08i1r

Childhood is a time of confusion and uncertainty, and it's so important to instill a sense of self and of confidence in our kids. So today, for World Mental Health Day, I'm sharing a book about that, about the damage that bullying, racism, gender discrimination, and above all placing limits on children's imaginations and sense of what they are capable of can do. Mary Hoffman's "Amazing Grace" (1991) has everything in it. It's a wonderfully readable story about a little girl with a big imagination, who loves to play make-believe. And when her class prepares to put on a play, Grace feels that this is her chance to shine ... until classmates drag her down with insistences that she is the "wrong" colour and gender to play the lead. It takes a reminder from her beloved grandmother that other people don't get to decide what she is capable of for Grace to see through the nonsense. ⚫ ⚫ #noodlenutsclassickidlit #noodlenutskidsbooks #bookstagraminthe6ix #amazinggrace #maryhoffman #carolinebinch #bullying #racism #genderdiscrimination #diversebooksforkids #diversebooks #weneeddiversebooks #diversitymatters #diversebooksmatter #endbullying #endracism #worldsmentalhealthday #worldmentalhealthday #supportkids #blackgirlsrock #blackchildrensbooks #blackkidsbooks #blackkids #representationmatters #teachersunited #raisingkindhumans #readingforgrowth #booksthatchangedmylife #goodbooksforchildren #libraryfind https://www.instagram.com/p/B3cs_run8Db/?igshid=1k45mqq4b8eys

All children need to feel loved and accepted. Period. 👗👗👗 But I think it's just as important that we, as adults, remember that some issues aren't just about politics and "personal beliefs". When we insist on gendering everything, we stifle EVERY child's imagination and creativity, not just those struggling with their identities. I have lots of pictures of myself with male friends, as toddlers in the '70s, dressed up gleefully in my mom's old maternity clothes, having the time of our lives. Those friends grew up to be cisgender, straight men ... and wonderful fathers. Kids need to be allowed to pretend and imagine! So today, for World Mental Health Day, I'm sharing Christine Baldacchino and Isabelle Malenfant's wonderful "Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress" (2014), about a little boy who loves to play in his favourite colourful, rustly dress from the dress-up box at school. The book does a beautiful job of addressing the negative reactions he gets, how they affect him, and ultimately how Morris reminds those around him that imagination shouldn't have limits or boundaries, and everyone deserves to enjoy the things that make them happy. ⚫ ⚫ #noodlenutskidsbooks #bookstagraminthe6ix #morrismicklewhiteandthetangerinedress #morrismicklewhite #christinebaldacchino #isabellemalenfant #worldsmentalhealthday #worldmentalhealthday #mentalhealthday #pretendplay #dressup #dressupplay #imaginativeplay #imagination #bullying #inclusion #nonbinarykids #transgenderkids #genderfluidkids #useyourimagination #stopbullying #creativeplay #readwithriver_discussions #letthembelittle #magicofchildhood #kidsbooks #learnathome #getcreativewith #raisingkindkids #invitationtoexplore https://www.instagram.com/p/B3cU3BWnnaB/?igshid=1dpjiajbpifkn

Sundown this evening marks the start of Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement, probably the most important day of the Jewish Year, when we fast, reflect on our transgressions, and ask forgiveness of those we have wronged in the last year. The concept of atonement and apology is such an important one to any society, and something we often struggle to explain to kids. One of the most beautiful books I've seen on the subject is Jacqueline Jules's "The Hardest Word: A Yom Kippur Story" (2000). It tells the tale of the Ziz, a beautiful but clumsy mythical bird, who is sent by G-d on a quest to learn "the hardest word"...and learns that sometimes the most difficult thing to say isn't the biggest or most complicated, but the one that requires that we humble ourselves and take responsibility. The book is beautifully illustrated in colourful detail by Katherine Janus Kahn; and while G-d is mentioned in the story it isn't so much a "religious story" as a lovely fable, accessible to almost anyone. ✨✨✨ Noodlenuts would like to wish any of our followers who celebrate Yom Kippur a safe and healthy fast and a wonderful New Year. G'mar chatimah tovah! ⚫ ⚫ ⚫ #noodlenutsclassickidlit #noodlenutskidsbooks #LokshenNuts #JewishNoodlenuts #bookstagraminthe6ix #thehardestword #ayomkippurstory #jacquelinejules #katherinejanuskahn #karben #karbenpublishing #yomkippur #dayofatonement #gmarchatimatova #fastday #sayingsorry #highholidays #yomtov #yontef #jewishbooks #jewishlearning #jewishkidsbooks #jewishchildrensbooks #jewishkids #jewishholidays #jewishchildren #jewishkids #childrensjudaica #judaicaforkids #judaism https://www.instagram.com/p/B3XqBGDHLbA/?igshid=1eihqgdzy0kzz

Some combinations are just guaranteed winners. Chocolate and peanut butter, popcorn and butter, cheese and crackers... And when I saw Jory John and Bob Shea's names together on the cover of "I Will Chomp You!" (2015), I knew I was in for a treat. A colourful, over-the-top, fourth-wall-breaking treat, that is, of the sort that'll have your kids laughing from start to finish. From the moment you open the book to a toothy dinosaur threatening to chomp you if you don't put it back down again, to the discovery that his motives are perhaps not what you'd expect, "I Will Chomp You!" is read-aloud gold. ⚫ ⚫ ⚫ #noodlenutskidsbooks #bookstagraminthe6ix #iwillchompyou #joryjohn #bobshea #dinosaur #sillybooks #kidshumor #sillystories #storytime #bookrecommendation #childrenbooks #whattoread #picturebook #preschoolisfun #raisingareader #bookrecs #classroomlibrary #creativechildhood #picturebookart #bestofbookworms #firstyearteachers #invitationtoread #getkidsreading #kidsbookslove #dadreading #readinfullcolor #musthavekidsbooks #bookstagramclub #beautifulkidsbooks https://www.instagram.com/p/B3XmksNnSRT/?igshid=1gkgy09zkpaum

We all know how I love clever wordplay! Well, tomorrow night marks the start of Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. It's the most solemn and arguably the most important day of the Jewish Year, when we fast, reflect upon the last year and mistakes we've made or people we've hurt, and ask forgiveness to begin anew for the year to come. "Talia and the Very YUM Kippur" (2015) is a fabulous book for explaining this day to kids. Author Linda Elovitz Marshall takes a key misunderstanding--that of the difference between break[ing]-fast and breakfast--and plays with it, as young Talia helps her grandmother prepare for the holiday, and slowly learns that joy is not only about celebration, but also about meaningful reconnection with those we love. A gentle, lovely introduction for ANY child, with adorable pictures by Francesca Assirelli, to an important Jewish holy day. ⚫ ⚫ #noodlenutskidsbooks #bookstagraminthe6ix #LokshenNuts #JewishNoodlenuts #TaliaandTheVeryYumKippur #lindaelovitzmarshall #francescaassirelli #karben #karbenpublishing #yomtov #yomkippur #breakingthefast #gmarchatimatova #highholidays #jewishhighholidays #jewishholidays #jewishkids #jewishchildren #jewishbooks #jewishpicturebooks #jewishkidsbooks #jewishchildrensbooks #intergenerational #intergenerationalstories #grandparentsandgrandkids #diversebooksforkids #weneeddiversebooks #ReadWithRiver_food https://www.instagram.com/p/B3VNvlLnAPS/?igshid=uqsew8mfve8e

Action rhymes and fingerplays are such a fun way to develop early literacy and motor skills with toddlers! This week, the Read With River Book Club is focused on ACTION; and since we're also in the middle of the Jewish High Holidays, I thought it would be a great time to pull Jacqueline Jules's "Clap and Count! Action Rhymes for the Jewish Year"(2000) off my bookshelf to share. This lovely, colourful book, illustrated by Sally Springer, has clapping games, action rhymes and more, all based on Jewish holidays and traditions, and all with simple visual instructions for parents. A beautiful introduction to the basics of Jewish life for busy toddlers! ⚫ Join in on the fun this week with the hashtag #ReadWithRiver_action, and check out more great choices by: @readwithriver @toddlers.who.read @inclusivestorytime @noodlenuts_classics @bookoholicmom @_mybookaddiction_ @thetinyactivists @sharing.the.shelf @astoryaday @ivyslibrary @bodkinandroo @houstonlibraryfinds @mrswalkerreads @communication.blooms @talesofkids @littledailylibrarian ⚫ ⚫ #noodlenutsclassickidlit #noodlenutskidsbooks #LokshenNuts #JewishNoodlenuts #bookstagraminthe6ix #clapandcount #actionrhymesforthejewishyear #jacquelinejules #sallyspringer #karben #karbenpublishing #actionrhymes #fingerplay #clappinggames #jewishbooks #jewishpreschoolbooks #jewishpreschoolideas #jewishholidays #shabbat #roshhashanah #highholidays #jewishchildren #jewishchildrensbooks #jewishpicturebooks #diversebooksforkids #diversebooks #diversityinkidsbooks https://www.instagram.com/p/B3VHajGHzgf/?igshid=ppmel96e6hy6

One of the things I love most about the picture book as a format is that sometimes the artwork is as compelling as the story. To be fair, Jennifer Berne's "Manfish: A Story of Jacques Cousteau" (2008) is a remarkably lovely biography of the pioneering oceanographer and environmentalist who became beloved across the world. Starting with his childhood, Berne does a beautiful job of evoking his genuine passion for life on the water. But Eric Puybaret's artwork is exquisite. Realistic enough to still be appealing to young kids, the images have a soft, dreamy quality to them that draw you deeply into the story, as Cousteau was drawn to the ocean's depths. A gorgeous example of what a picture book should be. ⚫ ⚫ ⚫ #noodlenutsclassickidlit #noodlenutskidsbooks #bookstagraminthe6ix #manfish #astoryofjacquescousteau #jenniferberne #ericpuybaret #éricpuybaret #jacquescousteau #oceanography #marinelife #marinelifematters #savetheocean #childhoodunplugged #homeschoolfamily #beautifulbooks #teachingresources #booksthatmatter #readyourworld #classroombooks #classroombookaday #bestkidsbooks #talkingwithkids #freelessonplans https://www.instagram.com/p/B3StZ7hHNvm/?igshid=14c0c3hyzq3ax

One of my favourite stories recently was "Hattie Peck", about an eggless chicken determined to make herself a family. So I was thrilled when I came across Debi Gliori's "Dragon's Extraordinary Egg" (2013) and found an equally beautiful, heartwarming story about found family and how parental love defies mere biology. Throw in a bit of adventure and a great surprise, and you have the perfect read-aloud. 💖 ⚫ ⚫ ⚫ #noodlenutskidsbooks #bookstagraminthe6ix #dragonsextraordinaryegg #debigliori #bloomsburykids #booklove #readingtime #childrensliterature #childrenbook #preschooleducation #primaryed #mominspiration #childrensbookstagram #growingreaders #astoryaday #schoollibrarian #homeschoolmom #booksforbetter #bedtimestory #libraryforkids https://www.instagram.com/p/B3SlK7jHdVs/?igshid=1ayj4pmuk3vev

Sick days are the worst! As we head into autumn and then winter, sniffles and sneezes rear their ugly heads, and the occasional cold or icky virus is inevitable. "Bob, Not Bob! (To be read as though you have the worst cold ever)" (2017) by Liz Garton Scanlon and Audrey Vernick, is the perfect antidote to those miserable days! It revolves around a little boy with a terribly stuffy nose, and his hilarious attempts to seek comfort from his mom while unable to enunciate clearly because of his cold. As he is misunderstood time and again to ridiculous effect, kids and parents alike will be giggling non-stop. And Matthew Cordell's brilliantly silly, evocative illustrations just add to the uproarious fun. A must-read for sniffly days! ⚫ ⚫ ⚫ #noodlenutskidsbooks #bookstagraminthe6ix #bobnotbob #tobereadasifyouhavetheworstcoldever #lizgartonscanlon #audreyvernick #matthewcordell #sickday #sickdays #gotthesniffles #stuffynose #coolkidsbooks #wordplay #classroomreadalouds #kidsbookstagrammer #readaloudbooks #readaloudfamily #familyreading #makereadingfun #booksforchildren #kidsbookswelove #screenfreekids #mustread #kidsbookstagram #readinglist #childhoodmemories https://www.instagram.com/p/B3P6Ha9nyw5/?igshid=h4kchmpxilhp