Book picks similar to
Families Are Forever by Craig Shemin


adoption
bedtime
book-series
diverse-characters

Goodnight Already!


Jory John - 2014
    He's exhausted. All he wants is to go to sleep. Meet Duck, Bear's persistent next-door neighbor. All he wants is to hang out . . . with Bear.Jory John, author of All My Friends Are Dead, and Benji Davies join together to create this standout hilarious picture book that will make bedtime memorable.

Through Your Eyes: My Child's Gift to Me


Ainsley Earhardt - 2017
    So often as we race through life, we need the wisdom and perspective of a child to remind us what is important and what should be celebrated and remembered: the everyday joys and miracles and simple pleasures of life. Our children teach us and awaken our own inner child.

The Bot That Scott Built


Kim Norman - 2016
    . . and his entire classroom goes wild. Before long, fiery ants and carnivorous plants, a freaky frog, a big-bellied boa, and an exploding "volcano" have wreaked total havoc. Can Scott's bot, which started it all, manage the mess? Cheers for the handy hero! A cumulative story with fun that grows and grows and GROWS.

Are You Sure, Mother Bear?


Amy Hest - 2016
    She simply refuses. "Winter is for sleeping," Mother Bear tells her. "But why, Mother?" Little Miss asks. "Because that’s what bears do. All bears sleep, all winter long." All winter long is much too long for Little Miss Bear. She is going to miss her stars and her moon, and she is going to miss rolling on hills. Most of all, she is going to miss Mother Bear. But Mother finds a special way to assure her that they will all be there waiting for her—the stars, the moon, the hills, and especially Mother Bear—when she wakes in the spring. From author Amy Hest and artist Lauren Tobia comes a warm and emotionally resonant story that is sure to comfort little bears everywhere.

Who Wants To Play With Little Mouse?: A fun counting story about friendship


Jana Buchmann - 2020
    Little Mouse travels around counting from one to ten, meeting cute little friends along the way. He encounters the world’s three most adorable spiders catching golden rays of sunshine and various other creatures like six slow slimy snails and seven busy buzzing bees. But none seem to care about him. Little Mouse heads home, dejected. The next day, however, his numbered friends arrive to recount all the good times they’ve shared with Little Mouse. So together they count down from ten to one and regain their friendship.Jana Buchmann demonstrates a musician’s timing and a poet’s skill in this perfectly penned book for aspiring little readers. The story, which centers on being disappointed when things don’t go your way, is easy to follow and is relevant for young children. The counting lesson is delivered is such a beautiful and engaging way that kids won’t even realize they are mastering their numbers. The colorful illustrations are divine, embellishing an already wonderful story. I highly recommend Who Wants To Play With Little Mouse? by Jana Buchmann to anyone with toddlers or preschoolers at home, as it is an easy-to-grasp story that teaches counting and important lessons in such a way that every child will be eager to learn.

Clark the Shark Takes Heart


Bruce Hale - 2014
    But when he tries to make a big impression with his usual zip, bang, and BOOM, things don't go quite as planned.With help from his best friend, Joey Mackerel, our favorite boisterous shark learns that when it comes to showing that you care, something thoughtful and small could be the best of all. Featuring bright, colorful artwork from Guy Francis and hilarious read-aloud text from Bruce Hale, this follow-up to Clark the Shark and Clark the Shark Dares to Share will have kids and parents everywhere taking its warm message to heart!

Daddies Do


Lezlie Evans - 2018
    . . . a solid choice for Father’s Day or anytime sharing.” —School Library JournalFrom a tiny mouse to a lion cub, adorable animal children explain why daddies are the BEST! Who wrestles with you for fun—but then surrenders and says you’ve won? Who takes you on outings and just doesn’t care what outfit you’re wearing or if you’ve got messy hair? Guess who? DADDIES DO! Meet a delightful group of animal daddies, including a bird who teaches his baby to fly and a polar bear who gives his cub the best hugs. This perfect Father’s Day story ends with every dad tucking his child in with a sweet good night.

Lucy Rescued


Harriet Ziefert - 2012
    Droll illustrations pair with a charming and insightful text to offer a relatable portrait of what it's like to get to know someone new, and to take on their concerns as if they were your own. Kids will recognize and feel empathy both for Lucy, a shelter dog who sometimes tries her adopter's patience, and for the little girl who helps him become part of the family. Featuring kids' enduring love for both dogs and stuffed animals, Harriet Ziefert and Barroux's latest collaboration hits all the right-est and brightest notes in this simply wise and wisely simple doggy tale.

Little Bot and Sparrow


Jake Parker - 2016
    Fortunately, Sparrow is there to take him under her wing. Together, they explore the forest, share adventures, and learn what it means to be forever friends.

Not Quite Narwhal


Jessie Sima - 2017
    Sure, he’s always been a little bit different—his tusk isn’t as long, he’s not as good of a swimmer, and he really doesn’t enjoy the cuisine. Then one night, an extra strong current sweeps Kelp to the surface, where he spots a mysterious creature that looks just like him! Kelp discovers that he and the creature are actually unicorns. The revelation leaves him torn: is he a land narwhal or a sea unicorn? But perhaps, if Kelp is clever, he may find a way to have the best of both worlds.

The Very Fairy Princess


Julie Andrews Edwards - 2010
    From morning to night, Gerry does everything that fairy princesses do: she dresses in her royal attire, practices her flying skills, and she is always on the lookout for problems to solve. But it isn't all twirls and tiaras - as every fairy princess knows, dirty fingernails and scabby knees are just the price you pay for a perfect day! This new picture book addition to the Julie Andrews Collection features the joyful illustrations of Christine Davenier, and is sure to inspire that sparkly feeling within the hearts of readers young and old.

No Sleep for the Sheep!


Karen Beaumont - 2011
    All is peaceful until—QUACK! Is that a duck at the barn door? And now a goat? A pig? A cow? A horse? Each new unexpected guest is bigger and louder than the last! How will the sheep ever get this barnyard crowd to quiet down before—COCK-A-DOODLE-DOO!

In the Wild


David Elliott - 2010
    David Elliott’s pithy, lyrical verse and Holly Meade’s stunning woodcut and watercolor illustrations reveal a world of remarkable beauty and wonder — and offer an enticing introduction to both favorite animals and poetic forms.

The Prince's Bedtime


Joanne Oppenheim - 2006
    So the King and Queen turn to a mysterious woman at the palace gate who holds the key to the prince's slumber.

Fancy Nancy and the Fall Foliage


Jane O'Connor - 2014
    Fancy Nancy loves fall—the fashion, the weather, and especially the colors of the leaves! As Fancy Nancy helps Mom and Dad rake the leaves outside in Fancy Nancy and the Fall Foliage, she gets a stupendous idea to do something unique with the most beautiful leaves she finds. Join Nancy as she celebrates the changing of the seasons in this storybook adventure—complete with a fabulous set of stickers!