May 13 – Get Caught Reading Month

About the Holiday

When you love to read, you want to pass down that excitement to your children. The Get Caught Reading campaign, established 27 years ago by the Association of American Publishers, promotes literacy and language development through reading to children and spurring them to read on their own. Babies, toddlers, and preschoolers especially benefit from being read to and developing good memories and experiences associated with reading. All month long, people are encouraged to pass along their love of literature by sharing pictures of themselves reading on social media. Celebrities, sports figures, book creators, teachers, moms and dads, grandparents, and kids of all ages take part in this favorite annual event. Why don’t you?! For more information, visit the Get Caught Reading website.

I Whaley Love You!

By Sandra Magsamen

When you see your child’s sweet face looking up at you, you just want to tell them how much they mean to you. Maybe you wish there was some new way to express your love for them—a fun way! Sandra Magsamen’s big-hearted tale I Whaley Love You! is the perfect answer for just those moments and many more.

Topped off with a sparkly, iridescent whale tail that little ones will love to squish, I Whaley Love You! dives into the special bond between child and parent, grandparent, or other caregiver. Sweet, rhyming verses convey all the love adults feel when cuddling close with their child, doing things together, and “snuggling up tight” as they say “nighty-night.” The final verse reassures young children that “forever and always . . . I whaley, whaley, whaley love you!”

Text and illustration copyright © 2026 by Sandra Magsamen. Courtesy of Cartwheel Books.

Sandra Magsamen’s endearing I Whaley Love You! will dazzle little ones with its playful tail and adorable under-the-sea illustrations full of gentle waves, smiling sea creatures, and an adoring adult-child duo. Magsamen’s punny expression is sure to become a favorite phrase to share when that incomparable joy bubbles up and overflows your heart.

I Whaley Love You! makes a special gift for baby showers, new babies, parents, grandparents, and other caregivers and a delightful bedtime or naptime read aloud.

Ages: Baby and up

Cartwheel Books, 2026 | ISBN 978-1546140139

Sandra Magsamen is the author and illustrator of over 75 books for young children including I Love You, Honey Bunny, You’re My Little Chickadee, and Our Little Love Bug! As an artist, an art therapist, and a mom, she uses her creativity to remind people to express themselves and connect with others. Her lifestyle brands, products, and books are sold worldwide. Visit her at sandramagsamen.com.

Get Caught Reading Month Activity

Whale Match-Up Puzzle

The twin whales have all gotten separated! Help them find each other again in this fun Whale Match-Up Puzzle!

You can purchase I Whaley Love You! from these booksellers

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop

Picture Book Review

May 12 – National Share a Story Month

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

This month is all about sharing stories! Whether you’re regaling listeners with an anecdote from your own life or reading a picture book to kids, sharing stories is one of the best ways to connect with others, pass down experiences, and spark imaginations. The emotions shared while laughing or commiserating together while telling or listening, create bonds that uplift, teach, and lead to unforgettable memories. Today’s books offer moments of pure interactive delight shared with your youngest family members!

Thank you to Twirl and Barbara Fisch at Blue Slip Media for sending me a copy of these books for review!

Clickety Clack: Clack-Clack, Little Crab!

By Amy Blay

“Swish, swosh, swish, swosh . . . .” It’s a sleepy day at the ocean, but Little Crab is finished with its nap and wants to play. First Little Crab crosses the sand to find Little Snail. With a “clack-clack!” of its claws, Little Crab wakes up Snail, who’s happy to see its friend! Next—”splish, splash, splish . . . Little Crab scuttles across the tidepools to say hello to Little Starfish. Clack-Clack!” Star Fish opens its eyes and is surprised to see Little Crab! Little Crab is having so much fun! Who can Little Crab wake up next?

The youngest readers will love accompanying Little Crab as it visits friends to wake them up for playtime. By pulling the sturdy handle tab, kids help Little Crab clack-clack his claws and watch a variety of sea creatures open their eyes to greet their enthusiastic friend. On the final page—with a tug and an audible “wheeeeeee!”—readers join those friends and more in a game of hide-and-seek behind a giant coral.

Children will giggle in delight as they pull the tabs made just for them. Amy Blay’s bright colors, cheerful characters, and inviting ocean scenery will beckon kids to return to the beach over and over. Surprising sounds and the thrill of watching the pages change with just a tug make Clack-Clack, Little Crab! a perfect board book to share for quick read-aloud story times, tuck away in a take-along bag, or gift to young children for any occasion.

Ages: Baby – 4

Twirl, 2026 | ISBN 978-2408061807

About the Illustrator

Amy Blay has illustrated for design companies, toy manufacturers, publishers, and giftware companies. She lives in London, England. Visit her at amyblay.com and follow her on Instagram.

You can purchase Clickety Clack: Clack-Clack, Little Crab! from these booksellers

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop

Ultimate Discovery: T. Rex

By Raphaële Glaux | Illustrated by Amélie Falière

Take your youngest reader back to prehistoric times to meet a T. Rex, who’s proud to introduce the features that make it such a fierce dinosaur. This isn’t just a walk in the (Jurassic) park, though! Little ones get to interact with this favorite beast, even helping a baby T. Rex hatch from its egg with the pull of a tab!

Young readers learn about the T. Rex’s size, “skin covered with smooth, hard scales,” and his “huge jaw full of sharp teeth. ROAAARR!” Kids will be excited to open that enormous mouth and let out their own gigantic ROAAARR—and maybe another one, just for fun! The T. Rex also reveals that it is a carnivore and admits that “other dinosaurs are afraid of me!” Which ones are hiding from T. Rex now? A quick lift of the tab exposes them—then hides them again!

But watch out, T. Rex! A fearless Triceratops is charging your way, guided by a dino-loving reader! This Triceratops is sure to back up and charge again . . . back up and charge again! “The large frill on the head of the Triceratops makes it hard for me to bite it!” T. Rex explains. Who will win this battle?

Raphaële Glaux’s text, in which T. Rex speaks directly to readers, will charm young children while teaching them basic facts about this favorite dinosaur and its environment, comparing specifics like height and length to common objects that make it easy for children to visualize. Kids learn scientific terms as well as the names of several dinosaurs and other creatures from the period. Glaux’s final question will have little ones replaying the battle between T. Rex and Triceratops again and again.

Each page of this exciting dinosaur discovery book provides drama and education as a variety of identified dinosaurs, plant life, and volcanos appear in Amélie Falière’s vibrant illustrations. Kids will “Aww” over the baby T. Rex as they help it hatch from its egg. Later, as they look into the eyes of the full-grown T. Rex and feel it’s teeth, they’ll wonder how such a small dino could grow so large. The final encounter between T. Rex and Triceratops offers exciting action.

Ultimate Discovery: T. Rex is a sturdy, high-impact board book that will enchant the youngest readers and that adults will enjoy sharing with their children at home and away.

Ages: Baby – 4

Twirl, 2026 | ISBN 979-1027613885

About the Author

Raphaële Glaux writes and designs books for children and adults. A long-time editor who has many published titles, she lives in Nantes, France. Follow her on Instagram.

About the Illustrator

Amélie Falière grew up in the countryside of France, and has always been fascinated with nature and animals. Her colorful illustrations can be seen in many children’s publications. She lives in Paris, France. Follow her on Instagram.

You can purchase Ultimate Discovery: T. Rex from these booksellers

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop

April 20 – Earth Month

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

Earth Month was established in the United States on April 4, 1970 following a massive oil spill in Santa Barbara, CA. The initiative’s purpose was to raise awareness of and action on issues concerning the environment. By 1990, Earth Month had become a global event, and in 1992, the United Nations became actively involved, further increasing the organization’s visibility. Today, leaders, and environmental activists from all over the world work together to create sustainable development and offer climate solutions to prevent further harm to our planet’s natural resources, making Earth Month widely recognized as one of the most important month-long observances in the world.

Thank you to Phaidon Press for sending me a copy of this book for review!

Who’s Hiding? Under the Sea: A Lift-and-See Book

Written by Janet Lawler | Illustrated by James Weston Lewis

Splash into an underwater adventure with your little one in this board book that introduces six sea creatures, all of which have remarkable characteristics that help them survive and thrive. Diving in, children are instantly immersed in the colorful undersea world, where tropical fish, seagrass, anemones, coral, curious crabs, shrimp, and more invite them to play a guessing game, courtesy of the fun lift-the-flap format.

Janet Lawler’s charming and educational rhymes give kids hints about who is hiding just at their fingertips while teaching them a salient fact or two about each creature. One favorite ocean dweller describes itself this way: “No need to alarm / if I break off an arm. / I can make a new start / by regrowing that part! Who am I?” Behind the creature’s hiding place, children find a sea star and a bit more information about their helpful trait. Young nature lovers will be excited to add these fascinating nuggets to their growing repertoire and share them with family and friends.

James Weston Lewis’s spectacular illustrations will enthrall readers with their vibrant colors and layered perspectives that provide an up-close view of each creature in its habitat as well as a realistic feeling of the depth and movement under the sea. The sturdy flaps are die cut, allowing little fingers to easily grasp and lift or pull them without help. Peek-a-boo hints visible around these flaps entice guessing. Lewis has populated his ocean views with a wide array of fish, crabs, shells, mussels, turtles, sharks, and plants that kids will love pointing out, naming, and learning about.

Who’s Hiding? Under the Sea is a fresh, exciting board book that will stimulate sensory and intellectual curiosity in young children. The book’s well-conceived design will grow with children from captivating babies and toddlers with its colors, interactive elements, and rhythmical text to fascinating preschoolers and beyond with its abundance of gorgeous lifelike details and intriguing facts delivered in delightfully smart lyrical verses. It makes a fun take-along book for trips to the aquarium, beach, and even the pet store! Families, preschool educators and all school and public libraries will want Who’s Hiding? Under the Sea on their shelves.

Ages: Preschool and up

Phaidon Press, 2026 | ISBN 978-1837290895

About the Author

Janet Lawler has published more than 30 fiction and nonfiction picture books and early readers. Her recent titles include Celebrate! A Happy Book of Firsts (Feiwel & Friends, 2022), Oceans of Love (Viking, 2022), and Walrus Song (Candlewick, 2021). Her popular seasonal titles are Fright School, Winter Cats, Snowzilla, and Mirabel’s Missing Valentines. Visit her website at JanetLawler.com.

About the Illustrator

James Weston-Lewis is an illustrator and printmaker based in London. He studied illustration at the University of the West of England, where he specialised in woodcut and linocut printmaking. His first children’s book, The Great Fire of London, was longlisted for the CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal. His clients include: The Financial Times, Radio Times, The Times,Telegraph and many more. Visit him at jwestonlewis.co.uk.

Earth Month Activity

Match Up the Animals! Game

Test your powers of memory with this Sea Creatures Memory Game!

Supplies

Printable Sea Creatures Memory Game Cards Page 1 | Page 2
Colored pencils, markers, or crayons
Scissors

Directions

Print 2 copies of the Sea Creatures Memory Game Cards pages to have double cards. To make the game easy, print 2 copies of one of these pages. For a harder game print 2 copies of both pages. To make the game even more difficult print 3 or more copies of the pages.
Color the cards
Cut out the cards
Lay the cards face down on a table in random order
Turn over cards to look for matching pairs
If the cards don’t match lay them both face down again
When you find a matching pair leave the cards face up
Continue playing until you find all the matching animal pairs or groups

You can purchase Who’s Hiding? Under the Sea from these booksellers

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop

Picture Book Review

About the Holiday

I Whaley Love You!

By Sandra Magsamen

Get Caught Reading Month Activity

Whale Match-Up Puzzle

Share this:

About the Holiday

Clickety Clack: Clack-Clack, Little Crab!

By Amy Blay

Ultimate Discovery: T. Rex

By Raphaële Glaux | Illustrated by Amélie Falière

Share this:

About the Holiday

Who’s Hiding? Under the Sea: A Lift-and-See Book

Written by Janet Lawler | Illustrated by James Weston Lewis

Earth Month Activity

Match Up the Animals! Game

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