Whenever we jump into a new theme I like to take a trip to the library and check out a handful of great books! We read them throughout the study but I start by simply leaving them out. A pile on the ottoman or a couple tucked into their bed book baskets. I don’t direct them to look through the books but let them discover the books on their own. Sometimes they latch on to the ideas on their own which makes the theme even more exciting when I introduce it to them!
Today I wanted to share with you a BUNCH of our favorite All About Me books. It’s a great combination of picture books and non fiction! If you’re following along with the Magnificent Me Learn +PLAY calendar you’ll definitely want to check out these titles!
We’re all so different. It’s worth celebrating what makes us each unique. This story focuses on all the ways we can LOVE what makes each of us different! I love the colorful illustrations and sweet rhymes bouncing through the pages.
All By Myself by Mercer Mayer
Does Mercer Mayer qualify as a classic? In my humble opinion it sure does! So many memories reading these little critter books! (I always loved hunting for the tiny mouse on every page!) This story is perfect for littles as they think through all that they can do! Little people can do BIG things!
I Hear a Pickle by Rachel Isadora
Glancing at the title this book doesn’t grab you as an all about me book but, turns out, it’s a pretty great one! This fun story explores each of the senses. It touches on good parts of senses- things that smell yummy and not so great parts of senses like stinky smells. I like how it encourages safety with senses with ideas like avoiding touching things that are hot! This simple straightforward picture book is excllent for introducing little to their five senses.
This board book style story is most perfect for your littlest learner but equally fun for bigger littles too! Exploring all the basic body parts in a playful picture book style!
On the Night You Were Born
by Nancy Tillman
You may need a tissue or two as your read this precious picture book. It does a beautiful job celebrating just how special and unique each person is. The book is interactive invoking verbal responses or giving time to count toes. Nancy Tillman is an incredible writer. All of her books are a treasure and this one is no exception.
Magic School Bus Inside the Human Body
by Joanna Cole
Who doesn’t LOVE the Magic School Bus!? My cute crew loves listening to the adventurous stories as I read them aloud. Magic School Books are GREAT for room time books! So many great, interesting illustrations. Informative for even non readers to take a way ideas on various topics. This one is perfect for the human body component of the all about me theme!
Shades of People by Shelley Rotner
I LOVE this book! I love how it celebrates differences. I love how it uses real photography. I love how it points out how wonderful each person is with great real life pictures!
By far this is, hands down, our MOST favorite all about me book! X-Ray me is just so much fun! It has the perfect amount of text for little ones. BUT even better its interactive. Hold it up and see life-size where each of your body parts are! If you haven’t seen it you have to check it out!
Ok, hang with me on this one. First and foremost (because I get self conscious over this) this is NOT an ad. Just an idea we use at home. When you’re learning all about self and family why not consider making a photo book? Even better when Shutterfly runs a FREE book promotion. The shipping is usually around $7 (which I have my own feelings on this, but whatever, they give you a “free” book so $7 isn’t too bad.) If you don’t want to wait for one of those promotions they are running a 50% off everything sale through Labor Day weekend! No promo code needed.
I adore this book. Personally, I like it as an alternative to the Oh The Places You Will Go book for a celebratory gift. It’s gorgeously illustrated and had the sweetest storyline celebrating the wonderful parts of you that make YOU!
Your Amazing Digestion from Mouth to Intestine
by Joanne Settel, PhD
This one is a little more information heavy for little ones but still full of great illustrations and will be a great text for littles as they grow!
This book is PROOF you can not judge a book by its cover! It’s no secret I am not a big fan of scary Halloween stuff. When I first ran across this book that was my initial thought. BUT the author recognizes this misnomer and intentionally set out to write a book about how wonderful our incredible skulls are! They’re strong and so much more important than just Halloween! I like this book a lot and think it’s perfect for a human body study!
What makes something “normal?” This story of a little pig discovering what makes him different is really what make him special. He is hurt by unkind words but with the help of his loving mother he discovers the world is full of differences. If we’re willing to look beyond the surface we might discover too that our differences are pretty wonderful! God knew exactly what He was doing when He created the world full of diversity and beauty!
I think what I like about this one is how it celebrates people for who they are versus where they are from. Backgrounds certainly impact each of us but they aren’t our only definition.
Also, my favorite #momhack is to reserve all our themed books from the library and have them on hold for when we arrive. No need to hunt around for what I’m looking for. Less stress for me and more fun for littles! Happy reading!
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