Sunday Shopping by author Sally Derby and illustrator Shadra Strickland

Age Range: 4 years – 8 years

Publisher: Lee & Low Books

Publication Date: May 15, 2015

This picture book brings together three generations in an evening of simulated shopping. Evie and her grandmother create scenarios that allow them to buy items that they see in newspapers from a variety of vendors. While the mother is not in attendance, her presence is felt when we learn mom is in the army and when Evie pretend purchases gifts and places them near mom’s photo. Dialogue between grandmother and Evie is warm and leaves readers with good feelings. Illustrations are bright and contrasting making details easy to see. This book introduces it’s audience to a fun activity that can be enjoyed repeatedly using different newspapers, magazines and ads. Activity enthusiasts could also paint or draw shopping items or head to the internet and copy and paste interesting items for computer based collages. A nice way to include money management skills.

Pete the Cat’s Family Road Trip by Kimberly and James Dean

Age Range: 4 – 8 years

Publisher: HarperCollins

Publication Date: March 31, 2020

In this early reader, Pete’s family goes on a road trip across the United States. They visit New York, Georgia, Florida, Utah, California, South Dakota, Massachusetts, Louisiana, Washington and Wyoming. Occasional feline humor injected into illustrations and text will make readers chuckle. This book is a great way to introduce youngsters to historic sites within the United States while they learn to read. Also this title can ignite curiosity and a desire to further research places mentioned.

I Love Mom with The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

Age Range: 3 years – 5 years

Publisher: World of Eric Carle

Publication Date: March 14, 2017

The Very Hungry Caterpillar journeys from one mother child pair to another in this picture book. The audience learns why mom’s are loved. The words are sparse but well chosen. Only one to six words appear on two page spreads which makes this a great read for young audiences. Mr. Carle’s vivid collage designs on white background are eye-catching.