"All About Books is very proud to partner with Reach Out and Read and provide books to support the Book Showcase. I've worked with Anna McBee for many years, and it's awesome to see how she educates providers on how to use the books on an even deeper level and further enhance a Reach Out and Read well-child visit. We are happy to support this initiative for another year and are excited to see its growth beyond the Carolinas."
Sarah Pelkey, Director of Sales and Marketing at All About Books
Developmental Guidelines: Preschoolers
*Information provided by the American Academy of Pediatrics
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Topics & Relatable Experiences
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Paperback Books & Longer Stories
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Simple/Memorizable Texts
Choosing book titles that relate to places preschoolers might visit helps children see themselves in these stories, making them more relatable to their lives.
The Night Before the Dentist
“It’s the night before a young boy’s check-up with the dentist. He’s lost four teeth, and two big ones have come in already! So what does he do? He brushes and brushes his teeth to make sure his smile is super bright, of course! Join him on his journey to explore the ins and outs of the dentist’s office in this delightful story, told in the style of Clement C. Moore’s classic tale.”
Developmental Highlights & Diverse Elements: This book helps clinicians discuss oral health and dental visits with children and families. Children can see themselves in the story of a little boy’s dentist visit, encouraging parents to engage and ask about their own experiences or questions. It features individuals of various races, some wearing glasses.
The Adventures of Beekle
“This magical story begins on an island far away where an imaginary friend is born. He patiently waits his turn to be chosen by a real child, but when he is overlooked time and again, he sets off on an incredible journey to the bustling city, where he finally meets his perfect match and--at long last--is given his special name: Beekle.”
Developmental Highlights & Diverse Elements: Many children have an imaginary friend during childhood and the process of developing friendships with others. Beekle (the imaginary friend) and Alice enjoy having many everyday adventures together as they learn how to be friends. In this book, Beekle’s friend (Alice) is wearing glasses and there are children of different ethnicities playing together.
Jabari Jumps
“Jabari is definitely ready to jump off the diving board. He’s finished his swimming lessons and passed his swim test, and he’s a great jumper, so he’s not scared at all. “Looks easy,” says Jabari, watching the other kids take their turns. But when his dad squeezes his hand, Jabari squeezes back. He needs to figure out what kind of special jump to do anyway, and he should probably do some stretches before climbing up onto the diving board. In a sweetly appealing tale of overcoming your fears, Gaia Cornwall captures a moment between a patient and encouraging father and a determined little boy you can’t help but root for.”
Developmental Highlights & Diverse Elements: Children experience fears of all types, and it is sometimes easy for us as adults to forget that. This endearing story reminds us of what it feels like to fear new experiences while having a deep desire to overcome them. It also reminds us how important the tender care and patience of a loving adult is in a child’s life when they experience fear and the importance of celebrating their success when they overcome that fear.
Feelings can sometimes be hard to describe or even identify, but books can open a door to help children talk about feelings, see them expressed in the characters within the story and them translate that into their everyday lives.
Meesha Makes Friends
“Meesha loves making things, but she finds it hard to make friends. She doesn’t know quite what to do, what to say, or when to say it, and she struggles with responding to social cues. But one day, she discovers that she has a special talent that will help her navigate challenging social situations and make friends. A warm and affectionate story about the joys and difficulties of building and maintaining friendships and relating to others, Meesha Makes Friends helps young readers find their place in the world.”
Developmental Highlights & Diverse Elements: This heart-warming story features children of various races as well as a child in a wheelchair. This book is a great choice for any child as they experience the sometimes-challenging process of making friends, but may also be helpful for a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
The Feelings Book
“Todd Parr vibrantly illustrates the wide range of moods we all experience to introduce readers to the powerful, ever-changing, and sometimes nonsensical emotions that we all feel. With Todd’s signature kid-friendly and accessible art work, The Feelings Book delves into the multitude of feelings that a person can feel with humor and heart.”
Developmental Highlights & Diverse Elements: While this book offers opportunities to talk with all children about feelings, it is also a good choice for a child experiencing Autism Spectrum Disorder because the illustrations can help children recognize emotions. This book is available in bilingual.
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Preschoolers are beginning to enjoy longer stories with more complex story lines. Stories that provoke thought and allow children to place themselves in the story continue to be good choices.
What I like About Me
“This fun-loving book shows kids that, in a world where fitting in is the norm, being different makes us special. The kids in What I Like About Me! are as different as night and day. And guess what? They love it. Some adore the fact that their braces dazzle and gleam, others feel distinguished when they wear their glasses. Still others wouldn’t trade their big feet for a lifetime of free video games. A mylar mirror embedded in the last page lets kids take a look at themselves and decide what they like best about themselves.”
Developmental Highlights & Diverse Elements: “This fun-loving book shows kids that, in a world where fitting in is the norm, being different makes us special. The kids in What I Like About Me! are as different as night and day. And guess what? They love it. Some adore the fact that their braces dazzle and gleam, others feel distinguished when they wear their glasses. Still others wouldn’t trade their big feet for a lifetime of free video games. A mylar mirror embedded in the last page lets kids take a look at themselves and decide what they like best about themselves.”
Hey there, I’m Anna McBee
Anna McBee serves as a Senior Program Manager at Reach Out and Read South Carolina. She is the visionary behind the Book Showcase Program, which assists pediatricians and nurses in utilizing the Reach Out and Read Developmental Age Assessment Model in conjunction with books sourced from All About Books.
