Some of Our Favorite Kids' Books

Family Fun in Massachusetts, Cape Ann Kids Summer Guide

Finding the right book for your kid can be a challenge but if you keep new ones coming, you may be on your way to raising a lifelong reader.

Here we've highlighted a few books for different ages - some exceptional titles could be the perfect thing to spark your kid's interest, introduce your reader to a new author, or rediscover an old favorite.

[amazon 0803736800 full]

by Adam Rubin and illustrated by Daniel Salmieri, a hilarious picture book that warns of the dangers of serving dragons their favorite food topped with spicy salsa. It will make them breathe fire, and they could burn your house down. It's silly fun from start to finish, with dragons of every size, shape, and color and heaps and heaps of tacos on its entertaining spreads. This one could become a classic.

[amazon 0062114689 full]

This touching, sweet, beautiful kids book shows both kids and adults how to visit their dreams and make them come true through wonderful illustration and narration. A simple, great story that gives kids the freedom to have passion, ideas and dreams.

[amazon 0374400156 full]

About a young girl who finds a lost baby bear on Broadway in NYC who is looking for his mama. There are certain things you should do when you meet a bear in Manhattan and one of them is to stick your gloved hand out (after you "suck in your breath") and say, "Stop there, Little Bear!" The book will charm young kids because of the bear's infantlike talk when interacting with the little girl who has found him. "How does your mama sing, Little Bear?", she asks.  Little Bear responds, "Oh! Sings like mama!". The cuteness continues to the very end.

This is an adorable book that has a beautiful flow (Amy Hest), from the first past to the last. The illustration (Elivia Savadier) and whimsical watercolors are a treasure.

The book opens up the opportunity to discuss what your little one should do in case they ever lose their Mama when they are out in public and, of course, have that never ending discussion about "strangers." This is a quaint little story you and your little one are going to enjoy.

[amazon 1423103009 full]

This wonderful story, written by Mo Willems, that's easy to follow and is filled with beautiful watercolors depicting the story as it progresses through Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter and into the following Spring.

City Dog's life changed when he made to the country and had a chance meeting with a frog in a pond.  Their friendship develops through the seasonal life cycle of the frog and eventually ends when winter arrives.  The dogs spends the winter thinking of his friend, and mourns his loss. The following Spring brings renewed spirit to the dog as he implements what he learned from the frog during the previous year. 

[amazon 9780375851193 full]

The Harry books are great for language development because the names of the dinosaurs play a big role in the story line, plus there's a train. What could be better than dinosaurs and trains (ahem - Dinosaur Train)?

The underlying theme is that sometimes the best adventures don't necessarily require a brand new toy or game.  Sometimes the imagination just needs a little nudge by spending some quality time with something old and broken.  I can see myself using a Harry as a point of reference many times as we move forward with our own adventures into the future.

[amazon 9780670063154 full]

Follow the mini stories of Officer Mike, Officer Jan and Officer Carl as they are dispatched to different emergencies by Sargent Santole.  By the end of the first reading, your child will have a baseline of facts about what police officers do, how to identify them and where to find them.  With colorful illustrations and repetitive rhyming story telling, this will quickly become a favorite with your little one.

[amazon 078681988X full]

This is a book you read over and over and have great fun while doing it. With feathers flying and eyeballs popping, Pigeon is unflinching and hilarious in his determination to drive the bus. The genius of this book is that the very young will actually recognize themselves in it.

[amazon 1416948643 full]

Chicken Cheeks is sure to keep them laughing as all the different kinds of animal butts pile atop one another. From beginning to "end" this story is filled with visual jokes and amusing details. It helps to reinforce several concepts too including initial consonant sounds, rhyming pairs, and synonyms. This darling book is a must-have for any early elementary student.

[amazon 1445465817 full]

Little donkey on the hill, standing there so very still. Making faces at the skies, Little donkey close your eyes. A magical story from the hidden treasures of Margaret Wise Brown, perfect for sharing. This book is a marvelous bedtime story

Find these books online at Amazon or at one of the local bookstores here on the North Shore:

 

 

Carousel at Salisbury Beach MA. Parties, Family Reunions, Weddings, Showers, Birthday Parties

Silly Stories with Susie Magoozy at North Shore Children's Museum

NorthShore Children's Museum hosts Suzie Magoozy telling stories in Peabody Massachusetts!
Are you looking for excitement? Enthusiasm? Wild rants of singing and dancing?? Or maybe you just like furry puppets! As a former children's librarian, Susie Lord has performed thousands of story times for children and adults.
10:00 am to 11:00 am

Spring Blooms at the Stevens-Coolidge Estate

Spring Blooms at the Trustees Stevens Coolidge Estate in North Andover!
Join The Trustees of Reservations at our new entrance location showcasing contemporary gardens, historical gardens, and our Garden Gateway visitor orientation center at 153 Chickering Road, North Andover MA.
10:00 am to 5:00 pm

Sing & Dance with the Music Man

Sing & Dance with the Music Man Brian Doser in Hamilton visit Massachusetts
Come join the fun at Community House Of Hamilton & Wenham Monday, Thursday and Saturday mornings at 10am for 30 - 45 minutes of great music with Brian Doser! Sing and dance with the Music Man during a family concert, featuring familiar and original tunes, performed by local dad and musician,...
10:00 am to 10:45 am

Silly Stories with Susie Magoozy at North Shore Children's Museum

NorthShore Children's Museum hosts Suzie Magoozy telling stories in Peabody Massachusetts!
Are you looking for excitement? Enthusiasm? Wild rants of singing and dancing?? Or maybe you just like furry puppets! As a former children's librarian, Susie Lord has performed thousands of story times for children and adults.
10:00 am to 11:00 am

Home & Food Truck Show | Topsfield

Home and Food Truck show at the Topfield Fairground in Massachusetts
April 20th & 21st. FREE admission and FREE parking. All INDOORS & Enjoy the Food Trucks outside. Speak to leading home industry professionals to plan your spring home projects.
10:00 am to 6:59 pm

Art in Bloom at MFA - Boston

Art in Bloom at MFA - Boston
Celebrate the return of spring with Art in Bloom, the Museum’s annual festival of fine art and flowers. Enjoy exquisite art from across the MFA’s collection paired with magnificent floral interpretations created by New England-area garden clubs. Professional designers delight with creative designs...
10:00 am to 3:45 pm

Swan Boat Rides in Boston Public Garden

Swan Boat Boston North Shore Parent, North Shore Parents Summer Activities Guide
The Public Garden may be one of the most ideal picnicking locations in Boston. Well-groomed and overflowing with tulips, cherry-trees, with willows cascading over the duck pond, the Boston Public Garden is a great place to relax during Boston's most beautiful season.
10:00 am to 3:59 pm

Salisbury Beach Carousel - Vacation Hours

Carousel at Salisbury Beach MA. Parties, Family Reunions, Weddings, Showers, Birthday Parties
Salisbury Beach Carousel Hours: Monday - Saturday 12 - 7:00 pm Sunday: 12 pm to 5:00 pm Hours of operation are to change.
12:00 pm to 7:00 pm

Pokemon Club at Newbury Library

Pokemon Club Newbury Town Public Library in Massachusetts.
Newbury Town Library invites kids of all ages for some Pokemon fun!  Grab your trading cards and come join us for Pokemon Club! Recommended for ages 7+.
3:30 pm to 4:30 pm

Read to a Dog at APL

Kids are invited to read to a dog at Amesbury Massachusetts Public Library. Image generated with AI.
The Amesbury Public Library invites kids to come read to a dog at the Library! Gus, a mixed lab and certified reading partner dog, would love to hear you read aloud!
3:30 pm to 4:30 pm

LEGO Club at Danvers Library

LEGO club at Danvers Library Massachusetts
Peabody Institute Library - Danvers invites kids to an afternoon of building and fun! Activities will include free build, themes and instructional design. All structures will remain on display in the Children’s Room till the following weeks's session
3:30 pm to 4:30 pm

Pajama Story Time at Manchester Public Library

Kids are invited to the pajama time book reading at the Public Library in Manchester by the Sea Massachusetts.
Get cozy at the library! Come dressed in your pjs for a storytime and craft with Miss Audrey on February 22nd at 6 pm. This program is for ages 4-7.
6:00 pm to 6:45 pm

Saturday, April 27

Swan Boat Rides in Boston Public Garden

Swan Boat Boston North Shore Parent, North Shore Parents Summer Activities Guide
The Public Garden may be one of the most ideal picnicking locations in Boston. Well-groomed and overflowing with tulips, cherry-trees, with willows cascading over the duck pond, the Boston Public Garden is a great place to relax during Boston's most beautiful season.
10:00 am to 3:59 pm

Sing & Dance with the Music Man

Sing & Dance with the Music Man Brian Doser in Hamilton visit Massachusetts
Come join the fun at Community House Of Hamilton & Wenham Monday, Thursday and Saturday mornings at 10am for 30 - 45 minutes of great music with Brian Doser! Sing and dance with the Music Man during a family concert, featuring familiar and original tunes, performed by local dad and musician,...
10:00 am to 10:45 am

Annual Sheepshearing Festival

Gore Place Sheep Shearing Festival Waltham MA for North Shore Children Families
Since 1987, this annual event has entertained guests with music, 100+ craft and fiber artists, demonstrations of traditional shearing and herding dogs, and historic re-enactors on the beautiful grounds of this historic, 50-acre estate. People often tell us that spring doesn't begin until the...
Where: Gore Place
10:00 am to 5:00 pm

Home & Food Truck Show | Topsfield

Home and Food Truck show at the Topfield Fairground in Massachusetts
April 20th & 21st. FREE admission and FREE parking. All INDOORS & Enjoy the Food Trucks outside. Speak to leading home industry professionals to plan your spring home projects.
10:00 am to 6:59 pm

Portraits in Silhouette at Wenham Museum

Portraits in Silhouette will have portrait sittings at the Wenham Museum!
Portraits In Silhouette is the combined expertise of silhouette artists and mother-daughter team, Jean Comerford and Marcella Comerford-Foley. Portraits In Silhouette is focused on bringing you original, personalized work, full of inventive detail and creative spark. The silhouettes are never...
10:00 am to 4:00 pm

Early Spring Birds at IRWS

Come learn what birds are returning to the North Shore at the Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary! Image: Mass Audubon
Come learn what birds are returning after spending the winter months in the warm south. Equipped with binoculars, let's see how many different colors, sizes and sounds of birds we can find. We'll observe nests and attempt to build one of our own!
10:00 am to 11:30 am

Spring Blooms at the Stevens-Coolidge Estate

Spring Blooms at the Trustees Stevens Coolidge Estate in North Andover!
Join The Trustees of Reservations at our new entrance location showcasing contemporary gardens, historical gardens, and our Garden Gateway visitor orientation center at 153 Chickering Road, North Andover MA.
10:00 am to 5:00 pm

Art in Bloom at MFA - Boston

Art in Bloom at MFA - Boston
Celebrate the return of spring with Art in Bloom, the Museum’s annual festival of fine art and flowers. Enjoy exquisite art from across the MFA’s collection paired with magnificent floral interpretations created by New England-area garden clubs. Professional designers delight with creative designs...
10:00 am to 3:45 pm

Whiz Kid at North Shore Children's Museum

Visit Peabody MA, NorthShore, North Shore Children's Museum
Join in on the excitement on Saturday at 10 am for a foam-spewing, rocket-launching, mummifying, vortex-making blast of fun! Children are awed and amazed. Whiz Kidz provides science-themed entertainment for children aged 5-13.
10:00 am to 11:00 am

The Boston Outdoor Expo

Boston Outdoor Expo
If your family loves adventure, join us for a 2-day outdoor expo that offers a full weekend of inspiration for outdoor enthusiasts, like you. You'll meet famous explorers and adventurers hundreds of brands, plus 20+ hands-on activities including Bushcraft Skills workshops.
10:00 am to 4:00 pm