If you are a story time attendee at the Provo City Library, then you no doubt know that talk, sing, read, write, and play are our five early literacy practices that get kids ready to read! But if you were ever not sure how reading books at home can help you play with your kids - these books will show you what to do!
All By Myself (But Sometimes I Need a Little Help!)
Written by Emma Straub
Illustrated by Stevie Lewis
New York: Rocky Pond Books, 2025. Picture book.
Follow a loving mama and child as they play throughout their day! They cuddle, they dance, they sing, they swing, they even play pretend. The length of this book makes for a nice read aloud, and the illustrations are charming. If you've never been sure how to incorporate play into your regular daily life, you'll know exactly what to do after reading this book!
By Shawn Harris
New York: Holiday House, 2025. Picture book.
Librarians love to tell you that books can open up imaginations - and this story shows exactly how that happens. When a parent and child sit down to read a book together, they make-believe that they transform into bees, trees, and so much more. Shawn Harris' pastel crayon illustrations add to the childlike appeal of this book that will make every story time into playtime!
By Maggie Edkins Willis
New York: Viking, 2025. Picture book.
Play is so important for helping young learners explore, cooperate, and grow - and it can also be a great way to help regulate emotions. In this picture book, a little girl learns to manage her fear of thunderstorms thanks to her dad's playful suggestion to go to an imaginary world (inside a very real pillow fort) called "Thunderland" where they invite the storm to play. Though she's skeptical at first, playing with 'Nancy' is the perfect tactic for our protagonist to be brave. This read aloud has lots of fun action words and is a perfect model of play as a tool to manage anxiety.
By Elizabeth Everett
Washington, D.C.: Soaring Kite Books, 2025. Picture book.
If you have a toddler or preschooler at home, you probably have seen how ready they are to play, build, and work independently. But, as this title suggests, sometimes they need a little help. This play centered book gives kids lots of ways to play, and reassures them that if they need to ask a grown-up to help with the really tricky things that is totally fine!
Written by Kritika H. Rao
Illustrated by Sandhya Prabhat
New York: Feiwel & Friends, 2025. Picture book.
Shivi loves to spend his weekends at the rec center with his parents - and this is a very special trip. This time, he is going to conquer the climbing wall! Only, the climbing wall is taller and scarier than he remembered. But, with help from mom and dad, and summoning the strength of his favorite Hindu god, Hanuman, Shivi is ready to do the big, scary thing. This is such a fun, playful book that gives parents ideas on how to encourage their kids to try for big, scary things.
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