THEREADINGCHAIR
Bird Bath
By Steve Antony. 2025. Henry Holt. 32 pp. Ages 2 to 5.
This upbeat story about birds who bathe is full of rhythm and fun— and it showcases the ritual of a bathtime routine. A bunch of bright-eyed young birds gets ready to bathe, gathering sponge, soap, shampoo, and toys. They check the water temperature and pile in. There’ s splashing and scrubbing and even bubbles— but they’ re careful to keep the water in the tub. Then they dry off, fluff their feathers, and invite other animal friends to go next. It’ s a simple but playful storyline that delivers lots of fun. Educators can make connections between the details in the book and children’ s own bathtime routines.
L Is for Love
By Atinuke. Illus. by Angela Brooksbank. 2024. Candlewick Press. 40 pp. Ages 2 to 5.
Atinuke, who was born and raised in Nigeria, has published many books about growing up in Africa, such as the well-known Anna Hibiscus series. This book is about a family that journeys to the big city Lagos to sell the Nigerian green lemons they grow. The story is told with detailed illustrations and a series of words that start with L, such as leaving, loads, lift, and Lagos.
Given the sparse language, it reads much like a wordless book, and children will want to investigate the pictures closely and discuss what is happening on each page. Readers will appreciate juicy details, such as the children helping their family by carrying heavy baskets of lemons on their heads, how they traverse through the dark woods in the predawn hours until they catch an early bus to the big city, and the comfort of returning to their lemon farm late that night to hugs from their relatives. This story can generate many rich conversations, such as one about responsibilities that children and their families share in their own homes or communities.
About the Authors
Isabel Baker, MAT, MLS, is the founding director of The Book Vine for Children, a national company dedicated to getting good books into the hands of preschool children and their teachers. Isabel has worked as a children’ s librarian and is currently a presenter on early literacy and book selection.
Miriam Baker Schiffer, MFA, is a writer in Brooklyn, New York. She consults on book selections for The Book Vine, in McHenry, Illinois. Miriam’ s children’ s book, Stella Brings the Family, was published by Chronicle Books in 2015.
Winter 2025 Young Children 97