Being a stay-at-home parent with a toddler can be challenging on so many levels. Today I spent 30 minutes trying to coax Sophie into her car seat. Many tears were shed…by us both (ahem). When my well of creativity runs dry, I lean on some of the best moms I know for advice.

A close family friend with two grown, amazing children told me she used to get 20 books every week from the public library when her kids were young. Our nursery books, which include some of my favorite classics, can use a bit of refreshing after the fiftieth bedtime read. I immediately took to the idea of exploring the public children’s library and find it to be such a great weekly activity. Plus it’s free. And there’s parking. And a coffee shop inside. Done and done.

My goal is to check out 10 new books every two weeks. I try to focus either on one or two authors or on a specific subject (this week is cats).

Here are a few of my favorite recent finds:

Kevin Henkes FTW, always. Added this to our nursery library last week I loved it so much. I also love Kitten’s First Moon for which he’s won multiple awards. His illustrations are beautiful and the writing is so simple and imaginative.

Yes, I read almost all of Kevin Henkes’ age-appropriate books this month. This is a top pick because it’s beautifully illustrated, has a gender-neutral protagonist and is just sweet and beautiful and simple. Worth adding to your kid’s bookshelf.  

My husband and I both cry-laughed our way through this the first time we read it. I fully endorse all of Oliver Jeffers’ books but this one in particular is a favorite.

I’m cheating a little because this isn’t a book I found at the library but it was given to me by a writer friend. Sophie has loved this for as long as I can remember. It’s so creatively written and illustrated. And let’s please have more female protagonists, guys. Female protagonists!

I’m always on the hunt for amazing children’s books. Leave a comment with your favorite kiddo must-reads and I’ll be sure to check them out!