Handpicked by Our Editors

Testing the Ice: A True Story About Jackie Robinson
Age 5+
4

Testing the Ice: A True Story About Jackie Robinson

Why We Recommend It

Jackie Robinson was special on the baseball field and off. His daughter's bio of the slugger-as-dad emphasizes courage.

Read our full review
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A Is for ART by Stephen T. Johnson
Parents Need to Know...

that this isn't their ordinary alphabet book. Sophisticated readers, as well as the youngest, will find something of interest here, and nothing inappropriate. read more

Age 4+
A Is for ART
5
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The Alphabet from A to Y, with Bonus Letter Z by Steve Martin
Parents Need to Know...

that, though this is a very entertaining, clever, funny alphabet book, it really may not be appropriate for younger kids. Most little kids will not get much of the humor, and the joking references to alcohol and poop as well as ... read more

Age 6+
The Alphabet from A to Y, with Bonus Letter Z
4
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A Merry Little Christmas: Celebrate From A to Z by Mary Engelbreit
Parents Need to Know...

that this book is all about the illustrations, which are true to the Mary Englebreit tradition of bright colors; vivid, warm-fuzzy textures; and recognizably sweet characters. read more

Age 3+
A Merry Little Christmas: Celebrate From A to Z
4
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Alphabet Explosion! Search and Count from Alien to Zebra by John Nickle
Parents Need to Know...

that there's nothing objectionable in this book, but we're giving it a "pause" rating because its alphabet searching game can be frustrating and too tricky at times, especially for its target audience of beginning readers. read more

Age 5+
Alphabet Explosion! Search and Count from Alien to Zebra
3
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Dr. Seuss's ABC by Dr. Seuss
Parents Need to Know...

that the words are chosen for maximum fun on the tongue, and there's a delightful interplay between the letters and the crazy-wild drawings. read more

Age 4+
Dr. Seuss's ABC
4
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Alligators All Around by Maurice Sendak
Parents Need to Know...

that the words have been chosen for their memorability and the alligators are highly emotive -- it won't take long before read-alouds become harmonies. read more

Age 2+
Alligators All Around
4
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Avalanche by Michael J. Rosen
Parents Need to Know...

that the trip the snowball takes from being a fist-size clump of snow to eventually swallowing the universe is a joyful thing to share in, both as written and as illustrated. read more

Age 4+
Avalanche
4
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ABC T-Rex by Bernard Most
Parents Need to Know...

that there aren't any red flags in this slim story of a widely popular creature that's told in a series of one-sentence lines, each beginning with a different letter of the alphabet. Children can identify corresponding objects from ... read more

Age 4+
ABC T-Rex
4
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Animalia by Graeme Base
Parents Need to Know...

that the challenging vocabulary is well supported by vivid artwork. Young children will be eager to point out letters they recognize and to hunt for hidden objects. read more

Age 6+
Animalia
4
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Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr.
Parents Need to Know...

that kids will be delighted by the characters' tree-climbing antics. Beginning readers and the read-to-me set will enjoy the vibrant art, the bouncy rhymes, the repetition, and the personification of letters. read more

Age 2+
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom
4
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Common Sense Media's book reviews and ratings for all ages are based on child development principles. We give you trustworthy information so you can pick what's best for your family. We may know media, but you're the expert on your kids.

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