Lights Out by Jessica Stremer is a simple story with a big message. It tells the story of a young girl who finds a bird that got lost in the bright lights of the city. She learns that too much light at night can confuse birds that are trying to fly home. So, she asks her neighbors to turn off their lights—and they do!

This story shows how small actions, like turning off a light, can help animals and protect nature. With beautiful pictures and an easy-to-follow message, Lights Out is a great book to start conversations about helping the environment.

Megan Fullmer Perry’s The Overlook Book uses layered paper collage and shifting visual viewpoints to help students understand how perspective shapes understanding. By showing scenes from multiple angles, the book encourages critical thinking, empathy, and open-minded discussion around themes like friendship, inclusion, and kindness. A valuable resource for social-emotional learning and classroom conversations about seeing beyond first impressions. This book is a creative tool for teaching perspective and empathy.

Where to Hide a Star by Oliver Jeffers is a heartwarming tale perfect for sparking classroom conversations about friendship, imagination, and empathy. When a beloved star goes missing, the Boy embarks on a space-bound adventure that introduces a new character and a powerful message about sharing what brings us joy. With its rich illustrations and gentle humor, this book is an ideal read-aloud and a valuable addition to social-emotional learning lessons. Where to Hide a Star is a stellar story of friendship and wonder.

Bella Ballerina by Sharon M. Draper is a sweet and inspiring picture book about a shy little girl who loves to dance. Bella enjoys ballet class. She listens to the music and tries her best to point her toes, twirl, and jump. When her teacher says there will be a recital, Bella wants to do well. But when she practices a big jump, she almost falls—until a friend helps her. Bella starts to feel unsure. Maybe she’s not ready to perform. On recital day, when the curtain opens, Bella gets scared and doesn’t move. Can she be brave enough to dance? This story shows that it’s okay to be nervous—and that with friends and courage, we can do amazing things.

Patricia Polacco, a well-known author and illustrator, shares a powerful story based on her Ukrainian family history. In a small village called Cherinovska, a family grows sunflowers, or sunlasknuk, year after year. But when war comes, they must leave their home and move to America. They bring only what they can carry—including special seeds hidden in a little girl’s pocket. This picture book shows how families stay strong during hard times. It’s a story about love, hope, and keeping traditions alive—even when everything changes.