Shared reading time with our children is a treasure for them, but also for us. Participatory reading not only creates and deepens our bonds and creativity, it also increases brain activity in areas linked to language, even at the earliest ages. But what is participatory reading? It is one in which we adults read by asking questions and questioning our children, in which we help them empathize with the characters and ask them for help to turn pages, look for a drawing or detail, etc.
Now, with Sant Jordi approaching, we want to bring you a series of wonderful books that, in addition to providing us with a good time, will help us better manage and understand the perspective of our children at different stages of their development:
MARTINA'S SUDDEN CUSHION
By Ester Llopis. Ed. Naniero.
A set that includes a book and a cushion to express how we feel. Martina explains, through the story, how she discovers alternatives to relieve her discomfort after a hectic and tiring day. This story is perfect for releasing tension.
EMILIA'S TIGER
By Miriam Latimer. Ed. Oxfam Intermón
Emilia is angry! She doesn't really mean to be, but she doesn't like getting her hair cut, and she definitely doesn't like carrots. Every time Emilia gets angry, something happens, and before she knows it... GRRR! What will she do when her grandma visits and tells her a very special secret?
TESLA'S MOM DOESN'T WANT TO
By Asa Mendel Hartvig. Ed. Swedish Cat
Tesla's mom doesn't want to go home, climb stairs, or brush her teeth... How will Tesla get his mom to do the things she needs to? Books where the roles are reversed are very popular with children and help them identify with the story. Recommended age: 3+.
LITTLE MARINE SAYS NO!
By Linnie Bie. Ed. Juventud
Little Marina says, "No! I don't want to get dressed!" "No, I don't want to hold Mommy's hand!" But Marina finally gets dressed and is ready to go play. Marina holds her mommy's hand and they go outside together. Saying "Yes!" doesn't seem so bad after all. A tender and fun book about the famous "no" stage.
WHEN I'M ANGRY
By Tracey Moroney. Ed. Ediciones SM
With this book we experience how our friend the rabbit feels when he is angry.
GASTON'S EMOTIONS. I'M HAVING A TANTRUM!
By Aurelie Chien Ed. Bruño
Learn to manage your emotions with Gaston! Little Gaston is a very special unicorn: his rainbow mane and tail change color depending on his emotions. Today, Gaston is very angry because things aren't going his way. Find out how he'll get over his tantrum.
I HAVE A VOLCANO!
By Miriam Tirado Ed. Carambuco
Alba doesn't know it, but she has a volcano inside her, roughly between her navel and her ribs. Sometimes, the volcano ignites and explodes. Then the fire burns everything, and Alba suffers and is scared all at once. But one night, a little fairy explains to her what she can do when she gets angry, a trick that will lead her to discover unexpected sensations.
THE DRAGON'S TAIL
By Mireia Canal. Ed. Salvatella
Recognizing and expressing emotions and feelings is very important for the development of children between 30 months and 8 years old. Thanks to Ana and Javier's adventures, we'll recognize, learn, and put all kinds of emotions and feelings into practice.
I WILL KILL MONSTERS FOR YOU
By Santi Balmes. Main Books Ed.
Martina is afraid at night. She believes that beneath her bedroom floor lies a world inhabited by monsters who walk with their heads upside down. What would happen if the border between the two worlds were broken? What would happen if the monsters were afraid of humans? A beautiful story to overcome fears of the unknown.
BEN THE BRAVE
By Mathilde Stein. Ed. OXFAM Intermón.
Ben is afraid of everything: the girl who cuts in line at the bakery, people who laugh at his favorite floral overalls, and especially the ghost under his bed. When he seeks help for his problem, Ben discovers he's much braver than he thought. Recommended for ages 3 and up.
WHAT DO I NEED WHEN I'M AFRAID?
By Tania Garcia. Ed. Beascoa
When Luna is scared, she cries, screams, covers her eyes, runs away, or stands still like a statue… But she is NOT being cowardly or lying, she is just trying to express what she truly FEELS.
A LITTLE SISTER'S LOVE
By Astrid Desbordes. Ed. Kókinos
Our protagonist receives great news: he's going to have a little sister, but he didn't ask for it! This future older brother will experience many emotions throughout the story, some contradictory: sadness, feeling left out of his parents' hearts, love for his little sister, fear, and anger.
WHAT IS THIS BELLY?
By Patricia Martín. Ed. Flamboyant
A lovely silent board book for young children (0-3 years old) that deals with, with a touch of humor, the wait for and arrival of a new sibling to join the family. Ideal for introducing children to reading simple sequences and identifying familiar actions.
WELCOME TO THE WORLD
From Tapper Lucy. Ed. Tell Me Your Life
Celebrate your baby's arrival with Dante the Elephant! Join this little elephant on a colorful journey and discover the wonders the world has to offer through this illustrated story.
LAURA AND MOM'S BELLY
By Liesbet Slegers. Ed. Edelvives
Children experience the changes that occur in their mothers' bodies during pregnancy. Laura brings this story to life with fun and cheerful illustrations. It's ideal for little ones to read thanks to its thick pages and rounded corners. The capital letters make it easier to read.
LULÚ HAS A LITTLE BROTHER
By Camila Reid. Ed. Ediciones SM
A fun interactive flap book for children who are expecting a sibling. Lulu is very happy: she's going to have a little brother, and she'll be a big sister. The baby is very sweet and very noisy, but Lulu loves him very much. A flap book for children 2 years and older.
YOU ARE THE OLDEST
From Tapper Lucy. Ed. Tell Me Your Life
A book that explains, in a fun way, the unique role an older sibling plays with the birth of a baby. Told through beautiful illustrations, it's an ideal gift for older siblings.
I'M EXPECTING A LITTLE BROTHER
By Marianne Vilcoq. Ed. Corimbo
A highly visual book that allows us to simply explain how mom's belly grows and what's inside. Each page features an illustration of a fully clothed mom, and when unfolded, the same illustration of a naked mom with the baby inside appears. Ideal for explaining the changes the little one will experience from the very beginning.
INSIDE OUR MOM
By Jo Witek. Ed. Cubilete
A book full of tenderness with very simple illustrations. It tells the story of the baby's waiting period from the older sister's perspective. Each double-page spread shows Mom's belly, and when you open the flap, the baby inside. It's not a story to address jealousy, but it's very useful for beginning to establish bonds between siblings.
BROTHERS
By Ariel Andrés Almada. Ed. Algar
Brothers and sisters play together, fight, hug, laugh, and cry, and above all, remain united by an invisible bond that accompanies them on life's journey. A tender story that brings us to the everyday lives of sisters and brothers, their dreams, challenges, problems, and reunions. A delight to read together or to enjoy while listening to their mothers' and fathers' voices.
THE BUNNY WHO WANTS TO FALL ASLEEP
By Carl-Johan Forssen. Ed. Beascoa
The story of a bunny who wants to sleep, but can't. The book is hailed as a revolutionary method for helping our little ones sleep, but it's not so much the story itself that's telling it, but rather the way it's told by adults. There are audiobooks online so you can learn the story before buying it.
EVERYONE YAWNS
By Anita Bijsterbosch. Ed. Combel
An ideal bedtime story. Each double-page spread features a yawning animal, revealing its enormous mouth through a flap mechanism. At the end, all the animals go to sleep.
A LITTLE KISS AND SLEEP
By Patricia Geis. Ed. Combel
With the set of cutouts of the book's characters on the last page. A new collection in which little ones can accompany the Dudús Rabbit, Piglet, Miu, and Bear in different everyday activities, such as going to sleep. A book with semi-die-cut characters and all the necessary accessories to acquire simple daily habits through play.
GOOD NIGHT, LEON!
By Various Authors. Ed. Bruño
It's time to go to sleep, but first, Leon wants to say goodnight to his friends. Help him find them! Put the flashlight behind the transparent sheet and light up the scenes. A book for children ages 0 to 3.
CAN I LOOK AT YOUR DIAPER?
By Guido Genechten. Ed. Ediciones SM
Mouse is very curious. He has to sniff everything, even his friends' diapers. He sniffs, one by one, in the diapers of Hare, Goat, Dog, Cow, Horse, and Pig. Of course, his friends want to look at Mouse's diaper too. And they get a big surprise.
LULU'S POTTY
By Camila Reid. Ed. Ediciones SM
Lulu loves her new potty and takes it everywhere. A fun book for potty training and developing skills for children.
NO MORE DIAPERS
By Amanda Gummer. Ed. Picarona
Millie and Mo show us the potty training process, and you can see how they shop for their potty and underwear. A very comprehensive book that can be just the little push you need at home to overcome the fear of potty training.
LÍA LEAVES THE DIAPER
By Anna Estapé. Ed. B by Blok
A book for those committed to respectful and conscious parenting with a modern and up-to-date approach. From a leading pediatrician, comes the first story that addresses the topic of diapers. Every child has a certain time to stop using them, and we must respect that. Thanks to Lía's story, young and old alike will learn how to manage this event that affects the entire family.
PEPO AND HIS POTTY
By Sybille Delacroix. Ed. Bruño
Pepo is learning to use the potty. When he succeeds, he and his mother are very happy. A story written with a short text and expressive, colorful illustrations that show the potty-training process in a fun way. A carefully crafted edition, very appropriate for little ones, both in size and durable material.
OOPS! I GOT AWAY FROM MY FEAR
By Silvia Becerra. Author-Editor Ed.
When Blu is scared, he blows a bunch of colorful bubbles and doesn't know what to do with them—how embarrassing they are! With the help of new friends he makes along the way, he'll manage to pop them and overcome his fears. Aimed at children between 2 and 6 years old, it's very funny, rhyming, with beautiful illustrations, and addresses childhood fears, numbers, and colors.
MARINA NO LONGER WANTS TO WEAR DIAPERS
By Linne Bie. Ed. Juventud
Marina doesn't want to wear diapers anymore. Mom brings the potty over to her and says, "From now on, you can pee in the potty." Now she can wear panties—she's all grown up! But suddenly, she notices her bottom is wet. A book to help girls use the potty. Ages 24 months and up. There's also a boy version, "Edu doesn't want to wear diapers anymore."
GOODBYE DIAPER!
By Patricia Geis. Ed. Combel
The images are very simple and suitable for children ages 2 to 3. It includes a weekly chart that children must fill out to earn points. With these, they can earn a champion's medal!
I'M DONE!
By Victoria Roberts. Ed. Combel
A book written in verse that is very musical for little ones. The book includes a button to flush the toilet, so your little one can participate in every page. The illustrations are very attractive, and the fact that it has sound is a delight.
GOODBYE, PACIFIER!
By Alice Le Hénand. Ed. Elvives
Giving up pacifiers is a very important step for many young children. But first, they need to be prepared, each at their own pace. With this collection, little ones will learn to assimilate new habits through the experiences of their friendly characters.
GOODBYE TO THE PACIFIER!
By Marta Munté. Ed. Planeta
When he was little, Carlos carried his pacifier everywhere. Now that he's older... A very fun book with flaps and tabs that are always fun to move. As we read, we're sure the little ones will want to be like Carlos.
EDU NO LONGER NEEDS A PACIFIER
By Linne Bie. Ed. Madrid Juventud
Edu always takes his pacifier everywhere. He takes it on his tricycle, in the car, when he goes shopping with Mom, and even when he takes a bath! But sometimes the pacifier gets in his way...
GOODBYE, DEAR PACIFIER!
By Alen Paule. Ed. Everest
A little badger decides he doesn't need his pacifier anymore because he's grown up. So he looks for someone to give it to, but it's harder than he thought.
EMPTY
By Anna Llenas. Ed. Barbara Fiore Editor
A book suitable for all audiences. The protagonist, a happy girl, one day discovers a great emptiness inside her. The book doesn't specify the loss suffered, so each reader can relate to it in their own way. A great book for talking about loss, the emotions it provokes, and how we must deal with it to move forward.
GRANDFATHER'S ISLAND
By Benji Davies. Ed. Andana
This story shows us the beautiful relationship between a boy and his grandfather, the connection between them, and how much they love each other. But it also speaks to us about goodbyes and how the people we love most sometimes have to leave us.
THE TREE OF MEMORIES
By Britta Teckentrup. Ed. Cloudeight
The story is about a fox who had lived a long and happy life, but was already tired. A sweet and heartwarming tale that celebrates life and the memories that remain with us after the death of a loved one. Recommended for ages 3 and up.
THIS WAS MY GRANDFATHER
By Joan de Déu Prats. Ed. Parramon
The story of one of the sweetest grandfathers ever and his memories of his greatest admirer, his grandson. This story is a very useful tool for families unsure how to approach this topic with their little ones, as it includes a specific guide for both mothers and fathers.
THE PARTY
By Miriam Tirado. Ed. Carambuco
Weaning, when a child reaches one year of age, is a worrying time for most families. In this beautiful story, Noah's mother explains, through the cloud of well-being, that it's time to stop breastfeeding. A very beautiful and respectful way to carry out this change of stage.
GO TO SLEEP, BABIE
By Ana Amparo Rodríguez. Ed. Independently
Pau loves breastfeeding. But his mother and her breasts are very tired, and Pau won't be able to nurse at night anymore. Pau isn't happy about it. How will the family resolve this dilemma? A respectful approach to nighttime weaning can be adopted, avoiding guilt in the child by focusing on other ways to satisfy the emotional demands that the breast meets. Ages 2 and up.
GOODBYE, DEAR BOOTY!
By Marcela Lozano. Ed. Babidi-bu Books
Pepita and Lucía loved each other madly. But Lucía was growing up, and Pepita knew it was time for a new adventure that would make her heart dance with joy.
I want tit
By Virginia Alvarez. Ed. Thule
Mario is a baby and he loves his mommy's boobs. There's nothing better than sleeping between them. He loves milk, on the subway, at the movies, everywhere! Mario gets annoyed when people say he's too old, that he uses his mommy as a pacifier, or that he has a mommy problem.
THE LITTLE SHEEP WHO CAME TO DINNER
By Joelle Dreidemy. Ed. Beascoa
Set with book and stuffed animal. A lovely book about friendship and sharing. At the old wolf's house, there's always vegetable soup for dinner. But one night there's a knock at his door, and it turns out to be a lost sheep. The wolf plans to have stew for dinner... But the sheep doesn't want to be his friend, but his friend! Suitable for babies 10 months and older.
CAN I PLAY?
By Mo Willem. Ed. Beascoa
A great book about values, honesty, and equality. With this story, we'll learn the differences between friends.
MY WAY OF MAKING FRIENDS
By Elizabeth Cole. Ed. Independently
A great book that talks about emotions, friendship, and socialization.
THE LITTLE BEES, THE BEAR AND THE HONEY
By Martina Molina. Ed. EDEBÉ
Children tend to want other people's toys and things, and sharing is hard. This story teaches children the benefits of sharing... And teaches parents the reflection and benefit of teaching little ones where balance lies.
THE RESTLESS BOOK
By Miguel Ángel Mendo. Ed. Kókinos
Shall we turn a frog into a prince? Or maybe you'd rather help a parachutist in trouble land? What about giving Paula the Bear a hand as her boat navigates the waves? Let your little ones experience these and many more adventures with 'The Restless Book'. It has some big surprises!
A BOOK
By Hervé Tuller and Esther Rubio. Ed. Kókinos
We open this mysterious book and see only a yellow circle on a blank page. What if we click on it to see what happens? To find out the answer, we'll have to turn the page and... That's where all the MAGIC begins. An intelligent, graphically daring, and very relatable and intimate work.
Shall we play?
By Hervé Tuller and Esther Rubio. Ed. Kókinos
A surprising, magical, crazy, and addictive read. A true game-book, perfect for engaging the little ones in this fascinating world of books and imagination.
DANCE!
By Hervé Tuller and Esther Rubio. Ed. Kókinos
One, two, three! Dance, move, jump! A book that explores all the senses. Suitable for babies 1 year and older.
THE GLASSES OF FEELING
By Vanessa Pérez-Sauquillo. Ed. Beascoa
With this great story, boys and girls learn to identify their emotions and find guidelines for managing them. Would you like to know everything children feel with the feeling glasses? It's quite an adventure.
WHAT DO I NEED WHEN I'M NERVOUS?
By Tania García. Ed. Beascoa
When Alex is nervous, he fidgets, bites his nails, and screams really loudly, but… He's not being mean; he's just expressing what his brain is telling him to do. In this book, we'll find tools to learn how to identify feelings, find their causes, and manage them.
I AM STRONGER THAN ANGER
By Elizabeth Cole. Ed. Independently
Does it tire you out to tell your child not to yell, hit, or kick when they're angry? Anger is one of the basic emotions we all feel, and this book provides us with great resources and tools to help them manage it.
MY FRIENDS THE EMOTIONS
By Dajana Meibner. Ed. Independently
The book of emotions to learn to accept anger, fear, sadness, and joy, identifying and creating resources to manage them.
What a list! We hope this selection of stories will be a joy for you and your family and will serve as a resource to help your little ones deal with some of the sometimes more complex issues. Happy reading everyone!
