Reach Out and Read for Parents and Educators
 
Doctor-Recommended Children's Books for Special Occasions

Reach Out and Read

Children's books are a fantastic way to help children learn about new experiences and ease their fears about new situations, such as going to the dentist for the first time. Below are some of Reach Out and Read's providers' favorite books for the special occasions in your child's life.

First Day of School

  • First Day Jitters by Julie Danneberg
    Who scared about starting school?
  • The Night Before First Grade by Natasha Wing
    Twas the night before school started!
  • Mouse's First Day of School by Lauren Thompson
    Mouse explores his new classroom.
  • First Grade, Here I Come! by Nancy Carlson
    First grade is different than kindergarten but different can be good.
  • It's Back to School We Go! by Ellen Jackson
    How school starts in different countries.

Birthday

  • Birthday Monsters! by Sandra Boynton
    Monsters make a birthday mess!
  • Curious George and the Birthday Surprise by Margret and H. A. Rey
    A birthday full of monkey mischief!
  • The Birthday Box by Leslie Patricelli
    The baby gets a surprise box!
  • The Secret Birthday Message by Eric Carle
    Classic illustrations and a birthday mystery.
  • Happy Birthday, Moon by Frank Asch
    Bear and Moon share the same birthday.

Weddings

  • The Wedding by Eve Bunting
    The animals journey together to a wedding.
  • Lilly's Big Day by Kevin Henkes
    Lilly's teacher is going to be married!
  • One Little Flower Girl by Jennifer Dussling
    Sweet drawings illustrate the wedding preparations.
  • How My Parents Learned to Eat by Ina Friedman
    Overcoming cultural differences in order to wed.
  • How to Get Married ... by Me, the Bride by Sally Lloyd-Jones
    Outrageous fun on how to get married.

Adoption

  • Over the Moon by Karen Katz
    The story about how one family began.
  • A Mother for Choco by Keiko Kasza
    Family members don't need to look like each other.
  • I Love You Like Crazy Cakes by Rose Lewis
    A mother expressing her love for her adopted daughter.
  • The Red Blanket by Eliza Thomas
    The blanket, a gift from her adoptive mother, brings comfort.

New Baby/Brother or Sister

  • We Have a Baby by Cathryn Falwell
    The story about how one family began.
  • Hello, Baby! by Lizzy Rockwell
    A little boy prepares for his sister's arrival.
  • The New Baby by Mercer Mayer
    Babies don't get jokes or play, but Little Critter figures out what they can do.
  • I'm a Big Brother/ I'm a Big Sister by Joanna Cole
    Two books about becoming an older sibling.

Having a Pet

  • Dog Blue by Polly Dunbar
    What do you name a new pup?
  • Apollo by Caroline Gregoire
    It's the long and the short of the very best friend.
  • Harry the Dirty Dog by Gene Zion
    Harry will go to any lengths to avoid a bath!
  • Mr. Putter & Tabby series by Cynthia Rylant
    A cat and owner who are just the right age for each other.
  • Charlie Hits it Big by Deborah Blumenthal
    He was an ordinary guinea pig until he finds stardom.

Going to the Doctor or the Dentist

  • The Berenstain Bears Go to the Doctor by Jan and Stan Berenstain
    It's time for a checkup and booster shots for Sister and Brother Bear.
  • The Berenstain Bears Visit to the Dentist by Jan and Stan Berenstain
    Sister Bear watches Brother Bear at his visit to have a cleaning and filling.
  • Just Going To The Dentist by Mercer Mayer
    Little Critter visits his dentist for a checkup.
  • Time to See the Doctor by Heather Maisner
    Good explanations are given about going to the doctor.
  • Doctor Maisy by Lucy Cousins
    Maisy the mouse pretends to be a doctor and care for her friends.

Going to the Hospital

Ease the fears of hospitalization with these books.
  • Little Critter: My Visit to the Hospital by Mercer Mayer
  • Franklin Goes to the Hospital by Paulette Bourgeois
  • Going to the Hospital by Fred Rogers
  • Clifford Visits the Hospital by Norman Bridwell
  • Do I Have to Go to the Hospital? by Pat Thomas

Living with a Disability

  • Someone Special, Just Like You by Tricia Brown
    Photos of children show us what unites us rather than what makes us different.
  • THAT'S LIKE ME!: Stories about Amazing People with Learning Differences by Jill Lauren
    Fifteen kids and adults share their stories about learning disabilities and what they do to succeed.
  • Anna & Natalie by Barbara H. Cole
    Anna is determined to be chosen for a team despite being blind.
  • Let's Talk About It: Extraordinary Friends by Fred Rogers
    Photographs and clear text provide a way to explain to children about disabilities.
  • My Buddy by Audrey Osofsky
    A boy with muscular dystrophy is helped by his service dog, Buddy.

Healthy Eating

  • Eating the Rainbow by Rena Grossman
  • What's in Grandma's Grocery Bag? by Hui-Mei Pan
  • Now I Eat My ABC's by Pam Abrams
  • Eating the Alphabet: Fruits & Vegetables from A to Z by Lois Ehlert
  • Growing Vegetable Soup by Lois Ehlert
  • The Vegetables We Eat by Gail Gibbons
  • Good Enough to Eat by Lizzy Rockwell
  • Oh, The Things You Can Do That Are Healthy For You! by Dr. Seuss
  • Gregory, the Terrible Eater by Mitchell Sharmat
  • Showdown at the Food Pyramid by Rex Barron
Doctor-Recommended Children's Books
Questions?
Contact the National Programs Coordinator at info@reachoutandread.org

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