Splish Splash! — Childrens books about… | Brighter Futures Indiana

kirsten eamon-shine has a six-year-old son and too many children’s books at home. she also directs communications for early learning indiana. this is her choice:

Jabari Jumps

Jabari JumpsGaia Cornwall, author and illustratorBest for: three-year-olds, four-year-olds, five-year-olds, school age, read along with preschool and pre-k learners

“‘jabari jumps’ shares the sweet story of one young boy’s valiant effort to try his hand at trampoline. After completing his swimming lessons and with the support of his father and his sister, he is ready to walk the high board and cause a stir. I love this book, for the way it helps little ones think through challenges, models supportive family connections, and sets the stage for the importance of being ready for big milestones.”

You are reading: Books about water for preschoolers

after reading: ask, “what is something that used to scare you and doesn’t scare you anymore?” and “what helped you feel less scared?”

cj woods, iii, is a retired creative director and currently a writer/columnist for the weekly view community newspaper in indianapolis. he is also the father of two girls and one boy, and the grandfather of two girls and one boy. he has been a joyous reader to all of them. this is his choice:

Little Fish book cover

Little Fish, Finger Puppet Bookby Chronicle Books and ImageBooksBest for: infants, one-year-olds, two-year-olds

after reading: splash together! When your baby is in the bathtub after dinner, let him kick the water around to see how big a splash he can make. Your baby is discovering cause and effect, and while it’s sometimes a complicated process, it’s an essential part of her scientific growth!

beth byam is a part-time book salesperson at kids ink and a preschool assistant at st. Joan of Arc. she is also a keen reader and mother of two boys.

Seashells by the Seashore

Sea Shells by the Sea Shoreby Marianne Berkes, author and Robert Noreika, illustratorBest for: read to or along with pre-school and pre-K

Counting from one to 12, Sue collects shells (periwinkle, cat’s paw, scallop) and carefully adds them to her bucket as a present for Grandma. she and her friend identify the shells. then, when they discover one that still has the mollusk living inside it, they put it back in the water, learning that the shells are actually (usually) the abandoned homes of marine animals.

after reading: ask, “would you have put the shell back with the mollusk?” and “why do you think it’s important to be kind to other creatures?”

the place is the beachby eric hill, author and illustratorideal for: two-year-olds, tthree-year-olds, four-year-olds, five-year-olds

It’s a sunny day at the beach and the place is ready to have fun and make new friends. Spot loves to build sand castles, but this time he decides to try something new: surfing! spend a day at the beach together with spot, his parents and his new friends!

after reading: play sink or float! send your child to collect various items throughout the house. help them out by suggesting items that she knows will sink or float. Then fill a container or the sink with water and ask your little one to predict whether the items will sink or float. ask them, “what makes things sink?” and “why do some elements float?”

Orange Fish, Green Fish book cover

Orange Fish, Green Fishby Linda Kranz, author and illustratorBest for: infants, one-year-olds, two-year-olds, three-year-olds, preschool and pre-K learners

orange fish and green fish may be opposites, but when they’re together, they’re sure to have fun! Linda Kranz celebrates our differences with her bright and cheerful rockfish in this lively book of opposites.

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after reading: play “I see, I see” with opposites. “I see a small tree and a big one” “I see a glass full of water and an empty one too.”

Lois Looks for Bob at the Beach book cover

Lois Looks for Bob At the Beachby Nosy Crow, author and Gerry Turley, illustratorBest for: one-year-olds, two-year-olds, three-year-olds

after reading: go to observe animals. Who are the animals that live in your neighborhood? Find out with your little student how many types of birds like to spend time in your neighborhood. do you see any squirrel? Is there a cat that comes to visit your house? Give them names and then say hello to the critters in your neighborhood whenever you see them.

There was an old lady book cover

There Was an Old Lady who Swallowed the Seaby Pam Adams, author and illustratorBest for: two-year-olds, three-year-olds, preschool and pre-K, read along with early school-age

This turducken of the sea story is sure to make kids laugh. An old woman slips into an extraordinary life riddle after eating a live crab. the situation continues to escalate to the point of swallowing the entire sea. The illustrations give readers an inside look at the old lady’s dinner!

After reading: Have your little one practice fitting things into jars. Find jars of different sizes and practice placing small, medium and large objects in the jars. use math words like big and small or more and less. “let’s add more cotton balls to this small jar” or “the wooden blocks are too big to fit in the medium jar.”

Little Whale book cover

Little Whaleby Jo Weaver, author and illustratorBest for: pre-school and pre-K learners, school age kids

Together, the minke and gray whales swim under midnight skies and through coral reefs teeming with life as they migrate to the cold, rich northern waters to feed. The gray whale gently guides her baby along the way, keeping the little whale safe from passing ships and dangerous predators. at last, the echo of a whale’s song calls to them across the icy water, and they know it. . . they are home. With soft text and stunning monochrome illustrations, Jo Weaver reveals the wonder of nature, the thrill of discovery, and the strength of parental love.

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“With an emphasis on family and belonging, this book tells the story of a young whale and her mother who return to their family.”

after reading: ask, “can you think of a time when you felt like you missed home?” and “why do you think it was important for the gray whale to guide the little whale home?”

swim & WATER SAFETY FOR LITTLE LEARNERS – Water play is a great way to cool off and stimulate learning and fun for your little fish. but it also comes with some serious security risks

Toy Boat book cover

Toy boatby Randall de Seve, author and Loren Long, IllustratorBest for: two-year-olds, three-year-olds, preschool and pre-K, read along with early school-age

A little boy has a toy boat that he made out of a tin can, a cork, a yellow pencil, and a white cloth. the boy and his boat are inseparable. . . until the day the wind blows the boat out onto the wide lake, and the little boat must brave fierce waves, a grumpy ferry, a daring schooner, and a roaring speedboat if it is to find its way home.

after reading: find a camera or use your phone to take pictures of their faces making different expressions. what does it look like when we’re in a bad mood? what is a cheeky face? connecting emotions with how we express them is a great way to talk about feelings!

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Boats on the Bay book cover

Boats on the Bayby Jeanne Harvey, author and Grady McFerrin, illustratorBest for: preschool and pre-K learners, school age kids

a large-format illustrated book about a group of boats found in a busy bay, animated by a simple, sober and lyrical text. Inspired by San Francisco Bay but with universal appeal, the book features a spectacular double-page fold-out ending that showcases a parade of boats and fireworks sparkling against a city backdrop.

after reading: make paper boats! Follow these helpful origami instructions or find items like empty paper cups to make your own colorful boats.

Hole in the Log book cover

There’s a Hole in the Log on the Bottom of the Lakeby Loren Long, author and illustratorBest for: three-year-olds, preschool and pre-K learners, school age kids

there is a log at the bottom of the lakethere is a log at the bottom of the lakethere is a log?there is a log!there is a log at the bottom of the lake.

But it turns out there’s a lot more than just a log at the bottom of this lake!

after reading: talk about the difference between a lake, an ocean, and a river. Watch videos about lakes, then plan a visit to one of Indiana’s many lakes.

Great Big Water Cycle Adventure book cover

The Great Big Water Cycle AdventureKay Barnham, author and Maddie Frost, illustratorBest for: preschool and pre-K learners, school age kids

follow the journey of water, from raindrops to rivers and back to clouds. Children have many questions about the world around them, and this book helps them discover many surprising and wonderful scientific facts about nature.

after reading: rainy days ahead? make your own water cycle! fill a large bowl with water to a quarter of its capacity and place it outside in the sun. place an empty cup or mug in the bowl and cover the bowl with plastic wrap. Tie a string or put a rubber band around the plastic wrap to hold it in place and have your little student watch the water cycle unfold. If it’s raining outside, practice some of the words you learned and then play our Brighter Futures Spotify Rainy Days Dance Party Playlist.

selections from the carmel clay public library:

dawn boarman is a youth services librarian at carmel clay public library. she is the mother of two children, two cats and a dog, they all like to be read to. These are her choices:

One Well book cover

One Well: the Story of Water on Earthby Rochelle Strauss, author and Rosemary Woods, illustratorBest for: preschool and pre-K learners, school age kids

Viewed from space, our planet appears blue. This is because nearly 70 percent of the Earth’s surface is covered in water. Earth is the only planet with liquid water, and therefore the only planet that can support life. all the water is connected. every raindrop, lake, underground river, and glacier is part of a single global well.

Water has the power to change everything: a single splash can sprout a seed, quench thirst, provide habitat, generate energy and sustain life. how we treat well water will affect every species on the planet, now and for years to come. one well shows how each of us has the power to conserve and protect our global well.

one well is part of citizenkid: a collection of books that inform children about the world and inspire them to be better citizens of the world.

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after reading: create your own water cycle! put about two teaspoons of water each in two different dishes. place one plate in the sunlight or directly under a light source and place the other plate in the shade. ask your little scientist to check the dishes every four hours and record their observations on paper, exploring how quickly the water in each one evaporates.

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All the water in the world book cover

All the Water in the Worldby George Ella Lyons, author and Katherine Tillotson, illustratorBest for: preschool and pre-K learners, school-age kids

grifopozozoluviannubemar…

water comes out of each of these.

but where does the water go?

after reading: children can learn about water and water conservation and have fun at the same time. Water: Use It Wisely has interactive games and quizzes to teach kids about water conservation.

holly southern is a children’s librarian at carmel clay public library. Helping users find the right books is her favorite thing to do! These are her choices:

Water in the Park

Water in the Park: A Book about Water and the Times of Dayby Emily Jenkins, author and Stephanie Graegin, illustratorBest for: preschool and pre-K learners, school age kids

From the first orange glow on the pond water, to the last humans and animals rushing home after an afternoon squall, this is a day in the life of a city park and the playground within it .

after reading: a walk in the park can lead to all kinds of games and adventures. walking can also lead to conversations and sharing. it can also be just a ride! Need ideas to start conversations with your little one? take a look at these ideas.

Kids don’t have to be in the pool or on the beach to get too much sun. Learn about sun protection strategies that work!

mandy lotarski was a teacher and is now deputy manager of the children and youth department at the carmel clay public library. this is her choice:

Otters Under Water book cover

Otters Under Waterby Jim ArnoskyBest for: two-year-olds, three-year-olds, pre-school and pre-K learners, school-age kids

after reading: otters are super cute! Check out this video of a mommy and baby otter. or this one of otters holding hands. there are so many lovely otter videos to explore! After watching them, you and your little reader can recreate otter activities together!

jennifer delgadillo is a proud aunt and content specialist for indiana early learning. this is her choice:

Only One You book cover

Only One You/Nadie Como Tú (English and Spanish Edition)by Linda Kranz, author and Teresa Mlawer, translatorBest for: two-year-olds, three-year-olds, preschool and pre-K learners, school age kids

“This is a very sweet story to remind children that there is no one like them. and that they can do much good in the world for that reason. The story is written from the voice of a father and a mother fish giving advice to their little fish, Adri. parents give adri advice on what to do when the going gets tough or when he has self-doubt. This story was originally written only in English, but this bilingual edition is more meaningful for children who feel different about having to change cultures at home and at school.”

After reading: Say what you like most about them or what you find most special. “there’s only one tub that dances and jumps and makes me smile”, or “what I love about you is that you give the best morning hugs”.

brighter readers book crew is a group of early education professionals, child advocates, parents, and expert book lovers who want to share their love of stories and books with families across the state. Want to share the books you love and why you think they’re great? email jenniferd@earlylearningindiana.org with the subject line book crew.

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