PreK–2 Edition

Pace-Write-Read for Little Hands

A curated space for our youngest writers and readers. Explore picture books and easy readers paired with Pace-Write-Read tools designed for PreK through second grade classrooms.

Explore the Full Handbook

PreK–2 Picture Books & Easy Readers

Cover of Welcome to Our Classroom!
PreK-2

Teacher's Guide

Our classroom is a shared space where we follow kind rules to ensure everyone learns and grows safely.

Picture Book·PreK-2·Acceptance & Belonging

Welcome to Our Classroom!

Alexandra Penfold

Cover of All Are Neighbors
PreK-2

Teacher's Guide

We build strong communities by helping our neighbors and taking care of the places we share.

Picture Book·PreK-2·Acceptance & Belonging

All Are Neighbors

Alexandra Penfold

Cover of My Grandparents Were Dinosaurs
K-3

Teacher's Guide

We're all connected to the deep past, and curiosity about where we come from leads to amazing discoveries.

Picture Book·K-3·Family History & Science

My Grandparents Were Dinosaurs

Anne and Steve Brusatte

Cover of Something's Wrong!
K-3

Teacher's Guide

It's okay to make mistakes — a true friend will help you, not embarrass you.

Picture Book·K-3·Friendship & Courage

Something's Wrong!

Jory John

Cover of Something, Someday
PreK-3

Teacher's Guide

Even the smallest act of care can grow into something that changes the world.

Picture Book·PreK-3·Making A Difference

Something, Someday

Amanda Gorman

Cover of The Loud Librarian
K-2

Teacher's Guide

There's a time and place for everything — even being loud — and learning to match your volume to the setting is a life skill.

Picture Book·K-2·Self-Acceptance

The Loud Librarian

Jenna Beatrice, illustrated by Erika Lynne Jones

Cover of The Whale's Tale and the Otter's Side of the Story
1-4

Teacher's Guide

Every story has more than one side, and listening to another perspective deepens our understanding.

Picture Book·1-4·Perspective & Empathy

The Whale's Tale and the Otter's Side of the Story

Kate Messner

Cover of Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes
PreK-1

Teacher's Guide

When things go wrong, you can choose to keep your cool and keep moving — attitude is everything.

Picture Book·PreK-1·SEL & Resilience

Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes

Eric Litwin

Cover of Milton Makes a Move
PreK-2

Teacher's Guide

Change can be scary, but courage and curiosity turn a new beginning into an adventure.

Picture Book·PreK-2·Courage & New Beginnings

Milton Makes a Move

Jonathan Graziano

Cover of Papilio
K-3

Teacher's Guide

Growth and change are part of every life, and becoming who you are is a journey worth taking.

Picture Book·K-3·Transformation & Growth

Papilio

Ben Clanton, Corey R. Tabor, and Andy Chou Musser

Cover of ¡Mistaco! A Tale of Tragedy y Tortillas
K-3

Teacher's Guide

Bilingual wordplay celebrates two languages, and even a kitchen disaster can be a story worth telling.

Picture Book·K-3·Bilingual Storytelling & Humor

¡Mistaco! A Tale of Tragedy y Tortillas

Eliza Kinkz

Cover of Worm Makes a Sandwich
PreK-2

Teacher's Guide

Even the smallest creatures play a part in the food we eat, and teamwork makes everything grow.

Picture Book·PreK-2·Teamwork & Ecosystems

Worm Makes a Sandwich

Brianne Farley

Cover of See Marcus Grow
K-3

Teacher's Guide

Growth happens slowly, and with patience and care, we all bloom in our own time.

Picture Book·K-3·Growth & Mindfulness

See Marcus Grow

Marcus Bridgewater

Cover of I Want to Read All the Books
K-2

Teacher's Guide

Reading opens every world, and sharing a book multiplies its magic.

Picture Book·K-2·Love of Reading

I Want to Read All the Books

Debbie Ridpath Ohi

Cover of The Plant Rescuer
K-3

Teacher's Guide

With patience, attention, and care, even things that seem lost can thrive again.

Picture Book·K-3·Caring for Nature

The Plant Rescuer

Matthew Rivera

Cover of To Dogs, with Love
K-3

Teacher's Guide

The bond between people and dogs is a story of loyalty, joy, and unconditional love.

Picture Book·K-3·Love & Companionship

To Dogs, with Love

Maria Gianferrari

Cover of Whale That Was Unexpected
K-3

Teacher's Guide

When life brings the unexpected, working together turns a problem into something wonderful.

Picture Book·K-3·Surprise & Adaptation

Whale That Was Unexpected

Casey Lyall

Cover of The Whole HOLE Story
K-3

Teacher's Guide

Empty spaces are full of possibility, and how you look at something changes what you see.

Picture Book·K-3·Curiosity & Perspective

The Whole HOLE Story

Vivian McInerny

Cover of Simon and the Better Bone
PreK-2

Teacher's Guide

Comparing yourself to others can make you lose sight of the good things right in front of you.

Picture Book·PreK-2·Empathy & Self-Acceptance

Simon and the Better Bone

Corey R. Tabor

Cover of BroomMates
K-3

Teacher's Guide

Living together means making room for each other's differences, and compromise makes a shared home.

Picture Book·K-3·Cooperation & Compromise

BroomMates

Lynne Marie and Brenda Reeve Sturgis

Cover of Winged Wonders: Solving the Monarch Migration Mystery
K-3

Teacher's Guide

Curiosity and teamwork can solve nature's biggest mysteries — and everyone, even kids, can be part of discovery.

Picture Book·K-3·Science & Discovery

Winged Wonders: Solving the Monarch Migration Mystery

Meeg Pincus

Cover of Be Strong
PreK-3

Teacher's Guide

True strength comes from standing together, speaking up, and lifting others.

Picture Book·PreK-3·Resilience & Courage

Be Strong

Pat Zietlow Miller

Cover of Leonardo, the Terrible Monster
PreK-2

Teacher's Guide

Being kind and a good friend matters more than living up to what others expect of you.

Picture Book·PreK-2·Friendship & Kindness

Leonardo, the Terrible Monster

Mo Willems

Cover of One Small Moment: Learning to Tell Your Story
K-4

Teacher's Guide

Every story starts with a single moment — and your moments matter, no matter how small they seem.

Picture Book·K-4·Self-Expression

One Small Moment: Learning to Tell Your Story

Rebecca Donnelly and Amélie Videlo

Cover of Freewater
K-5

Teacher's Guide

Freedom is not just the absence of chains, but the presence of community, courage, and the choice to build a new life together.

Picture Book·K-5·Community, courage, and the many meanings of freedom

Freewater

Amina Luqman-Dawson

Cover of Don't Feed the Bear
K-2

Teacher's Guide

Rules exist for a reason — but sometimes the reason is funnier than you'd expect, and following them helps everyone.

Picture Book·K-2·Rules & Consequences

Don't Feed the Bear

Kathleen Doherty, illustrated by Chip Wass

Cover of Growing Together
K-2

Teacher's Guide

Things grow when we care for them together — patience, teamwork, and nurturing help gardens and communities thrive.

Picture Book·K-2·Community & Growth

Growing Together

Ruth Spiro, pictures by Paola Escobar

Cover of Everything's Wrong!
K-3

Teacher's Guide

When everything goes wrong, friendship and humor can turn a bad day around.

Picture Book·K-3·Resilience & Friendship

Everything's Wrong!

Jory John

Cover of Sharks Unhooked: The Adventures of Cristina Zenato, Underwater Ranger
2-4

Teacher's Guide

Knowledge, compassion, and responsible action can help protect sharks and preserve healthy oceans for future generations.

Picture Book·2-4·Citizen Scientists

Sharks Unhooked: The Adventures of Cristina Zenato, Underwater Ranger

Patricia Newman

Cover of Nothing's Wrong!
K-2

Teacher's Guide

It's okay to not be okay — sharing what's bothering you is the first step to feeling better, and friends can help.

Picture Book·K-2·Friendship & Feelings

Nothing's Wrong!

Jory John, illustrated by Erin Kraan

Cover of Woodpecker Wham!
K-3

Teacher's Guide

Poetry and science both help us see the natural world in new and wondrous ways.

Picture Book·K-3·Poetry & Nature

Woodpecker Wham!

April Pulley Sayre

Cover of Goodnight, Butterfly
K-2

Teacher's Guide

Even when you're wide awake, a good routine helps you find your way to sleep.

Picture Book·K-2·Bedtime & Routines

Goodnight, Butterfly

Ross Burach

Cover of Even Steven: A Book About Sharing
K-2

Teacher's Guide

Sharing isn't always even — it's about finding balance and fairness together.

Picture Book·K-2·Sharing & Fairness

Even Steven: A Book About Sharing

Carrie Finison

Cover of Best Buds
K-3

Teacher's Guide

Friendship, like plants, grows when you give it care and patience.

Picture Book·K-3·Friendship & Kindness

Best Buds

Becky Scharnhorst

Cover of Deep Blue
K-3

Teacher's Guide

The ocean holds endless mysteries waiting to be explored.

Picture Book·K-3·Ocean & Imagination

Deep Blue

Dashka Slater

Cover of Fox Flies
K-2

Teacher's Guide

Sometimes you have to take a leap — and trust that you'll find your wings.

Easy Reader·K-2·Courage & Perseverance

Fox Flies

Corey R. Tabor

Cover of Ursula Down Upside
K-2

Teacher's Guide

Looking at things from a new perspective can change how we understand the world.

Picture Book·K-2·Perspective & Curiosity

Ursula Down Upside

Corey R. Tabor

Cover of Being a Cat
K-3

Teacher's Guide

Curiosity is a superpower — it helps us discover the wonders of the world.

Picture Book·K-3·Curiosity & Wonder

Being a Cat

Maria Gianferrari

Cover of Being a Dog
K-3

Teacher's Guide

Mindfulness helps us slow down and notice the world around us — just like a dog does.

Picture Book·K-3·Mindfulness & Well-Being

Being a Dog

Maria Gianferrari

Cover of Fox is Late
K-2

Teacher's Guide

Sometimes being late leads to the most unexpected adventures.

Easy Reader·K-2·Time & Consequence

Fox is Late

Corey R. Tabor

Cover of Mel Fell
K-2

Teacher's Guide

Sometimes falling is the first step to flying.

Picture Book·K-2·Courage & Growth

Mel Fell

Corey R. Tabor

Cover of Mr. McGinty's Monarchs
K-3

Teacher's Guide

One person's curiosity and care can make a big difference for nature.

Picture Book·K-3·Nature & Conservation

Mr. McGinty's Monarchs

Linda Vander Heyden

Cover of Be a Tree!
K-3

Teacher's Guide

We are all connected like the roots of a tree — strong together.

Picture Book·K-3·Community & Interconnection

Be a Tree!

Maria Gianferrari

Cover of Ready to Soar
PreK-2

Teacher's Guide

Every great flight begins with a single fold and the courage to let go.

Picture Book·PreK-2·Imagination & Dreams

Ready to Soar

Cori Doerrfeld

Cover of Fox at Night
K-2

Teacher's Guide

The dark isn't scary when you're brave enough to explore it.

Easy Reader·K-2·Courage & Curiosity

Fox at Night

Corey R. Tabor

Cover of Haiku, Ew!
2-5

Teacher's Guide

Even the grossest parts of nature have beauty and purpose.

Picture Book·2-5·Nature & Science

Haiku, Ew!

Lynn Brunelle

Cover of The Stuffie Stand
K-2

Teacher's Guide

Sharing what you love can bring people together and create something wonderful.

Picture Book·K-2·Entrepreneurship & Sharing

The Stuffie Stand

Maddie Frost

Cover of Thank a Farmer
K-3

Teacher's Guide

Every meal we eat connects us to the people who grow our food.

Picture Book·K-3·Community & Gratitude

Thank a Farmer

Maria Gianferrari

Cover of Like a Rainbow: The Colorful Story of Cyndi Lauper
K-3

Teacher's Guide

Music and color have the power to express who we are and bring people together.

Picture Book·K-3·Self-Expression & Identity

Like a Rainbow: The Colorful Story of Cyndi Lauper

Amy Guglielmo and Jacqueline Tourville

Cover of Fox Plays Ball
K-2

Teacher's Guide

The best games are the ones where everyone gets to play.

Easy Reader·K-2·Teamwork & Fair Play

Fox Plays Ball

Corey R. Tabor

Cover of Just Being Dalí: The Story of Artist Salvador Dalí
K-3

Teacher's Guide

Being true to yourself — even when the world thinks you're strange — is what makes you a masterpiece.

Picture Book·K-3·Individuality & Creativity

Just Being Dalí: The Story of Artist Salvador Dalí

Amy Guglielmo

Cover of Help Wanted: One Rooster
K-2

Teacher's Guide

Everyone has strengths — finding the right job means matching what you're good at with what's needed.

Picture Book·K-2·Teamwork & Community

Help Wanted: One Rooster

Julie Falatko, illustrated by Andrea Stegmaier

Cover of Balloons Over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy's Parade
K-3

Teacher's Guide

A creative inventor's curiosity and problem-solving can turn a simple idea into a beloved cultural tradition.

Picture Book·K-3·Creativity & Innovation

Balloons Over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy's Parade

Melissa Sweet

Cover of Fox Has a Problem
K-2

Teacher's Guide

Every problem has a solution if you stay calm and think creatively.

Easy Reader·K-2·Problem-Solving & Persistence

Fox Has a Problem

Corey R. Tabor

Cover of A Planet Like Ours
K-2

Teacher's Guide

Every individual has the power to protect and care for our shared environment.

Picture Book·K-2·Environmental Stewardship

A Planet Like Ours

Frank Murphy and Charnaie Gordon

Cover of A Voice Like Yours
K-2

Teacher's Guide

Your voice has the power to change the world when you use it with kindness and courage.

Picture Book·K-2·Self-Expression & Empowerment

A Voice Like Yours

Frank Murphy and April Groman

Cover of A Puppy Like Yours
K-2

Teacher's Guide

The bond between a child and a pet is built on care, patience, and love — and every pet is unique.

Picture Book·K-2·Animals & Responsibility

A Puppy Like Yours

Frank and Carla Murphy, illustrated by Kayla Harren

Cover of A Teacher Like You
K-2

Teacher's Guide

Teachers act as mentors and guides who help students realize their own unique potential.

Picture Book·K-2·Appreciation & Community

A Teacher Like You

Frank Murphy and Barbara Dan

Cover of Light as a Feather: Fifteen Phenomenal North American Birds
K-3

Teacher's Guide

Understanding wildlife helps people appreciate and protect the natural world and encourages students to become bird watchers.

Picture Book·K-3·Nature & Science

Light as a Feather: Fifteen Phenomenal North American Birds

Will Hillenbrand

Cover of Fox Catches a Wave
K-2

Teacher's Guide

Sometimes you just have to catch the wave — and ride it for all it's worth.

Easy Reader·K-2·Courage & Adventure

Fox Catches a Wave

Corey R. Tabor

Cover of A Season for Fishin'
K-3

Teacher's Guide

Family traditions connect us to our past and give us a sense of belonging.

Picture Book·K-3·Family Traditions

A Season for Fishin'

Pamela Courtney

Cover of Greatest in the World
K-2

Teacher's Guide

True greatness is found in friendship rather than competition.

Picture Book·K-2·Humility & Friendship

Greatest in the World

Ben Clanton

Cover of Bitsy Bat, School Star
PK-2

Teacher's Guide

Everyone has a special light to share — our differences make the classroom brighter.

Picture Book·PK-2·Belonging & Courage

Bitsy Bat, School Star

Kaz Windness

Cover of Pocket Full of Colors: The Magical World of Mary Blair
K-3

Teacher's Guide

Colors tell stories — Mary Blair showed the world that art can be bold, bright, and full of magic.

Picture Book·K-3·Creativity & Courage

Pocket Full of Colors: The Magical World of Mary Blair

Amy Guglielmo and Jacqueline Tourville

Cover of A Balloon for Isabel
K-2

Teacher's Guide

Creative problem solving can turn a frustrating situation into a success.

Picture Book·K-2·Problem Solving

A Balloon for Isabel

Deborah Underwood

Cover of If I Was a Horse
K-3

Teacher's Guide

Imagination lets us explore who we could be — and helps us discover who we already are.

Picture Book·K-3·Imagination & Self-Expression

If I Was a Horse

Sophie Blackall

Cover of The New Kid Has Fleas
K-3

Teacher's Guide

Don't judge a new friend by first impressions — curiosity and kindness reveal who people really are.

Picture Book·K-3·First Impressions & Friendship

The New Kid Has Fleas

Ame Dyckman

Cover of The Monsters' Monster
K-3

Teacher's Guide

Kindness is more powerful than being scary or mean.

Picture Book·K-3·Kindness & Friendship

The Monsters' Monster

Patrick McDonnell

Cover of If We Were Dogs
PreK-2

Teacher's Guide

The best friendships are full of imagination, celebration, and joy.

Picture Book·PreK-2·Love & Companionship

If We Were Dogs

Sophie Blackall

Cover of A Fish Like Me
1-4

Teacher's Guide

Freedom and joy can be found when we're brave enough to try — and everyone finds their own way to swim, to play, to be free.

Picture Book·1-4·Courage & Belonging

A Fish Like Me

Jamie Sumner, illustrated by Devon Holzwarth

Cover of Sneakiest in the World
K-2

Teacher's Guide

The most fun you can have is simply being the person you are.

Picture Book·K-2·Being Yourself

Sneakiest in the World

Ben Clanton

Cover of How to Build a Hug: Temple Grandin and Her Amazing Squeeze Machine
K-3

Teacher's Guide

When the world feels overwhelming, you can build something that helps you feel safe — and that invention might help others too.

Picture Book·K-3·Neurodiversity & Innovation

How to Build a Hug: Temple Grandin and Her Amazing Squeeze Machine

Amy Guglielmo and Jacqueline Tourville

Cover of Red Sings from Treetops: A Year in Colors
K-4

Teacher's Guide

Colors tell the story of the seasons and the world around us.

Picture Book·K-4·Seasons & Poetry

Red Sings from Treetops: A Year in Colors

Joyce Sidman

Cover of The Boy and the Whale
K-3

Teacher's Guide

Choosing to do the right thing often requires the courage to stand alone.

Picture Book·K-3·Compassion & Courage

The Boy and the Whale

Mordicai Gerstein

Cover of Flamingos Are Pretty Funky
K-3

Teacher's Guide

Nature is full of surprising and funky facts — learning about animals is fun!

Picture Book·K-3·Nature & Wonder

Flamingos Are Pretty Funky

Abi Cushman

Cover of Last Stop on Market Street
K-3

Teacher's Guide

Beauty is everywhere — if you know how to look — and gratitude for the ordinary can transform how we see the world.

Picture Book·K-3·Gratitude & Perspective

Last Stop on Market Street

Matt de la Peña, pictures by Christian Robinson

Cover of The Dog Who Saved the Bees
1-4

Teacher's Guide

Even the smallest helper can make a big difference for our planet.

Picture Book·1-4·Nature & Conservation

The Dog Who Saved the Bees

Stephanie Gibeault

Cover of Wally Mammoth: The Sled Race
K-2

Teacher's Guide

The thrill of the race isn't just about winning — it's about the friends you race with.

Picture Book·K-2·Friendship & Determination

Wally Mammoth: The Sled Race

Corey R. Tabor

Cover of Amos McGee Misses the Bus
K-3

Teacher's Guide

True friends show up for each other, even when things don't go as planned.

Picture Book·K-3·Friendship & Patience

Amos McGee Misses the Bus

Philip C. Stead

Cover of The Very Impatient Caterpillar
K-2

Teacher's Guide

Big changes take time — and patience is the hardest part of growing up.

Picture Book·K-2·Patience & Growth

The Very Impatient Caterpillar

Ross Burach

Cover of The Cool Bean Makes a Splash
K-2

Teacher's Guide

Being cool isn't about looking good — it's about being safe, kind, and having fun.

Easy Reader·K-2·Courage & Safety

The Cool Bean Makes a Splash

Jory John

Cover of Rot, the Cutest in the World
K-2

Teacher's Guide

Being yourself is always better than trying to fit someone else's definition of perfect.

Picture Book·K-2·Self-Acceptance

Rot, the Cutest in the World

Ben Clanton

Cover of The Little Butterfly That Could
K-2

Teacher's Guide

Even when you're scared, you can do hard things — one flap at a time.

Picture Book·K-2·Courage & Perseverance

The Little Butterfly That Could

Ross Burach

Cover of Squirrels Leap, Squirrels Sleep
K-2

Teacher's Guide

Every animal has a rhythm of action and rest that helps it survive.

Picture Book·K-2·Nature & Wonder

Squirrels Leap, Squirrels Sleep

April Pulley Sayre

Cover of Not How to Make a Jelly Sandwich
K-2

Teacher's Guide

Sometimes the best way to learn what to do is to laugh about what not to do.

Picture Book·K-2·Following Directions & Humor

Not How to Make a Jelly Sandwich

Ross Burach

Cover of The Good Egg and the Talent Show
K-2

Teacher's Guide

Everyone has a talent to share — and the courage to share it is what matters most.

Easy Reader·K-2·Courage & Self-Expression

The Good Egg and the Talent Show

Jory John

Cover of The Bad Seed Goes to the Library
K-2

Teacher's Guide

The library is a place where everyone belongs — even a Bad Seed.

Easy Reader·K-2·Reading & Belonging

The Bad Seed Goes to the Library

Jory John

Cover of This Book Is Dangerous
K-2

Teacher's Guide

Facing 'dangers' with curiosity and humor helps us build courage and resilience.

Picture Book·K-2·Courage & Adventure

This Book Is Dangerous

Ben Clanton

Cover of The Good, The Bad, and The Spooky
K-3

Teacher's Guide

Sometimes things seem spooky, but with courage and friends, we can face our fears.

Picture Book·K-3·Courage & Friendship

The Good, The Bad, and The Spooky

Jory John

Cover of You Are a Story
K-3

Teacher's Guide

Every person is a story — our experiences, families, and dreams make us who we are, and sharing our stories connects us.

Picture Book·K-3·Identity & Belonging

You Are a Story

Bob Raczka, pictures by Kristen and Kevin Howdeshell

Cover of Grace Builds an Almost-Perfect Dog
K-3

Teacher's Guide

Engineering is about designing, testing, and improving — and 'almost perfect' is a celebration of creativity, not a failure.

Picture Book·K-3·STEM & Engineering

Grace Builds an Almost-Perfect Dog

Curtis Manley, illustrated by Tracy Subisak

Cover of You're Going to Love This Book!
K-3

Teacher's Guide

Reading is an adventure — and it's okay if not everyone loves the same book.

Picture Book·K-3·Humor & Imagination

You're Going to Love This Book!

Jory John

Cover of Lucy! How Lucille Ball Did It All
K-3

Teacher's Guide

Lucille Ball proved that comedy is serious business — laughter can break barriers and change the world.

Picture Book·K-3·Perseverance & Humor

Lucy! How Lucille Ball Did It All

Amy Guglielmo and Jacqueline Tourville

Cover of Honeybee: The Busy Life of Apis Mellifera
K-4

Teacher's Guide

Every bee in a hive has a specific job, and together they create one of nature's most complex and important societies.

Picture Book·K-4·Nature & Environment

Honeybee: The Busy Life of Apis Mellifera

Candace Fleming

Cover of A Horse Named Jack
K-3

Teacher's Guide

Poetry helps us capture the beauty and spirit of the animals we love.

Picture Book·K-3·Friendship & Poetry

A Horse Named Jack

Linda Vander Heyden