Children’s book recommendations with Audrey Peacock
Audrey’s Bookshelf
Good stories, curious minds, and a little wisdom from a retired gifted teacher.
Pull up a chair. Let’s find a book worth sharing with a child you love.
I’m Audrey, a retired teacher with more than 20 years in education, including 12 as a gifted specialist. Children’s books and the conversations they open still have a special place in my heart.
This is my little corner for parents, grandparents, teachers, and anyone who enjoys watching a child discover something new. You’ll find book recommendations, questions you can borrow, and simple ways to follow a child’s curiosity.
Find your shelf
What shall we read together?
Start with the kind of story you’re looking for. A book may belong on more than one shelf—good stories give us plenty to explore.
Share a story
Read-Aloud Favorites
Stories that are a pleasure to share, with memorable characters, inviting illustrations, and plenty to talk about along the way.
First on this shelf: Madeline
Explore Madeline →Make room for feelings
Big Feelings & Brave Hearts
Books that open gentle conversations about courage, kindness, friendship, belonging, and being yourself.
First on this shelf: The Invisible Leash — a gentle story about pet loss and lasting love.
Explore Big Feelings & Brave Hearts →Follow a question
Books for Curious Minds
Books that invite children to wonder, imagine, notice patterns, explore possibilities, and consider another point of view.
First on this shelf: The Mysteries of the Universe — space discoveries for children with big questions.
Explore Books for Curious Minds →Keep growing
Books to Grow With
Thoughtful reads older children can enjoy, too—with ideas and characters that give us something to think about long after the last page.
This shelf is growing. Recommendations coming soon.
Read through the year
Seasonal Bookshelf
Holiday and seasonal favorites to share as the year unfolds, from familiar traditions to the little changes children notice around them.
Now on this shelf: The Polar Express
Visit the Seasonal Bookshelf →Find comfort in a story
Books for Life’s Bumps
Stories to help children feel less alone, explore difficult situations, and open conversations with a caring adult.
This shelf is growing. Recommendations coming soon.
A seasonal spotlight
All aboard for a little Christmas wonder.
The Polar Express · Written and illustrated by Chris Van Allsburg
A magical train journey makes a lovely invitation to settle in with a child you love and let your imaginations travel.
Visit the Seasonal Bookshelf for my teacher’s perspective, conversation starters, a pretend train-ticket activity, and the Amazon link.
Explore The Polar ExpressLooking for Madeline? You’ll still find her on the Read-Aloud Favorites shelf.
A teacher’s eye. An aunt’s heart.
Enjoy the story. Follow the curiosity.
My gifted education background shapes the questions I bring to a book, but this bookshelf is for any curious child. I look for stories that invite children to notice, imagine, and see another point of view.
Each book page gives you a closer look at the story, ideas for conversation, and an optional activity. Use what fits your child and the moment. There’s no need to turn story time into a lesson.
I’ll add more books as this collection grows, and the featured spot will give us a place to share a fresh recommendation. The books already here will keep their own pages so you can return to them.
For now, open a book and enjoy the child beside you. You don’t have to ask a single question for that time to matter.
Happy reading,
Audrey