Feeling overwhelmed by the idea of choosing from over 100 new picture books? I get it—sometimes having too many amazing options can make planning feel harder, not easier. That's exactly why I created this episode: to give you my top 10 picks from the brand-new 2025 Read Aloud Guide. Think of it as your "best of" sampler—the books I absolutely couldn't resist highlighting because they're that engaging and that teachable.

In this episode, I'm sharing 10 incredible picture books that will captivate your students and make your teaching life easier. From themes and character traits to problem-solving and teamwork, each book comes with a ready-made lesson plan in the Colorful Apple Book Club. Plus, I'll show you how to download a free printable version of this minimalist guide so you can keep these titles handy when you're planning. If you're looking for fresh, meaningful read-alouds without the guesswork, this episode is for you!

💙 Get the 2025 Read Aloud Guide here!

📖 Download the 2025 Minimalist Read Aloud Guide (free!)

📓 Join the Colorful Apple Book Club!

📚 Books in this Episode:

• Nellie’s Big Splash
• The Gift of Words
• Wish in a Tree
• Saif’s Special Patches
• Orson and the World’s Loudest Library
• Signs of Friendship
• The Trouble with Giraffes
• The Littlest Drop
• Beansprout
• The Most Magnificent Team

Join the Colorful Apple Book Club!

Check out the TpT Store.
Join our FREE Facebook Group all about read alouds.

Keep your teaching colorful,
Sara :)

The Colorful Apple

Full disclosure: Amazon links in my descriptions are usually affiliate links which means if you purchase through that link, I receive a very small percentage of the sale.

Looking for the perfect picture book gifts this season? Whether you're shopping for your students, building your classroom library, or picking out books for your own kids, I've got you covered! In this episode, I'm sharing 9 brand new picture books from 2025 that make absolutely perfect gifts—and every single one comes straight from my 2025 Read Aloud Guide.

From heartwarming winter tales and hilarious stories about self-acceptance to books that teach mindfulness and creative expression, these picks have something for everyone. I'll walk you through why each book makes such a thoughtful gift, and I'll share how you can use them in your classroom too. Ready to find your next favorite read-aloud? Let's dive in!

💙 Get the 2025 Read Aloud Guide here!

📓 Join the Colorful Apple Book Club!

📚 Books in this Episode:

• Billie Jean Peet, Athlete
• Hedgehogs Don’t Wear Underwear
• I Got You
• Odder: An Otter’s Story
• Rap It Up!
• The Gift of Words
• The Littlest Solstice Tree
• The Marvelous Now
• The Old Sleigh

Join the Colorful Apple Book Club!

Check out the TpT Store.
Join our FREE Facebook Group all about read alouds.

Keep your teaching colorful,
Sara :)

The Colorful Apple

Full disclosure: Amazon links in my descriptions are usually affiliate links which means if you purchase through that link, I receive a very small percentage of the sale.

I've been working on something since January that I can't WAIT to share with you! If you love discovering brand new picture books (and I know you do - those are always my most popular episodes), then you're going to be so excited about the 2025 Read Aloud Guide. It's a comprehensive resource featuring over 100 brand new picture books from 2025, all personally vetted by me, with teaching applications for each one. But more than telling you what it is, I want to share WHY I created it and how I think it's going to transform your read aloud planning.

In this episode, I'm pulling back the curtain on the entire process - from reading over 300 books to shuffling index cards on my floor to organize them into categories. I'll share what makes brand new books so powerful for students, the problem this guide solves for busy teachers, and the two most important things you'll get from using it. Whether you're tired of using the same books year after year or you just want to feel more confident in your book choices, this episode is for you. The guide launches December 1st, and I hope you'll join me in bringing more excitement and fresh content to your read alouds this year!

💙 Get the 2025 Read Aloud Guide here! (on December 1st)

Join the Colorful Apple Book Club!

Check out the TpT Store.
Join our FREE Facebook Group all about read alouds.

Keep your teaching colorful,
Sara :)

The Colorful Apple

Full disclosure: Amazon links in my descriptions are usually affiliate links which means if you purchase through that link, I receive a very small percentage of the sale.

Looking for an easy way to add some reading magic to November while building your students' knowledge across subjects? Welcome to KNOW-vember! This episode is all about celebrating nonfiction picture books – those powerful tools that help students build background knowledge, strengthen information literacy, and explore their personal interests in science, history, and the world around them. Plus, nonfiction is a game-changer for students who just aren't connecting with fiction but light up when reading about real things, real people, and real animals.

In this episode, I'm sharing 10 incredible nonfiction picture books perfect for your K-3 classroom – from inspiring biographies like I Am Ruby Bridges and The Oldest Student, to fascinating science titles like Give Bees a Chance and The Moon Book, to engaging social studies reads like One Plastic Bag and Let's Celebrate! Best part? Every single book has a corresponding lesson plan waiting for you in the Colorful Apple Book Club membership, so you can grab it and go with zero extra prep time. Let's dive in and make November a month of discovering, exploring, and learning!

📓 Join the Colorful Apple Book Club!

💙 50 Picture Books Every Classroom Needs (freebie!)

📚 Books in this Episode:

• I am Ruby Bridges
• Recess at 20 Below
• Nature’s Patchwork Quilt
• One Plastic Bag
• Give Bees a Chance
• Be a King
• The Oldest Student
• The Moon Book
• Joan Proctor, Dragon Doctor
• Let’s Celebrate

Join the Colorful Apple Book Club!

Check out the TpT Store.
Join our FREE Facebook Group all about read alouds.

Keep your teaching colorful,
Sara :)

The Colorful Apple

Full disclosure: Amazon links in my descriptions are usually affiliate links which means if you purchase through that link, I receive a very small percentage of the sale.

Need some giggles in your classroom this November? Turkey picture books are about to become your secret weapon for keeping students engaged while still teaching those important comprehension skills! From turkeys in disguise to clever birds outsmarting farmers, these stories bring the perfect blend of silly and meaningful to your read aloud time.

In this episode, I'm sharing 8 turkey picture books that will have your students laughing, predicting, and making connections—without you spending your whole weekend planning. We'll explore books perfect for teaching everything from character traits to problem and solution, plus I'll share why these stories work so well during this busy time of year. Let's make November reading fun again!

📓 Join the Colorful Apple Book Club!

📬 Book of the Week email

💙 50 Picture Books Every Classroom Needs (freebie!)

📚 Books in this Episode:

• A Turkey for Thanksgiving
• Turkey Trouble
• How to Catch a Turkey
• A Plump and Perky Turkey
• Turk and Runt
• Gobble Gobble
• Too Many Turkeys
• The Great Turkey Race

Join the Colorful Apple Book Club!

Check out the TpT Store.
Join our FREE Facebook Group all about read alouds.

Keep your teaching colorful,
Sara :)

The Colorful Apple

Full disclosure: Amazon links in my descriptions are usually affiliate links which means if you purchase through that link, I receive a very small percentage of the sale.

Tired of scrolling endlessly through book lists trying to find the perfect read alouds for your classroom? Let me do the heavy lifting for you! In this month's new picture book roundup, I'm sharing seven amazing releases that are going to make your students light up—from hilarious tales about impatient kids with hiccups to heartwarming stories about family traditions and cozy winter adventures. Whether you need a book to teach patience, celebrate cultural heritage, or just bring some laughter into your classroom, I've got you covered.

In this episode, we're diving into brand new releases including the latest from fan favorites like Drew Daywalt, Jory John, and Jan Brett, plus discovering some incredible new voices. I'll share what each book is about and why your students will love them—no note-taking required since everything is linked in the show notes! Plus, I'm sharing how you can save your weekends with my Book of the Week email that plans your Monday read aloud for you. Grab your coffee and let's explore these treasures together!

📓 Join the Colorful Apple Book Club!

📬 Book of the Week email

💙 50 Picture Books Every Classroom Needs (freebie!)

📚 Books in this Episode:

• A Cure for the Hiccups
• Goodnight Crayons
• The Humble Pie
• The Old Sleigh
• The Snowball Fight
• The Christmas Sweater
• A Knot is Not a Tangle
• A Quick Trip to the Store

Join the Colorful Apple Book Club!

Check out the TpT Store.
Join our FREE Facebook Group all about read alouds.

Keep your teaching colorful,
Sara :)

The Colorful Apple

Full disclosure: Amazon links in my descriptions are usually affiliate links which means if you purchase through that link, I receive a very small percentage of the sale.

Here's the truth: Indigenous voices deserve to be celebrated in our classrooms every single day, not just in November. With 574 federally recognized Native American tribes in the United States, each with their own unique cultures and traditions, there's a whole world of incredible stories we should be sharing with our students year-round. These books help all our students see beyond a narrow Euro-centric viewpoint, and for Native American children, seeing themselves represented positively is incredibly empowering.

In this episode, I'm sharing nine beautiful picture books written by Native American authors that you can read with your students any time of year. From environmental activism and cultural celebrations to identity, dance, and finding our gifts in the natural world, these books offer rich, important perspectives that belong on your classroom bookshelf. I'll share the title, author, and what makes each book special—plus a reminder that change really can begin on your bookshelf. Let's celebrate Indigenous authors and stories together!

📓 Join the Colorful Apple Book Club!

📬 Book of the Week email

💙 50 Picture Books Every Classroom Needs (freebie!)

📚 Books in this Episode:

• We are Water Protectors
• Fry Bread
• We are Still Here
• Raven’s Ribbons
• The Gift of the Great Buffalo
• I Hope
• Bowwow Powwow
• Finding My Dance
• Bud Finds Her Gift

Join the Colorful Apple Book Club!

Check out the TpT Store.
Join our FREE Facebook Group all about read alouds.

Keep your teaching colorful,
Sara :)

The Colorful Apple

Full disclosure: Amazon links in my descriptions are usually affiliate links which means if you purchase through that link, I receive a very small percentage of the sale.

Want to spark meaningful conversations about kindness without adding another thing to your already packed schedule? Picture books are your secret weapon! With World Kindness Day coming up on November 13th, this is the perfect time to explore stories that help students understand what kindness really looks like—but honestly, these books work magic any time of year.

In this episode, I'm sharing ten beautiful picture books about kindness that'll transform those tricky friendship moments and build genuine empathy in your classroom. From brand new releases to beloved classics, you'll discover stories about inclusion, celebrating differences, handling big emotions, and the ripple effect of small acts of kindness. I'll give you the title, author, and a helpful synopsis for each book so you can pick the perfect ones for your students. Let's make kindness more than just a buzzword and turn it into everyday action in your classroom!

📓 Join the Colorful Apple Book Club!

📬 Book of the Week email

💖 Be Kind lesson plan

💙 50 Picture Books Every Classroom Needs (freebie!)

📚 Books in this Episode:

• The Trouble with Giraffes
• You Can Sit with Me
• Sincerely, Emerson
• Hana’s Hundreds of Hijabs
• Punch! A Story about Kindness
• Hugo
• One Small Thing
• The Kindest Red
• A Small Kindness
• Be Kind

Join the Colorful Apple Book Club!

Check out the TpT Store.
Join our FREE Facebook Group all about read alouds.

Keep your teaching colorful,
Sara :)

The Colorful Apple

Full disclosure: Amazon links in my descriptions are usually affiliate links which means if you purchase through that link, I receive a very small percentage of the sale.