Kids Book Recommendations: Adventures We Can Take From the Living Room Floor
1. An Invitation to Adventure (No Packing Required)
One of my favorite things about being a mama is taking my kids on adventures. They learn to lift their heads, see, sit, stand, walk, run, dance, etc. They learn from the world and grow in their knowledge.
Reading to my boys is a wonderful adventure. It's one that I am grateful to be a part of this adventure almost every night. Reading is a different kind of adventure. It's one where we walk through wardrobes and meet talking lions. We spin in a treehouse to the pyramids. We learn to talk to the animals like the wild robot.
Research has shown that shared reading in early childhood supports communication and connection, not just academic skills (Raikes et al., 2006).
We love adventures. Opening a book is a trip, a quiet, shared adventure. You don't need plane tickets, gear, or perfect schedules. It is an accessible, every-day adventure.
2. The Night a Story Became Real
I started reading The Chronicles of Narnia to my eldest when he was just under two years old. Admittedly, it started out as a bit of a trick to get him to fall asleep. He loved listening to his parents read and would only slow down for that.
I remember, staying in a little airbnb on the west side of the island, reading this portion of the story. The little boy looked up at me and asked, "He died?"
While he was probably closer to three years old at the time we got to this chapter and doing his best applying any skill in his power to staying up a little later, he knew that his hero died.
This wasn't a perfect reading experience
3. Why We Choose Stories
Books have always been part of my identity. I remember when I was little grabbing a pile of chapter books and pretending to read each one. I opened each page, looked at the words, and didn't understand one of them. All I knew is that I looked at each line and turned each page faster than my brother.
I loved the library -- even won my beloved blue guitar from summer reading.
I started writing my own stories in the margins of my notes. I believe in the power of stories. Stories can be a little lost girl's first introduction into different cultures and identities. They can be a tool for empathy and curiosity. For a little girl full of curiosity and shackled by the restraint of fortune, a way to explore the world.
As a mom, I believe that stories can have power for my boys as well. Studies in early childhood development consistently show that shared reading builds language, empathy, and narrative understanding, not just literacy (Whitehurst & Lonigan, 1998).
4. Whose Voices Fill Our Shelves
As I cultivate my children's and my home library, I try my best to fill it with a variety of voices. I think each voice is necessary, each has a story to tell. It is important to be intentional about what voices you give power to.
Through this blog, I hope to share stories that my boys love from authors from a variety of backgrounds. It's worth considering share stories from diverse backgrounds and family structures and to be thoughtful about the messages kids absorb.
That being said, I'm still creating and cultivating our library. I'm learning. It's far from perfect. I look forward to hearing your recommendations as well.
5. Sharing the Stories We Love
We’d love to share the adventures we go on from the comfort of our pajamas, and we hope these stories spark curiosity, laughter, and conversation in your home too. And as always, we’d love to hear about your favorites — let’s grow our library together and share in the joy of discovery.
6. How the Series Will Work
Each month, I’ll be sharing a new feature full of book adventures — blog post and Instagram Reel included — so you can join us wherever you like to explore stories. My goal is to keep it simple, sustainable, and predictable, because adventures are best when they’re easy to fit into real life.
Every post will include:
- What my kids loved — the moments that made them laugh, gasp, or beg for “just one more chapter.”
- What stood out to me as a parent — little insights, reflections, or surprises along the way.
- Cultural or emotional themes — the ideas, lessons, and perspectives these stories offer.
The age range will grow as my boys do, so over time, you’ll see picks that suit toddlers through early elementary and beyond.
“Once a king or queen in Narnia, always a king or queen in Narnia.”
In our world, that magic comes from curiosity, imagination, and the stories we explore together — whether from a cozy nook, the living room floor, or under a blanket fort.
7. Step Through the Wardrobe With Us
Stories are best enjoyed together — and we’d love to share this adventure with you. As C.S. Lewis wrote in The Chronicles of Narnia:
“Courage, dear heart.”
Sometimes all it takes is a little courage to open a book, share a story, or try a new adventure — whether that’s a picture book with your toddler or a chapter book with your early reader.
We invite you to:
- Share your favorite kids’ books with us
- Recommend authors or cultures to highlight
- Read along with your kids and savor the moments
If you’d like to follow our adventures more closely, you can follow along on Instagram for weekly inspiration.
Let’s explore, imagine, and discover together — because every book opens a new world, and every story is an adventure waiting to be shared.
