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Becca’s Book Box Blog
Where you can find no-nonsense tips, inspiration, research-backed insights, and other tools from literacy expert Becca Thiemann, PhD to support your child’s literacy journey.
6 Ways to Love Our Earth
It’s Earth Day this month, and it’s the perfect time to start conversations with our children about how we can care for our planet. Small, everyday choices can make a big difference—and when kids feel involved, those habits stick. Here are 6 simple ways to love our...
Sensory Bins Made Simple
Can I tell you something that might make your life easier: sensory bins don't need to be complicated. I know what you see on social media, meticulously themed bins with color coordinated materials, specific figurines and perfectly dyed rice in multiple colors. Don’t...
What I’m Putting in My Kids’ Easter Baskets This Year
How does Easter sneak up on us every year?! One minute it’s Valentine’s Day, and the next I’m digging through closets trying to find the baskets I definitely put in a “safe spot” I wouldn’t forget… If you’re anything like me, you want Easter baskets to feel...
March Magic: Activities for Kids
Hello March! The month where I am desperately praying winter is finally behind us (even though I know better). It’s the perfect time to daydream about spring, new growth, and of course touches of green for St. Patrick's Day! Whether you’re stuck inside during the...
Share the Love: 5 Ways to Play in February
Welcome to February! It’s the month of pinks, reds, and celebrating the people we love. It’s also the month where winter feels never ending and everyone is stir crazy. Here is a mix of quiet, creative, and high energy activities to keep everyone active and engaged...
Snowy Books with TV Specials
Winter is filled with blizzards, snow days/sick days and freezing temps keeping us inside more than we like. A fun activity for a cozy afternoon or evening is to read a snowy book and then watch the snowy episode of the story. Below are some of our favorite...
Snow Many Activities
Snow days don’t have to mean endless screen time. These low-prep snow activities use items you already have at home—and work for toddlers through early elementary kids. Is it just me or do snow days feel magical… until you’re inside with energetic kids and limited...
Our Favorite Yoto Cards for All Ages
After sharing our beginners guide to Yoto, one of the most common questions I get is: ”Okay…but which cards should I actually buy?” The amazing thing about Yoto’s library is that it truly is a library. And while that’s a gift, it can also feel overwhelming when you’re...
Books That Make Kids Laugh Out Loud
There is nothing like the sound of our children letting out a big, genuine belly laugh—the kind you wish you could bottle up and keep forever. Books have a special way of sparking those moments, and we have a few in our house that do it every single time. One of the...
Beyond the Page: Why You Need a Yoto
If you’ve spent any time on my page over the past few years, you’ve probably heard the word Yoto come up again and again. I rave about it, G and H beg for it, and I’ve realized that while it's magic in a box, it can be a bit confusing at first. Is it just a...
The Best Children’s Books for Welcoming a New Sibling
Welcoming a new baby is an exciting milestone for a family - but can also bring lots of questions and mixed emotions for older siblings as they anticipate this big change. It’s no secret we think books are the perfect way to start conversations about what your child...
5 Activities for Surviving the Rest of Winter with your Kids!
That post-Christmas, pre-New Year stretch can feel like a blur—and winter is just getting started. When the cold keeps everyone indoors, having a few go-to activities makes all the difference. Here are five fun ideas to help you get through winter break and the colder...
Nontraditional Gifts from Kids (that family members will actually want to keep)
There’s something extra special about a gift made by little hands. Not the kind that ends up in a drawer by February—but the kind you pull out year after year and think, I’m so glad we kept this. If you are looking for meaningful, non-traditional homemade gifts (I’m...
5 Easy Activities For Keeping Your Child Busy: Holiday Edition
The holidays are a magical—yet undeniably busy—time of year. As parents, having a few low-prep, low-cost activities up our sleeves to keep little ones happy during cold days, travel, or just because can make the season feel even more magical for everyone. Here are...
Books with Holiday Specials
If you have been loving holiday read-alouds, you might enjoy pairing it with a show. Here are some of our favorite children's books that have Christmas or winter holiday specials, perfect for December family nights! 1. If You Give A Mouse a Cookie Read it: If...
Gifts I Would Wish For If I Didn’t Already Have Them
As the holidays get closer, I have been thinking about things to gift, things I love, and things I would totally wish for if I didn't already have them. Some of these are things I had on my list forever and finally splurged on or things that were gifted to me last...
All the Best Christmas Books for 2025
I can't remember a holiday season where I was this excited about all the new Christmas books showing up on my doorstep. When I say these are some of the best, I mean it! Whimsical characters, bright and beautiful illustrations and meaningful storylines - these are all...
The Ultimate Interest-Based Gift Guide for Kids 0-8
Every year, it feels like the same question pops up: What gifts will my kids actually love—and keep playing with long after the holidays? As moms and educators, we’ve tested so many toys, books, and games over the years. This year, we wanted to make gift-giving easier...
Halloween Books with TV Specials
I’ve always been more of a book girl than a movie or TV person—but when it comes to Halloween, there are some super fun stories that have been transformed from page to screen in the best way. What makes them even better? Many of these book-to-TV adaptations are...
My Favorite Things Lately – October Edition
This is the latest list of things I am loving because they make my life easier, better, or just more fun. It is the most random list, but I will tell you why each thing made the cut! Everything is linked and while some are affiliate links and some are not, I always...
Do NOT Let Your Child Read These Books…
Do NOT read these books with your child—unless you want your child to grow into the kind of person who is kind, confident, resilient, and true to themselves. As a mom and an educator with a PhD, I know firsthand how powerful stories can be in shaping who our children...
Healthier and Allergy Safe Sweet Swaps
It’s almost that time of year when the candy starts rolling in and the sugar highs hit hard. As a parent, I care deeply about keeping sugar and artificial dyes to a minimum—not just for health reasons, but because we have life-threatening food allergies in our family....
What I Read This Summer – 2025
Reading to our children is important, but so is reading for ourselves. A few years ago, I was only reading non-fiction like parenting, self-help and business books. After a while, reading no longer felt like an escape, just work. Now I mix up what I consume. I flip...
My Favorite Things – End of Summer Edition
You asked, and I listened! In a recent Instagram poll, so many of you voted for a peek into the things my family and I have been loving lately—and I’m thrilled to share them with you. This post is a little different from my usual book-focused content, but I think...
Travel Toys That Actually Work: Our Favorite Picks for Happy, Engaged Kids on the Go
Traveling with kids is an adventure—and not just because of the destination! Whether you're heading out on a road trip, hopping on a flight, or spending a weekend away, keeping little ones entertained while on the move is key to a smoother journey. The right toys can...
The Best Snacks for All Your Adventures
It’s a fact: snacks make everything better. Whether you're on the go, traveling, or just hanging out at home, snacks are a must. We can all agree, a fed child is a happier child. As parents, we do our best to choose snacks that are both tasty and (at least somewhat)...
5 Reasons I Love the Yoto Player (That Might Surprise You)
If you’re considering a screen-free way to keep your child entertained, engaged, and learning, the Yoto Player is a game-changer. It’s more than just a speaker—it’s a magical storytelling companion that grows with your child and supports their development in ways that...
Bridging Separation at the Start of School
As with any new beginning, for children and adults alike, there is often anticipatory angst that stirs us up. The start of a new school year is no exception - new teachers, new friends, a new classroom, new routines, and most impactfully, separation from those to whom...
10 Easy Ways to Make Reading More Exciting
So you know the importance of daily reading for your child, but need some ways to switch it up so your child actually WANTS to read. Here are 10 easy ideas to make reading something the whole family looks forward to again! 1. Add Popsicles Enjoy popsicles (or any fun...
Building Literacy on the Potty: 6 Books That Support More Than Just Toilet Training
Here are five picture books and guides that work double duty: easing the transition out of diapers and laying a strong foundation for literacy and loving to read.
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One of the biggest factors impacting whether your child enjoys reading or not is the books you put in front of them. Let me guide you in picking books just right for your child. Selecting the Right Books for Your Child will help with children of any age, at home or in the classroom, anytime.