Between the overcast skies and Omicron, things are pretty hygge around Seattle. So grab your coziest blanket, stoke the logs in the fireplace and settle in to read with your little bookworms. With everything from hot-off-the-presses titles by local authors to classic books you must read, our lit picks should get your family through these hunkered-down times without a hitch.
Books for Sports Fans
The Heart of the Storm
We can’t wait for this picture book bio about everyone’s favorite Storm player—Sue Bird—to drop on March 1. It tells the origin story of this basketball superstar, from her early days in New York to the present, where she dominates in the WNBA. We always cheer for more Sue!
Pre-order it on amazon, $19
A Ticket to the Pennant: A Tale of Baseball in Seattle
Before the Mariners played in T-Moblie Park… or Safeco Field… or the Kingdome, they were the Seattle Rainiers and they played at Sicks Stadium. In this story, young Huey retraces his steps around Sicks Stadium in search of his lost ticket to the Rainier’s pennant game. And oldie but a goodie, it’s a captivating walk through Seattle’s past.
Find it on amazon, $18
I Can Play Too
She's an Olympic gold medalist, has a place in the Hockey Hall of Fame and scouts players for the Kraken. Now Cammi Granato can add "children's book author" to her impressive resume. Any time is a great time to read this story about young Mimi who wants to play ice hockey. But that's not something girls from her town do. Based on Granato's own inspiring life, this one's a winner.
Find it online, $18
Books for Nature Lovers
The Birders
Even city kids will appreciate this hot-off-the-presses whimsical story of an elderly man and his young neighbor who join forces to find an elusive snowy owl that lives in their neighborhood. Their friendship spans the generations, and the story is told with the keen eye (and goofy humor) that only dads seem to possess (the author is a father of two). Psst… this book pairs well with another of our favorites, Look at That Bird!
Find it on amazon, $17
1-2-3 Salish Sea: A Pacific Northwest Counting Book
This book by Olympia-based paper artist, Nikki McClure, hit bookshelves around this time last year. Perfect for tots, it counts sea creatures as friends every PNW kid will recognize. From one stubby squid exploring below to twenty clams that make a great octopus feast, kids won't just learn how to count with this book, they'll also learn about the local marine life that bring magic to our area.
Find it on amazon, $10
Bea’s Bees
Maybe you’ve read this story at a local PopUp StoryWalk or heard author Katherine Pryor at a reading. It’s the story of a young girl, Bea, and her inspiring quest to save her neighborhood bees who have disappeared. Filled with fun bee facts and actionable ways kids can help bolster the bee population, this is a great read any time of year.
Find it on amazon, $17
Books for History Buffs
Galloping Gertie: The True Story of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge Collapse
If you’ve ever skipped the ferry and driven to the Olympic Peninsula instead, there’s a good chance you’ve crossed over the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. Before your next road trip, sit down with the kids to read this new book that’s packed with scientific and historical facts about Gertie’s infamous collapse in 1940 (the same year she was built). Psst... you can see video of Gertie's collapse at the Harbor History Museum in Gig Harbor.
Find it on amazon, $16
The Spirit of Springer: The Real-Life Rescue of an Orphaned Orca
This book by author Amanda Abler and illustrator Levi Hastings details the real-life rescue of Springer, a northern resident orca found swimming alone in Puget Sound in 2002. The book immerses kids in the thrilling details of the heroic rescue and even follows up with Springer in the present. The extras about Springer’s orca family tree and the state of our resident orcas found in the bonus pages are… well, a true bonus.
Find it on amazon, $11
New Kids’ Books by Seattle Authors
Sumo Counting & Sumo Opposites
Whether you buy them as a pair or choose one over the other, we love these new board books by Seattle mom, Sinae Ishida. Kids learn about sumo culture alongside primer basics like counting and opposites. And the illustrations are beyond cute.
Find Sumo Counting on amazon, $9
Find Sumo Opposites on amazon, $10
You Might Be Special
If you’ve got a special kid—and we know you do—they’ll love taking this quiz that doubles as a book. Written by local mom, Kerri Kokias, it includes mostly silly and a few serious questions that help kids answer the essential question. Hint: In doing so, they’ll figure out that while we’re all different, each of us is special in our own way.
Find it on amazon, $17
The Whale Child
This middle grade book by local brother/sister writing duo, Keith and Chenoa Egawa, is a must-read for any kiddo who is concerned about the health of our planet. It's the story of Shiny, a whale child who agrees to be turned into a human boy so he can warn people about the way carelessness and waste are endangering the Earth's oceans. Along the way, he meets Alex, a Coast Salish girl, who joins him and helps spread his message of hope and the importance of environmental stewardship.
Find it on amazon, $19
Forever Favorites
The Wheedle Books
Every Seattle kid knows the red light atop the Space Needle is the Wheedle’s blinking nose. If they don’t they, it’s time to sit down with this original Seattle children’s book. Whether you read the book that started it all or the sequel that features a friend for the Wheedle, these books will build your kid’s city smarts.
Find The Wheedle on the Needle on amazon, $10
The Larry Gets Lost Books
Written by local singer/songwriter, Eric Ode, we’re big fans on the Larry books. If Larry’s adventures around Seattle or his undersea escapades aren’t on your bookshelf, they should be. Both are written with Seattle kids in mind, as they’re full of city favorites discussing everything from the monorail and Pike Street Market to the ferries and Puget Sound creatures kids spy during low tide.
Find Larry Gets Lost in Seattle on amazon, $13
Goodnight Seattle
This is an oldie but a goodie, and for toddlers who love exploring the Emerald City, it doesn’t get more “real” than this book. It features all the family-friendly spots kids love, like the Woodland Park Zoo, the Museum of Flight and the Seattle Aquarium. Is your copy as worn out as ours?
Find it on amazon, $10
—Allison Sutcliffe
RELATED STORIES:
Read This! 7 Awesome Northwest Kids’ Books
7 Great Independent Bookstores for Pint-Sized Bookworms
100 Things Every Seattle Kid Should Do at Least Once
Bravo! 11 Local Shows for Kids We Can’t Wait For
