I have spent almost three decades living and working with young children. I know that when a little one is struggling with a transition during the day, most everything can be righted by a snuggle, a snack, a story, a bit of outdoor time, or a rest. I always have a snack and a book with me just so I can be ready to help a wee one through a tough patch in their day. When 10 Nesting Swallows by Tammar Stein landed on my desk from the publisher, I saw that I had a new title to add to my bag of tricks. 

10 Nesting Swallows is a book written for the youngest ones in our lives. Full color paintings accompany gentle counting phrases in this board book sized perfectly for little hands and cozy read alouds. Ten different birds are featured in the book, paired with authentic representations of each avian friend. Scripture referencing each of the birds is folded in on each page spread. The early childhood educator part of me loves that the book counts the birds backwards, giving children the chance to learn this skill in a natural way, giving them a boost when it’s time to learn subtraction. The special educator part of me loves that the illustrations are realistic and appeal to our neurodiverse children that need illustrations to be accurate representations of what they are reading about. The Christian educator part of me loves that Scripture is incorporated throughout so that children can hear God’s words from an early age and in a snuggly, comforting way. The parent part of me loves that this book won’t be easily ripped and can travel in my bag every day so we can pull it out in the waiting rooms, carpool pick ups, and other transitional times during our days when we need something to help us center ourselves. This title is definitely worthy your attention!