The Things I Love by Christina M. Carroll, Illustrated by Jenny Slife

A charming children’s book with a vivid scrapbook-style layout, The Things I Love by Christina M. Carroll and illustrated by Jenny Slife is a simple but expressive book about everyday joys. Listing things that he loved from the ages of 10 to 1, we find the young boy’s favorite activities – from camping in the wild at 10 to chewing his toe at 1. Most importantly, many of these activities involve the outside world and don’t involve video games or smartphones, encouraging kids to look beyond their screens – a message that is increasingly vital, and subtly presented here. An appreciation for the small things in life that aren’t very small at all, this is a beautifully illustrated book with enduring themes of friendship, exploration, and family.