Rosie and the Hurricane, by Fernanda Ferrell-Zabala, Olga Zabala and Erin Sells, illustrated by David Acevedo
After Hurricane Ian, Fernanda Ferrell-Zabala—whose family started Fort Myers’ Advanced Hurricane Technology preparedness company—wanted to ease kids’ fears by helping them understand big, scary storms. She and some friends wrote this book about a young girl’s hurricane experience. Littles learn along with Rosie as she processes her emotions, helps with shutters; rides out the storm with her dog in a blanket fort, and gathers supplies to aid neighbors in the aftermath.
Big Ole Day at the Beach, by Carter Hamric, illustrated by Olivia Vanderhagen
On his first of many family beach trips, singer-songwriter Carter Hamric wrote the song “Big Ole Day” about critters and experiences found by the sea. The lively song lyrics are now scrawled through the pages of the namesake book alongside pastel-hued coastal scenes by local illustrator Olivia Vanderhagen. There’s also an accompanying QR code so you can stream the song, making for the perfect interactive bedtime story. “Kids love upbeat sing-alongs,” Olivia says.
Between Your Toes, by Patrick Lane, illustrated by Karin Yoshida
Between Your Toes encourages kids to foster mindfulness, self-care and an open, loving heart while connecting with nature. Sweetly illustrated pages of children in the outdoors invite little ones to tune into nature, appreciate their surroundings and find peace through simple grounding exercises. The author recommends that parents read along with kids for a shared centering experience. With wisdom that applies to all ages, this is a little book with a big universal message.
Gilbert’s Migration Vacation, by Susan Sachs Levine, illustrated by Irene Bofill
Florida Master Naturalist Susan Sachs Levine traces the adventures of a young sanderling migrating from the Canadian Arctic to Marco Island. Along the margins, children find facts about the ‘original snowbirds,’ which fly thousands of miles nonstop between their northern and southern homes. “I wanted to highlight how important these shorebirds are,” the author says. The story weaves an underlying message of resilience as it reinforces the importance of being a good steward and protecting the winged critters.
Local artist Carol Coates fosters empathy and open-mindedness through her children’s coffee table book, MindsEye.
Growing up, Fort Myers artist Carol Coates never felt like she fit in, leading to lifelong questions about identity and perception. These themes are reflected through her MindsEye series, and the accompanying picture book, which presents a medley of colorful characters with scrap-metal glasses, representing how our outlooks shape how we see others and the world. Each page pairs a character with probing questions like “What do you think her name is?” or “What is his favorite food?” One of the last pages has a mirror, prompting kids to apply the process to themselves. What do they see? What could they be without the limits of others’ expectations? While the book is geared toward kiddos, it’s meant to be shared with adults (we’re never too old for a perspective shift).