How to make the most of your friendship with a reader or writer

As the days grow shorter, bedtime for kids gets earlier. To help make the transition from summer easier, we’ve found some great fiction and non-fiction books that will entertain and engage your child’s imagination during bedtime reading and cuddles.

FICTION (picture books)

“Be Good, Peanut Butter” by Nicole Helget, illustrated by Erin McClean (River Horse Children’s Books, $.)

Minnesotan Helget, author of books for children and adults, is a manuscript coach and consultant who lives on a farm in southern Minnesota.

Curious and eager, he sneaks out of the house in search of adventure, encountering new animals, exploring new places, smelling new smells. He even makes a friend. When he realizes the day is almost over, he must race home before the kids get there and find out he hasn’t been a good dog. Illustrator McClean, who lives in Northern Ireland, loves drawing cute, energetic characters and incorporating bright colors and traditional textures into her work.

“Finding Bunny” by Renee Bolla, illustrations by Jess Bircham (Independently published, $.Nothing creates more drama in a household than a lost pet.

Elle loves her best friend, Bunny, but when Mom leaves and Dad is in charge, Bunny is nowhere to be found. Just when Elle’s tears begin, Mom comes home and takes Bunny out of the washing machine. This charming story every kid who loves a stuffy can relate to is written by Minneapolis-based Bolla. She left her career as a retail executive (most recently at Targetto follow her dream of becoming a self-published author. She’s writing books for her three daughters. The illustrations are clean and simple, suited for little ones.

Matty Caron’s debut book, “Finding Bunny,” is a unique story inspired by the author’s real-life experiences. Written in memory of his late friend David Hietpas, the story follows a young prince who is afraid of the dark and goes on adventures with a mushroom, a daisy, an eagle, and a wolf. Although it is a slightly complicated story, it is perfect for young children who will relate to the main character’s struggles and triumphs.

Children who are past kindergarten age should enjoy Bill Tierney’s paintings, which are almost like photographs. “Sprinkles” by Allison Wood, illustrated by Samuel Waddle (Independently published, $. hardcover, $. paperbackis a pretty book that tells the story of Julia and her dad taking a walk to the bakery on a beautiful day to get doughnuts before Grandma comes to visit. The baker lets Julia pick one just for herself and she chooses “the pretty, pink, super-sprinkly” one. At home, she eats her treat and there are sprinkles everywhere, even on her cat.

Wood is an elementary English Learner teacher at St. Paul Public Schools. The illustrations in the text complement the light-hearted tone of the book. Minneapolis-based Free Spirit Publishing is an imprint of Teacher Created Materials and the leading publisher of learning tools that support young people’s social, emotional, and educational needs. Three Free Spirit books published this year ($.-$.fulfill this mission. “You Wonder All the Time,” written by child-development expert Deborah Farmer Kris and illustrated by Jennifer Zivoin, is the newest addition to the series.

What we can learn

Children who are past kindergarten age should enjoy Bill Tierney’s paintings, which are almost like photographs. “Sprinkles” by Allison Wood, illustrated by Samuel Waddle (Independently published, $. hardcover, $. paperback is a pretty book that tells the story of Julia and her dad taking a walk to the bakery on a beautiful day to get doughnuts before Grandma comes to visit. The baker lets Julia pick one just for herself and she chooses “the pretty, pink, super-sprinkly” one. At home, she eats her treat and there are sprinkles everywhere, even on her cat.