Feeling overwhelmed by the idea of choosing from over 100 new picture books? I get it—sometimes having too many amazing options can make planning feel harder, not easier. That's exactly why I created this episode: to give you my top 10 picks from the brand-new 2025 Read Aloud Guide. Think of it as your "best of" sampler—the books I absolutely couldn't resist highlighting because they're that engaging and that teachable.

In this episode, I'm sharing 10 incredible picture books that will captivate your students and make your teaching life easier. From themes and character traits to problem-solving and teamwork, each book comes with a ready-made lesson plan in the Colorful Apple Book Club. Plus, I'll show you how to download a free printable version of this minimalist guide so you can keep these titles handy when you're planning. If you're looking for fresh, meaningful read-alouds without the guesswork, this episode is for you!

💙 Get the 2025 Read Aloud Guide here!

📖 Download the 2025 Minimalist Read Aloud Guide (free!)

📓 Join the Colorful Apple Book Club!

📚 Books in this Episode:

• Nellie’s Big Splash
• The Gift of Words
• Wish in a Tree
• Saif’s Special Patches
• Orson and the World’s Loudest Library
• Signs of Friendship
• The Trouble with Giraffes
• The Littlest Drop
• Beansprout
• The Most Magnificent Team

Join the Colorful Apple Book Club!

Check out the TpT Store.
Join our FREE Facebook Group all about read alouds.

Keep your teaching colorful,
Sara :)

The Colorful Apple

Full disclosure: Amazon links in my descriptions are usually affiliate links which means if you purchase through that link, I receive a very small percentage of the sale.

Looking for the perfect picture book gifts this season? Whether you're shopping for your students, building your classroom library, or picking out books for your own kids, I've got you covered! In this episode, I'm sharing 9 brand new picture books from 2025 that make absolutely perfect gifts—and every single one comes straight from my 2025 Read Aloud Guide.

From heartwarming winter tales and hilarious stories about self-acceptance to books that teach mindfulness and creative expression, these picks have something for everyone. I'll walk you through why each book makes such a thoughtful gift, and I'll share how you can use them in your classroom too. Ready to find your next favorite read-aloud? Let's dive in!

💙 Get the 2025 Read Aloud Guide here!

📓 Join the Colorful Apple Book Club!

📚 Books in this Episode:

• Billie Jean Peet, Athlete
• Hedgehogs Don’t Wear Underwear
• I Got You
• Odder: An Otter’s Story
• Rap It Up!
• The Gift of Words
• The Littlest Solstice Tree
• The Marvelous Now
• The Old Sleigh

Join the Colorful Apple Book Club!

Check out the TpT Store.
Join our FREE Facebook Group all about read alouds.

Keep your teaching colorful,
Sara :)

The Colorful Apple

Full disclosure: Amazon links in my descriptions are usually affiliate links which means if you purchase through that link, I receive a very small percentage of the sale.

I've been working on something since January that I can't WAIT to share with you! If you love discovering brand new picture books (and I know you do - those are always my most popular episodes), then you're going to be so excited about the 2025 Read Aloud Guide. It's a comprehensive resource featuring over 100 brand new picture books from 2025, all personally vetted by me, with teaching applications for each one. But more than telling you what it is, I want to share WHY I created it and how I think it's going to transform your read aloud planning.

In this episode, I'm pulling back the curtain on the entire process - from reading over 300 books to shuffling index cards on my floor to organize them into categories. I'll share what makes brand new books so powerful for students, the problem this guide solves for busy teachers, and the two most important things you'll get from using it. Whether you're tired of using the same books year after year or you just want to feel more confident in your book choices, this episode is for you. The guide launches December 1st, and I hope you'll join me in bringing more excitement and fresh content to your read alouds this year!

💙 Get the 2025 Read Aloud Guide here! (on December 1st)

Join the Colorful Apple Book Club!

Check out the TpT Store.
Join our FREE Facebook Group all about read alouds.

Keep your teaching colorful,
Sara :)

The Colorful Apple

Full disclosure: Amazon links in my descriptions are usually affiliate links which means if you purchase through that link, I receive a very small percentage of the sale.