​Inspired by her life as a cave diver, underwater explorer, and filmmaker, Jill Heinerth encourages kids to build their self-esteem and imagine what they can become when they grow up. Jaime Kim's luminous art transports readers through time, showing how Jill's imagination as a young girl paved the way for her achievements as an underwater explorer.

Reese Witherspoon's charming story follows the excited and super-active Busy Betty. Always busy doing something, Betty faces the challenge of giving her dog, Frank, a bath. Xindi Yan's expressive artwork captures Betty's emotions perfectly. With her friend's help, Betty learns she can accomplish anything with perseverance, teamwork and one great idea.

When Flat Cat accidentally falls into the wash and emerges from the dryer, he becomes puffy and fluffy—which isn't working for him! Tara Lazar, with illustrations by New York Times bestselling illustrator Pete Oswald, presents a hilariously quirky story that will appeal to fans of Pete the Cat.

Broadcast journalist Hoda Kotb’s new book lyrically celebrates hope in children and teaches the youngest readers to reach for their dreams, whether they are as “big as the night sky” or “as small as a bowl of purple ice cream.” This story is a lesson in optimism and the power of a positive outlook.

Zoe, a young girl with hearing loss, dreams of playing on her school’s soccer team. Nervous to try out, Zoe finds support and perspectives from new friends. What starts as an anxiety-filled experience for Zoe transforms into an eye-opening lesson about what it means to be different and extraordinary.

From the New York Times bestselling author of Be Kind comes an uplifting classroom tale about students creating a vegetable garden on their school's rooftop. Millie, who recently moved to a new city, realizes the school's flat roof is perfect for a garden. With her teacher and classmates on board, they learn that building a garden takes hard work and the whole school's cooperation.

Two girls, one living in the mountains of New Mexico and the other in Tanzania, embark on a friendship journey through letter writing. Through a library pen pal program, the girls discover their commonalities from across the globe. Like You, Like Me might inspire your child to seek out a pen pal during their summer vacation!

In this heartwarming tale, Lilly, an old lighthouse in the town of Lea, faces demolition plans from the local council. However, a storm changes everything one fateful night. Lilly the Lighthouse is the first book in The Dwellings children’s picture book series.

A grumpy urban kid discovers that the (not-so) great outdoors can be just as exciting as screens and skyscrapers in this playful picture book. As she explores forests, lakes, and mountains, and encounters bears, beavers and caribou, she realizes that simpler things can be just as sparkly.

New York Times bestseller and Caldecott Medal winner Brendan Wenzel offers a visual delight and charming read-aloud that explores the concept of perception. In this celebration of observation, curiosity and imagination, Wenzel shows the many lives of one cat and how perspective shapes what we see. When you see a cat, what do you see?

​
All of First R’s recommendations can be found at The Bookstore of Gloucester. If you haven’t already visited this charming bookstore in the historic west end of downtown Gloucester, Massachusetts, drop by today.