I'm thankfully reading this weekend.
Thank you, Jenn, for this fun event!
And, now, here's the list I promised you,
The Best Children's
Fiction Picture Books
of 2011
FRIENDSHIP STORIES
Bug and Bear: A Story of True Friendship by Ann Bonwill
Bug wants Bear to play but Bear doesn’t feel like it. Bug tries every trick to talk Bear into playing, but Bug only succeeds in making Bear angry...more
Ella May and the Wishing Stone by Cary Fagan
Ella May discovers a special wishing stone. When her friends want to use her stone, Ella May says it is too special. When they find stones of their ow...more
I Like You the Best by Carol Thompson
Dolly the pig and Jack Rabbit are best friends. They like to play together. One day, when they are painting each other’s picture, the friends quarrel....more
Library Lily by Gillian Shields
Lily loves to read. Milly does not like to read at all. Lily does not like to do anything except read. Milly loves to explore outside. The two girls...more
I'm Here by Peter H. Reynolds
A boy is here, yet no one notices. He’s in his own little world. He likes that. But he is a little lonely, too. Just in time a paper airplane glides...more
The Little Bitty Bakery by Leslie Muir
The pastry chef is exhausted after a long day at work. She goes to bed, sadly, realizing that, although the day was her birthday, she had had no cake...more
Mr. Duck Means Business by Tammi Sauer
Mr. Duck has a routine and he is not a happy camper when his animal friends attempt to disrupt it. All the animals want to play in Mr. Duck’s pond, but...more
Perfect Soup by Lisa Moser
It’s a very cold day and Murray the mouse wants to make a perfect soup. Everybody knows that Perfect Soup has potatoes and corn and tomatoes and carrots. But Murray doesn’t have a carrot. ...more
Ribbit Rabbit by Candace Ryan
A frog and a rabbit are best friends, until they begin to fight. First they fight over small things and then they fight over big things and then they ...more
YOU WILL BE MY FRIEND! by Peter Brown
Lucy wants to find a new friend today. In her enthusiasm, she scares off many potential friends. Finally, just as Lucy is about to give up, a flamingo...more
The bunny has been waiting for you. (Yes, that’s YOU. You, the reader.) She is very glad you have finally appeared, but she wonders where you have been...more
GOODNIGHT STORIES
Bug wants Bear to play but Bear doesn’t feel like it. Bug tries every trick to talk Bear into playing, but Bug only succeeds in making Bear angry...more
Ella May and the Wishing Stone by Cary Fagan
Ella May discovers a special wishing stone. When her friends want to use her stone, Ella May says it is too special. When they find stones of their ow...more
I Like You the Best by Carol Thompson
Dolly the pig and Jack Rabbit are best friends. They like to play together. One day, when they are painting each other’s picture, the friends quarrel....more
Library Lily by Gillian Shields
Lily loves to read. Milly does not like to read at all. Lily does not like to do anything except read. Milly loves to explore outside. The two girls...more
I'm Here by Peter H. Reynolds
A boy is here, yet no one notices. He’s in his own little world. He likes that. But he is a little lonely, too. Just in time a paper airplane glides...more
The Little Bitty Bakery by Leslie Muir
The pastry chef is exhausted after a long day at work. She goes to bed, sadly, realizing that, although the day was her birthday, she had had no cake...more
Mr. Duck Means Business by Tammi Sauer
Mr. Duck has a routine and he is not a happy camper when his animal friends attempt to disrupt it. All the animals want to play in Mr. Duck’s pond, but...more
Perfect Soup by Lisa Moser
It’s a very cold day and Murray the mouse wants to make a perfect soup. Everybody knows that Perfect Soup has potatoes and corn and tomatoes and carrots. But Murray doesn’t have a carrot. ...more
Ribbit Rabbit by Candace Ryan
A frog and a rabbit are best friends, until they begin to fight. First they fight over small things and then they fight over big things and then they ...more
Scritch-Scratch a Perfect Match by Kimberly Marcus
A flea lands on a stray dog. The dog falls into an old man and they both race for relief to a general store. They discover flea powder and off goes...more
The Sniffles for Bear by Bonny Becker
Bear isn’t just sick; he thinks he is on his last leg. Why, then, isn’t Mouse properly appreciative of the severity of the situation?...more
Willow and the Snow Day Dance by Denise Brennan-Nelson
Willow moves in a new neighborhood and helps create a new spirit of neighborliness with her presence. Even the stoic Mr. Larch can’t resist getting in...more
YOU WILL BE MY FRIEND! by Peter Brown
Lucy wants to find a new friend today. In her enthusiasm, she scares off many potential friends. Finally, just as Lucy is about to give up, a flamingo...more
*You’re Finally Here! by Melanie Watt
GOODNIGHT STORIES
Are You Awake? by Sophie Blackall
Edward is awake. It is nighttime. He wakes his mother up and engages her in conversation for a long time...more
Creepy Monsters, Sleepy Monsters by Jane Yolen
Creepy Monsters, Sleepy Monsters by Jane Yolen
Creepy Monsters, Sleepy Monsters is the story of monsters going home from school, eating their supper, taking a bath, even saying their prayers, and...more
Good Night, Chickie by Emile Jadoul
It’s time for bed. Chickie has a hard time going to sleep. His mother hen reassures him. That’s the whole story. A gentle story about...more
Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site by Sherri Rinker
One by one, the big machines of the construction site wrap up their work for the day and head for home...more
DISOBEDIENT BUT LOVEABLE
Betty Bunny Loves Chocolate Cake by Michael Kaplan
Betty Bunny discovers the wonders of chocolate cake. Sadly, there is no chocolate cake at school and she cannot, she finds, get chocolate cake until...more
Chicken Butt's Back! by Erica S. Perl
A boy and his mom go shopping. Mom warns her son that she will put up with no more Chicken Butt jokes. Nevertheless, the boy manages to engage his mom...more
Is Everyone Ready for Fun? by Jan Thomas
Three cows are ready for some fun on Chicken’s sofa. They are ready to have fun jumping on Chicken’s sofa. Until Chicken intervenes, They are ready to...more
Merci Mister Dash! by Monica Kulling
Madame Croissant lived a quiet life with her well-mannered dog, Mister Dash, working in her gift shop, and admiring her stamp collection. Until Sunday...more
My Side of the Car by Kate Feiffer
My Side of the Car is the story of a girl finally going to the zoo with her father. On the way, it starts to rain, but the girl refuses to admit that ...more
No Dogs Allowed! by Linda Ashman
A waiter in a Parisian bistro adamantly refuses to serve dogs. Or cats. Or any other animals his human patrons attempt to sneak in. Until finally...more
Not Inside This House! by Kevin Lewis
Livingstone Columbus Magellan Crouse brings home a bug, but his mother orders him to take the bug out of the house. Livingstone goes outside and...more
Samantha on a Roll by Linda Ashman
Samantha gets some roller skates, but her mother cautions her not to put them on until her mom has time to go with Samantha. Of course, Samantha does...more
OLD STORIES AND SONGS
Aesop's Fables by Beverley Naidoo
As Naidoo notes in her introductory letter to the reader, Aesop’s fables aren’t like European fairy tales, with endings where everyone lives happily e...more
The Boy in the Garden by Allen Say
The Boy in the Garden is really two stories. One is an old folktale about a man who saved a struggling crane from a trap, met and married a young...more
Brother Sun, Sister Moon by Katherine Paterson
Katherine Paterson offers a revised version of the old prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi, Brother Sun, Sister Moon with beautiful cut-paper...more
The Cazuela That the Farm Maiden Stirred by Samantha R. Vamos
The farm maiden stirs up a big pot of arroz con leche with the help of the cabra and the vaca and the pato and the burro in this new version of the...more
Cinderella: An Islamic Tale by Fawzia Gilani
Cinderella: An Islamic Tale by Fawzia Gilani
The Greedy Sparrow: An Armenian Tale by Lucine Kasbarian
A sparrow with a thorn in his foot tricks a baker into giving him some bread, and then exchanges the bread for grander and grander things. But the...more
A sparrow with a thorn in his foot tricks a baker into giving him some bread, and then exchanges the bread for grander and grander things. But the...more
I Am Tama, Lucky Cat: A Japanese Legend by Wendy Henrichs
I Am Tama tells the ancient story of Tama the lucky cat. Tama was alone in the cold world when he came upon a monastery. Tama sat in the doorway and...more
Light Up the Night by Jean Reidy
I Am Tama tells the ancient story of Tama the lucky cat. Tama was alone in the cold world when he came upon a monastery. Tama sat in the doorway and...more
Light Up the Night by Jean Reidy
A quiet little rhyming story, with the rhythm of This is the House That Jack Built that explains a boy’s spot in the big universe as the boy prepares...more
Mrs. Noah’s Vegetable Ark by Elena Pasquali
When her husband begins herding all the animals in the world into the ark, two by two, Mrs. Noah decides to save the plants in the world from...more
Naamah and the Ark at Night by Susan Campbell Bartoletti
Naamah is Noah’s wife and the ark is underway. Every night, Naamah sings to the animals on the ark to keep them calm. The author wrote the text of...more
One Love by Cedella Marley
Yes, it’s that song and it’s been reworked by that songwriter’s daughter (take a second look at her last name if you think I joke.) Like some of...more
Over in the Meadow by Jill McDonald
The classic song about mothers in the meadow with their little ones...more
Pussycat, Pussycat, Where Have you Been? by Dan Bar-El
In this version of an old nursery rhyme, Pussycat doesn’t stop with visiting the Queen in London. He travels to many exotic locations and sees many...more
Rapunzel: Based on the Original Story by the Brothers Grimm by Sarah Gibb
Sarah Gibb retells the old story of Rapunzel yet another time, this time with illustrations in which all the highlights, flowers, curtains, clothes...more
The Red Hen by Rebecca Emberley
You know this one. The hen isn’t little and she’s baking a cake, not bread, and it’s the cat and the rat and the frog who aren’t helping her, but you ...more
Seriously, Cinderella Is SO Annoying! The Story of Cinderella as Told by the Wicked Stepmother by Trisha Speed Shaskan
Review coming soon
Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star by Jerry Pinkney
A little chipmunk goes on a journey, guided by the light of a star. Using the words of the traditional children’s song, Pinkney tells a dreamy...more
Review coming soon
Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star by Jerry Pinkney
A little chipmunk goes on a journey, guided by the light of a star. Using the words of the traditional children’s song, Pinkney tells a dreamy...more
The Wise Fool by Shahrukh Husain
Finally, a beautiful brightly illustrated collection of thoughtful stories from the Islamic world for children. This book tells stories about Mulla...more
TOO LITTLE
Cloudette by Tom Lichtenheld
Cloudette is a little itty-bitty cloud. Generally, Cloudette saw the advantages of being small, like everyone calling her cute names and always being ...more
Little Shepherd's Christmas by Carol Heyer
Little Pig Joins the Band by David Hyde Costello
Little Pig didn’t like being little when his family got out their instruments and marched in a band. He is too little to play the instruments. When he...more
Little Pig didn’t like being little when his family got out their instruments and marched in a band. He is too little to play the instruments. When he...more
Tiny Little Fly by Michael Rosen
A tiny little fly lights on several African animals, provoking them to try to catch him. None of them succeed and off he flies. A little...more
A tiny little fly lights on several African animals, provoking them to try to catch him. None of them succeed and off he flies. A little...more
FICTION THAT IS QUASI-NONFICTION
The Bravest Woman in America by Marissa Moss
Ida Lewis grows up in a lighthouse and her father, the lighthouse keeper, teaches her how to do all the things those manning a lighthouse must know...more
The Crossing by Donna Napoli
The story of Lewis and Clark’s trip across the country is told by a small baby carried by the team’s guide, Sacagawea...more
Do You Have a Dog? by Eileen Spinelli
This book, the latest combined effort of Spinelli and Valerio, takes a look at famous dogs in history, a topic that has been little studied or written...more
All the Way to America: The Story of a Big Italian Family and a Little Shovel by Dan Yaccarino
Dan Yaccarino tells the story of his family’s move from Italy to the United States. Everywhere the family goes, they carry their shovel along, and the...more
Dan Yaccarino tells the story of his family’s move from Italy to the United States. Everywhere the family goes, they carry their shovel along, and the...more
The Bravest Woman in America by Marissa Moss
Ida Lewis grows up in a lighthouse and her father, the lighthouse keeper, teaches her how to do all the things those manning a lighthouse must know...more
The Crossing by Donna Napoli
The story of Lewis and Clark’s trip across the country is told by a small baby carried by the team’s guide, Sacagawea...more
Do You Have a Dog? by Eileen Spinelli
This book, the latest combined effort of Spinelli and Valerio, takes a look at famous dogs in history, a topic that has been little studied or written...more
Doggy Whys? by Lila Prap
Lila Prap has written another wonderful informational picture book, this time about dogs. Like she often does, Prap begins each double page with a...more
Dogs Don't Eat Jam and Other Things Big Kids Know by Sarah Tsiang and Qin Leng
Me . . . Jane by Patrick McDonnell
Me…Jane is a short biography of the childhood of Jane Goodall, who loved animals as a child and grew up to study chimpanzees as an adult. The bio...more
The Great Moon Hoax by Stephen Krensky
Two young newsboys depend on their day-to-day survival by selling newspapers. The two boys are overjoyed when the paper they sell, The Sun, begins a...more
Lila Prap has written another wonderful informational picture book, this time about dogs. Like she often does, Prap begins each double page with a...more
Dogs Don't Eat Jam and Other Things Big Kids Know by Sarah Tsiang and Qin Leng
Me . . . Jane by Patrick McDonnell
Me…Jane is a short biography of the childhood of Jane Goodall, who loved animals as a child and grew up to study chimpanzees as an adult. The bio...more
Duke Ellington's Nutcracker Suite by Anna Harwell Celenza
The Fabulous Flying Machines of Alberto Santos-Dumont by Victoria Griffith
Following My Paint Brush Gita Wolf
Dulari Devi worked as a domestic until she discovered the joy of traditional folk painting in eastern India. It was she who illustrated this book, the...moreThe Great Moon Hoax by Stephen Krensky
Two young newsboys depend on their day-to-day survival by selling newspapers. The two boys are overjoyed when the paper they sell, The Sun, begins a...more
Lipman Pike: America's First Home Run King by Richard Michelson
It seemed like everyone in Brooklyn was playing Base, a wonderful ball game. The Pike family wanted their son, Lipman to succeed in school and so...more
It seemed like everyone in Brooklyn was playing Base, a wonderful ball game. The Pike family wanted their son, Lipman to succeed in school and so...more
The Honeybee Man by Lela Nargi
Fred takes care of his bees in Brooklyn. This little picture book is filled with facts about those who care for honeybees and honeybees themselves...more
Running With the Horses by Alison Lester
Soccer Dreams: Playing the Seattle Sounders FC Way by Clare Hodgson Meeker
Fred takes care of his bees in Brooklyn. This little picture book is filled with facts about those who care for honeybees and honeybees themselves...more
Miss Dorothy and Her Bookmobile by Gloria Houston
Gloria Houston tells the true story of one of her personal heroes, Dorothy Thomas. Dorothy wanted to be a librarian in a big brick library, but...more
Gloria Houston tells the true story of one of her personal heroes, Dorothy Thomas. Dorothy wanted to be a librarian in a big brick library, but...more
The Ocean Story by John Seven
As a boy and his grandfather walk along the beach, the grandfather tells the little boy the story of the ocean and the water cycle. The grandfather...more
Snowfall changes everything. Animals go underground to keep warm. But what does it look like down there? And what do the animals do?
This l...more
Over and Under the Snow by Kate Messner
Snowfall changes everything. Animals go underground to keep warm. But what does it look like down there? And what do the animals do?
This l...more
Passing the Music Down by Sarah Sullivan
A boy with a gift for the fiddle is taken many miles away to an old time fiddler for lessons. The boy learns many things from the old fiddler...more
Play Ball, Jackie! by Stephen Krensky
Matty’s father gets free tickets to the baseball game. It’s the first game of the Dodgers’ new first baseman, Jackie Robinson. Many white people don’t...more
Matty’s father gets free tickets to the baseball game. It’s the first game of the Dodgers’ new first baseman, Jackie Robinson. Many white people don’t...more
Red Bird Sings: The Story of Zitkala-Sa, Native American Author, Musician, and Activist by Gina Capaldi
In this paraphrase of original texts by Red Bird, author Gina Capaldi retells the stories of this Native American girl who grew up between the world...more
Running With the Horses by Alison Lester
Running with Horses is a fictional story about the rescue of the Lipizzaner stallions from the Spanish Riding School in Vienna during World War II. In...more
Soccer Dreams: Playing the Seattle Sounders FC Way by Clare Hodgson Meeker
Waiting for the Biblioburro by Monica Brown
Ana only has one book. She has read it so many times that she knows it word for word. She wishes she had another book, but, since her teacher has left...more
Walking Home to Rosie Lee by A. LaFaye
“War’s over. Government say we free. Folks be on the move. Getting the feel for freedom. Not me. I’m looking for my mama, Rosie Lee.”...more
“War’s over. Government say we free. Folks be on the move. Getting the feel for freedom. Not me. I’m looking for my mama, Rosie Lee.”...more
Wallie Exercises by Steve Ettinger
We're Off to Make 'Umrah by Sana Munshey
A boy and his sister and parents head off to spend time engaging in their spiritual practices. This little thin book outlines the key events in a...more
A boy and his sister and parents head off to spend time engaging in their spiritual practices. This little thin book outlines the key events in a...more
What to Expect When You're Expecting Larvae: A Guide for Insect Parents (And Curious Kids) by Bridget Heos
The author of this informational text has cleverly fashioned her book into an information guide for new insect parents. The writing is child-friendly...more
Wagons Ho! by George Hallowell
The author of this informational text has cleverly fashioned her book into an information guide for new insect parents. The writing is child-friendly...more
Wagons Ho! by George Hallowell
The story of a family moving from Missouri to Oregon in 1846 and now, is told in two parallel journals that invite comparison and contrast. The ways...more
DRESSES AND SHOES AND PINK THINGS
Birdie’s Big-Girl Dress by Sujean Rim
Birdie’s birthday is coming and she wants to have a special dress to wear for her party. But, though she tries on many, many dresses, Birdie doesn’t...more
Dog in Boots by Greg Gormley
Dog sees the impressive Puss in Boots and decides that boots are the thing he is missing in his life. He heads off to the shoemaker, but what kind of ...more
Dog sees the impressive Puss in Boots and decides that boots are the thing he is missing in his life. He heads off to the shoemaker, but what kind of ...more
Penny Loves Pink by Cori Doerrfeld
Penny loves pink. But she’s worried when she thinks about her new baby brother because she knows that boys are blue. She’s tickled pink to learn that ...more
Shoes for Me! by Sue Fliess
Penny loves pink. But she’s worried when she thinks about her new baby brother because she knows that boys are blue. She’s tickled pink to learn that ...more
Shoe-La-La! by Karen Beaumont
Four girls are looking for new party shoes. They go to the shoe store and try on shoe after shoe. Finally, it is time for the store to close. The girl...more
Hippo needs new shoes. Her mom lets her choose the ones she wants. After she tries on every pair in the store, Hippo finally finds the shoes she likes...more
The Very Fairy Princess Takes the Stage by Julie Andrews
“Hi! I’m Geraldine. I’m a fairy princess. I know that I’m a fairy princess
because I FEEL it inside---a sparkly feel...more
“Hi! I’m Geraldine. I’m a fairy princess. I know that I’m a fairy princess
because I FEEL it inside---a sparkly feel...more
BOOKS WITH INTERESTING FORMATS
11 Experiments That Failed by Jenny Offill
The author of 17 Things I’m Not Allowed to Do comes up with another list book. This time, our main character shows all the experiments she tried that ...more
Dear Tabby by Carolyn Crimi
A letter from Stanky Skunque: “Dear Tabby, I’ve been lonely for so long. Something about the white stripes down my back puts everyone off. It’s sort...more
Love, Mouserella by David Ezra Stein
Mouserella writes a letter to her grandmouse about all the things she is doing now that she has returned home from Grandmouse’s house. She includes...more
Mouserella writes a letter to her grandmouse about all the things she is doing now that she has returned home from Grandmouse’s house. She includes...more
Mirror by Jeannie Baker
Jeannie Baker does it again. She creates two worlds, side by side, one that of a family living in a city in Australia, and the other that of a family ...more
Jeannie Baker does it again. She creates two worlds, side by side, one that of a family living in a city in Australia, and the other that of a family ...more
The Rabbit Problem by Emily Gravett
Just when you think you’ve seen it all in the world of children’s picture books, you run into The Rabbit Problem. No one would say that this is just a...more
FEELINGS
Dream by Adam Montierth
I Believe in You by Marianne Richmond
The I'M NOT SCARED Book by Todd Parr
I Believe in You by Marianne Richmond
“Whether it’s
sunny or stormy,
whether you’re
happy or blue,
I’m here to say,
without a doubt,
that I believe in...more
sunny or stormy,
whether you’re
happy or blue,
I’m here to say,
without a doubt,
that I believe in...more
Another in the Todd Parr feelings books. With simple text and simple illustrations, Todd Parr talks about common fears children have and how to not be...more
Rain Brings Frogs: A Little Book of Hope by Maryann Cocca-Leffl
When other people say, “I hate rain,” Nate says, “Rain brings frogs!”
Nate is the eternal optimist. Everyone else bemoans their fate, but N...more
When other people say, “I hate rain,” Nate says, “Rain brings frogs!”
Nate is the eternal optimist. Everyone else bemoans their fate, but N...more
Too Shy for Show-and-Tell by Beth Bracken
“Sam was a quiet boy.
Nobody knew much about him.”
Sam was shy. He did not like to speak up. He was very worried when he knew he would...more
“Sam was a quiet boy.
Nobody knew much about him.”
Sam was shy. He did not like to speak up. He was very worried when he knew he would...more
FOR THE YOUNGEST
The Artist Who Painted a Blue Horse by Eric Carle
Eric Carle draws animals in crazy and unexpected colors, all beautiful and bright and magnificent. He is right when he says, “I am a good artist.”...more
Eric Carle draws animals in crazy and unexpected colors, all beautiful and bright and magnificent. He is right when he says, “I am a good artist.”...more
Baby Says “Moo!” by Joann Early Macken
Poor baby seems to think that everything says “Moo!” Baby’s parents show Baby people and horses and dogs and cats and ask Baby what the animals say...more
Little Chicken's Big Day by Jerry Davis
It’s a new day for Little Chicken. He gets up and follows his mama all over until it is finally time to go to sleep. “Wash your face!...more
It’s a new day for Little Chicken. He gets up and follows his mama all over until it is finally time to go to sleep. “Wash your face!...more
Mine! by Shutta Crum
The toddler picks up toys scattered around the feet of the two children and announces firmly, “Mine.” The baby grabs one remaining toy and tosses it...more
Mitchell's License by Hallie Durand
Mitchell doesn’t like to go to bed until his dad lets him start driving. Mitchell drives his car (his dad) to bed, sitting in the driver’s seat...more
HILARIOUS
The Boy Who Cried Ninja by Alex Latimer
Charlie the Ranch Dog by Ree Drummond
Charlie the ranch dog must be some kin to my favorite “head of ranch security”, Hank the cowdog. Charlie is in charge and he must be constantly on alert...more
Doodleday by Ross Collins
Harvey’s mother has a fit when, as she is leaving the house for the store, she finds her son drawing. She grabs the pencil from Harvey’s hand, warning...more
I Want My Hat Back by Jon Klassen
A bear has lost his hat. He questions animal passersby about his hat. He suddenly remember that the rabbit is wearing his hat. The end of the story...more
A bear has lost his hat. He questions animal passersby about his hat. He suddenly remember that the rabbit is wearing his hat. The end of the story...more
More Bears! by Kenn Nesbitt
An author is quite busy writing a book when, out of nowhere, his audience petitions him, “More Bears!” He reluctantly complies, adding more and more b...more
BOOKS WITH SPECIAL APPEAL FOR GRANDPARENTS, TEACHERS,
AND OTHER GROWNUPS
Back to School Tortoise by Lucy M. George
A little story taken from a joke that’s been widely circulated among teachers. Tortoise gets up. It’s the first day of school. But on the way to school...more
Butterfly Tree by Sandra Markle
A girl, her dog, and her mom see what looks like an orange cloud in the distance, so they set out to find out what it is. When they arrive at the...more
Cinnamon Baby by Nicola Winstanley
Miriam is a wonderful baker and her favorite bread to make is cinnamon bread. Sebastian comes every day to Miriam’s bakery for a year and they marry. ...more
Grandpa Green by Lane Smith
Lane Smith tells the story of Grandpa Green through the topiary Grandpa made to commemorate all the events of his life. Lovely story depicted with...more
Grandpa, I Want to Be a Conductor Someday! by Andrew Aiton
An author is quite busy writing a book when, out of nowhere, his audience petitions him, “More Bears!” He reluctantly complies, adding more and more b...more
BOOKS WITH SPECIAL APPEAL FOR GRANDPARENTS, TEACHERS,
AND OTHER GROWNUPS
Back to School Tortoise by Lucy M. George
A little story taken from a joke that’s been widely circulated among teachers. Tortoise gets up. It’s the first day of school. But on the way to school...more
Butterfly Tree by Sandra Markle
A girl, her dog, and her mom see what looks like an orange cloud in the distance, so they set out to find out what it is. When they arrive at the...more
Cinnamon Baby by Nicola Winstanley
Miriam is a wonderful baker and her favorite bread to make is cinnamon bread. Sebastian comes every day to Miriam’s bakery for a year and they marry. ...more
Grandpa Green by Lane Smith
Lane Smith tells the story of Grandpa Green through the topiary Grandpa made to commemorate all the events of his life. Lovely story depicted with...more
Grandpa, I Want to Be a Conductor Someday! by Andrew Aiton
Hot, Hot Roti for Dada-ji by F. Zia
Aneel loves to hear the stories his grandfather, Dada-ji, tells. When Dada-ji was young, he ate hot, hot roti and he became powerful, strong enough to...more
I only review the self-published books that are worth checking out. This one just might be.
A little girl asks her grandmother, “Grandma...more
A little girl asks her grandmother, “Grandma...more
Substitute Creature by Chris Gall
Ms. Jenkins’s class is acting up. To get his kids straightened out, Ms. Jenkins sends in the substitute teacher of all substitute teachers, Mr. Creach...more
Sweet Moon Baby: An Adoption Tale by Karen Henry Clark
A family in China barely has enough food to feed themselves so they send their new baby girl off in a basket on the river. The moon guides the baby’s ...more
These Hands by Margaret H. Mason
Joseph’s grandpa tells the young grandson all the things his hands used to be able to do when he was younger, including tying shoes and playing the piano...more
A family in China barely has enough food to feed themselves so they send their new baby girl off in a basket on the river. The moon guides the baby’s ...more
These Hands by Margaret H. Mason
Joseph’s grandpa tells the young grandson all the things his hands used to be able to do when he was younger, including tying shoes and playing the piano...more
Your Mommy Was Just Like You by Kelly Bennett
Grandma tells baby all the many ways her mother was like her, the way she looked and the way she acted. “Your mommy was bouncy and...more
Grandma tells baby all the many ways her mother was like her, the way she looked and the way she acted. “Your mommy was bouncy and...more
GOING AWAY AND COMING BACK
Along a Long Road by Frank Viva
A boy rides a bicycle up and down, around a town, into a tunnel, over a bridge, and finally around to where he starts the trip all over again...more
Jonathan’s parents trade his teddy bear for a toaster, so Jonathan must set off on a journey alone on a Big Blue Boat to find Frederick. Along the way...more
Ladder to the Moon by Maya Soetoro-Ng
Suhaila travels with her Grandma Annie up a ladder to the moon. Grandma watches for troubles on the earth and brings the troubled to live with her in ...more
Leap Back Home to Me by Lauren Thompson
A mama frog sings a leap frog song to her little frog son, encouraging him to leap all over the place, over the creek and the hilltop and even the sun...more
Love Waves by Rosemary Wells
It’s hard when Mom and Dad go off to work. Children miss their parents during the long time they are separated. Did you know that parents send love wa...more
Along a Long Road by Frank Viva
A boy rides a bicycle up and down, around a town, into a tunnel, over a bridge, and finally around to where he starts the trip all over again...more
Animals Home Alone by Loes Riphagen
In this wordless picture book, the humans leave the house and the animals go wild. Before the humans have been gone for ten minutes, the dog is putting...more
A Few Blocks by Cybèle Young
Even if I’d not read the publishing information or the information about the author, one look at this book would have told me that this book was not m...more
Jonathan and the Big Blue Boat by Philip SteadIn this wordless picture book, the humans leave the house and the animals go wild. Before the humans have been gone for ten minutes, the dog is putting...more
A Few Blocks by Cybèle Young
Even if I’d not read the publishing information or the information about the author, one look at this book would have told me that this book was not m...more
Follow Me by Tricia Tusa
A girl swings through pink and blue and brown and yellow, and then soars into the curl of a breeze until she drifts down home. Beautiful...more
A girl swings through pink and blue and brown and yellow, and then soars into the curl of a breeze until she drifts down home. Beautiful...more
Jonathan’s parents trade his teddy bear for a toaster, so Jonathan must set off on a journey alone on a Big Blue Boat to find Frederick. Along the way...more
Ladder to the Moon by Maya Soetoro-Ng
Suhaila travels with her Grandma Annie up a ladder to the moon. Grandma watches for troubles on the earth and brings the troubled to live with her in ...more
Leap Back Home to Me by Lauren Thompson
A mama frog sings a leap frog song to her little frog son, encouraging him to leap all over the place, over the creek and the hilltop and even the sun...more
Little White Rabbit by Kevin Henkes
Little White Rabbit often stops during his walks to pause and think about how life would be different if he were green or if he were very, very tall...more
Little White Rabbit often stops during his walks to pause and think about how life would be different if he were green or if he were very, very tall...more
Love Waves by Rosemary Wells
It’s hard when Mom and Dad go off to work. Children miss their parents during the long time they are separated. Did you know that parents send love wa...more
Pirate Boy by Eve Bunting
While a boy and his mom were reading a book called Pirate Boy, the boy asked his mom, “What if I want to be a pirate and sail away on a pirate ship?”...more
The Queen of France by Tim Wadham
Rose decides she is royal when she wakes up, so she becomes the Queen of France. She seeks out Rose’s mother, but no one knows where Rose is. She...more
Singing Away the Dark by Caroline Woodward
The brave main character of this little tale tells the story of her mile-long walk to the school bus stop each morning. She meets many perils...more
While a boy and his mom were reading a book called Pirate Boy, the boy asked his mom, “What if I want to be a pirate and sail away on a pirate ship?”...more
The Queen of France by Tim Wadham
Rose decides she is royal when she wakes up, so she becomes the Queen of France. She seeks out Rose’s mother, but no one knows where Rose is. She...more
Singing Away the Dark by Caroline Woodward
The brave main character of this little tale tells the story of her mile-long walk to the school bus stop each morning. She meets many perils...more
Subway Story by Julia Sarcone-Roach
Jessie is a subway car placed into service for the New York World’s Fair in the sixties. She loved her work carrying people back and forth across the ...more
Where's Walrus? by Stephen Savage
The zookeeper is sleeping and the walrus sees that someone has left the gate open at the zoo. Off goes the walrus! And right after him is the zookeepe...more
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I-SPY AND OTHER NON-NARRATIVE BOOKS
Dot by Patricia Intriago
All sorts of dots populate these pages, all illustrated with very tiny modifications made to that basic dot. That’s the cleverness of this book, the t...more
I Spy with My Little Eye by Edward Gibbs
A fun I Spy book of animals, with clues. The pages have a cutout circle that contains a color clue on the right and then fold over to become an animal...more
Look! A Book! by Bob Staake
An I Spy sort of adventure combined with an early reader and rhyming text. Fun, fun, fun.
“Look! A book! A hook! A cowboy cook! Weird ...more
Perfect Square by Michael Hall
A perfect square is transformed many times, but each time the square finds a way to find pleasure in its new shape. When it finally is left alone, it ...more
Press Here by Herve Tullet
Press Here is a quasi-interactive book. Children are asked to press on dots, to shake the page, and to rub the dots. On the following page, things...more
Questions, Questions by Marcus Pfister
A series of unanswerable questions are posed, with poetic responses and sparkling illustrations.
Dot by Patricia Intriago
All sorts of dots populate these pages, all illustrated with very tiny modifications made to that basic dot. That’s the cleverness of this book, the t...more
I Spy with My Little Eye by Edward Gibbs
A fun I Spy book of animals, with clues. The pages have a cutout circle that contains a color clue on the right and then fold over to become an animal...more
Look! A Book! by Bob Staake
An I Spy sort of adventure combined with an early reader and rhyming text. Fun, fun, fun.
“Look! A book! A hook! A cowboy cook! Weird ...more
Perfect Square by Michael Hall
A perfect square is transformed many times, but each time the square finds a way to find pleasure in its new shape. When it finally is left alone, it ...more
Press Here is a quasi-interactive book. Children are asked to press on dots, to shake the page, and to rub the dots. On the following page, things...more
Questions, Questions by Marcus Pfister
A series of unanswerable questions are posed, with poetic responses and sparkling illustrations.
LIST BOOKS
Cars Galore by Peter Stein
“Cars off-roading,
jumping, thumping!
Gears all grinding!
Pistons pumping!”
In a book reminiscent of Go, Dog, Go, Peter Ste...more
I Like Cats by Anushka Ravishankar
The author uses simple text to explain the traditional paintings and drawings of cats included to illustrate this book. I’d like to know more about...more
“Cars off-roading,
jumping, thumping!
Gears all grinding!
Pistons pumping!”
In a book reminiscent of Go, Dog, Go, Peter Ste...more
I Like Cats by Anushka Ravishankar
The author uses simple text to explain the traditional paintings and drawings of cats included to illustrate this book. I’d like to know more about...more
People by Blexbolex
An enormous, 100+ page book of drawings of people. Bachelors and babies. Friends and foes. Biologists and astronomers. All kinds of people...more
Picture a Tree by Barbara Reid
A beautiful Plasticine art show and beautiful poetry reveal all that we think about trees.
“There is more than one way to picture a tree. ...more
A Primer About the Flag by Marvin Bell
The title says this is a primer about the flag, but it’s really a poem about flags, a meditation on flags, with fun illustrations. “There ...more
Stars by Mary Lyn Ray
Stars are beautiful. Stars are everywhere. Stars are special.
That’s what this book is about. Stars.
Tiny little word poems and...more
An enormous, 100+ page book of drawings of people. Bachelors and babies. Friends and foes. Biologists and astronomers. All kinds of people...more
Picture a Tree by Barbara Reid
A beautiful Plasticine art show and beautiful poetry reveal all that we think about trees.
“There is more than one way to picture a tree. ...more
A Primer About the Flag by Marvin Bell
The title says this is a primer about the flag, but it’s really a poem about flags, a meditation on flags, with fun illustrations. “There ...more
Stars by Mary Lyn Ray
Stars are beautiful. Stars are everywhere. Stars are special.
That’s what this book is about. Stars.
Tiny little word poems and...more
The Loud Book! by Deborah Underwood
Underwood illustrates various ideas of loud with plush slightly humanized animals. Some of the most interesting to me were “Burp During Quiet...more
FAMILIES WORKING TO SOLVE PROBLEMS
999 Tadpoles by Ken Kimura
Mother and Father Frog have 999 tadpole babies. Suddenly the pond is too crowded. On their way to a new pond, Father is snatched by a hawk, but the...more
Blackout by John Rocco
No one has time to play a game with a little boy. Then the lights go out and everything is changed. The family’s electronic gadgets don’t work and sud...more
A girl loves her favorite dress, but it is now too small for her. Her clever mother shapes it into new things the girl can wear. As the girl grows...more
Pa brings home a little turkey baby, assuring Ma that this will save the family money in the difficult times of a nineteenth century New York tenement...more
Tia Isa Wants a Car by Meg Medina
Tia Isa wants a car but she does not have enough money. Her niece finds many ways to make money and give it to her aunt. Together the two have enough ...more
MESSY
Blue Chicken by Deborah Freedman
The painting of the barnyard is almost complete. It’s a perfect day for painting the barn. Suddenly, one of the white chickens decides to help. In her...more
Maiko misses his baobab tree, back home in Africa. He misses almost everything about home in Africa, but he really misses his baobab tree. He discover...more
NEW FAIRY TALES, SONGS, AND MUSICALS
King Hugo's Huge Ego by Chris Van Dusen
Hugo was a very short king with a big ego. He made his people listen to him talk about how wonderful he was for hours. He made his people bow to him...more
The Princess and the Pig by Jonathan Emmett
A baby pig and a baby princess accidentally exchange places in this funny tale. The pig is presumed to be the princess transformed by a disgruntled...more
What Animals Really Like by Fiona Robinson
We human beings think we know, don’t we? But we don’t. And this little children’s picture book proves it. When asked to participate in a musical abou...more
ZooZical by Judy Sierra
Arthur Turns Green by Marc Brown
Underwood illustrates various ideas of loud with plush slightly humanized animals. Some of the most interesting to me were “Burp During Quiet...more
FAMILIES WORKING TO SOLVE PROBLEMS
999 Tadpoles by Ken Kimura
Mother and Father Frog have 999 tadpole babies. Suddenly the pond is too crowded. On their way to a new pond, Father is snatched by a hawk, but the...more
Blackout by John Rocco
No one has time to play a game with a little boy. Then the lights go out and everything is changed. The family’s electronic gadgets don’t work and sud...more
Hurry Down to Derry Fair by Dori Chaconas
Dinny Brown is anxious to get to the fair, but his family is busy with work of their own. Finally, after everyone gets ready, the family makes it to...more
I Had a Favorite Dress by Boni AshburnDinny Brown is anxious to get to the fair, but his family is busy with work of their own. Finally, after everyone gets ready, the family makes it to...more
A girl loves her favorite dress, but it is now too small for her. Her clever mother shapes it into new things the girl can wear. As the girl grows...more
The Big Snuggle-Up by Brian Patten
It’s a cold, snowy day. All the animals want to snuggle up at Scarecrow’s house. “A butterfly said, ‘Is it far too late for me to come...more
Lola’s Fandango by Anna Witte
Review coming soon
The Money We'll Save by Brock ColeIt’s a cold, snowy day. All the animals want to snuggle up at Scarecrow’s house. “A butterfly said, ‘Is it far too late for me to come...more
Lola’s Fandango by Anna Witte
Review coming soon
Pa brings home a little turkey baby, assuring Ma that this will save the family money in the difficult times of a nineteenth century New York tenement...more
Tia Isa Wants a Car by Meg Medina
Tia Isa wants a car but she does not have enough money. Her niece finds many ways to make money and give it to her aunt. Together the two have enough ...more
MESSY
Blue Chicken by Deborah Freedman
The painting of the barnyard is almost complete. It’s a perfect day for painting the barn. Suddenly, one of the white chickens decides to help. In her...more
Hogwash! by Karma Wilson
It’s time for Farmer to wash the animals. All the animals are amenable to this, except the hogs. The hogs are openly rebellious. Full...more
It’s time for Farmer to wash the animals. All the animals are amenable to this, except the hogs. The hogs are openly rebellious. Full...more
Mudkin by Stephen Gammell
A little girl is named queen of the mud by Mudkin. They spend the day playing in the mud together until rain washes all the mud away...more
CONSTRUCTION
Job Site by Nathan Clement
Author/illustrator Nathan Clement depicts dramatic scenes from the work world of a construction site, zooming in on the directions of a boss and the...more
Road Work Ahead by Anastasia Suen
A family is on its way to Grandma’s house in a car. On the way, the family comes through a construction zone. The family slows down and sees all...more
Dinosaur Dig by Penny Dale
Brilliant. Author/illustrator Penny Dale places dinosaurs at the helm of heavy equipment on a construction site. What could be a better pairing than ...more
TROUBLES Job Site by Nathan Clement
Author/illustrator Nathan Clement depicts dramatic scenes from the work world of a construction site, zooming in on the directions of a boss and the...more
Road Work Ahead by Anastasia Suen
A family is on its way to Grandma’s house in a car. On the way, the family comes through a construction zone. The family slows down and sees all...more
Dinosaur Dig by Penny Dale
Brilliant. Author/illustrator Penny Dale places dinosaurs at the helm of heavy equipment on a construction site. What could be a better pairing than ...more
The Busy Life of Ernestine Buckmeister by Linda Ravin Lodding
Ernestine Buckmeister is a busy little girl. On Mondays she learns to sculpt with clay. On Tuesday she has water ballet lessons. On Wednesdays she has...more
Dear Baobab by Cheryl FoggoErnestine Buckmeister is a busy little girl. On Mondays she learns to sculpt with clay. On Tuesday she has water ballet lessons. On Wednesdays she has...more
Maiko misses his baobab tree, back home in Africa. He misses almost everything about home in Africa, but he really misses his baobab tree. He discover...more
Pecan Pie Baby by Jacqueline Woodson
Gia is sick of hearing about the baby that is coming. She hates it that the baby is coming. She is afraid everything will change. Beautiful...more
Marisol McDonald Doesn’t Match by Monica Brown
Marisol is different, everyone tells her. Marisol likes to wear polka dotted shirts and striped pants. Marisol has brown skin and red hair and freckle...more
Rain School by James Rumford
It’s the first day of school. A group of children are walking to school, excited about the start of classes. They walk and walk and finally they arrive...more
The Secret River by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings
Calpurnia’s family is having hard times. Her father is not catching any fish. Calpurnia speaks to a friend, a fortune-teller and she tells Calpurnia...more
Gia is sick of hearing about the baby that is coming. She hates it that the baby is coming. She is afraid everything will change. Beautiful...more
Marisol McDonald Doesn’t Match by Monica Brown
Marisol is different, everyone tells her. Marisol likes to wear polka dotted shirts and striped pants. Marisol has brown skin and red hair and freckle...more
Rain School by James Rumford
It’s the first day of school. A group of children are walking to school, excited about the start of classes. They walk and walk and finally they arrive...more
The Secret River by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings
Calpurnia’s family is having hard times. Her father is not catching any fish. Calpurnia speaks to a friend, a fortune-teller and she tells Calpurnia...more
The Savvy Cyber Kids at Home: The Defeat of the Cyber Bully by Ben Halpert
Summer Jackson: Grown Up by Teresa E. Harris
Summer decides she is tired of being a kid; she decides she is a grownup and she wants to be treated like a grownup. But Summer’s ideas of what a grow...more
Two twin girls have shared everything all their lives. One of their favorite things, and one of the things they shared all their lives is a blanket...more
White Water by Michael S. Bandy
Michael is a young black boy who lives in a segregated world, one world for the white people and one for black people. One day, when Michael is hot and...more
Summer decides she is tired of being a kid; she decides she is a grownup and she wants to be treated like a grownup. But Summer’s ideas of what a grow...more
The Snow Blew Inn by Dian Regan
Emma is awaiting the arrival of her cousin, Abby. Snow starts to fall at the inn Emma’s mother runs. Quickly the inn fills with guests. Emma gives up ...more
The Twins’ Blanket by Hyewon YumEmma is awaiting the arrival of her cousin, Abby. Snow starts to fall at the inn Emma’s mother runs. Quickly the inn fills with guests. Emma gives up ...more
Two twin girls have shared everything all their lives. One of their favorite things, and one of the things they shared all their lives is a blanket...more
White Water by Michael S. Bandy
Michael is a young black boy who lives in a segregated world, one world for the white people and one for black people. One day, when Michael is hot and...more
ABC BOOKS / SOUNDS / EARLY READERS / CONCEPT BOOKS
Balloon Toons: Zoe and Robot, Let's Pretend by Ryan Sias
Zoe, a young girl, asks Robot, her large robot, to go mountain climbing with her. But when she leads Robot to the mountain, all Robot can see is a pillow...more
Boy, Bird, and Dog by David McPhail
A boy, a bird, and a dog play in the boy’s treehouse. That’s the entire story. The author uses less than fifty words to tell the tale and that is the ...more
If Rocks Could Sing: A Discovered Alphabet by Leslie McGuirk
The author of this book has collected rocks in the shape of the alphabet and objects for each letter for over ten years. This book is the result. It’s...more
Balloon Toons: Zoe and Robot, Let's Pretend by Ryan Sias
Zoe, a young girl, asks Robot, her large robot, to go mountain climbing with her. But when she leads Robot to the mountain, all Robot can see is a pillow...more
Boy, Bird, and Dog by David McPhail
A boy, a bird, and a dog play in the boy’s treehouse. That’s the entire story. The author uses less than fifty words to tell the tale and that is the ...more
Caveman, A B.C. Story by Janee Trasler
A twenty-six word story about a caveman, a dinosaur, a bear, and an armadillo and their adventures in the Stone Age. (Cavemen, dinosaurs, bears, and a...more
…can a shovel grow to become a plow?”
An interactive rhyming book for our young readers that...more
A twenty-six word story about a caveman, a dinosaur, a bear, and an armadillo and their adventures in the Stone Age. (Cavemen, dinosaurs, bears, and a...more
Do You Know Which Ones Will Grow? by Susan A. Shea
“If a calf grows and becomes a cow… …can a shovel grow to become a plow?”
An interactive rhyming book for our young readers that...more
If Rocks Could Sing: A Discovered Alphabet by Leslie McGuirk
The author of this book has collected rocks in the shape of the alphabet and objects for each letter for over ten years. This book is the result. It’s...more
Maxwell Moose’s Mountain Monster by Barbara deRubertis
NEW FAIRY TALES, SONGS, AND MUSICALS
King Hugo's Huge Ego by Chris Van Dusen
Hugo was a very short king with a big ego. He made his people listen to him talk about how wonderful he was for hours. He made his people bow to him...more
The Princess and the Pig by Jonathan Emmett
A baby pig and a baby princess accidentally exchange places in this funny tale. The pig is presumed to be the princess transformed by a disgruntled...more
What Animals Really Like by Fiona Robinson
We human beings think we know, don’t we? But we don’t. And this little children’s picture book proves it. When asked to participate in a musical abou...more
ZooZical by Judy Sierra
It’s winter and it’s cold and the weather is miserable. Everyone is down in the doldrums. A group of animals at the zoo decide to put on a musical, ad...more
SPECIAL TOYS
Hooray for Amanda & Her Alligator! by Mo Willems
Amanda loves her stuffed alligator. But what will happen when her alligator learns his true origin was...a discount bin?...more
I Must Have Bobo! by Eileen Rosenthal
Willy is distraught to find that his precious Bobo is missing when he wakes in the morning. Willy knows Bobo’s presence is essential to his happiness....more
My Bear Griz by Suzanne McGinness
“My name is Billy and I love bears. My bear’s name is Griz because he is a Grizzly Bear.”
Billy and Griz do lots of things together, like...more
Billy and Griz do lots of things together, like...more
PETS OF ONE SORT OR ANOTHER
Melvin and the Boy by Lauren Castillo
A little boy wants a pet, but he lives in the city and his parents say no to every pet he proposes. One day, he sees a turtle with a yellow spot on his...more
Melvin and the Boy by Lauren Castillo
A little boy wants a pet, but he lives in the city and his parents say no to every pet he proposes. One day, he sees a turtle with a yellow spot on his...more
My Rhinoceros by Jon Agee
A boy buys a rhinoceros without realizing what he was getting into. He is disappointed to learn that his rhinoceros won’t chase a ball or roll over or...more
Olive and Snowflake by Tammie Lyon
Olive and Snowflake, Olive’s dog, are best friends. They do everything together.
“They played together,
slept together,
and rea...more
A Pet for Petunia by Paul Schmid
Petunia wants a pet skunk. Desperately. But her parents refuse. They tell her that skunks stink. Petunia is so angry that she sets off into the woods ...more
Lucy wants to learn to read and write so she starts write notes and reading them aloud at every opportunity. Mostly her dog, Peanut, eats the notes...more
Samson's Tale by Carla Mooney
A boy buys a rhinoceros without realizing what he was getting into. He is disappointed to learn that his rhinoceros won’t chase a ball or roll over or...more
Olive and Snowflake by Tammie Lyon
Olive and Snowflake, Olive’s dog, are best friends. They do everything together.
“They played together,
slept together,
and rea...more
A Pet for Petunia by Paul Schmid
Petunia wants a pet skunk. Desperately. But her parents refuse. They tell her that skunks stink. Petunia is so angry that she sets off into the woods ...more
Pig Kahuna by Jennifer Sattler
Fergus and his little brother, Dink (wearing a diaper) are collecting objects on the beach when they run across a surfboard. Because the ocean had...more
Reading to Peanut by Leda SchubertFergus and his little brother, Dink (wearing a diaper) are collecting objects on the beach when they run across a surfboard. Because the ocean had...more
Lucy wants to learn to read and write so she starts write notes and reading them aloud at every opportunity. Mostly her dog, Peanut, eats the notes...more
Samson's Tale by Carla Mooney
Snowmen All Year by Caralyn Buehner
If only snowmen could be with us all year long! A boy imagines all the fun he could have with a snowman if only the snowman could last the whole year....more
If only snowmen could be with us all year long! A boy imagines all the fun he could have with a snowman if only the snowman could last the whole year....more
Won Ton: A Cat Tale Told in Haiku by Lee Wardlaw
The whole story of a cat’s life, from his time in the animal shelter to his new home with a little boy, is in this book, all told in haiku. Wonderful ...more
DOGS THAT DIE
Bone Dog by Eric Rohmann
Gus and his dog, Ella, were longtime friends. When Ella was very old, she promised Gus that she would always be with him. Then she passed away, and Gus...more
Harry & Hopper by Margaret Wild
Harry and Hopper, Harry’s dog, adore each other. Then Hopper dies while Harry is at school. Harry misses his dog very much and wishes he could have to...more
Bone Dog by Eric Rohmann
Gus and his dog, Ella, were longtime friends. When Ella was very old, she promised Gus that she would always be with him. Then she passed away, and Gus...more
Harry & Hopper by Margaret Wild
Harry and Hopper, Harry’s dog, adore each other. Then Hopper dies while Harry is at school. Harry misses his dog very much and wishes he could have to...more
Sammy in the Sky by Barbara Walsh
Sammy is the best hound dog in the world. When Sammy gets sick and dies, the family mourns his loss and remembers Sammy by doing things Sammy had always...more
April Fool, Phyllis! by Susanna Leonard Hill
Phyllis the groundhog wakes up on April first, the day of the planned treasure hunt, feeling funny in her stomach; Phyllis knows winter is not over and...more
Brownie Groundhog and the February Fox by Susan Blackaby
Brownie Groundhog wakes up in February to discover that there are still six more weeks of winter. Who comes along but a hungry fox, eager to gobble Brownie...more
Fall Mixed Up by Bob Raczka
Raczka writes and draws fall that is filled with boo-boos. This book has an I Spy kind of fun, looking on every page for the mistakes...more
Haunted House, Haunted Mouse by Judy Cox
Mouse hops inside a trick-or-treat bag and before he knows it he is out celebrating Halloween. He ends up in a very scary house with weird noises and ...more
Seasons by Anne Crausaz
Author/illustrator Crausaz walks us through the seasons by letting us feel and see and hear for a few moments a few key parts of each season...more
Sammy is the best hound dog in the world. When Sammy gets sick and dies, the family mourns his loss and remembers Sammy by doing things Sammy had always...more
HOLIDAYS / SEASONS
Phyllis the groundhog wakes up on April first, the day of the planned treasure hunt, feeling funny in her stomach; Phyllis knows winter is not over and...more
Brownie Groundhog and the February Fox by Susan Blackaby
Brownie Groundhog wakes up in February to discover that there are still six more weeks of winter. Who comes along but a hungry fox, eager to gobble Brownie...more
Fall Mixed Up by Bob Raczka
Raczka writes and draws fall that is filled with boo-boos. This book has an I Spy kind of fun, looking on every page for the mistakes...more
Haunted House, Haunted Mouse by Judy Cox
Mouse hops inside a trick-or-treat bag and before he knows it he is out celebrating Halloween. He ends up in a very scary house with weird noises and ...more
Seasons by Anne Crausaz
Author/illustrator Crausaz walks us through the seasons by letting us feel and see and hear for a few moments a few key parts of each season...more
DRAGONS, FOXES, AND OTHER SCARY CREATURES
Argus by Michelle Knudsen
All of Sally’s class was doing a science project with eggs. Sally’s egg looked different than the other children’s eggs. When the eggs hatched, Sally ...more
All of Sally’s class was doing a science project with eggs. Sally’s egg looked different than the other children’s eggs. When the eggs hatched, Sally ...more
Boogie Monster by Josie Bissett
Foxy and Egg by Alex T. Smith
Whew! Would a kid get this? What grownup wouldn’t?! “Foxy DuBois was utterly charming and always kind to strangers, so she invited Egg in...more
Whew! Would a kid get this? What grownup wouldn’t?! “Foxy DuBois was utterly charming and always kind to strangers, so she invited Egg in...more
I’m a Shark by Bob Shea
Shark brags about how he is not afraid of anything, but there might just be one thing he is afraid of! Clever, funny text with great...more
Shark brags about how he is not afraid of anything, but there might just be one thing he is afraid of! Clever, funny text with great...more
Jam & Honey by Melita Morales
A tale told from two points of view, that of a little girl hunting for berries and a bee hunting for nectar. Both, we are learn...more
Little Owl's Night by Divya Srinivasan
Little Owl loves the night. Nighttime is our daytime for Little Owl. He flies through the night, stopping to visit his friends and observe the quiet a...more
Little Owl's Night by Divya Srinivasan
Little Owl loves the night. Nighttime is our daytime for Little Owl. He flies through the night, stopping to visit his friends and observe the quiet a...more
Pirate vs. Pirate: The Terrific Tale of a Big, Blustery Maritime Match by Mary Quattlebaum
“Bad Bart was the biggest and the burliest pirate on this side of the Atlantic. But he wanted to be the biggest, burliest pirate in the world. And the...more
“Bad Bart was the biggest and the burliest pirate on this side of the Atlantic. But he wanted to be the biggest, burliest pirate in the world. And the...more
When a Dragon Moves In by Jodi Moore
“If you build a perfect sandcastle,
a dragon will move in.
He’ll settle in all cozy
and peep at you from inside…
and you’ll...more
“If you build a perfect sandcastle,
a dragon will move in.
He’ll settle in all cozy
and peep at you from inside…
and you’ll...more
Wiener Wolf by Jeff Crosby
Wiener Dog thought life with Granny was too tame. He longed for adventure. One day, he snuck off to the state park when he made a group of new friends...more
Wiener Dog thought life with Granny was too tame. He longed for adventure. One day, he snuck off to the state park when he made a group of new friends...more
CLASSIC CHILDREN'S BOOK CHARACTERS
Arthur Turns Green by Marc Brown
Arthur wants to save the planet, so he is working on a project for this purpose. Is his project actually turning him green? Another good Arthur...more
Bear's Birthday by Stella Blackstone
It’s Bear’s birthday. He is having a party and all his guests are bears. They play hide-and-seek and musical chairs and Bear opens his gift and blows ...more
Bear's Birthday by Stella Blackstone
It’s Bear’s birthday. He is having a party and all his guests are bears. They play hide-and-seek and musical chairs and Bear opens his gift and blows ...more
Ladybug Girl and the Bug Squad by Jacky Davis
Ladybug Girl and her friends, Bumblebee Boy, Butterfly Girl, and Dragonfly Girl, play delightful imaginary games together in the forest...more
Ladybug Girl and her friends, Bumblebee Boy, Butterfly Girl, and Dragonfly Girl, play delightful imaginary games together in the forest...more
LaRue Across America: Postcards From the Vacation by Mark Teague
Monkey with a Tool Belt and the Seaside Shenanigans by Chris Monroe
Chico the monkey carries with him everywhere he goes the tool box of all tool boxes on his tool belt. He is always prepared for emergencies. One day...more
Chico the monkey carries with him everywhere he goes the tool box of all tool boxes on his tool belt. He is always prepared for emergencies. One day...more
Llama Llama Home with Mama by Anna Dewdney
Llama Llama is sick and has to stay home from school with his mother. It doesn’t take long for him to get bored at home. Later that day, Mama Llama...more
Llama Llama is sick and has to stay home from school with his mother. It doesn’t take long for him to get bored at home. Later that day, Mama Llama...more
Pete the Cat: Rocking in My School Shoes by Eric Litwin
Pete the Cat is back and he is singing all over the school. Brilliant lyrics, brilliant melodies. Right? Here’s a sample: “I’m reading in my...more
Scaredy Squirrel Has a Birthday Party by Melanie WattPete the Cat is back and he is singing all over the school. Brilliant lyrics, brilliant melodies. Right? Here’s a sample: “I’m reading in my...more
So many things frighten Scaredy Squirrel. He wants to have a birthday party, but he’s worried about all the things that could ruin his party: clownfish...more
CHAMELEONS
Blue Chameleon by Emily Gravett
A blue chameleon changes, sometimes with great difficulty, whenever he encounters other creatures and objects in his world...more
Chamelia by Ethan Long
“Most chameleons like to blend in. But not Chamelia.” Chamelia is different. And it is especially difficult to be a chameleon who...more
Chamelia by Ethan Long
“Most chameleons like to blend in. But not Chamelia.” Chamelia is different. And it is especially difficult to be a chameleon who...more
DARE TO BE DIFFERENT
The Astonishing Secret of Awesome Man by Michael Chabon
“I can fly as high as a satellite and as straight as an arrow or through the time barrier and not get dizzy, or feel nauseous, or smash into things...more
The Astonishing Secret of Awesome Man by Michael Chabon
“I can fly as high as a satellite and as straight as an arrow or through the time barrier and not get dizzy, or feel nauseous, or smash into things...more
Big Bouffant by Kate Hosford
Annabelle is bored with the boring way the girls in her class do their hair each morning. “Ponytails and braids! Ponytails and braids!” she moans...more
The Ballad of Booster Bogg by Ellen Jackson
Buglette, the Messy Sleeper by Bethanie Murguia
Buglette had big dreams at night and she tosses and turns so much that in the morning her bed is very messy. Her mother worries that such tossing and ...more
Chocolate Me! by Taye Diggs
Our main character in this story wants to be like his friends; he hates being dark skinned and having poofy hair and having a wide nose and having and...more
Review coming soon
Meena by Sine van Mol
All the children on Fly Street were scared of Meena. They called her names and talked about what they might do to hurt her and wrote WITCH on the...more
Nothing Like a Puffin by Sue Soltis
There’s nothing like a puffin.
Or is there?
“ A newspaper, to be sure, is nothing like a puffin.
A newspaper is shaped like a rectangle...more
Otto Carrotto by Chiara Carrer
Rabbits are strange, we are told. They all have their own quirks. Otto the rabbit only wants to eat carrots. He eats so many carrots that his ears turn...more
Phoebe Goes To Earth by Demetrice T Jefferson
Red Wagon by Renata Liwska
Lucy has a new red wagon. She wants to play with it, but her mother wants her to use it to pick up some groceries for her. Lucy uses her imagination to...more
Square Cat by Elizabeth Schoonmaker
It’s hard being a square cat in a round cat world. Eula doesn’t like being a square cat. The worst part was when she tipped over, it was hard to get...more
Ten for Me by Barbara Mariconda
That’s How! by Christoph Niemann
As a boy and girl walk along, the girl asks the boy how things work. The boy provides some imaginative answers. “How does a truck work...more
Willy by Geert De Kockere
Willy is an elephant and all the special and somewhat odd things (size, power, steadiness, skill at listening with two large ears, skill at painting...more
Buglette had big dreams at night and she tosses and turns so much that in the morning her bed is very messy. Her mother worries that such tossing and ...more
Chocolate Me! by Taye Diggs
Our main character in this story wants to be like his friends; he hates being dark skinned and having poofy hair and having a wide nose and having and...more
King Jack and the Dragon by Peter Bently
Jack makes a castle for himself and his friends and they spend the day fighting dragons and other beasts. Then night comes and, slowly, one by one...more
Marisol McDonald Doesn’t Match by Monica BrownJack makes a castle for himself and his friends and they spend the day fighting dragons and other beasts. Then night comes and, slowly, one by one...more
Review coming soon
Meena by Sine van Mol
All the children on Fly Street were scared of Meena. They called her names and talked about what they might do to hurt her and wrote WITCH on the...more
Nothing Like a Puffin by Sue Soltis
There’s nothing like a puffin.
Or is there?
“ A newspaper, to be sure, is nothing like a puffin.
A newspaper is shaped like a rectangle...more
Otto Carrotto by Chiara Carrer
Rabbits are strange, we are told. They all have their own quirks. Otto the rabbit only wants to eat carrots. He eats so many carrots that his ears turn...more
Red Wagon by Renata Liwska
Lucy has a new red wagon. She wants to play with it, but her mother wants her to use it to pick up some groceries for her. Lucy uses her imagination to...more
Square Cat by Elizabeth Schoonmaker
It’s hard being a square cat in a round cat world. Eula doesn’t like being a square cat. The worst part was when she tipped over, it was hard to get...more
Ten for Me by Barbara Mariconda
That’s How! by Christoph Niemann
As a boy and girl walk along, the girl asks the boy how things work. The boy provides some imaginative answers. “How does a truck work...more
Willy by Geert De Kockere
Willy is an elephant and all the special and somewhat odd things (size, power, steadiness, skill at listening with two large ears, skill at painting...more
