Book picks similar to
The Big Dark by John Prater


animals
picture-books
re-reads
wilona

Cat Knit


Jacob Grant - 2016
    They have so much fun playing together, the two are inseparable.Until the day Girl takes Yarn away.When Yarn Returns, he is completely changed, no longer Cat's bright and rolly friend. Cat is mad!Soon, Cat begins to miss his best friend, and he just might realize that a little change isn't so bad after all.

5 Little Monkeys Jumpin' on the Bed: A Sing 'N Count Book


Baby Genius - 2009
    Oboe’s mama discovers that Oboe and his brothers and sisters are jumpin’ on their bed. One-by-one they each fall off and bump their head. When Mama calls the Doctor (Dr. DJ), the doctor says, “No more monkeys jumpin’ on the bed.” But when Dr. DJ gets home to his own family, guess what his children are doing? This classic children’s song/story will bring joy, laughter, and smiles to tots and parents alike. Children will learn how to count the monkeys on their fingers and gain an entertaining introduction to subtraction – every time a monkey falls off the bed.

Way Down Deep in the Deep Blue Sea


Jan Peck - 2004
    I guarantee! Come on! Be brave! Just follow me! And let's explore the deep blue sea!

Cold Turkey


Corey Rosen Schwartz - 2021
    But once he's down to just his birthday suit, what's a cold turkey to do? (Not to worry—his friends will have him toasty again in no time!)With rollicking rhythm and giggle-inducing illustrations, this heartwarming story of kindness is sure to be a hit with young readers at Thanksgiving, through snowy winter months, and all year-round!

The Cow Loves Cookies


Karma Wilson - 2010
    As the farmer makes his rounds each day, most of the animals chew on the foods a young reader would expect. But when it’s time to feed the cow, she feasts on a special treat! Wilson's signature style and Marcellus Hall’s spirited watercolors will delight children on and off the farm—because when it comes down to it, who doesn’t love milk and cookies?

A Day So Gray


Marie Lamba - 2019
    Soon she finds orange berries, blue water, purple shadows, and more. Warm friendship and a fresh way of seeing things transform a snow-covered landscape from bleak to beautiful!

Rhymoceros


Janik Coat - 2015
    His ability to appear “stinky” and “inky,” or “caring” and “daring,” oftentimes lands him in compromising contexts. Fortunately, he doesn’t seem to mind. Surprising novelty features such as gold foil stamping and flocking enhance this unique, gifty, high-design concept board book.

North, South, East, West


Margaret Wise Brown - 2017
    From Margaret Wise Brown, the bestselling author of classics like Goodnight Moon and The Runaway Bunny, comes a never-before-published story about a little bird’s first journey, brought to life by Geisel Award-winning illustrator Greg Pizzoli.It’s time for a little bird to fly awayto the north, the south, the east, and the west.Which direction will she like best?

Bears in the Snow


Shirley Parenteau - 2016
    But — oh, no! Their sled is too small! It’s not as much fun to go sledding only two at a time, but what can they use to carry them all? Luckily, Big Brown Bear has an idea — and it starts with a belly flop!

Cleo in the Snow


Stella Blackstone - 2002
    This storybook is ideal for teaching the concepts of weather and the seasons, and encourages children to enjoy outdoor play. Illustrations.

How to Be a Good Cat


Gail Page - 2011
    So when Mr. Hiccup needs someone to watch his new kitten, Bonkers, Bobo eagerly volunteers. He can't wait to teach his young friend a few tried-and-true tricks. But Bonkers doesn't want to sit or stay or fetch. He'd rather shred the curtains or terrorize the goldfish. Luckily, Cat knows all about cat things-like stretching, pouncing, and landing on his feet. But even with lessons, can a good dog really teach a bad cat how to behave?No matter which animal they prefer, all readers will love the silliness that ensues when this big dog and sweet (but naughty!) kitten go head to head.

Over and Under the Snow


Kate Messner - 2011
    But under the snow exists a secret kingdom of squirrels and snow hares, bears and bullfrogs, and many other animals that live through the winter safe and warm, awake and busy, under the snow. Discover the wonder and activity that lies beneath winter's snowy landscape in this magical book.

Tree: A Peek-Through Picture Book


Britta Teckentrup - 2015
    With clever peekaboo holes throughout, each page reveals a new set of animals playing and living in the tree—baby bears frolicking in the spring, bees buzzing around apples in the summer, squirrels storing nuts in the fall, and finally the lone owl keeping warm during the winter chill—until another year begins. . . .   Children will love seeing a new set of animals appear and then disappear as each page is turned, and along the way they’ll learn about the seasons and how a forest and its inhabitants change throughout the year."Ideal for sharing up close, where little ones can get a good look at the pictures, this gentle, easy-to-memorize story of the seasons is a great fit for bedtime."—Booklist

Sing a Song of Seasons: A Nature Poem for Each Day of the Year


Fiona Waters - 2018
    Filled with familiar favorites and new discoveries written by a wide variety of poets, including William Shakespeare, Emily Dickinson, John Updike, Langston Hughes, N. M. Bodecker, Okamoto Kanoko, and many more, this is the perfect book for children (and grown-ups!) to share at the beginning or the end of the day.

Chicky Chicky Chook Chook


Cathy MacLennan - 2007
    Bright yellow chicks, golden bees, and striped kitty-cats play in the warm sunshine, clucking and buzzing and skitty-scatting. Then they rest, snoozy-woozy. But what is this? The pitter-patter of raindrops. Now the crash, bang, wallop of a storm—how will they get dry? Soon the sun and sweet breezes come out again. Wonderfully textured art (you can practically feel the cats’ fur and the chicks’ softness), as well as a sleepytime ending, will make this a favorite to read again and again.