Ducks Don't Wear Socks


John Nedwidek - 2008
    She enjoys serious things like bird-watching, math, and playing the cello. But one day while she's taking a walk, Emily runs into Duck, who is anything but serious . . . "Duck," asked Emily. "What are you wearing?" "Socks!" yelled Duck. "Ducks don't wear socks," replied Emily seriously. "Cold feet!" yelled Duck, and off he went.Through a series of humorous run-ins, Duck teaches Emily the importance of laughing; especially at oneself. A witty and comical debut picture book, this hilariously illustrated story will have readers laughing along with Emily.

The Very Busy Spider


Eric Carle - 1985
    A perfect gift to share with the child or grandchild in your life.Early one morning a little spider spins her web on a fence post. One by one, the animals of the nearby farm try to distract her, yet the busy little spider keeps diligently at her work. When she is done, she is able to show everyone that not only is her creation quite beautiful, it is also quite useful!This multi-sensory board book allows children to feel the pictures as well as see them, and is the perfect size for little hands. With its rhythmic text, The Very Busy Spider becomes an experience to touch, to see, and to hear.A beautifully executed work for the very young that satisfies the needs of both visually handicapped and sighted children without losing its artistic integrity.--The Horn Book, starred reviewBoth sighted and blind children will follow the action with ease . . . Visually and verbally, this is a winner.--Booklist, starred review.

Sometimes I Like to Curl Up in a Ball


Vicki Churchill - 2001
    Or sticking out his pink tongue--and pulling funny faces (now that can be fun)! And maybe he'll jump just as high as he can, and see how much noise he will make when he lands. But when the day ends and the sun starts to fall...he goes back home to mama and curls into a ball. Good night! Soft-toned illustrations portray an endearing little wombat and the warm and friendly world around him--and every page is filled with charming details that stand up to repeat viewings: cute mice, rabbits and turtles peering from behind tall grass, marching pigeons, and a menagerie of other adorable animals. The images, along with the lyrically rhyming text, combine to make a sweet-spirited bedtime story to ease young ones to sleep.

I Dare You Not to Yawn


Helene Boudreau - 2013
    Otherwise, you might find your mouth opening wide and letting out a great big yawny yaaaaaawn — hey, you were supposed hold it in! A hilarious read-aloud that is so much fun, kids will beg for it again and again, whatever the consequences.

Shake a Leg, Egg!


Kurt Cyrus - 2017
    There are beaver pups, heron hatchlings, and lots and lots of ducklings. Everyone is out and about, swimming, flapping, chirping, and quacking—except for one family of geese. When, oh when, will their last little one break on out and join the waiting world?

Thank You Bear


Greg E. Foley - 2007
    He looked inside. Then he exclaimed,"Why, it's the greatest thing ever! Mouse will love this."Bear's friends aren't so sure of his newfound treasure, however. "That's not so great," says Monkey. "I've seen those before," says Owl. And by the time Bear finds Mouse, his own doubts have grown. But Mouse has the last say when he looks inside the little box. "It is the greatest thing ever," he tells his friend. "Thank you, Bear."Part mystery, part fable, this deceptively simple story of true friendship is perfect for the very youngest reader. It is sure to tug at your heart.Good Luck Bear is the 2008 winner of the Charlotte Zolotow Award.

Chugga Chugga Choo Choo


Emma Garcia - 2017
    Here comes the train. And it’s rolling down the tracks in this vibrant picture book! Follow it along and count the birds that join the trip. All aboard, and all join in as the cheerful little train chugs past the seaside, the farm, the forest, the city, and into the station for a nice long rest. Along the way, a flock of noisy seagulls and blackbirds, pigeons and geese hop on for the ride. Kids will have fun looking at Emma Garcia’s colorful, collaged landscapes and counting all the honking, cooing, tweeting birds.

Have You Seen My New Blue Socks?


Eve Bunting - 2013
    Did I put them in my box?” Simple rhymes—including socks, box, fox, and ox!—spin the tale of a small duck who waddles through the countryside, forlornly searching for his blue socks. “I’m trying not to be depressed. / Without my socks I feel undressed.” Finally, a sharp-eyed peacock sees a bit of blue peeking out of duck’s lace-up shoes and the mini-mystery is solved! Soft-hued, adorable pen-and-ink and watercolor paintings adorn this winsome story that shares the familiar experience of not really losing something after all.

Suppose You Meet a Dinosaur: A First Book of Manners


Judy Sierra - 2012
    Don't worry. The dinosaur is very friendly. She's polite, too. In this funny story, told in lilting read-aloud rhyme, the girl has numerous opportunities to be helpful to the clumsy shopping dino and demonstrate when to say "thank you," "excuse me," "I'm sorry," "You're welcome," and other niceties of life. Tim Bowers's whimsical illustrations bring an extra dimension of fun to Judy Sierra's hilarious picture book fantasy. Altogether, Suppose You Meet a Dinosaur is an entertaining and painless way to show preschoolers why basic manners are a good thing to have.

Pass It On!


Marilyn Sadler - 2012
    Bee cannot help cow by himself so he decides to get the word out to as many farmyard friends as possible. But when he tells Frog about Cow's predicament and asks him to "Pass it on!", the message that gets passed to Pig is: "Cow put duck in a tent!" From there, the message morphs into the tent falling on a woodchuck, cow having good luck, a penny, some money, some honey, etc. In the end, understanding dawns, Cow is dis-lodged, and he and Bee thank their friends with fresh milk and honey.

The Wonderful Habits of Rabbits


Douglas Florian - 2016
    But as the day comes to an end, their favorite thing to do is say "goodnight" with a hug and a kiss.

Warning: Do Not Open This Book!


Adam Lehrhaupt - 2013
    You really shouldn't be opening this book.I'm serious.Just put it back on the shelf.Right...now.You're still reading this?Well, don't say I didn't warn you...It looks like a book, it feels like a book, and it even smells like a book. But watch out...madness and mayhem lie within! Debut author Adam Lehrhaupt urges you NOT to take a walk on the wild side in this humorous, interactive romp with inventive and engaging illustrations from Eisner Award-winning comic artist and rising star children's book illustrator Matthew Forsythe.This quirky, subversive creation begs to be enjoyed again and again and again.

Blue Chicken


Deborah Freedman - 2011
    The innocent chicken just wants to help, but things get worse and worse-and bluer and bluer--the more she tries. Playing with colors and perspective, and using minimal text, this richly layered story reveals new things to see and laugh about with each reading.

Zorro Gets an Outfit


Carter Goodrich - 2012
    They wake up together, have walk time together, and take naps together. But something is about to interrupt their schedule: Zorro has to wear a fancy outfit.Zorro is embarrassed, mortified, aghast. Mr. Bud tries to cheer him up, but nothing works. Everyone makes fun of Zorro, and he refuses to participate in chew-on-a-stick time. Mister Bud doesn't know what to do.But when another dog, a "very cool" dog shows up in an outfit and does amazing tricks and beats all the other dogs in a race, Zorro discovers that wearing clothes might not be so bad after all.Everything is back on schedule.

Piggies


Audrey Wood - 1991
    Don Wood’s oil paintings explode with mirth and magic and will engage all young readers."Trying to describe these luxuriant, witty pictures doesn’t really work, however; seeing is believing, and what luck for us there’s so much to see."--Booklist