Zee Grows a Tree


Elizabeth Rusch - 2021
    Perfect for anyone who loves the natural world--or wonders about the origins of their holiday tree.On the morning little Zee Cooper is born, a Douglas-fir seedling emerges from the nursery bed at her family's Christmas tree farm. As Zee and the tree grow up together, they experience many of the same milestones. When Zee starts preschool, her tree is ready to start life outside the nursery. As Zee outgrows all her clothes, her tree grows taller, too. When Zee gets a whole new look for kindergarten, her tree gets a spiffy transformation as well. And as the years go on, Zee takes loving care of her tree, watering it through heat waves and protecting it from winter winds. Combining interesting details about how trees are grown and cared for on a farm with the sweet story of a friendship between a girl and her special tree, Zee Grows a Tree offers a blend of fiction and nonfiction that will draw the interest of young nature lovers everywhere. In the back of the book, readers will find an index, bibliography, and an author's note suggesting some ways to enjoy a holiday tree without cutting one down.

A Little Space for Me


Jennifer Gray Olson - 2020
    With clever, inventive art and universally relatable themes, A Little Space for Me by Jennifer Gray Olson is a heartwarming picture book about the importance of mindfulness, understanding, and finding a moment of peace within a big, busy world.Sometimes, when it's too loud, too crowded, too messy, too smelly, or for no reason at all, you might just need a little bit of space to feel like yourself again.

Trick or Treat, Bugs to Eat


Tracy C. Gold - 2021
    An adorable rhyming Halloween book with educational nonfiction elements woven in, perfect for classrooms and libraries!Trick or treat, smell my feet, give me lots of BUGS to eat! Follow along as a young bat takes flight on Halloween night and eats lots of delicious bugs along the way! Includes educational backmatter with lots of fun facts about bats and their favorite insects.

I Don't Know What to Call My Cat


Simon Philip - 2017
    One name, one word, just a sound... It should be easy to choose one, right? WRONG!!! I just don't know what to call my cat! Choosing the right name for a new pet is very important! Find out just what this cat’s name turns out to be.

Why Christmas Trees Aren't Perfect


Richard H. Schneider - 1988
    Small Pine hoped to maintain its perfect form and be selected by the Queen as her Christmas tree. But as the warm-hearted little tree gave shelter to birds, rabbits, and deer in the forest, its branches became damaged. Fortunately, the Queen had a different idea of perfection...Young readers will want to read and reread the story of how Small Pine's love and charity for its friends helps make it the most "perfect" Christmas Tree of all.This magnificently illustrated story of a warm-hearted Christmas tree will surely become one of the most beloved classics of future generations. Schneider's storytelling will enthrall children and adults alike.

The Vanishing Lake


Paddy Donnelly - 2021
    There are days the lake is beautiful, shimmering, and full. And then there are other days . . . where the lake is completely empty.Meara asks her granddad WHY the water disappears, but every time he blames far-fetched culprits: Narwals! Mermaids! Giants!Unsatisfied with these wild tales, Meara sets out to look under every pebble and search every hill—exploring the entire island to uncover the truth for herself. Little does she know the answer is much larger than she realizes, and it might just take stepping back and opening her eyes to the impossible to discover the magic of Lake Loughareema.From debut author-illustrator Paddy Donnelly comes a captivating tale celebrating a young girl’s determination, a granddad’s wisdom, and the fantastical wonders of the natural world.What to Expect:Wild and Fun: Readers are caught up in a slew of outlandish situations.Natural Themes: With a sense of wonder throughout, this book encourages young readers to explore the wider world around them and seek their own natural wonders.Gorgeous Art: The illustrations in this book are rich-textured, fun, lively, and entirely engaging.A Clever Combination of Fiction and Non-Fiction: An educational back matter offers opportunities for discussions about geographical phenomena.

Summer Days and Nights


Wong Herbert Yee - 2012
    She catches a butterfly, sips lemonade, jumps in a pool, and goes on a picnic. At night, she sees an owl in a tree and a frog in a pond, and hears leaves rustling. Before long, she’s fast asleep, dreaming about more summer days and summer nights. As with his earlier books featuring this spunky little girl, Wong Herbert Yee’s focus is on appreciating the small but special details that define a season.

The Christmas Fox


Anik McGrory - 2016
    “A baby is coming. There’s work to be done!”   One by one, from field and forest, the animals make their way to a barn. The cow has sweet-smelling hay to offer the baby. The bluebird has the gift of song. And a lamb has soft, cozy wool. But the shy little fox has nothing to offer . . . or so he thinks.   With its gentle text and warm, expressive illustrations, this irresistible take on the Nativity story invites even the youngest child to discover the truest gifts of the Christmas season: the ones that come from the heart.

A Bear is a Bear


Karl Newson - 2018
    Is he a bird? Or a moose? A fox perhaps? Or even a squirrel? No! He's definitely a bear, and it's time this bear went back to sleep...

Brains! Not Just a Zombie Snack


Stacy McAnulty - 2021
    78% water, 100% delicious. A zombie chef who has sworn off eating brains salivates over this super powerful organ in this funny and fact-filled picture book. From learning about how the brain processes messages from our five senses, to learning why wrinkly human brains are so much more powerful than smooth mouse brains, this is an introduction to the organ that does it all.

I'll Follow the Moon


Stephanie Lisa Tara - 2005
    Slowly, slowly, with a tap, click, crack, the baby turtle embarks upon a mysterious nighttime journey. Gentle, tender verse and enchanting illustrations carry this tranquil tale from sand to sea.

Birthday on Mars!


Sara Schonfeld - 2019
    . . a celebration of curiosity and exploration." - GeekDad.comMars is our closest neighbor, and a little robot named Curiosity is investigating the planet for us. Join for a tour of the place this rover calls home. Get to know Mars through eye-catching illustrations of an alien landscape and the adorable robot in charge of exploring it all. And this rover's birthday is a perfect time to celebrate curiosity.For nerdy parents, fans of space, or those who are just curious, relive the moment when the Curiosity rover sang itself happy birthday in 2013 after one year on Mars.

More-Igami


Dori Kleber - 2016
    When a visiting mother of a classmate turns a plain piece of paper into a beautiful origami crane, his eyes pop. Maybe he can learn origami, too. It’s going to take practice — on his homework, the newspaper, the thirty-eight dollars in his mother’s purse . . . Enough! No more folding! But how can Joey become an origami master if he’s not allowed to practice? Is there anywhere that he can hone the skill that makes him happy — and maybe even make a new friend while he’s at it?

What the Dinosaurs Did Last Night


Refe Tuma - 2014
    Refe and Susan Tuma take this wonder several steps further in WHAT THE DINOSAURS DID LAST NIGHT.Every November, writer and social media master Refe Tuma and his wife, Susan, work into the night to bring their four children scenes from the secret lives of their toys -- specifically the nighttime antics of their plastic dinosaurs. The dinosaurs wreck bathrooms, destroy vases, rock out, encounter terrifying hot irons, even do the dishes with hilarious, magical results. Each scene is photographed in meticulous detail, letting viewers joyfully suspend disbelief and think to themselves -- just LOOK what the dinosaurs did last night!

Grains of Sand


Sibylle Delacroix - 2017
    What should she do with all of this sand? Together, she and her brother decide to plant the grains of sand, and imagine what will grow. A field of beach umbrellas, to wave hello to the sun? Or a forest of windmills, to fill the sails of a boat? Before drifting off to sleep, the girl has her dad promise they’ll go back for new grains of sand next year.