I Had a Favorite Dress


Boni Ashburn - 2011
    As the year passes, the narrator’s favorite dress goes through a series of creative changes, from dress to shirt to tank top to scarf and so on, until all that’s left of it is a good memory. Assisted by her patient and crafty mama, the narrator finds that when disaster strikes her favorite things, she doesn’t need to make mountains out of molehills—she “makes molehills out of mountains” instead! Structured around the days of the week, the story is also illustrated to show the passing of the seasons, a perfect complement to the themes of growing older and keeping hold (and letting go) of special mementos.

I Love You As Much...


Laura Krauss Melmed - 1993
    This celebration of the bond between mothers and their babies can be shared at naptime or bedtime or whenever it is time to say "I love you.""Written in quatrains that break into couplets across each double page, this lullaby rhyme catalogues various animals and their offspring, describing each mother's testament of love." School Library Journal."The light-drenched, golden-toned pictures exert a quietly hypnotic effect on both reader and listener, aided by the lullaby's sonorous repetition of each mother animal's love poem to her baby." New York Times

I'm Not Reading!


Jonathan Allen
    But then along comes Tiny Chick, who begs Baby Owl to read to him. Before you can say “once upon a time,” they're joined by a crowd: Tiny Chick's brothers and sisters and cousins and friends all want a story, too. Soon Baby Owl is smothered by lots of fluffy chicks. How can he EVER read? Fantastic fun with a favorite character.

Happy Dreamer


Peter H. Reynolds - 2017
    A celebration of the colorful spectrum of what it means to dream and the many ways to find happy!While the world tells us to sit still, to follow the rules, and to color inside the lines, Happy Dreamer celebrates all those moments in between when the mind and spirit soar and we are free to become our own true dreamer maximus!

Duck & Goose


Tad Hills - 2006
    This New York Times Bestseller and ALA-ALSC Notable Children’s Book stars two unforgettable characters and is filled with humor that young children will appreciate—and recognize!Duck and Goose have to work at getting along. You see, Duck doesn’t much care for Goose at first, and Goose isn’t fond of Duck. But both want the egg that each claims to be his. As the two tend to their egg, and make plans for the future, they come to appreciate one another’s strengths. And when a bluebird points out that it isn’t really an egg—it’s a polka dot ball—the two are not dismayed. After all, it is a lovely ball. . . .“Duck and Goose have taken their places alongside Frog and Toad and George and Martha as fine examples of friendship, curiosity and problem-solving.” —Kirkus Reviews

The Story of Miss Moppet


Beatrix Potter - 1906
    The aim of these editions is to be as close as possible to Beatrix Potter's intentions while benefiting from modern printing and design techniques. The colors and details of the watercolors in the volumes are reproduced more accurately than ever before, and it has now been possible to disguise damage that has affected the artwork over the years. Most notably, The Tale of Peter Rabbit restores six of Potter's original illustrations. Four were sacrificed in 1903 to make space for illustrated endpapers, and two have never been used before. Of course, Beatrix Potter created many memorable children's characters, including Benjamin Bunny, Tom Kitten, Jemima Puddle-duck and Jeremy Fisher. But whatever the tale, both children and adults alike can be delighted by the artistry in Potter's illustrations, while they also enjoy a very good read. Because they have always been completely true to a child's experience, Potter's 23 books continue to endure.

What Makes a Rainbow?


Betty Schwartz - 2000
    The last page is sure to delight with all the colors of the rainbow. What a fun way to learn colors!

Are You My Mother?


P.D. Eastman - 1960
    their younger brothers or sisters will also want to follow the baby bird's quest as he asks everyone and everything he meets, "Are You My Mother?".Back in 1957, Theodor Geisel responded to an article in Life magazine that lamented the use of boring reading primers in schools. Using the pseudonym of "Dr. Seuss" (Seuss was Geisel's middle name) and only two hundred twenty-three words, Geisel created a replacement for those dull primers: "The Cat in the Hat." The instant success of the book prompted Geisel and his wife to found Beginner Books, and Geisel wrote many popular books in this series, including "Hop on Pop," "Fox in Socks," and "Green Eggs and Ham." Other favorite titles in this series are "Go, Dog, Go!" and "Are You My Mother?" by P. D. Eastman, "A Fly Went By," by Mike McClintock, and "Put Me in the Zoo," by Robert Lopshire. These affordable hardcover books combine large print, easy vocabulary, and large, bright illustrations in stories kids will want to read again and again. Grades 1 - Grades 2.

Twas the Night Before Christmas


Ellie O'Ryan - 2008
    To find the answer to their question, the Super Readers fly into the classic story Twas the Night Before Christmas?. While in the story, the Super Readers meet Santa and discover that he visits all the children because it makes both him and them happy.

How Do Dinosaurs Play with Their Friends?


Jane Yolen - 2006
    Mark Teague's laugh-aloud illustrations, along with Jane Yolen's playful text, will show children that "playing nice" can be easy and fun. Perfect for parents to read aloud with their children, this book is as humorous as it is instructive.

Hippopposites


Janik Coat - 2010
    Simple pairings of words, both expected (small/large) and unexpected (clear/blurry), are humorously illustrated with a graphic and lovable red hippopotamus. Bold colors and surprising die-cuts and textures spice up this elegantly engaging board book. Praise for Hippopposites "Nicely done and a perfect gift, your favorite little one will love this book." —KIWI Magazine "This is a marvelous introduction to linguistic nuance for the very young." —The Wall Street Journal "A distinctive offering stands out in the crowded field of concept contenders." —Kirkus Reviews STARRED REVIEW "French illustrator Coat blends a quirky sensibility with a slick visual aesthetic...it’s an excellent (and fun) vehicle through which to demonstrate the concept." —Publishers Weekly, starred review Award 2013 ALA/ALSC Notable Book

The Raft


Jim LaMarche - 2000
    He's not too thrilled about all the chores either—especially fishing. Before long, though, a raft appears in the nearby river, and it changes everything. As Nicky explores, the raft works a subtle magic on the obstinate young boy, opening up the wonders all around him: the animals of river and woods, his grandmother's humor and wisdom, and his own special talent as an artist.This is a serene story about a summer in the woods, appreciating things—and people—in a whole new light, and discovering one's own talents. School Library Journal proclaimed, "this dazzling picture book is an artistic triumph." A note from the author describes the similarities between LaMarche's and Nicky's life.Supports the Common Core State Standards

Harold and the Purple Crayon


Crockett Johnson - 1955
    Adventure goes hand in hand with imagination to create this charming classic story.

That's How Much I Love You


Lisa Tawn Bergren - 2014
    FREE Read-aloud audio book inside Vividly illustrated and written in the charming back-and-forth style so familiar to mothers and children around the world, a little pup tries to convince her mom that she loves her more. "Mama, do you know how much I love you?" "No more than I love you, for sure," she said. "Oh, yes I do," I said. "I love you way more than you love me." "Impossible!" she cried, snuggling close. "Do you know how many trees there are in the forest? That's how much I love you." Young readers and parents will be delighted by the book's soothing pace, beautiful images, and heart warming message.

Art & Max


David Wiesner - 2010
    Arthur is an accomplished painter; Max is a beginner. Max’s first attempt at using a paintbrush sends the two friends on a whirlwind trip through various artistic media, which turn out to have unexpected pitfalls. Although Max is inexperienced, he’s courageous—and a quick learner. His energy and enthusiasm bring the adventure to its triumphant conclusion. Beginners everywhere will take heart.