Put Me in the Zoo


Robert Lopshire - 1960
    Spot, a polka-dot leopard who can change colors and even juggle his own spots, tries to convince two children that he is special enough to be exhibited in the zoo.

Hi! Fly Guy


Tedd Arnold - 2005
    Er, and so begins a very funny friendship. Using hyperbole, puns, slapstick, and silly drawings, bestselling author/illustrator Tedd Arnold creates an easy reader that is full of fun.This book is a Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor book!

Mac and Cheese


Sarah Weeks - 2011
    Macaroni and Cheese are best friends, yet they couldn’t be more different! Mac likes to pounce and bounce and jump, but Cheese just sits there like a lump. But when Mac runs into a problem with a gust of wind, Cheese stops being a grumpy grump long enough to help save his friend’s favorite hat. Written in the style of P. D. Eastman’s classic Big Dog . . . Little Dog, this modern-day alley-cat odd couple will delight beginning readers.

What This Story Needs Is a Pig in a Wig


Emma J. Virjan - 2015
    . . .As a panda in a blouse, a skunk on a trunk, and more hop on board, it becomes clear that what this story really needs is a bigger boat! Join Pig on an exciting boat ride as she discovers that life is more fun with friends in this fantastic funny read-aloud with cumulative text from author-illustrator Emma J. Virján.The "What This Story Needs..." books are bright and lively and inspire giggles. "A story with echoes of Seuss and Willems," School Library Journal said in a starred review of What This Story Needs Is a Hush and a Shush.

Hand, Hand, Fingers, Thumb


Al Perkins - 1969
    in full color. A madcap band of dancing, prancing monkeys explain hands, fingers, and thumbs to beginning readers.

The Rock from the Sky


Jon Klassen - 2021
    He likes it so much that he asks his friend Armadillo to come over and stand in it, too. But now that Armadillo is standing in that spot, he has a bad feeling about it . . .Here comes The Rock from the Sky, a meditation on the workings of friendship, fate, shared futuristic visions, and that funny feeling you get that there's something off somewhere, but you just can't put your finger on it.

A Bargain for Frances


Russell Hoban - 1970
    Thelma always seems to get Frances into trouble. When she tricks Frances into buying her tea set, it's the last straw. Can Frances show her that it's better to lose a bargain than lose a friend?

Narwhal: Unicorn of the Sea


Ben Clanton - 2016
    Jelly is a no-nonsense jellyfish. The two might not have a lot in common, but they do they love waffles, parties and adventures. Join Narwhal and Jelly as they discover the whole wide ocean together.

Owl at Home (I Can Read, Level 2)


Arnold Lobel - 1975
    But whether he's inviting Winter in on a cold and snowy night, or welcoming a new friend he meets while on a stroll, Owl always has room for visitors!

Houndsley and Catina


James Howe - 2006
    Houndsley is an excellent cook. Catina thinks Houndsley is a wonder. Houndsley thinks Catina is a very good friend. So what should Houndsley say about Catina's seventy-four-chapter memoir? And can Catina find the right words of comfort for Houndsley after the big cooking contest fiasco? James Howe's funny and endearing world of ginger tea, no-bean chili, and firefly watching is brought to life in cozy watercolors by Marie-Louise Gay in this tender chapter book about what it means to be friends.

Flubby Is Not a Good Pet!


Jennifer E. Morris - 2019
    He won't sing, catch, or even jump! But when a scary situation brings Flubby and his owner together, they realize they really do need each other--and that makes Flubby a good pet after all.

Pete the Cat: Too Cool for School


Kimberly Dean - 2014
    He has so many colorful choices in his closet to choose from, how will he decide on one?In this hilarious I Can Read tale, Pete learns it's not what you wear, but how you wear it that makes you cool.

Little Bear


Else Holmelund Minarik - 1957
    Children will be entranced by Little Bear's trip to the moon, his birthday party, and his wishes and adventures.This is the first of the five classic books about Little Bear, introducing the funny and strikingly childlike bear cub and his friends. The combination of Else Holmelund Minarik's simple, yet eloquent, stories and Maurice Sendak's warm, tender illustrations have made this beloved character an enduring favorite among beginning readers.

Snail & Worm: Three Stories About Two Friends


Tina Kugler - 2016
    Combining deceptively simple art with clever wordplay, Snail & Worm—told in three comical, episodic shorts and ranging in topic from adventuring to having pets—will have both girls and boys delighting in the friends' silly antics, making it a perfect book for readers transitioning between picture books and chapter books.

Harry and the Lady Next Door


Gene Zion - 1960
    Every time Harry tries to stop her, he gets in trouble! Can Harry solve the neighborhood′s problem before he′s sent to the doghouse?This is an irresistible story featuring a classic picture book character, especially perfect for young dog lovers and fans of Harry the Dirty Dog.For more fun with Harry the Dirty Dog, don't miss No Roses for Harry! and Harry by the Sea.