a dogs life


Martin Clunes - 2008
    . . ???I have always been a pushover when it comes to dogs ??? something my own dogs worked out a long time ago. Who else can be relied on to be that excited about seeing you first thing, day in day out???? Mary, Tina and Arthur are the four-footed members of the Clunes family ??? scrapping, sleeping, leaping, wagging and licking. But there???s too much of the scrapping, and the hierarchy is a complicated structure that has been bent and broken. Martin Clunes set off on a worldwide adventure to film ITV???s A Man and His Dogs and sought to discover where dogs come from and how they evolved into our companions and the working dogs of today. Along the way he also learned about the social structure of a wolf pack, survival skills of dingoes in Australia and wild dogs in Africa, among other things. In the wild, social rules are obeyed or fur flies, but nature has been pretty vicious in Martin???s own back yard as well. The battle to stop the fighting between Tina and Mary has included ventures into therapy, training classes, dog psychiatry, diet and tough love. Through the adventures of this delightful, closely-knit family, with their horses and chickens and dogs, we learn about the soft-hearted actor who is Martin Clunes. Fond, funny and endearing, this book will enchant and fascinate in equal measure.

The Reader


Amy Hest - 2012
    He has something important to share with his faithful companion, who bolts ahead to wait at the top of a tall hill. Our small hero climbs higher and higher, until finally, he is there, too. Then he opens his suitcase – click, click – and soon the only sound in the world is the sound of him reading their very favorite book to the very last page…the very last word. Amy Hest’s spare evocative text is a true celebration of new readers and good friends everywhere, while Lauren Castillo’s pen and ink and watercolor illustrations, with their bold saturated colors against winter white, perfectly capture the wonder and delight of this magical day.

The Do-Over Day: a children's book about surviving the worst day ever


Julia Inserro - 2019
    But some days are the worst! Sometimes everything just goes wrong: your little sister presses the elevator button first your favorite socks are missing you're not allowed to wear your mermaid costume to the dentist you can't wear your snorkel in the bathtub But how great would it be if we could learn how to have a good do-over day? Think of all the moaning and groaning and fussing and grumping we could avoid.The Do-Over Day is a great book for kids ages 3-9 and can teach us all how to handle the occasional worst day ever. It even comes with practice cards, so you can begin to have better do-over days, too.

No Sleep for the Sheep!


Karen Beaumont - 2011
    All is peaceful until—QUACK! Is that a duck at the barn door? And now a goat? A pig? A cow? A horse? Each new unexpected guest is bigger and louder than the last! How will the sheep ever get this barnyard crowd to quiet down before—COCK-A-DOODLE-DOO!

Dinosaur vs. Mommy


Bob Shea - 2015
    series comes another rambunctious read-aloud that will tickle toddlers and mommies on Mother's Day and every day after!Dinosaur is spending the day with Mommy. ROAAR! He helps her wake up, go shopping, sort laundry, and more—his way, that is. By bedtime, it looks like Mommy is down for the count. Is one little red dinosaur just too much for her, or will Mommy win? Chock full of the bold graphics and exuberance that has made the Dinosaur vs. series so popular, favorite funny man Bob Shea delivers another winner—for both little dinosaurs, and mommies everywhere!Don't miss the other Dinosaur vs. books:Dinosaur Vs. BedtimeDinosaur Vs. SchoolDinosaur Vs. the PottyDinosaur Vs. the Library* "Shea's buoyant, emotive artwork and sharp comic timing makes Dinosaur's fifth story feel as fresh and funny as his first one." —Publishers Weekly, starred review

Fiona the Hippo


Richard Cowdrey - 2018
    But her inspiring story of spunk and determination captured hearts around the world. Cheer on smart, sassy, and fearless Fiona as she defeats the odds and becomes a happy, healthy hippopotamus.Fiona the Hippo teaches children:Anything is possible with positivity and perseveranceNever give up, no matter what the oddsLove and support from others are powerfulIn this whimsical and inspiring tale, children will:Laugh as they read about Fiona letting out a snort, wiggling her ears, and saying, "I’ve got this." Be delighted to meet Fiona’s lovable animal friends at the zoo Fiona the Hippo, by New York Times bestselling artist Richard Cowdrey (Bad Dog, Marley), is a heroine for children and adults everywhere, and she will steal hearts and give readers the courage to face whatever challenges they might have in their own lives.

The Mouse Who Ate the Moon


Petr Horáček - 2014
    What happens when her wish comes true? Little Mouse loves to look up at the moon every night. But one night, when a piece of the moon falls from the sky, she can't resist taking a little nibble. And another. Soon the moon is no longer round. What will happen to it now? Children will be eager to turn the pages and peek through the holes in an amusing tale of temptation featuring Petr Horácek's bold, vibrant illustrations.

Lost in the Library


Josh Funk - 2018
    The city is about to awake, and the lions absolutely must be in their places before the sun rises. Now, Fortitude must abandon his own post to find his best friend in the Library’s labyrinthine halls.

A Loud Winter's Nap


Katy Hudson - 2017
    He assumes he isn't missing much. However, his friends are determined to prove otherwise! Will Tortoise sleep through another winter, or will his friends convince him to stay awake and experience the frosty fun of winter? Best-selling author Katy Hudson's charming picture book will have everyone excited for winter.

Kite Flying


Grace Lin - 2002
    It is a good day for kites! The whole family makes a trip to the local craft store for paper, glue, and paint. Everyone has a job: Ma-Ma joins sticks together. Ba-Ba glues paper. Mei-Mei cuts whiskers while Jie-Jie paints a laughing mouth. Dragon eyes are added and then everyone attaches the final touch . . . a noisemaker! Now their dragon kite is ready to fly.Kite Flying celebrates the Chinese tradition of kite making and kite flying and lovingly depicts a family bonded by this ancient and modern pleasure.

Dog in Charge


K.L. Going - 2011
    . . takes a nap Dog can Sit. He can Stay. He can even Dance. But when he's in charge, can he keep the cats in line? All one, two, three, four, five of them? Illustrated by Caldecott winner, Dan Santat, and packed full of slapstick silliness and utterly earnest charm, Dog will quickly wiggle his way into preschoolers' hearts.

If You See a Kitten


John Butler - 2002
    If you see a cuddly kitten, say ahhh! If you see a dozing dormouse, say shhh! But what if you see a spooky spider...or a cranky crocodile?From a pretty peacock (oooh!) to some slimy slugs (yuck!), this simple, interactive look at various animals and the reactions they evoke will coax giggles and spirited responses from young children as they follow along.From acclaimed author-illustrator John Butler, If You See a Kitten is the perfect read-aloud book young children will want to hear again and again.

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.

Clifford for President


Acton Figueroa - 2004
    . . of the Birdwell Island dog park! Emily Elizabeth needs to put up a candidate for a class project, so of course she nominates the Big Red Dog who's always a big winner!

Three Bears in a Boat


David Soman - 2014
     Three bear siblings break their mother’s favorite blue seashell, and rather than tell her, they decide to set out in their sailboat to find her a new one. On their quest they encounter salty sailors, strange new islands, huge whales, and vast seas but no blue seashells. When a treacherous storm suddenly blows in, the three bears find themselves tossed about in their little boat, far from Mama. What will become of their search, and what will it take to bring them safely home? This read aloud shares its best qualities with classic picture books: breath-taking illustrations, epic adventure, and a subtle message about taking responsibility for your actions.