How to Be a T. Rex


Ryan North - 2018
    That's why Sal is not going to be a teacher or doctor or lawyer when she grows up. She is going to grow up to be an awesome Tyrannosaurus Rex. Her brother thinks it's impossible, but Sal sure shows him! And in the beginning, being a T. Rex is AWESOME. But did you know that it's kind of hard to make friends when you are a super-giant, super-loud, super-stompy dinosaur? If only there were a way for Sal to be 100% awesome, 100% of the time...Eisner Award-winning writer Ryan North makes his picture book debut with this bright, bold, and quirky story about finding--and taming--the beast within.

Kitties on Dinosaurs


Michael Slack - 2020
    The level-headed narrator warns the kitties that the dinosaurs look hungry, that their teeth are super big, that things look terribly bleak if they go through with climbing the dinosaurs. But these kitties have a plan. And then another plan. And then another...well, you get the idea. Can these fair kitties conquer their biggest challenge yet and avoid cat-astrophe?

Little Penguins


Cynthia Rylant - 2016
      Snowflakes? Many snowflakes. Winter is coming. So begins this ever-so-simple story. As the snow starts to fall, the excited penguins pull out scarves, mittens, heavy socks, and boots, and Mama helps them bundle up. But when it’s time to go out, one timid penguin decides to stay home. Filled with waddling baby penguins, playful text, and delightful illustrations, this book feels like a young picture-book classic in the making.From the Hardcover edition.

Dinosaurs Don't Have Bedtimes!


Timothy Knapman - 2016
    Well, dinosaurs don’t have dinnertimes! They eat whatever they like (gobble, crunch!), make a dreadful mess, and hate to take baths and wear pajamas (where would their tails go?). Dinosaurs are much too big to play nicely—they rampage and stomp around and knock things down! But maybe they’d listen to a bedtime story, if it’s ROARY. . . . With exuberant illustrations merging bedtime routines with a little boy’s fantasy world—and showing Mom’s role in both—this ode to dinosaurs, wild imaginations, and cleverly won bedtime snuggles is sure to get roars of approval from kids and parents alike.

When the Elephant Walks


Keiko Kasza - 1990
    When the Bear runs away, he scares the Crocodile. When the Crocodile swims for his life, he scares the Wild Hog . . . and so on, down to the Mouse. And who could be scared of the little Mouse? The last spread answers this question in a way that will delight small children-and the endearing animals, rhythmic text, and hilarious illustrations will make this board book a favorite.

Mustache Baby


Bridget Heos - 2013
    They are reassured when he nobly saves the day in imaginary-play sessions as a cowboy or cop and his mustache looks good-guy great. But as time passes, their worst fears are confirmed when little Billy’s mustache starts to curl up at the ends in a suspiciously villainous fashion. Sure enough, “Billy’s disreputable mustache led him into a life of dreadful crime.” Plenty of tongue-in-cheek humor and cartoonish illustrations make this the perfect baby-shower gift for a mustachioed father-to-be.

Silly Wonderful You


Sherri Duskey Rinker - 2016
    . . Jane and The Skunk, Patrick McDonnell, comes this funny and tender love letter from a parent to her child.Before YOU came along, so many things were different! But now there's a giggly baby, a house full of adventures and toys, a million little surprises. . . . And so much love.

Am I Yours?


Alex Latimer - 2018
    But if the little egg is to be reunited with its family, first they must discover what kind of dinosaur lies inside. What does that egg look like inside its shell? Surely, there must be a way to tell!This fun and unique tale featuring Alex Latimer's signature bold art style will keep dinosaur lovers and fans of Are You My Mother? enthusiastically following along and guessing who is inside the shell.

Baby Says "Moo!"


JoAnn Early Macken - 2011
    They just might spot the animal that actually makes Baby's favorite sound!Filled with sweet rhymes and adorable art, Baby Says "MOO!" is sure to delight every baby who has ever said "moo!"

You Can Be


Elise Gravel - 2018
    There are many ways to be a kid...Active and entertaining characters drawn in the author Elise Gravel's signature style will elicit giggles from kids and adults alike as they highlight all the weird and wonderful ways to be a kid.Short and sweet, You Can Be is a gentle reminder to embrace diversity in yourself and others, to be kind, and above all, to be YOURSELF.

Tickle Monster


Édouard Manceau - 2014
    His horns become the moon, his legs and arms become trees, his nose becomes a car. . . . Slowly but surely, the monster’s shapes build a peaceful nighttime landscape. Manceau’s bold, geometric illustrations create a deceptively simple visual narrative that encourages readers to see the parts as well as the whole. Reminiscent of Ed Emberley’s Go Away, Big Green Monster!, this book empowers the child to be brave and clever in the face of adversity.

Time for Bed, Old House


Janet Costa Bates - 2021
    Luckily, his knowing Grandpop tells him it’s not quite time to go to bed yet—first, he needs Isaac’s help in putting the house to bed. Quietly and slowly, they move from room to room, turning out lights and pulling down shades, as Grandpop gently explains the nighttime sounds that Isaac finds unfamiliar. Now it’s time to read the house a bedtime story (Isaac is good at reading the pictures). By the time the house is settled in for the night, Isaac and Grandpop are ready for bed, too. Janet Costa Bates’s tender story and A. G. Ford’s cozy illustrations will have families—and extended families or friends—eager to take a wise Grandpop’s cue and embrace a new nighttime tradition.

Wait! Wait!


Hatsue Nakawaki - 2002
    With a text of few words, frequent repetitions, and delicate illustrations with which children will quickly identify, the book follows a young child's discovery of other creatures. This discovery comes with the recognition that while other creatures can suddenly appear they can also go away and disappear just as quickly. But the delightful appearance of a dad and his playful swoop of his toddler up onto his shoulders will remind little ones that the people who love them will always be there and will never, ever not come back.Hatsue Nakawaki is a prolific author of children's books.Komako Sakai was born in Hyogo, Japan, in 1966. After graduating from Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music, Sakai worked at a kimono textile design company. She is currently one of the most popular authors and illustrators in Japan. Her books Emily's Balloon and The Snow Day have been published in the United States and were received with starred reviews and much acclaim.

The Very Lazy Ladybug Pop-Up


Isobel Finn - 1999
    Now available in a pop-up edition, this acclaimed picture books tells the story of a ladybug so lazy that she doesn't know how to fly, so she catches a ride on each animal that passes by.

We're Going on a Book Hunt


Pat Miller - 2008
    A rhyming picture book featuring forest animals as they take a trip to the library and learn proper library skills.