Book picks similar to
Maddie the Mitzvah Clown by Karen Rostoker-Gruber


picture-books
read-alouds
children-s-books
growth-mindset

SpongeBob and the Princess (SpongeBob SquarePants)


David Lewman - 2004
    And when she doesn't appear, SpongeBob must think Fast. He promised a princess, but where will he find one on such short notice? Find out what happens in this royally Funny story!

Jabari Jumps


Gaia Cornwall - 2017
    He's finished his swimming lessons and passed his swim test, and he's a great jumper, so he's not scared at all. "Looks easy," says Jabari, watching the other kids take their turns. But when his dad squeezes his hand, Jabari squeezes back. He needs to figure out what kind of special jump to do anyway, and he should probably do some stretches before climbing up onto the diving board. In a sweetly appealing tale of overcoming your fears, newcomer Gaia Cornwall captures a moment between a patient and encouraging father and a determined little boy you can't help but root for.

Alone: A Story of Friendship in the Darkness of Space


Scott Stuart - 2019
    I vividly remember moving to Melbourne, knowing nobody, and in this large city, surrounded by millions of people, I felt lonelier than I had ever felt before. I think a lot of kids, as they enter new stages of their lives, can really relate to this feeling of loneliness, of being surrounded by people but afraid that they won’t make new friends, of feeling completely alone in the world.As I explored that theme for a new children’s book, I thought “what could be lonelier than the darkness of space?” That led me to think about how the Earth would feel if it were to wake up, surrounded by darkness, wanting to make friends.Would other planets be willing to open their hearts? Would the Earth be willing to take a chance and reach out to them? What if the other planets weren’t friendly? What if they didn’t like the Earth for who she was? Q - What do kids learn in this book? To cover the scientific bases first - I’ve been amazed at how quickly kids have learned the little facts that I brought into the story about all the planets. Like Uranus being blue and 4 times the size of Earth - when my son said that to me I was completely blown away by everything he remembered about the story.Everything in the book is based on scientific theory - some of it is debated of course, like how the moon came to be, and the age of the sun - but everything is based on our knowledge of the universe.The other thing, and the most important thing, that kids are learning, is that feeling alone in a new environment is something that everyone experiences. They learn that it’s ok to feel sad when they’re struggling to make friends. And they also learn that friendship is always only a moment (or a meteor) away. Q - What’s the feedback that has been the most surprising? I’ve been constantly surprised by, despite this being a picture book written for young children, how much this concept of feeling alone has resonated with an older audience. I know I had experienced the feeling, especially when in a new city, but so many people have reached out and told me they have felt the same. Q - Do kids love this book? I think that, when it comes to books about planets and space, it can be hard to really engage kids in the facts and the science. I’ve taken a completely different approach. I’ve built a really heartwarming story about the Earth and her emotions.

Los Zapaticos De Rosa


José Martí - 1990
    This captivating book, masterfully illustrated by Lulu Delacre, is dedicated with tenderness to the young readers for whom José Martí wrote this beautiful poem.

Stories from Shakespeare


Anna Claybourne - 2004
    Ages 10+Ten of Shakespeare’s best-loved plays, retold as detailed narrative stories in a modern style, with amazingly beautiful illustrations by Elena Temporin.

Charles Dickens


L. Du Garde Peach - 1965
    Many of the events in his life, and the characters whom he knew, are described in his books: this is the story of the man who wrote them.

Trouble Dolls


Jimmy Buffett - 1991
    "A welcome blend of myth and reality, set in modern times but connected by folklore to the world of animals and magic."--Publishers Weekly

The 13 Clocks


James Thurber - 1950
    It is beautiful and it is comic. It is philosophical and it is cheery. What we suppose we are trying fumblingly to say is, in a word, that it is Thurber.There are only a few reasons why everybody has always wanted to read this kind of story: if you have always wanted to love a Princess; if you always wanted to be a Prince; if you always wanted the wicked Duke to be punished; or if you always wanted to live happily ever after. Too little of this kind of thing is going on in the world today. But all of it is going on valorously in The 13 Clocks.

When Farts Had Colors


Mark Lawton Thomas - 2011
    When Farts Had Colors is the story of 4th grader Lance Chance who hates Mondays. This particular Monday Lance's mom coaxes Lance to school with his favorite sandwiches and a 'wish-kiss'. On his way to school Lance is tormented by "the biggest, meanest 4th grader ever to stalk the halls of Alfonso Orr Elementary School. Merry Maddox. Bully Extraordinaire…”A legend" and her posse of mayhem, the Crazy M&Ms. If having to hand over his sandwiches and perform a certain humiliating act wasn't enough, Lance gets blamed by Merry Maddox for letting out a fart so horrible it forces the entire school to evacuate. Lance runs away from school and wishes that farts had colors. "Then everyone would have known it was Merry Maddox who sent out those heat seeking missiles of doom and destruction," thinks Lance. And just like that, Lance's wish comes true. Will Lance come up with a plan to expose Merry Maddox and reveal her true colors?

Ellie and the Cupcakes


Amanda Kidd - 2020
    However, she soon discovers that being a giant comes with its own challenges, and compared to her size, Mum’s delicious cupcakes are now way too small!BONUS FEATURE! The book also includes Ellie's favourite cupcake and buttercream recipe!

The Day I Swapped My Dad for Two Goldfish


Neil Gaiman - 1997
    "Oh-oh," said my little sister.What if you wanted your best friend's two goldfish so much that you'd swap anything for them, even your father?What if your mother came home and found out what you'd done?The Day I Swapped My Dad for Two Goldfish is a hilarious adventure and was the first book for younger readers from the acclaimed author and illustrator of the New York Times best-sellers The Wolves in the Walls and Coraline. Chosen as one of Newsweek magazine's Best Children's Books of the Year, The Day I Swapped My Dad for Two Goldfish is beloved by readers of all ages. This new edition features brand-new jacket art and an afterword by the author on the origins of this unique and wonderfully funny story.

The Rabbit Who Wants To Fall Asleep: A New Way of Getting Children to Sleep


Carl-Johan Forssén Ehrlin - 2001
    Your child is quickly compelled by the story and falls asleep when you read it or after. The story is in a lovely way sleep-inducing and helps children all over the world to fall asleep. This is a new safe and innovative way to help your child fall asleep and is recommended by psychologists and therapists. " The Rabbit Who Wants To Fall Asleep " will help you accomplish the task of getting your child to have its beauty sleep and sleep well all night. " "Have you ever struggled to help your child get to sleep and wished that you had a magical spell? Carl-Johan's enchanting book will soon have your young ones dreaming." " - Matt Hudson, Bestselling author and psychotherapist No need for How-to skills, it's as easy and simple as reading a normal bedtime story with improved language pattern that will help your child to relax and fall asleep. After massive feedback from parents all over the world it's safe to say that " The Rabbit Who Wants To Fall Asleep " is a quick and guaranteed way to help your child relax in the evening or during a nap. This children's book will with ease help your child to fall asleep, at the same time its fun for you to read a bedtime story that's written in a special compelling way. While reading the kids book you can also enjoy the lovely pictures that improves the sleep-inducing state of the bedtime story. " The Rabbit Who Wants To Fall Asleep " also gives you opportunities to personalize the story by using the child's name and commit them even more to the story. Make your evening routine to something special and loving; buy the " Rabbit Who Want's To Fall Asleep " today. " "Use the story about The Rabbit Who Wants To Fall Asleep when exciting things are happening, or when something temporarily makes it difficult for your child to fall asleep." " - Mikael Odhage, Psychologist

How Oakley Lost His Spots (Oakley and Bella Book 1)


D.C. Swain - 2013
    Convinced by his friend Rover that he has lost them, he sets off to find his spots, only to find out that Dalmatians aren’t born with spots and that they all develop at different times. A vividly illustrated picture book, this story is perfect for showing children how everyone develops at different rates. ***Check out the other books in the "Oakley and Bella" series: -When Oakley Met Bella -Oakley and Bella Meet Puss -Oakley and Bella on Holiday

The Little Shop of Monsters


R.L. Stine - 2015
    Stine!Are you are afraid of monsters? Do they make you shiver and shake and shut your eyes really tight at night? Welcome to the Little Shop of Monsters! Do you want a SNEEZER? A TICKLER? Or one of the CREEPIEST monsters of all? Come on in and choose your favorite, if you dare (before one of them chooses YOU!). Renowned children's book creators Marc Brown and R.L. Stine join forces for the very first time-in Stine's picture book debut-with a tale that is monstrously good fun. 2016 Children's Choice Book Award Winner -- Kindergarten-2nd Grade Book of the Year

The Curse of the School Rabbit


Judith Kerr - 2019
    Even if he is getting more pocket money for feeding it and might be able to afford a new bike after all…And with a sick sister left in bed, a snobby actor left with suspiciously damp trousers, and no rabbit anywhere to be seen, Tommy can see his hopes of a new bike disappearing as fast as Snowflake.Will Snowflake turn up, and turn out to be more good luck than bad? Or are Tommy and his family DOOMED by the curse of the school rabbit?A fantastically funny and exquisitely illustrated new young fiction title from the iconic Judith Kerr, this is the perfect story for boys and girls of six plus to read alone or with their family.