Book picks similar to
A Penny for Candy by Louise Lawrence Devine


picture-books
kids-favorites
preschool
read-kids

Potato: A Tale from the Great Depression


Kate Lied - 1997
    During the Great Depression, a family seeking work finds employment for two weeks digging potatoes in Idaho.

Love Waves


Rosemary Wells - 2011
    Invisible and strong, they can fly across town or around the world, proving beyond a shadow of a doubt that neither time nor space can keep love from ? nding its target. Combining a wonderfully concrete concept with her cozy pastel illustrations, Rosemary Wells offers an ingenious way to ease the separation anxiety many children feel when parents go to work, or live in separate homes; when close friends or relatives move, or live far away; or whenever a loved one’s absence calls for an extra dose of reassurance.

Sleepy Book


Charlotte Zolotow - 1958
    Simple, lyrical language reveals a world peacefully asleep -- from bears in their dark caves to caterpillars in their silky cocoons, to dogs lying near someone they love. Stefano Vitale's luminous illustrations evoke the serenity of that moment when "the night comes and the wind whispers gently in the trees and the stars sparkle and shine."

Follow the Line to School


Laura Ljungkvist - 2011
    This new Follow the Line book-illustrated in Laura Ljungkvist's signature line style-takes children on a colorful, comforting, and altogether fun romp through the school day. With its unique modern design and engaging interactive text, Follow the Line to School is sure to appeal to both new and returning students.

If You Take a Mouse to School


Laura Joffe Numeroff - 2002
    Thankfully, the bestselling duo of author Laura Numeroff and illustrator Felicia Bond -- creators of If You Take a Mouse to the Movies and If You Give a Mouse a Cookie -- have teamed up to show us the hijinks a whiskered school guest could cause.Starting with asking for your lunchbox, this critter is set for mischief. The feisty mouse asks for a snack for later (cookies of course), a notebook, and pencils, and wants "to share your backpack, too." After he arrives at school, the pushy classmate tries his hand (make that paw) at math and writing on the blackboard, afterward whipping up a messy, pink science experiment and building a "little mouse house" from blocks. The schooltime antics don't stop there, but a busy mouse tends to get hungry after so much playtime. Naturally his snack is in the lunchbox, which is stored "in a safe place" with his new picture book inside.Following the whimsical style of their previous books, Numeroff and Bond have done it again. Their high-adrenaline mouse will have readers cheering while their eyes comb the illustrations for extra nibbles of fun. Although the book's main human character looks positively exhausted at the end, we can only holler for more of the little guy with the huge school spirit. Matt Warner

The Unicorn Came to Dinner


Lauren DeStefano - 2020
    The unicorn smells nice, but she is very rude. She never waits for an invitation to come over—she walks right in and tracks heart-shaped hoof-prints across the carpet. She sits in Elizabeth’s chair and makes a complete mess of the house. She even sleeps in Elizabeth’s bed.But the unicorn is no ordinary unicorn . . .In The Unicorn Came to Dinner, author Lauren DeStefano and illustrator Gaia Cornwall invite parents and their kids to talk about feelings—especially worries and anxiety—and ultimately about how to be yourself.

Always Listen to Your Mother


Florence Parry Heide - 2010
    When a new boy moves in next door, Ernest's mother encourages her son to make friends. But the new neighbors seem a little bit...strange--monstrous, even. Obeying Ernest's new friend Vlapid's mother means Ernest must do things he'd never dare try at home. And it's fantastic! Veteran children's book author Florence Parry Heide and her daughter Roxanne Heide team up with Kyle M. Stone to create a gleefully subversive take on the traditional new neighbor story. Lots of energy and mayhem, and a cool gothic approach to the illustrations make this a great choice for Halloween and all year round.

Barbie Loves Pets (Barbie)


Rebecca Frazer - 2007
    They set up dog kennels, hamster cages, fish tanks–and even a grooming shop! Opening day has to be a big success and Barbie knows just how to do it–with a pet fashion show! Girls will love this all-new Barbie Pictureback featuring a fuzzy cover and fuzzy stickers!

No Laughing, No Smiling, No Giggling


James Stevenson - 2004
    Frimdimpny doesn't like it. He's the crocodile in charge of this book, and he never laughs. Follow his rules or else! This humorously subversive picture book invites brave readers to join Freddy Fafnaffer, the pig, in disobeying the bossy Mr. Frindimpny, in three comic acts. The first presents Mr. Freshley Prest Panz, Jr., who is about to receive the prize for best-dressed man in the world. The second act features the World's Tiniest Circus, definitely worth the price of admission. Act three starts with the warning NEVER take a red balloon to a fancy concert -- but someone ignores this advice. Remember, no laughing!

Pig and Pug


Laura Marchesani - 2015
    All the animals have friends, but Pig does not. One day a new animal comes to the farm. Pug has a curly tail like Pig. Pug plays in the mud like Pig. Pug even snorts like Pig. Pug is not a pig, but maybe, just maybe, Pig and Pug can be friends!

Grandfather Twilight


Barbara Helen Berger - 1984
    Little birds hush as he walks by, and the rabbits and other small woodland creatures watch in silence as he performs his very special evening task and returns to his house among the trees. Small readers and listeners, too, will sense the serenity of this poetic story, and will be comforted to learn that the twilight is a gentle, friendly time.Exquisite pictures extend and illuminate the text, to reveal the nightly miracle so faithfully performed by Grandfather Twilight. Perfect for reading aloud and for sharing at bedtime, this beautiful and reassuring book will be cherished by old and young alike.

Grammy Lamby and the Secret Handshake


Kate Klise - 2012
    She talks loudly, carries a heavy sewing machine, and has big plans to take Larry to Tanzania and the South Seas when he grows up. She even has a secret handshake. It’s all too much for shy little Larry—until a summer storm blows through the Lambs’ valley, and Larry finds an unlikely hero in his own family. This gentle tribute to the bond between child and grandparent reminds us that it often takes time for little ones to fall in love—even with those who love them the most.

Nibble Nibble


Margaret Wise Brown - 1959
    Lots of onomatopoeia and large pictures with the right amount of white space make this book a good read-aloud for very young children."With charming paintings from award-winning naturalist artist Wendell Minor, this book is sure to "nibble nibble nibble" its way into the hearts of a whole new generation of Margaret Wise Brown readers.

Barbie: Horse Show Champ


Jessie Parker - 2009
    When it comes time to make the big jump, Tawny is afraid. With patience and kindness, Barbie coaxes Tawny to take the jump. Barbie’s youngest fans will want to saddle up and trot smartly into reading with Barbie!

The Wonderful Habits of Rabbits


Douglas Florian - 2016
    But as the day comes to an end, their favorite thing to do is say "goodnight" with a hug and a kiss.