A Small Miracle


Peter Collington - 1996
    Told with 96 pictures by Peter Collington, the master of the wordless story, this is a Christmas treasure the entire family can enjoy."Without a doubt the most original Christmas book of the year not the least because of its surprising yet, in context, fitting combination of the devout and the surreal." -The Horn Book, starred review"The story is sweet, simple and wordless. The illustrations are intricate enough to warrant reading this one over and over." - American Bookseller"an upbeat story to treasure for this and many Christmases to come." - School Library Journal

Prairie Chicken Little


Jackie Mims Hopkins - 2013
    Before they can get there, though, the band of prairie critters gets tricked by a mean Coyote and trapped in his evil den. Will the friends escape in time? And where is that rumbling coming from after all?

Bah! Humbug?


Lorna Balian - 1977
    Margie writes to Santa Claus asking him for a new teddy bear since her teddy, Herold, is looking a bit shabby. Her bossy older brother Arthur believes that Santa Claus is a humbug and plans to prove it by creating a trap to catch him. Lorna's delightful illustrations show that Arthur might be wrong about Santa after all. An endearing Christmas tale that will delight both boys and girls alike.

Bossy Bear


David Horvath - 2007
    He wants everything his way and he wants it NOW! In his picture book debut, the founder of the hugely successful Uglydolls franchise has created an irresistible new children's book character. With bold graphic art and hilarious, simple text, this book will have young readers recognizing -- and laughing at -- their own bossy tendencies.

Big Kicks


Bob Kolar - 2008
    He collects stamps, plays jazz, and enjoys being by himself. One day, the town soccer team knocks on his door, and they need BIG help. Biggie’s never played soccer before, and once they are out on the field, Biggie realizes that maybe there is more to soccer than just being big. Bob Kolar’s droll, vibrantly illustrated tale about a lovable (but rather clumsy) bear and his endearing (but rather unlucky) team is sure to win some BIG fans.

Math Curse


Jon Scieszka - 1995
    Is there enough time? You have 3 shirts and 2 pairs of pants. Can you make 1 good outfit? Then you start to wonder: Why does everything have to be such a problem? Why do 2 apples always have to be added to 5 oranges? Why do 4 kids always have to divide 12 marbles? Why can't you just keep 10 cookies without someone taking 3 away? Why? Because you're the victim of a Math Curse. That's why. But don't despair. This is one girl's story of how that curse can be broken.

The Donkey Who Carried a King


R.C. Sproul - 2012
    When Grandpa hears about the problem, he asks, "Riley, have you ever heard about the donkey who carried a king?" Davey was a young donkey who was bored and unhappy because he was never given anything to do. Then one day, some strangers came to the gate--and Davey's master picked him for a very special task. Davey carried the King, Jesus, into Jerusalem. Afterward, Davey felt proud of himself and believed he should do only special jobs. But Davey's master put him to work doing ordinary things. That made Davey grumpy.A few days later, Davey saw something terrible--some angry people were making the King carry a heavy beam of wood. Davey could not understand it, but another donkey, old Barnabas, helped him see that the King was being a Servant. After that, Davey made up his mind to do every task without grumbling.Through his story, Grandpa helps Riley see what Jesus was really carrying on that terrible day.

The Baby Tree


Sophie Blackall - 2014
    Cleverly revealing the basics of reproduction in an age-appropriate way, award-winning Sophie Blackall has created a beautiful picture book full of playful details to amuse and engage readers. Sooner or later, every child will ask, Where do babies come from? Answering this question has never been this easy or entertaining! Join a curious little boy who asks everyone from his babysitter to the mailman, getting all sorts of funny answers along the way, before his parents gently set him straight.

If You Lived 100 Years Ago


Ann McGovern - 1999
    Just turning on a light switch was a new experience. In 58 tantalizing questions and answers, author Ann McGovern gives readers a fascinating look at life in New York City at the end of the 19th century-where the rich and poor lived, how they dressed, traveled, dined, and entertained themselves, what kind of work they did. Readers may be surprised to learn that many children had to work for a living in horrendous conditions, that school were often inadequate and overcrowded (there could be 100 or more students in a single classroom), and that bicycling was the most popular sport in the country. (Baseball, cowling, tennis, football, boxing, golf, archery, and skating were also popular. Basketball and volleyball were new.) Together, the text and art are filled with details that bring the era to life for young readers.

Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas


Tim Burton - 1993
    He's in charge of making Halloweenland the coolest creepy place around. But when Jack suddenly grows bored with tricks and treats, he goes searching for new ways to celebrate...and he finds them in Christmas Town! Christmas, Jack decides, is just what Halloweenland -- and the world -- needs! He sets out to take over the role of Santa. But can anything good come of a tall and lanky skeleton dressed up as everyone's favorite jolly old elf? Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas is one of the Walt Disney Company's most successful franchises, with a huge cult following and a loyal and growing fan base. This beautiful reissue of the book first released in 1993 is a surefire Halloween, Christmas, and year-round hit! The Nightmare Before Christmas is the first book that Tim Burton has written and illustrated.

Weezer Changes the World


David McPhail - 2009
     He barks. He slobbers. He tinkles on the carpet. But then something happens that changes him - and the world may never be the same. Simple yet profound, funny yet serious, this touching story will remind even the skeptics among us that the most remarkable changes often come from the least remarkable places.

The Kiss That Missed


David Melling - 2002
    After rattling around the Prince's bedroom, it flies out the window and floats into the dark forest, where it has no business to be. The King decides to do something about it. He orders the Knight to climb on his horse, ride into the forest, and bring back the kiss. But the forest is filled with spooky things that frighten both the Knight and his horse. How will they ever succeed in bringing the kiss back to the castle? This funny story features Daivd Melling's atmospheric and richly colored illustrations on every page. It makes a great bedtime story for kids who are about the same age as the Little Prince. (Ages 4-7)

Head, Shoulders, Knees, And Toes


Mike Wohnoutka - 2009
    Words and music on last page.

Horton and the Kwuggerbug and more Lost Stories


Dr. Seuss - 2014
    Seuss!  A new Dr. Seuss book! This follow-up to The Bippolo Seed and Other Lost Stories features familiar Seussian faces and places—including Horton the Elephant, Marco, Mulberry Street, and a Grinch—as well as an introduction by renowned Seuss scholar Charles D. Cohen. Seuss fans will learn more about Horton’s integrity, Marco’s amazing imagination, a narrowly avoided disaster on Mullbery Street, and a devious Grinch. With a color palette enhanced beyond that of the magazines in which the stories originally appeared, this new volume of “lost” tales is a perfect gift for young readers and a must-have for Seuss collectors of all ages!

Silly Billy


Anthony Browne - 2006
    One night on a visit to Grandma's, Billy is so anxious that he can't sleep. But Grandma has just the thing for a boy like Billy — tiny, colorful worry dolls, made to do his worrying for him. That night when Billy puts the dolls under his pillow, he sleeps like a log. But soon it dawns on Billy that something is not quite right — now he has all those worry dolls to worry about! Leave it to Anthony Browne, with his surreal illustrations and a final clever twist, to come up with a solution that puts Billy at ease at last.