Once Upon a Northern Night


Jean E. Pendziwol - 2013
    The poem describes the forest of snow-covered pines, where a deer and fawn nibble a frozen apple, and a great gray owl swoops down with its feathers trailing through the snow. Two snowshoe hares scamper and play under the watchful eyes of a little fox, and a tiny mouse scurries in search of a midnight feast. When the snow clouds disappear, stars light up the sky, followed by the mystical shimmering of northern lights - all framed by the frost on the window.Jean E. Pendziwol's lyrical poem reflects a deep appreciation of the magic of a northern winter night where, even as a child slumbers, the world outside does not rest but continues its own natural rhythms.Isabelle Arsenault's spare, beautifully rendered illustrations, with their subtle but striking use of color, make us feel that we too are experiencing the enchantment of that northern night. They simultaneously evoke winter's nighttime life and the cozy warmth and security of a beloved child's sleep.

Cat & Bunny


Mary Lundquist - 2015
    Cat and Bunny. Bunny and Cat.It's always been just the two of them—daydreaming, having adventures, playing their special game. Until the day someone else asks, "Can I play?"Mary Lundquist captures all the charm and magic of first friendship in her winning debut picture book.

Snow Friends


M. Christina Butler - 2005
    But he quickly realizes snow isn't much fun when he's playing by himself. So, he decides to build a friend out of snow. As he begins to work, Otter and Rabbit appear, ready to help him. Together the three friends build a huge snowman, their work enhanced by the magical, sparkling finish throughout the book. When he finishes his creation, Little Bear realizes that while he has found friends, the snowman is alone. The three animals work together to build a friend for "the bestest snowman in the world" so that he is no longer lonely!

Best Friends for Frances


Russell Hoban - 1969
    Gloria is too small to throw or catch a ball. Besides, Albert is Frances's friend. But when Albert has a no-girls baseball game, Frances sets out to prove to Albert a thing or two about friendship—and a thing or two about what girls can do. Along the way, Frances discovers that sisters can indeed be friends . . . maybe even best friends.Now reillustrated in lovely soft pastels by original artist Lillian Hoban, this satisfying story of friendship is sure to have the many fans of this irresponsible badger cheering once again.

Going Down Home with Daddy


Kelly Starling Lyons - 2019
    Daddy hums as he packs our car with suitcases and a cooler full of snacks. He says there’s nothing like going down home.” Down home is Granny’s house. Down home is where Lil Alan and his parents and sister will join great-grandparents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Down home is where Lil Alan will hear stories of the ancestors and visit the land that has meant so much to all of them. And down home is where all of the children will find their special way to pay tribute to family history. All the kids have to decide on what tribute to share, but what will Lil Alan do?In this rich and moving celebration of history, culture, and ritual, Kelly Starling Lyons’ eloquent text explores the power of family traditions. Stunning illustrations by Coretta Scott King Honor-winner Daniel Minter reveal the motion and connections in a large, multi-generational family.

Poor Puppy


Nick Bruel - 2007
    Kitty's best friend stars in this zany companion to the best selling BAD KITTY. Poor, poor Puppy: Kitty isn't interested in playing, so all puppy's left with are: 1 Airplane, 2 Balls, 3 Cars, 4 Dolls... and 22 other toys. When he's done, Puppy's so tired, he takes a nap--and dreams of playing apple bobbing in Antarctica, Baseball in Brazil, Checkers in Canada, Dodgeball in Denmark... and 22 other games. Who else but Nick Bruel could combine the alphabet, a counting game, a whirlwind geography course, and a screamingly funny story... all in 40 pages?

Over and Under the Snow


Kate Messner - 2011
    But under the snow exists a secret kingdom of squirrels and snow hares, bears and bullfrogs, and many other animals that live through the winter safe and warm, awake and busy, under the snow. Discover the wonder and activity that lies beneath winter's snowy landscape in this magical book.

Merry Christmas, Big Hungry Bear!


Don Wood - 2002
    Painted in acrylics this is a delightful picture book which ends with a wonderful Christmas surprise - the promise of a new friendship between a tiny mouse, and a big bear, who doesn't seem quite so scary after all.

The Stray Dog


Marc Simont - 2001
    Beautiful watercolors.

Ten Beautiful Things


Molly Beth Griffin - 2020
    Ten Beautiful Things gently explores loss, a new home, and finding beauty wherever you are.Lily and her grandmother search for ten beautiful things as they take a long car ride to Iowa and Lily's new home with Gran. At first, Lily sees nothing beautiful in the April slush and cloudy sky. Soon though, Lily can see beauty in unexpected places, from the smell of spring mud to a cloud shaped like a swan to a dilapitated barn. A furious rainstorm mirrors Lily's anxiety, but as it clears Lily discovers the tenth beautiful thing: Lily and Gran and their love for each other.Ten Beautiful Things leaves the exact cause of Lily's move ambiguous, making it perfect for anyone helping a child navigate change, whether it be the loss of a parent, entering or leaving a foster home, or moving.

Big Dog...Little Dog: A Bedtime Story


P.D. Eastman - 1973
    in full color. "Two dogs who are opposite in every way are also the best of friends. The bold, colorful drawings are appealing and emphasize the concepts of size, color, and opposites."--Booklist.

The Fox Went Out on a Chilly Night


Peter Spier - 1961
    In the song, a fox forages for food in the village to bring to his family back in the den. The music is also included so everyone can sing along.

Mom, It's My First Day of Kindergarten!


Hyewon Yum - 2012
    In a refreshing reversal of roles, the child takes it upon himself to comfort and reassure his mother that everything will be fine, she'll get used to him going to big-kid school, and yes, he is ready for the first day of kindergarten. Utterly charming in its simplicity, Yum playfully uses size and color to reveal emotions of this milestone beginning.

Scrawny Cat


Phyllis Root - 2011
    Now the only thing anyone ever calls him is "get out of here!" But when a snarling dog and a blowing rain turn the scrawny cat into a sailor cat, he learns that even a scared and shivery stray can find a kindred soul at the end of a storm-tossed night. Phyllis Root’s lyrical narrative joins with charming illustrations by Alison Friend in a classic, comforting tale about a lost creature that cat lovers (and story hounds) will cozy up to.

The Big Snow


Berta Hader - 1948
    They gather food and look for warm, snug places in the ground, trees, caves or thickets, where they can find protection against the icy winds.It might have been hard for the birds and animals of the hillside to survive when the Big Snow came if their good friends, who lived in the little stone house, had not remembered to put food out for them.Here, in many beautiful pictures, the Haders show how winter comes to the woodland as the busy animals make their preparations.