A Grain of Rice


Helena Clare Pittman - 1986
    Who ever heard of a peasant marrying a princess? But Pong Lo is wiser than the Emperor knows. And when he concocts a potion that saves the Princess's life, the Emperor gladly offers him any reward he chooses--except the Princess.   Pong Lo makes a surprising request. He asks for a single grain of rice, doubled every day for one hundred days. The baffled Emperor obliges--only to discover that if you're as clever as Pong Lo, you can turn a single grain of rice into all the wealth and happiness in the world! Praise for A Grain of Rice: "Clever and quietly told in simple, yet evocative language."-Kirkus Reviews"Pittman invites readers into her story through her choice of concrete objects, sensory images, and universal messages. She borrows from the motifs of oral literature, and also weaves in information about arithmetical progression and 15th-Century Chinese people, patterns, and traditions. Pittman's well executed pencil drawings ooze with emotion, and there is a fusion of text and illustrations...[A] book that is wise and humorous, and one to be perused and savored."-School Library Journal"Gracefully illustrated with finely shaded drawings, this picture book tells of Pong Lo, a poor Chinese peasant who wins the hand of the emperor's daughter through his knowledge of mathematical principles."-Booklist

Lula's Brew


Elizabeth O. Dulemba - 2011
    But Lula prefers to study cookbooks rather than spellbooks (and hates to fly on a broom). Lula wants to be a famous chef. In desperation, the Aunties insist she try to make one last potion. Lula secretly adds her cooking flair and in true witchy fashion creates a brew that bewitches the entire town, and her Aunties too! This fun rhyming tale transcends the typical Halloween story to appeal to cooks and "foodies" throughout the year.

Pirates in Pajamas


Caroline Crowe - 2015
    Beautifully illustrated by Tom Knight, this book is packed full of piratey humour, jazzy jim-jams and a cosy-dozy ending. Bedtimes will never be boring again with this fantastic first picture book from Caroline Crowe. Perfect for fans of Aliens Love Underpants and The Pirate Cruncher. 
Have you ever wondered whether pirates wear pajamas when it’s time to say goodnight? Well leap aboard the Leaky Parrot to find out! Captain Grotbeard and his crew love nothing better than bubble baths, jim-jams and pillow fights! So if you want to be a pirate you don’t need a patch or sword – just grab your best pajamas and a bed to climb aboard.

Grumpy Owl


Eric Esau - 2019
    Grumpy Owl wakes up on the wrong side of the bed and, just when he thinks things can't get worse, he discovers his animal friends are making all the wrong sounds! Brown Bear says "Woof!", Tan Toad says "Gobble!", and Red Rooster says "Moo!" Grumpy Owl cannot believe his ears and frantically tries to correct his friends without much success! Come along on this silly adventure as Grumpy Owl learns a valuable lesson about treating others with kindness whether they "Woof, oink, gobble! Moo, quack or squeak!"

Found You, Little Wombat!


Angela McAllister - 2003
    The critically acclaimed artist Charles Fuge joins writer Angela McAllister to create a charmingly illustrated, deeply reassuring tale about getting lost and found again.An endearing little wombat and his friends love playing hide-and-seek--even though Wombat doesn't quite understand all the rules of the game. When it's his turn to seek, he hides once more, then calls out "Two, TEN" and opens his eyes. So Rabbit and Koala suggest he count 10 flowers and then search for them. But Wombat doesn't count the pink blossoms nearby; he wanders far away, over the hill, looking for yellow ones. Suddenly, the little animal realizes he's very, very alone...But you can always depend on friends-and mom--coming to the rescue.Cuddly, sweet-faced, and personality-filled animals in Fuge's inimitable style, plus a comforting story that kids will really empathize with, add up to a winning combination.

Paul Thurlby's Wildlife


Paul Thurlby - 2013
    With unique and humorous artwork that’s so stylish you’ll want to remove it from the book and hang it on your wall, Paul Thurlby brings to life twenty-three animals in a way that will appeal to readers of all ages.

How Andrew Got His Spots


Louise Lintvelt - 2014
    He does not have any spots, you see! He keeps seeing spots wherever he goes… One spot, two spots, three spots, Four! And many, many, many more. “Where did you get your spots?” he asks. Join Andrew as he discovers how the ladybug, the leopard and the owl came to have spots and discovers that spots often appear when you are least expecting them! This is a wonderful rhyming picture book for children of all ages.

A Lion in the Night


Pamela Allen - 1985
    A royal household is disrupted when a lion runs off with the baby.

Everybody Cooks Rice


Norah Dooley - 1991
    Nifty book--The New York Times Book ReviewIn this multicultural picture book, Carrie goes from one neighbor's house to the next looking for her brother, who is late for dinner. She discovers that although each family is from a different country, everyone makes a rice dish at dinnertime. Readers will enjoy trying the simple recipes that correspond to each family's unique rice dish.

Hamlet. Based on the Play by William Shakespeare


Louie Stowell - 2009
    This book is a retelling of Shakespeare's classic tragedy, 'Hamlet'.

Goo and Spot in the Do Not Wiggle Riddle


Elsa C. Takaoka - 2014
    This amusing riddle about Goo and Spot's amazing and colorful adventures will definitely hit a child's funny bone, with a valuable lesson learned along the way. A great resource for preschool educators, librarians and parents of wiggly little children. Best suited for ages 5 and under.

Pirate Queen: A Story of Zheng Yi Sao


Helaine Becker - 2020
    When pirates attacked her town and the captain took a liking to her, she saw a way out. Zheng Yi Sao agreed to marry him only if she got an equal share of his business. When her husband died six years later, she took command of the fleet.Over the next decade, the pirate queen built a fleet of over 1,800 ships and 70,000 men. On land and sea, Zheng Yi Sao’s power rivaled the emperor himself. Time and again, her ships triumphed over the emperor’s ships.When she was ready to retire, Zheng Yi Sao surrendered ― on her own terms, of course. Even though there was a price on her head, she was able to negotiate her freedom, living in peace and prosperity for the rest of her days.

Just Like You


Jan Fearnley - 2001
    . . look cozy enough to cuddle. Readers will especially be drawn to Mama Mouse, who is huggably plump and convincing in her love for her child." — SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNALMaking their way home one evening, Little Mouse and his mother see other baby animals and their parents, all settling down for the night. Mama Seal says she’ll dive as deep as the deepest ocean for her pups. Daddy Frog claims he’ll jump as high as the sky and bring back the juiciest bugs. And Mama Rabbit will dig the deepest, most secret burrow to keep her little ones safe and warm. "What special, special babies," sighs Little Mouse. What could his mama ever do to show him how special he is? Jan Fearnley’s humorous and endearing bedtime story captures the unique bond between parent and child - and reassures little listeners how very special they are.

Beach Day


Karen Roosa - 2001
    Buoyant verse just right for reading aloud and bright, playful illustrations capture the singular feeling of a hazy, lazy day by the ocean, complete with a ball game with new friends, water-skiers and sailboats, and a picnic lunch of fried chicken and deviled eggs. This book is a captivating introduction to the beach for young children and an irresistible gift for beach lovers of any age.

Horrible Histories Annual 2008


Terry Deary - 2007