Book picks similar to
My Story Friend by Kalli Dakos


picture-books
children
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chris-wishlist

Cheetah Can't Lose


Bob Shea - 2013
    . . but the little cats have some tricks up their sleeves, so don't count them out!With his signature wit and bold, graphic art, Bob Shea brings us an irresistible story about the difference between brains and brawn.

The Librarian's Stories


Lucy Falcone - 2020
    The beloved library is burned to ash. Food is scarce. Danger is abundant. Every aspect of daily life is changed. How will home ever feel as it once did?But then one day, the Librarian emerges in the town square. Seated on a bench in front of the library's remains, she opens a book and begins to read aloud. The village children stop to listen. "Foolish woman," Papa says. "Too dangerous," Mama agrees, hurrying the children away. But day after day the librarian returns to her post, her voice carrying stories above the thunder of tanks and to the broken hearts of the people. Little by little, the persistent Librarian's stories seed hope in the people, and their village begins to mend. Inspired by the bombing of the National Library of Sarajevo during the Bosnian War, and bombing of the library at the University of Mosul in Iraq, The Librarian's Stories is a testament to the enduring connection between stories and hope.

Sun Kisses, Moon Hugs


Susan Schaefer Bernardo - 2012
    The book is also ideal for supporting children through grief, separation anxiety, divorce, illness or other traumatic situations, by wrapping them in a warm and comforting emotional security blanket and opening a dialogue on the nature of love.Even when loved ones cannot be with us, we can feel their presence through our deep connections to the natural world.

What Do You Do With a Chance?


Kobi Yamada - 2018
    Later on, when a new chance arrives he reaches for it, but this time he misses and falls. Embarrassed and afraid, he begins ignoring each new chance that comes by, even though he still wants to take them. Then one day he realizes that he doesn't need to be brave all the time, just at the right time, to find out what amazing things can happen when he takes a chance…The final addition to the award-winning What Do You Do With…? picture book series created by New York Times best selling author Kobi Yamada and illustrator by Mae Besom, What Do You Do With a Chance? inspires kids of all ages and parents alike to find the courage to go for the opportunities that come their way. Because you never know when a chance, once taken, might be the one to change everything.

Let It Grow


Mary Ann Fraser - 2021
    A very small pumpkin seed. A very small but special pumpkin seed. And what will become of this very small but special seed? He'll only find out if he lets it grow...and grow...and grow! Because sometimes the smallest things can lead to the biggest adventures! In a world full of immediacy and instant gratification, author Mary Ann Fraser plants the seed of patience in her playful picture book about the life cycle of a giant pumpkin and the rewards of letting it grow.

The Elephants' Guide to Hide-And-Seek


Kjersten Hayes - 2020
    This handy guide offers sympathy, support, and superior hiding solutions to elephants who long to overcome their size disadvantage when playing hide-and-seek.A hilarious tongue-in-cheek book perfect for elephants and their best human pals. Readers of Have You Seen Elephant? will love this silly elephant game of hide and seek, and all its handy tips and tricks for hiding!

Frankenstein Doesn't Wear Earmuffs


John Loren - 2020
    . . if he can make it out the front door!Every time he tries to set foot into the dark and stormy night, his parents interrupt with yet another warm and cozy addition to his costume. But Frankenstein does not wear floppy boots, or a puffy jacket, or a fanny pack. And he especially doesn’t wear earmuffs!Will our young Frankenstein be able to break loose from his bundled layers and have the Halloween of his dreams? Or will he be overcome by the weight of a ghastly fall wardrobe?

You Are Home with Me


Sarah Asper-Smith - 2019
    A tufted puffin digs out a burrow to shelter its young on a cliff near the sea. A lynx makes a shelter under a fallen tree to snuggle with its kitten. Young children will learn all about these animals and more, as each spread also includes a short piece of nonfiction about each creature.Lovingly illustrated and lyrically written, this is the second children's book written and illustrated by the husband-and-wife artist and author team Mitchell Watley and Sarah Asper-Smith.

Giraffe and Bird


Rebecca Bender - 2010
    When Bird makes a face, Giraffe sticks out his tongue; when Bird tweets in his ear, Giraffe invades Bird's personal space. Bird can't put up with Giraffe's bad breath; Giraffe can't abide it when Bird eats too much fiber and then well, you know. If you ask them, Giraffe and Bird will tell you: they can't stand each other. One day Giraffe loses his patience and Bird is fed up. 'Scram!' says Giraffe. 'Get lost!' says Bird. And so they do. You would think they'd be happy now, but you might be wrong. Without each other, how will Bird and Giraffe weather the coming storm? A hilarious debut by author and artist Rebecca Bender, Giraffe and Bird combines a clever text introducing synonyms with bright, expressive art to tell the funny and slightly tender story of two enemies who eventually realize they are much better off together.

The Grumpy Fairies


Bethan Stevens - 2021
    Deep in the darkest forests, under rustling leaves, live the fairies. You probably think that fairies are good, kind, and sweet. Well, a lot of them are. These helpful fairies take care of the forest and they're happy to do it. But I'm sorry to tell you that some of the fairies, particularly the littlest ones, are GRUMPY. I mean super grumpy. I mean foot-stompy, frowny, bottom-lip-sticking-outy kind of grumpy. I mean "it’s just one of those days" grumpy. But these grumpy fairies better watch out. There's a goblin about, and grumpy fairies happen to be a his favorite food… This wonderful, funny book will bring a smile to the smallest (and grumpiest) of children.

The Froggies Do Not Want to Sleep


Adam Gustavson - 2021
    Not since David Weisner's Tuesday have frogs had so much fun!Why go to bed when you can play the accordion, dance underwater ballet, and hold burping contests with strange alien lifeforms? For every kid who ever came up with an outlandish excuse for why it can't be bedtime yet, these froggies' antics will delight and entertain. Acclaimed illustrator Adam Gustavson's raucous authorial debut shows parents there's more than one way to do bedtime.

What the Dinosaurs Did at School: Another Messy Adventure


Refe Tuma - 2017
    But in the follow-up to the hit What the Dinosaurs Did Last Night, these scampish dinosaurs make the trip to school, hidden in a kid's backpack. Each scene is photographed in meticulous detail, letting viewers joyfully suspend disbelief and think to themselves—just LOOK at what these diminutive dinos did at school!

How To Be A Super Villain


Rachel Yu - 2011
    This fun, witty, humorous story will point you in the right, or you can say, BAD, direction. For all you hopeful apprentices, this entertaining guide will guarantee loads of fun and laughter.

Elephants Do Not Belong in Trees


Russ Willms - 2021
    It's not natural. It makes other animals uncomfortable. This is the story of Larry, an elephant who wanted to live in a tree. This is a story about being the new kid and being a little bit different (okay, A LOT different). A story about acceptance and making friends. When Larry decides he wants to live in the big bushy tree in the middle of the wide-open field, the current residents, Bird, Squirrel and Monkey, are not very welcoming. They throw nuts at him and peck at his head; they tell him to leave and are downright rude. But Larry persists--why can't he live in the tree? When his new home is threatened by something much bigger than all the animals combined, Larry shows everyone that he cares just as much about the tree as they do.

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.