Book picks similar to
Bluebird Summer by Deborah Hopkinson


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The Boy and the Whale


Mordicai Gerstein - 2017
    Is the whale dead? While the man worries about losing their net, the boy worries about the whale. He remembers the fear he felt when, caught in a net himself in childhood, he almost drowned before being rescued by his father. When the whale blinks an enormous eye, the boy knows that he has to try to save the creature, no matter how dangerous doing so may be.Expressive and perfectly paced, this powerful story, The Boy and the Whale, by Caldecott Medal–winner Mordicai Gerstein was inspired in part by a real-life video of a whale’s rescue, and the creature’s joyful dance through the waves after being freed.

Fraidyzoo


Thyra Heder - 2013
    She’s afraid to go back to the zoo; the only trouble is, she can’t remember why. As an ingenious solution to help her remember, her mom, dad, and sister construct homemade costumes and act out zoo animals—in alphabetical order, no less! The costumes and scenes grow increasingly elaborate and breathtakingly creative. An umbrella and bubble wrap magically transform into a jellyfish, bath towels and a can of soda become a parrot, and many, many more. At the end of the day, Little T has conquered her fear and no longer feels like a "fraidyzoo." In this charming, witty picture book debut, Thyra Heder honors the bravery it takes to face your fears, and the loving people who help you do so.

Good Night, Firefly


Gabriel Alborozo - 2015
    Luckily she has a nightlight, but one night the power goes out. What can Nina do to keep the shadows from creeping in? She catches a firefly to keep her company. But soon it’s clear that what works for Nina is not good for her new friend, and so Nina has to make a decision.This is a story that celebrates the joy of doing the right thing—even when it’s not easy to do—with stunning black-and-white illustrations and fireflies represented by glowing spots of color—perfect to capture the effect of this heartwarming fantasy for the youngest child.

I Love My Daddy


Sebastien Braun - 2004
    Other times they are quiet and compassionate. And they are always loving. Appealing text and charming illustrations follow a day in the life of a bear and his bear cub in this celebration of the bond between father and child."Perfect for little hands and bedtime stories, your tiniest readers and favorite dad will adore this papa bear and his cub." (Brightly)

The Firefighters' Thanksgiving


Maribeth Boelts - 2004
    When there aren't fires to put out there are plenty of chores to do. And on Thanksgiving Day there's a big feast to prepare. Lou is in charge of dinner this year, but just as they finish shopping, a call comes in. They drop everything to get to the fire. Other calls interrupt Lou's cooking throughout the day, and it looks like there may not be a Thanksgiving dinner for these firefighters. Luckily, the grateful families in their neighborhood show their thanks in a thoughtful, perfect way.This heart-warming story about dedicated firefighters and their appreciative community is illustrated with stunning, dramatic paintings.

Sally Goes to Heaven


Stephen Huneck - 2013
    In this book, Sally passes away and goes to heaven, where she lives happily and helps her family on Earth find a new pet. The book includes a removable magnetic photo frame that readers can use to hold a picture of their own beloved pet.  Praise for Sally Goes to Heaven “Any family who has ever loved and lost a dog will find comfort in Sally Goes to Heaven. Stephen Huneck’s beautiful illustrations and simple text evoke an afterlife that is everything we could hope for our dogs—and ourselves.” —Ken Foster, author of The Dogs Who Found Me and I’m a Good Dog"The final entry in the late Huneck’s series about Sally the black Labrador is a touching account of Sally’s death from old age and her joyous experiences in heaven."--Kirkus Reviews, STARRED REVIEW"Huneck’s instantly recognizable woodcuts make each scene feel iconic, and his plainspoken prose will provide grieving young pet-owners with a measure of relief."--Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW"This title can help children remember the good times in both Sally’s or their own pet’s life."--School Library Journal"The folk art–style woodblock illustrations, in their directness and simplicity, are as comforting as the text."--Booklist

Out There


Tom Sullivan - 2019
    Yellow and I Used to Be a Fish.Do you ever look up at the night sky and wonder if there is anybody else out there?Are there evil robots or cool aliens?Do they fly in UFOs or live in futuristic cities?Or maybe . . . they are just like us.Out There is a wonder-filled, surprising journey of imagination and empathy, a book that will inspire readers of all ages to reflect on how much we all have in common, despite our differences.

Somewhere in the Ocean


Jennifer Ward - 2000
    Set to the traditional tune of "Over in the Meadow", Somewhere in the Ocean will teach young children much more than how to count from one to ten as they follow ocean-dwelling mothers and their offspring throughout their days.Complete with a glossary, musical score, and numbers hidden in the illustrations, Somewhere in the Ocean introduces readers to an array of marine life -- from manatees and sea otters to jellyfish and sea horses -- in their natural habitat.Following the success of best-selling Way Out in the Desert this author/illustrator team has once again created a lively counting book.

Ready, Set, Sail!


Meg Fleming - 2018
    And after a long day of sailing, they gather and tell tales of all the things they've seen!

Chicken on Vacation


Adam Lehrhaupt - 2018
    Zoey the chicken needs a vacation!Zoey knows you don’t need to go to the shore to have the perfect beach day...but you do need a great imagination and a treasure map! Will Zoey lead her barnyard pals to buried treasure?Chicken on Vacation is a Level One I Can Read, which means it's perfect for children learning to sound out words and sentences.From the author-illustrator duo that brought you the hilarious Chicken in Space, Chicken in School, and Chicken in Mittens, a Level One I Can Read that School Library Journal calls “a fun book that is perfect for budding readers.”

The Old Truck


Jarrett Pumphrey - 2020
    Soon she is running her own busy farm, and in the midst of all the repairing and restoring, it may be time to bring her faithful childhood companion back to life.With an eye-catching retro design and cleverly nuanced illustrations, The Old Truck celebrates the rewards of determination and the value of imagination.

A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving


Charles M. Schulz - 1973
    In this beloved classic for the whole family, Charlie Brown has to prepare an entire Thanksgiving meal before time runs out! Featuring the antics of Snoopy, Woodstock, Sally, Peppermint Patty, and the rest of the Peanuts® gang, this special collector's Miniature Edition, based on the beloved holiday television special, is the perfect kickoff to the holiday season.

One Family


George Shannon - 2015
    From veteran picture book author George Shannon and up-and-coming artist Blanca Gomez comes a playful, interactive counting book that shows how a family can be big or small and comprised of people of a range of ages, genders and races.

Nana Upstairs and Nana Downstairs


Tomie dePaola - 1973
    But one day Tommy's mother tells him Nana Upstairs won't be there anymore, and Tommy must struggle with saying good-bye to someone he loves. Updated with new, full-color illustrations, this classic story will continue to win the hearts of readers of all ages."Children will want to hear this again and again." --School Library Journal, starred review"A quietly touching story Athat? depicts loving family relationships." --Publishers Weekly

Love and the Rocking Chair


Diane Dillon - 2019
    Bright, sunny illustrations show the precious intimacy between parents and their children; the new mother glows with affection, and the new father reads aloud to their young son.Time passes, and the boy grows up; the beloved rocker is moved to the attic and gathers dust. But when the boy becomes a man, the cycle begins anew. He and his wife have a baby girl, and the rocking chair is needed again.Legendary artists Leo and Diane Dillon are two of the greatest illustrators of our time. This is their final collaboration, inspired by their own rocking chair. It is a tender tribute to the enduring power of family love-passed from generation to generation.Here is a book for all ages to cherish. It serves as a loving reminder of those who have gone before us-and those who are still to come. A touching, multi-generational story about the lasting power of family.