Book picks similar to
Once Upon an Ordinary School Day by Colin McNaughton
picture-books
picture-book
children-s
school
Elmer
David McKee - 1989
No wonder the other elephants laugh at him!If he were ordinary elephant color, the others might stop laughing. That would make Elmer feel better, wouldn't it? David McKee's comical fable about everyone’s favorite patchwork elephant teaches readers to be themselves and celebrates the power of laughter.
Eat Your Peas: A Daisy Book
Kes Gray - 2000
Jones of the picture book set! Daisy is a sassy, know-it-all kid who likes to point out adult inconsistencies. Luckily she has a mom with a great sense of humor. These two are friends as well as parent and child, and their mutual teasing reflects a very current and common style of parenting. In the first book in this popular UK series, "Eat Your Peas," Daisy and her mom engage in a dinnertime debate over Daisy's reluctance to eat her peas. Her mom, in humorous desperation, offers her increasingly outrageous incentives to eat the unpleasant vegetables until Daisy points out that Mom doesn't eat her brussels sprouts. This dinnertime battle of wills is sure to amuse children and parents alike, as it shows the power of vegetables to turn a meal into an epic struggle.
The Man with the Violin
Kathy Stinson - 2013
subway for a free concert. More than a thousand commuters rushed by him, but only seven stopped to listen for more than a minute. In The Man with the Violin, bestselling author Kathy Stinson has woven a heart-warming story that reminds us all to stop and appreciate the beauty that surrounds us. Dylan is someone who notices things. His mom is someone who doesn’t. So try as he might, Dylan can’t get his mom to listen to the man playing the violin in the subway station. With the beautiful music in his head all day long, Dylan can’t forget the violinist, and finally succeeds in making his mother stop and listen, too. Vividly imagined text combined with illustrations that pulse with energy expertly demonstrate the transformative power of music. With a postscript explaining Joshua Bell’s story, and afterword by Joshua Bell himself.
Claymates
Dev Petty - 2017
Things might get a little crazy.In this photographic friendship adventure, the claymates squish, smash, and sculpt themselves into the funniest shapes imaginable. But can they fix a giant mess before they're caught in the act?
Too Much Glue
Jason Lefebvre - 2013
After all, he and his dad make oodles of glue projects at home. One day during art class, Matty finds the fullest bottles of glue, and the fun begins. With a squeeze and a plop, Matty pours a lake of glue before belly-flopping right in the middle and finds himself stuck to the desk. When Matty’s dad arrives at the school, instead of being mad, he celebrates his son’s creativity and calls him a work of art. With vibrant language and artwork and a wild, silly plot, Too Much Glue is sure to appeal to all children who love to get messy.
Rain
Sam Usher - 2016
Sam drinks hot chocolate and reads his books and dreams of adventures while Grandpa gets on with his important paperwork. Grandpa seems to have a VERY important letter to write. Then that very important letter has to be posted, despite the rain and floods. As they finally go outside, Sam and Grandpa have a magical adventure.
Zagazoo
Quentin Blake - 1998
In this quite exceptional picture book young readers will be delighted by the hilarious and unexpected changes in his behaviour as Zagazoo grows up. Parents may detect some strange echoes of family life. There have been many classic picture books from the incomparable pen of Quentin Blake, but never one more extraordinary.
The Seven Silly Eaters
Mary Ann Hoberman - 1997
Each new addition to the household brings a new demand for a special meal. What’s a mother to do? “[A] highly comic rhyming romp that surprisingly (and nicely) twists into a birthday story.” —School Library Journal
All the Places to Love
Patricia MacLachlan - 1994
. . no matter where you may live.” This stunning picture book is the perfect gift for parents of a new baby.“This loving book will be something to treasure."' –Booklist"The quiet narrative is so intensely felt it commands attention. . . . a lyrical celebration." –Kirkus Reviews
Penguin
Polly Dunbar - 2007
"Hello, Penguin!" he says. "What shall we play?" But Penguin says nothing. Even when Ben tickles its belly, sings a funny song, does a dizzy dance, stands on his head, sticks out his tongue, and resorts to increasingly rude and drastic measures, Penguin makes no response. What will it take for Penguin to say something — or for Ben to understand what Penguin has to say? Fresh, spare illustrations bring whimsy to this wonderful tale, in which a silent Penguin turns marvelously eloquent and a little boy finally gets his heart’s desire.
Boxitects
Kim Smith - 2020
A STEAM-centered, adorably illustrated picture book about Meg, a brilliant and creative boxitect who creates extraordinary things out of ordinary cardboard boxes.
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
Judith Viorst - 1972
There was no dessert in his lunch bag. And, on top of all that, there were lima beans for dinner and kissing on TV!This handsome new edition of Judith Viorst's classic picture book is sure to charm readers of all ages.
Traction Man Meets Turbo Dog
Mini Grey - 2008
The little boy, Traction Man, and his brave pet, Scrubbing Brush, are inseparable—until the boy’s father throws the “unhygenic” Scrubbing Brush in the trash and replaces it with a “real” toy, the battery-operated TurboDog. It bleeps, speaks, and squeaks—but is not very smart. So Traction Man, wearing his airtight Astro-suit and armed with a bottle of SuperStrong Germo, enters the trash bin and rescues Scrubbing Brush from the Evil Bin Things (pizza crusts, spaghetti, and potato peels with eyes and mouths that hiss “Stay with us”). The Battle of the Bin is not to be missed—nor is the ignominious demise of TurboDog! With this satisfying sequel, Mini Grey has scored another smashing victory for imaginative play.