He's part of the List Checking department, and he makes sure all the good boys and girls get their presents! But when Shmelf finds out that some children are missing from Santa's list, he goes to investigate.What Shmelf uncovers is Hanukkah, a wondrous and joyful holiday that Jewish families celebrate each year. As Shmelf observes a family lighting the menorah, playing dreidel, and hearing the Hanukkah story, he sees how special the traditions of the holiday truly are-and he wants to be a part of it! Luckily, Santa just might have a special role in mind for Shmelf....The rich traditions of Hanukkah come to life in this whimsical and magical story that's perfect for the holiday season.Awards for I Need My Monster Alabama Camellia Award (2010-2011)Arizona Grand Canyon Reader Award (2011) California Young Readers Medal (2011-12)Georgia Picture Storybook Award (2011-12)Nevada Young Reader Award (2011-12)Virginia Reader's Choice Primary Award (2012-13)

    There are so many to choose from: Dinosaur books! Books about Space Frog! Froggy is so excited that he forgets to use his indoor voice.Readers enjoy Froggy's antics, and so does Miss Otterbottom, the librarian. "Come again soon, Froggy," she says.

    Whenever he sees Pandora he runs away. Meanwhile Pandora longs to say "Hello Panda!", but she's much too shy, too. Will these two shy pandas ever muster up the courage to speak to each other?

    A conscientious role model, this determined mouse asks an unlikely assortment of animals if the shoe belongs to them, hears about their own shoes, and receives a surprising reward at the end. Eve Bunting's cheerful rhymed text and Sergio Ruzzier's charmingly unique illustrations make this a delightful book to share with a young child.

    Roberta Grobel Intrater's vibrant photographs capture endearing moments with babies and toddlers as they get hugs and kisses from parents and siblings. Each book contains five spreads and sturdy board pages with rounded corners for safe handling by little ones, and the small convenient size is just right for taking along. Coupled with the simple, rhyming text, this is a perfect snuggling book and an ideal first read-aloud book, sure to please both parents and children.

    But it can also be busy. And loud. Sand can feel hot or itchy or sticky...and it gets everywhere! In This Beach Is Loud!, a sensitive boy gets overwhelmed by all the sights, sounds, and sensations at the beach. Luckily, this kiddo's dad has a trick up his sleeve to help his son face these unexpected obstacles.Combining accessible storytelling and playful design, This Beach Is Loud! gently offers practical advice for coping with new experiences to sensitive children on and off the autism spectrum.

    Dirtball Pete stinks to high heaven. His sister, Amanda, says so, and her friend Janine totally agrees. Even with a good scrubbing from his mom, Dirtball Pete usually manages to revert to his dirtball self in no time. But today is no ordinary day—it’s THE FIFTY STATES AND WHY THEY’RE GREAT! day at school, and Dirtball Pete has a speech to recite in the school play. Will he remember his lines? Will he manage to avoid his dog’s muddy paws? Will the stink of his pet ferret, Eggroll, cling to his Pennsylvania costume? And can Dirtball Pete make his mom proud even if he is a dirtball? Eileen Brennan’s funny picture book has a refreshingly original voice and style and a lovable new character in Dirtball Pete, who, with his unassuming, carefree ways, will charm kids and adults alike.

    She has glitter slippers and a glitter scooter, and she spreads her sparkles wherever she goes; here, there, and everywhere! The townsfolk, though, are tired of it. No more glitter, Gloria! they tell her. But soon, the entire town is covered in glitter. What will everyone think now?

    But Grandpa and Grandma will understand — really. With his trademark vibrant, energetic illustrations, Petr Horácek introduces us to a delightfully enterprising child, some wisely laid-back grandparents, and the most endearing elephant you’ll ever want to meet.

    He embarks on a fun and out-of-this-world adventure across the solar system to visit Earth and reclaim his planetary status.Along the way, Pluto bumps into his moons and other planets. But it's a boy on Earth who makes him realize that, big or small, planet or not, he's still special!

    Up, up, up the dark, dark house they climbed. Stealthy as shadows, quiet as mice. Only the moon was watching when they arrived. Only the moon was watching when they left. Only the moon & one little boy."Tom is awoken by a band of rough, tough little girl pirates, so what does he do? He joins their ranks! Together they set sail in search of treasure. But what will happen when they meet a crew of rough, tough grown-up pirates? Readers will be swept up in the spare, jaunty text, & quirky illustrations in this unexpected bedtime adventure.

    In Harlan Coben's "Missing You," nearly 20 years after being kicked to the curb unceremoniously by an old fiance, an NYPD detective runs into that very man on a dating site, leading to a reawakening, a realization, and ultimately, the deaths of several people. This review details which readers will ultimately enjoy this novel, which is virtually everyone. The face of Jeff Raynes is staring back at Kat Donovan. She contacts him and is surprised by his response. He fails to even remember her at first, then remembers, showing only modest affection. As detailed in this review, the twists that ensue are among the reasons for the success of "Missing You." If that wasn't strange enough, a Connecticut college student asks for Kat's assistance in finding his mother, who has mysteriously gone missing. On top of that, he asked for Kat in particular. How does he even know her? Need more? Kat visits the contract killer who is rotting away in prison for murdering her father, a man who is now denying his involvement. Who can Kat trust? The twists in "Missing You" are literally stacked on top of one another, which creates a pulsating ride for Coben fans. Not that the author needs help, but this review also details an alternative outcome that might have added even more miles to this thrill ride.

    The world around him is waking up, too, and he soon remembers all the other things he loves, like warm grass, berries, and rain. He's almost content, until, one day, he hears a welcome buzzing sound . . . and finally it is time for Bear to delight in the thing he relishes above all others--and it is as warm, golden, sweet, and good as he remembered.

    . . but always to enjoy. A small child discovers their magic for the very first time in this exuberant ode to book appreciation by award-winning poet Kristine O’Connell George. Brightly colored illustrations are a perfect match for the spare, rhyming text, and thick pages with rounded corners make this a special first “real” book for baby.

    From Grandmother’s noisy kisses, to Father’s prickly kisses, to Little Brother’s chocolate kisses, Teddy learns there are many different kinds of kisses—but the best kisses are from the ones you love!From the Hardcover edition.