McDuff Moves in


Rosemary Wells - 1997
    After they feed him rice pudding and bathe him, they realize that they cannot bear to return him to the pound. Newly adopted, McDuff-named that night for their favorite shortbread biscuit-is last seen happily asleep on his back on a pillow next to Fred and Lucy's bed.Jeffers's illustrations brilliantly capture a bygone art deco America in Lucy and Fred's cozy home, a virtual-reality nostalgia unfaded. Dog lovers everywhere will recognize the very specific details that bring McDuff to life, from the familiar lift of a paw in the rain to the frightened eyes peeking out over the car dashboard.

Mary Wore Her Red Dress and Henry Wore His Green Sneakers


Merle Peek - 1985
    . . . The pictures pick up color as the guests arrive and the activities get livelier. To further focus attention on color, the words are printed in boxed insets of the appropriate hue. . . . The music-a simple, singable tune-is printed at the end. The subject and the highly predictable pattern of text have appeal for just-beginning readers as well as for preschool listeners and singers."-Language Arts

Bee & Me


Alison Jay - 2016
    This beautiful picture book makes the story personal and brings a message of hope. A little girl befriends a bee, which takes her on a journey of discovery and to an action each child can take to aid in conservation. Alison Jay’s original artwork brings the story gently to life, pointing out the sadness of a world without bees.

I Thought This Was a Bear Book


Tara Lazar - 2015
    Desperate to return to his book, Alien asks the Bear family for help so he can get back to his story and save his beloved Planet Zero from total destruction before it's too late.Mama Bear and Papa Bear try all kinds of zany contraptions (with some help from their nemesis, Goldilocks) without much luck. Baby Bear might have the perfect solution to get the Alien out of the woods and back to his planet...but will anyone listen to the littlest voice in the story?

Penguins Don't Wear Sweaters!


Marikka Tamura - 2018
    Penguins love the sea. Happy in the dark blue water. But what is this? One day something is floating in the water. Dark. Gooey. Oily . . . When the penguins become coated in an oil spill, many Big Boots arrive. The humans want to help the cold, greasy penguins, so they knit sweaters to keep them warm. The Big Boots mean well, but . . . penguins don't wear sweaters! So after a good, soapy scrub, the penguins dive back into the deep blue sea, happily dressed only in their own penguin feathers.

The Mother's Day Gift (Noisy Farm - A Beautifully Illustrated Children's Picture Book, Perfect Bedtime Story)


Bea Balint - 2013
    Today everyone was rising with the sun, because this was quite a special day. Bees were working hard, flying from flower to flower; the carol of larks echoed far in the forests. ‘Mother- Mother-Mother’s Day’ – sounded the chirping birds. This is a special day, because tomorrow is Mother’s day. The day when you thank your Mother all the good and wonderful things, the love and care she spoiled you with throughout your entire life. Tomorrow is Mother’s Day, so today is the best opportunity to prepare presents. Kate, the beautiful, spotted ladybug got up unusually early, exactly at sunrise. She was looking forward to this day for a long time, because her mum is the best mother in the whole world and she wanted to surprise her with something truly special.

The ABC Bunny


Wanda Gág - 1933
    Every letter in the alphabet is represented in Bunny's journey, through what he eats (Greens), to whom he meets (Insects, Jay, Kitten, Lizard), and then a little sleep (Nap), to Tripping back to town, right side Up and Up-side-down." The creation of The ABC Bunny was a Gag family affair, with sister Flavia composing the "ABC Song," included in this faithful edition; brother Howard penning the lettering; and Wanda writing and illustrating the story.

One Frog Sang


Shirley Parenteau - 2007
    The night is resonant until . . . a car splashes down the street and all the frogs, from ten down to one, are hushed! Shirley Parenteau offers a joyfully cacophonous counting-up and counting-down story, vibrantly illustrated by Cynthia Jabar.

Things Never to Tell Children


The School of Life - 2017
    However, for the older ones among us, this is a book full of solace, humour and relief.In a charming, naively illustrated tale, we follow the adventures of Bunny - a version of all of us - as he encounters a series of obstacles that we may well recognise from our own lives.Watching poor Bunny, we end up delighted that we are not alone, and perhaps smiling darkly in sympathy with his sorrows. Children might even have the odd peek inside if they dare.

Nubs: The True Story of a Mutt, a Marine a Miracle


Brian Dennis - 2009
    He was the leader of a pack of wild dogs living off the land and barely surviving. But Nubs's life changed when he met Marine Major Brian Dennis.The two formed a fast friendship, made stronger by Dennis's willingness to share his meals, offer a warm place to sleep, and give Nubs the kind of care and attention he had never received before. Nubs became part of Dennis's human "pack" until duty required the Marines to relocate a full 70 miles away - without him. Nubs had no way of knowing that Marines were not allowed to have pets.So began an incredible journey that would take Nubs through a freezing desert, filled with danger tofind his friend and would lead Dennis on a mission that would touch the hearts of people all over the world.Nubs and Dennis will remind readers that friendship has the power to cross deserts, continents, and even species.

Little Pig Joins the Band


David Hyde Costello - 2011
    When they get out Grandpa's old marching-band instruments, Little Pig is too little to play any of them. But when the disorganized band has a pig-pile mishap, Little Pig has a BIG idea: They could use a leader.

The Mermaid and the Shoe


K.G. Campbell - 2014
    Some might call them mermaids. Each one, it seemed, was more remarkable than the last. Except Minnow.The only remarkable thing about Minnow was the questions she asked. So many questions! "Where do bubbles go?" "Why don't crabs have fins?" "What lies beyond the kingdom?"When a curious and beautiful new object drifts into her life, Minnow can't imagine what it might be for, but she's certain it must have a purpose. So she follows her questions into the unknown, all the way to another, wondrous world. There she makes several remarkable discoveries...

Santa and the Goodnight Train


June Sobel - 2019
    Ho-ho-hold on to your teddy bear! The Goodnight Train follows Santa’s sleigh on a magical ride through a winter wonderland in this Christmas sequel to The Goodnight Train and The Goodnight Train Rolls On!.Fa La La! Fa La La!Chooo! Chooo!   Next stop, the North Pole! It’s Christmas Eve, and the Goodnight Train is on a roll, racing mischievous Santa through a winter wonderland. Hear the jingle bells, taste some candy canes, and spy a flying hoof or two on a merry ride to Dreamland—with one magical detour—in this Christmas companion to The Goodnight Train and The Goodnight Train Rolls On! Ho-ho-hold on tight for this unforgettable holiday ride!

Pugtato Finds a Thing


Sophie Corrigan - 2020
    Tweetroot is certain it’s a new egg for her nest. Tomatoad is quite sure it’s a toy just for him. And Purrsnip simply won’t stop scratching it! Luckily, Pugtato has another very special spuddy to ask …

Professor Astro Cat's Frontiers of Space


Dominic Walliman - 2013
    He's got a degree in just about every discipline under the sun!Speaking of the sun, he happens to be specialist on that too, and Professor Astro Cat's Frontiers of Space will tell you everything that there could be to know about our star, our planet, our solar system, our galaxy, and our universe. The professor's made sure of that; he's a fastidious little feline!Professor Astro Cat's Frontiers of Space also explores topics such as gravity, extraterrestrial life, time, and many other fascinating subjects that will take you and your children on a journey to the very frontiers of space!Dr. Dominic Walliman received a PhD in quantum device physics from Birmingham University in 2010 where he spent several years teaching physics to undergraduates and previously obtained a physics BSc and an MSc in computer science. He has also spread the joys of physics to the wider world, taking part in a series of talks in schools and demonstrations at festivals as well as tutoring A-level physics students.Ben Newman is an award-winning illustrator (Royal Television Society Award for Best Branding and Opening Credits Sequence). Previous clients include Penguin, the BBC, the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and the New York Times, amongst many others. He is a long-standing contributor to Nobrow and is the author of two books, The Bento Bestiary and Ouroboros, under the same imprint.