Book picks similar to
The Story Machine by Tom McLaughlin


picture-books
children
childrens
children-s

Adrian Simcox Does NOT Have a Horse


Marcy Campbell - 2018
    Adrian Simcox lives in a tiny house. Where would he keep a horse? He has holes in his shoes. How would he pay for a horse?The more Adrian talks about his horse, the angrier Chloe gets. But when she calls him out at school and even complains about him to her mom, Chloe doesn't get the vindication she craves. She gets something far more important.

The Christmas Wish


Lori Evert - 2013
    This is one to pull out every year and savor.Long ago, a brave little girl named Anja wanted to be one of Santa's elves. So she leaves a note for her family and helps her elderly neighbor prepare for the holiday, then she straps on her skis, and heads out into the snowy landscape. From a red bird to a polar bear to a reindeer, a menagerie of winter animals help Anja make her way to Santa. A generous trim-size, matte cover, and foiled title make this a special book for the holiday season.

A Perfectly Messed-Up Story


Patrick McDonnell - 2014
    Little Louie's story keeps getting messed up, and he's not happy about it! What's the point of telling his tale if he can't tell it perfectly? But when he stops and takes a deep breath, he realizes that everything is actually just fine, and his story is a good one--imperfections and all.

Little Blue Truck's Christmas


Alice Schertle - 2014
    Can you help count each green tree from one to five and back again? Don’t forget to save one for Blue! Beep! Beep! With the gentle rhythm and signature illustration style that made Little Blue Truck a household name, Blue's new adventure is full of holiday warmth. Sturdy cardstock pages, a compact and child-friendly text, and flashing colored Christmas lights on the final page come together in a novelty gift book that’s sure to be the favorite treat of the season.

When the World Is Dreaming


Rita Gray - 2016
    The author Rita Gray poetically recounts their ordinary real-life resting places while revealing their anything-but-ordinary dreams.

Home Alone: The Classic Illustrated Storybook


Jason Rekulak - 2015
    Now, illustrator Kim Smith has reimagined the story as a classic Christmas fable—complete with bumbling burglars, brilliant booby-traps, and a little boy named Kevin who’s forced to fend for himself. Through a series of comic adventures, Kevin learns lessons about responsibility and the importance of family. With an amusing read-aloud story and enchanting, immersive illustrations, this charming adaptation can be enjoyed year after year alongside The Polar Express, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and other Christmas storybook classics.

The Cat, the Dog, Little Red, the Exploding Eggs, the Wolf, and Grandma


Diane Fox - 2014
    What's her special power?"Cat says, "She doesn't have any special powers. It's not that kind of a story."And then the fun ensues!The zany, fun back-and-forth of Dog and Cat celebrates the joy of reading -- and questioning. Young children will cheer Dog's persistent questions as well as Cat's dedication to keep telling the story.

Stellaluna


Janell Cannon - 1993
    This award-winning book by Janell Cannon has sold over 500,000 copies and was on the bestseller list for more than two years.

How to Knit a Monster


Annemarie van Haeringen - 2014
    Greta the goat is a wonderfully accomplished knitter. She can even knit little goats and turn them loose to play around her feet. But when she gets distracted from her knitting, threatening creatures spring from her needles, each more menacing than the last. It takes quick thinking, courage, and brilliant knitting for Greta to find her way out of a perilous situation. In this whimsical story, creativity and craft empower our heroine to restore her safety . . . as long as she pays attention to what is growing on her knitting needles!

The Bear Who Stared


Duncan Beedie - 2016
    . . but nobody likes being stared at and it soon gets Bear into trouble. The ladybugs find somewhere else to eat, the birds shoo him away, and an annoyed badger bites his nose. Luckily there's a googly-eyed frog to set Bear straight! He teaches Bear to smile and say "Hello" when looking at people, and Bear is able to make lots of friends. But he still likes to stare at his own reflection!

I Am Not Sleepy and I Will Not Go to Bed


Lauren Child - 2001
    I am still wide awake at 9 and not at all tired at 10, 11 and 12 and I will probably still be perky even at 13 o'clock in the morning."Lola says she never gets tired.

Wink: The Ninja Who Wanted to be Noticed


J.C. Phillipps - 2009
    He is sure that he will be a great ninja. Silence is the fi rst lesson and everyone is very very silent . . . except for Wink. Stealth is the second lesson and everyone is very very stealthy . . . except for Wink. Finally, Wink decides that he will be silent and stealthy. But no one notices! What's the point of being a great ninja if no one notices? Maybe Wink wasn?t meant to be a ninja? This daring debut is an adventure-lover's dream.

Amelia Bedelia's First Day of School


Herman Parish - 2007
    Still, friendships are formed, lessons are learned, and projects are completed, and through it all Amelia Bedelia's teacher, Mrs. Edwards, offers gentle guidance and an open heart. The Amelia Bedelia books have sold more than 35 million copies!

Stick and Stone


Beth Ferry - 2015
    But when Stick gets stuck, can Stone return the favor? With simple rhyming text, subtle messages of kindness and compassion, and Tom Lichtenheld’s signature charm, this delightful story about making and helping friends will enchant readers young and old because it’s never too early—or too late—to stick up for your friends.Don't miss further adventures with Stick and Stone in Stick and Stone: Best Friends Forever.

Bill and Pete


Tomie dePaola - 1978
    Bill, the crocodile, and Pete, his "toothbrush" bird friend, were inspired by the Egyptian plover, which does indeed act as a crocodile toothbrush.Their adventures together along the banks of the River Nile, which include Bill's first day at crocodile school and an encounter with the Bad Guy from Cairo, are filled with the originality and offbeat humor of this favorite author-artist.