The Animals' Ark


Marianne Dubuc - 2016
    It begins with a light rain in the animal kingdom that turns heavier and steadier until all the land is flooded. The animals are huddled together atop a hill, the only dry spot left, when they spy a boat coming toward them. Rescue! The smiling captain, Mr. Noah, invites them to board, two by two. At first, the animals enjoy settling in and finding ways to amuse themselves --- the sheep play leapfrog, the ladybugs play dominoes, a chameleon plays hide-and-seek. But as it continues to rain, and rain, and rain, things grow testy below deck. The animals are getting on one another's nerves. And all of them are wondering, will the rain ever stop? With sweet, warm illustrations, this is a creative and child-friendly version of the well-known journey story. The playful animal drawings are filled with details and sly jokes, making them great fun for children to spend time with. This book makes a wonderful read-aloud, either for its connection to the biblical tale or merely as a lighthearted animal story. With the focus on how the different species fare individually and together, it would also work as an exploration of animals and their unique behaviors. It could easily spark discussions about how children might use cooperation, respect and kindness in trying circumstances as well.

I'm a Duck


Eve Bunting - 2018
    A landlocked duck is very sad. One day, an egg rolled out of a nest and right into a deep pond. Now that egg is a little duck, and the water is still very scary. Jumping into the pond at all seems impossible, never mind swimming in a line with all his brothers. "You're a duck, and ducks don't sink," Big Frog points out. Practicing in a puddle helps a little, while backrubs and snacks from his mother help a little more. Big Frog offers to hold his friend's wing and dive in together, but our little duck knows that some challenges need to be faced alone. Even when they are very scary!

Dinosaur Lady: The Daring Discoveries of Mary Anning, the First Paleontologist


Linda Skeers - 2020
    This is the story of Dinosaur Lady.Mary Anning loved scouring the beach near her home in England for shells and fossils. She fearlessly climbed over crumbling cliffs and rocky peaks, searching for new specimens. One day, something caught Mary's eye.Bones. Dinosaur Bones.Mary's discoveries rocked the world of science and helped create a brand-new field of study: paleontology. But many people believed women couldn't be scientists, so Mary wasn't given the credit she deserved. Nevertheless, Mary kept looking and learning more, making discoveries that reshaped scientific beliefs about the natural world.Dinosaur Lady is a beautiful and brilliant picture book that will enlighten children about the discovery of the dinosaurs and the importance of female scientists. It also includes a timeline of Mary Anning's life and lots of fantastic fossil facts!

999 Frogs and a Little Brother


Ken Kimura - 2015
    And the two form a fast friendship, until deep in the night Mommy crayfish finds her baby and takes him home. But when the little tadpole finally becomes a frog, he doesn't forget his little brother and it all pays off when the little frog meets a BIG snake! Who will save the 999 frog brothers? Never underestimate the size of true friendship!"

The Old Man and the Penguin: A True Story of True Friendship


Julie Abery - 2020
    It's from a penguin, whose feathers are soaked in oil. Too tired to swim, too weak to stand, he's barely moving on the sand. João must save this little guy. Without his help, he'll surely die. João takes the penguin home. He cleans him, feeds him and nurses him slowly back to health --- and the pair develop a special bond. When the penguin is fully recovered, João knows it's time to return him to the wild where he belongs. But the penguin has other ideas ...Told in rhyming verse, this is the true story of João Pereira de Souza of Brazil, who cared for a Magellanic penguin that had been caught in an oil spill.

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 …

The Owl and the Pussycat


Edward Lear - 1871
    Full color.

A Curious Tale of the In-Between


Lauren DeStefano - 2015
    She doesn't have too many friends amongst the living, but that's all right. She has her books, she has her aunts, and she has her best friend, the ghostly Felix.Then Pram meets Clarence, a boy from school who has also lost a parent and is looking for answers. Together they arrive at the door of the mysterious Lady Savant, who promises to help. But this spiritualist knows the true nature of Pram's power, and what she has planned is more terrifying than any ghost.

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?

Walk on the Wild Side


Nicholas Oldland - 2015
    But sometimes their competitive natures got in the way of having fun." One day, the three set off to climb a mountain togetherClasses may discuss woodland animals, their habitats, or the pleasure of outdoors.

Help Wanted: Must Love Books


Janet Sumner Johnson - 2020
    She immediately starts interviews to fill the position and is thrilled when her favorite fairy tale characters line up to apply. But Sleeping Beauty can't stay awake, the Gingerbread Man steals her book, and Snow White brings her whole team. Shailey is running out of options. Is bedtime ruined forever?

The Invisible Bear


Cécile Metzger - 2018
    One day, dragonflies of all colors come to disrupt his daily life ... They announce by twirling the arrival of a neighbor, Mrs. Odette. A bubbly lady who cultivates colorful plants, listens to music, likes to chat ... Between them will be born a beautiful friendship. The poetic universe of Cécile Metzger is filled with sweetness and kindness.

12 Days of Christmas


Lara Hawthorne - 2020
    This is the second title in the series, The Christmas Choir, which beautifully illustrates beloved Christmas carols. Don't miss Silent Night, the first title in the series.

The Pig on the Hill


John Kelly - 2013
    He's very happy with his quiet life. He has his books, his tidy tidy house and a lovely view. Until one morning he opens the curtains to find a duck has taken up residence on the tiny pinnacle of rock outside his window. Much to the pigs annoyance the excessively friendly duck likes the spot and decides to build a house there. With a swimming pool. And a garden and patio. The duck tries to be friendly. He's very confident and outgoing. It seems he's been everywhere (unlike the pig), done everything; skiing, mountain climbing, parachuting, scuba-diving, even brain surgery. The pig just wants to be left alone. Eventually, after a particularly loud party, the pig shouts at the duck, and the next morning finds a note pinned to the duck's front door. It reads: GONE AWAY. At first the pig is pleased. But gradually realises that his life without the duck is quiet and slightly dull. He comes to miss the duck and regrets rejecting him. One day there is a knock on the door and the pig opens it to find the duck wearing a som- brero and carrying a pinata. He'd only been on holiday in the South. He does it every year. Maybe next year the pig will join him.

Three Grumpy Trucks


Todd Tarpley - 2018
    But then they start to get tired . . . and hot . . . and hungry . . . . They're GRUMPY! When they throw a total truck tantrum, will anyone be able to calm them down?Kids (and parents) may just recognize themselves in this entertaining take on getting grouchy, and getting over it. The lighthearted, rhythmic text will have young readers chanting along, and the bright and buoyant illustrations of the trucks' looming meltdown will keep them giggling!