Book picks similar to
Opposites: Open and Closed by Luana K. Mitten


storytime
2-favorites-junior
6-non-fiction-junior
7-spanish-language

Splash!


Flora McDonnell - 1999
    But the baby elephant knows just what to do: lead all the big animals down to the water, where they can drink and squirt and splosh and splash! With brilliant paintings that saturate the pages, Flora McDonnell refreshes the very concept of young picture books.

Lost in the Snow


Linda M. Jennings - 2008
    It is wonderful! He rushes outside to play with his brother and sister, but then a huge, scary dog appears and the puppies scatter.Ollie runs and runs, and when at last he stops, he finds himself lost and alone. Will he ever find his way back to the warmth and safety of his family and home?

A Mother for Choco


Keiko Kasza - 1992
    He doesn't even think of asking Mrs. Bear if she's his mother-but then she starts to do just the things a mommy might do. And when she brings him home, he meets her other children-a piglet, a hippo, and an alligator-and learns that families can come in all shapes and sizes and still fit together.Keiko Kasza's twist on the Are you my mother? theme has become one of the most highly recommended stories about adoption for children.

Train!


Judi Abbot - 2014
    One day, Mommy and Daddy take Little Elephant for a ride on a real train, and Little Elephant is so excited! But on the train, Little Elephant gets angry when no one wants to play trains with him. Cat wants to play with his plane. Penguin wants to play with his car. And Rabbit would rather play with his digger. How will they all find a way to play together?

A Lion Is a Lion


Polly Dunbar - 2018
    . . if he skips down the street singing "Hoobie-doobie-doo"?Dapper in his hat and flourishing a cane, a very large lion invites himself inside, inquires about Auntie Sue, and spins the two children of the house around the room in a silly dance. He doesn't mind at all if they invite him to lunch, where he gobbles up all his greens and devours the plate, too. When he leans in to ask for dessert, his sharp teeth gleam oh so pearly white, and it seems very possible that he may just bite. . . . Surely it's time to go-go-go -- until, that is, the brave little girl finds her voice in a most satisfying way. The Cat in the Hat meets Pierre meets The Tiger Who Came to Tea in this rollicking story with an exhilarating ending.

Little Sleepyhead


Elizabeth McPike - 2015
                                                                                                                                                           By the end of a busy day, little knees are tired from crawling, little arms are tired from stretching—even little lips are tired from blowing kisses. But with the help of gentle verse, and art as sweet as a bedtime lullaby, tired little eyes will quickly give way to sleep.Shhh . . .

Jacob's New Dress


Sarah Hoffman - 2014
    Some kids at school say he can't wear "girl" clothes, but Jacob wants to wear a dress to school. Can he convince his parents to let him wear what he wants? This heartwarming story speaks to the unique challenges faced by boys who don't identify with traditional gender roles.

We're Going on a Leaf Hunt


Steve Metzger - 2008
    What will they do with all their leaves at the end of the story? Jump and play in them, of course!With easy rhyming text and fun sound effects, children will delight in this rollicking autumn story.

Little Gorilla


Ruth Lercher Bornstein - 1976
    Perfect for bedtime or snuggle-time, this warm and timeless classic reassures readers that as they grow and change, they are always loved. Just about everybody in the great green forest loves Little Gorilla. His mother loves him. His father loves him. Even Big Boa Constrictor loves him. But Little Gorilla begins to grow . . . and Grow . . . and GROW. And then, when Little Gorilla isn’t so little anymore—everyone still loves him! A soothing, rhythmic text and expressive illustration create a heartwarming story about the security and constancy of love.

There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly


Pam Adams - 1973
    Ingenious die-cut holes bring this iconic nursery rhyme to life, and Pam Adams' fabulous illustrations lend humour and vibrancy to the proceedings. Bouncy images, innovative die cutting and favourite rhymes make Books with Holes a must for every child. Available in three formats, suitable for babies, toddlers, pre-schoolers and the nursery or classroom.

How Kind!


Mary Murphy - 2002
    "How kind!" says Pig. Pig is so touched, in fact, that he decides to do something kind too. So Pig gives Rabbit a gift. "How kind!" says Rabbit, who does something kind for Cow, who is kind to Cat, who wants to be kind in turn. Where will all of this kindness lead?

Who Sank the Boat?


Pamela Allen - 1982
    They were good friends, and one warm, sunny morning, for no particular reason, they decided to go for a row in the bay. Do you know who sank the boat? "The idea is funny, the pictures are splendid, and the easy text is just right for the very young."--The New Yorker "A bright, brisk tale, simply told, illustrated by cheerful, comical pictures."--The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

Turtle Splash!: Countdown at the Pond


Cathryn Falwell - 2001
    But wait! A bullfrog leaps, a rabbit rustles, deer appear, a chickadee chirps, and ten nine eight seven six five four three two one by one the turtles dive into the water. Splash!

Pug Meets Pig


Sue Lowell Gallion - 2016
    He has his own yard, his own bowl, and even his own cozy bed! That is, until Pig moves in and starts eating from Pug’s bowl, interrupting Pug’s routine, and, worst of all, sleeping in Pug’s bed. Will Pug and Pig ever learn to live together as friends? This sweet and silly story about a darling duo celebrates the timeless themes of embracing change, being kind to others, and finding friends in unlikely places.

1, 2, Buckle My Shoe


Anna Grossnickle Hines - 2008
    Add a classic nursery rhyme and a counting game. Stitch them together and what do you have? A patchwork of numbers and fun!         With bold and beautiful quilted illustrations, author-illustrator Anna Grossnickle Hines has created a read-aloud that's sure to become a cozy household favorite.