Book picks similar to
Oliver the Curious Owl by Chad Otis


picture-books
picture-book
childrens
adventure

Out of Nowhere


Chris Naylor-Ballesteros - 2020
    Every day, they sit together on a big rock, sharing a picnic and looking out over the forest. But one day, Caterpillar goes missing and, try as he might, Beetle cannot find her. Just as he is about to give up hope, a very friendly (and rather familiar) butterfly appears out of nowhere. Can it be his friend? She might look different but she is still just the same and they are together again, at last.

Oddbird


Derek Desierto - 2021
    All the fancy birds are gathered around the water, wishing they could cool off. But they don't want to get wet and ruin their fine feathers.Oddbird isn't worried about his feathers; he wants to go for a refreshing dip. But he doesn't fit in. He's not fancy, or colorful. He's just...different. The other birds don't want him around. How can he join them?Oddbird's story is one all readers will relate to, and ultimately celebrate.

Hooray for Today!


Brian Won - 2016
    Perfect for little ones learning the art of patience, Hooray for Today! celebrates playtime, sharing, and friendship.

Red Knit Cap Girl


Naoko Stoop - 2012
    Red Knit Cap Girl lives with her animal friends in an enchanted forest. There is so much to see and do, but more than anything Red Knit Cap Girl wishes she could talk to the Moon. Join Red Knit Cap Girl and her forest friends on a journey of curiosity, imagination, and joy as they search for a way to meet the Moon. Gorgeously illustrated on wood grain, Red Knit Cap Girl's curiosity, imagination, and joy will captivate the hearts of readers young and old as her journey offers a gentle reminder to appreciate the beauty of the natural world around us.

We Became Jaguars


Dave Eggers - 2021
    After a day of playing, running, and climbing through sumptuous landscapes, the ending will leave you wondering what's real and what's imagined.

Snail Mail


Samantha Berger - 2018
    Although it took much longer, everyone agreed that letters were a little more special when they were delivered by Snail Mail. They might be handwritten. They might include a drawing. They might even contain a surprise inside!One such letter was sent by a Girl to the Boy she loved, and it was up to four special snails to deliver her card across the country. The snails trek across the country--through desert heat and dangerous blizzards, across mountains and plains, through cities and forests--and along the way, they find that taking time to slow down and look around makes the journey all the more beautiful.Snail Mail's playful and educational story encourages kids to have slow living, and to approach life with determination and wonder. Julia Patton's rich illustrations showcase America's diverse terrain and national monuments from coast to coast. Kids and parents alike will delight in this celebration of America's beauty and the power of a simple handwritten letter.

No! Said Rabbit


Marjoke Henrichs - 2021
    Perfect for bedtime!“Time to go inside now,” said Mom.“No!” said Rabbit. “I want to stay outside.”“Time for a bath now,” said Mom.“No No No No No!”Rabbit is happy doing his own thing, and he doesn't want to listen to anyone else. Or so he thinks. Then, Mom makes a suggestion he simply can't resist!Debut author-illustrator Marjoke Henrichs delivers a laugh-out-loud tale with Rabbit embodying every strong-willed child. Adult readers will recognize and empathize with parenting moments throughout, and a warm and loving twist at the end celebrates the joy of coming together again after a very contrary day.

Penguin


Polly Dunbar - 2007
    "Hello, Penguin!" he says. "What shall we play?" But Penguin says nothing. Even when Ben tickles its belly, sings a funny song, does a dizzy dance, stands on his head, sticks out his tongue, and resorts to increasingly rude and drastic measures, Penguin makes no response. What will it take for Penguin to say something — or for Ben to understand what Penguin has to say? Fresh, spare illustrations bring whimsy to this wonderful tale, in which a silent Penguin turns marvelously eloquent and a little boy finally gets his heart’s desire.

Little Owl Lost


Chris Haughton - 2010
    Now he is lost, and his mommy is nowhere to be seen! With the earnest help of his new friend Squirrel, Little Owl goes in search of animals that fit his description of Mommy Owl. But while some are big (like a bear) or have pointy ears (like a bunny) or prominent eyes (like a frog), none of them have all the features that make up his mommy. Where could she be? A cast of adorable forest critters in neon-bright hues will engage little readers right up to the story's comforting, gently wry conclusion.

As Warm as the Sun


Kate McMullan - 2019
    What Toby wants more than anything is to find something as warm as the sun that never fades or fizzles.Then one day, Pinkie comes along, and she starts hogging all of Toby's favorite places. Toby feels alone and forgotten, and slinks away. . . but Pinkie follows him, determined to prove that she is the something as warm as the sun Toby has been looking for all along.From the acclaimed duo of Kate and Jim McMullan, creators of I Stink! and I'm Dirty!, comes this story about two unforgettable French bulldogs--the perfect story for parents bringing home a new sibling.

The Numberlys


William Joyce - 2014
    Morris Lessmore comes an alphabet tale extraordinaire!Once upon a time there was no alphabet, only numbersLife was fine. Orderly. Dull as gray paint. Very numberly. But our five jaunty heroes weren't willing to accept that this was all there could be. They knew there had to be more.So they broke out hard hats and welders, hammers and glue guns, and they started knocking some numbers together. Removing a piece here. Adding a piece there. At first, it was awful. But the five kept at it, and soon it was artful! One letter after another emerged, until there were twenty-six. Twenty-six letters - and they were beautiful. All colorful, shiny, and new. Exactly what our heroes didn't even know they were missing.And when the letters entered the world, something truly wondrous began to happen: Pizza! Jelly beans! Color! Books!Based on the award-winning app, this is William Joyce and Moonbot's Metropolis-inspired homage to everyone who knows there is more to life than shades of black and gray.

Pirate Chicken: All Hens on Deck


Brian Yanish - 2019
    She dreams of a life off the farm, where she can put her grand plans into action. Her wish is granted when pirates recruit her and her fellow chickens and whisks them away to the open seas. Soon, Lily has taken charge and becomes captain of an allchicken crew as the feared chicken pirate Redfoot. But when Lily faces a mutiny, will she change her ways, or be forced to squawk the plank?

I Have A Balloon


Ariel Bernstein - 2017
    Monkey desperately wants Owl's balloon and tries everything to get what he wants—this is not a book about sharing.

Do You Believe in Unicorns?


Bethanie Deeney Murguia - 2018
    Or trying to keep the sun out of its eyes. Or perhaps this horse just really likes hats! If you follow it long enough, maybe it will take off its hat and you'll finally know for sure. Or will you? It's all a matter of perspective in this cheerful, cheeky story about seeing magic in the everyday.

Morris Mole


Dan Yaccarino - 2017
    When the moles are running low on food, it's up to clever Morris to save the day. With a little help from an unexpected friend and a lot of digging, Morris learns that even the smallest creatures can do big things.