Up the Creek


Nicholas Oldland - 2013
    So when the three friends go canoeing together one sunny day, it doesn't take long for them to start quarreling with one another. First, they can't decide who should get to steer the canoe. Later, they debate how best to get across a beaver dam that blocks their way. But when they can't agree on the proper course for maneuvering through the white-water rapids they suddenly find themselves in, the consequences become truly perilous. It takes a long, uncomfortable night spent stranded on a rock to remind the bear, the moose and the beaver what they often forget: everything turns out better when they work together as a team. As with his other popular books in the Life in the Wild series, featuring these three lovable animal characters, author-illustrator Nicholas Oldland has created a funny romp of a picture book adventure for young children that will be a favorite choice in the classroom. Oldland's distinctive, simple and playful artwork tells much of the tale on its own, with lots of visual humor in the characters' facial expressions and the numerous asides throughout. At its core, this is a fun, contemporary fable that champions the importance of teamwork, cooperation and communication while also promoting the joys to be found in nature, specifically the wilder parts of the outdoors. This book could serve as an introduction to discussions on animals and their environments in the early grades as well.

This Is the Stable


Cynthia Cotten - 2006
    The animals are gathering round. Shepherds and wise men and angels are coming from afar. All of them are flocking to see the Christ child, born this night in Bethlehem.Illustrated in the gorgeous tropical hues of the region and told in lyrical verses perfect for reading aloud, this is a retelling of the Nativity that will be treasured for many Christmases to come.

One Gorilla: A Counting Book


Atsuko Morozumi - 1990
    He hides--as much as a gorilla can!--along with all the other creatures as they dart, leap, and peer from the most surprising places, waiting to be counted. A chart at the end of the book provides a key to all the animals and their corresponding numbers.Soft, precise illustrations characterize this colorful counting book. One Gorilla is a 1990 New York Times Book Review Best Illustrated Book of the Year.

In the Snow: Who's Been Here?


Lindsay Barrett George - 1999
    Help them find the clues -- a pellet of feathers and bones, a fish head by the brook, a patch of bark rubbed off the trunk of a birch tree, and more -- and join in guessing, "Who's been here?"

That's Not My Hedgehog...


Fiona Watt - 2015
    Babies love the best-selling That's not my… books with their bold illustrations, patches to stroke, and a mouse to spot on every page, all designed to develop sensory and language awareness.

Trains: Steaming! Pulling! Huffing!


Patricia Hubbell - 2005
    The mixed-media illustrations using clip art, etchings, original drawings, and maps will remind parents and grandparents of an earlier time. Children will enjoy the collages, puns, and delightful wordplay throughout.

Hands Off My Honey!


Jane Chapman - 2013
    With a jump, leap, and a roll, they set out across the forest. Can they make it to the honey without that scary bear seeing them? Full color.

This Is a Taco!


Andrew Cangelose - 2018
    . . "Hey, I may be a squirrel, but my name is Taco! And I don't eat nuts and tree bark—blech—I prefer tacos!" The natural predator of squirrels is . . . "Whoa, whoa, whoa! Who is writing this book? I do not like where this is going." This hilarious send-up of a children's nature primer teaches kids that the most important story is the one you write yourself.

Kindergarten Is Cool!


Linda Elovitz Marshall - 2016
    . .Kindergarten's begun.Big kids say that it's fun.But is that really true?Will it be fun . . . for you?Celebrate all the familiar milestones and moments shared by every kid entering kindergarten in this charming second-person narrative. Whether it's early-morning jitters or becoming familiar with new classroom routines, this sweet and bouncy story will have expectant kindergarteners saying, "Kindergarten is cool!"

When We're Together


Claire Freedman - 2009
    The hare family know that being together is about sharing special moments with family and friends.

I Like Vegetables: Petit Collage


Lorena Siminovich - 2011
    Then look at and touch different vegetables, from the big and small pumpkins to the tall and short corn, as you find out about opposites. Textures perfectly complement the collage pictures, while the simple text encourages children to learn basic concepts and investigate what they like about the world around them.

Florabelle


Sasha Quinton - 2015
    And although her family can be a bit serious at times, she knows that life is always more fun when you use your imagination.Sasha Quinton's fantastical story about a little girl who dreams big enough to face her fears is brought to life with Brigette Barrager's beautiful illustrations accompanied by Michel Tcherevkoff's magnificent flower photography. Florabelle will spark the creativity in every little girl's imagination and will delight fans of Fancy Nancy and Pinkalicious.

The Crunching Munching Caterpillar


Sheridan Cain - 2000
    When he sees his friends Bumblebee, Sparrow, and Butterfly flying, Caterpillar wants to fly, too. Bumblebee and Sparrow tell him that he cannot fly because he's too big. But Butterfly knows a secret. Full color.

Cat Goes Fiddle-I-Fee


Paul Galdone - 1985
    An old English cumulative rhyme introduces young children to their favorite farm animals with verses that prompt them to learn the sound that each animal makes.

Little Penguin and the Lollipop


Tadgh Bentley - 2017
    Full of funny faces, underwater friends, and razzle dazzle seaweed lollipops, here comes the hilarious and charming sequel to Little Penguin Gets the Hiccups! Perfect for fans of Dragons Love Tacos and The Monster at the End of This Book.Little Penguin has a problem…his friend Kenneth is upset!And it’s all because Little Penguin ate Kenneth’s deliciously yummy razzle dazzle seaweed lollipop!Little Penguin’s tried everything he can think of to make it up to Kenneth but nothing seems to help—not even a hug!  Can YOU help him save the day?