Hattie & Hudson


Chris Van Dusen - 2017
    Hattie McFadden is a born explorer. Every morning she grabs her life jacket and paddles out in her canoe to discover something new on the lake, singing a little song on her way. When her singing draws up from the depths a huge mysterious beast, everyone in town is terrified except Hattie, who looks into the creature's friendly, curious eyes and knows that this is no monster. So Hattie sneaks out at night to see the giant whom she names Hudson and the two become friends. But how can she make the frightened, hostile townspeople see that Hudson isn't scary or dangerous at all? Chris Van Dusen brings his colorful, perspective-bending artwork to this satisfying new story about acceptance, friendship, and sticking up for those who are different.

Little Fox and the Wild Imagination


Jorma Taccone - 2020
    . .of bath time, and bedtime, and the battle in between.This is the story of Little Fox and one VERY BIG imagination.Debut author Jorma Taccone, member of the hit comedy trio The Lonely Island, has paired up with New York Times–bestselling, Caldecott Medal–winning illustrator Dan Santat to create Little Fox and the Wild Imagination, a picture book about time, space, and even giant-robot-squids.

Henry and the Bully


Nancy Carlson - 2010
    He tries to ask his teacher for help, and his mom, too. But soon Henry realizes he’s got to find his own way to solve his bully problem. Classroom favorite Nancy Carlson encourages young readers to use creativity and empathy to tackle one of school’s toughest challenges.

The Cow Who Wouldn't Come Down


Paul Brett Johnson - 1993
    But when Gertrude takes up a new hobby, Miss Rosemary is faced with a problem: how do you milk a flying cow? First Miss Rosemary tries to lure Gertrude down with a fresh bale of alfalfa, then she tries to catch the cow with a fishing rod, next she tries to rope Gertrude with a lasso. Nothing works until Miss Rosemary has a brilliant idea. She makes a new cow, -Matilda, out of fabric and stuffing. When Gertrude sees she has been replaced, she decides to return to earth. Once there she finds a new hobby--driving the tractor.

Six Little Chicks


Jez Alborough - 2012
    The last thing she needs is hairy, scary Fox sniffing about. She is frantic when the other birds warn her that her chicks are in danger, but her five little chicks are a lot braver than she realises! From the author of HUG and DUCK IN THE TRUCK, this rollicking, rhythmic Easter text is rammed with catchy refrains that beg to be shouted out. Children will love the repeated action words and thinking of new ways to act them out.

Ella


Mallory Kasdan - 2015
    She is six years old. She lives at the Local Hotel. She has a nanny called Manny. He has tattoos for sleeves and he might go in with some guys to buy a grilled cheese truck. Sometimes Ella weaves purses out of Ziploc bags and reclaimed twine. (She is artsy of course.) She has a dog named Stacie and a fish named Rasta and a scooter which is important for getting everywhere she needs to be. Altogether she has been to 62 events including that Hillary Clinton fundraiser. She is NEVER bored. If Ella and Kay Thompson’s Eloise got together for a play date, they would have a very good time indeed.

Titanoboa: Journey To The Amazon


P.K. Hawkins - 2017
    They've become routine to him. But this time, the expedition is going to be anything but normal. Hank, along with a hardened river boat captain, his much younger girlfriend, and his main professional rival, are in the Amazon purely to study frogs. All their plans vanish quickly, however, when they are attacked by a Titanoboa, an enormous prehistoric snake that should be millions of years in its grave. As their crew dwindles from a series of terrifying attacks, they discover a secret: a long lost colleague of the professor has taken up residence on an island in the deepest parts of the jungle. And if Hank and the others can't find and stop her, then the Titanoboa will not be the only extinct monster unleashed back into the world.

Even Monsters...


A.J. Smith - 2014
    But did you know sometimes even monsters get scared? They can be sad, they can be kind, they can miss their mommies. Sometimes, they're just plain silly. And even monsters need to brush their teeth!A funny and family-friendly picture book by innovative author/illustrator A. J. Smith, who combines traditional storytelling with exciting interactive digital components.

Perfect Soup


Lisa Moser - 2010
    Naturally, his perfect meal on a perfect winter day is Perfect Soup. But Murray doesn’t have a carrot, and Perfect Soup isn’t perfect without a carrot. With the snow falling around him, Murray ventures out of his little house to track down the final ingredient for his Perfect Soup. And there’s no time for playing around—Murray is in a hurry.The farmer will be happy to provide a carrot if Murray will haul some logs. The horse will gladly haul the logs for Murray if he’ll give him some fancy jingle bells in return. It looks like Murray just might get his carrot, but it only takes one grumpy person for a delicate chain of favors like this to fall apart. Can a friendly snowman help Murray make the soup perfect anyway?Author Lisa Moser and illustrator Ben Mantle have filled Murray’s little town with richly colorful winter landscapes, wonderfully detailed cozy homes, a hilarious cast of quirky characters, and the absolute cutest talking snowman you have ever seen. Parents and kids alike won’t be able to resist picking this book up again and again.

Boo Who?


Ben Clanton - 2017
    Boo is new. And even if the other kids are welcoming, it can be scary being new, especially for a shy ghost who can t play any of their games. ("You tagged me? Oh, sorry. I couldn t feel it.") Can Boo find a way to fit in and make friends with the rest of the group? From the creator of Rex Wrecks It! comes a funny story about feeling invisible and finding a way to be seen and appreciated for who you are."

Except If


Jim Averbeck - 2011
    Which may become a baby bird, except if it becomes a baby snake instead. Except if the baby snake is really truly a dinosaur! In this young, clever, and whimsical picture book in the spirit of Not a Box and First the Egg, an egg is not just an egg, but a symbol of the potential a child's imagination holds. As each image melds smoothly, but unexpectedly, into the next, readers are invited to stretch the limits of their imagination.

The Great Race


Kerry Milliron - 2000
    Bertie takes an early lead, but a patient Thomas proves there are advantages to riding on tracks instead of roads. Beginning readers will delight in this charming adaptation of the classic Thomas the Tank Engine story Thomas and Bertie.

Peppa Pig and the Day at Snowy Mountain


Neville Astley - 2014
    There’s so much to do there — sledding (using Daddy’s belly), ice-skating (George is a natural; who knew?), and of course skiing. Mummy Pig remembers how to ski. But does she remember how to stop?

Hooray for Kids!


Suzanne Lang - 2016
    Whether you’re a play-a-lot-of-ball kid, a hang-out-at-the-mall kid, a bake-delicious-pie kid, or an always-asking-why kid . . . when you read this book, you’ll be a laughing-till-you-cry kid! Children can find themselves in the hilarious menagerie and recognize their friends and classmates. The subtle anti-bullying message will make this a welcome addition to classroom libraries.

The Jar of Happiness


Ailsa Burrows - 2015
    She collects all the necessary ingredients in a jar, which she uses to cheer up her friends and family when they're feeling low. But what happens when her special jar mysteriously disappears? Will Meg feel sad forever more, or will she find other ways to be happy?