Zero


Kathryn Otoshi - 2010
    When she looks at herself, she just sees a hole right in her center. Every day she watches the other numbers line up to count: "1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 . . . !" "Those numbers have value. That's why they count," she thinks. But how could a number worth nothing become something? Zero feels empty inside. She watches One having fun with the other numbers. One has bold strokes and squared corners. Zero is big and round with no corners at all. "If I were like One, then I can count too," she thinks. So she pushes and pulls, stretches and straightens, forces and flattens herself, but in the end she realizes that she can only be Zero. As budding young readers learn about numbers and counting, they are also introduced to accepting different body types, developing social skills and character, and learning what it means to find value in yourself and in others.

Hoot and Peep


Lita Judge - 2016
    She's finally old enough to learn all his big brother owly wisdom: First, owls say hooo. Second, they always say hooo. Lastly, they ONLY say hooo! But why would Peep say hooo when she could say schweeepty peep or dingity dong? Why would she speak when she could sing? As she explores the breathtaking Parisian cityscape, Peep discovers so many inspiring sights and sounds—the ring of cathedral bells, the slap of waves on stone—that she can’t help but be swept up in the magic of it all. Hoot doesn’t understand Peep’s awe, until he takes a pause to listen . . . and realizes that you're never too old to learn a little something new.From the beloved author/illustrator of the classic picture book Red Sled , this gorgeous read aloud celebrates the wonder found in little things—and in the hearts of dreamers, young and old.

Chickens to the Rescue


John Himmelman - 2006
    . . . On Tuesday, Mrs. Greenstalk was too tired to make dinner. . . .   Who will help the poor Greenstalk family? Chickens to the rescue! The amazing chickens on the Greenstalk farm race to help various family members and farm animals every day of the week. Every day until Sunday, that is, when Emily Greenstalk has a little trouble . . .   John Himmelman's expressive illustrations are filled with the kind of hilarious details that will delight young readers.

So, What's It Like to Be a Cat?


Karla Kuskin - 2005
     Are cats afraid of the dark? Where do they prefer to sleep? What time do cats eat their breakfast? And what do they really think of dogs (and people!)? The award-winning team of Karla Kuskin and Betsy Lewin explore the secret inner lives of felines in this beguiling question-and-answer interview between an intrepid child and a very clever cat.

Xander's Panda Party


Linda Sue Park - 2013
    Yes, a dandy whoop-de-do!But Xander was the only panda. Just one panda at the zoo.The zoo’s paucity of pandas doesn’t impede Xander’s party planning for long. He decides to invite all the bears. But Koala protests. She’s not a bear—she's a marsupial! Does that mean she can’t come? Xander rethinks his decision to invite only bears, and “Calling all bears” evolves into “Calling all creatures.” The Newbery Medal author Linda Sue Park introduces animal taxonomy in a wonderfully engaging way, and the celebrated artist Matt Phelan’s charming ink and watercolor paintings are the icing on the cake. A read-aloud whoop-de-do!

Puppies! Puppies! Puppies!


Susan Meyers - 2005
    Puppies short and puppies tall. Spotty, wrinkly, shaggy puppies. Bouncy, wriggly, waggy puppies. This celebration of puppies combines puppy-filled illustrations and a jaunty, rhyming text to make a perfect read aloud for young dog fans. Dachshunds, shepherds, Dalmatians, collies, poodles, terriers, hounds, mutts--puppies of all kinds populate these pages, running, rolling, chewing, hiding, fetching, tugging, pulling, chasing, and snuggling. In addition to pointing to favourite pups, youngster will enjoy searching out a particular puppy, who appears throughout, growing from newborn to proud parent of his own litter.

Is Your Mama a Llama?


Deborah Guarino - 1989
    Rhyming questions and answers will charm and amuse children. Full-color illustrations.

The Rabbit Problem


Emily Gravett - 2009
    Hop along to the Field and follow Lonely and Chalk Rabbit through a year as they try to cope with their fast expanding brood and handle a different seasonal challenge each month, from the cold of February to the wet of April and the heat of July.

Dog Loves Books


Louise Yates - 2010
    At first he’s short of customers. But that’s all right, because when Dog is surrounded by books, he is never short of friends—or fun. And when customers begin arriving, he knows just which books to recommend.Louise Yates’s expressive little white dog—and his many expressive doggie customers—extend an irresistible invitation to the very youngest to try reading. It’s fun!

Felix Feels Better


Rosemary Wells - 2000
    Not even Mama's dose of sugared prunes helps him feel "perkier." So off to Doctor Duck he must go. "Don't be afraid, my little moonbeam," says Mama. But Felix is afraid. Best-selling author and illustrator Rosemary Wells applies her rare ability to tell a funny, heartfelt story about a common childhood experience: going to the doctor. Comforting and friendly, Doctor Duck--whom readers first met in HERE COMES MOTHER GOOSE--takes a star turn in FELIX FEELS BETTER, and Wells's inimitable artwork will delight small children and reassure even the most reluctant young patient.

Sixteen Runaway Pumpkins


Dianne Ochiltree - 2004
    Hooray!It's harvest time in the pumpkin patch...."Whoosh" -- there they go!Can Sam catch sixteen hill-rolling, ditch-jumping, stump-bumping, runaway pumpkins?Come along on Sam's pumpkin-counting adventure...and find out!

Jump!


Scott M. Fischer - 2010
    But then that frog (who’s sleeping on a log) is in for a similar surprise! He’s attacked by a cat…who needs to jump away from a dog…and on it goes, until not even a shark is free from getting a little fright! Building on repetition that’s fun to read and fun to listen to, Jump! is a rip-roaring, read-aloud with simple rhymes and lively illustrations that leap off the pages.

Press Here


Hervé Tullet - 2010
    Great for toddlers, preschoolers, and early readers to learn about cause and effect in a simple and engaging way.Harness the power of imagination and interactivity: Press the yellow dot on the cover of this book, follow the instructions within, and embark upon a magical journey! Each page of this surprising book instructs the reader to press the dots, shake the pages, tilt the book, and who knows what will happen next! Children and adults alike will giggle with delight as the dots multiply, change direction, and grow in size! Especially remarkable because the adventure in Press Here occurs on the flat surface of the simple, printed page, this unique picture book about the power of imagination and interactivity will provide read-aloud fun for all ages!Books for kids ages 4-8

Spike, the Mixed-up Monster


Susan Hood - 2012
    And since Spike lives in Mexico (he is an endangered species called the axolotl), this story is peppered with easy-to-understand Spanish words. In addition to a charming tale of friendship, this picture book contains nonfiction information about the axolotl and a Spanish/English glossary.

Russell the Sheep


Rob Scotton - 2005
    until, at last, he falls asleep.