Book picks similar to
Plants by Aaron Carr


1st-grade
childrens_books
preschoolers

Before You Came


Patricia MacLachlan - 2011
    In this new book from the celebrated mother-daughter writing team of Patricia MacLachlan and Emily MacLachlan Charest, a mother reflects on the many things she loved best “before you came.” In lyrical prose, she explains her joy at being able to share all those things with her child, who is now her most treasured thing of all.This gentle, wonder-filled celebration is the perfect gift for parents, children, and all those who have discovered the joy of sharing their world with someone new.

Ear Worm!


Jo Knowles - 2021
    “What’s that you’re singing?” Owl asks, but Little Worm can’t say. He wriggles past, determined to learn who filled his head with “Shimmy shimmy, no-sashay.” Owl flaps along with a song of his own, and before long Chipmunk, Bunny, and Fox fall in line, each contributing an ear worm to the joyful cacophony. Amid all the singing and dancing, Little Worm forgets his musical mystery until later when—surprise!—Papa Worm tucks him in. Hip, vintage-inspired illustrations and whimsical typesetting meet movement, sound play, and comic, cumulative delights in a picture book that will charm media-savvy children and their parents alike.

Are Your Stars Like My Stars?


Leslie Helakoski - 2020
    You and me. Do we see the same things? Do you see what I see?”  In beautiful, evocative rhyme, this lovely picture book helps children consider the colors of their everyday lives . . . and imagine how others around the world experience the very same things.   No matter where they live, all children gaze at the blue sky, bask in the warmth of the golden sun, dig in the rich dirt, and watch clouds grow soft and rosy at end of day. Through the eyes of one inquisitive and thoughtful young narrator, young readers explore the idea of perspective, and come to realize that all of us, everywhere, share the colors of the world. The gentle, poetic text and gorgeous collaged illustrations make this just right to say goodnight.

Nesting


Henry Cole - 2020
    Then mother robin lays four beautiful blue eggs and will keep the eggs warm in the nest until they hatch into four baby robins.The father robin protects the babies until they can fly on their own. The perils the babies encounter are many, including snakes and storms. The nest is always their safe place.Nesting provides introductory biology and animal science concepts for very young children, and also makes a spectacular springtime gift.Award-winning author-illustrator Henry Cole has re-created the life story of the robin with simple text and stunning artwork. Nesting is the perfect primer for young bird-watchers and nature lovers. The beautiful, intricate black-and-white illustrations are illuminated with lovely washes of blue that breathe life into the artwork.

Beware of the Frog


William Bee - 2008
    Collywobbles lives on the edge of a big, dark, scary wood, so it’s a good thing that she has a pet frog to protect her. Too bad for the Greedy Goblin, the Smelly Troll, and the Giant Hungry Ogre, who don’t take this little amphibian seriously (GOBBLE)!

Rabbityness


Jo Empson - 2012
    His friends are desolate. But, as it turns out, Rabbit has left behind some very special gifts for them, to help them discover their own unrabbity talents!This is a stunning debut picture book by author/illustrator Jo Empson. Rabbityness celebrates individuality, encourages the creativity in everyone and positively introduces children to dealing with loss of any kind.

Jump, Frog, Jump!


Robert Kalan - 1986
    "This is the turtle that slid into the pond and ate the snake that dropped from a branch and swallowed the fish that swam after the frog -- JUMP, FROG, JUMP!" This infectious cumulative tale will soon have the young frogs you know jumping and chanting with joy.

All Around Us


Xelena González - 2017
    We just have to look for them. Sometimes they exist in the most unusual places.Grandpa says circles are all around us. He points to the rainbow that rises high in the sky after a thundercloud has come. “Can you see? That’s only half of the circle. That rest of it is down below, in the earth.” He and his granddaughter meditate on gardens and seeds, on circles seen and unseen, inside and outside us, on where our bodies come from and where they return to. They share and create family traditions in this stunning exploration of the cycles of life and nature.

The Best Gift of All


Jonathan Emmett - 2008
    But it's been a long time since he's seen his friend Rabbit, so he tunnels through the ground to see her, meeting his friends Squirrel and Hedgehog along the way. When they find Rabbit under the weather with a terrible cold, Squirrel and Hedgehog give their friend gifts. Mole worries that he has nothing to offer, until Rabbit points out that he has brought her the very best gift of all — his friendship.

Beware the Monster


Michaël Escoffier - 2017
    That little bit of fear that they inspire is what makes storytime so exciting. In this book, young children are introduced to a ravenous monster that eats everything in its path. Apples, leaves, trees, and even cows don’t stand a chance as he ploughs his way through the woods satisfying his enormous appetite.Who will his next victim be? Be careful! His favorite dish is little children! But don’t worry. The surprise ending will make children sigh with relief—and laugh out loud.Filled with humor and just the right amount of scariness, this book speaks directly to the child with comments, warnings, and asides on every page. Giggle-inducing lines such as “I think you’d better hide” and “Here he comes! Close the book!” place the child right in the story.Energetic, colorful illustrations complete this funny book for very young children.

There Was an Old Sailor


Claire Saxby - 2010
    In this nautical update on the familiar childhood rhyme "There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly," an old sailor swallows a krill, which makes him ill, so he swallows a jellyfish to catch the krill, and a feeding frenzy begins! Young readers will love the cumulative rhyme, and grown-ups will appreciate the fresh take on an old favorite.

A Little Peace


Barbara Kerley - 2007
    Wise words and moving images offer a unique and enriching experience for every young reader. According to author Barbara Kerley, "I believe that peace doesn't just rest in the hands of politicians and world leaders. We all have the power to make the world more peaceful."The book juxtaposes photographs from around the world with a simple, reflective message about our responsibilities for finding and keeping peace on the planet. Like the highly acclaimed titles A Cool Drink of Water and You and Me Together, this beautiful children's picture book features superb National Geographic images accompanied by a brief, poetic text on a subject of global importance. All the photography is reproduced in miniature at the back of the book with geographic, historic, and cultural context and details explained. A world map leads readers to the location of each image. A Little Peace offers a vital lesson for children everywhere.National Geographic supports K-12 educators with ELA Common Core Resources.Visit www.natgeoed.org/commoncore for more information.

The Fish Who Could Wish


John Bush - 1991
    He wished for a castle, He wished for a carBut one day he wishedjust a little too far...

We Believe in You


Beth Ferry - 2020
    Do you believe that dreams come true?We believe it.Absolutely!Just like we believe in you.New York Times-bestselling author Beth Ferry and Caldecott honoree Molly Idle join forces in this stunning new picture book about the power and joy of believing in yourself and in one another.

Wombat Goes Walkabout


Michael Morpurgo - 1999
    But when he climbs out again, he can’t see his mother anywhere. He is all alone.As he wanders through the great outback looking for her, Wombat meets all kinds of wonderful creatures – Kookaburra, Wallaby, Possum, Emu, Boy and Koala. None of them think very much of him, though.But when a fire sweeps through the bush, it is Wombat’s skills which save the day, and afterwards everyone races off to find his mum and bring her back to him.AGES 4-8