The Best Worst Poet Ever


Lauren Stohler - 2020
    Whether they’re writing sonnets to sundaes or typing ballads with their butts, they will stop at nothing to outwit, out-write, and out-verse each other. But perhaps there is an even greater prize to be had: Can these two rivals discover the wonderful joy of writing…together?

Wedgie & Gizmo


Suzanne Selfors - 2017
    He LOVES having new siblings and friends to protect. He LOVES guinea pigs like Gizmo! He also LOVES treats!But Gizmo does not want to share his loyal human servant with a rump-sniffing beast! He does not want to live in a pink Barbie Playhouse. Or to be kissed and hugged by the girl human. Gizmo is an evil genius. He wants to take over the world and make all humans feel his wrath. But first he must destroy his archenemy, Wedgie, once and for all!

Ellie's Story


W. Bruce Cameron - 2015
    Bruce Cameron.Ellie is a very special dog with a very important purpose. From puppyhood, Ellie has been trained as a search-and-rescue dog. She can track down a lost child in a forest or an injured victim under a fallen building. She finds people. She saves them. It's what she was meant to do.But Ellie must do more. Her handlers--widowed Jakob, lonely Maya--need her too. People can be lost in many ways, and to do the job she was born to do, Ellie needs to find a way to save the people she loves best.Ellie's Story is an inspiring tale for young animal lovers. Adorable black-and-white illustrations by Richard Cowdrey bring Ellie and her world to life. A discussion and activity guide at the end of the book will help promote family and classroom discussions about Ellie's Story and the insights it provides about humankind's best friends.

Tuesday Tucks Me In: The Loyal Bond between a Soldier and his Service Dog


Luis Carlos Montalván - 2014
    Army Captain and New York Times bestselling author of Until Tuesday, comes what Amazon.com has declared the "Best Nonfiction Children's Book of 2014." As narrated by Tuesday,  Tuesday Tucks Me In  is a day in the life of this service dog extraordinaire and tail-wagging ambassador for all things positive and uplifting in the world. The book takes us through a typical day of adventures, starting with Tuesday waking Luis in the morning and greeting him with dog breath in the face, and then ending with Tuesday cuddling up to Luis on their bed, the last moment they spend together before sleep.

Diary of a Worm


Doreen Cronin - 1996
    . . of a worm. Surprisingly, a worm not that different from you or me: He lives with his parents, plays with his friends, and even goes to school. But unlike you or me, he never has to take a bath, he gets to eat his homework, and because he doesn't have legs, he just can't do the hokey pokey -- no matter how hard he tries. Oh, and his head looks a lot like his rear end.Doreen Cronin, the New York Times best-selling author of Click, Clack, Moo and Giggle, Giggle, Quack, teams up with illustrator Harry Bliss for this hysterical journal about the daily doings and the hidden world of a lovable underground dweller.

Floaty


John Himmelman - 2018
    Raisin is a bit of a grump. He lives all alone in a little house, and he likes it that way just fine.One day, a mysterious basket appears on Mr. Raisin’s doorstep. When he opens it up, it seems there’s nothing inside . . . until he notices a floating dog bobbing along his ceiling.What follows is a heartwarming, hilarious tale about embracing the unexpected—and finding friendship that takes you to new heights.

Penguin's Big Adventure


Salina Yoon - 2015
    But when he finally reaches his destination, he realizes he's all alone in a strange, foreign place . . . How will Penguin overcome his fears of the unknown and enjoy this new adventure?Countless readers and reviewers have already come to love the adorable Penguin, and Salina Yoon continues to expand this still-growing series with a timeless story of firsts and friendship. And Penguin is sure to find even more fans in board—the format is the perfect fit for Salina's sweet art and simple text.

Stella, Fairy of the Forest


Marie-Louise Gay - 2002
    Butterflies, snakes, rocks and sheep provide fuel for Sam's curious little-brother questions and Stella's confident big-sister answers. Stella, Fairy of the Forest is gently humorous and perfectly captures the playful yet trusting relationship between Stella and Sam.Marie-Louise Gay's exquisite, joy-filled watercolor illustrations bring the wonder of the forest alive as the duo journey towards their fort where Sam resolves to stay forever.

Ball


Mary Sullivan - 2013
    After his best little-girl pal leaves for school, this dog hits up yoga mom, baby, and even the angry cat for a quick throw. No luck. Forced to go solo, the dog begins a hilarious one-sided game of fetch until naptime’s wild, ball-centric dream sequence. The pictures speak a thousand words in this comic book-style ode to canine monomania. Ball? Ball.

The Octopuppy


Martin McKenna - 2013
    He's determined to train his new puppy. Sit. Stay. Fetch. What could go wrong? It's just that Edgar's dog happens to be an octopus. A particularly brilliant octopus at that. Meet Jarvis. Edgar's life is about to change forever.

Fred Stays With Me!


Nancy Coffelt - 2007
    With a simple text and childlike language, the story expresses and addresses a child's concerns, highlights the friendship between child and pet, presents a common ground for the parents, and resolves conflict in a positive way. Tricia Tusa's charming and whimsical artwork adds a light, happy feel to this poignant--but not overly sentimental--story.

"Stand Back," Said the Elephant, "I'm Going to Sneeze!"


Patricia Thomas - 1971
    Knowing the havoc it will cause, all the animals try to prevent the elephant from sneezing.

Kipper


Mick Inkpen - 1991
    His rabbit, his bone and his ball are all chewed and soggy. And his smelly old blanket is disgusting. Kipper looks for somewhere more comfortable to sleep. The author also wrote "Threadbear", winner of the 1991 Children's Book Award and the 1991 Acorn Award.

Please, Puppy, Please


Spike Lee - 2005
    Oh wait, puppy, wait, please, please, please, please.... In page after page of tail-wagging fun, Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Spike Lee and his wife, Beacon Award-winning producer Tonya Lewis Lee, take a close-up look at what happens when a couple of high-energy toddlers meet their match in an adventurous pup who has no plans of letting up. Irresistible illustrations by Coretta Scott King Award winner Kadir Nelson unleash countless memorable moments of toddlerhood, and puppyhood, which families with four-legged friends will enjoy over and over again. A Children's Book-of-the-Month Club Main Selection A Black Expressions Book Club Featured Selection

One Cool Friend


Toni Buzzeo - 2012
    It's just proper enough for a straight-laced boy like him. And when he asks his father if he may have one (please and thank you), his father says yes. Elliot should have realized that Dad probably thought he meant a stuffed penguin and not a real one . . . Clever illustrations and a wild surprise ending make this sly, silly tale of friendship and wish fulfillment a kid-pleaser from start to finish.