Elephants Do Not Belong in Trees


Russ Willms - 2021
    It's not natural. It makes other animals uncomfortable. This is the story of Larry, an elephant who wanted to live in a tree. This is a story about being the new kid and being a little bit different (okay, A LOT different). A story about acceptance and making friends. When Larry decides he wants to live in the big bushy tree in the middle of the wide-open field, the current residents, Bird, Squirrel and Monkey, are not very welcoming. They throw nuts at him and peck at his head; they tell him to leave and are downright rude. But Larry persists--why can't he live in the tree? When his new home is threatened by something much bigger than all the animals combined, Larry shows everyone that he cares just as much about the tree as they do.

I Don't Like Koala


Sean Ferrell - 2015
    Koala is a little creepy.Adam tries explaining this to his parents. He tries putting Koala away—far away. He tries taking Koala on a long, long walk. Nothing works. Will Adam ever be rid of Koala?This darkly funny debut picture book from Sean Ferrell and Charles Santoso celebrates imagination and bravery while addressing a universal childhood dilemma: what to do about that one stuffed animal who just won’t stop staring at you.

Such a Little Mouse


Alice Schertle - 2015
    Every season of the year, "such a little mouse" pops out of his hole and goes out to explore the wider world.

Chicken Talk


Patricia MacLachlan - 2019
    The family can hardly believe it. What will the chickens possibly say next!?With beautiful watercolor illustrations from New York Times bestseller Jarrett J. Krosoczka and heartwarming text by Newbery Medal-winning author Patricia MacLachlan, Chicken Talk is the perfect book to chuckle over, whether you live in the city or the country.Gather your family around for a delightful tale of surprise, chaos, and barnyard fun in Chicken Talk!

Beach House


Deanna Caswell - 2015
    A long, long drive.It's been a yearof dreaming, waiting.Now, summer's here.A celebration of family, vacations, and the joy of the sea.

On Beyond Zebra!


Dr. Seuss - 1955
    So wrong. Leave it to Conrad Cornelius o'Donald o'Dell (with a little help from Dr. Seuss) to create an entirely new alphabet beginning with Z! This rhyming picture book introduces twenty new letters and the creatures that one can spell with them. Discover (and spell) such wonderfully Seussian creations as the Yuzz-a-ma-Tuzz and the High Gargel-orum. Readers young and old will be giggling from beginning to end . . . or should we say, from Yuzz to Hi!

A Fall Ball for All


Jamie A. Swenson - 2018
    On the verge of winter, the autumn wind issues an invitation: Come one, come all to the annual windfall ball! Join all the animals in this beautifully illustrated rhyming picture book as they gather for the autumn wind's harvest in preparation for the long winter.

Making a Friend


Tammi Sauer - 2018
    One winter day, Beaver sees some snowflakes in the sky and gets a great idea: he’ll make a friend. Yes! A snowman will be a great friend!Raccoon passes by as Beaver sets to work and offers a helping hand. The two work side by side to give their snowman everything a friend needs.But when the snowman proves to be a little cold, Beaver discovers that he may have unknowingly “made” another buddy instead.Perfect for snuggling together for a read-aloud, this sweet snowy friendship story from Tammi Sauer and Alison Friend will warm the hearts of young readers.

Monster Needs a Costume


Paul Czajak - 2013
    With so many options — a fireman, a ballerina, a cowboy, a ninja—how will he ever decide? In this playful, rhyming story, Monster shows young readers that sometimes being creative and daring to try something new are the best solutions.

Flora and the Penguin


Molly Idle - 2014
    Twirling, leaping, spinning, and gliding, on skates and flippers, the duo mirror each other's graceful dance above and below the ice. But when Flora gives the penguin the cold shoulder, the pair must figure out a way to work together for uplifting results. Artist Molly Idle creates an innovative, wordless picture book with clever flaps that reveal Flora and the penguin coming together, spiraling apart, and coming back together as only true friends do. Plus, this is a fixed-format version of the book, which looks nearly identical to the print version.

The Bear Ate Your Sandwich


Julia Sarcone-Roach - 2015
    . . . A sly classic-in-the-making for fans of Jon Klassen, Peter Brown, and Mo Willems. By now I think you know what happened to your sandwich. But you may not know how it happened.So let me tell you.It all started with the bear . . .   So begins Julia Sarcone-Roach’s delicious tale of a bear, lost in the city, who happens upon an unattended sandwich in the park. The bear’s journey from forest to city and back home again is full of happy accidents, funny encounters, and sensory delights. The story is so engrossing, it’s not until the very end that we begin to suspect this is a TALL tale.   The wonderfully told story, spectacular illustrations, and surprise ending make this Julia Sarcone-Roach’s best book to date. You’ll want to share it with your friends (and keep a close eye on your lunch).

Federico and the Wolf


Rebecca J. Gomez - 2020
    But on the way, he meets a hungry wolf. And now his grandfather bears a striking resemblance to el lobo. Fortunately, Federico is quick and clever—and just happens to be carrying a spicy surprise! Federico drives the wolf away, and he and Abuelo celebrate with a special salsa. Recipe included.

Emergency Kittens!


Jody Jensen Shaffer - 2020
    . . EMERGENCY KITTENS!!!!!Who needs boring ol' superheroes who leap giant buildings and run faster than locomotives when your day can be saved by the cuddly, super-cute, full-on feline charm of Mimi, Twee-Twee, and Adorbs, aka EMERGENCY KITTENS!!!Meet the Emergency Kittens, a trio of furry, gentle superheroes who come to the rescue with their incredible cuteness when the going gets tough. When bullies steal Sheldon's ball in the playground, a pack of your usual, everyday, human caped crusaders leaps to the rescue. But when their showy feats of strength and agility fail to impress, some real heroes step in to save the day: EMERGENCY KITTENS!!! With their unending cuteness and unforgivably adorable purrs, this mighty trio of fluffy goodness turns any sticky situation into one of pure cuddles.Pages of silly, good-natured giggles await any kid who loves superheroes, cats, or really funny read-alouds. And parents and teachers will like the gentle way in which this story subtly teaches that kindness and cuddles can often solve a problem that strength and muscle cannot.

And Then Came Hope


Stephen A. Savage - 2021
    Hope hospital ship!The boats around the harbor haven't been feeling too well lately. First, Barge got bonked. Then Submarine started shivering. Ferry came down with a fever, little Dory's nose wouldn't stop running, and even mighty Aircraft Carrier had developed a terrible cough! They sent out an S.O.S. for help, and then a ship called Hope came to the rescue.With her team of tugboats at her side, Hope set about tending to the out of sorts boats. With her help, Barge gets a bandage, Submarine is soothed with a blanket, Aircraft Carrier is cured, and little Dory's nose dries up. The boats are feeling fit again, but they know whenever they are feeling sick, Hope will always be there to take care of them.The brightly-illustrated, kid-friendly picture book includes an essay about the real S.S. Hope and its service in humanitarian aid projects. Perfect for boat lovers of all ages!

Templeton Gets His Wish


Greg Pizzoli - 2015
    So, he makes a wish on a magic diamond, and his family disappears!At first, Templeton is over the moon. He's free to lounge and play all day, and he never has to take a bath. But being alone might not always be as fun as he'd thought. Will another wish on the magic diamond get Templeton what he really wants?Greg Pizzoli, the Geisel Award-winning author/illustrator of The Watermelon Seed, uses his signature humor, vibrant graphics, and a touch of magic to bring this mischievous tabby to life.Praise for Number One Sam: "Pizzoli's zingy ice-pop colors and dramatically varied page compositions take home the blue ribbon." -New York Times* "[A] class act." -Kirkus Reviews, starred review * "[A]nother winner from Pizzoli."-Publishers Weekly, starred review * "'[A] popular choice at storytimes." -School Library Journal "Pizzoli's talent with color, easy-to-read words, and humor is something to behold . . . This one does it all." -Horn Book"Pizzoli's follow-up to the 2014 Geisel Award winning The Watermelon Seed . . . pull[s] off a far more emotional feat than you'd expect." -Booklist"[T]his will zoom off shelves." -Bulletin of the Center for Children's BooksPraise for The Watermelon Seed:Winner of the 2014 Theodor Seuss Geisel Award"Pizzoli legitimizes childish anxieties but also slyly exaggerates each worry to highlight the humor." -New York Times* "It's an expert debut..." -Publishers Weekly, starred review * "Children will love this hilarious book...The story has broad appeal, making it a great first purchase." -School Library Journal, starred review"The illustrations, done in a graphic, flat-color style with simple linework, recall the cheerful stylings of Ed Emberley and Roger Hargreaves. While Pizzoli uses the computer to arrange his compositions, he takes extra care to hand print the pieces. Done in a three-color printing, the silk screen offers a toothiness to the page, giving fruit, animal and emotions more substance." -Kirkus Reviews"With a sharp graphic sensibility, vibrant design, and adept characterization, Pizzoli spins the simple premise into a sweet confection, ripe with broad humor."-Booklist Online