Book picks similar to
City Pig by Karen Wallace


aby
ar-level-2
childrens-and-young-adult
picture-books

Guys From Space


Daniel Pinkwater - 1989
    A boy accompanies some guys from space on a visit to another planet, where they discover such incredibly amazing things as talking rocks and root beer with ice cream.

Pop the Bubble!


Mary Eakin - 2016
    Children will love creating a bubble, playing with it and of course they’ll want to pop the bubble! Encouraging imagination with exciting interactive elements will make this a wonderful read-aloud experience.

The Trial of Cardigan Jones


Tim Egan - 2004
    When Mrs. Brown’s fresh apple pie goes missing, witnesses come forward to place Cardigan at the scene of the crime. Finding himself on trial, Cardigan insists to judge and jury that he didn’t take the pie — he just wanted to smell it. No one believes him. But despite his assurances, he can’t explain what happened to the pie, either . . . or can he?

Small Bunny's Blue Blanket


Tatyana Feeney - 2012
    Blue Blanket helps him paint the best pictures, go the highest on the swings, and read the hardest words. They need each other.But one day, Small Bunny's mother insists Blue Blanket needs to be washed.She says Blue Blanket will be as good as new after. But Bunny isn't sure he likes new. Will his friend ever be the same?

A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood: The Poetry of Mister Rogers


Fred Rogers - 2019
    Through songs, puppets, and frank conversations, Mister Rogers instilled the values of kindness, patience, and self-esteem in his viewers, and most of all, taught children how loved they were, just by being themselves. A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood reimagines the songs from the show as poetry, ranging from the iconic "Won't You Be My Neighbor?" to the forgotten gems. The poems deal with topics such as difficult feelings, new siblings, everyday routines, imagination, and more.

What's Wrong, Little Pookie?


Sandra Boynton - 2007
    And Pookie isn't helping, either. This familiar scenario is told with Sandra Boynton's signature humor, in both story and art. Caregivers and young children will laugh their way out of their sorrow as Mom and Pookie work things out. Never fear, a happy ending is on the way! Perfect for toddlers having a meltdown, or anyone in a plain old badmood, this book will come to the rescue for kids and adults for years to come.

Egg Thoughts and Other Frances Songs


Russell Hoban - 1964
    America's favorite song-singing badger is sure to entertain old and new fans as she laments the end of summer, presents a tribute to her favorite cookie, and sings her memorable ballad about the food she hates the most: eggs.

Hugo and Miles In I've Painted Everything


Scott Magoon - 2007
    They visit museums, parks, and landmarks. So what does happen when a very creative artist runs out of things to paint? Well, he begins to see things in a very different way . . .

King Mouse


Cary Fagan - 2019
    A gentle and humorous modern fable about imaginative play and kindness in the tradition of classics like Little Bear and Frog and Toad.A sweet, thoughtful tale of friendship, sharing and play, King Mouse begins when a mouse comes upon a tiny crown in the grass. The mouse puts the crown on his head, and when a bear subsequently comes upon him and asks if he's king, the mouse responds "Yes."This diminutive monarch settles into his new role very comfortably . . . until a snake comes upon a crown and claims she is queen. The mouse is not amused, especially when one by one the other animals find crowns and claim they are kings too. But when the bear can't find a crown, King Mouse make a most surprising decision.This inspired collaboration between an award-winning author and debut picture book illustrator Dena Seiferling is quietly profound in its simplicity and has the feeling of a modern classic.

Friendshape


Amy Krouse Rosenthal - 2015
    They make us laugh. They fill us with fun. They stand by us during life's up and downs. And even when we disagree with our friends, if they're tried-and-true, they don't stay bent out of shape for long. That's the beauty of a good buddy. This joyous book rejoices in the simple beauties of friendship, and reminds readers of all ages that it's good to have a group of pals.

The Day I Met Dr. Seuss


Anne Emerick - 2012
    Seuss tells the funny rhyming story of Annie G. Magee, a young girl who wants to meet Dr. Seuss and find out what makes him so unique. Not content to simply write to Dr. Seuss, Annie travels to his house, summons her courage and knocks upon the door. Dr. Seuss is not at home, but Annie isn’t ready to give up quite yet.

This Book Is Gray


Lindsay Ward - 2019
    But the other colors are always leaving him out. So he decides to create his own project: an all-gray book. Once upon a time, there lived a wolf, a kitten, and a hippo…Gray just knows it’s going to be perfect. But as he adds page after page, the Primary and Secondary colors show up…and they aren’t quite so complimentary.A book within a book, this colorful tale explores the ideas of fitting in, appreciating others, and looking at things from another perspective and also uses personality and wit to introduce basic color concepts.

Chester


Ayano Imai - 2007
    But work and school are keeping the family extremely busy and Chester is taking a backseat. When the family forgets to take him for his walk, again, Chester decides he's had enough. It's time to find a new home. But when Chester is turned away by a flock of forest birds and taken in by a wealthy woman who treats him more like a toy than a dog, Chester soon discovers that old homes are not so easily replaced. Ayano Imai presents a quirky tale for anyone who ever thought the grass was greener on the other side.

Three!


Tia Perkin - 2016
    "Three!" is a funny little rhyming book about what it's like to spend a day with a preschooler - from getting themselves dressed to making a big mess! With beautiful illustrations (complete with dinosaurs, trains and superheros) and a catchy story that both parents and kids can enjoy again and again, this is a must-have book for your children's book collection.

Violet Shrink


Christine Baldacchino - 2020
    Or bashes, or gatherings. Lots of people and lots of noise make Violet’s tummy ache and her hands sweat. She would much rather spend time on her own, watching the birds in her backyard, reading comics or listening to music through her purple headphones. The problem is that the whole Shrink family loves parties with loud music and games and dancing.At cousin Char’s birthday party, Violet hides under a table and imagines she is a shark gliding effortlessly through the water, looking for food. And at Auntie Marlene and Uncle Leli’s anniversary bash, Violet sits alone at the top of the stairs, imagining she is a slithering snake way up in the branches.When Violet learns that the Shrink family reunion is fast approaching, she musters up the courage to have a talk with her dad.In this thoughtful story about understanding and acceptance, Violet’s natural introversion and feelings of social anxiety are normalized when she and her father reach a solution together. Christine Baldacchino’s warm text demonstrates the role imagination often plays for children dealing with anxiety, and the power of a child expressing their feelings to a parent who is there to listen. Carmen Mok’s charming illustrations perfectly capture Violet’s emotions and the vibrancy of her imagination. A valuable contribution to books addressing mental health.