(A good one.)Step Two: Find a reading buddy. (Someone nice.)Step Three: Find a reading spot. (Couches are cozy.)Now: Begin.Accomplished storytellers Kate Messner and Mark Siegel chronicle the process of becoming a reader: from pulling a book off the shelf and finding someone with whom to share a story, to reading aloud, predicting what will happen, and—finally—coming to The End. This picture book playfully and movingly illustrates the idea that the reader who discovers the love of reading finds, at the end, the beginning.

    Pipe and drum player Piffaro heads for the border, collecting other refugee musicians on the way. Their jam session on the road is so bad that the horse pulling the wagon figures out a way to make them all play the same music at the same time—a system of lines and hoofprints. (In fact, there was a time before musical notation was devised, but that’s the only part of this story that is true!) Includes afterword.

    9, go!Told almost entirely in sound words, this day-in-the-life look at a fire engine crew will appeal to the youngest vehicle enthusiasts and to parents with a penchant for exuberant read-aloud sessions. With art reminiscent of that in Donald Crews's transportation books, Mike Austin evokes the excitement of a 911 call as we follow firefighters sliding down the fire pole, racing through town, and up the ladder truck.Includes fire safety tips from the Federal Emergency Management Agency!“Bold and energetic, and complete with fire-safety tips and fire-gear endpapers, this is one surefire win for the firefighter fan.” —Kirkus Reviews starred review“The simple emphatic text includes many forceful sound words… text placement, color, and size are integral parts of the dynamic illustrations.” —The Horn Book starred review““Highly recommended for young fire engine fans.” —Booklist starred review

    Sometimes you need to see things for yourself—at their actual size.

    Can two fish, tails going swish, help? What about three moose, munching on spruce? Will four crickets, chirping in the thickets, be able to pull the unlucky duck out of the muck? With bright, spirited illustrations by Jane Chapman, this counting tale by Phyllis Root is a feast of sounds and numbers that will have young listeners scrambling to join the slippy, sloppy fun.

    Why won't the Prince go to bed? Squire Frat, Lord Gerty, and others in the royal household try to help. Could he want a fluffy pillow? A softer mattress? A gentle lullaby? As the Prince's cries get louder and louder, the castle turns topsy-turvy--until Princess Kate, woken by the ruckus, thinks to ask her brother why he won't settle down--discovering that a simple good-night kiss is all he wants. Ingenious collage illustrations rich with funny antics bring this medieval world to life, while the rollicking rhyme will have listeners chiming in with glee.

    in full color. A madcap band of dancing, prancing monkeys explain hands, fingers, and thumbs to beginning readers.

    When her mother accidentally puts the rug in the washing machine and destroys it, Emma is devastated and ceases her art. But she soon comes to find that creativity comes from within, not from an object.  A perfect gift for any young artist in your life.

    Kwame Alexander’s poetry and Melissa Sweet’s artwork come together to take readers on a journey between the pages of a book.

    The little girl wears it to school proudly, and when the other children laugh, she gives them a quick lesson about what it means to be rich. Judith Sutton's beautiful paintings bring one of Dolly Parton's best-loved songs to life. "The heartfelt verses are imbued with the same genuine, infectiously likeable spirit Parton herself projects." Publishers Weekly

    With this adorable board book of essential signs, babies and toddlers can easily learn how to communicate their needs, wants, and feelings--and even make basic observations--with a simple gesture. Studies show that babies who use sign language feel less frustrated, throw fewer tantrums, and often learn to talk more easily.Just point to a sign in the book, say the word while making the sign, and the baby will soon be signing. Communicating a wet diaper or a hungry belly, asking for help or saying 'all done' becomes as easy as waving hello or good-bye. And these are just a few of the thirteen signs inside this small and adorably illustrated board book, perfect for little hands--and minds--to grasp.

    This adorable counting bedtime book celebrates the special ritual of goodnight kisses. Children and baby animals request from one to a million kisses from their parents when they settle in for the night. The simple, rhyming text makes for a perfect read aloud.

    Home may be on the road or the sea, in the realm of myth, or in the artist's own studio. A meditation on the concept of home.

    An ideal read for bedtime or story time, this book’s rich watercolor illustrations and delightful animals will engage children and become a family favorite.

    A young student receives a family tree assignment in school, but she can only trace back three generations. Grandma gathers the whole family, and the student learns that 400 years ago, in 1619, their ancestors were stolen and brought to America by white slave traders. But before that, they had a home, a land, a language. She learns how the people said to be born on the water survived.