Millie Waits for the Mail


Alexander Steffensmeier - 2006
    Millie is unlike most other cows.  She chews her cud and grazes in the fields with the others, but she doesn't enjoy that nearly as much as she loves scaring the mail carrier.  It's too bad the mail carrier doesn't have as much fun each time Millie comes up with a new way to surprise him.  Who knew delivering the mail was going to be such a difficult job?Reading Level: 4 and up

Little Mouse Gets Ready


Jeff Smith - 2009
    Will he master all the intricacies of getting dressed, from snaps and buttons to Velcro and tail holes? Eisner Award-winning cartoonist Jeff Smith and his determined Little Mouse reveal all the smallest pleasures of this daily task.

Blue Boat


Kersten Hamilton - 2016
    When a family on a sailing outing gets stuck in a surprise storm, there's only one boat tough enough to handle the rocking waves and howling winds:  Blue Boat!  Completing the primary-colored series of books that have won fans across the country, the team behind RED TRUCK and YELLOW COPTER present their third rhyming book about a vehicle who saves the day.

Little Dog Lost: The True Story of a Brave Dog Named Baltic


Monica Carnesi - 2012
    Many people tried to help, but the dog could not be reached. Finally, after two nights and seventy-five miles, the little dog was saved by a ship out in the Baltic Sea. The gallant rescue of the little dog nicknamed Baltic made international news. Mônica Carnesi's simple text and charming watercolor illustrations convey all the drama of Baltic's journey. His story, with its happy ending, will warm readers' hearts. An author's note and map are included.

The Goodnight Train


June Sobel - 2006
    Roll that corner, rock that curve, and soar past mermaids, leaping sheep, and even ice-cream clouds. You won't want to miss a thing, so whatever you do, don't . . . close . . . your . . . eyes!            With soothing, lyrical words and magical illustrations, June Sobel and Laura Huliska-Beith have created a nighttime fantasy that's guaranteed to make even the most resistant sleeper snuggle up tight.Ready to keep rolling?The companion books Goodnight Train Rolls On and Santa and the Goodnight Train are now available!

Minerva Louise and the Red Truck


Janet Morgan Stoeke - 2002
    The intrepid but airhead hen is off on a joyride in the back of the farm's red truck. And what a lot there is to see! In her usual fashion, she mistakes golfers for farmers digging and a construction site for a playground for trucks. Goofy and lovable as ever, the endearing Minerva Louise--called by Publishers Weekly "unquestionably a star"--leads the way in her newest adventure--on wheels.

Xander's Panda Party


Linda Sue Park - 2013
    Yes, a dandy whoop-de-do!But Xander was the only panda. Just one panda at the zoo.The zoo’s paucity of pandas doesn’t impede Xander’s party planning for long. He decides to invite all the bears. But Koala protests. She’s not a bear—she's a marsupial! Does that mean she can’t come? Xander rethinks his decision to invite only bears, and “Calling all bears” evolves into “Calling all creatures.” The Newbery Medal author Linda Sue Park introduces animal taxonomy in a wonderfully engaging way, and the celebrated artist Matt Phelan’s charming ink and watercolor paintings are the icing on the cake. A read-aloud whoop-de-do!

A Grand Old Tree


Mary Newell DePalma - 2005
    Every spring the grand old tree flowered and bore cherries for the squirrels and birds that made their homes in her leafy branches. And every year, seeds from the tree scattered in the wind, along with many millions of leaves. Mary Newell DePalma creates an emotional tale of life and renewal, of nature's bounty and quiet balance, illustrated with simple images made powerful with vivid colors and moving compositions.

What Animals Really Like


Fiona Robinson - 2011
    Herbert Timberteeth, nothing goes exactly as planned. Mr. Timberteeth has some preconceived notions of what animals like to do that are reflected in his song. But it turns out that lions prefer flower arranging to prowling and shrimp would rather ski than swim! With all the dissension and mayhem, will the show still go on? This hilarious picture book delivers a subtle message about stereotyping that kids, who are so often pigeonholed, will appreciate.

Muncha! Muncha! Muncha!


Candace Fleming - 2002
    McGreely's garden smells yum, yum, yummy. While's he's dreaming of his mouth-watering carrots, the bunnies are diving over fences and swimming trenches to get the veggies first!Hammer, hammer, hammer, Saw!That's the sound Mr. McGreely makes when the sun comes up and the moon goes down and he sees what those twitch-whiskers have done... Nibbled leaves! Empty stalks! Mr. McGreely will build something bigger and better, sure to keep even pesky puff-tails away.Children will cheer for the bunnies - or for Mr. McGreely - as they delight in Candace Fleming's clever sound effects and G. Brian Karas's vibrant, funny illustrations.

The Wind Blew


Pat Hutchins - 1974
    White’s umbrella, Priscilla’s balloon, the twins’ scarves, even the wig on the judge’s head. But just when the wind was about to carry everything out to sea, it changed its mind! With rhyming verse and colorful illustrations, Pat Hutchins takes us on a merry chase that is well worth the effort.

Chooky-Doodle-Doo


Jan Whiten - 2014
    When one big-eyed chick fails to yank its prize worm from the ground, it’s time to bring in a friend—and then another, and another. But if adding a rooster to the crew still doesn’t do the trick, could it be that a worm isn’t always what it seems? Each turn of the page brings a new number and a new rhyme in this delightful debut from both author and illustrator.

Otis


Loren Long - 2009
    Otis is a special tractor. He loves his farmer and he loves to work. And he loves the little calf in the next stall, whom he purrs to sleep with his soft motor. In fact, the two become great friends: they play in the fields, leap hay bales, and play ring-around-the-rosy by Mud Pond.But when Otis is replaced with the big yellow tractor, he is cast away behind the barn, unused, unnoticed . . . until the little calf gets stuck in Mud Pond. Then there is only one tractor—and it’s not big or yellow—who can come to the rescue. It is little old Otis who saves his friend. It is Otis who saves the day.In a wonderful new palette, and in the tradition of classics like Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel and The Story of Ferdinand, Loren Long has crafted an unforgettable new story—and character—celebrating the power of friendship and perseverance.

Peep and Ducky


David Martin - 2013
    Peep and Ducky share giggles and tickles and bumps in this sweet excursion from David Martin and David Walker.

Melvin and the Boy


Lauren Castillo - 2011
    But when they get home, the boy soon discovers that the only time the turtle comes out of his shell is at bath time. Is it possible that the turtle would be happiest back in the pond? After all, it's always bath time there!Lauren Castillo's beautiful art gives this gentle story about finding the right pet--and, in the end, doing what's right for that pet—a timeless, classic feel.