The Shape of Me and Other Stuff


Dr. Seuss - 1973
    Seuss's Surprising Word Book," The Shape of Me and Other Stuff certainly lives up to its billing. In this delightful book, first published in 1973, kids are encouraged to ponder shapes they may never have considered before: "Just think about the shape of beans and flowers and mice and big machines!" Dr. Seuss's illustrations are in silhouette (for the purpose of accenting the outlines of figures), but are nonetheless up to par with his usual wacky, amusing style. Soaring well beyond the mundane arena of circles, triangles, and squares, here we are challenged to consider "the shape of camels … the shape of bees and the wonderful shapes of back door keys!" Kids will love the silly rhymes and funny pictures, and parents will appreciate this original take on the largely untapped world of shapes. (Baby to preschool)

How The Unicorn Was Born


Charlotte Daniels - 2020
    

Llama Llama Misses Mama


Anna Dewdney - 2009
    . .It’s Llama Llama’s first day of preschool! And Llama Llama’s mama makes sure he’s ready. They meet the teachers. See the other children. Look at all the books and games. But then it’s time for Mama to leave. And suddenly Llama Llama isn’t so excited anymore. Will Mama Llama come back?Of course she will. But before she does, the other children show Llama Llama how much fun school can be!Activities for Llama Llama Misses Mama by Anna DewdneyWatch a Video

Small Pups, Big Adventures (PAW Patrol)


Nickelodeon Publishing - 2017
    The awesome and adorable pups from Nickelodeon’s PAW Patrol introduce the concept of opposites in this book that’s perfect for boys and girls ages 0 to 3.This Nickelodeon read-along contains audio narration.

Marcel


Eda Akaltun - 2016
    But when a new human suddenly enters their lives at Central Park, they're spending all their time in uptown! Everything is changing and it looks like this new human isn't going anywhere. Why couldn't everything stay as it was? Why did things have to change? Find out what happens between this Frenchie and the new human in his life in a story where change can be good and bring new adventures! This touching picture book is a nice way to help a child understand a parent's new partner or spouse.Eda Akaltun is a New York–based illustrator and printmaker from Istanbul. Prior to her work with Flying Eye, her illustrations can be found in the Nobrow magazine, of which she is a founding contributor.

Manners in the Library


Carrie Finn - 2006
    Why do you have to whisper in the library? Find out how good manners make the library a pleasant place for everyone to visit.

Take Your Octopus to School Day


Audrey Vernick - 2018
    But no matter how hard he tries, one of his classmates is always showing him up with a slightly better costume or a slightly cooler object to share. His teacher says it’s not a competition, but just once Sam would like to be the best—which is why he’s so excited when Take Your Octopus to School Day is announced. Sam is pretty sure he’s the only kid with a real live pet octopus to bring, and Thurgood, his eight-tentacled best friend, is excited too. Together, they prepare Thurgood’s travel tank and get ready for a school day like no other…. What could possibly go wrong?Sprinkled with sly humor and scientific facts about the class Cephalopoda, readers who loved Flora and the Flamingo or Sparky! will want to get their tentacles on Take Your Octopus to School Day.

Firenze's Light: A Children's Book about Gratitude, Compassion and Self-Appreciation


Jessica Collaço - 2014
     Firenze's friends love her light, but Firenze doesn't think it's so great. How can she when it's nearly impossible to play a good game of hide-and-seek?!! When Firenze's light and a new friend's artwork unexpectedly combine, she must decide whether she will keep her light hidden or find the courage to let it shine. No bullying-Let's model healthy friendships Firenze's Light is a beautifully illustrated picture book that sets itself apart by leaving out the bullying and shame found in many traditional children's books. Readers will find encouraging, kind characters inspiring self-appreciation, gratitude, kindness and compassion. It's unfortunate that bullying will still happen in life, however Firenze's Light shows readers new ways to navigate conflict gently and compassionately, embracing rather than rejecting differences. The best book for bedtime The rich illustrations in Firenze's Light glow, creating a perfect opportunity for reading together, snuggled up in bed with a flashlight. This book will compliment a collection with titles from authors like Eric Carle (The Very Hungry Caterpillar), Laurie Wright (I Can Handle It - Mindful Mantras) and Brandon Walden (Seeds and Trees). A book about loving who you are....even when it's difficult Embracing your differences doesn't happen overnight. It helps to have encouraging friends, positive language and patience. Author Jessica Collaco was inspired by authors like Rachel Hollis (Girl, Wash Your Face, Girl, Stop Apologizing), Brene Brown (Rising Strong, The Gifts of Imperfection) and Elizabeth Gilbert (City of Girls, Eat, Pray, Love) to create a book that encourages readers to shine from within. While Firenze twirled on the stage, she realized how powerful her light was. It was creating magical art, joy for her friends, and happiness in her heart. Suddenly, Firenze felt very grateful she was a firefly. Ideal for children ages 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8, this is the first in a series of books that reflect gentle parenting and nurture universal values that inspire and empower kids. Firenze's Light is a thoughtful gift for a baptism, baby shower, dance recital and birthday. Perfect for toddlers, preschool, kindergarten, first grade and second grade. Printed in the USA with environmentally-friendly materials. "Your light makes you unique," said her Mother. "No one shines just like you."

This Is a Serious Book


Jodie Parachini - 2016
    Nothing silly is allowed. There are no funny faces, no clowns, and definitely no shenanigans. A serious book is always respectful, and, of course, is always in black and white. But wait! Who’s this? Zebra might be black and white, but he is NOT serious. And he and his friends are ruining the book with their antics, parades, and parties!This funny and irreverent book that pits its narrator against its characters in a hilarious way invites reader participation and encourages kids to think about writing their own books and stories—just as donkey does here in the end. A joyful page-turner of a book that celebrates writing and creativity and will appeal to fans of The Book With No Pictures.

Silly Tilly's Thanksgiving Dinner


Lillian Hoban - 1990
    But where did she put the invitations? What happened to her recipes? And why is her house so full of frog?There's a big surprise in store for silly Tilly in this hilarious story with cheery full-color pictures by Lillian Hoban."[Silly Tilly Mole] sends out recipe cards instead of invitations for Thanksgiving dinner. Even though she forgets to cook and falls asleep, the party is saved when her animal guests arrive with their favorite dishes. Watercolors in vibrant autumn hues accentuate this comedy of errors with quirky characterizations and fine brushwork." —BL.

Frank and Ernest


Alexandra Day - 1988
    Children and adults will delight in learning new ways of looking at language with Frank and Ernest. Full color.

LeBron James: The Boy Who Became King


Anthony Curcio - 2016
    This Fully illustrated picture book biography tells the story of a young boy and his loving, single mother and their struggle to make it on their own. With the help of a coach and his family, LeBron is introduced to the game of basketball. Against all odds, “the kid from Akron” not only makes it to the NBA but becomes a basketball legend who now helps others who are struggling like he and his mother once were. Children's/Kids Picture Book Biography K-6

If We Were Gone: Imagining the World Without People


John Coy - 2020
    . . we need these elements to live in this world. But does the world need us? And what would happen to the world if humans were gone? This is the premise of a thought-provoking picture book from John Coy. His insightful text explores how nature would reclaim the planet, accompanied by Natalie Capannelli's gorgeous watercolor illustrations. Back matter gives further context and discusses what kids (and all of us) can do to truly help our planet.

No Laughing Matter


Joseph Heller - 1986
    He was jogging four miles at a clip these days, working on his novel God Knows, coping with the complications of an unpleasant divorce, and pigging out once or twice a week on Chinese food with cronies like Mel Brooks, Mario Puzo, and his buddy of more than twenty years, Speed Vogel. He was feeling perfectly fine that day—but within twenty-four hours he would be in intensive care at Manhattan's Mount Sinai Hospital. He would remain hospitalized for nearly six months and leave in a wheelchair. Joseph Heller had Guillain-Barré syndrome, a debilitating, sometimes fatal condition that can leave its victims paralyzed from head to toe. The clan gathered immediately. Speed—sometime artist, sometime businessman, sometime herring taster, and now a coauthor—moved into Joe's apartment as messenger, servant, and shaman. Mel Brooks, arch-hypochondriac of the Western world, knew as much about Heller's condition as the doctors. Mario Puzo, author of the preeminent gangster novel of our time, proved to be the most reluctant man ever to be dragged along on a hospital visit. These and lots of others rallied around the sickbed in a show of loyalty and friendship that not only built a wild and spirited camaraderie but helped bring Joe Heller, writer and buddy extraordinaire, through his greatest crisis. This book is an inspiring, hilarious memoir of a calamitous illness and the rocky road to recuperation—as only the author of Catch-22 and the friend who helped him back to health could tell it. No Laughing Matter is as wacky, terrifying, and greathearted as any fiction Joseph Heller ever wrote.