Book picks similar to
The Wattle Tree by John Bell


grandparents
picture-book
australian
death

Emerson Barks


Liza Woodruff - 2016
    But when his bark scares one of his neighborhood friends into hiding, Emerson's girl Eva must forbid him from barking altogether. Can Emerson adjust to a life in silence? Or will he find a way to put his powerful bark to good use?A charming dog story that shows how good intentions can triumph over mistakes.

Old MacDonald had a Farm: A Sing 'N Learn Book (Baby Genius, Sing 'n Learn)


Baby Genius - 2009
    A fun way for children to learn about farm animals and the sounds they make! Old MacDonald (played by Vinko the Bear) is having a typical day on the farm: he feeds the chickens and collects their eggs as the hens “cluck-cluck;” he milks a cow as the other cows graze in the pasture and “moo-moo;” he shears the wool off a sheep as the other sheep envy the newly shorn sheep’s haircut and “baa-baa.” The only thing that’s different about this typical day on Old MacDonald’s farm is that young readers are clucking, mooing, baaing, and oinking as they sing the familiar song and learn about life on the farm and the sounds that farm animals make.

Zink


Cherie Bennett - 1998
    Ten-year-old Becky is afraid. But she doesn't have to go through this alone . . . she's got a trio of singing zebras to keep her company! A herd of zebras from the Serengeti plains forges a special spiritual bond with Becky. They boost her spirits by telling her the story of Zink, a polka-dotted zebra with the most courage and the biggest heart. "Think Zink," the zebras tell her when things get bad. And when Becky does as they say, her soul voyages to Africa, where her imagination can run as free as the zebras.

The Snowman and the Snowdog


Hilary Audus - 1978
    This enchanting book reunites readers with the Snowman and introduces them to an adorable new puppy-friend, the Snowdog. Beautiful images from the film bring the magical Christmas story to life in this enchanting book. This book includes an audio CD featuring a narration read by Benedict Cumberbatch and the music from the beautiful score of the film.

I'm Ok


Patti Kim - 2018
    With his father gone and his mother working three jobs and still barely making ends meet, there’s really no other choice. If only he could win the cash prize at the school talent contest! But he can’t sing or dance, and has no magic up his sleeves, so he tries the next best thing: a hair braiding business.It’s too bad the girls at school can’t pay him much, and he’s being befriended against his will by Mickey McDonald, the unusual girl with a larger-than-life personality. Who needs friends? They’d only distract from his mission, and Ok believes life is better on his own. Then there’s Asa Banks, the most popular boy in their grade, who’s got it out for Ok.But when the pushy deacon at their Korean church starts wooing Ok’s mom, it’s the last straw. Ok has to come up with an exit strategy—fast.

The Rabbit Listened


Cori Doerrfeld - 2018
    All the animals are sure they have the answer. The chicken wants to talk it out, but Taylor doesn't feel like chatting. The bear thinks Taylor should get angry, but that's not quite right either. One by one, the animals try to tell Taylor how to process this loss, and one by one they fail. Then the rabbit arrives. All the rabbit does is listen, which is just what Taylor needs.Whether read in the wake of tragedy or as a primer for comforting others, this is a deeply moving and unforgettable story sure to soothe heartache of all sizes.

The Tiger Who Came to Tea


Judith Kerr - 1968
    Funny and entertaining.

Lighthouse: A Story Of Remembrance


Robert Munsch - 2003
    He agrees to take her where Grandpa used to take him as a boy--the lighthouse. On the way there, Sarah and her dad drink coffee and eat donuts--just as Grandpa would have liked. When they climb to the top of the lighthouse, Sarah throws a flower out to sea in her grandpa's memory.Robert Munsch's tender story is about honoring those who have passed and keeping their memory alive. Janet Wilson's detailed and dramatic illustrations add a warm and gentle touch to a sensitive topic.

Welcome to Lily's Room


Barbara Miller - 2012
    Lily invites you to see her lovely room and meet her many friends, including Bunny Rabbit and Josephine her kitten who is always by her side.

Finding Langston


Lesa Cline-Ransome - 2018
    It's lonely in the small apartment with just the two of them, and at school Langston is bullied. But his new home has one fantastic thing. Unlike the whites-only library in Alabama, the local public library welcomes everyone. There, hiding out after school, Langston discovers another Langston, a poet whom he learns inspired his mother enough to name her only son after him.

Too Much Glue


Jason Lefebvre - 2013
    After all, he and his dad make oodles of glue projects at home. One day during art class, Matty finds the fullest bottles of glue, and the fun begins. With a squeeze and a plop, Matty pours a lake of glue before belly-flopping right in the middle and finds himself stuck to the desk. When Matty’s dad arrives at the school, instead of being mad, he celebrates his son’s creativity and calls him a work of art. With vibrant language and artwork and a wild, silly plot, Too Much Glue is sure to appeal to all children who love to get messy.

The Highest Number in the World


Roy MacGregor - 2014
         9-year-old Gabe (Gabriella) Murray lives and breathes hockey. She's the youngest player on her new team, she has a nifty move that her teammates call "the Gabe," and she shares a lucky number with her hero, Hayley Wickenheiser: number 22. But when her coach hands out the team jerseys, Gabe is stuck with number 9. Crushed, Gabe wants to give up hockey altogether. How can she play without her lucky number? Gabe's grandmother soon sets her straight, though--from her own connection to the number 9 in her hockey-playing days to all the greats she cheered for who wore it, she soon convinces Gabe that this new number might not be so bad after all.      A lovely intergenerational tale and a history of the storied number 9 in hockey, The Highest Number in the World is a must-have for any hockey fan.

Home in the Woods


Eliza Wheeler - 2019
    Eliza Wheeler's book tells the story of what happens when six-year-old Marvel, her seven siblings, and their mom must start all over again after their father has died. Deep in the woods of Wisconsin they find a tar-paper shack. It doesn't seem like much of a home, but they soon start seeing what it could be. During their first year it's a struggle to maintain the shack and make sure they have enough to eat. But each season also brings its own delights and blessings—and the children always find a way to have fun. Most importantly, the family finds immense joy in being together, surrounded by nature. And slowly, their little shack starts feeling like a true home—warm, bright, and filled up with love.

A Silly Milly Christmas


Sheri Wall - 2019
    Pet owners will surely recognize her big dog antics!I have a Great Dane named MillyShe greets all the guests willy-nilly!Mistletoe hanging highBig dog kisses will flyOh Milly, you make Christmas silly!With plenty of rhyming and repetition, A Silly Milly Christmas is perfect for read alouds, early learning, elementary classrooms, and animal lovers everywhere. Great for ages 2-10.

What's Happening to Grandpa?


Maria Shriver - 2004
     Kate has always adored her grandpa's storytelling, but lately he's been repeating the same stories again and again. One day, he even forgets Kate's name. Her mother's patient explanations open Kate's eyes to what so many of the elderly must confront: Alzheimer's disease and other forms of memory loss. Determined to support her grandfather, Kate explores ways to help him--and herself--cope by creating a photo album of their times together, memories that will remain in their hearts forever.