Chester's Masterpiece


Mélanie Watt - 2010
     When Chester (the cat) announces he's taking over for Mélanie Watt on this book due to some technical difficulties*, Mélanie begs to differ. She tells him that no one will want to publish his messy book. And she demands that he return her supplies so she can get to work. Chester insists he can create the best, most original story anyone has ever read in their entire nine lives. Only, his attempts don't quite work. Even with Mélanie's prodding, Chester struggles to find his own story to tell. Hmm ... will the real author and illustrator have the last laugh after all? *Mélanie's art supplies and computer mouse have mysteriously gone missing. Here's another hilarious Chester picture book from award-winning and bestselling author-illustrator Mélanie Watt. The story is told through the dialogue between Watt, who communicates on sticky notes, and Chester, whose comments are tucked around his creations, which sprawl across the spreads and include loads of tape, staples, and torn-out notebook paper. Chester himself, as drawn by Watt, and his trusty red marker dominate the action, and the pure silly fun makes this a popular read-aloud. Bits of humor can be found all over the pages - including running commentary from an actual mouse - encouraging visual literacy. With its wry take on the creative process and how good stories are constructed, this is also a perfect companion to lessons on the parts of story, including genre, setting, plot and characters.

The Dr. Suess Lacing Cards: The Cat in the Hat (Dr. Seuss Novelty Se)


NOT A BOOK - 2009
    Seuss!Dr. Seuss Lacing Cards enhance kids' fine motor skills while they play! Kids will love these cards, which feature spectacular Seuss art, and the trademark Seuss sense of the silly. Laces included!

Goodnight Farm Animals


Sharlene Alexander - 2012
    Seuss, P.D. Eastman, and Sandra Boynton, your child will fall in love with "Goodnight Farm Animals."This is a fun twist on the classic story, "Goodnight Moon." As the sun sets on the farm, it is time for the animals to say goodnight. With beautiful illustrations and fun rhyming text, this book will surely be a favorite.

The Darkest Dark


Chris Hadfield - 2016
    Only one problem—at night, Chris doesn't feel so brave. He's afraid of the dark.But when he watches the groundbreaking moon landing on TV, he realizes that space is the darkest dark there is—and the dark is beautiful and exciting, especially when you have big dreams to keep you company.

The Five Sisters


Margaret Mahy - 1997
    Tossed by winds, drenched by water, and scorched by fire, the five sisters search for a mysterious island on the edge of the sea— and acquire their own names, faces and unique personalities along the way. "Mahy's multilayered tale pays loving tribute to the power of story and imagination." — "School Library Journal," starred review

The Princess and the Pony


Kate Beaton - 2015
    A BIG horse. A STRONG horse. A horse fit for a WARRIOR PRINCESS! But when the day arrives, she doesn't quite get the horse of her dreams...From the artist behind the comic phenomenon Hark! A Vagrant, The Princess and the Pony is a laugh-out-loud story of brave warriors, big surprises, and falling in love with one unforgettable little pony.

From There to Here


Laurel Croza - 2014
    Their new neighborhood in the city of Toronto is very different from their home in the Saskatchewan bush, and at first everything about “there” seems better than “here.”The little girl’s dad has just finished building a dam across the Saskatchewan River, and his new project is to build a highway through Toronto. In Saskatchewan, he would come home for lunch every day, but now he doesn’t come until supper. The family used to love to look at the stars, and the northern lights dancing in the night sky. But in the city, all they can see is the glare from the streetlights. All the kids used to run and play together, but now older brother Doug has his own friends.Then one day there is a knock on the door. It is Anne, who lives kitty-corner and is also eight, going on nine, and suddenly living in Toronto takes on a whole new light.Laurel Croza and Matt James have beautifully captured the voice and intense feelings of a young child who, in the midst of upheaval, finds hope in her new surroundings.

The Day My Mom Came to Kindergarten


Maureen Fergus - 2013
    However, she notices, “My mom was happy for me, of course, but I got the feeling that she was also a little sad” to leave her. So one day the little girl invites her mom to join the kindergarten class for the day, which turns out to be a real learning experience --- for both of them. Somehow her mom just can't get any of the rules right: she barges to the front of the line, she shouts out without raising her hand, she slams down her scissors during Craft Time. How embarrassing! In a wonderful role reversal that will delight young children, the girl must become the patient and sometimes frustrated expert who instructs her mom on how to behave. Author Maureen Fergus has found a unique way of telling a school story that allows children to feel rewarded about how much they know. The spare style and juvenile sensibility of the artwork by Mike Lowery perfectly conveys the hilarity of the story. This book would be a popular, entertaining read-aloud, especially for kindergartners themselves. It ties in beautifully to character education lessons on patience or perseverance. The little girl is a wonderful role model for how to be generous and kind to others who are struggling with something new, while also providing a humorous lesson on why it's important to follow the rules.

The D- Poems of Jeremy Bloom (Sort Of)


Gordon Korman - 1992
    A collection of poems, written by the fictional Jeremy Bloom, discuss homework, measly allowances, boring teacher assignments, and other trials and tribulations of youth.

Truthy Ruthy


Sari Barel - 2013
    Bravo, Daddy!How does Dad change the rules? Read our humorous, fun story to find out!*** Don't forget to take the Free gift ***  true-or-false games: This Children's book includes wonderful and delightful free gift with suggestions for entertaining true-or-false games for family activities, for developing imagination and improving communication. a template for a Certificate of Excellence: This Children's book also offers as a free gift - a template for a Certificate of Excellence with suggestions for small gestures of communication between family members, for example: a Certificate of Excellence for telling the truth, for being a good friend...a Certificate of Appreciation for Mom, Dad, Grandma, Grandpa, siblings, the dog, the cat...a Certificate of Apology if I've offended you or hurt your feelings, and more...and more...It's a must for all children and parents, preschool teachers, therapists and coaches. This Children's book gives unique and creative tools for dealing with the issue of truth-telling among young children, a matter that comes up in almost every family. It raises the problem -- How to deal with telling the truth -- and offers a creative, unexpected solution that leaves both children and their parents surprised. Words from the author: As an expert in the development of creative thinking, a coach and a mediator, what I hope my readers will get from this book is the concept of creativity as a state of mind; when they face a problem, they'll put their inventor hats on and invent brilliant ideas and solutions; they'll be surprising and bring about real change. So here is to future successes!This children's book it's a great read for kids at bedtime or any time and going to sleep with a big smile...

Something Good


Robert Munsch - 1990
    Tyya’s dad won’t buy anything good at the store—no ice cream, no candy, no cookies. But when Daddy gets fed up and tells Tyva to "Stand here and Don't Move!" Tyva knows she's in big trouble... and that's when the story becomes Munsch's own, witty and warm.

Franklin Is Lost


Paulette Bourgeois - 1992
    But one day Franklin is playing hide-and-seek with his friends and forgets what his mother has told him. Franklin is frightened when he realizes he's lost, but he knows just what to do -- stay in his shell and wait to be found. A dramatic story with a happy ending.

Shadow Chasers


Elly MacKay - 2014
    You must move fast, because as quickly as the wind blows, the shadows will be on their way. Chasing after our hopes and dreams may take many tries before we finally catch them. This magical nighttime story shows that the journey is just as remarkable as the destination.

Sometimes I Feel Like a Fox


Danielle Daniel - 2015
    Delightful illustrations show the children wearing masks representing their chosen animal, while the few lines of text on each page work as a series of simple poems throughout the book.In a brief author’s note, Danielle Daniel explains the importance of totem animals in Anishinaabe culture and how they can also act as animal guides for young children seeking to understand themselves and others.

The Lonely Doll


Dare Wright - 1957
    Her name was Edith. She lived in a nice house and had everything she needed except someone to play with. She was lonely! Then one morning Edith looked into the garden and there stood two bears! Since it was first published in 1957, The Lonely Doll has established itself as a unique children's classic. Through innovative photography Dare Wright brings the world of dolls to life and entertains us with much more than just a story. Edith, the star of the show, is a doll from Wright's childhood, and Wright selected the bear family with the help of her brother. With simple poses and wonderful expressions, the cast of characters is vividly brought to life to tell a story of friendship.