Book picks similar to
The Honk of Zagonk by Pat Hatt


kids
children-s
childrens
picture-books

Jimmy the Racing Frog


M. Sterling Jones - 2011
    As a full-grown frog he discovered that living your dreams is sometimes about learning to take what life gives you and use your experience to do something great. In the end he is able to look back on his life with a smile because he never gave up.

The Explorer


Katherine Rundell - 2017
    For days they survive alone, until Fred finds a map that leads them to a ruined city, and to a secret.

The Only Child


Guojing - 2015
    USA Today  declared it “a compelling and melancholy debut from an important new talent" as well as "an expansive and ageless book full of wonder, sadness, and wild bursts of imagination.” And like Shaun Tan's The Arrival and Raymond Briggs's The Snowman, it is quickly becoming a modern classic.   A little girl—lost and alone—follows a mysterious stag deep into the woods, and, like Alice down the rabbit hole, she finds herself in a strange and wondrous world. But... home and family are very far away. How will she get back there?   In this magnificently illustrated—and wordless—masterpiece, debut artist Guojing brilliantly captures the rich and deeply-felt emotional life of a child, filled with loneliness and longing as well as love and joy.

The Paper Kingdom


Helena Ku Rhee - 2020
    But the story is about more than brooms, mops, and vacuums. Mama and Papa turn the deserted office building into a magnificent kingdom filled with paper. Then they weave a fantasy of dragons and kings to further engage their reluctant companion--and even encourage him to one day be the king of a paper kingdom.The Paper Kingdom expresses the joy and spirit of a loving family who turn a routine and ordinary experience into something much grander. Magical art by Pascal Campion shows both the real world and the fantasy through the eyes of the young narrator.

Goodnight Darth Vader


Jeffrey Brown - 2014
    Darth Vader's parenting skills are tested as young Luke and Leia won't go to sleep. Can he calm them by reading a story featuring, Han Solo, Yoda, Boba Fett, and others as they each settle down for the night?

Little Witch


Anna Elizabeth Bennett - 1953
    ...It may sound like fun to be the daughter of Madam Snickasnee and be forbidden to go to school, to wash behind your ears, or go to bed at night. You might even like to see certain people you know turned into potted plants and have your own flying broomstick. ...But Minx didn't like riding around in the dark or cooking up horrid pots of Black Spell Brew. Even a witch's child rebels, and one day, Minx sneaked off to school. ...The principal was certainly surprised to see his newest pupil arriving on a broomstick, and life got much more exciting for a lot of people - the school-children, Mr. Beanpot the detective and Mrs. Sputter of the Parent-Teachers' Association. ...Anyone who ever longed to cast a spell or experiment with a magic kettle will delight in the wonderful story of Minx and how her dearest wish came true. Helen Stone's gay line drawings make the little witch and her friends come alive with humor and Hallowe'en spirit.

Arthur's Birthday


Marc Brown - 1989
    But it turns out Muffy is having her party on the exact same day! All of his friends are split between the two parties so Arthur and Francine hatch a clever scheme to make sure Arthur and Muffy have the best birthdays yet!

I Hate Reading: How To Get Through 20 Minutes of Reading Without Really Reading


Arthur Bacon - 2007
    "I was howling with laughter!" --Jeff CrosbyDo you dread sitting down with a book? We do, too. That's why we wrote this--a book for kids who don't like to read. If someone's bugging you to open a book, grab this one. Once you start flipping through the pages, you'll probably start laughing. Things always seem to go by faster when you're laughing. In this book, you'll find out how the Bacon brothers get through their 20-minute reading requirement without really reading. Tips range from practical (bathroom reading), to gross (bloody noses), to outrageous (man-eating monsters). You'll also learn what to do when someone makes you read on vacation and how to deal with the kids in your class who actually like to read. This book is full of easy words. And if you come across a word you don't know, you can just skip it. Really, you won't miss any of the good parts. We know, sitting down with any book, including this one, isn't the same as playing outside, or singing, or building a pillow fort, or even washing the car. But if you have to read, you may as well pick a book written by people who feel the same way you do. Try it. Pretty soon you may be surprised you've actually finished a book!

Duncan, the Story Dragon


Amanda Driscoll - 2015
    When he reads a story, his imagination catches fire! Unfortunately…so does his book.Fire breath is great for roasting marshmallows, but it’s not so great for reading. Duncan just wants to get to those two wonderful words, like the last sip of a chocolate milk shake: The End. Will he ever find out how the story ends?This bright, warm tale champions determination, friendship, and a love for books. And milk shakes!

Budding Reader Book Set 1: Cat and Rat


Melinda Thompson - 2011
    So, it isn’t surprising that many children find learning to read difficult. Make learning to read more fun with award-winning Budding Reader eBooks, arguably the easiest learn-to-read book series on the market. These research-based eBooks were developed in consultation with Cecilia Minden, Ph.D., the former Director of Language and Literacy at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. They were illustrated by artist, Doug Oglesby, winner of one Emmy, five Emmy nominations, and three international awards from the Broadcast Designers Association. Budding Reader eBooks use an innovative format to ease children into reading. Using research-based best practices identified by the National Reading Panel, each of the five Budding Reader eBook sets (one for each short vowel sound) tells an original story over the course of ten books. Previewing a book dramatically improves reading comprehension, so Book 1 in each set is a wordless picture book which introduces the story through colorful illustrations. Repetition aids brain development, so the story is retold in Books 2-10 with an ever-expanding vocabulary. By repeating words and gradually adding new ones, Budding Reader eBooks help new readers (even reluctant ones) experience success from the very start.In total, the Budding Reader eBook series introduces more than 60 simple words including dozens of common sight words. Learning is reinforced with free companion writing worksheets (available at buddingreader.com) which provide a multisensory experience and enable children to practice both reading and writing. A free parent guide with tips for working with new readers is also available on the website. The first set in the series, Cat and Rat, introduces the short “a” vowel sound and is designed to be a child’s very first reader. With only eleven words (and, at, can, cat, look, rat, see, stop, that, the, you) introduced over the course of ten books, Cat and Rat aims to provide even the most reluctant reader with a positive first introduction to reading. Series: •Set 1: Cat and Rat (Short a; 11 words) •Set 2: Wit and Kit (Short i; 17 words) •Set 3: Bugs (Short u; 18 words) •Set 4: Hop! (Short o; 18 words) •Set 5: Hens (Short e; 22 words) For every eBook set sold, Budding Reader donates one to a child in need. One for You. One for the World. A Better World with Every Purchase. Gold Mom’s Choice Award Winner: The Mom’s Choice Awards has named Cat and Rat among the very best in family-friendly media, products and services. This content is optimized for tablets.

Halloween


Jerry Seinfeld - 2002
    A humorous tale about the Halloween experience as remembered by the author himself, from bad trick-or-treat candy to pajama-like costumes, enhanced with vibrant illustrations.

Curious George Visits the Zoo


Margret Rey - 1985
    A hungry Curious George snatches a pail of bananas from the zoo keeper. Though he shouldn't have taken the bananas, George soon changes the zookeeper's shouts to praise with his clever, helpful ways.

Bubbles: Big Stink in Frog Pond


Ben Woodard - 2015
    And the other frogs are not happy. They tell him to stop bubbling the water or he'll have to leave Frog Pond. But he can't help it. He's been bubbling since he was a little tadpole. Will Bubbles have to leave Frog Pond? Where will he go? And what happens when danger comes? Find out in this fun picture book about friendship and self-respect for preschoolers and all ages.

I Am Not Afraid To Fail (Persistence Project Book 1)


Daniel Kenney - 2019
    Failure doesn't have to be scary for kids. And parents, guardians, and mentors play a crucial role in teaching kids that failure is just one step towards success. Thankfully, simple books with powerful language can help! With the help of "I Am Not Afraid To Fail", you and your child can work together to learn that failure is a normal and natural part of life. Help the child in your life build the confidence to take chances and go for it without fear of failure. Read the book and start this important conversation today!"I Am Not Afraid To Fail" is the third book in the Persistence Project Series. GET IT NOW The Persistence Project Series -Book One: I Am Not Afraid To Fail -Book Two: I Won't Give Up -Book Three: You Can Face Your Fears-Book Four: You Can Always Improve - Coming Fall 2020!

Dizzy Lizzie


Kat E. Erikson - 2020
    Born under an old house, in a dark wee den, with cobwebs in the corner and dirt underfoot, every day is a struggle for the tiny kitten, until she learns a trick or two to make sure she gets her share. But just as things seem to improve, Dizzy Lizzie’s home is destroyed and she is torn from her mother. Soon, Lizzie is faced with a new set of problems, and if she wants to stick with her sister and secure a forever home, the little kitten must learn to curb her big temper. “No matter how teeny-tiny, no matter how weebly-wobbly,” Dizzie Lizzie vows, “I’ll find a way!” But as she tumbles from one calamity to the next, can Lizzie tame her tantrums and find her forever home? Based on a true story, this beautifully illustrated and uplifting rescue cat tale explores themes like loyalty, family love—whether that family is by blood or adoption—and never giving up.