Book picks similar to
Cowboy Sam and Those Confounded Secrets by Kitty Griffin


picture-books
picture-book
childrens-books
children-s-books

Dinosaur vs. Mommy


Bob Shea - 2015
    series comes another rambunctious read-aloud that will tickle toddlers and mommies on Mother's Day and every day after!Dinosaur is spending the day with Mommy. ROAAR! He helps her wake up, go shopping, sort laundry, and more—his way, that is. By bedtime, it looks like Mommy is down for the count. Is one little red dinosaur just too much for her, or will Mommy win? Chock full of the bold graphics and exuberance that has made the Dinosaur vs. series so popular, favorite funny man Bob Shea delivers another winner—for both little dinosaurs, and mommies everywhere!Don't miss the other Dinosaur vs. books:Dinosaur Vs. BedtimeDinosaur Vs. SchoolDinosaur Vs. the PottyDinosaur Vs. the Library* "Shea's buoyant, emotive artwork and sharp comic timing makes Dinosaur's fifth story feel as fresh and funny as his first one." —Publishers Weekly, starred review

How to Train a Train


Jason Carter Eaton - 2013
    But what if somebody’s taste in pets runs to the more mechanical kind? What about those who like cogs and gears more than feathers and fur? People who prefer the call of a train whistle to the squeal of a guinea pig? Or maybe dream of a smudge of soot on their cheek, not slobber? In this spectacularly illustrated picture book, kids who love locomotives (and what kid doesn’t?) will discover where trains live, what they like to eat, and the best train tricks around—everything it takes to lay the tracks for a long and happy friendship. All aboard!

Jane Goodall


Mª Isabel Sánchez Vegara - 2016
    When Jane was little, her father gave her a toy chimpanzee called "Jubilee" which sparked her early love of animals. As an adult, Jane traveled to Tanzania to study chimpanzees in a new way – by living with them in their habitat. This is how Jane made many discoveries that people had missed. With stylish and quirky illustrations and extra facts at the back, this empowering series celebrates the important life stories of wonderful women of the world. From designers and artists to scientists, all of them went on to achieve incredible things, yet all of them began life as a little child with a dream. These books make the lives of these role models accessible for children, providing a powerful message to inspire the next generation of outstanding people who will change the world!

Perfectly Norman


Tom Percival - 2017
    That was until the day he grew a pair of wings!Norman is very surprised to have wings suddenly - and he has the most fun ever trying them out high in the sky. But then he has to go in for dinner. What will his parents think? What will everyone else think? Norman feels the safest plan is to cover his wings with a big coat.But hiding the thing that makes you different proves tricky and upsetting. Can Norman ever truly be himself?A poignant yet uplifting story about individuality, with stunning artwork in a striking minimal palette from the author/illustrator of Herman's Letter. Fans of Oliver Jeffers and Benj Davies will love it.

Animals Should Definitely Not Act Like People [With Cassette]


Judi Barrett - 1980
    In this sequel to the popular Animals Should Definitely Not Wear Clothing, the consequences of unanimal like behavior are humorously portrayed.

Vampirina Ballerina


Anne Marie Pace - 2012
    First of all, you have to find a class that meets at night. Then you have to figure out how to perfect your form when you can't see yourself in the mirror? And then there's wearing pink (not the most flattering of colors if you happen to be undead) and that nagging urge to take a little nip out of the other dancers. And worse of all STAGE FRIGHT!!!

My Love for You is the Sun


Julie Hedlund - 2014
    "This book belongs on the shelf right between GOODNIGHT MOON and GUESS HOW MUCH I LOVE YOU." -- NYT-Bestselling Author Emma Walton HamiltonWith soothing verses evoking the beauty and wonder of the natural world, combined with stunning, hand-sculpted clay illustrations, parents and children will cuddle up with this book and read it again and again.

When an Alien Meets a Swamp Monster


Cornelius Van Wright - 2014
    In fact, they’re terrified! Boi thinks Alik is a swamp monster, and Alik thinks Boi is a space alien. Both run home in a panic to share their news, but their families don’t believe them. If only Alik and Boi can drum up the courage to venture back outside, they just might cross paths again and realize how much they have in common.With an encouraging message about second chances and looking past appearances, this delightfully absurd story about two very different-looking adventurers is full of laugh-out-loud, action-packed fun. It’s perfect for fans of funny books like Shark vs. Train and Children Make Terrible Pets.

I Saw an Ant in a Parking Lot


Joshua Prince - 2007
    And that irrepressible Ant is on the march again - this time in a parking lot:not to park, but to find a spotof sticky soda, crumbs, or whatsome careless kids or crows forgot.But life s not safe for a small Ant in a large lot - because heading for him, sure as shot, is a red minivan. And who sees what s happening? Just the ticket matron, Dot. Can she think fast - before an ant goes SPLOT?

Don't Forget to Come Back!


Robie H. Harris - 1978
    Harris and Harry Bliss capture the many emotions children feel when parents go out -- and a babysitter comes in!Guess what? The babysitter is coming!That means:1. Mommy and Daddy are going out2. the feisty heroine of this book is not going out . . .3. and she doesn't like that one bit!Parents, kids, and babysitters alike will relate to--and laugh at--this all-too-familiar tale, wisely and wittily penned by an expert in child development and brought wickedly to life with detailed illustrations by a noted New Yorker cartoonist.

Not Your Typical Dragon


Dan Bar-el - 2013
    But when Crispin tries to breathe fire on his seventh birthday, fire doesn't come out—only whipped cream! Each time Crispin tries to breathe fire, he ends up with Band-Aids marshmallows teddy bears? Crispin wonders if he’ll ever find his inner fire. But when a family emergency breaks out, it takes a little dragon with not-so-typical abilities to save the day. With wry humor and whimsical illustrations, Not Your Typical Dragon is the perfect story for any child who can't help feeling a little bit different.

11 Experiments That Failed


Jenny Offill - 2011
    Here are 12 "hypotheses," as well as lists of "what you need," "what to do," and "what happened" that are sure to make young readers laugh out loud as they learn how to conduct science experiments (really!). Jenny Offill and Nancy Carpenter—the ingenious pair that brought you 17 Things I'm Not Allowed to Do Anymore—have outdone themselves in this brilliant and outrageously funny book.

Little Britches and the Rattlers


Eric A. Kimmel - 2008
    She hopes to win first prize in the calf-roping contest. Along the way, she meets seven cunning rattlesnakes. One by one, they threaten to eat her up But Little Britches is smart. She knows how to bargain with those rattlesnakes and come out on top Endearing graphite, watercolor, and digital illustrations by Vincent Nguyen bring this southwestern romp to an outlandish finish.

King Hugo's Huge Ego


Chris Van Dusen - 2011
    Hugo is a tiny king with a very large ego. But when he mistreats a villager who also happens to be a sorceress, the spell she casts causes his head to literally swell. The more he boasts, the bigger it gets, until it finally topples the mini monarch right off his castle! Who will cut this royal pain down to size? And, more important, will anyone live happily ever after? Chris Van Dusen’s hilarious story is matched only by his outrageous illustrations. Together, they make for a picture book that is sometimes fairy tale, sometimes cautionary tale, and always laugh-out loud funny.

If You Ever Want to Bring a Piano to the Beach, Don't!


Elise Parsley - 2016
    She is NOT talking about the piano. But Magnolia is a little girl with a big idea, determination, and one very heavy upright piano that, she insists, she needs to take with her. What's the worst that can happen? In a riotous series of mishaps, Magnolia quickly learns that--not surprisingly--a piano doesn't mix well with sand, sun, and seagulls!