Book picks similar to
Bear Despair by Gaëtan Dorémus


picture-books
wordless
picture-book
animals

Xander's Panda Party


Linda Sue Park - 2013
    Yes, a dandy whoop-de-do!But Xander was the only panda. Just one panda at the zoo.The zoo’s paucity of pandas doesn’t impede Xander’s party planning for long. He decides to invite all the bears. But Koala protests. She’s not a bear—she's a marsupial! Does that mean she can’t come? Xander rethinks his decision to invite only bears, and “Calling all bears” evolves into “Calling all creatures.” The Newbery Medal author Linda Sue Park introduces animal taxonomy in a wonderfully engaging way, and the celebrated artist Matt Phelan’s charming ink and watercolor paintings are the icing on the cake. A read-aloud whoop-de-do!

Chickens to the Rescue


John Himmelman - 2006
    . . . On Tuesday, Mrs. Greenstalk was too tired to make dinner. . . .   Who will help the poor Greenstalk family? Chickens to the rescue! The amazing chickens on the Greenstalk farm race to help various family members and farm animals every day of the week. Every day until Sunday, that is, when Emily Greenstalk has a little trouble . . .   John Himmelman's expressive illustrations are filled with the kind of hilarious details that will delight young readers.

There Are No Cats in This Book


Viviane Schwarz - 2010
    So will someone please help them get out of the book? Our lovable feline friends Tiny, Moonpie, and Andre have returned, and this time they re filled with the spirit of adventure: they want to go off to explore the world! They have their suitcases packed and are ready to set out, but can t get out of the book. They try pushing their way out and jumping their way out, but nothing seems to work. Finally, they get a brilliant idea: they decide to wish themselves out! But they re going to need help. Will it work? Are you missing them yet?"

Zoom


Istvan Banyai - 1995
    But if you think you know where you are, guess again. For nothing is ever as it seems in Istvan Banyai's sleek, mysterious landscapes of pictures within pictures, which will tease and delight readers of all ages. "This book has the fascinating appeal of such works of visual trickery as the Waldo and Magic Eye books." —Kirkus Reviews "Ingenious." —The Horn Book

Magpie Magic: A Tale of Colorful Mischief


April Wilson - 1999
    What follows is a delightfully magical tale of art run amok as each newly drawn object becomes real, and fair game for the antics of the mischievous bird. Colorful chaos ensues as the resourceful bird takes pencil in beak and begins to reveal its own artistic talents. The beautifully detailed pictures invite children to observe carefully and tell the story themselves as the mesmerizing plot leads them to an astounding surprise ending. Along the way younger children will be introduced to the concept of color (eight are featured), older ones will discover the fascinating interplay between art and imagination, and all will be inspired to reach for their own drawing pencils.

Dinosaur vs. the Library


Bob Shea - 2011
    But how will his roaring go over at the library? Has Dinosaur finally met his match in Storytime? By combining everyone's favorite feisty red dinosaur with a variety of animals and a celebration of reading, author-illustrator-designer Bob Shea has created another irresistable romp for toddlers and parents to enjoy together.

Pancakes for Breakfast


Tomie dePaola - 1978
    “The optimistic determination of the woman and the gentle humor of the illustrations make this an appealing book for the very young.”--School Library JournalThis title has been selected as a Common Core Text Exemplar (Grades K-1, Stories).

People Don't Bite People


Lisa Wheeler - 2018
    It’s good to bite a carrot. It’s good to bite a steak. It’s bad to bite your sister! She’s not a piece of cake.Cause…People don’t bite people! That’s what this book’s about. So if you find you’re tooth-inclined— you’d better check it out!

Grumpy Bird


Jeremy Tankard - 2007
    Too grumpy to eat or play -- too grumpy even to fly. "Looks like I'm walking today," says Bird. He walks past Sheep, who offers to keep him company. He walks past Rabbit, who also could use a walk. Raccoon, Beaver, and Fox join in, too. Before he knows it, a little exercise and companionship help Bird shake his bad mood. Praised by the Wall Street Journal as "comic perfection," this winsome, refreshingly original picture book is sure to help kids (and grown-ups) giggle away their grumpies, too! Bird's impeckably crafted, hilarious melodramas continue in the Grumpy Bird board book, Boo Hoo Bird, Hungry Bird, and coming in 2018, Sleepy Bird.

A Ball for Daisy


Chris Raschka - 2011
    Any child who has ever had a beloved toy break will relate to Daisy's anguish when her favorite ball is destroyed by a bigger dog. In the tradition of his nearly wordless picture book Yo! Yes?, Caldecott Medalist Chris Raschka explores in pictures the joy and sadness that having a special toy can bring. Raschka's signature swirling, impressionistic illustrations and his affectionate story will particularly appeal to young dog lovers and teachers and parents who have children dealing with the loss of something special.

Number One Sam


Greg Pizzoli - 2014
    Will he learn what it truly means to be a winner?

Cicada


Shaun Tan - 2018
    But in the end, just when you think he's given up, he makes a transformation into something ineffably beautiful. A metaphor for growing up? A bit of inspiration for the unappreciated striver in all of us? Yes, yes, and more.

What Pet Should I Get?


Dr. Seuss - 2015
    Seuss! This never-ever-before-seen picture book by Dr. Seuss about making up one’s mind is the literary equivalent of buried treasure! What happens when a brother and sister visit a pet store to pick a pet? Naturally, they can’t choose just one! The tale captures a classic childhood moment — choosing a pet — and uses it to illuminate a life lesson: that it is hard to make up your mind, but sometimes you just have to do it! Told in Dr. Seuss’s signature rhyming style, this is a must-have for Seuss fans and book collectors, and a perfect choice for the holidays, birthdays, and happy occasions of all kinds. An Editor’s Note at the end discusses Dr. Seuss’s creative process, his interest in animals, and Seussian creatures throughout his work.

Owly Wormy, Friends All Aflutter!


Andy Runton - 2011
    But when they come home from the nursery with a plant that will attract some fluttering friends, all that show up are fat, green bug things. Bug things are NOT butterflies! But, they are nice and fun and good at sleep outs under the stars and always up for a game of checkers. Fat, green bug might even be better than butterflies. Let’s be friends forever! But, the bug things can’t stay. When the bugs build their cocoons, Owly and Wormy think they have no friends left at all. They wait. And wait. And wait. And one day…their dreams have come true…and all a flutter! Owly’s friends are back...AND they've turned into butterflies. Bold, graphic and full of fun, this wordless storybook will give pre-readers the wings they need to start reading on their own, and a firm footing on the idea of metamorphosis.

I Want My Hat Back


Jon Klassen - 2011
    Patiently and politely, he asks the animals he comes across, one by one, whether they have seen it. Each animal says no, some more elaborately than others. But just as the bear begins to despond, a deer comes by and asks a simple question that sparks the bear’s memory and renews his search with a vengeance. Told completely in dialogue, this delicious take on the classic repetitive tale plays out in sly illustrations laced with visual humor—and winks at the reader with a wry irreverence that will have kids of all ages thrilled to be in on the joke.