Instead, she ends up with a cactus called Carolyn. And after some very unsuccessful campaigning, to her wonderful surprise, Elizabeth encounters Doug -- surely the most unusual and special pet of all.Even Carolyn agrees.Margie Palatini and Bruce Whatley team up for a wacky picture book that handles a topic every parent and child will relate to -- choosing that just perfect pet.

    She was born on a Thursday. She won her first cooking contest at the age of eight on a Thursday. She met the love of her life, Mario, on a Thursday. They were married on a bright Thursday afternoon and their two children were both born on a Thursday. Annie is known far and wide for her Poke Pasta Salad and has the most popular restaurant for miles around. When Mario suddenly passes away, Annie’s joy and love of cooking disappears. Before too long, a little kitty appears and Annie takes the kitty in, and, of course, calls it Thursday. Annie is back making Poke Salad in no time. Thursday the cat is known for amazing twirls and tricks and one day his twirls land him in Annie’s draining rigatoni, causing the pot of hot oil, garlic, and peppers to spill into the pasta! Then the entire container of Parmesan cheese overturned into the mix. The customers were horrified until they noticed that what looked like a big mess had the most amazing aroma and turned out to be the most delicious pasta dish ever created! Ugly Pasta—the dish that would make Annie famous for miles around—was born. And of course it was a Thursday!

    You just need to know where to look—and this whimsical picture book is the perfect place to start.Have you ever wished for something extraordinary? Like the ability to fly? Or to breathe underwater? What if you could talk to animals?It’s fun to wish for amazing things. But take a look around, and you just might find that the most “ordinary” things…can be extraordinary.

    He loves fish, soccer, and water. He loves drinking water, bathing in water, spraying water, just about anything with water! But he has one big problem; he can't swim. So when his class takes a field trip to the ocean, Sergio must decide whether he should face his fear or avoid something he loves.

    "Where do cats go at night?" the girl wonders. So when she sees him at his cat door dressed to the nines, she begs to come along. And amazingly, Malcolm agrees — as long as she puts on her fancy clothes, gets small, and keeps it all a secret. With a whimsical story and breathtaking artwork, the acclaimed John Burningham takes us on an exciting night’s journey, braving hoodlum dogs and precarious climbs for a rooftop party that is cause for celebration indeed.

    When Splat’s parents give him a list of chores to do, Splat worries that they will take forever! But when Splat puts his mind to it, helping out becomes more fun than a pirate adventure.Full of imaginative surprises and classic Splat humor, this 8x8 storybook is perfect for fans of the Splat the Cat picture book series.

    He is missing his old house terribly—the new house is much too big and much too lonely—and he wonders how he will ever make it his home. With the help of his new friend Millie, Clancy builds towers to the sky and trains to the street outside, and together they build the home that Clancy thought he had lost forever.

    Leo, a mailman, takes in a small bird, Cheep, who missed the autumn migration of his flock.When spring comes and Cheep moves on, Leo is sad to see him go, but he also has hope, and the letter he has been longing for finally arrives. Sergio Ruzzier’s signature, slightly surreal animal characters and the setting, rendered in brilliant colors, make this simple, eloquent story a visual treat for the very young.

    In a clever game of reverse psychology, Lamby Lamb is instructed not to get dressed. Item by item, he is told not to put on his shirt, his pants, his coat, or his hat. By the end, Lamby Lamb is rebelliously ready to go! Chris Raschka’s witty, relatable humor lets children in on the joke and leaves everyone laughing! READ ALL THE THINGY THINGS BOOKSBuggy BugClammy ClamCowy CowCrabby CrabDoggy DogLamby LambMoosey MooseWhaley Whale

    Maudie's world also revolves around Maudie. In this delightful picture book, readers will meet Maudie, a plucky young girl, and her friend Bear, a gentle giant with a heart of gold. Whether they are going on a bike ride, fixing an afternoon snack, or dancing together, Bear's love for Maudie is unwavering and his devotion will win over readers of all ages. With beautiful prose and irresistible illustrations, Maudie and Bear is a classic in the making.

    After nibbling an enormous piece of parmesan cheese into the shape of a giant mouse holding a flute, Geraldine hears music for the first time.

    Edward, a shy, young bear unready for play school, feels out of place surrounded by students who are ready, busy, and happy.

    Just a simple two-note whistle. When Mama Seeton whistles, her children run home for chocolate cake, hugs, kisses, and shared memories. But as time passes, they travel farther and farther away from the familiar sound. Can mama's whistle be heard all over the world, and bring her children home one more time?Newbery Award-winning author Jerry Spinelli's sweet lyrical text and New York Times bestselling illustrator LeUyen Pham's charming illustrations show the timeless love between a mother and her children.

    Armitage and her dog, Breakspear, paddle out to surf the Big Wave. Soon the kindly Mrs. Armitage notices that Breakspear’s little legs are getting tired--so she swims off and returns with an inflatable desert island for him to rest on. Then she notices that Breakspear looks a little hot--so she swims off again and brings back an umbrella. Soon this silly pair is loaded down with flags, a horn, megaphones, and lots of other gear. What will they do when the Big Wave finally arrives?

    When Mousie is little, Mama sings him lullabies about the sky, repeats back his DA DA DEES and BA BA BEES, and reads him poems and stories about wonderful things like forests and bears. Then one day, on a playground next to the library, Mousie sounds out a word, then two, then three . . . and a reader is born!Inspired by the American Academy of Pediatrics recommendation to read aloud to your children from the day they are born, here is a charming picture book that celebrates families reading together.