Book picks similar to
The Wrench by Elise Gravel


picture-books
jeunesse
picture-book
children

The Lady with the Books: A Story Inspired by the Remarkable Work of Jella Lepman


Kathy Stinson - 2020
    One day, while wandering the ruined streets of Munich, the children follow a line of people entering a building, thinking there may be free food inside. Instead, they are delighted to discover a great hall filled with children's books --- more books than Anneliese can count. Here, they meet the lady with the books, who encourages the children to read as much as they want. And she invites them to come back the next day. Eventually, she will have a greater impact on the children's lives than they could ever have imagined.This moving picture book, written by beloved and award-winning author Kathy Stinson, is based on the real-life work of Jella Lepman, founder of the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY) and the International Youth Library. Lepman's collection of children's books from around the world traveled throughout Germany after World War II in the hope of building ?bridges of understanding? between countries. Brought to life by highly acclaimed illustrator Marie Lafrance, this book carries an important message about international cooperation that still resonates with world events today. It includes further information about Lepman and her work as well as historical photos. This story of the children who survived the war offers a unique and often unexplored perspective for history lessons. It also makes an excellent choice for character education lessons on resilience. A portion of the author's royalties will be donated to IBBY's Children in Crisis Fund.

He Came with the Couch


David Slonim - 2005
    In the end, though, who would want to?This zany tale of upholsterosis (a chronic state of couch-potato-ness) is sure to tickle the funny bones of young readers—and not-so-young-readers too!

The Elephants' Guide to Hide-And-Seek


Kjersten Hayes - 2020
    This handy guide offers sympathy, support, and superior hiding solutions to elephants who long to overcome their size disadvantage when playing hide-and-seek.A hilarious tongue-in-cheek book perfect for elephants and their best human pals. Readers of Have You Seen Elephant? will love this silly elephant game of hide and seek, and all its handy tips and tricks for hiding!

Everyone Counts


Judy Sierra - 2019
    All Takoda needs is a capable crew to lend a paw or two--or three, four, or more.Two rhinos, three lemurs, four oryx, and eventually ten crocodiles turn up to help. Soon the animals are finding places to pitch in: bears are carving out burrows, elephants are stomping the way for a playground, and crocodiles are crafting a waterslide.It seems everyone's got something to do--everyone, that is, except for ten eager bugs. Will they be underestimated for their size or will this be a new kind of zoo where everyone counts?Judy Sierra's rhymes and Marc Brown's colorful, folk-inspired art lend themselves to themes of counting and teamwork in this new picture book all about how a tiger cub and a whole lot of friends to count on add up to one wonderful zoo."Sierra's rollicking rhymes are fun to read aloud and listen to, and Brown's gouache and pencil illustrations give children lots of details to pore over. This rhythmic, imaginative romp practically reads itself aloud."--Kirkus

The Wolf Will Not Come


Myriam Ouyessad - 2019
    But how can you be so sure? This clever story disarms childhood bedtime anxieties in an unexpected way. A small rabbit getting ready for bed questions his mother on how she can be so sure that the wolf will not come to their house. Meanwhile, on the opposite page, we follow the progress of the wolf indeed creeping closer and closer to them, foiling the mother's reassurances one by one. In a delightful twist, the rabbit's fears are defused and all ends well. The irresistible drawings and surprise ending put nighttime anxieties in light-hearted perspective.

Sea Creatures from the Sky


Ricardo Cortés - 2018
    . . An engaging and beautifully illustrated tale.” —The Fan Brothers, authors/illustrators of The Night Gardener “What must a shark make of the scientists who study her? I won’t be able to look at the animals I tag quite the same way ever again.” —Dr. Alistair Dove, marine biologist, Georgia AquariumA touching, beautifully illustrated story of a misunderstood shark, and its quest to understand the world both above and below the sea.A shark, swimming the seas, encounters . . . Aliens.Will anyone believe it is true?Sea Creatures from the Sky is a gorgeously illustrated children’s picture book from the New York Times best-selling illustrator of Seriously, Just Go to Sleep. Cortés’s stunning seascapes follow the adventures of a shark that has a story to share about creatures who live above the ocean. Our shark encounters strange-looking creatures who resemble nice, caring marine biologists. But after they release it back into the ocean, the shark cannot find one friend to believe its tale. Filled with humor and warmth, Sea Creatures from the Sky will charm children and parents alike.

Colette's Lost Pet


Isabelle Arsenault - 2017
    Perfect for fans of Uni the Unicorn and Sparky.Colette is exploring her new neighborhood and wants to make friends. But when she encounters someone her age she's never met before, she doesn't know what to say--so she hastily invents a lost pet! Things spiral a bit out of control as a neighborhood-wide search party is assembled and Colette makes her pet bird more amazing with each telling. Will the neighborhood kids catch on to her ever-growing fib?This charming story both clearly identifies the struggle of navigating a different experience and demonstrates to kids a lovely and welcoming way to treat someone new in their community.

I Am So Strong


Mario Ramos - 2001
    In 'I Am So Strong', the incorrigible wolf saunters through the foret asking everyone he meets, including Little Red Riding Hood and the Three Little Pigs, 'Tell me, who is the strongest of all?' He gets his comeuppance in a most unexpected and satisfactory way.

This Book Is Gray


Lindsay Ward - 2019
    But the other colors are always leaving him out. So he decides to create his own project: an all-gray book. Once upon a time, there lived a wolf, a kitten, and a hippo…Gray just knows it’s going to be perfect. But as he adds page after page, the Primary and Secondary colors show up…and they aren’t quite so complimentary.A book within a book, this colorful tale explores the ideas of fitting in, appreciating others, and looking at things from another perspective and also uses personality and wit to introduce basic color concepts.

Have You Seen My Trumpet?


Michaël Escoffier - 2016
    He lives in Lyon with his wife and children.Kris Di Giacomo is an American who has lived in France since childhood. This is her eighth book from Enchanted Lion. The others are My Dad Is Big & Strong, BUT..., Brief Thief, Me First!, The Day I Lost My Super Powers, Take Away the A, Where's the Baboon, and Enormous Smallness: A Life of E. E. Cummings.

Shelter


Céline Claire - 2017
    All the animal families, safe in their homes, are worried. They wonder, “What are they doing there? What do they want?” So, as the pair knocks at the door of one home after another asking for shelter, all the animals turn them away, leaving them to fend for themselves. But then an accident suddenly forces the fox family out into the snow and the wind, and the foxes find they must ask these outsiders for help. Will they find it in their hearts to give it?Céline Claire's heartwarming picture book story delivers a timeless and timely message about the importance of kindness and generosity. With simple and evocative language, it explores how even small gestures can make a big difference to the strangers or outsiders in a community. Artist Qin Leng uses a warm, soft palette in her ink and watercolor illustrations creating a charming and inviting visual narrative that is perfect for young children. This book provides a wonderful opportunity for discussions about being welcoming and helping others in need, including how children can put this into practice by reaching out to the “new kid” or the one who seems different. It also works well for character education lessons on kindness, caring and empathy.

Evie's Field Day: More than One Way to Win


Claire Annette Noland - 2020
    She even has ribbons and trophies to prove it. So, when the school’s field day comes around, she is sure she will add to her winning collection. When Evie finds herself ahead of the pack, she is faced with an important decision. Does she choose the chance at a trophy or the chance to be a good friend? Join Evie as she navigates the playground and learns about sportsmanship and the challenge of losing.

Sheep Dog and Sheep Sheep: Baaad Hair Day


Eric Barclay - 2020
    But when it grows too full and too fluffy, it covers her eyes and she trips over things—ouch! A Texan-style cowboy hat can controls Sheep’s wool for a while, but it’s just not working!Sheep Dog wants his pal to get a haircut, and since it’s shearing day, she certainly can. But Sheep’s scared. What if her wool never grows back? She hides everywhere, until Sheep Dog discovers her hiding in a bush. . . . Can Sheep Dog convince Sheep that a haircut is for the best?

Penny & Jelly: The School Show


Maria Gianferrari - 2015
    Despite her desire to knock everyone's socks off, Penny's having a tough time deciding on what talent she might have. With a little help from her dog, Jelly, Penny tries out various talents—from dancing to unicycling, fashion designing to snake charming—with disastrous results. That is, until she realizes that she and Jelly have a talent to share that's unlike any other. Readers of Pinkalicious and Ladybug Girl will swoon over the talent of Penny & Jelly.

Undercover Ostrich


Joe Kulka - 2019
    But do you know who is especially sneaky? Undercover ostriches! They're everywhere, and they're masters at going undetected. You've probably seen one and just assumed it was another woodpecker or owl. The narrator of this book is on the case, following a single ostrich on his many adventures. Not until the final twist does author and illustrator Joe Kulka let the readers in on the narrator's true motivation: a peanut collection mission involving undercover elephants.