Zen Shorts


Jon J. Muth - 2005
    "There's a really big bear in the backyard." This is how three children meet Stillwater, a giant panda who moves into the neighborhood and tells amazing tales. To Addy he tells a story about the value of material goods. To Michael he pushes the boundaries of good and bad. And to Karl he demonstrates what it means to hold on to frustration. With graceful art and simple stories that are filled with love and enlightenment, Jon Muth -- and Stillwater the bear -- present three ancient Zen tales that are sure to strike a chord in everyone they touch.

Animal ABC


Marcus Pfister - 2013
    Pfister’s bold, colorful illustrations capture each critter in all of their glory and name the animal in bold letters so children can see if their guesses were correct—a ferociously fun way to learn about the alphabet and animals.  • A basic concept book with Pfister’s identifiable style. • Read-aloud rhymes that make learning your letters fun! • Pfister is the bestselling author of the Rainbow Fish series.

They Were Strong and Good


Robert Lawson - 1940
    Robert Lawson introduces us to his forefathers and with them we brave Caribbean storms, travel to the wharf markets of New York, and fight in the Civil War. Amidst these adventures Lawson's grandparents meet, marry, and raise a family, and later his parents follow the same cycle of life. But this book is more than just the story of one family, it's a social history of our country. It reminds us to be proud of our ancestors--who they were, what they did, and the effect that they had on the nation we live in today.None of them were great or famous, but they were strong and good. They worked hard and had many children. They all helped to make the United States the great nation that it now is. Let us be proud of them and guard well the heritage they have left us.

Grandfather's Journey


Allen Say - 1993
    He warmly conveys his own love for his two countries and described the strong and constant desire to be in both places at once: When in one country, he invariably misses the other. His grandfather, he tells us, would understand.

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom


Bill Martin Jr. - 1989
    "A told b, and b told c, 'I'll meet you at the top of the coconut tree'"--which probably seemed like a good idea until the other 23 members of the gang decided to follow suit. The palm tree standing straight and tall on the first page begins to groan and bend under its alphabetical burden. First the coconuts fall off, then ("Chicka chicka... BOOM! BOOM!") all the letters also end up in a big heap underneath.

The Noisy Paint Box


Barb Rosenstock - 2014
    Throughout his life, Kandinsky experienced colors as sounds, and sounds as colors--and bold, groundbreaking works burst forth from his noisy paint box.

Big Sister, Little Sister


LeUyen Pham - 2005
    The Little one gets hand-me-downs. The Big one does everything first. The Little one is always catching up But the little one can do some things well, and can even teach the older one a thing or two?. Big sisters and little sisters alike will agree: this is a sassy and touching celebration of sisterhood for all ages.

Just Right for Christmas


Birdie Black - 2011
    Little does he know that the left-over cloth will be used to make presents for many more of the kingdom’s inhabitants, right down to the last teeny bit of cloth which is made into a scarf just right for a mouse.

I Stink!


Kate McMullan - 2002
    His job? Eating your garbage and loving every stinky second of it!And you thought nighttime was just for sleeping.

The Man Who Walked Between the Towers


Mordicai Gerstein - 2003
    From a highly-respected picture book author/illustrator comes a lyrical evocation of Philippe Petit's 1974 tightrope walk between the World Trade Center towers.

Arthur's Perfect Christmas


Marc Brown - 2000
    Finally he realizes what truly makes Christmas perfect.

Eric Carle's ABC


Eric Carle - 1999
    B. C. D. Unfold the full-page flaps to reveal an ant, bear, camel, and duck! Eric Carle’s illustrated alphabet and animals make learning your ABCs as easy as . . . well, A, B, C!

The Hullabaloo ABC


Beverly Cleary - 1960
    Donkeys are braying, pigs are grunting, cows are mooing-even the jays are jabbering! From clucks and cackles to rumbles and whoops, this rollicking alphabet book takes young readers on a barnyard romp that is chock-full of noisy words they will love to hear and say out loud. Beverly Cleary's timeless text comes to life in vibrant new illustrations by Ted Rand. Here is a book that is guaranteed to delight a whole new generation of readers.

One Starry Night


Lauren Thompson - 2008
    . . little ones everywhere are watched over with care. Most special of all, Mary and Joseph watch over their newborn babe . . .and the world is filled with love.

The Steadfast Tin Soldier


Hans Christian Andersen - 1838
    Fillers Include: Aesop's Fables The Actor and the Farmer, A poem by Robert Louis Stevenson Young Night Thought, The Animal World -- The Dingo and a color me page on the back inside cover.