Opera Cat


Tess Weaver - 2002
    Alma the cat lives with Madame SoSo, an opera diva. When Madame rehearses, Alma softly sings along. Madame doesn’t know Alma’s secret—in fact, she doesn’t pay Alma much attention at all. But on the night of the big performance, Madame comes down with laryngitis . . . and at last Alma is given a chance to prove she is no ordinary animal. Accompanied by vivid, detail-filled illustrations, this story will resonate with anyone—feline or human—who has ever longed for a moment in the spotlight.

Good Boy, Fergus!


David Shannon - 2006
    Fans of Shannon's previous books will love reading all about this naughty but lovable dog!

Are We There Yet?


Dan Santat - 2016
    And when things get boring, time slows down. In this book, a boy feels time slowing down so much that it starts going backward--into the time of pirates! Of princesses! Of dinosaurs! The boy was just trying to get to his grandmother's birthday party, but instead he's traveling through Ancient Egypt and rubbing shoulders with Ben Franklin. When time flies, who knows where--or when--he'll end up.

Green Lizards vs. Red Rectangles


Steve Antony - 2015
    Can there ever be a way to live peacefully together?Green Lizards vs. Red Rectangles is an exciting new picture book from Steve Antony, the bestselling author and illustrator of Please, Mr. Panda!The Green Lizards wanted to defeat the Red Rectangles.The Red Rectangles wanted to defeat the Green Lizards.They were at war!Eventually they realized,Enough Is Enough!They stopped fighting, and by working together the Green Lizards and the Red Rectangles found a way to live peacefully.Who will win, the green lizards or the red rectangles? Young readers will understand the value of living in friendship and peace. In the end, it's not about who wins but rather working together and having fun!

The Raft


Jim LaMarche - 2000
    He's not too thrilled about all the chores either—especially fishing. Before long, though, a raft appears in the nearby river, and it changes everything. As Nicky explores, the raft works a subtle magic on the obstinate young boy, opening up the wonders all around him: the animals of river and woods, his grandmother's humor and wisdom, and his own special talent as an artist.This is a serene story about a summer in the woods, appreciating things—and people—in a whole new light, and discovering one's own talents. School Library Journal proclaimed, "this dazzling picture book is an artistic triumph." A note from the author describes the similarities between LaMarche's and Nicky's life.Supports the Common Core State Standards

Cat Nap


Toni Yuly - 2016
    If only he could find a good resting place to hide from playful (and wide awake) Kitten!Opposites and hide-and-seek make this a fun story for nap time -- or anytime.

Rissy No Kissies


Katey Howes - 2021
    But kisses make Rissy uncomfortable. Can one little lovebird show everyone that there's no one right way to show you care?Rissy No Kissies carries the message that "your body and your heart are yours, and you choose how to share." A note at the end provides further information for kids, parents, and educators about body autonomy, consent, and different ways to show affection.

Out!


Arree Chung - 2017
    When Jo Jo, the family dog, checks on him, she discovers this baby wants OUT.Escaping his crib, he sets off on a nighttime romp, leaving a trail of domestic destruction in his wake. It's up to Jo Jo to keep the baby safe but what happens when things start to get a little OUT of control?

Bedtime Bonnet


Nancy Redd - 2020
    This joyous and loving celebration of family is the first-ever picture book to highlight Black nighttime hair traditions--and is perfect for every little girl who knows what it's like to lose her bonnet just before bedtime. In my family, when the sun goes down, our hair goes up!My brother slips a durag over his locs.Sis swirls her hair in a wrap around her head.Daddy covers his black waves with a cap.Mama gathers her corkscrew curls in a scarf.I always wear a bonnet over my braids, but tonight I can't find it anywhere!Bedtime Bonnet gives readers a heartwarming peek into quintessential Black nighttime hair traditions and celebrates the love between all the members of this close-knit, multi-generational family.Perfect for readers of Hair Love and Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut

McDuff Moves in


Rosemary Wells - 1997
    After they feed him rice pudding and bathe him, they realize that they cannot bear to return him to the pound. Newly adopted, McDuff-named that night for their favorite shortbread biscuit-is last seen happily asleep on his back on a pillow next to Fred and Lucy's bed.Jeffers's illustrations brilliantly capture a bygone art deco America in Lucy and Fred's cozy home, a virtual-reality nostalgia unfaded. Dog lovers everywhere will recognize the very specific details that bring McDuff to life, from the familiar lift of a paw in the rain to the frightened eyes peeking out over the car dashboard.

Mine!


Shutta Crum - 2011
    Have you ever had a toy you really really liked?  Have you ever had a lot of toys you really really liked?Have you ever said "MINE!"?If so, this book is for you!Enjoy this adorable, playful, picture-based book about two very young children and an adorable dog navigating the troubles and triumphs of sharing.

Barry the Fish with Fingers


Sue Hendra - 2009
    See, Barry is no ordinary fish--he's a fish with "fingers"! And fingers mean finger puppets, finger painting, knitting, counting to ten, tickling, and all sorts of fun things. It isn't long before all of the other fish want fingers, too. Life under the sea will never be the same again. . . . Sue Hendra's hilarious text and bright, bold, colorful art will have youngsters begging to read this story again and again."From the Hardcover edition."

Does a Kangaroo Have a Mother, Too?


Eric Carle - 1991
    Bright collage illustrations and simple text reinforce the theme that everyone has a mother, and every mother loves her child.Meet the little joey bouncing in mother kangaroo’s pouch. Watch little cubs prance around mother lion. Swim with a baby dolphin calf in the deep blue sea. Eric Carle’s classic, colorful collages of baby animals and their mothers will delight and comfort young readers.Does a Kangaroo Have a Mother, Too? is a warm and approachable book to use in the classroom, to cuddle up reading with a little one, and to give as a baby shower or Mother's Day gift.

Strictly No Elephants


Lisa Mantchev - 2015
    There will be cats and dogs and fish, but strictly no elephants are allowed. The Pet Club doesn’t understand that pets come in all shapes and sizes, just like friends. Now it is time for a boy and his tiny pet elephant to show them what it means to be a true friend.Imaginative and lyrical, this sweet story captures the magic of friendship and the joy of having a pet.

Lucy


Randy Cecil - 2016
    She had one once, but she remembers it only in her dreams. Eleanor is a little girl who looks forward to feeding the stray dog that appears faithfully beneath her window each day. Eleanor’s father is a juggler with stage fright.