Book picks similar to
The Surprise Picnic by John S. Goodall
picture-books
wordless
animals
picture
The Great Blue House
Kate Banks - 2005
All seems quiet. But soon the leaves change color; then comes the snow. A cat creeps into the house and curls up in the woodbox. A mouse tucks himself into a cupboard. When spring comes, the garden awakens, and by summer the house is bustling with human life once more.
This unusual story about a summer house that welcomes all sorts of guests in the off-season celebrates the rhythm and cycle of the seasons, and reminds us all that we share our world – even our homes – with other living creatures.
Chloe and the Lion
Mac Barnett - 2012
But one fateful day, she gets lost in the woods on her way home, and a large dragon leaps out from-"Wait! It's supposed to be a lion," says Mac Barnett, the author of this book. But Adam Rex, the illustrator, thinks a dragon would be so much cooler (don't you agree?). Mac's power of the pen is at odds with Adam's brush, and Chloe's story hangs in the balance. Can she help them out of this quandary to be the heroine of her own story? Mac Barnett and Adam Rex are a dynamic duo, and two of the strongest contemporary voices in picture books today. In an accessible and funny way, Chloe and the Lion talks about the creative process and the joys and trials of collaboration.
Prairie Days
Patricia MacLachlan - 2013
There are wagon rides, farm dogs, trips into town, and games of kick the can. These are prairie days.Patricia MacLachlan applies her lyrical, sparse voice and vibrant, tender art from Micha Archer to transport readers to the prairie of her youth in this stunning celebration of the beauty in the world.
Nini Here and There
Anita Lobel - 2007
She loves her comfortable windowsill perch in her sunny home in the city. But the clues are clear: Nini's people are going away. Will they take her? Or will they leave her? And if they take her (and, oh, she hopes they do), will she like wherever it is they are going? Will it feel like home? Anita Lobel's masterful picture book is for anyone who adores cats and for anyone who has ever moved to a new place. But most of all, it is for anyone who loves coming home.
Friend or Foe?
John Sobol - 2016
In the great palace lived a cat.”Each night the mouse gazes up at the cat in the palace tower. Is the cat my friend? he wonders. Determined to find out, he bravely makes his way into the palace through a tiny hole and climbs all the way up to the tower, where the cat sits on the windowsill.“Hello, are you friend or foe?” he squeaks.This simple story by John Sobol has a surprising outcome, giving young readers a chance to draw their own conclusions. It is perfectly complemented by Dasha Tolstikova’s subtle yet striking illustrations.
Hank Finds an Egg
Rebecca Dudley - 2013
After spotting its nest high up in a tree, he uses his ingenuity to help get the egg home safe and sound, and is joyfully rewarded with newfound friends. Hank's endearing and genuine kindness will inspire readers young and old to believe in themselves and in the goodness of others.A sequel, Hank Has a Dream, is expected in Fall 2014.
Duncan and Dolores
Barbara Samuels - 1986
His travels are legendary. He brought true Buddhism to China. His own book provides a unique record of the history and culture of his time. Yet he is unknown to most of us and even to most Chinese.
Little Beauty
Anthony Browne - 2008
He appears to have everything he needs, but one day he signs that he is sad and needs a friend. His keepers bring him a tiny cat called Beauty and the two of them become inseparable.
A Boy and a House
Maja Kastelic - 2015
Before continuing up the stairway, the boy picks up one of several discarded drawings that litter the floor.Another open door awaits. Again, the boy follows the cat, this time into an apartment filled with books and toys. No one is there, but a table set for tea testifies to the fact that someone has been there recently. More drawings are scattered throughout, which the boy picks up one by one. With his pile of sketches in hand, he continues up several more staircases until he reaches an attic where a wonderful surprise awaits him.The stunning illustrations in this wordless book invite the reader into a mysterious world that evokes the beauty of the past. Drawn by the light radiating from every open doorway, the boy lets his curiosity take him on an amazing journey of discovery, which young readers can elaborate with their own versions of the story.
The King's Stilts
Dr. Seuss - 1939
Seuss's classic treatise on the importance of a balanced life with our Anniversary Edition featuring cover art from the book's original publication! A Seussian spin on a conventional fairy tale, The King's Stilts is as topical today as when it was first published in 1939. It's the story of a devoted king who works hard and plays hard—and whose entire kingdom is threatened when his beloved stilts are stolen and he is too distraught to do his job.Written in prose instead of rhyme (unlike Seuss's later works), The King's Stilts nevertheless addresses subjects that we know Dr. Seuss was passionate about throughout his life: duty (as in Horton Hears a Who and Horton Hatches the Egg); the abuse of power (as in The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins and Yertle the Turtle); deceit (as in The Bippolo Seed and How the Grinch Stole Christmas)—and even cats (as in The Cat in the Hat and I Can Lick 30 Tigers Today)! A perfect way to introduce new readers to an old classic, or to reward existing fans with a collectible new edition. Follow the Good Doctor's advice: After a hard day of work, have fun with a great book like The King's Stilts!
There Might Be Lobsters
Carolyn Crimi - 2017
Lots of things at the beach scare Sukie. Lots. Because she is just a small dog, and the stairs are big and sandy, and the waves are big and whooshy, and the balls are big and beachy. And besides, there might be lobsters. With endearing illustrations and a perfectly paced text that captures a timid pup's looping thoughts, here is a funny and honest read-aloud about how overwhelming the world can be when you're worried and how empowering it is to overcome your fears when it matters the most.
ABC Dream
Kim Krans - 2016
This gem comes to us from Kim Krans, the creator of The Wild Unknown—a lifestyle website offering prints, calendars, and more.
Cleo in the Snow
Stella Blackstone - 2002
This storybook is ideal for teaching the concepts of weather and the seasons, and encourages children to enjoy outdoor play. Illustrations.
How the Cat Swallowed Thunder
Lloyd Alexander - 2000
But faster than a cat can pounce, he is up to his whiskers in trouble! One crazy mishap leads to another, until the little cottage is in a very messy state. Cat is busily tidying up when he hears Mother Holly coming up the path. He spies a tiny piece of corn on the floor and quickly swallows it. But it's no ordinary corn, and suddenly Cat notices that he is making a very curious rumbling sound. . . .
The Day I Swapped My Dad for Two Goldfish
Neil Gaiman - 1997
"Oh-oh," said my little sister.What if you wanted your best friend's two goldfish so much that you'd swap anything for them, even your father?What if your mother came home and found out what you'd done?The Day I Swapped My Dad for Two Goldfish is a hilarious adventure and was the first book for younger readers from the acclaimed author and illustrator of the New York Times best-sellers The Wolves in the Walls and Coraline. Chosen as one of Newsweek magazine's Best Children's Books of the Year, The Day I Swapped My Dad for Two Goldfish is beloved by readers of all ages. This new edition features brand-new jacket art and an afterword by the author on the origins of this unique and wonderfully funny story.