But sometimes when she wished she could and knew she should, her smile slipped straight off her face.” So when her teacher tells the class that Picture Day is coming, shy Willow starts to worry. What if she isn't able to smile for the camera? How can she have her picture taken without smiling? But then on Picture Day, Willow gets the opportunity to watch the other children being photographed. She sees that all of her friends' expressions are unique, and perfect in their own way. And by the time it's her turn, she's realized that she doesn't need to worry about smiling for her picture. She just needs to be herself. In this sweet picture book, author Lana Button has created a relatable and reassuring story that offers children a terrific model for how to deal with a difficult experience in a socially and emotionally competent way. The simple illustrations by Tania Howells beautifully capture the story's focus through the range of emotions so clearly expressed by Willow and her classmates. This book provides opportunities for character lessons on self-respect, empathy and resilience. It would work for a classroom introduction to the annual ritual of Picture Day as well, a subject not often covered yet very significant to young children. It could also lead to a conversation about why we take pictures and what makes a great picture, and to activities such as making a class photo album.

    With the help of their trusty trucks, they clean the streets of sticks and leaves in the spring; patch potholes in preparation for summer traffic; pick up the leaves in the fall; and spray the roads with sand and salt during winter. Young truck enthusiasts will love watching the garage workers operate their terrific trucks and keep the roads in top shape through every season! The Village Garage is a 2011 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year.

    But he doesn't act normal at all. He's disturbingly well behaved, clean and tidy, shockingly polite, and he even brushes his teeth!  Mr. and Mrs. Raccoon are worried—how will Ralph ever become a great raccoon bandit like Grandpa Cutlass or Uncle Whiskers?  It's time Ralph learned some bad manners . . . at Bandit School.Ralph has no chance of winning the "Best Bandit in School" competition—he's not very bandit-like at all. But sometimes good manners can be useful, and Ralph just might surprise everyone--including himself.

    Circus performer. Antarctic explorer. I'm not.Here is the perfect book for children who feel like their outgoing friend is oh-so-talented . . . and they're not. Our shy narrator lists all the things that her best friend, Evelyn, is good at—from jumping on the bed to roller skating really fast. Luckily, Evelyn points out what makes her so special: she's a one-of-a-kind true blue best friend. Robert Weinstock's hilarious illustrations wonderfully complement Pam Smallcomb's simple text, perfect for young children. This sweet depiction of friendship shows—in a completely fresh, original way—that everyone is special.

    The young narrator is ecstatic to be at the local pumpkin fair, where pumpkins of every size are on display—and that’s not all! There’s pumpkin bowling, a pumpkin pull, and every sort of food you can imagine made from the orange stuff, from ice cream to stew. . . . Christelow’s good-natured watercolor-and-ink illustrations are filled with things to look at and laugh about, including a marching band in pumpkin suits. Keep this book around to read for autumn story hours—but you might want a piece of pumpkin pie when you’re done.”—ALA Booklist“Christelow’s jubilant illustrations in watercolor and pen and ink add to the general atmosphere of gaiety—everywhere readers look, families are interacting happily and having fun. . . . Halloween is never mentioned, so the book could be used to celebrate the harvest season in general. Of course, it will also serve as a good non-scary Halloween story.”—School Library Journal

    But they have a problem--hungry sharks are swimming between the islands! No matter what they try, George and Jess keep hearing the chant of the hungry sharks: Yummy, yummy! Food for my tummy! Finally, Jess and George realize that all they need to do is sit down and think about the problem, and it solves itself!

    With the help of Butler's beautifully luminous and detailed illustrations, children can discover what animals do while we're asleep.

    Might he be driving a train?... or sailing on a pirate ship? An imaginative and heart-warming story, with glowing illustrations from Helen Cooper, twice winner of the Kate Greenaway Medal.

    Bzzzzzzzzzzzzz.Little Bea is a busy, busy bee,and she loves snowy days.Snowballs!She needs to throw them.Snow angels!She needs to make them.A snowy hill!She needs to sled down it.Ice!She needs to skate on it.Hot chocolate!Yum! It's her favorite.The wide wintery world!Is there anything better than exploring it with friends?Bzzzzzzzzzzzzz.Won't you come play in the snow with Little Bea?

    But when the lights go down and the curtain goes up, stage fright sets in. Will our two beloved chickens be too chicken to perform? Or will they find their courage and totally bawk, shake, and flap?

    Daisy and Pip search the chicken coop, the pigsty, and even the orchard, but they cannot find the Beastie anywhere. Then they hear "Eeooow!" coming from the shed. Could it be the Beastie? Filled with fun barnyard sounds, this read-aloud story has a reassuring end.

    But unexpectedly they find a lot more. Clue after clue tells them what kind of animal has been there before and left its trace behind. Share their adventure in this handsome and informative companion toIn the Woods: Who's Been Here?andIn the Snow: Who's Been Here?

    Now she needs a bigger house. So she tells her dad to build her one.Audrey is bigger than she was yesterday. Now she needs a bigger house. So she tells her dad to build her one.At the top of a tree.It is an ideal house. It has a bathtub for snorkeling, a place to drink tea, and somewhere to hide the dirty cups.The house is perfect in every way.Except for one thing ...This humorous story explores the clash between a quest for independence and the longing for security. Emerging author Jenny Hughes and acclaimed illustrator Jonathan Bentley have created a picture book with outstanding warmth, sensitivity, and insight.

    She has passed the Emergency Rescue Roping Test. She has even passed the Blind Taste Test. Now it's time for the toughest Rescue Bunny test of all . . . the Field Test!It involves a scared giraffe in a sinking mudhole, some hungry hyenas, and dance moves that sneak up on you.Will Newbie have what it takes? The right stuff? Can she handle the truth?One thing is for sure . . . she will have you at hello.

    Sarah Klise's first picture book, Shall I Knit You A Hat?: "The Klises consistently sound notes of tenderness and humor." They continue to do so as Little Rabbit and his mother return in a sweet new story.Little Rabbit is about to turn five, and he decides he's all through with crying. He doesn't want crybabies at his birthday party, so he tells his friends they can come only if they're big, like him, and don't cry anymore. When all of his friends admit to crying sometimes, Little Rabbit is shocked. Does everybody cry? Why?Why Do You Cry? is a 2007 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year.