McDuff's New Friend


Rosemary Wells - 1997
    These endearing tales, illustrated by Jeffers and written by Rosemary Wells, follow the life and adventures of McDuff, a spunky West Highland terrier. With her realistic imagery and richly hued palette, Jeffers serves up a storybook version of 1930s England, the perfect playground for McDuff and his memorable cast of characters.In addition to the McDuff series, Susan has also illustrated this spring's Love Songs of the Little Bear, written by Margaret Wise Brown, an endearing picture book that celebrates the profundity in everyday moments and simple things. Jeffers has also adapted and illustrated the New York Times' best-seller Brother Eagle, Sister Sky and The Three Jovial Huntsmen, for which she received a Caldecott Honor Award and illustrated Lassie Come-Home, written by Rosemary Wells.Westie lovers will be thrilled to learn that McDuff's adventures continue this fall with Jeffers and Wells's latest collaboration, McDuff Goes to School, introducing a lovable new friend -- a black Scottie named Marie Antoinette.

Whoops!


Suzi Moore - 2014
    Here is the cat, the dog and the mouse, and the old lady in the tumbledown house.She has a spell to make them all well…but she just can’t find it! WHOOPS!A hilariously chaotic story, full of funny animal noises, illustrated by Russell Ayto, winner of the Roald Dahl Funny Prize and the Smarties Children’s Book Prize.

This Book Just Ate My Dog!


Richard Byrne - 2014
    But when the helpers disappear too, Bella realizes it will take more than a tug on the leash to put things right. Cleverly using the physicality of the book, This book just ate my dog! is inventive, ingenious, and just pure kid-friendly fun!

Abracadabra, It's Spring!


Anne Sibley O'Brien - 2016
    Eleven gatefolds open to re-create the excitement and surprise of spring’s arrival, revealing what happens when snow melts, trees bud, flowers bloom, birds arrive, and eggs and cocoons hatch. Finally, it’s warm enough to pack away winter clothes and go out and play!

The Hiccupotamus


Aaron Zenz - 2005
    . . he'd fall upon his bottomus!Calamity ensues when an elephant, a centipede, and a rhinoceros try finding a cure for hippo's colossal case of hiccups. Zenz's creativity shines through with his use of colored pencil in this off-the-wall read-aloud. HIC! HIC! HIC!

Pete the Cat and the Bad Banana


James Dean - 2014
    But Pete really likes bananas! Will a rotten bite ruin Pete's love for this tasty fruit?Beginning readers will laugh along with Pete in this hilarious I Can Read tale.

Cat Up a Tree


Ann Hassett - 1998
    What is she to do? She looks out the window again to discover five cats up the tree. And the cats keep coming - too many to count - in all sorts of zany colors, shapes, and sizes. Frantic, Nana Quimby calls the police station, the pet shop, the zoo, and even city hall, but no one will respond to her plea. Children will love counting all the irresistible cats in John Hassett's lively artwork, as the town that refuses to help finds itself caught in a hilarious quandary and finally learns the importance of lending a hand.

The Snatchabook


Helen Docherty - 2013
    But books are mysteriously disappearing. Eliza Brown decides to stay awake and catch the book thief. It turns out to be a little creature called the Snatchabook who has no one to read him a bedtime story. All turns out well when the books are returned and the animals take turns reading bedtime stories to the Snatchabook.

It's a Tiger!


David LaRochelle - 2012
    Perfect for acting out while reading, It's a Tiger offers just the right amount of excitement without being too scary, and a sweet ending with a bit of a twist.

Stick and Stone


Beth Ferry - 2015
    But when Stick gets stuck, can Stone return the favor? With simple rhyming text, subtle messages of kindness and compassion, and Tom Lichtenheld’s signature charm, this delightful story about making and helping friends will enchant readers young and old because it’s never too early—or too late—to stick up for your friends.Don't miss further adventures with Stick and Stone in Stick and Stone: Best Friends Forever.

Stripes the Tiger


Jean Leroy - 2010
    . . well, actually thats what Stripes would like to be. Stripes is a small tabby cat. Young and rambunctious, he challenges his owner at every turnseriously testing his owners patience. He tears up the couch, he chases the dog, and he wreaks havoc everywhere. Finally, his owner has had enough! He takes Stripes to the zoo to see a real tiger. But both Stripes and his owner are in for a surprise, proving that things are not always as they seem, and most importantly, you should always follow your internal roar (or purr) . . . however loud or soft it may be.

Princess Puffybottom . . . and Darryl


Susin Nielsen - 2019
    All is well...until an intruder arrives in her kingdom. Surely he will be banished soon. Or could he be here to stay? Princess Puffybottom is not amused.

Zorro Gets an Outfit


Carter Goodrich - 2012
    They wake up together, have walk time together, and take naps together. But something is about to interrupt their schedule: Zorro has to wear a fancy outfit.Zorro is embarrassed, mortified, aghast. Mr. Bud tries to cheer him up, but nothing works. Everyone makes fun of Zorro, and he refuses to participate in chew-on-a-stick time. Mister Bud doesn't know what to do.But when another dog, a "very cool" dog shows up in an outfit and does amazing tricks and beats all the other dogs in a race, Zorro discovers that wearing clothes might not be so bad after all.Everything is back on schedule.

Dinosaur Roar!


Paul Stickland - 1994
    The subjects are, first, antonyms--such as above/below and weak/strong--and then lunch. The paired dinosaurs, in a goofy array of pastels, are almost all smiling, even when the rhyme insists they're "grumpy"--so when they settle down to a lunch with (and not of) each other, the end is satisfying. The pictures and swingy short verses will make this a good group read-aloud, even for the very young. -BooklistThese prehistoric monsters are just perfect for the preschool crowds. A natural for story time. -School Library Journal

My Lucky Day


Keiko Kasza - 2003
    Fox's door "accidentally," the fox can hardly believe his good luck. It's not every day that dinner just shows up on your doorstep. It must be his lucky day! Or is it?Before Mr. Fox can say grace, the piglet has manipulated him into giving him a fabulously tasty meal, the full spa treatment (with bath and massage), and . . . freedom.In a funny trickster tale of her own, Kasza keeps readers guessing until the surprise ending when they'll realize it was piglet's lucky day all along.