Cowboy Camp


Tammi Sauer - 2005
    Every child will relate to the message, the humor, and the deliciously playful illustrations. Giddyup, kids, and gallop right over to read this rootin' tootin' tale of an unlikely would-be hero. Avery's at camp, trying hard to saddle up and master his lasso, but he's just not like the other cowboys. He's allergic to the horses and can't stand the grub. But when a bully threatens all the campers, Avery proves his mettle in his own unique way. Young readers will have lots of fun with the story's lively language and wildly humorous pictures.

Garcia & Colette Go Exploring


Hannah Barnaby - 2017
    Garcia loves everything about space (Stars! Planets!)- and Colette is obsessed with the sea (Waves! Fish!).Staying home is not an option, so they each get busy. Garcia builds a rocket ship that's snazzy and silver. Colette's shiny submarine is perfect for deep-sea dives. And they wish each other well on their travels.It turns out the Milky Way really is amazing and the ocean floor is truly spectacular, but Garcia and Colette both realize they left something very important back home.Exploring your favorite place can be terrific, but maybe the company is more important than the destination.

Once Upon a Memory


Nina Laden - 2013
    Does a feather remember it once was a bird? Does a book remember it once was a word? A boy is swept away to a world where fantasy and reality come together in surprising and playful ways. From the cake that once was grain to the ocean that once was rain, whimsical before and after scenes offer readers a peek at the world as seen through the eyes of a curious child. Nina Laden's poetic and cleverly woven text is perfectly paired with artist Renata Liwska's captivating illustrations.

The Fall: The Evidence for a Golden Age, 6,000 Years of Insanity, and the Dawning of a New Era


Steve Taylor - 2005
    It draws on the increasing evidence accumulated over recent decades that prehistoric humanity was peaceful and egalitarian, rather than war-like and crude. It is not natural for human beings to kill each other, for men to oppress women, for individuals to accumulate massive wealth and power, or to abuse nature. The worldwide myths of a Golden Age or an original paradise have a factual, archaeological basis.

Thirsty, Thirsty Elephants


Sandra Markle - 2016
    Little Calf follows along and mimics her grandmother at each stop on their journey. When Grandma leads them to a watering hole she recalls from years before, the elephants are overjoyed and Little Calf splashes about with her tender leader. Grandma's persistence and powerful memory is something Little Calf will never forget. Based on true events. Sandra Markle's acclaimed nonfiction writing takes on a more lyrical style alongside Fabricio VandenBroeck's gorgeous illustrations making this story of animal behavior accessible for younger readers. Back matter includes further information about the phenomenon of a herd of elephants that survived a drought, as well as fascinating elephant facts.

How Beautiful


Antonella Capetti - 2017
    A question forms in the caterpillar’s mind: “What is beautiful?”So begins a quest to discover the true meaning of the word beautiful. Much to the caterpillar’s surprise, each animal in the forest has their own unique definition:A bear declares that honeycomb is beautiful!The squirrels say leaves are beautiful!A mole says his burrow is beautiful!What’s a caterpillar to do?How Beautiful offers kids an immersive, memorable experience. Elaborate and vivid illustrations by Melissa Castrillón, author of Yellow Kayak and If I Had a Little Dream, combine with a sweet, central message:Beauty is as diverse as we are.“Beautiful” means something different to everyone, and that’s okay!The beauty of the natural world is worth celebrating!

Awesome Is Everywhere


Neil Pasricha - 2015
    Fly through wispy clouds, dive deep into the sparkling ocean, feel wet grains of sand on a hot and sunny beach... You will discover you can fly your mind to anywhere on Earth. And by the time you reach the surprise ending in this unforgettable journey you'll learn that awesome truly is everywhere.

Oh No!: Or How My Science Project Destroyed the World


Mac Barnett - 2010
    It's even worse when it's your fault.

Into the Kill Zone: A Cop's Eye View of Deadly Force


David Klinger - 2004
    Written by a cop-turned university professor who interviewed scores of officers who have shot people in the course of their duties, Into the Kill Zone presents firsthand accounts of the role that deadly force plays in American police work. This brilliantly written book tells how novice officers are trained to think about and use the power they have over life and death, explains how cops live with the awesome responsibility that comes from the barrels of their guns, reports how officers often hold their fire when they clearly could have shot, presents hair-raising accounts of what it's like to be involved in shoot-outs, and details how shooting someone affects officers who pull the trigger. From academy training to post-shooting reactions, this book tells the compelling story of the role that extreme violence plays in the lives of America's cops.

This House, Once


Deborah Freedman - 2017
    Deborah Freedman’s masterful new picture book is at once an introduction to the pieces of a house, a cozy story to share and explore, and a dreamy meditation on the magic of our homes and our world.Before there was this house,there were stones,and mud,and a colossal oak tree—three hugs aroundand as high as the blue.What was your home, once?This poetically simple, thought-provoking, and gorgeously illustrated book invites readers to think about where things come from and what nature provides.

Diary of a Fly


Doreen Cronin - 1996
    A fly who, when she's not landing on your head or swimming in your soup, is trying to escape her 327 brothers and sisters who are driving her crazy!Even though she's little -- just like her best friends Worm and Spider -- Fly wants to be a superhero. And why not? She walks on walls, sees in all directions at once, and can already fly!Doreen Cronin and Harry Bliss, the team behind the New York Times bestsellers Diary of a Worm and Diary of a Spider, reach hilarious heights with their story of a little fly who's not afraid to dream big. Really big.

Ball & Balloon


Rob Sanders - 2019
    Balloon is full of gas. He knows it, too. It makes Ball feel grounded by gravity. Balloon is super special. What if Ball is not so special? Turns out Ball’s got some moves of his own.

The Moon's Almost Here


Patricia MacLachlan - 2016
    Robin sings in her nest. Babies fly back to her, ready to rest. The moon’s almost here. There’s no time to play. Mama sheep hurries; Sun’s going away. Nighttime is approaching as each animal readies itself for bed in this lyrical picture book text by Patricia MacLachlan. In striking paintings with a calming palette, Tomie dePaola imagines the scene through the eyes of mime Pierrot and his child.

Frankenslime


Joy Keller - 2021
    Until, one dark and stormy night, her latest experiment goes awry and her newest creation COMES TO LIFE!A picture book twist on horror movies like Frankenstein and The Blob, that also explores the scientific method and the importance of recording observations and results. The author has also included a couple of Victoria’s best slime recipes, although you'll notice the secret formula for making a Frankenstein slime is missing.

The Teacher's Pet


Anica Mrose Rissi - 2017
    Stricter, who loves the strange creature?On the day the tadpoles hatch, the whole class is amazed—they've never seen their teacher so excited. Mr. Stricter has always wanted a pet, so he tells the students they can keep just one. The class chooses Bruno, the smallest of the bunch. But Bruno doesn't stay small for long. Soon he's grown into a giant, classroom-wrecking creature: He eats desks, farts for show-and-tell, and sneezes slime all over everything! Everyone can see that Bruno is trouble. Everyone except Mr. Stricter.With their teacher blinded by love for the pet, the students must step up and take matters into their own heroic hands.