Book picks similar to
Backhoe Joe by Lori Alexander


picture-books
picture-book
construction
pets

Three Hens and a Peacock


Lester L. Laminack - 2011
    From award-winning author Lester Laminack and celebrated illustrator Henry Cole."Good farm fun." ―Kirkus ReviewsThe Tuckers' farm is a peaceful place where everyone has a job and no one complains. That is, until a hapless peacock falls off the back of a passing truck and stirs things up. Soon, customers are flocking to the farm to see what all the fuss is about. But the hens don't like the newcomer getting attention while they do all the hard work. When a wise old hound sees the problem, he helps orchestrate a job swap.What follows is the riotous tale of three hens who get in way over their feathered heads, and one very distressed peacock who just can't figure out how to lay an egg.Lester Laminack has created a comical look at envy, finding your strength, and what happens when we underestimate the value of others' work. Henry Cole's delightful illustrations heighten the story's humor and will have readers of all ages laughing out loud.Teacher's Guide available!Children's Choice Book Awards Kindergarten to Second Grade Book of the Year - Children's Book CouncilChildren's Choices - International Reading Association, Children's Book CouncilBest Children's Books of the Year (Starred) - Bank Street College of EducationRead Aloud Book Award - Center for Excellence in Literacy Instruction

If You Ever Want to Bring an Alligator to School, Don't!


Elise Parsley - 2015
    Now it's up to Magnolia to find a way to send this troublemaker home--but what could possibly scare an alligator away?

Triangle


Mac Barnett - 2017
    He is going to play a sneaky trick on his friend, Square. Or so Triangle thinks. . . . With this first tale in a new trilogy, partners in crime Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen will have readers wondering just who they can trust in a richly imagined world of shapes. Visually stunning and full of wry humor, here is a perfectly paced treat that could come only from the minds of two of today's most irreverent—and talented—picture book creators.

The Seals on the Bus


Lenny Hort - 2000
    At the next stop, who should get on but a group of seals, who holler "errp, errp, errp" at the top of their lungs. Each time the bus stops a new kind of animal joins the passengers and adds to the din, to the children's delight and the parents' annoyance. But when several hissing skunks want to come aboard, even the children cry "help! help! help!"

Toot Toot Beep Beep


Emma Garcia - 2008
    Little ones will love joining in with the sounds, reading them aloud as they watch a little red jeep, big blue van, sleek black sports car, long pink limousine, and big yellow taxi pass by. But what do you get when all these vehicles make their distinctive sounds at the same time? A lot of chugga-chugga, honk-honk noise! But in the end each vehicle finds its parking space and, like all good children, settles down for the night.Toot Toot Beep Beep follows up on the highly successful Tip Tip Dig Dig, which has been shortlisted for the Read It Again! Picture Book Award for outstanding debut picture book.

Iggy Peck, Architect


Andrea Beaty - 2007
    Iggy has one passion: building. His parents are proud of his fabulous creations, though they’re sometimes surprised by his materials—who could forget the tower he built of dirty diapers? When his second-grade teacher declares her dislike of architecture, Iggy faces a challenge. He loves building too much to give it up! With Andrea Beaty’s irresistible rhyming text and David Roberts’s puckish illustrations, this book will charm creative kids everywhere, and amuse their sometimes bewildered parents.  Also from the powerhouse author-illustrator team of Iggy Peck, Architect, is Rosie Revere, Engineer, a charming, witty picture book about believing in yourself and pursuing your passion. Ada Twist, Scientist, the companion picture book featuring the next kid from Iggy Peck's class, is available in September 2016.

Max the Brave


Ed Vere - 2014
    Max the Brave, Max the Fearless, Max the Mouse-catcher...But, in order to be a Mouse-catcher, Max needs to know what a mouse is, so off he goes to find out.

With Any Luck, I'll Drive a Truck


David Friend - 2016
      Bulldozers and back-hoes, pavers and plows, trailers and tractors--the world is filled with so many types of trucks! Imagine the fun you could have if you could drive them all! And what if you could bring your best friends along with you? Hop along for a thrilling ride! This playful romp is sure to delight truck lovers everywhere!

Toes, Ears, & Nose! (A Lift-the-Flap Book)


Marion Dane Bauer - 2003
    fingers! Baby is bundled in a mountain of clothes! As little ones lift the large, sturdy flaps to find out what’s underneath each piece of clothing, they’ll love playing and learning with this fun peekaboo book again and again!

My Favorite Pets, by Gus W. for Ms. Smolinski's Class


Jeanne Birdsall - 2016
      Things to know about sheep: Sheep live outside. Sheep have wool. Sheep will not learn to ride a skateboard. Sheep will not climb a tree. Sheep will come into the house...but this will get you into trouble.   Seventeen sheep plus one Gus means that life is never dull on the farm! From National Book Award winning author Jeanne Birdsall and New York Times Bestselling illustrator Harry Bliss comes a hilarious tale about man's other best friend.

Crankenstein


Samantha Berger - 2013
    BEWARE OF CRANKENSTEIN! Who is Crankenstein?HE IS A MONSTER OF GRUMPINESS THAT NO ONE CAN DESTROY!MEHHRRRR!!! HE'S ALIVE!He may look like any ordinary boy, but when faced with a rainy day, a melting popsicle, or an early bedtime, one little boy transforms into a mumbling, grumbling Crankenstein! When Crankenstein meets his match in a fellow Crankenstein, the results could be catastrophic-or they could be just what he needs to brighten his day!

Skippyjon Jones, Class Action


Judy Schachner - 2011
    School is for dogs, his mama tells him. It's where they go to get trained. But nothing can stop Skippy-once inside his closet, he finds himself on the playground of his imagination, surrounded by dogs of all kinds. He bays with the beagles, learns French with the poodles, and checks out a Chihuahua book from the library. And when a bully starts sending shiver-itos down the spines of the little yippers, Skippy saves the day and earns the biggest gold star.

Road Work Ahead


Anastasia Suen - 2011
    Sidewalks are being poured, streetlights repaired, roads resurfaced. The noise of jackhammers, whistles, and horns fills the air. Boys and girls alike will love seeing the big machines at work. Anastasia Suen's simple text and Jannie Ho's bright, up-beat pictures make this one road trip to remember.

B Is for Bulldozer: A Construction ABC


June Sobel - 2003
    There's a big yellow Bulldozer, a tall shiny Crane, and a rusty red Dump truck--and the construction crew is hard at work. But what are they building? Melissa Iwai's bright, bold illustrations perfectly complement June Sobel's irresistible rhyming text. Join the excitement as the workers build, scoop, and dig their way from A, for A sphalt, to the end of the alphabet for an exciting roller-coaster ride!

Chester


Mélanie Watt - 2007
    It is a story told, and retold, by dueling author-illustrators. Melanie Watt starts out with the story of a mouse in a house. Then Melanie's cat, Chester, sends the mouse packing and proceeds to cover the pages with rewrites from his red marker, and the gloves are off. Melanie and her mouse won't take Chester's antics lying down. And Chester is obviously a creative powerhouse with confidence to spare. Where will this war of the picture-book makers lead? Is it a one-way ticket to Chesterville, or will Melanie get her mouse production off the ground?