Book picks similar to
Bella's Rules by Elissa Haden Guest


picture-books
picture-book
children-s
children

Toby


Hazel Mitchell - 2016
    But their chosen dog, Toby, is having a tough time adjusting to his new life outside the shelter—howling all night, hiding fearfully from his new humans, forgetting where to go to the bathroom, and chasing a ball through the flower bed. The boy has promised to train his new companion, and he’s trying his best, but Dad is starting to get exasperated. Will Toby ever feel comfortable with his new family and settle into his forever home, or will Dad decide he’s not the right dog for them after all?

What the Ladybird Heard on Holiday


Julia Donaldson - 2017
    What the Ladybird Heard on Holiday

Simon's New Bed


Christian Trimmer - 2015
    He may be ready for the best nap of his life, but Miss Adora Belle the cat has other ideas. She’s taken over his bed before he even gets a chance to try it—and she’s not budging. As Simon struggles to find a way to free his bed for the Greatest Naptime Ever, he may just discover something wonderful about his new bed: there’s plenty of room for two.

Ninja Bunny


Jennifer Gray Olson - 2015
    You must always work alone.· Rule #2. You must be super sneaky, especially in the most dangerous of situations.· Rule #3. A super awesome ninja must: possess incredible strength, achieve invisibility, master the skill of climbing, gain the ability to fly….Our little bunny is ready to embark on his path to becoming a ninja. But is he cut out for the ninja life? Especially if it means leaving his friends behind?

Where's Spot?


Eric Hill - 1980
    The simple text and colourful pictures will engage a whole new generation of pre-readers as they lift the picture flaps in search of Spot. A number 1 bestseller since it was first published in 1980, this interactive favourite has stayed in the charts ever since.

The Little Shop of Monsters


R.L. Stine - 2015
    Stine!Are you are afraid of monsters? Do they make you shiver and shake and shut your eyes really tight at night? Welcome to the Little Shop of Monsters! Do you want a SNEEZER? A TICKLER? Or one of the CREEPIEST monsters of all? Come on in and choose your favorite, if you dare (before one of them chooses YOU!). Renowned children's book creators Marc Brown and R.L. Stine join forces for the very first time-in Stine's picture book debut-with a tale that is monstrously good fun. 2016 Children's Choice Book Award Winner -- Kindergarten-2nd Grade Book of the Year

Children Make Terrible Pets


Peter Brown - 2010
    Meet Lucy's Pet. She calls him Squeaker. Lucy and Squeaker have the best day ever. Until things start to go wrong...Do children make terrible pets? What do you think?

Love Is My Favourite Thing


Emma Chichester Clark - 2014
    She loves her family and all the things they do together. Sometimes, however, Plum’s exuberance causes trouble, and she just can’t help being naughty. But fortunately, love is such a great thing that even when she makes mistakes, Plum’s family still adores her.

Three Little Pugs and the Big, Bad Cat


Becky Davies - 2017
    One day, she tells them that its time for them to set out on their own. The pugs head out to build their own housesbut can they steer clear of the Big, Bad Cat?

The Hallo-Weiner


Dav Pilkey - 1995
    But one brave act on Halloween makes Oscar a Grade-A hero, proving that a little wiener can be a real winner!

Hiding Phil


Eric Barclay - 2013
    "Our parents will love Phil!" they cry out excitedly. Until it dawns on them: "Uh, oh . . ." No they won't! So what do they do? Try to hide him, of course! They try to stuff him into their doghouse--but he's too big. They throw a sheet over him with a sign that reads, "Club House: Keep Out!" But their parents still inquire, "Um, is that an elephant?" Can the kids convince their parents to keep Phil, or will they have to bring him back where he belongs? Writer and illustrator Eric Barclay brings this story to life with eye-catching illustrations that will make you laugh out loud, and dialogue that is both poignant and clever. The love between these kids and Phil is palpable, and will leave the reader itching for more!

Lulu and the Brontosaurus


Judith Viorst - 2010
    Lulu isn't particularly impressed with the snake, tiger, and bear she encounters, but then she finds him--a beautiful, long-necked, graceful brontosaurus. Mr. B completely agrees with Lulu that having a pet would be a wonderful thing, and Lulu thinks she's gotten her birthday wish at last. Until she realizes that Mr. Brontosaurus thinks that "she" would make an ideal pet for "him!"How will Lulu ever get out of this sticky situation without throwing a fit (Mr. B does not respond well to those), or using force (Mr. B is much too tall to bonk on the head with her suitcase), or smushing her pickle sandwich? Beloved children's author Judith Viorst and Caldecott-winning illustrator Lane Smith offer a fresh and funny tale with several surprise endings!

The Very Impatient Caterpillar


Ross Burach - 2019
    Right. I knew that...WAIT?! You're telling me I can become a BUTTERFLY?Yes.With wings?Yes.Wait for ME!!Ross Burach's hilarious, tongue-in-cheek exploration of metamorphosis will make you flutter with glee, while also providing real facts about how caterpillars transform into butterflies.

No Dogs Allowed


Sonia Manzano - 2004
    Iris, her family, the neighbors, and dog take a road trip to the lake. But first, the cars break down. Then they get lost. And when they finally arrive at the lake, they see a NO DOGS ALLOWED sign. What to do? Iris's family's make-do attitude saves the day, for as they go about their beach activities while trying to figure out what to do with the dog, each takes a turn taking care of the dog. Soon the day is over, and the dog has had the best time of all -- the beach had been brought to him. Sesame Street's Sonia Manzano's first picturebook provides an ocean of humor, a warm, close-knit Puerto Rican community, and a take-charge family who refuses to let things get in their way!

Rectangle Time


Pamela Paul - 2021
     This spunky, self-assured cat has always loved Rectangle Time--when the boy and the man he lives with curl up with their rectangle and read aloud from it. The cat knows how helpful he is during Rectangle Time, of course--his presence is vital to the very ritual! But when the rectangle starts to get smaller, the stories start to get quieter, and worst of all, the boy no longer needs the cat's help, the cat must find a way to reclaim his part in Rectangle Time, even if slightly different from before.In this fun, funny, and ultimately sweet story about growing up, embracing change, and the ways we all can misread social cues, we see the power of stories to bring everyone together--there's always room for everyone at story time.Praise for Rectangle Time The story subtly celebrates the pleasures of being read to and of growing toward reading independence. . . . A good option to hand educators needing to teach inference and for lovers of silly cats. -- SLJ A sweet story about falling in love with reading. -- Kirkus Comforting . . . clever. -- Publishers Weekly This readaloud is sure to become a read-along as the listener's own literacy and vocabulary skills increase. -- BCCB Truly delightful . . . kids will giggle over the familiar feline antics. -- Booklist