Pickle Things


Marc Brown - 1980
    Describes, in rhymed text and illustrations, all the many things that a pickle isn't.

If...


Sarah Perry - 1995
    offers a surrealistic view of the natural world. The two-page spreads present artful watercolors paired with such strange possibilities as "If zebras had stars and stripes...," "If the moon were square...," and "If worms had wheels...." Although some of the ideas and pictures are whimsical to the point of being downright creepy ("If caterpillars were toothpaste...," "If toes were teeth..."), the hypotheticals will surely inspire flights of fancy for readers of all ages. What could be more appealing for a 5-year-old than imagining the silliest suppositions and seeing them come to life in realistic paintings? Sculptor Sarah Perry creates a world to make us stop and think. One of her best illustrations depicts a large, hairy warthog with a sparkling crown and the text, "If ugly were beautiful...." With every if idea, the author encourages the kind of mental double take that comes naturally for children. (Ages 4 to 7, and adults, too) --Emilie Coulter

Slightly Invisible


Lauren Child - 2010
    Luckily, Lola knows exactly how to catch strange and tricky creatures and enlists a little bit of help from her invisible friend, Soren Lorensen, and of course, one or three drops of pink milk.

Milo Imagines the World


Matt de la Pena - 2021
    To pass the time, he studies the faces around him and makes pictures of their lives. There's the whiskered man with the crossword puzzle; Milo imagines him playing solitaire in a cluttered apartment full of pets. There's the wedding-dressed woman with a little dog peeking out of her handbag; Milo imagines her in a grand cathedral ceremony. And then there's the boy in the suit with the bright white sneakers; Milo imagines him arriving home to a castle with a drawbridge and a butler. But when the boy in the suit gets off on the same stop as Milo--walking the same path, going to the exact same place--Milo realizes that you can't really know anyone just by looking at them.

Leonardo and the Flying Boy


Laurence Anholt - 2000
    He lived in Italy during the era we now call the Renaissance, a time when the sky belonged to the birds. But one unusual man dreamed of incredible flying machines. "One day, Zoro," he told his pupil, "people will sail through the clouds and look down at the world below." Zoro was curious. He knew that his teacher did more than merely dream about the future, but was an important artist and inventor. Then Zoro made an astonishing discovery. His teacher was building a mysterious machine. A machine intended to fly! Here begins a fascinating story based on a true event, for Zoro's master was the famous artist and inventor, Leonardo da Vinci. Full-color illustrations throughout this beautiful book include reproductions of some of Leonardo's famous artworks.

Fox the Tiger


Corey R. Tabor - 2018
    Tigers are big and fast and sneaky. So he decides to become one!Soon Turtle and Rabbit are joining in the fun. But will Fox want to be a tiger forever?

The Z Was Zapped


Chris Van Allsburg - 1987
    A dramatic black-and-white presentation of the alphabet in which the two-time Caldecott Medalist depicts a mysterious transformation of each letter.

My Garden


Kevin Henkes - 2010
    The girl in this book grows chocolate rabbits, tomatoes as big as beach balls, flowers that change color, and seashells in her garden.How does your garden grow?

The Unkindest Cut: How a Hatchet-Man Critic Made His Own $7000 Movie and Put It All On His Credit Card


Joe Queenan - 1996
    Following in the maverick mold of Quentin Tarentino, Spike Lee, and Richard Rodriguez, Joe Queenan becomes an auteur and, in the process, funnier than ever, as he tries to master the art of writing, directing, scoring, casting, and marketing a movie--all by himself.

Harvey Slumfenburger's Christmas Present


John Burningham - 1993
    One Christmas Eve after the reindeer are asleep, Santa sees a present still in the sack -- Harvey Slumfenburger's present. And so he starts a very long journey on foot . . . by plane . . . on skis . . . and so on until he reaches Harvey's hut, slides down the chimney, and delivers the last Christmas present, safe and sound.

Ben Draws Trouble


Matt Davies - 2015
    He drew boats as well as bicycles, sharks and spaceships. But most of all he loved drawing people. When Ben loses his sketchbook his world is turned upside down. Who will find it? And how will they react?Find out in this worthy successor to Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist Matt Davies's first picture book, Ben Rides On.

Puddle


Hyewon Yum - 2016
    His mom comes up with a way to keep him entertained--by drawing a picture of herself and him going outside, playing in the rain, and splashing in a giant puddle. They have so much fun drawing themselves that they decide to venture out and make the most of the rainy weather.

The Little Red Fort


Brenda Maier - 2018
    She invites her brothers to help, but they just laugh and tell her she doesn't know how to build."Then I'll learn," she says.And she does!When she creates a dazzling fort that they all want to play in, it is Ruby who has the last laugh.With sprightly text and winsome pictures, this modern spin on the timeless favorite The Little Red Hen celebrates the pluck and ingenuity of young creators everywhere!

Make It Till You Make It: 40 Myths & Truths About Creating


Brendan Leonard - 2016
    Nobody gets tapped with a magic wand and suddenly has the ability to produce art, music, photos, films, or writing—they just do it. And you probably should too. Make It Till You Make It breaks down 40 myths and truths about the pursuit of creative expression, whether you want to make $0 a year doing your thing or $100,000 a year.

The True INFJ (The True Guides to the Personality Types)


Truity - 2014
    But what drives these idealistic types to change the world? What keeps them motivated to work tirelessly to make all of our lives better, more just, and more humane? This book is for INFJs and the people who know and love them. You'll take an in-depth look at the INFJs values, motivations, and drives. You'll discover how the INFJ approaches work, family life, and relationships, and learn how they set priorities in life. If you're an INFJ, you'll discover how to become the best person you can be. If you know an INFJ, you'll gain a true understanding of the unique character of this sensitive, humanistic personality type.