Beep, beep! Bow wow! Take a spin! Through country and city, from desert to beach, this rhyming, rollicking, chantalong book offers plenty of sights to see and count. Sheepdogs in their jeep, greyhounds in a bus, even bulldogs driving cabs! Award winner Carolyn Crimi and rising star Stephanie Buscema invite kids to read it loud, read it often, and read it silly.

    Mama isn’t coming yet. Baby Llama starts to fret. In this infectious rhyming read-aloud, Baby Llama turns bedtime into an all-out llama drama! Tucked into bed by his mama, Baby Llama immediately starts worrying when she goes downstairs, and his soft whimpers turn to hollers when she doesn’t come right back. But just in time, Mama returns to set things right. Children will relate to Baby Llama’s need for comfort, as much as parents will appreciate Mama Llama’s reassuring message.

    They are reassured when he nobly saves the day in imaginary-play sessions as a cowboy or cop and his mustache looks good-guy great. But as time passes, their worst fears are confirmed when little Billy’s mustache starts to curl up at the ends in a suspiciously villainous fashion. Sure enough, “Billy’s disreputable mustache led him into a life of dreadful crime.” Plenty of tongue-in-cheek humor and cartoonish illustrations make this the perfect baby-shower gift for a mustachioed father-to-be.

    The only problem? Goose is more interested in skating, sledding, and making snow angels than in helping Duck decorate their Christmas tree. While Goose has the time of his life in the snow, it seems poor Duck will be left to do all the work. . . . Tad Hills’s simple text and vivid, expressive illustrations make this sweet, funny little book the perfect stocking stuffer. Preschoolers who loved the bestselling Duck & Goose Find a Pumpkin—or those meeting Duck and Goose for the first time—will be thrilled to own this charming winter tale.

    There’s hugging and kissing, singing and dancing, and, of course, cake and presents! In this sweet picture book that’s just perfect for reading aloud, Liz Garton Scanlon commemorates that most cherished of childhood events—a little one’s birthday.

    He’s craving something just a little bit different: something soft, something sweet, something covered in luscious pink icing. There are no cupcakes in Antarctica, but Penguin’s heard that the Northern Hemisphere is a veritable paradise of cupcakes. So, he heads north. On his long journey, Penguin encounters some other cold-weather natives. Polar Bear and Walrus might not know much about cupcakes, but they have a thing or two to say about Penguin’s storytelling skills! Created with vibrant collage art, this delightfully tongue-in-cheek picture book flows like a graphic novel.

    Children who can't get enough of boats will love this nautical nighttime story full of exciting and familiar watercraft. Little vehicle lovers will want to collect all the books by Brianna Caplan Sayres and Christian Slade, including Where Do Steam Trains Sleep at Night?, Where Do Jet Planes Sleep at Night?, and Where Do Diggers Celebrate Christmas?

    It becomes home to sparrows, chipmunks, a whopping big bee . . . a runaway clown? Two poodles? An ape? Wait a minute. . . .In his quirky but realistic style, Rex creates the greatest show on earth--or at least, in a tree. The surprising text is part word game, part counting game, and part mystery. The illustrations are pure, beautiful mayhem, loaded with boisterous energy and cunning little critters that readers will love to chase through the pages.

    . . well, you know!Sean gave a YAWN While sitting on his mat. Guess who he gave it to? A scruffy, fluffy . . .You'll need to turn the page to find out who is next to be overcome with a yawn in this fun and ingenious board book, although the rhyming text will offer some clues! One creature is purring, another pecking, one drifting around its bowl, another resting from a dig in the dirt. And there are others, too--all of whom can't wait to put on their pajamas and head off to bed!

    But then something good happens to each of them, turning a bad day into a good one.What makes a good day? What makes a bad day? And how can bad be transformed into good? This exploration of opposites and emotions was described as "a deceptively simple picture book, expertly tuned to the emotions and imaginations of young children" by ALA Booklist in a starred review.

    The lyrical, rhyming text counts up to ten and back down to one, making this the perfect way to incorporate learning into snow day fun.

    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

    It’s time for a wide yawn, a big hug, and a snuggle under the covers—sleep tight! “Working beautifully with the soothingly repetitive text, each painting conveys a warm feeling of safety and affection.” —School Library Journal

    Rhyming questions and answers will charm and amuse children. Full-color illustrations.

    Bright, buoyant art and a roly-poly little baby are sure to inspire plenty of giggling and grabbing and feet-in-the-air-ing. For every baby - and every parent who loves that baby to bits - here's the perfect first book.