|
|
|
|
| Lena the Chicken (But Really a Dinosaur!) by Linda Bailey; illustrated by K-Fai SteeleUnlike her fearful, feathered family, spirited Lena knows that she's not a chicken in name or nature—she's a mighty dinosaur! And when the coop is threatened, she has the chance to prove it. Get ready to roar: with dramatic dialogue and "gloriously goofy" (Publishers Weekly) artwork, Lena's story is an ideal read-aloud. |
|
|
|
Kitty Camp
by Drew Brockington
A young girl boards the wrong bus for day camp and winds up at Kitty Camp instead. Adorable hilarity ensues: Arts & Crafts is pretty chaotic, it seems like it's always nap time, and it's impossible to eat lunch with kittens pouncing on the food. From the creator of CatStronauts, this picture book is "pure feline fun" (Kirkus Reviews) with a lively graphic-novel vibe.
|
|
| Mama Car by Lucy Catchpole; illustrated by Karen GeorgeIn this endearing story, a child describes how her family gets around. She’s got a tricycle, and Daddy drives a "big car," while Mama uses a "Mama Car": a manual wheelchair. Based on author Lucy Catchpole’s own parenting experience, Mama Car offers a cozy and matter-of-fact look at disability within family life.
|
|
|
|
Zip Zap Wickety Wack: A Story About Sharing
by Matthew Diffee
What starts out as a predictable book of animal onomatopoeias quickly veers off course when the goat and sheep both claim "baa" as their sound—and they refuse to share. The classic feel of Diffee's farm animal illustrations combined with the unpredictable, funny dialogue will make this a storytime hit. At first glance, the warm illustrations look simple, but easy-to-miss (and very funny) details make rereading a reward.
|
|
| The Night of the Hedgehog by Tanya Rosie; illustrated by Chuck GroeninkOne special evening, a barefoot father and daughter venture into their moonlit garden to observe the nocturnal wildlife, including a some memorable visitors: a family of hedgehogs. Gentle rhyming text supports the sense of quiet wonder in this nature-focused book. Read-alikes: Carin Berger's In the Night Garden; Jane Yolen's classic Owl Moon.
|
|
| Everyday Bean by Stephanie GraeginIn this series starter, readers meet young hedgehog Bean and her Grandma in ten short slice-of-life stories. With illustrations full of delicate colors and whimsical details to keep readers engaged, this charming volume helps bridge the gap between picture books and easy readers. Next in the series: Bean Supreme, due out in July 2026.
|
|
| Ty's Travels: Super Ty! by Kelly Starling Lyons; illustrated by Niña MataWhen superhero fan Ty dons his own cape and mask, he utilizes the superpowers he already has: kindness and imagination. Accessible word choices and repeated phrases make this heartwarming story a confidence-boosting choice for beginning readers. Series alert: This is book 8 in the award-winning Ty's Travels series, but kids can read these standalone stories in any order.
|
|
| Squid in Pants by Kaz WindnessWhen stylish Squid and his sea creature pals swipe some clothes from an unwary snorkeler, they create wild, customized garments, and even include the original owner in the resulting fashion show. Rhythm and rhyme enhance the easy-to-understand text of this playful graphic novel for beginning readers.
|
|
|
|
|
|