| Story Rug by Sophie Blackall; illustrated by Phoebe WahlWhen a "braiding CRAZE" takes hold of classroom 203, the whole class begins contributing fabric scraps to plait and sew while Ms. Morena reads out loud. But what can they do with the epic braid they create? Find out in this gentle story about the joy and comfort of community crafting.
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Every Space Between by Naseem HrabPlayful and poetic, Every Space Between highlights the little moments tucked between beginnings and endings, between actions and reactions, between you and me -- and shows how special an ordinary day can become if you pay close enough attention. You can find in-betweens everywhere!
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| If the Moon by Matthew Burgess; illustrated by Matthew Forsythe"If" can represent a myriad of worries, as it does for the sleepless child in this story. With a bit of imagination, however, "if" sends the child on a fantastical, exploratory journey. As the protagonist moves away from anxiety and into curiosity, the illustrations become more dramatic and expansive as well, ultimately bringing the story to a cozy, reassuring conclusion. |
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Mac & Cheese: The Origin Story by Michael L. BennerThe Bad Seed meets The Legend of Rock, Paper, Scissors in a pasta-tively hilarious story about the most enduring friendship of all time: Mac & Cheese. Mac & Cheese: The Origin Story explores the heartfelt and hilarious story behind the iconic pair. Mac was a friendly Noodle from Pastaland and rubbed elbows with everyone. But he didn't have the one thing he wanted most: a friend. So one day, he packs up and goes on an epic journey that takes him across the Sea of Snacks, to the Isle of Candy, through the Desert of Dessert, and beyond Mount Cheddar, until he finds himself in... Quesoland. In Quesoland, Cheese was king. And while he could be a real crowd-pleaser, he didn't have the one thing he wanted most: a friend. When a mysterious and hilarious newcomer from Pastaland arrives, Cheese wonders if Mac might be who he was looking for all this time.
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| The House with Nobody in It by Jon KlassenIn this house-shaped board book, readers can explore cleverly staggered die-cuts to reveal a ghostly presence that belies the title. Perfect for preschoolers and boasting creator Jon Klassen's sly, macabre sensibility, The House with Nobody in It is "unafraid to redefine what board books are capable of achieving" (Kirkus Reviews). Try this next: Oliver Jeffers' There's a Ghost in This House, another spectral story that uses inventive illustrations to eerie effect. |
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| Off the Wall: Making Stuff Together by Juana Martinez-Neal and Molly IdleWhen a game of tic-tac-toe turns into a spontaneous art project, a group of friends discover that -- despite frictions and frustrations -- "making stuff" is better together. Illustrated in colorful, mixed-media collage against a backdrop of brown paper, this book offers eye-catching visuals to bolster its kid-friendly message of collaboration and artistic expression.
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| The Haunted Playground by R.J. Palacio; illustrated by Brett HelquistAfter midnight every Halloween, ghosts take a break from the hard work of haunting and let loose at a playground party hosted by skeleton king Rex Magnificus. This year, however, two living children stumble into the festivities. Dramatic, dynamic illustrations add atmosphere to this creepy carnivale. |
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| Home by Matt de la Peña; illustrated by Loren LongThrough striking paintings and lyrical words, this diverse, wide-ranging book explores all the meanings of home, from specific abodes and locations to sensory experiences and the comforting presence of loved ones. For fans of: Love, the previous (and equally heartwarming) collaboration between award-winning author Matt de la Peña and illustrator Loren Long. |
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by Caroline L. PerryWith its bright eyes, puffy cheeks, and beaming smile, the quokka is clearly the happiest animal on earth. Or is it? This quokka is here to tell you...he is not happy! At least not all the time. Just like everyone else, he can be sulky, or sorry, or sad; but you'd never know from the look on his face! So, what's a moody marsupial to do when he's being misunderstood? Teach every other animal from kangaroos to koalas not to judge a critter by its cover!
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Papilio
by Ben Clanton, Corey R. Tabor, and Andy Chou Musser
In this charming, fact-filled story, three creators take turns showing readers the stages of a black swallowtail's life, from caterpillar to chrysalis to butterfly. Each stage has its own style, but sweetness, humor, and solid information persist throughout. "Move aside, Very Hungry Caterpillar," declares Kirkus Reviews.
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| Caboose by Travis Jonker; illustrated by Ruth ChanIn an elementary school class of anthropomorphic animals, one mischief-minded hippo is a little too hungry for the power of being at the front of the line. Banished to the back, his antics become zanier still -- until the teacher assigns him a perfect spot in the middle. Kirkus Reviews calls Caboose "a chaotic yet hilarious story grounded in real childhood emotions." |
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A Pocket Full of Rocks by Kristin Mahoney; illustrated by E.B. GoodaleLike many kids, the protagonist of this picture book collects seemingly random rocks (as well as flower petals, acorns, shells, and more), finding both comfort and an imaginative outlet in the beloved objects. Eye-catching mixed-media illustrations emphasize the sense of creative possibility in this sweet story. Read-alike: All the Rocks We Love by Lisa Varchol Perron and Taylor Perron.
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It's Taco Knight!
by Megan Maynor
In a kingdom full of busy, clever people, no one has time to cook. Luckily the Knights of Dinner make sure the villagers are well fed. It could be Pizza Knight or Noodle Knight, Dumpling Knight, even New Recipe Knight. No knight is everybody's favorite, but every knight is somebody's favorite. That is, until Taco Knight comes to town--and tries to turn every night into taco night--
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How to Spot a Mermaid by Suzy SeniorToday we're on a mermaid hunt! I'm sure we'll find a lot. They're always sitting round on rocks -- They can't be hard to spot! Join two mermaid enthusiasts on a magical seaside adventure to find their favourite mythical creature!
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