"It's so much more friendly with two." ~ from A.A. Milne's Winnie-the-Pooh |
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| Henry Wants More! by Linda Ashman; illustrated by Brooke Boynton HughesLike many toddlers, Henry is exuberant, playful, and tireless, a fact which keeps his family on their toes. In fact, toe-tickling is one of several activities -- including games, songs, and wagon rides -- that Henry loves to do over and over and over... From his grandma to his dad to his brother and sisters, Henry exhausts his affectionate family with his all-caps cries of "MORE!" and "AGAIN!" Can Henry's mom finally get him to settle down with a story (or two, or four)? Find out in this cozy, rhyming read. |
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| Bear is Not Tired by Ciara GavinAfter being adopted by a family of ducks in Room for Bear, Bear is settling comfortably into his new life. Eating, sleeping, playing, swimming -- Bear does everything that his feathered brethren do. (Well, everything except flying.) Then the first winter air tickles Bear's nose; it's time to hibernate! Though he tries to resist, Bear starts falling asleep during family activities. Thankfully, Mama Duck has a smart solution that will allow Bear to snooze away the winter without missing out. Rounded shapes and pastel colors in the illustrations add a gentle, homey feel to this picture book that's sure to be a hit with fans of Karma Wilson's Bear Snores On.
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| Cockatoo, Too by Bethanie Deeney MurguiaOut of a lush green jungle emerges a perky little bird with an orange crest. "Cockatoo," it proclaims in introduction. In response, another bird, this one with a yellow crest, appears: "Cockatoo, too?" With a shout "Two cockatoos!" they begin a jaunty dance, and that's only the beginning of the LOL-worthy wordplay in this deceptively simple book -- just imagine what happens after the toucans in tutus doing the can-can show up! For more clever picture books with minimal but creatively used text, try Emily Gravett's Orange Pear Apple Bear or Jeff Mack's Ah Ha! |
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| Library Day by Anne Rockwell; illustrated by Lizzy RockwellEarly childhood is packed with "firsts," though few are as memorable for young book-lovers as a first visit to the library. Created by a mother-daughter duo, Library Day stars another parent-child pair: a little boy and his dad, arriving at the library together for the first time. Inside, the boy discovers the delights of storytime and making new friends, followed by the satisfaction of selecting books for himself and the excitement of checking them out with his brand-new library card. Similar to Anna McQuinn's Lola at the Library, Library Day eases children into a new experience through a story that's upbeat, colorful, and filled with comforting predictability. |
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| The Red Hat by David Teague; illustrated by Antoinette PortisIt's lonely at the top, and Billy Hightower would know. Living "atop the world's tallest building," his only companion is the lively breeze. When another skyscraper is built nearby, Billy catches a glimpse of his new neighbor, a girl in a red hat. But each time he tries to get her attention -- by shouting, sending a paper airplane, and flying a kite -- the wind snatches his messages and whirls them away. Vivid pops of red stand out against the book's black, white, and blue illustrations, creating a dramatic backdrop for this fable about overcoming obstacles and finding friendship. |
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| Little Elliot, Big City by Mike CuratoYou'd think that an adorable, tiny, polka-dotted elephant would attract a lot of attention, but not in New York City. Though Little Elliot loves city life, he struggles to be noticed by his bigger, busier neighbors. He's not even tall enough to reach the counter at his favorite cupcake shop! It's not until he meets Mouse (someone "even littler than himself") that Elliot finds both perspective and companionship. Featuring winsome illustrations in a muted, retro-cutesy style, this tale of a pint-sized duo will resonate with young readers who understand the frustration of being overlooked. The adventures of Elliot and Mouse continue in Little Elliot, Big Family. |
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| Goodnight Already! by Jory John; illustrated by Benji DaviesFor such a small bird, Duck is a big annoyance to his neighbor, Bear. Bear and his pink stuffed rabbit are comfy in bed when Duck bangs on the front door. See, after lots of coffee and a bit of research about ways to stay awake, Duck is ready to hang out ALL NIGHT LONG. Even though Bear shoots down his suggestions (they could make smoothies! or play cards! or start a band!), Duck doesn't get the hint…and Bear doesn't get his beauty sleep. Cartoony visual humor abounds in this energetic odd-couple story (and its sequel, I Love You Already!). |
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| Peanut Butter and Jellyfish by Jarrett J. KrosoczkaSeahorse Peanut Butter and his best bud Jellyfish love nothing better than swimming together and exploring their undersea home. Unfortunately, this means they have to swim past Crabby, who stays on the ocean floor and hurls insults at the pair: "I've seen sea snails swim with more style!" Peanut Butter and Jellyfish try their hardest not to pay attention to Crabby…until the day they find him caught in a lobster trap. Should they rescue him even though he's been so mean to them? Kids will guess the answer even before it happens in this cheery, collage-illustrated tale of forgiveness. |
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| Cat & Bunny by Mary LundquistSince the day they were born, Cat and Bunny (two adorable, round-faced children clad in animal costumes) have been besties. They eat together, daydream together, and play a special "Made-Up Game" with rules that only they know -- until the day Quail asks to play with them. To Cat's dismay, Bunny agrees, and soon so many other children have joined in that Cat runs away, feeling left out. The realistic conflict in Cat & Bunny is one that young readers will recognize, and the delicate hues and soft shapes of the artwork are just as comforting as the story's feel-good resolution. |
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| Cowboy & Octopus by Jon Scieszka; illustrated by Lane SmithCowboy is a paper doll, and Octopus was cut from a comic book; they're just like two peas in a (cephalo-) pod... Well, maybe not, but they are really good friends. They do nice things for each other -- like when Cowboy cooks a fine repast of "Beans and Bacon, Bacon and Beans, and just plain Beans" for Octopus, who likes neither beans nor bacon, but "licks one bean" nonetheless. They also entertain one another, and they tell each other the truth. Quirky humor + off-the-wall mixed media illustrations = one wonderfully wacky package from the duo who brought you The Stinky Cheese Man. |
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Contact your librarian for more great books!
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