| Who Will Win? by Arihhonni DavidWhat it's about: An elder regales a child with the story of a race between Bear, who can run fast, and Turtle, who can think fast. Turtle's mischievous scheme to finish first is both amusing and heartwarming.
Who it's for: Expressive artwork, short, clear sentences, and plenty of repetition make this own voices retelling of a Mohawk trickster tale a strong choice for emerging readers. |
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| Our Dragon by Mem Fox; illustrated by Linda DavickWhat it's about: After two human parents welcome an adorable, fire-breathing baby dragon, they discover that even the sweetest little one can cause unexpected accidents.
Who it's for: families who will relish an off-the-wall spin on the chaotic aspects of life with a new baby.
Art alert: Boldly colored digital art pops against crisp white backgrounds, allowing kids to focus on the little dragon's expressions -- as well as the comical bursts of flame.
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| Summer is for Cousins by Rajani LaRocca; illustrated by Abhi AlwarWhat it's about: During her extended family's boisterous lakeside vacation, second-youngest cousin Ravi worries that oldest cousin Dhruv might have outgrown their special bond.
Why kids might like it: Lively, cartoony illustrations add extra verve to this fun, joyful, and reassuring family story.
Kids might also like: Going Down Home with Daddy by Kelly Starling Lyons or Shutta Crum's Dozens of Cousins. |
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| Rain by Cynthia Rylant; illustrated by Lisa CongdonWhat it is: a lyrical, lilting ode to the perks and pleasures of rain.
What's inside: Illustrations in bold, uplifting colors show how different plants, animals, and kids anticipate the coming of the rain. Kids pass along the message to "hurry home" while animals carefully take cover (except for an excited family of ducks).
Who it's for: anyone looking for a gentle rainy-day read. |
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| Tap! Tap! Tap! Dance! Dance! Dance! by Hervé TulletWhat it is: This book is hands-on -- literally. Using primary-colored art and low-tech interactivity, Tap! Tap! Tap! shows kids how to create a symphony of motion with just their fingers.
How it's told: through instructions to theatrically tap, wiggle, circle, swoop, and slide your fingers in a performance that uses the book as a stage.
For fans of: creator Hervé Tullet's earlier books Press Here and Mix It Up. |
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| The Three Billy Goats Gruff by Mac Barnett; illustrated by Jon KlassenWhat it is: a silly, mischievous retelling of the familiar fairy tale from popular picture book collaborators Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen (Sam and Dave Dig a Hole, Extra Yarn).
Why kids might like it: Witty wordplay, goofy grossness (the troll longs for tasty goat after subsisting on belly button goop), and striking illustrations make this a winning choice for sharing aloud, either one-on-one or with a crowd.
Book buzz: Jon Klassen's quietly macabre latest, The Skull, arrives in July. |
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| Walter Had a Best Friend by Deborah Underwood; illustrated by Sergio RuzzierStarring: Walter, a mouse who feels angry and heartbroken when his once-close friendship with BFF Xavier, a duck, dwindles after Xavier makes a new best friend.
Why it stands out: Walter takes some "sad quiet" time before finding a new friend of his own, affirming for readers (of any age) the importance of processing feelings. |
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| Beautiful You, Beautiful Me by Tasha Spillett-Sumner; illustrated by Salini PereraWhat it's about: While cuddling with her mama, Izzy begins to worry about how their physical appearances don't "match." Mama, however, is quick to assure Izzy that they don't need to look alike to belong together.
The refrain: "You're part of me, and I'm part of you. I'm beautiful like me, and you're beautiful like you."
Who it's for: families of all kinds, especially those seeking to celebrate differences and emphasize belonging.
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| Dark on Light by Dianne White; illustrated by Felicita SalaWhat it's about: Soothing, lyrical words invite readers into a nighttime walk through the countryside. Three children with flashlights thoughtfully observe sights, sounds, scents, and many animals -- including the family dog they've been searching for.
Art alert: Twilight colors play with light and shadow in the sweeping, atmospheric illustrations.
Kids might also like: Blue on Blue and Green on Green, author Dianne White's previous explorations of nature's moods. |
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| Mushroom Rain by Laura K. Zimmermann; illustrated by Jamie GreenWhat it's about: Captivating illustrations and poetic words harmonize with scientific facts in this introduction to the extraordinary world of mushrooms.
Did you know... there are mushrooms that smell like bubble gum?
Who it's for: nature lovers and curious kids who are open to wonder (whether it's fact or fiction) -- though younger readers may need a grown-up's help with the more complex text in the book's final, scrapbook-style pages. |
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Contact your librarian for more great books for ages 0-8!
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