The little owl searches for his mother when separated from her, but his descriptions aren’t very clear. At last, a concerned squirrel helps reunite baby and mother. Muted colors and broad shapes are used in this appealing story.
Little Owl Lost
From going to the potty to using utensils, the many things that young children can do everyday are affirmed in bright, open, and cheerful illustrations and simple text.
I’m 3! Look What I Can Do
Crisply lined and clearly placed illustrations of different fruits are arranged by color on sturdy pages. Embedded in illustrations on each double-page spread is a textured part that suggests how the fruit feels when touched.
I Like Fruit: A Touch and Feel Book
A young child gets to know the new puppy. Simple questions followed by straightforward responses are accompanied by realistic illustrations for a winning effect.
Hello, Puppy!
Humorous illustration and color-coded, rhyming text present retellings of familiar fables that include the morals (though with a light touch). Newly independent readers will have fun reading the short, snappy text with a second reader as they enjoy the cheery visuals.
You Read to Me, I’ll Read to You: Very Short Fables to Read Together
Five ducks ride on bicycles for an apple-picking adventure. The rhyming text and gentle illustrations create a playful, satisfying, everyday adventure.
Ducking for Apples
Two children go outdoors to collect musical instruments for a joyful parade and are joined by friends. The children march, play, and sing to the delight of their families. Simple words in English and Spanish combine with soft illustrations for a satisfying story.
Bravo
A simple, rhyming text and crisp, bright illustrations introduce bears from around the world. Brief information at the end of the book provides a bit more information making this a book that can be used as a story or to introduce a variety of bears.
Bears! Bears! Bears!
Simple sentences connect babies from diverse backgrounds, each portrayed in a full-color photograph on sturdy pages.
American Babies
Though none of the animals know what they’ve found in the woods, they all find a use for it until a little boy picks it up. He wonders what the book is about, then begins to read its stories aloud to the animals. Children will enjoy knowing what the animals find long before they do.
The Wonderful Book
All the animals get ready when Cat the Cat announces that it’s time to sleep; that is, everyone but wide-eyed Owl. Comical, cartoon illustrations on spare backgrounds and sparse text make this just right for new or emerging readers.
Time to Sleep, Sheep the Sheep
Meet massive, wrinkly, stiff-tailed, feathered and more dinosaurs as they stomp, guard, and gulp through this colorful pages of this rhythmic, attractive book. Pronunciation help for dinosaur names is provided on the end pages.
Stomp, Dinosaur, Stomp!
Jack and Guy, his action figure, don’t always play with Jack’s little brother, Gus. When Guy gets stuck in a tree, however, the brothers cooperate to get him down. Inventive play is portrayed by white lines over crisp, realistic photographs.
Sky-High Guy
Two boys with toys begin a contest, pitting shark and train to see who will win the various contests. As the challenges grow, so does the size and perspective of the illustrations until the boys end for lunch. The portrayal of children’s imaginative play is spot-on.
Shark vs. Train
Through a series of mishaps, Little Lorikeet’s perfect strawberry is lost and the little bird has no gift for her grandmother. When all attempts to retrieve it are futile, Lorikeet and her friends make something that lasts much longer: a storybook for Grandma.
The Perfect Gift
Children everywhere — including the young rainforest animals — tire of eating the same thing. Happily, the animal parents in this lively book come up with a tasty and creative solution in this colorful, rhyming story that sprinkles Spanish throughout.
No More, Por Favor
One flea is joined around a wooden trough by 2 cows, 3 horses … up to 12 bats — but there is one too many when a skunk arrives! Realistic illustrations and numerals show the increasingly crowded and then suddenly empty scenes, to create an unusual counting book.
One Too Many: A Seek & Find Counting Book
Lyrical questions and answers and textured collage illustrations introduce the Moon Bear and its seasonal habits. Additional information about this endangered animal is appended to add another dimension.
Moon Bear
The animals in his care overhear what zookeeper Mr. Peek mutters to himself, setting off a series of misunderstandings. Expressive illustrations and lively language add to the humor of this satisfying saga — just right for a laugh and to generate discussion.
Mr. Peek and the Misunderstanding at the Zoo
Eight little girls study ballet with Miss Lina in the town of Messina — and happily arrange themselves in four groups of two. There’s a bit of concern upon the arrival of ninth girl until Miss Lina suggests a new configuration. The light, lively illustration, rhyming text, and school of girls are reminiscent of the Madeline books.
Miss Lina’s Ballerinas
Madlenka dreams of being a soccer star in this third book about the city-dwelling girl. She leaves home in her soccer togs playing imaginary games until she’s joined by one friend and then a team full of children. A note about soccer history concludes the book.
Madlenka Soccer Star
Each double page begins with a question, “Look very closely. What do you see?” and a partial photograph. A page turn provides the answer and the contextualized image as well as a bit more information about the rainforest plant or animal.
Looking Closely in the Rain Forest
As Immi fishes through an ice hole, she finds a host of colorful objects beginning with a red bird. Each item ultimately decorates her igloo, introduces her to animal friends, and speaks to the power of imagination. At the end of the season, Immi sends her white bear into the hole; it is then found by a child on a tropical beach.
Immi’s Gift
The tale of the generous boy who gives a mouse a cookie with unexpected and very funny consequences celebrates its 25th anniversary with a special edition. End pages have a board game that can be played by two or more players.