Arthur and the other kids in Mr. Ratburn’s class take a field trip to a Middle Ages fair where there’s competitions and games from the period. Arthur and the others vie with students from another school to uphold their honor in this longer chapter book, which is just as satisfying as the Arthur picture books.
King Arthur
Children will delight in Kitten’s mistake. They know that what she thinks is a bowl of milk is really the moon’s reflection. Mostly black and white (and shades of gray) illustration expressively depict Kitten. Children enjoy the visual and verbal patterns throughout. (2005 Caldecott Medal Winner)
Kitten’s First Full Moon
Arthur’s little sister, Dora Winifred (better known as D.W.) can hardly wait until she can write her entire name to get her very own library card. Once she does, however, D.W. worries so much about possibly damaging the book she borrowed that she cannot enjoy it. Arthur helps her understand that she can use and enjoy library books safely. Also available in Spanish.
D.W.’s Library Card
Little Rat really doesn’t want to start the lessons her parents have arranged; she’s afraid of sailing! But with the help of an amiable instructor, Little Rat overcomes her fear and learns not only to sail, but to enjoy it as well.
Little Rat Sets Sail
This collection of creative activities involve science, art, cooking, and more. Concocting these concoctions will provide hours of ooey, gooey fun.
Lotions, Potions, and Slime: Mudpies and More
Marvin’s Best Christmas Ever
Max is a determined three-year-old bunny, while his big sister, Ruby, is a smart, goal-oriented seven-year-old. Although the two siblings squabble as siblings often will, they usually manage to come to an agreement by the end of each of these satisfying stories.
Max Board Books
It’s election time, and both Max and Kelly are running for class president. They busily make campaign signs and buttons and develop their platform. There can only be one winner, though, so someone is bound to be disappointed. All ends well, though, in this satisfying and recognizable story.
Max for President!
Visit Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula to meet several generations of Mayan Indians, learn a bit about their history, culture, and contemporary life in this riveting portrait in pictures and words.
Mayeros: A Yucatec Maya Family
Mightier Than the Sword: World Folktales for Strong Boys
The irrepressible Gabi is tired of speaking two languages and feels like she’s messing up both. But what can she do if she is only allowed to speak Spanish at home? Gabi comes up with a solution that will make readers chuckle and recognize some of their own thinking in Gabi’s reasoning.
No More Spanish!
Ancona takes a look at Latino and Hispanic murals within the United States in this fascinating photo-essay. The photos vary between broad shots, close-ups that reveal details, and images of a variety of people either creating or viewing the paintings.
Murals: Walls That Sing
Nate the Great has been delighting beginning readers for 30 years. The quirky characters and simple, clever storylines are a big hit with kids – all of whom love to solve each mystery alongside the most popular sleuth in the business.
Nate the Great Series
Nocturne
A father and daughter go out “owling” on a cold, snow-filled evening with only moonlight to guide them. An introduction by the author to this edition opens the now-classic, luminously illustrated story in which hope “…flies on silent wings under a shining Owl Moon.”
Owl Moon
Summer has finally arrived to the young narrator’s island home. With it come four different artists who the boy – an artist himself – observes carefully as he tries to paint the wind. Newbery medalist Patricia MacLachlan and her daughter team up to explore creativity in an unusual but understandable way.
Painting the Wind
I’m awake! I’m awake! / I cannot shut my eyes. / I’m unable to sleep, / though I’ve made many tries… The insomniac in all of us will find plenty of company in this rollicking series of rhymes by the prolific and popular poet, Jack Prelutsky.
My Parents Think I’m Sleeping
Sally narrates the story of her brother’s crisis of confidence when his world turns fuzzy. She figures out he needs glasses and so together they visit the eye doctor and all things soon become clear! The lively illustrations are as varied as the typeface in this fun and fresh tale.
Paul Needs Specs
Good manners and proper behavior is stylish at all times in all places. Nattily dressed pigs demonstrate etiquette and appropriate conduct in a variety of places – from around the house to public places and everything in between – in this lighthearted look at manners.
Perfect Pigs
The entire town is scammed by the new Perfect Pup Institute but not Martha. She discovers that the partners who run it are using the RoboRover Brain Stopper and saves the day (and the dogs). As all of the Martha tales, this is told and illustrated with lots of humor and verve.
Perfectly Martha
Jesse Owens was a breakthrough athlete – an African American who captured the world stage (and four gold medals!) at the 11th Olympiad in Nazi Germany. In this book, readers will learn about his life through brief text and watercolor illustrations. Younger readers may enjoy Patricia and Fredrick McKissack’s picture book, Jesse Owens: Olympic Star.
A Picture Book of Jesse Owens
Pigsty
When Admiral Drake sends a penguin named Captain Cook to the Popper family, Mr. Popper’s dreams of seeing the world begin to come true. Humor abounds in this early Newbery Honor book as readers follow Mr. Popper and his penguins to Antarctica.