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The small squirrel rescued from a super vacuum cleaner by 10-year old Flora emerges hairless but with new superpowers. Newly named Ulysses, the squirrel cracks Flora’s protective cynicism as she copes with her parents’ separation. Humor and pathos combine in text and illustration in this humorous, memorable and poignant novel. (2014 Newbery Medal Winner)

Ivy lives on a Nevada ranch with her parents. During the summer of 1949, with her best friend gone, Ivy’s gentle ways and affinity for animals leads to unexpected adventures and a job with a veterinarian, causing Ivy to dream of one day becoming one.

Can the advice of a paper finger puppet of Yoda on weird Dwight’s hand provide the advice needed by Tommy and other 6th graders? Tommy makes his case in this fast, funny, and first of the Origami Yoda books.

With Dwight away, things are changing at McQuarrie Middle School especially when the Fortune Wookiee (what was once known as a “cootie catcher”) appears on the scene to answer the girls’ questions. This third installment in the Origami Yoda series is sure to please.

Horton Halfpott is the underappreciated but rule-abiding kitchen boy for the Luggertucks of Smugwick Manor. Everything changes — literally and figuratively — when Lady Luggertuck’s corset is loosened to unleash a series of farcical, laugh-out-loud adventures.

When his nemesis makes an origami Darth Vader, chaos ensues. Dwight gets kicked out of school and sent to a school for bad broods! Humor abounds in this silly but satisfying saga that combines parody of popular figures with comedy.

The original form of poetry (introduced in Mirror Mirror (opens in a new window)) is again used to present different perspectives on the same topic. Characters large and small — from the Emperor in a birthday suit to tiny Thumbelina — a clever form and lush illustrations bring well known characters into focus.

The exclamation mark knew he was different from the moment he arrived. When he conversed with the question mark, however, a world of possibilities opened up! Seeing punctuation in action has never been more fun than with these emotive punctuation marks as characters!

Elizabeth was a strong-minded girl. As a young woman, it was her determination and strength that allowed her to graduate as the first female physician in 1849. Lighthearted illustrations and limited information make this an appealing introduction to an era and a pioneer.

Ol’ Mama Squirrel scares off anyone or anything that tries to encroach on her tree home with a fierce “chook, chook, chook!” Onomatopoeic language and comic illustrations tell a recognizable tale about a small but heroic rodent.

While Mama Duck and her five ducklings left their pond for a trip to town, the ducklings fall into trouble. With help from the townspeople, the Duck family is reunited in this handsomely illustrated, touching story based on an actual event.

While at the library, Isabella imagines herself in the lead role of several children’s classics. The Yellow Brick Road she follows as Dorothy brings her back to reality where she checks out as Isabella. Textured illustrations and an overview of the works cited conclude the book.

The oldest child narrates the family’s move from the city to build their own house on farm land. How the family works together planning and building while living in a tiny trailer pays homage to the author’s parents who are introduced in photographs and a note at the end.

In this Magic Tree House book, siblings Jack and Annie time travel to ancient Greece to help Alexander the Great, successfully read by the book’s author.

There’s something for every member of the family in this carefully selected and expertly performed poetry by a well-known mother-daughter team.

Anna Hibiscus and her life in contemporary Africa come to life occasionally using authentic-sounding accents to create a strong sense of place.

The four easy readers, modern classics, are effectively read by their author and sprinkled with music and sound effects.

A cumulative poem (in the cadence of “The House that Jack Built”) chronicles the work and life of Mexican potter, Juan Quezada. Words could center around the culture, the potting process, or art & artists.

When a young donkey named Sylvester comes across a magic pebble, he saves himself from a confrontation with a lion by wishing himself into a rock. Frantic parents search for Sylvester until they stop for a picnic on a large rock. Rich language and humorous cartoon illustrations make this a memorable classic.

The stylish child whose love of words has become the basis of a series of books shares her love of words in this alphabetically arranged picture book glossary. Humorous illustrations are sure to generate additional words to describe Nancy’s fancy, chic, attractive world.

Silly rhymes about silly activities make the words jump off the page, complemented by humorous illustrations.

Gerald, the giraffe, is told by the other jungle animals that he can’t dance. Of course, they’re proven wrong as Gerald does his thing in this rhyming tale. This book may also inspire alliterative use of language.

Emily Bartlett lives in an old farmhouse in Pitchfork, Oregon at a time when automobiles are brand-new inventions and libraries are a rare luxury. Can Emily use her lively mind to help bring a library to Pitchfork? ReadWriteThink (opens in a new window) offers a persuasive writing lesson plan featuring this book.

Tongue twisters abound in this lively and easy to read book by the famous doctor.