From planting to harvesting, Stanley grows wheat on a large farm. Cartoon illustrations of the charming hamster-as-farmer present a straightforward, simplified look at typical activities.
Stanley the Farmer
Spot explores familiar shapes that can be seen in a child’s everyday life — a book is square, for example. Shapes and objects are presented in easy language and a signature-style of illustration.
Spot’s Favorite Shapes
“Chirp!” says a big-eyed bird; “Slurp!” responds the anteater. Animals both familiar and more exotic greet each other with one rhyming sound on opposite sides of each colorful spread.
Hi! (Animal Sounds)
What can you see at the beach? Lift the flap to find out then make repeat the animal’s sounds in this bright, playful book sturdy enough for young hands.
Arf! Arf!
Girls didn’t always have the freedom to choose what they wanted to do. This is certainly true for Callie Tate, the only girl in her family. How she follows her interests and deals with not being taken seriously is revealed in rich, well-paced language. Callie’s story started in The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate though both books can be read without the other. Both will appeal to sophisticated readers.
The Curious World of Calpurnia Tate
Clementine hates change. And there’s a lot of change about to happen: summer is approaching and the end of third grade means goodbye to her beloved teacher, Mr. D’Matz. Plus her family expects a new baby. Like other books in the series, this seventh and final one is sure to cause laughter as Clementine works to come out successfully on the other side of change.
Completely Clementine
Tacky is an odd bird, very unlike his friends and colleagues. But it is Tacky’s peculiarities that save he and his friends from hungry predators. Humor is created by offbeat illustrations of Tacky’s behavior and clever language.
Tacky the Penguin
A tenacious bird finally inspires Rocket, a small white dog with black spots, to learn to read and spell. Children will empathize with Rocket as they see the expressive illustrations and hear the straightforward telling showing the passage of seasons but Rocket’s gradual ability to read.
How Rocket Learned to Read
Little Llama Llama has a major meltdown when he tires of shopping with Mama in the shop-o-rama. But Mama Llama is smart and figures out how do end the llama drama. The rhyming text shares not only a common experience but a great deal of llama wisdom all told with good humor and rhyme.
Llama Llama Mad at Mama
Peekaboo! Lift the paws and what do you see? Boldly colored, textured, cuddly animals giving — and getting — soft kisses to the reader. Ideal for sharing one-on-one, this predictable, repetitious, and interactive book has become a modern classic.
Peekaboo Kisses
Baseball fans Mike and Kate solve the mystery surrounding the lackluster play of their favorite rookie. Fans of baseball are sure to enjoy this easier to read mystery, the latest in an appealing series.
The Rookie Blue Jay
Tom rides his bicycle, passing busses, cars, and even an elephant. He then dons his costume and make-up for his job as a unicycle-riding circus clown. Broad forms and bright colors introduce Tom’s mode of transportation including the names of all the parts of a unicycle.
My Bike
This book tells the greatest space robot adventure of all time through the eyes — and heart — of Steven Squyres, professor of astronomy at Cornell University and lead scientist on the mission. This suspenseful page-turner captures the hair-raising human emotions felt during the adventures with two tough rovers.
The Mighty Mars Rovers: The Incredible Adventures of Spirit and Opportunity (Scientists in the Field series)
The perilous, adrenaline-fueled, life-saving work of an international volcano crisis team and the sleeping giants they study, from Colombia to the Philippines, from Chile to Indonesia.
Eruption: Volcanoes and the Science of Saving Lives (Scientists in the Field series)
Lily wanted a dog but instead gets a tiny, fluffy kitty. Could that small feline cause all of the trouble and mess in Lily’s house? Lily thinks so, telling the poor thing that it’s a “naughty kitty!” But readers realize from the first end pages what Lily doesn’t see. Hilarious action in comic illustration let readers stay ahead of Lily and her ultimately lionized kitty.
Naughty Kitty!
Exciting things happen when Nanny X comes to care for 8- year-old Jake, his 10-year-old sister Alison, their not-quite 2-year-old baby sister, and dog Yeti. The slapstick action of bad-guy-plots foiled by Nanny X and her many spy gadgets (she’s really a member of the Nanny Action Patrol) — with a bit of help from the children — is told by Jake and Alison in alternating chapters.
Nanny X
Much to his horror, Charlie is assigned to perform as the Nice Gnome in “The Sorcerer’s Castle,” his 4th grade class play. Even though he perfected the laugh of the Evil Sorcerer, as the Gnome, Charlie saves the day — and the performance — in this laugh-out-loud funny story. Told through Charlie’s narration, readers will surely see themselves in these likeable characters.
Charlie Bumpers vs. the Really Nice Gnome
Meet animals like the cow in informative rhymes and cartoon illustrations. Turn half the page and make a “pow” — half pig, half cow. Funny critters emerge with each half page turn. See and read the poem about another farm animal when pages match.
Flip Flap Farm
When the bats awaken from winter hibernation, not only do their stomachs grumble, they are hungry for music! The latest in this series presents the varied music interests of very likable (and rather human) bats.
Bats in the Band
Familiar animals and their young are presented in a game-like board book that engages and informs. The text on the parent’s page and colors provide clues as young children turn smaller pages to identify the puppy, hatchling, kitten, hamster and fish. Forest animals are presented in a companion book, You Are My Baby: Woodland (opens in a new window) (Chronicle).
You Are My Baby: Pets
To begin the family frolic, the bald, comically illustrated but appealing baby asserts, “I am NOT ticklish!” Father and child are joined by mom and pets until it’s time to start again. The same baby and family explore bodily noises in Toot (opens in a new window) (Candlewick).
Tickle
Stink would have preferred a trip to James Madison’s home but is happy when his parents win a sleepover at the aquarium. At the aquarium, Stink likes learning about sharks and other creatures but he still finds it kind of creepy. Share the evening with Stink and his family, learning and laughing.
Stink and the Shark Sleepover
Richard has put off his report on howler monkeys and now he’s got to get a note from his teacher signed. It surely will thwart his plans to attend the skateboard birthday party! How Richard resolves his dilemma is as realistic as the kids and adults in this engaging, contemporary tale.
Skateboard Party
Grandma Lou joins Judy, Stink and their parents to ride out a hurricane. When the power is off, does a pretzel-eating ghost join the family? Characteristic good humor, recognizable situations and likeable characters are hallmarks of this series.