Lester explains the basics about the moon and space travel to Little Nye before they take off on their lively imaginary journey. Sturdy pages support uncluttered illustrations and simple text in this appealing, surprisingly informative book.
Rocket to the Moon
What can be more fun than playing in the snow with mom and dad? Coming home to a warm up with grandma! In his signature style, Hill’s spotted puppy in the snow is sure to surprise and satisfy the youngest child.
Spot’s Snowy Day
Amy and Dan continue their search for the 39 Clues, uncovering amazing mysteries and secrets along the way.
39 Clues: Book 10: Into the Gauntlet
In the first book of the Shadow Children series about a futuristic dystopia where only two children per family are allowed, readers meet Luke, a third child forbidden by the Population Police.
Among the Hidden
Join the parents of a bald little baby as she (or is it he?) plays imaginatively in the bathtub and grows out of diapers (opens in a new window) in two charmingly simple board books. Each is sure to engage both adults and children as they grow.
Tubby
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
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
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
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
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
In this latest in the graphic novel series, Stone Rabbit and his friend save a homemade pizza business, defeating the incredibly speedy but totally mediocre new pizzeria, the Ninja Slice. Lots of comic book illustration and action create the book’s appeal.
Stone Rabbit: Ninja Slice
Knuffle Bunny is accidentally left on the plane when Trixie and her parents visit the grandparents in Holland. Though Trixie is miserable without her snuggle buddy, she finds him on the plane bound for home where Trixie shows remarkable growth and selflessness. A note from Daddy completes the book’s emotional circle.
Knuffle Bunny Free
Snake asks to play catch with elephant and Piggie but gets beaned by the ball as he has no arms with which to catch it. The friends come up with a creative solution for them all to play catch. Cartoon illustrations are as clear as the speech bubbles in this funny addition to the series.
Can I Play Too?
Bink and Gollie are as different as possible in appearance, likes, and styles. In spite of their dissimilar approaches, the girls remain the best of friends in what may be the first of a fresh new series.
Bink & Gollie
Babymouse is back, this time to win the contest for selling the most cupcakes in support of a new school library. As in others of the satisfying, humorous series, Babymouse’s imagined scenarios are shown in pink.
Babymouse: Cupcake Tycoon
The bright, lively, and one-of-a-kind girl is back, this time to find out the difference between wanting something and actually needing it. Dyamonde is caught by her own cleverness, sure to gain readers’ empathy.
Almost Zero: A Dyamonde Daniel Book
Known for his close-up, full-color photographs of animals in the wild, Bishop turns his lens to a variety of lizards from around the globe. The informative, striking book demonstrates that “lizards lead lives that are full of surprises.”
Lizards
In the second installment of the classic series, Laura and her family travel in a covered wagon to settle in Kansas. Additional background materials are included in this 75th anniversary edition including letters from Laura, information about the book’s first printing and a bit about the play. Garth Williams’ black and white illustrations have been gently colored for a fresh new look.
Little House on the Prairie: 75th Anniversary Edition
Clementine is back, this time named her 3rd grade classroom’s Friend of the Week. Things don’t go as planned, of course, but Clementine figures out more about true friendship in this latest book featuring the energetic, irrepressible, and always likeable heroine.