A little boy loves to push buttons and they’re everywhere: on the telephone, on his umbrella, on toys, and more. But when his finger is sore, he discovers books and blocks don’t involve buttons! Signature illustrations are used in this rhythmic book.
Push Button
The animals in a pet shop decide to put on a show to attract visitors when no one is coming in to meet them. Children will enjoy the imaginative illustrations and simple text.
Pet Shop Follies
The blue hippo dad does everything wrong — much to the delight of his young son who knows how to do many things, from getting dressed to giving hugs. Parents and children will enjoy the fun though adults may appreciate father hippo’s technique the most.
Oh, Daddy!
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
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
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
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
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.
If You Give a Mouse a Cookie
Short and round, Gunner Smith didn’t look like a football player but he practiced hard enough to make third-string quarterback on his town’s Pee Wee team. Gunner gets his chance to use his arm in the championship game in this bright tale with a surprise ending.
Gunner, Football Hero
When a second guinea pig is added to keep the first classroom pet company, the animals quickly add up — until they find other homes and are subtracted. The rhyming text is as fast and funny as the animated cartoon illustrations.
Guinea Pigs Add Up
Sheep climbs on the tractor while Farmer Dougal sleeps, making the sound of the engine as he sits behind the wheel. Other farm animals join them, each adding their voices until the cacophony awakens the farmer. Colorful, comic illustration and onomatopoeia encourage participation.
The Gobble Gobble Moooo Tractor Book
When Chicken Little is bonked on the head by an acorn, the not-too-bright bird assumes that the sky is falling and so begins his journey. Along the way, he is joined by other equally clueless birds all of which are nearly eaten by a wily fox. Bold, colorful, abstract illustrations augment the humor in this simple retelling.