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When snow starts falling, the perfectly normal animals on Farmer Pumpernickel’s farm start acting strangely; they catch snowflakes on their tongues! Eventually, even the farmer himself gets with the rhythm. Rhyming text accompanied by comical illustrations will make a joyful read aloud.

One single red apple hangs on a tree. One by one, animals see it and greedily declare it “Mine!” Only a nonplussed possum willing to share it with the apple’s resident worm winds up with the prize. Alliterative, animated, onomatopoeic language is paired with strong lines and color for a jaunty, delightful book to read aloud.

Micah knows that his new sister Lily is a Martian. His fears are confirmed by his cousin Maxwell and doubly so when Lily goes to school with Micah for show-and-tell! Humor abounds in this out-of-this-world sibling story.

Readers are asked to count to one. Just one elephant. Just one sausage (on a whale’s spout, with a second whale nearby). Just one fly (atop 3 bowls of soup). Sly humor on each colorful page will have young readers chortling and counting beyond just one!

Brief information is placed on open pages with lots of white space to highlight portraits of baby dinosaurs that are seriously cute and seriously funny. The baby T-rex — “tyrant lizard king“ — is placed in a bejeweled royal crown, with a partial view of a huge parent looking down at the fuzzy baby. Additional information and comparative size chart conclude this informative, amusing book. 

Will the runaway pea become a snack for one of the animals it rolls by? Illustrations call to mind folk art in this rollicking translation from the French. The tale is likely to hold up to multiple readings and may inspire young gardeners!

Tired of the same Old MacDonald’s farm? Add donuts and a greedy crocodile alongside a take-charge rooster and it’s a new tune! Silliness is the word (and picture) on this farm as children will sing along with the rousing E-I-E-I-O!

This is a book about dinosaurs. No it’s not. Dinosaurs are not allowed. Oh. This is now a book about avocados! Sorry. We deleted those too. Discover just what can happen when ideas are erased instead of expressed with this hilarious picture book romp that kids (and grown-ups) will want to read over and over again.

Plum, a peacock, and other animals from the Athensville Zoo are excited and a bit nervous about going on a school visit. Unfortunately, a blizzard upsets the plans, and the peacock and others are stuck in the school until Plum figures out a way to get them out. Short chapters in this standalone companion to Leave it to Plum! is heavily illustrated and sure to tickle readers

Though he enjoys music and company, Walter, a crocodile, is painfully shy and prefers staying just below the surface. Until one day, he finds his voice to help his friend turtle from being tossed around by big birds. Expressive illustrations, almost translucent, evoke Walter’s watery world and the joy in finding one’s voice.

A large rotund creature (an owl?) awaits a visitor. The arrival of a thin salamander-like visitor toting a shopping cart offers the big guy a cake, a bouquet of flowers, and a wrapped box, each of which are consumed in one gulp. When the gift giver is picked up — gasp! — surprisingly, he is given a big smooch and a cup of peppermint tea. Few words are needed in this quirky, unique, and very funny tale of friendship.

Meet Frank, a small alien from Xob. Frank is small, square, and green just like all of those from Xob. Frank is astonished when he visits Earth and finds such differences in the small creatures. Readers will enjoy what Frank learns and takes back to Xob in staccato text and simple but expressive illustrations that appear to be watercolor on textured paper.

Mike, like everyone else, has their own flock of sheep to count if having trouble falling asleep. But one particularly tough night for sleeping, Four refused to follow sheep One, Two and Three.  Sly humor in a totally implausible story accompanied by comical cartoon illustrations on large pages create an unforgettable nighttime tale. Simultaneously available in Spanish: El rebaño.

Cat fanciers of all ages will recognize the funny feline behavior in this vivacious rhyming jaunt. Broad shapes create kitties of various stripes and colors all with big round eyes add humor and verve until it’s bedtime (or not — if you’re a naughty kitten).

A kind crocodile roars to help animals from a small mouse to a huge rhino when they’re chased by a fierce enemy. They in turn help it when the croc is threatened the critters come together to help it. Humorous, textured illustrations on horizontal pages highlight the croc’s tale.

To start, Judy Moody doesn’t have high hopes for third grade. Judy also has an abundance of individuality and attitude, and when her teacher Mr. Todd assigns a very special class project, she really gets a chance to express herself! Megan McDonald’s spirited text and Peter Reynolds’s wry illustrations combine in a feisty, funny first chapter book for every kid who has ever felt a little out of sorts.

Saxophone-playing Miles and his Swamp Band find a bevy of sharp-toothed, long-tailed alligators who love to listen to their music. But little do Miles and his band know what the alligators plan for them at the close of their jubilant all-night ball! Inspired by a traditional song, this vibrant picture book is “ebullient, fast-paced, and funny.”

When the thing from outer space visits earth, it is taken first for a trick-or-treater and then for a robot. Buddy McGee takes the thing home — only to discover it is from outer space.

Every year, George and the man with the yellow hat attend a pancake breakfast to benefit the children’s hospital. Always curious, George finds his way to the pancake table and helps out. Pouring batter and flipping the pancakes over looks like fun! George decides to make some pancakes of his own, and after making and serving some of the most delicious pancakes the crowd has ever seen, George gets into even more monkey mischief. 

If you give a pig a pancake, she’ll want some syrup to go with it. You’ll give her some of your favorite maple syrup, and she’ll probably get all sticky, so she’ll want to take a bath. She’ll ask you for some bubbles. When you give her the bubbles … Fans of If You Give a Mouse a Cookie will love this perfect addition to the series!

Meet an exploding ant, the flamboyant cuttlefish, and the star-nosed mole in this lighthearted look at animals. The real but unusual creatures are illustrated with humor while providing a glimpse at their distinguishing features. The author’s first volume, The World’s Most Pointless Wonderful Animals (opens in a new window), is equally engaging.

Chester likes his routines, but his new friend is the complete opposite. Nonetheless, the pair work together to solve the riddle behind the mysterious notes that Chester thinks are from his father — all while dealing with a bully and trying to prevent his mother from worrying. Likeable characters and an engaging mystery fill this satisfying novel.

When squirrels Norma and Belly grow tired of acorns, they decide to try pizza from the new shop in town. As with their other food adventures (Donut Feed the Squirrels (opens in a new window) and Apple of My Pie (opens in a new window)), success is always questionable. Jaunty illustrations in a lively, easy graphic format make each escapade a tasty treat.

Humans don’t have a lot in common with a tin can, but maybe a little bit with a swimming pool. People do have a lot in common with other people — in fact we’re more alike than not. Comparisons in this book are both unexpected and humorous, illustrated in bold shapes and bright forms provide a surprisingly sophisticated look at what being human is like.