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Lyrical text and handsome illustrations combine to present information about pandas and their habitat. A bit of additional information is included on each page and at the end of the book.

Turtle and Tiger became friends only after they argued and fought over who saw one Spring flower first. When they both wind up in a field of flowers, they realize how silly they have been and together they return to their pond. This original tale is told in a storyteller’s cadence complemented by rich, textured illustrations.

Every day, Amos McGee goes to his job at the City Zoo where he’s attentive to each of his animal friends’ special needs. One day, however, Amos doesn’t feel well and must miss work and so his friends visit to take care of him. Gentle, expressive illustrations expand this touching tale. (2011 Caldecott Medal Winner)

The small, scaly pangolin may be an unusual animal, but children are likely to empathize with the way he is fearful of new and different things. He rolls into a ball — and finds another pangolin ball peeking at him. An author’s note provides a bit of information about real pangolins and where to find out more about them.

As a little girl helps her mother in their garden, she imagines a fantastic garden of her own in which all of the rabbits are made of chocolate and the jelly beans grow. Strong line and rich colors combine with the child-like musings for a satisfying story.

Both traditional and original nursery rhymes featuring animals are presented in this attractively illustrated collection. An introduction is likely to inspire adults and lays a foundation for sharing the rhymes in one or the other language.

Miss Brooks, the librarian at the narrator’s school, brings books alive by dressing up for reading circle. But the narrator still doesn’t find books intriguing like Miss Brooks — that is until she finds one filled with all of the gross things she enjoys; she’s discovered Shrek! Cartoon-like illustrations present the eccentric but lovable characters in this playful tale.

Jane’s yellow plastic duck, Love-a-Duck, was a happy duck who went on an unexpected adventure. It began when Love-a-Duck accidentally fell out of the bathroom window — saw real ducks, met a fish, and more — but made it home in time for Jane’s bath. The large format is ideal for the colorful illustrations and onomatopoeic language.

Look very closely. What do you see? It may be something familiar or quite out of the ordinary. Readers won’t be certain until they turn the page! A close-up photograph of flora and fauna found near a pond becomes larger and is contextualized with a page turn. Additional information is also presented in this multifaceted look at ponds.

When Mother Rabbit tells Little Rabbit he could only go to the circus once his playroom has been cleaned, he sneaks out to join the circus telling the ringmaster that he’s got the Meanest Mother on Earth. Children and adults will recognize the satisfying conclusion — and perhaps see themselves in this story.

Cat the Cat asks Bee the Bee and other flying animals if they can fly then cheers them on as they do what comes naturally. When Rhino the Rhino goes up in a plane, all of the playground friends join him! Strong, simple forms enhance the deadpan humor in this new and series about the endlessly friendly feline.
See also: Cat the Cat, Who Is That? (opens in a new window)

A child describes his affinity for all types of bugs — from those that are “spiky spiny,” the ones that “hop and fly and crawl” and even scary, “hang-from-ceiling bugs!” Large, textured illustrations are humorous to complement and extend the animated alliterative language.

A mutt tells reveals a “doggy allegory” and how he went from “the saddest and the baddest” to being a hip hop dog. Jazzy language swirls around and with fresh, loose art to create a sense of music in many forms. While rappers may just call it ‘freestyle,’ this zippy book is howling good fun.

Two friends, a brown rabbit and a blue bird, play together until winter looms and the bird must migrate south. Rabbit counts the winter months until the bird returns and the forever friends are reunited. Stylized illustrations evoke the seasons and combine with lyrical language in this story of friendship.

No matter how much her mother fusses or how long it gets, Ella Kazoo will not brush her hair! That is until her hair starts to take over — literally. The conclusion is both simple and satisfying as Ella Kazoo’s tresses are trimmed. Comic illustrations and a rhyming text make a lighthearted tale.

Jacob learns a great deal from his favorite television baker, Chef Monty. And he puts those skills to great use just in time for his parents’ anniversary making dessert — a peach pie — the celebration’s first course. Jacob’s good humor and problem solving skills (with a little help from his sister) make for sweet reading.

Their city adventure begins when the four big chickens follow a bag of feed into the farmer’s truck — and off they go! Lively language and comic illustrations combine to create a rowdy fowl adventure which ends happily back in the farmer’s truck heading home.

Gregory draws Sandy the Lion in the sand on the beach day he and his dad share one summer. Gregory’s father tells the child not to go into the water and not to leave Sandy — but Sandy’s tail is a long one, allowing Gregory to safely discover fascinating beach creatures. Realistic, textured illustrations evoke the place and ideally complement the evocative text.

Basic shapes are introduced on one side of each sturdy double page spread; on the opposing side, die-cuts hint at what is hidden. Lift the flap to see the shape in an easily recognizable object. A similar approach is used to introduce basic colors in both of these interactive books sure to hold up to small, rough hands.
See also: What Color Is Your Apple? (opens in a new window)

When Goose and Bear are joined by Fox, Bear feels left out. It is up to Goose to mediate and find a way for old and new friends to play together — which they happily do! With straightforward language and charming illustrations, Goose and Bear are back for another everyday adventure familiar to many children.

When the day is over, a young rabbit cuddles with a parent to let the dreams begin. Soft illustrations combine with a calm, rhythmic, rhyming text to quiet young ones who share the tranquil appreciation of nature and nighttime as they drift off to a cozy sleep.

Round faced children watch animals prepare for bedtime in this soothing tale in a newly illustrated edition of an earlier book by Margaret Wise Brown. The alphabet is used as the device to countdown from A to children who “…zip into bed,/not another peep/go to sleep!”

Count and feel the five smooth rubber ducks as one by one they go into the bathtub and touch the soft baby animals as they meow, woof, and peep in these simply illustrated, sturdy books. Crisp illustrations and minimal language make these ideal to share with the youngest child.
See also: Counting Duckies (opens in a new window)

Rounded corners and carefully crafted half (or cut) pages introduce and hide various animals that stomp, prowl, stroll and scuttle across the pages of this book. Each animal is endangered though there’s plenty more to engage young readers. Animal facts are included, as are child-accessible activities to help.