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The narrator is terrified of a pair of green pants he chances upon. What could they be? Well, those pants might just have their own concerns! Told and illustrated (with a glowing new touch) in characteristic Seussian fashion, this tale of misunderstanding first appeared in the The Sneetches and Other Stories (1961).

This rhyming take-off on a well-known folksong is sure to delight listeners and readers of all ages. Lively rhymes use wonderful words and combine with eye-popping illustrations to present a catchy tale. Don’t know the tune? Don’t worry — the song is available to download from the publisher’s website.

When the good Italian witch, Strega Nona carefully adds a touch of magic to her well-tended garden it grows beautifully. Her bumbling assistant, Big Anthony, is not as careful with near-disastrous results. A creative solution to the overabundance winds up helping many — but will Big Anthony ever learn?

Scaredy Squirrel is afraid of the dark; for in it lives a host of creepy creatures that may invade his dreams. His list of things to do fail, of course, as does thriving without sleep — but our hero’s tale is amusingly told in words and boldly lined, comic illustrations.

Before Malcolm Daniel can help three moaning ghosts, he needs to know why they make such spooky noises. Told with rich language and evocative nighttime colors, this upbeat, not-too-scary, and satisfying tale is sure to become a favorite year round.

A plump little boy is caught by a hungry, garbage eating ghost but tricks him to get away. Humor abounds in this original tale steeped in Chinese lore and set in Beijing. Told and illustrated in a lively way, this tale will tickle the funny bone as well as taste buds.

What’s your favorite type of dog? Is it large? Small? Soft? With stripes? Even the youngest will be surprised that the narrator winds up being a feline that introduces the host of canines with distinctive personalities. Rhyming text is minimal but extended through humorous, expressive illustrations. 

Mother Paula’s newest (#469) All American Pancake House is about to be built in Coconut Grove, Florida, on a site where a colony of endangered burrowing owls live. Mullet Fingers, who has been quietly committing acts of sabotage at the construction site to save the owls, is befriended by Roy Eberhardt, the quiet, new kid in town. Together with Mullet’s stepsister Beatrice, the three make it their mission to expose the restaurant company’s wrongdoing.

Having a four-year old sister like Ramona can be a real pain as 9-year old Beezus (aka Beatrice) knows all too well. Ramona likes to do things in her own often pesky, frequently funny, and always imaginative way. The movie version of the modern classic was released in March 2010.

There are three words that Martha — a dog who gained the ability to speak when she ate alphabet soup — absolutely hates. They are: No Dogs Allowed. So when Martha wins a weekend for her (human) family at the Do-Come-Inn, those words propel the Martha and the family into action with very funny results.

Babymouse may be a cartoon mouse, but she has experiences that will resonate with her tween audience: friend drama, boring old school, and the social strata of those same friends and school.

Sam’s clear, boyish voice becomes clear from the first poem and as he and his family take to the car traveling toward an ocean vacation. Sam is all boy — reflected in his candid observations, his often humorous actions, and black/white illustrations.

Wolf makes peace with Red Riding Hood and soon the repentant wolf becomes vegetarian and becomes popular. A jealous Red re-introduces the wolf to carnivore delights and regains her status as the forest’s nicest resident. Pop-ups and pull outs and sophisticated humor make distinguish this very funny book.

Stink, Judy Moody’s bright but short little brother presents his version of an encyclopedia. It begins with the Anatomy of Stink and continues through to Z (Zero, ZZZs, until Zee End!). Fun, fact-filled and fully sourced, just right for Stink fans.

Mixed-media illustrations and playful poetry portray a range of mostly well known dinosaurs from their start to extinction. Wordplay and poetry combine to present prehistoric creatures in a large format just right to support the subject.

Gerald the elephant can throw a ball a long distance but to his surprise, Piggie delights in just throwing the ball no distance at all. Willem’s signature humor and cartoon style using dialogue balloons reminds readers that Piggie and Gerald have a great deal to share.

Wilbur is a different kind of mole rat. Instead of always being naked, he dons sporty clothing much to the chagrin of others. That is until his Grand-pah also asks “Why not?” Willems’ understated humor in both text and illustration will delight readers of all ages.

Fancy Nancy is back, this time exploring in her own backyard. Photographs combine with signature illustration to introduce the wonders of real butterflies, birds, leaves, and more — that young explorers anywhere will find and appreciate.

A not-too-bright scarecrow accompanies Jack on the adventure of a lifetime, far away from the field and birds.

Sound effects and dramatic reading make the humorous saga of an eight-legged hero come to life. Based on the picture book of the same name.

A comic book story is used to introduce the basics of comic book making and cartooning. Here, a princess tries to make a comic but needs help. And help comes in the form of a Magic Cartooning Elf — for a appealing and instructive result.

Sophisticated readers will appreciate the sly humor and wordplay in the “kissin’ cousin of haiku.” Senyru focuses on everyday activities (e.g., “Freedom vanishes, as the babysitter arrives… kids are tied in nots”) complemented here by comic illustrations.

A range of forest inhabitants are presented imaginatively in a variety of poetic styles. From the “Bucktoothed Cleaver” (a beaver) to the chipmunks that invest in the “Acorn Savings Bank,” poetry and illustrations allow readers to see animals afresh.

The team who created A Kick in the Head (opens in a new window) presents another appealing collection of poems in varied forms and from different time periods. All these poems shout to be shared aloud while illustrations deserve multiple looks.