Residents of Chewandswallow were accustomed to their predictable weather which kept them in juice and mashed potatoes (and more) three times a day. That is, until the weather took a strange turn; foods falling not only got larger, but so did the portions! This outrageous tale was released as a film in September 2009.
Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs
This colorful cut-out book, winner of a Caldecott Honor, is a magical manipulation of shapes that turns a lion into a goat, an ox into a monkey, and a tiger into a mouse. These are just a few of the transformations that are made using only nine shapes and 16 shades of color.
Color Zoo
Bursting with color and spirit, this collection of Latin-American songs is a tribute to Latino culture. From traditional tunes to rhymes and hand games, De Colores has songs for all occasions and moods. Each song is accompanied by simple musical arrangements, with lyrics in both English and Spanish.
De Colores and Other Latin-American Folk Songs for Children
Spanish words are incorporated naturally into this bright collection of poems that depict a day’s activities in the Southwest. Vivid illustrations complement the verse to evoke the author’s Mexican American background.
Confetti: Poems for Children
Did you know that corn is a grass? Early American Indian farmers figured out how to cultivate corn and shared their knowledge with the European settlers. Easy to read language and crisp illustrations provide a glimpse into the importance of corn throughout history.
Corn Is Maize: The Gift of the Indians
Though he’s pretty ordinary looking (and wears a truly ugly bathrobe), the narrator’s dad can get rid of the Big Bad Wolf and sing like a professional. Most important though, the narrator knows that his dad loves him and he loves his dad! The illustrations are filled with the child’s hyperbole, making the metaphors jump off the page. Also available in Spanish.
My Dad
A young pup expresses the joy he and his dad share when his dad comes home from work. The energetic duo do lots of things together, from cooking to fixing things. Young readers will empathize with the boy and his dad who are shown as charming floppy-eared dogs in the animated illustrations.
My Daddy and Me
A boy and his father, shown as African Americans in warmly hued illustrations, enjoy doing everyday activities together, from laundry to sharing a book and more. The simple pleasures of family life are conveyed affectionately through easy but flowing language and realistic paintings in a sturdy format.
My Daddy and I
Daisy, a winsome young duck, never looses faith that her new sibling will emerge from the egg, despite her mother’s warning that some eggs just don’t hatch. Daisy’s perseverance pays off when her new brother Pip finally pokes his way out of the shell. Cozy illustrations capture Daisy’s child-like confidence in an appealing story of determination and loyalty.
Daisy and the Egg
A princess is bored by the goings-on at the castle but finds adventure with dragons when she runs away. She willingly becomes the captive of Kazul, a grumpy but good-hearted dragon, and the two of them save the other dragons from mean-spirited wizards. Sequels are equally light and engaging and include: Searching for Dragons, Calling on Dragons, and Talking to Dragons.
Dealing with Dragons
Ma Dear’s Aprons
A farmer dreams that his farm and his five animals get covered by a fresh blanket of Christmas snow. But when he awakens, he discovers that real snow – not dream snow – has fallen, making his Christmas dream come true.
Dream Snow
When Duck decides to try riding a bike, the other farmanimals scoff at him – that is, until a group of kidsleave their bikes unattended. Expressiveillustrations use different perspectives to show theanimals gleefully riding the bikes around the barnyardin this imaginative and funny romp.
Duck on a Bike
Eloise Takes a Bawth
Emma is thrilled that her family is adopting a 4-year old boy. She soon learns, though, that being an older sister isn’t what she thought it would be at all. Gradually, Emma and Max start to feel like siblings as each child begins to adapt to their family’s new configuration. Expressive, simply drawn illustrations extend the smooth text.
Emma’s Yucky Brother
As the seasons change, a large black bear prepares for hibernation. In his search for a den, he startles a bobcat, a grouse, and other smaller animals. Striking watercolors and brief text, drawn from the artist’s observations of a bear behind his Vermont home, explain the balance found in nature and the cycles of life.
Every Autumn Comes the Bear
Kingsville, on the border of Mexico and Texas, comes to life in words and pictures in this book. Readers will share the simple joys of eating, dancing, and celebrating as the artist remembers her own childhood. Her stories, presented in both English and Spanish, are accompanied by her bright paintings.
In My Family / En mi familia
Farming
A frisky cat stalks brightly colored birds, but always misses them — and ends up with just feathers for lunch. Learn about birds, their distinctive calls, and their lifestyles through this attractive book and engaging story.
Feathers for Lunch
Fire! Fire!
A robin is the “first to greet the light” on a summer morning. But many other animals in these animated, evocative poems share the joy of the season. The frog says “I’m the baron/I’m the duke/I’m the king…” while the firefly seeks an answer to the question, “Are You the One?” Tinted photographs of lush summer scenes accompany each short poem.
Fireflies at Midnight
Cutouts preview each dazzlingly colored fish as they swim through the pages of this appealing counting book.
Fish Eyes
Flossie and the Fox
Children will wiggle, whirl, romp, and stomp along with the animals in this engaging and radiantly illustrated board book. The easy text encourages verbal and physical participation.