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Vernon, a toad, is a steadfast friend. He stands by stoic Bird until they find Bird’s perfect home. Expressive, softly colored, informal illustrations are worth close examination and complement the tender tale of friendship and faithfulness.

For four glorious years, Davy had Mom & Dad all to himself. But things changed when not one but 12 brothers arrived. Line drawings add expression and comedy to the understated text for a laugh-out-loud sheep tale sure to be enjoyed by those with — or without — new siblings.

A small chick, born “on the move!” named Pipsqueak wants to fly regardless of what the other animals say and continues trying until (with a little help) he succeeds. Pipsqueak is then on to the next challenge! Comic illustrations bounce across the pages in this lively barnyard tale.

Poetic language introduces a moonlit evening when “Moonlight slides like butter”, touching sleeping rabbit, “butters Rabbit’s dreams/…/shakes him out of bed…” to dance in the field. Darkly hued illustrations touched by butter yellow evoke the gentle night and its wonder.

Little Llama zips and zooms, swishes and slides on the playground with his friends seen in uncluttered illustrations and limited text. In Llama Llama Hoppity-Hop, Llama hops, jumps, thumps right into Llama Mama’s embrace.

Stunning, textured illustrations and simple, patterned language present a fish with a wish to be other animals with different abilities. When a bug is eaten, the fish decides “It is good to be a fish.” Not only will the book be enjoyed by listeners as well as emerging readers.

Lots of animals and insects sport spots, others have stripes. In rich colors on sturdy pages, a flap folds out to reveal one or the other. Rich, patterned language and appealing illustration are used in this and in Animal 1 2 3, a clever counting book also sure to surprise and engage.

Zebra lines up participants to begin this very funny alphabet book. As A bounds up stairs to take the stage, Zebra peeks out. All goes smoothly until Moose says D is for Moose, bouncing Duck; Moose continues to irritate other letters until Z. Children who know the alphabet will delight in the slapstick humor and satisfying conclusion.

Henkes’ first easy reader introduces Penny and her mouse family in two appealing chapters. Penny must wait to share her original song until after dinner. When she does, not only do her parents join in, the babies respond in a surprising way. Henkes’ signature illustrations expressively complement the well-paced narrative.

Pigeon (of Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! (opens in a new window) fame) is back. Here, he’s irritated that a very polite duckling gets a cookie by simply asking! Could good manners really matter? Understated humor abounds in both minimal text and characteristic illustration.

One day the little Bunny, called honey by his mother, is separated from her while playing in the woods. They reunion comes when he hears her call for ‘Bunny, my honey!’ All’s well that ends well in this comforting, attractive book by the illustrator of Guess How Much I Love You.

Sophie longed to join the ballet class she watched through the window but she wondered if the teacher would accept her — after all, a swan is not the typical student. Humor combines with ballet in gentle, realistic, expressive illustration for a droll and satisfying story.

In this rhyming celebration of doubles, twin animals live on farms, in jungles; they race and play and make noise — sometimes to the comical chagrin of others around them seen in expressive, droll illustrations. Readers may recognize the rhythmic pattern of “Over in the Meadow” with a fresh twist.

One Saturday, Esme who lives with her grandparents on a farm, goes with her grandfather to the county auction to buy the animal promised. The girl chooses Trudy, a small brown and white goat, and discovers a strong bond with this very special animal. Richly toned paintings depict the affection and farm life — concluding with a lovely surprise for Esme.

An unlikely friendship develops between a small, basket-weaving mouse named Celeste and the young apprentice to the great naturalist, Audubon. They meet when Joseph accompanies Audubon to New Orleans to paint the birds of Louisiana. Evocative pencil drawings add information as well as emotion in this unique, attractive, sometimes sad, but always riveting blend of fact and fantasy.

All mama bears must sometimes be separated from their cubs if only for a while, Little Bear’s mother tells him. But her love is constant and whenever a kiss is needed, Mama and her cub can take one out of a special box. Soft, expressive illustrations convey their sharing and love. A storyteller’s note may inspire others to make their won Kiss Boxes.

Humorous, sometimes slightly gross, always kid-friendly poems are accompanied by lighthearted black and white sketches. A range of readers, from sophisticated to those less initiated, are sure to find chuckles in this thick but accessible collection of short, rhythmic poems.

Emily’s dog, Carlos, accompanied her almost everywhere, “decorating her clothes with dog hair” even when she wrote. Rich narrative sprinkled with quotes from Emily Dickinson’s poetry and letters combines with expressive watercolors for a unique portrait of the poet. Additional information and sources complete this handsome book.

Kate is a cowgirl who cares for her herd on her horse, Cocoa. In four short, easy to read stories Kate’s resourceful personality shines in snappy dialog between cowgirl and horse. Cartoon illustrations enhance the humor and the warmth of their friendship as they go about their work.

When George can’t bark like most puppies, his mother takes him to the vet who also tells George to “bark!” An exhausted doctor literally pulls out the reasons George “meows” and more with funny and surprising results. Spare, comic line drawings add to the silliness.

Gareth, Jason’s cat, knows that a cat’s nine lives are really nine trips. Since a cat can take a friend along, Jason & Gareth travel to long ago places and times. This modern classic is certain to intrigue readers while introducing them to a bit of history and historical sites.

The author/illustrator’s enthusiasm for the birds he observes is contagious in this artful and informative look at various birds of prey. Several pages fold out to showcase the splendor of these amazing flyers.

To many Native Americans, the 13 cycles of the moon represent the changing seasons and the passage of time. Each moon has its own special name that, while varying among the tribal nations, is consistent with the legend that the 13 scales on Old Turtle’s back hold the key to these moons. The authors present 13 poems that take readers through the year, from the “Moon of Popping Trees” — when the “cottonwoods crack with frost” — to the “Big Moon” of the Abenakis. — Publishers Weekly

In Dog People: Native Dog Stories, the voice of an Abenaki storyteller takes children back 10,000 years to the days when children and dogs had especially close relationships. In these Native American adventure stories, children and dogs together must use their wits to survive the dangers of the natural world. — Midwest Book Review