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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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

From morning to nighttime, a small kitten explores a farm. At the end of the day, a tired young cat returns home to rest, sleep, and dream. A simple, rhythmic staccato text and textured collage illustrations are used to convey the pleasure in everyday adventures.

A little girl asks about her mother’s activities, from feeding and sheering the sheep to knitting a warm sweater. Patterned, rhythmic language with gentle rhymes and winning illustrations provide a satisfying glimpse of farm life and a warm mother/daughter relationship.

Though related, crocodiles and alligators are not the same. Learn the similarities and differences between these ancient reptiles as well as their habitats and history. With characteristic thoroughness, Gibbons presents these fascinating creatures through clear illustrations and informative text.

Three concept books have been combined in a newly formatted and highly appealing wordless board book featuring Lionni’s signature mice. Readers are sure to find lots to talk about, from colors to counting to mice embracing letters of the alphabet as they examine the uncluttered, child-sized, durable, and appealing pages.

Sam is a library mouse, and he lives in the wall behind the children’s reference section. One night, he decides to try writing his own story, and it’s a big hit! Soon everyone at the library is wondering who the mystery writer is. What Sam plans next will surprise and delight readers of all ages. Daniel Kirk provides lifelike illustrations to accompany his heartwarming story.

“There’s nothing you can’t learn to do when you have books.” Eve Bunting’s characters take this lesson to heart when they learn that their library will be closing. From painting the roof to speaking wisely to grumpy beavers, they learn everything they need to know to save the library. Lovely and bright illustrations will appeal to young readers.

When a lion comes into the library, no one is sure what to do. After all, there aren’t any rules about lions in the library — especially one with a loud roar! Everyone is about to learn, however, just how helpful a library lion can be. Lovely, warm illustrations bring this enchanting story to life. Also available in Spanish.

Storytime is just the thing / to rest a play-exhausted wing. It’s bat night at the library, and the bats have come to read their favorite stories in this clever story told in rhyme. From reading the classics to splashing in the drinking fountain, the bats will leave you wondering what really happens after dark in the library! Also available in Spanish.

If anyone is looking for a new pet, they may want to consider a rhinoceros. In this amusing book, there’s one for sale “cheap.” Black line drawings with an occasional splash of color and a straightforward text reveal the unique strengths of an unlikely friendship with characteristic Silverstein flair.

When lions are roused by the sound of guns, only one young lion (who readers come to know as Lafcadio) stays to dissuade the hunter. Rather than deterring the hunter, Lafcadio winds up eating him, becoming a crack shot, and entering the human world. Humor in wordplay and in line drawings creates contagious fun in this poignant tale of having ties to very different worlds.

Laugh out loud things happen when one has a giraffe who has stretched to become a giraffe and a half. Absurdity and humor build as a boy adds more silly (but rhyming) things to the long-necked animal. Line illustrations build to bring the satisfying tale full circle.

Meet the Pointy-Peaked Pavarius, a Quick-Disguising Ginnit, and other amazing imaginary critters in this poetic bestiary. Delight in the pages of Silverstein’s only collection illustrated in full color. Wordplay and humor are the hallmarks of this engaging collection.