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.
A Whiff of Pine, a Hint of Skunk: A Forest of Poems
A predictable rhyme leads from one baby animal to another until a child and his mama kiss “in the honey-sunny day, in the bright and breezy air.” The lively language uses lots of onomatopoeia and soft illustrations that are just right for sharing aloud.
Flip, Flap, Fly! A Book for Babies Everywhere
This handsome book is presented as though the notebook of a birder. It combines haiku, information about birds, and realistic watercolors with notes. Additional brief comments conclude a book that is sure to spark continued interest.
The Cuckoo’s Haiku and Other Birding Poems
Lyrical language and textured collages poetically convey the wonder of patterns and shapes in moths, birds, and other creatures. A brief note concludes this handsome volume.
Bees, Snails and Peacock Tails
A child goes quietly out to the garden where he can almost hear the creatures respond to his curiosity about their actions. The narrator then gathers food for a picnic with “my friends.” Suggestions for making a “quiet garden” conclude this tranquil book.
Quiet in the Garden
Katy Duck loved to dance through each season but was especially excited about the spring recital: “A show to celebrate spring!” Though Katy is disappointed with her assignment, she blossoms as a lowly caterpillar in this recognizable and humorous tale.
Katy Duck Is a Caterpillar
Birds live all over the world, but their nests come in many sizes, shapes, and some even borrow (or snitch) homes in which to lay and hatch their young. This lively introduction to various birds and their habits will likely absorb, inform, and inspire.
Even an Ostrich Needs a Nest: Where Birds Begin
A girl tells readers about the birds she sees around her, describing size and color in spare, almost lyrical language. Richly colored paintings accompany the text to enhance and build the concepts presented in the narrative.
Birds
At the start of summer, Emily discovers a whale in her pond and immediately writes to her teacher for further information. Humor and fantasy combine for a memorable whale of a tale!
Dear Mr. Blueberry
The story of a group of animals making their way to Volcano Valley to hear the Tale of Tales, the greatest story ever told. Along the way, the animals meet new travelers and each shares his own story with the group.
The Tale of Tales
“How goes the work?” demands the lazy farmer. The beleaguered worker Duck responds, “Quack…” until, the cow, sheep, and hens hatch a plan to run the lazy man off of the farm. The expressive illustrations and satisfying telling continue to delight as it celebrates its 25th anniversary.
Farmer Duck
Descriptive language introduces a series of animals in both English and Spanish accompanied by Carle’s signature illustrations. The animal word appears in both languages with one hidden by its picture on sturdy board that slides to reveal the other.
My Very First Bilingual Book: Animals/Animales
Words make music and it’s sure apparent as the words and illustrations swirl and move around the pages of this lively and engaging book. Celebrate music and music-making when sharing this book aloud.
Jazzmatazz!
Fish of every size, color, and disposition are shown in engaging illustrations and an animated rhyme, sure to please the youngest listener all the way to the satisfying conclusion with a “kiss, kiss, kiss,” for Little Fish and Mom.
Hooray for Fish
Eeny, meeny, miney, moe! Who ate all the cookie dough? asks a mother kangaroo of other animals. No one knows, of course, until the culprit can be found quite close to home! Children will catch on to the repetition quickly and will delight in the rhyming response.
Who Ate All the Cookie Dough?
A slightly frumpy, highly energetic girl and her expressive toy monkey dramatize seeing different animals from penguins to well, monkeys. The repeated phrase “Monkey and me…” combines with animated illustrations that use few colors for great impact.
Monkey and Me
His mother loves her chick unconditionally; she can lose her temper when requests for quiet go unheeded. Little Chick realizes that even though they get mad, parents and kids always love each other. Large, comic illustrations enhance the wit of the presentation.
Mommy, Do You Love Me?
Lemon was a lucky duck. His brood mates were all healthy and eventually went to live independently, but Ms. Lake and her class would always provide Lemon the special attention he needed. This surprising story is based on the author’s experience with the real Lemon the duck.
Lemon the Duck
Children often see what adults miss, and so it is when Will finds a pigeon with a broken wing on the sidewalk of a busy city. Will and his parents, help the bird recover over time then release it. Limited text and well paced and placed illustrations tell the affecting story.
How to Heal a Broken Wing
Ten hounds escape from their unfortunate owner for an adventurous — and very funny — day out and about. The comic illustrations build with the lively rhyming language for a zany escapade.
Doggone Dogs
Even the best of friends sometimes have problems they must work out. And it’s true for Dog and Bear, the best friends who can get angry but get over it. Simply crafted illustrations are the perfect complement to the uncomplicated text.
Dog and Bear: Two’s Company
Danny, a young rattlesnake all alone, tries to befriend other desert animals but without success; that is, until he meets a prairie dog with a vision problem. Exaggerated illustrations use varied perspectives to add humor to the text told with a twang.
Danny Diamondback
Ruby and her friend sell lemonade in order to buy matching rings. When Max’s help is rebuffed, he sells leftover Halloween candy to Grandma in time to buy the last ring. Good-natured competition and lots of humor make this another Max and Ruby winner.
Max’s Bunny Business
Stunning close-ups of colorful frogs in their natural habitats taken by an acclaimed photographer and biologist combine with clearly presented information on large, bright pages, sure to intrigue as well as inform readers of all ages.