![The Fisherman and the Whale](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/1534415742.jpg?itok=W4hyhUBL)
A boy insists that they not leave until the whale accidentally caught in their fishing net is extricated. No words are needed as the tale is revealed in dramatic illustrations from various perspectives. The author cautions readers that this is more fable rather than a realistic portrait but effectively conveys the whale’s struggle and one child’s empathetic response to it.
The Fisherman and the Whale
![Crab Cake](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/0544959000.jpg?itok=nvMYtsW0)
The sea turtle, pufferfish, octopus and other sea creatures do what they do; crab bakes cakes. One day, however, there’s a huge splash and sunshine no longer reaches the bottom; crab bakes a cake. Fortified by cake, the sea critters turn the tide on polluters in a droll, dramatic, and effective tale told with visual elements of a graphic novel. Final resources include links to information about oceans and pollution.
Crab Cake
![Boom! Bellow! Bleat! Animal Poems for Two or More Voices](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/1620915200.jpg?itok=EfOSHseG)
Words and image combine on open pages encouraging readers to voice thirteen poems in two voices while learning about the critters introduced. Familiar animals populate each handsome, realistically illustrated page with color-coded poems (to facilitate reading together). “Nature’s Notes” are included for additional factual information about animals and their sounds.
Boom! Bellow! Bleat! Animal Poems for Two or More Voices
![Sweety](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/052558000X.jpg?itok=ItWiHGhJ)
Bespectacled Sweety was different from others, even other naked mole rats. Sweety’s Aunt Ruth helps her niece discover what she most enjoys and develop the confidence to share it. An understated text and comical line and wash illustrations present an awkward but endearing group of rodents sure to dance their way into readers’ hearts and thoughts.
Sweety
![A Piglet Named Mercy](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/0763677531.jpg?itok=JwaN6Du2)
Not all of the residents on Deckawoo Drive were thrilled when a small piglet wound up on their street. Happily, however, this small creature found the way into the hearts of the Watsons and became the toast-eating toast of Deckawoo Drive. How Mercy Watson came to become part of the family and community is a worthy prequel to those who have read or will read the early chapter books by the same author/illustrator team. Nonetheless, t is strong, handsomely illustrated tale in its own right.
A Piglet Named Mercy
![Oink](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/1776572149.jpg?itok=G4CNELm4)
Soon after a small pig starts a bath (“oink!”), there’s an insistent “knock, knock” on the door. Gradually, poor pig is joined by sheep (“Maa!}, cow (“Moo!”) and more. Then one-by-one all of the animals leave pig alone for a peaceful bath. The humor in this nearly wordless book is conveyed by understated line and wash illustrations sure to elicit laughs and language from readers.
Oink
![Like a Lizard](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/162979211X.jpg?itok=Jivevdst)
Rich, active verbs challenge readers to swoop, scoop, “dip your dewlap”, and more just like the lizards of varying sizes and colors that are depicted. Text swirls throughout each attractive, informative page. Additional information about the lizards presented concludes the book, sure to inspire movement, language, and further investigation of reptiles.
Like a Lizard
![The Farmer](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/082344158X.jpg?itok=l_RXRjrd)
Paul plants and waters his crops but despairs when the rain doesn’t come. “But Paul is not alone.” A cow, donkey, and mole who have also watched Paul’s hard work bring buckets and barrels just before the rain begins resulting in lush crops and a jubilant Paul. Dramatic illustrations are naïve and extremely effective in conveying a range of emotions.
The Farmer
![Cyril and Pat](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/1509857273.jpg?itok=HnPJ91z6)
Cyril is the only squirrel in Lake Park; that is until he meets Pat. Pat has a different kind of tail and looks a bit scruffy but the duo enjoy each other’s company until one of the park’s other inhabitants informs Cyril that Pat is a rat and no squirrel can befriend one. The rhyming saga is illustrated in Gravett’s signature style to complement and extend the droll telling.
Cyril and Pat
![Bird Watch](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/0062393405.jpg?itok=eZO8ZJNH)
Watching birds requires practice, patience and an eagle eye. Young birders may want to practice on the pages of this book as the gentle, rhyming text provides clues and encouragement. Find the chickadee, wren and bluebird in the lush natural environments shown in realistic watercolors. Additional notes about birds and birding concludes this handsome introduction.
Bird Watch
![Ruby & Rufus: Love the Water](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/0547867603.jpg?itok=QzAAHpYz)
Ruby & Rufus: Love the Water
![Pigs in a Blanket](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/1452164517.jpg?itok=wG061O04)
Pigs in a Blanket
![Peek-a-Baby Farm](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/1452166455.jpg?itok=Msnc8D8C)
Lift the sturdy flap to meet the offspring introduced by the adult animals in two durable volumes (Peek-a-Baby Ocean (opens in a new window)). Farm animals and the names of their young are likely to be more familiar than those that live in the ocean. Both, however, are engaging and informative.
Peek-a-Baby Farm
![Big and Little: A Story of Opposites](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/0823440214.jpg?itok=xqZsd6fE)
The adventures of a big black dog and a small white canine demonstrate a range of opposites — feelings and activities. The nearly wordless tale of adventure and friendship is expressively, even dramatically, illustrated and certain to encourage original storytelling.
Big and Little: A Story of Opposites
![Cuddled and Carried / Consentido y cargado](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/1930775989.jpg?itok=Yx5WcfYm)
Bilingual book celebrates the bond between parent and child in the animal kingdom. Babies — whether in snowy dens, warm lagoons, cozy nests, or living rooms — are carried and cuddled, nurtured and nuzzled.
Cuddled and Carried / Consentido y cargado
![Little Fox in the Snow](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/0763688142.jpg?itok=34VFi6QA)
A fox emerges from its burrow to find food in a snowy landscape, hunting a mouse and a hare. The fox becomes the hunted when a wolverine emerges from another lair. The small fox makes it back to its den where it can find safety and rest. Dramatic illustrations and lyrical narration effectively tell a realistic story.
Little Fox in the Snow
![Coming Home](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/1536200425.jpg?itok=zq50afN5)
In spite of a storm and with a bit of human help, a struggling but tenacious robin returns home to its mate. There it finds its Christmas bird cake and a watchful, caring young person to celebrate the reunion. Realistic illustrations chronicle the bird’s intense journey, appropriate for any time of the year.
Coming Home
![Crenshaw](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/1250043239.jpg?itok=_x0ZxdU5)
Jackson and his family have fallen on hard times. There’s no more money for rent. And not much for food, either. His parents, his little sister, and their dog may have to live in their minivan, again. Crenshaw is a cat. He’s large, he’s outspoken, and he’s imaginary. He has come back into Jackson’s life to help him.
Crenshaw
![Endling](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/0062335529.jpg?itok=TBQxK43T)
Byx is the youngest member of her dairne pack. Believed to possess remarkable abilities, her mythical doglike species has been hunted to near extinction in the war-torn kingdom of Nedarra. After her pack is hunted down and killed, Byx fears she may be the last of her species. The Endling. So Byx sets out to find safe haven, and to see if the legends of other hidden dairnes are true.
Endling
![Voyage of the Dogs](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/0062686003.jpg?itok=DDjn5fY4)
When the human crew goes missing, the trained space dogs — the Barkonauts — must survive on the ship, Laika. Will they find the astronauts? Can they complete the mission? This space saga moves along at a quick clip.
Voyage of the Dogs
![Squirm](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/0385752970.jpg?itok=D5jWmdIt)
Billy loves snakes and since he lives with in Florida with his sister and eagle-obsessed mom, he has ready access to them. Then Billy tracks down his father and his new family in Montana. Set between the two distinct locations, the latest environmental adventure is fast-paced with broad appeal (and a few snakes).
Squirm
![Saving Winslow](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/0062570706.jpg?itok=zPGfrXT0)
When Louie’s father brings home a sickly, premature baby miniature donkey, he’s not sure he can do anything for it. But Louie falls for the small animal and Winslow not only survives but thrives as does a friendship with a new and quirky girl. How Winslow helps both Louie and Nora is told with heart.
Saving Winslow
![What's the Difference? 40+ Pairs of the Seemingly Similar](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/1452161011.jpg?itok=Ydp8oTFI)
They may appear similar but can really be different. Think noodles and pasta are the same? What about a clementine and a mandarin orange? They’re similar but different. Readers will encounter seemingly same pairs and discover what makes them unique in this handsomely illustrated and fact-filled volume.
What’s the Difference? 40+ Pairs of the Seemingly Similar
![The Truth About Dolphins](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/162672668X.jpg?itok=Jgqb0JUz)
Factual information about dolphins — they “come in all sizes, shapes, and colors” and they can even whistle — combines with cartoon illustrations complete with conversation bubbles. An engaging addition to an informative series.