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This book is an essential addition to any toddler’s bookshelf because it addresses the biggest challenge of toddlerhood--intense, indiscriminate GRUMPINESS. Little ones will find the spare text resonantly funny. The illustrations are at once simple and expressive. Allow Penguin to demonstrate a reliable prescription to wash away a bad mood: a bath, your favorite pair of PJs, a cup of cocoa, and a comforting book.
Kara
This luminous tribute to the United States' National Parks is filled with sweeping saturated landscapes from Hawaii Volcanoes, to Acadia, and every national park in between. Intertwined with the rich illustrations is an ode proclaiming that everyone, from all walks of life, is home here.
Claire
Have you ever wondered how an ant spends his day? See the world through the eyes of an ant in this whimsically illustrated book. Follow a colony of ants through their forest home while learning about their plant and animal neighbors. Be sure to keep your eye out for little Red Socks as you wind your way through the imaginative drawings and unexpected text placement in this darling book.
Anna
Six-year-old Marvel, her seven siblings and newly widowed mother are forced to find a new place to live. That place turns out to be a tar-papered shack deep in the woods. Marvel says “it doesn’t look like much of a home to me”. Local author/artist Eliza Wheeler recounts this story of her Grandma Marvel’s life during the Great Depression in a series of tableaux passing through each of the Wisconsin seasons. We see the shack transform into a livable place with the hard work and perseverance of all of those siblings, always with the refrain: “our joyous laughter echoed through the trees”. From a grim beginning, they make the shack “warm and bright and filled up with love” and Marvel is finally home! Wheeler makes a compelling case for listening to the reminiscences of our elders: ‘They will soon be gone, and if we haven’t yet collected their stories, the time is now.” This is a lovely family book for sharing.
Collette
What if we let our kids run away with their fascinations? For Pokko, it’s her new drum. For her quiet frog family, the gift is the biggest mistake. But when Pokko steps out of her mushroom to explore the musical possibilities, results are rip-roaring and wonderful. Pokko marches to her own beat, inspiring a vibrant band of forest animals to join her jam. A sensational young frog makes a statement. Play on!
Jesse
“At the mountain’s base grows a hickory tree. Beneath this sits a cabin”. So begins a story poem about expecting a loved one to return from military deployment: waiting, weaving, worrying. What makes it glorious is that it’s a Cherokee family waiting for their mom, daughter, sister to return from flying as a WWII pilot. Not enough is celebrated about Native American women serving in the Armed Forces. This woman, Ola Mildred Rexroat (Ogalala Lakota) was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal for her achievements and contributions and yes, she came back to that cabin at the base of the mountain under the hickory tree: “the roots that ground us help us soar”.
Collette
Ready to discover pure joy in the form of a book? An ode to personal expression, this book makes me grin every time I open its pages. Don’t miss the catalogue of new dance moves, the storyline of the unwilling dancer in the green sweater, or the dance party in the dark! Heder’s dynamic illustrations will inspire all readers to get up and start movin’. Because the best way to dance is exactly how you want to!Kara
Yang’s words and Kim’s drawings create a layered story about an attentive and empathetic young girl named Paj Ntaub. As Paj helps her grandmother hang a special story cloth that tells how the Hmong made their way to America, Paj notices how their new house finally feels like home. Paj takes note of all the changes inside and outside the house as the seasons pass. These observations are gathered up like treasures and shared in a beautiful chalk drawing at the end of the story. Pictures and words to linger over.
Karlyn
How can we truly prepare our little ones for life’s amazing journey? It’s a mind-boggling endeavor, for sure, but this book suggests a few key items that can help: wind, songs, snacks, laughter, a little bit of luck, and the comfort and promise of home. Fogliano’s delightful and occasionally unexpected rhymes pair perfectly with Robinson’s whimsical, charming illustrations in this heart-warming book that’s sure to become a favorite in your travel bag or on your bedroom shelf.
Katie
This wordless picture book is captivating from start to finish. Told in the style of a silent film, Sima’s illustrated narrative follows a young child whose best friend is a balloon dog. Going for a walk is treacherous for them, however, because the world is full of pointy objects… Suspense builds as they have near miss after near miss, but just when you think the inevitable will happen, there’s a twist!
Linda
Who would win: a supervillain or a little girl who listens? Seasoned picture book author Adam Rex takes a situation children and adults are both all too familiar with (the seemingly endless stream of “Why?”s that curious kids can generate) and makes a delightful story about the power of sympathy. This book is fun, funny, and at the end of the day, quite simply clever as all get out!
Linda
How lucky are we to have a planet with graced with both rhinoceroses and rhinoceros beetles? With gorgeous illustrations adorning each page, this book will leave you marveling at our natural world. Adolfo Serra has crafted a meditative narrative whose scope is at once grand and granular. As you turn the last page of this story about finding commonalities and celebrating difference, you’ll find yourself pausing with wonder
Paige
What better way to celebrate the end of the year than by honoring all the different ways people across the world gather around a table? In this ode to the universal tradition of breaking bread together, luscious illustrations sweep you into the field where food is grown and the kitchen where it is prepared. Insightful verse welcomes the reader inside, sets the table, and reminds us all to give thanks.
Paige
Everyone deserves to find their passion and the possibilities are infinite. Tanco's charming illustrations simply capture the perspective of a child who sees the math that is all around us. From concentric circles in a pond to the velocity of a paper airplane, there is so much to understand! Don't miss the helpful index at the end!
Kara
Did you know that an African elephant tusk can grow as long as two seven-year-olds toe to toe?! Nonfiction comes alive with Desmond's brilliantly illustrated collection featuring our world's most captivating endangered creatures: the elephant, polar bear, and blue whale. Follow our red crown-wearing narrator on a fun, factual journey that will leave you wanting to learn more.
Beth
SPOILER ALERT: Llama destroys the world on Friday. In the meantime? Llama will enjoy ever-wackier days and make honest mistakes that may just lead to the ultimate doom of everything. Great for fans of Dragons Love Tacos or Super Happy Magic Forest. Any book that starts with cake and ends with pie is a winner!
Kara
Toot LOVES to travel and do adventurous things like climb mountains and ride camels. Puddle LOVES the quiet life of home, doing things like cooking, gardening, and painting. As Puddle goes through daily pleasures at home, we follow Toot through postcards sent home to Puddle. Upon his return, they take joy in hearing about each others' experiences and creating memories together. I love this heartwarming story about being true to yourself and having loving, supportive friendships that allow you to be uniquely you!
Stacy
All Caro wants is someone to play with. Imagine her delight when she meets a snowy white lion who blends in with the walls of her new house. The lion is an ideal playmate, but he gently encourages her to make friends outside too. This is a lovely story about being brave in new places, and the resilience that comes with an active imagination.
Hannah
Never fear! Muffin the cat is on the night shift to ensure that there are no bears in Little Bear Bakery. Muffin's tale is filled with mysterious sounds, expressive illustrations, and witty wordplay. Enjoy plenty of sprinkles and the most endearing kitty narrator you'll ever meet! Not unlike our own Wild Rumpus cat ambassadors!
Kara
A story doesn't have to be lengthy to be impactful. In few words, "Fox" manages to say more about grief, friendship, jealousy, betrayal, and hope than novels twenty times its length. You will find yourself contemplating the ending of this tale of trauma and recovery for days (or possibly longer) after you've turned the final page.
Rachel
A hungry lion is with all his friends, all of them much smaller animals including a penguin, a turtle, and bunnies with and without floppy ears. One by one they disappear...What's going on? This clever book is happy to remind you that things are not always what they appear. Or are they?
Hannah
There once was a pig who loved to watch the birds. Day after day, he dreams of flying, and begins to create his own inventions to soar through the air, but to no avail. Pig soon learns that asking for help not only brings in valuable input, but also joyous community around a good idea. Will Pig be able to get his dream off the
ground? Il Sung Na’s soft illustrations give this book a true dream-like quality, as Pig works hard developing his idea over and over again, with help from his friends. It celebrates the fact that, even if you have lofty and complicated dreams, sometimes the most simple of pastimes, like watching the birds, can be the most fulfilling. And—by the end of this book—who knows? Maybe pigs really will fly.Heather
Skeptics, do not fret: finally, there are princesses all of us can look up to. Brown
reconstructs our narrow definition of what it means to be a princess, proposing a
new narrative of heroism. With the help of Wimmer’s fluid and soulful illustrations, we meet a myriad of genuine role models, from firefighting gardeners to
supermarket cashiers, all of whom fight their battles day by day. This gem is one of a kind in elegance and diversity.Beth
At the edge of the no-go desert, under the stretching-out sky, imagination abounds.
A dynamic girl’s voice rings with pride and exuberance about the best thing in the village. Gather your crazy brothers and all you can find to build a bike from scratch. Clarke and Rudd collaborate on a world of possibility where you can only cheer for these engineers as they cruise bumpetty bump over sand hills, right through their mud-for-walls home and past their fed-up mum! Thick swaths painted over cardboard boxes vault you right into the homestyle fun of these spirited kids.Jesse
Bold and captivating. Morales vividly shares the story of her journey with her son
from Mexico to the United States. Leaving her heart and language behind, she struggles to find a sense of home, until they stumble upon the place that conquers all fear: the public library. Five-time Pura Belpré winner Yuyi Morales vibrantly captures the pure wonder of discovery, saturating each word and image with a purpose. Your heart will soar as you realize this feeling of joy exists in all of us
when we read.Beth
The animal world is often typecast: spiders are creepy, porcupines are prickly, and gorillas are fierce. But each of these beasts has other sides, too. Gorillas, for instance, enjoy napping and are gentle parents to their young. As we learn more about each creature, its illustration changes from a stark, black-and-white image to one with subtle colors and nuance. The message of this book is clear,
but it’s welcome and, indeed, lovely.Katie
Omu (AH-moo, the Igbo word for ‘queen’) has made a delicious red stew to have for her evening meal. Oh, what a wonderful stew, so full of love and flavor! A stew so rich creates a marvelous aroma—but it’s not just Omu who is anticipating
this comforting treat. The smell has wafted down to the street, and soon—KNOCK KNOCK! One by one, dozens of neighbors come by Omu’s door to get a taste of the marvelous red stew. Omu’s generous heart gets the best of her, and soon her pot is as empty as her stomach. What is Omu to do? This is a beautiful tale of generosity, community, and the joy surrounding food. The ending is sure to warm
your heart, just like a delicious bowl of Omu’s rich red stew.Heather
How long would you wait for someone? Seasons pass and Bear waits faithfully at the bus stop. Robin casts doubt but Bear is not discouraged. The unmistakable
“faint noise like a hand sliding slowly across paper” harkens the arrival of Goliath. Who is coming? And what could be sweeter than patiently passing the time until a
best friend arrives? The scene is set; Damm’s diorama style images take friendship to new dimensions. So worth the wait.Jesse
It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood when an idea hatches in the mind of mouse. This idea needs an egg, but he doesn’t have one. There are many “Good
morning, neighbor,” greetings with much sharing, adding, pitching in, and providing of ingredients. This is a joyous group of woodland friends! When it’s time to eat cake, however, mouse is left out. “You didn’t put in anything,” said the other animals. Hmmm--just think about that. Any idea? Cali’s tale and Maria Dek’s artwork serve up the perfect recipe for sharing, with just a pinch of silliness on the side.Ellen
Little Star loves the big, delicious mooncake she baked with her mama and placed in the sky to cool. But when she wakes from her sleep, what happens when she can’t resist flying up for a little nibble? With illustrations as cozy and atmospheric as the night sky, Grace Lin creates an immersive modern myth that explains the phases of the moon.
Kara
In the high heat of summer, nobody wants to be in the barn. The dust hangs in the
air and lodges in nostrils, and the flies are merciless. But as the weather changes, the pasture grass passes its prime, and the wind bites a little, it seems like a great time to go inside. “Outside in the cold/ Hear the wind rattle/Come to the barn/ Keep warm with the cattle.” Margaret Wise Brown’s simple statements are the rigging for the full sails that are the glorious paintings of Jerry Pinkney. As things go slightly askew in our society, I can think of nothing finer than to come home to a barn and listen to the sounds of animals eating, exclaiming and co-existing in a warm communal space. Food, water, shelter, and books are what I wish for everyone!Collette
Edward the giraffe has a problem. It’s a big problem. A looooong problem. A spotted, hairy, not-easily camouflaged problem. He’s convinced that everyone
around him sees it as a problem too, and he desperately wishes his problem would just go away. It’s only when he meets a new friend with a different perspective and
a longing for bananas that Edward realizes his problem might not be a problem after all.Kristen
Another masterful mystery from Chris Van Allsburg. In this tale, Widow Shaw finds herself in possession of a witch’s old worn out broom. Soon it is helping her with chores around the house and playing the piano for her in the quiet fall evenings. Superstitious neighbors, believing the broom to be evil, decide to destroy the broom. But all is not as it seems. This story of magic, mystery, fear and trickery is wonderfully enhanced by beautiful and haunting sepia toned illustrations.
Stacy
At dusk, before the town goes to sleep, you might walk around your neighborhood and catch glimpses of life through windows, glowing like paper lanterns. In this gorgeous picture book filled with homages to The Snowy Day, Denos and Goodale team up to highlight the beauty of ordinary, everyday life and the joy of coming home.
Kara
While some people collect coins or art, Jerome collects words. Certain words jump out at Jerome: two-syllable treats and multisyllable words that sound like songs. In this brilliant picture book, Reynolds perfectly captures the beauty of children discovering the sounds and meanings of new words. Jerome’s enthusiasm will remind you to marvel at the magic of language.
Kara
Buddy the dog is devoted to his human family, determined to ‘play by the rules’ and constantly challenged by Earl, resident hedgehog. Earl delights in chaos, getting to the bottom of things, and inventing adventures for his friend, Buddy. Together, they make a hysterically subversive team! Check out all 4 books in the series!
Collette
John Jensen, a crocodile living in the mostly human Oslo, feels different. Is it his bow-tie? Or perhaps his tail? He tries to obfuscate his tail in various, sometimes painful ways until a friendly doctor convinces him to embrace his differences. This heartwarming story, with its deadpan humor and cartoon-ish drawings, makes me smile every time I read it.
Drew
Are you hungry? Well, you're about to be! This book celebrates the joy of preparing a meal from start to finish, when good food is shared with the ones you love. But there are a lot of steps to get there! Full of rhyming verse and bright illustrations, this story is a wonderful for introducing the joy of food with children. And, if you've never had bee-bim bop but are drooling all over this book, the recipe is included in the back!
Heather
Peaceful and poetic, four-time Caldecott honoree Baylor paints a picture of indigenous cultures and values using the southwestern deserts as her muse. Reading her work feels as powerful as a mantra, igniting a sincere appreciation for the beauty and simplicity of the natural world, along with the diverse people living amongst it. We all need a reminder that each and every day is a gift.
Beth
Maira Kalman fans, rejoice! Yet another reissue of this wonderful author and artist’s work is here! Max is a poet, dreamer, and also a dog. His greatest wish is to live in Paris and to sell his work—but who will buy his poetry? How will he ever live the life he dreams of? This quirky tale, full of Kalman’s rich illustrations, tells the story of unusual friendships, the details of home, and the pursuit of dreams.
Heather
Nia loves her awesome sixth birthday present, a pet turtle named Alfie, but she worries that their friendship is one-sided. She introduces him to her stuffed animals, sings to him and shows him her best dance moves, but despite her attempts to engage him Alfie seems disinterested. She doesn’t realize that Alfie spends that time in his shell loving her back, determined to find the perfect gift for his pal's next birthday..if he can only get out of his tank! A lovely friendship story, told from the perspectives of both human and pet.
Kristen
My favorite Minnesota illustrator, Lauren Stringer, does a bang-up job of bringing K.L. Going’s biography of Frank Lloyd Wright to life. Little Frank’s mother sparked her son’s curiosity when she handed him different shaped blocks and encouraged him to experiment with building. As an older child, Frank observed the shapes that occur in nature such as honeycombs, shells, and trees and never tired of observing the world around him. Frank Lloyd Wright incorporated those observations and early block building into his designs and “changed the shape of the world” as we know it.
Jean
A mouse is gobbled up by a wolf only to find that the titular duck has made a cozy home inside its belly. "I may have been swallowed," says the duck, "but I have no intention of being eaten." But when a hunter comes after their new wolf home, the duck and mouse will need to come up with a plan to protect themselves! This charming and comical new classic featuring illustrations from the impeccable Jon Klassen is a delight from beginning to end.
Jordan