Recommended Reads

This tender and humorous picture book is an ode to all dogs do, from the extraordinary to the everyday.

THEY’RE WONDER DOGS!
They catch and carry,
Search and save,
Inspect and guide—
They’re smart and brave!

Next to these amazing dogs, everyday pooches like Butters might not look like much—he drools, he sheds, he hogs the bed. But he also listens close, and keeps us warm, and offers comfort in a storm. He’s a wonder dog, too, and his superpower is loving you!

Moonbear tries to outwit his troublesome shadow in this charming reissue of a beloved classic by award-winning author and illustrator Frank Asch.

One sunny day Bear decides to go fishing, but his shadow keeps scaring the fish away, time and time again. Bear tries everything he can think of to get rid of this pesky nuisance. And at last he succeeds—or so he thinks!

This refreshed edition of a beloved classic features the original text and art with an updated cover.

 A wonderfully silly take on library story time that’s perfect for children, chickens, and everyone in between
 
Why did the chicken cross the road? To get to story time at the library, of course!  The children like the chicken, the chicken likes the children, and everyone loves story time. So it’s no surprise that more children (and more chickens!) get in on the fun until there are more kids and critters than the librarian knows what to do with. Luckily, she comes up with a creative solution and manages to find little R & R for herself. 
 
Fans of Bats in the Library and Library Lion will fall in love and story time will never be the same!

Jory John’s Bad Seed series meets After the Fall by Dan Santat in this charming picture book about a young acorn’s grand adventure and the incredible transformation that follows.

Acorn is a little wild, and from his oak tree perch, he longs for adventure. When he’s the first of his friends to jump off the oak tree, he’s on his way into the wide world, full of new experiences that fill his little heart with excitement!

But when a squirrel buries Acorn deep underground, the thrill-seeking Acorn finds himself forced to stay still, in the darkness, for a long time. To turn this biggest setback into a wild adventure, Acorn may have to change from the inside out.

Five ice cream cones are eager to get picked -- until they realize what it means!

Fudge, Mint, Berry, Bean, and Candy each think they are the MOST delicious ice cream cone around. But when Rocky Road arrives to deliver the scoop that "getting picked" means getting eaten, these silly cones earn their just desserts!

Look up High! Jet planes fly.

How? Where? Look up there!
The jet plane soars across the sky.

Helicopters, gliders, and planes--oh my! Preschoolers never get tired of cool flying machines. Indulge their love for things with wings (and a few without) with bright photographs and jaunty verse that makes it easy for pre-readers to chime in. They won't even notice the subtle language lesson in prepositions as the hot air balloon drifts between the mountains, the water bomber swoops through the smoke, and the space station orbits around the Earth.

With Look Up High! Things That Fly, Victoria Allenby adds another kid-tastic instalment to the Big, Little Concept Books collection that has already graced story times with the Mathical Book Prize honor book Shape Up, Construction Trucks!, the sound-celebrating Listen Up! Train Song, and Let's Add Up!, where addition meets imagination. Like its predecessors, the book features a closing note to caregivers with age-appropriate enrichment activities to extend both the learning and the fun. But they needn't worry about handing the whole thing over to their children, since the padded cover, rounded corners, and extra-sturdy paper of this Toddler Tough format can endure many a rough reading. Now spread your wings and ask yourself: How would YOU zoom across the sky?

A New York Times and New York Public Library Best Illustrated Book of the Year!

Rooster has come a long way for his new job in a new country, but finds he has trouble communicating with the locals in this special and boldly illustrated picture book.

Rooster is nervous to start his brand-new job in a brand-new country, but most of all he’s excited. He’s always been great at his job and knows how to cock-a-doodle-doo and wake people up!

But here, so far from home, nothing seems to be working no matter how loud or how long Rooster crows. Can Rooster find a way to communicate with his new neighbors?

Peggoty the pig feels ugly when the other animals tell her she needs fur, a mane, or feathers, but then she sees the farmer's baby and learns that there is also beauty in being hairless.

Mother Panda keeps Baby Panda safe in the snow.

"Meet Pepper and Boo, two dogs who do not know much about the Cat. There is a lot to know about the Cat. Luckily, the Cat can explain. The Cat knows where and when to sleep. The Cat knows what and what not to eat. The Cat also knows that a cat can be happy to have housemates like Pepper and Boo. BOW-Wow-Meow. It's a cat surprise!"

One day, bored little Fish journeys up to the surface of the ocean where it meets Sun, and a wonderful friendship blooms...Only, right in the middle of their fun, Sun starts to set!

When Buzz captures a fly to enter in The Amazing Pet Show, his parents and the judges tell him that a fly cannot be a pet, but Fly Guy proves them wrong.

The fat cat sat on the mat. "Get off!" said the rat. But the fat cat just sat. Will the rat get the fat cat off the mat?

A hilarious illustrated non-fiction book about the worm, perfect for beginning readers. The humorous text and funny illustrations will give it trade appeal, while the non-fiction content is perfect for the institutional market. 
     The second in a series of humorous books about disgusting creatures, The Worm is a look at the earthworm. It covers such topics as the worm's habitats (sometimes they live inside other animals), its anatomy (its muscle tube is slimy and gross), and its illustrious history (worms have been on earth for 120 million years). Although silly and off-the-wall, The Worm contains real information that will tie in with curriculum.

Ling and Ting are twins. They have the same brown eyes. They have the same pink cheeks. They have the same happy smiles. 
Ling and Ting are two adorable identical twins, and they stick together, whether they are making dumplings, getting their hair cut, or practicing magic tricks. But looks are deceiving--people can be very different, even if they look exactly the same.

Gerald is careful. Piggie is not. Piggie cannot help smiling. Gerald can. Gerald worries so that Piggie does not have to. Gerald and Piggie are best friends. In There's a Bird on Your Head! Gerald discovers that there is something worse than a bird on your head - two birds on your head! Can Piggie help her best friend? Told entirely in speech bubbles with a repetitive use of familiar phrases, this highly original book is perfect for children just learning to read.

One summer day Toad was unhappy. He had lost the white, fourholed, big, round, thick button from his jacket. Who helped him look for it? His best friend, Frog. Another day, Frog was unhappy. He was sick in bed and looking green. Who gave him some tea and told him a story? His best friend, Toad.

From the first enchanting story to the last, these five adventures of two best friends are packed with excitement, gaiety, and tender affection. Children will find this book delightful to read and beautiful to look at, either story by story, or from cover to cover.

Ty can't wait to ride his brand-new scooter at the park. Other kids zip and zoom by like race cars, but all Ty can do is wobble! Ty wants to give up, but a new friend helps Ty give it another try. A 2021 Geisel Honor Book!

Celebrate imagination and the power of persistence in Ty's Travels: Zip, Zoom! by the acclaimed author and illustrator team Kelly Starling Lyons and Niña Mata.

With simple, rhythmic text and joyful, bright art, this Guided Reading Level I and My First series I Can Read is perfect for shared reading with a child. Books at this level feature basic language, word repetition, and whimsical illustrations, ideal for sharing with emergent readers. The active, engaging stories have appealing plots and lovable characters, encouraging children to continue their reading journey.

A Chicago Public Library Best Fiction Book for Young Readers 2020 * A 2021 Here Wee Read Ultimate Diverse Children's Book * Author Kelly Starling Lyons selected as the 2021 Piedmont Laureate

Four hilarious children's stories, two inventive brothers, one irresistible and award-winning beginner chapter book. Join Charlie and Mouse as they talk to lumps, take the neighborhood to a party, sell some rocks, and invent the bedtime banana. With imagination and humor, Laurel Snyder and Emily Hughes paint a lively picture of brotherhood that children will relish in a beginning chapter book format; making this a perfect book for young readers graduating from picture books.

Geisel Award winner and ALA Notable Book of the Year! In his next I Can Read adventure, Fox--the hilarious trickster character featured in Geisel Award-winning Fox the Tiger--overcomes his fear of monsters when he meets real nocturnal animals.

Fox is up late in the night. There are shadows and noises everywhere. Fox is sure the night is full of monsters! Then he meets the real creatures of the night and realizes they are not so scary after all.

Carefully crafted using basic language, word repetition, sight words, and whimsical illustrations, Fox at Night is ideal for sharing with your emergent reader. The active, engaging My First I Can Read stories have appealing plots and lovable characters, encouraging children to continue their reading journey.

An IndieBound Bestseller * An Amazon Best Book of the Year * A 2022 Kirkus Best Children's Book
★ "A rewarding choice for young readers."--Booklist, starred review
★"Cornbread and Poppy are endearing characters, poised to join the ranks of other memorable early reader sets of best friends old and new, including James Marshall's George and Martha."--Bookpage, starred review
★ "Delightful."--Kirkus, starred review

Caldecott medalist Matthew Cordell debuts his first early reader series about two best friends who are as different from each other as can be.

Cornbread LOVES planning. Poppy does not. Cornbread ADORES preparing. Poppy does not. Cornbread IS ready for winter. Poppy...is not. But Cornbread and Poppy are the best of friends, so when Poppy is left without any food for the long winter, Cornbread volunteers to help her out. Their search leads them up, up, up Holler Mountain, where these mice might find a new friend...and an old one. Celebrating both partnership and the value of what makes us individuals, young readers will find this classic odd-couple irresistible as they encounter relatable issues with humor and heart. 

Publishing simultaneously in hardcover and paperback.

"Gigi crafts her Japanese American identity in this enchanting early reader. The cuteness, inclusivity, and cross-cultural problem-solving represented will have young readers coming back again and again. A must-buy." --School Library Journal (starred review)

"The text is well supported by the endearing illustrations, which capture all of Gigi's big emotions and depict her as a biracial child, with a white father and Japanese mother." --Booklist (starred review)

"An affirming option in the quickly diversifying field of early-reader books." --Kirkus

Gigi, a biracial six-year-old girl, learns about her Japanese culture from her grandfather when he comes to visit. Perfect for social emotional learning.

Gigi can't wait for her Ojiji--Japanese grandpa--to move in. Gigi plans lots of things to do with him, like playing tag, reading books, and teaching Roscoe, the family dog, new tricks.

But her plans don't work out quite the way she'd hoped. And her grandpa doesn't seem to like Roscoe. Will Gigi find a way to connect with her Ojiji

This exciting new I Can Read series is brought to you by author-illustrator Melissa Iwai, whose popular books include Soup Day and Dumplings for Lili.

Gigi and Ojiji is a Level Three I Can Read book. Level 3 includes many fun subjects kids love to read about on their own. Themes include friendship, adventure, historical fiction, and science. Level 3 books are written for early independent readers. They include some challenging words and more complex themes and stories. The story contains several Japanese words and a glossary of definitions and pronunciations.

Acclaim for Gigi and Ojiji:

A 2023 Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor title

El día de los niños, el día de los libros selection 2023

ALSC Notable 2023

CBC Teacher and Librarian Favorites Award 2023

A Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year in the 5-9 beginning reader category! (2023)

Dive into an ocean of sharks with the Wild Kratts in this Deluxe Step into Reading leveled reader—plus stickers!

Chris and Martin Kratt—the Wild Kratts—explore the world of sharks from the tiny dwarf shark to hungry Great White to the biggest Whale shark. The Wild Kratts dive in to reveal the different ways these incredible creatures survive in the sea: where they live, who they eat, who eats them, and more! Young readers 3 to 6 will love the information and a sheet of over 30 stickers adds to the fun.

Step 2 readers use basic vocabulary and short sentences to tell simple stories. For children who recognize familiar words and can sound out new words with help.




 

Spunky, funny, and friendly Geraldine Pu writes a story for class in this third book in this Level 3 Ready-to-Read Graphics series!

Geraldine Pu loves to write stories with her lucky pencil, Chienbee. But when Geraldine’s teacher assigns a story for class and says everyone will read theirs out loud, Geraldine is nervous. She decides to write about her grandmother, Amah, who tells her bravery runs in the family. Will Geraldine be brave too, and share her tale? Find out in this book that includes instructions on how to make a scrapbook.

Ready-to-Read Graphics books give readers the perfect introduction to the graphic novel format with easy-to-follow panels, speech bubbles with accessible vocabulary, and sequential storytelling that is spot-on for beginning readers. There’s even a how-to guide for reading graphic novels at the beginning of each book.

Theodor Seuss Geisel Award Winner!

Learning to ride a bike is hard. Can I do it? Yes, I can! A fun comic that kindergarteners and first graders can read on their own.

Can I do it?
I can’t do it.
I want to do it.
I did it!

Simple text that new readers can read by themselves, along with delightful pictures in a comic format, show a little creature trying and trying again as they learn to ride a bicycle. All their friends help with supportive words of encouragement. “You did it!” their friends exclaim.

Comics-lovers can now share the fun with their kids, students, siblings, and younger friends who are learning to read! 

I Like to Read® Comics are perfect for kids who are challenged by or unengaged in reading, kids who love art, and the growing number of young comics fans. Filled with eye-catching art, humor, and terrific stories these comics provide unique reading experiences for growing minds. We hope that all new readers will say, “I like to read comics!”


An American Library Association Notable Children's Book
Named to the Little Maverick Graphic Novel Reading List!
A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year

Adorably cute and amazingly fast, the cheetah is a perennial favorite among kids. This National Geographic Reader will delight kids with beautiful photographs and mind-boggling facts about this majestic and mysterious cat. Did you know a cheetah can go from 0 to 60 mph in less than 3 seconds? True to the National Geographic Kids' style and trusted reputation, snack size bites of information provide easily digestible learning that fulfills both the reader's curiosity and sense of achievement.

National Geographic supports K-12 educators with ELA Common Core Resources.
Visit www.natgeoed.org/commoncore for more information.

Taylor Swift is a singer, songwriter, and superstar! Fans ages 4-6 will love learning about their favorite music icon in this hardcover biography featuring sparkly special effects and a Taylor Swift poster on the back of the book jacket!

Is your child a Swiftie in their "wanting to know more" Era? This biography is the perfect fit! Follow the story of Taylor's life--from her childhood growing up on a Christmas Tree farm in Pennsylvania all the way to her sold-out international Eras Tour! This biography uses simple text, short sentences, and full-color illustrations to help new readers learn all about the life, albums, tours, and phenomenal impact of global sensation Taylor Swift! Fans will love this keepsake edition.

A podcast producer agrees to host a new series about modern dating--but will the show jeopardize her chance at finding real love? From the New York Times bestselling author of Evvie Drake Starts Over and Flying Solo.

Burnt out and in need of retreat, a middle-aged woman leaves Sydney to return to the place she grew up, taking refuge in a small religious community hidden away on the stark plains of rural Australia. She doesn't believe in God, or know what prayer is, and finds herself living this strange, reclusive existence almost by accident. But disquiet interrupts this secluded life with three visitations. First comes a terrible mouse plague, each day signaling a new battle against the rising infestation. Second isthe return of the skeletal remains of a sister who disappeared decades before, presumed murdered. And finally, a troubling visitor plunges the narrator further back into her past.