Roar of a snore
Arnold, Marsha
2006
J PIC ARN
All the Huffles are fast asleep, except for Jack. He heard a noise that rocked the floor. He heard a noise that shook the door. Jack heard… a snore! Just who is making this racket? Unable to sleep, Jack and his dog go searching.
Shark vs. Train
Barton, Chris.
2010
J PIC BAR
Shark VS. Train! WHO WILL WIN?! If you think Superman vs. Batman would be an exciting matchup, wait until you see Shark vs. Train. In this hilarious and wacky picture book, Shark and Train egg each other on for one competition after another, including burping, bowling, Ping Pong, piano playing, pie eating, and many more!
Rabbit & Robot: the sleepover
Bell, Cece.
2012
J EASY BEL
Rabbit is excited: his friend Robot is coming to spend the night! Rabbit has left nothing to chance and has drawn up a list of all the things they will do. New readers who like silly stories will race through this funny adventure about a rabbit who likes to be in control and an obliging robot who calmly keeps their friendship humming.
Z is for Moose
Bingham, Kelly L.
2012
J PIC BIN
Zebra wants to put on a show as simple as ABC, but Zebra’s friend Moose has other (unexpected and hilarious) ideas! Zebra thinks the alphabet should be simple. A is for Apple. B is for Ball. Easy! But his friend Moose is too excited to wait his turn, and when M isn’t for Moose (Mouse gets the honor), the rest of the letters better run for cover. Exuberant and zany storytelling brings to life two friends and one laugh-out-loud comedy of errors that’s about friendship, sharing, and compromise.
Bailey
Bliss, Harry
2011
J PIC BLI
Meet Bailey, a dog who surprises and charms his fellow human classmates with his irrepressible antics. Follow Bailey the dog as he gets ready and goes to school. Should he wear the red or blue collar? Both are so fashionable! Will he be late? That squirrel is a distraction! And what about Bailey’s homework? Would you believe he ate it? School proves to be an unexpected place for Bailey to do all sorts of things he loves: reading, fetching, painting, digging, singing—and making friends!
Oh! What a surprise!
Bloom, Suzanne
2012
J PIC BLO
Fox loves surprises! When she discovers Goose and Bear making gifts, she hopes that one of the presents is for her. But what if it isn’t? Even though hope may turn to disappointment, nothing can stop Fox from making her own spectacular surprise for Goose and Bear. In the end, Fox is overjoyed to find she hasn’t been forgotten after all.
Children make terrible pets
Brown, Peter
2010
J PIC BRO
When Lucy, a young bear, discovers a boy in the woods, she’s absolutely delighted. She brings him home and begs her mom to let her keep him, even though her mom warns, “Children make terrible pets.” But mom relents, and Lucy gets to name her new pet Squeaker.
Mr. Tiger goes wild
Brown, Peter
2013
J PIC BRO
Are you bored with being so proper? Do you want to have more fun? Mr. Tiger knows exactly how you feel. So he decides to go wild. But does he go too far? From Caldecott Honor artist Peter Brown comes a story that shows there’s a time and place for everything…even going wild.
Nighttime Ninja
DaCosta, Barbara
2012
J PIC DAC
Late at night, when all is quiet and everyone is asleep, a ninja creeps silently through the house in search of treasure. Soon he reaches his ultimate goal…and gets a big surprise! Will the nighttime ninja complete his mission? With spare text and lush illustrations, Nighttime Ninja is a fun, adventure-filled story about the power of play and imagination.
The day the crayons quit
Daywalt, Drew
2013
J PIC DAY
Poor Duncan just wants to color. But when he opens his box of crayons, he finds only letters, all saying the same thing: His crayons have had enough! They quit! Beige Crayon is tired of playing second fiddle to Brown Crayon. Black wants to be used for more than just outlining. Blue needs a break from coloring all those bodies of water. And Orange and Yellow are no longer speaking—each believes he is the true color of the sun. What can Duncan possibly do to appease all of the crayons and get them back to doing what they do best?
Llama Llama home with Mama
Dewdney, Anna
2011
J PIC DEW
Sniffle… Snuffle… Ahhhhh… CHOO!! On no, someone isn’t feeling so well. No school today for little llama Sniffle… Snuffle… On no, now Mama Llama is sneezing, too! Who will take care of whom? Warm and comforting, Llama Llama Home with Mama is just the right book for anyone who is feeling under the weather and needs a little cheering up.
Gaston
DiPucchio, Kelly
2014
J PIC DIP
This is the story of four puppies: Fi-Fi, Foo-Foo, Ooh-La-La, and Gaston. Gaston works the hardest at his lessons on how to be a proper pooch. He sips — never slobbers! He yips — never yaps! And he walks with grace — never races! Gaston fits right in with his poodle sisters. But a chance encounter with a bulldog family in the park — Rocky, Ricky, Bruno, and Antoinette — reveals there’s been a mix-up, and so Gaston and Antoinette switch places. The new families look right… but they don’t feel right. Can these puppies follow their noses—and their hearts—to find where they belong?
Stick and Stone
Ferry, Beth
2015
J PIC FER
When Stick rescues Stone from a prickly situation with a Pinecone, the pair becomes fast friends. But when Stick gets stuck, can Stone return the favor? Author Beth Ferry makes a memorable debut with a warm, rhyming text that includes a subtle anti-bullying message even the youngest reader will understand.
If you want to see a whale
Fogliano, Julie,
2013
J PIC FOG
If you want to see a whale, you will need to know what not to look at. Pink roses, pelicans, possible pirates… If you want to see a whale, you have to keep your eyes on the sea, and wait… and wait… and wait… In this quiet and beautiful picture book by Julie Fogliano and Erin E. Stead,, a boy learns exactly what it takes to catch a glimpse of an elusive whale.
Little white rabbit
Henkes, Kevin
2011
J PIC HEN
One bright spring day a little white rabbit sets out from home on an adventure. What does he find? Look! Everything is new. Anything is possible!
Penny and her marble
Henkes, Kevin
2013
J EASY HEN
In Penny and her Marble, the third book in the Penny series, Penny finds a marble on Mrs. Goodwin’s yard and takes it home. But does the marble really belong to Penny?
Stuck
Jeffers, Oliver
2011
J PIC JEF
When Floyd’s kite gets stuck in a tree, he’s determined to get it out. But how? Well, by knocking it down with his shoe, of course. But strangely enough, it too gets stuck. And the only logical course of action is to throw his other shoe. Only now it’s stuck! Surely there must be something he can use to get his kite unstuck. An orangutan? A boat? His front door? Yes, yes, and yes. And that’s only the beginning.
Little pink pup
Kerby, Johanna
2010
J PIC KER
When Pink was born, he was the runt of the litter. He was so tiny that his bigger pig siblings pushed him out of the way to get food. So it was a good thing that Tink, a brand-new dachshund mom, was there to help. Thanks to Tink’s motherly instincts, Pink’s story has a happy ending: he is now a big, healthy pig, thriving on the farm. The heartwarming bond between Pink and his adopted family proves that love and acceptance are just a tail wag away!
I want my hat back
Klassen, Jon
2011
J PIC KLA
The bear’s hat is gone, and he wants it back. Patiently and politely, he asks the animals he comes across, one by one, whether they have seen it. Each animal says no, some more elaborately than others. But just as the bear begins to despond, a deer comes by and asks a simple question that sparks the bear’s memory and renews his search with a vengeance.
This is not my hat
Klassen, Jon
2012
J PIC KLA
When a tiny fish shoots into view wearing a round blue topper (which happens to fit him perfectly), trouble could be following close behind. So it’s a good thing that enormous fish won’t wake up. And even if he does, it’s not like he’ll ever know what happened… Visual humor swims to the fore as the best-selling Jon Klassen follows his breakout debut with another deadpan-funny tale.
Pete the cat and his four groovy buttons
Litwin, Eric
2012
J PIC LIT
Pete the Cat is wearing his favorite shirt—the one with the four totally groovy buttons. But when one falls off, does Pete cry? Goodness, no! He just keeps on singing his song—after all, what could be groovier than three groovy buttons? Count down with Pete in this rocking new story from the creators of the bestselling Pete the Cat books.
Up, tall and high
Long, Ethan
2012
J PIC LON
Three side-splitting stories in one great picture book! In three laugh-out-loud situations, an irresistible cast of colorful birds illustrate the concepts of “up,” “tall” and “high.” First, a short peacock proves that he may not be tall, but he definitely isn’t small. Then, a resourceful bird helps his penguin friend find a way to fly. Finally, two birds want to live in the same tree, but what goes up must come down!
Hot rod hamster
Lord, Cynthia
2010
J PIC LOR
Old car, new car, shiny painted blue car. Rust car, clean car, itty-bitty green car. Which would you choose? A hamster creates a sizzling hot rod with a little help from his new furry friends: a junkyard dealer dog, his mice assistants, and YOU!
The three little aliens and the big bad robot
McNamara, Margaret
2011
J PIC MCN
GREEP BOINK MEEP! The three little aliens are happily settling into their new homes when the Big Bad Robot flies in to crack and smack and whack their houses down! A chase across the solar system follows in this out-of-this-world version of the classic Three Little Pigs tale.
Tap the magic tree
Matheson, Christie
2013
J PIC MAT
Every book needs you to turn the pages. But not every book needs you to tap it, shake it, jiggle it, or even blow it a kiss. Tap the Magic Tree asks you to help one lonely tree change with the seasons. It begins with a bare brown tree. But tap that tree, turn the page, and one bright green leaf has sprouted! Tap again—one, two, three, four—and four more leaves have grown on the next page. Pat, clap, wiggle, jiggle, and see blossoms bloom, apples grow, and the leaves swirl away with the autumn breeze.
Elmer and the hippos
McKee, David
2010
J PIC MCK
The hippos’ river has dried up, and they’ve moved into the elephants’ river. Elmer decides to investigate. He discovers the hippos’ dry river could be fixed?but only if the hippos and the elephants work together.
Sophie’s squash
Miller, Pat Zietlow
2013
J PIC MIL
On a trip to the farmers’ market with her parents, Sophie chooses a squash, but instead of letting her mom cook it, she names it Bernice. From then on, Sophie brings Bernice everywhere, despite her parents’ gentle warnings that Bernice will begin to rot. As winter nears, Sophie does start to notice changes… What’s a girl to do when the squash she loves is in trouble?
If you give a dog a donut
Numeroff, Laura
2011
J PIC NUM
If you give a dog a donut, he’ll ask for some apple juice to go with it. When you give him the juice, he’ll drink it all up. Then, before you can say “woof,” Dog is off on a backyard adventure! The exuberant dog who first appeared in If You Give A Pig A Party is now the star of his very own book.
Sparky!
Offill, Jenny
2014
J PIC OFF
When our narrator orders a sloth through the mail, the creature that arrives isn’t good at tricks or hide-and-seek… or much of anything. Still, there’s something about Sparky that is irresistible.
The watermelon seed
Pizzoli, Greg
2013
J PIC PIZ
With perfect comic pacing, Greg Pizzoli introduces us to one funny crocodile who has one big fear: swallowing a watermelon seed. What will he do when his greatest fear is realized? Will vines sprout out his ears? Will his skin turn pink? This crocodile has a wild imagination that kids will love.
Dragons love tacos
Rubin, Adam
2012
J PIC RUB
Hooray, you’re hosting your very first party for dragons! Here’s what you’ll need: Great big tacos, little bitty tacos, beef tacos, chicken tacos, various extra backup tacos, secret hidden emergency tacos, fruit punch, and more tacos. After all, dragons love tacos. And if you have plenty of tacos, nothing could possibly go wrong at your party. Right?
Bear and Bee: too busy
Ruzzier, Sergio,
2014
J PIC RUZ
When Bear asks Bee to roll down the hill with him, Bee is too busy. Bee is too busy to lie in the sun and splash in the water, too. And by the time Bee asks Bear to watch the moon with her, he is too sleepy! Poor Bear. Poor Bee. Nothing is fun without your best friend beside you, but luckily Bee knows just what to do! In this adorable tale, Bear and Bee show that there are many ways of making time to be with those you care about.
The bear ate your sandwich
Sarcone-Roach, Julia
2015
J PIC SAR
“By now I think you know what happened to your sandwich. But you may not know how it happened. So let me tell you. It all started with the bear…” So begins Julia Sarcone-Roach’s delicious tale of a bear, lost in the city, who happens upon an unattended sandwich in the park. The bear’s journey from forest to city and back home again is full of happy accidents, funny encounters, and sensory delights. The story is so engrossing, it’s not until the very end that we begin to suspect this is a TALL tale.
Tales for very picky eaters
Schneider, Josh
2011
J EASY SCH
James is a very picky eater. His dad has to get creative—very creative—in order to get James to eat foods he thinks he doesn’t like. He presents James with a series of outlandish scenarios packed with fanciful and gross kid-friendly details—like pre-chewed gum as an alternative to broccoli and lumpy oatmeal that grows so big it eats the dog—in an effort to get James to eat. But it is eventually James himself who discovers that some foods are not so bad, after all, if you’re willing to give them a try.
I can be anything!
Spinelli, Jerry
2010
J PIC SPI
When I grow up, what shall I be? This exuberant book offers up everything from a paper plane folder to a puppy dog holder, from a silly joke teller to a snowball smoother. This book is an imaginative joyride about hopes and dreams, and a reminder of all the possibilities life has to offer. So, what do you want to be? Remember—you can be anything! Less
Hello, my name is Ruby
Stead, Philip C.
2013
J PIC STE
Join Ruby, a plucky little bird, as she ventures through life, making new friends, learning new skills and asking questions which may have some very surprising results. Fearless Ruby’s search for adventure, friendship and her place in the world comes to life through acclaimed author/illustrator Philip C. Stead’s whimsical illustrations and succinct, charming text.
The duckling gets a cookie!?
Willems, Mo
2012
J PIC WIL
The Duckling asks for a cookie—and gets one! Do you think the Pigeon is happy about that?
I broke my trunk!
Willems, Mo
2011
J PIC WIL
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 I Broke My Trunk! Gerald tells Piggie the long, crazy story about breaking his trunk. Will Piggie end up with a long, crazy story of her own?
Knuffle Bunny free : an unexpected diversion
Willems, Mo
2010
J PIC WIL
Trixie and her family are off on a fantastic trip to visit her grandparents—all the way in Holland! But does Knuffle Bunny have different travel plans? Bestselling, award-winning author Mo Willems has created an epic love story as only he can, filled with the joys and sadness of growing up—and the unconditional love that binds a father, mother, daughter, and a stuffed bunny.
Let’s go for a drive!
Willems, Mo
2012
J PIC WIL
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. Gerald and Piggie want to hit the road, but the best-laid plans of pigs and elephants often go awry.
That is not a good idea!
Willems, Mo
2013
J PIC WIL
Inspired by the evil villains and innocent damsels of silent movies, Willems tells the tale of a hungry fox who invites a plump goose to dinner. As with the beloved Pigeon books, kids will be calling out the signature refrain and begging for repeated readings. The funny details in the full-color illustrations by three-time Caldecott Honoree Mo Willems will bring nonstop laughter to story time.
Bear sees colors
Wilson, Karma
2014
J PIC WIL
Explore colors with Bear in the first of a new concept picture book series from the New York Times bestselling creators of Bear Snores On. Colors, colors everywhere! Can you find colors just like Bear?
The cow loves cookies
Wilson, Karma
2010
J PIC WIL
As the farmer makes his rounds each day, most of the animals chew on the foods a young reader would expect. But when it’s time to feed the cow, she feasts on a special treat! Wilson’s signature style and Marcellus Hall’s spirited watercolors will delight children on and off the farm—because when it comes down to it, who doesn’t love milk and cookies?