Special Collections
Summer Fun for Emerging Readers
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Quackers
by Liz WongA cat who thinks he's a duck?
He must be Quackers!!
This quirky funny book is about standing out, fitting in, and building a life with room for all.
Quackers is a duck. Sure, he may have paws and whiskers. And his quacks might sound more like. . . well, meows, but he lives among ducks, everyone he knows is a duck, and he's happy.
Then Quackers meets another duck who looks like him (& talks like him, too!)--but he calls himself a cat.
So silly!
Quackers loves being among his new friends the cats, but he also misses his duck friends, and so he finds a way to combine the best of both worlds.
Part cat, part duck, all Quackers!
The Girl Who Never Made Mistakes
by Mark Pett and Gary RubinsteinMeet Beatrice Bottomwell: a nine-year-old girl who has never (not once!) made a mistake.
She never forgets her math homework, she never wears mismatched socks, and she ALWAYS wins the yearly talent show at school.
In fact, Beatrice holds the record of perfection in her hometown, where she is known as The Girl Who Never Makes Mistakes.
Life for Beatrice is sailing along pretty smoothly until she does the unthinkable–she makes her first mistake. And in a very public way!
The Book With No Pictures
by B. J. NovakA book with no pictures, where the person reading has to read out loud has to say all the silly things written in the book. That includes using silly words and singing silly songs.
The Storm Whale
by Benji DaviesNoi and his father live in a house by the sea. Noi's father works hard as a fisherman, and Noi often has only their six cats for company.
So when, one day, he finds a baby whale washed up on the beach after a storm, Noi is excited and takes it home to care for it. He tries to keep his new friend a secret, but but there's only so long you can keep a whale in the bath without your dad finding out.
Noi is eventually persuaded that the whale has to go back to the sea where it belongs, but now very much aware of his son's loneliness, his father helps and in the weeks that follow the whale's return, finds time to do more with him, be it colouring or going on a picnic.
For Noi, even though he can't keep it, the arrival of the whale changes his life for the better - the perfect gift from one friend to another.
Steam Train, Dream Train
by Tom Lichtenheld and Sherri Duskey RinkerThe team behind the #1 New York Times bestseller Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site returns with another fabulous book for bedtime!
The dream train pulls into the station, and one by one the train cars are loaded: polar bears pack the reefer car with ice cream, elephants fill the tanker cars with paints, tortoises stock the auto rack with race cars, bouncy kangaroos stuff the hopper car with balls.
Sweet and silly dreams are guaranteed for any budding train enthusiasts!
Lulu and the Brontosaurus
by Judith Viorst and Lane SmithIt's Lulu's birthday and she's decided she'd like a pet brontosaurus as a present.
When Lulu's parents tell her that's not possible, Lulu gets very upset. She does not like it when things don't go her way.
So she takes matters into her own hands and storms off into the forest to find herself a new pet, all the way singing: I'm gonna, I'm gonna, I'm gonna, gonna, get a bronto-bronto-bronto-bronto-saurus for a pet!
In the forest Lulu encounters a number of animals; a snake, a tiger, a bear, all of whom don't particularly impress her. And then she finds him...a beautiful, long-necked, gentle, graceful brontosaurus. And he completely agrees with Lulu that having a pet would be a wonderful thing, indeed!
Lulu thinks she's gotten her birthday wish at last. Until she realizes that Mr. Brontosaurus thinks that she would make an ideal pet for him! How will Lulu ever get out of this sticky situation without throwing a fit (Mr. B does not respond well to those), or using force (Mr. B is much to tall to bonk on the head with her suitcase), or smushing her pickle sandwich?
An Egg Is Quiet
by Dianna Hutts Aston and Sylvia LongAward-winning artist Sylvia Long has teamed with up-and-coming author Dianna Aston to create this gorgeous and informative introduction to eggs.
From tiny hummingbird eggs to giant ostrich eggs, oval ladybug eggs to tubular dogfish eggs, gooey frog eggs to fossilized dinosaur eggs, it magnificently captures the incredible variety of eggs and celebrates their beauty and wonder.
The evocative text is sure to inspire lively questions and observations. Yet while poetic in voice and elegant in design, the book introduces children to more than 60 types of eggs and an interesting array of egg facts. Even the endpapers brim with information.
A tender and fascinating guide that is equally at home being read to a child on a parent's lap as in a classroom reading circle.
Green Is a Chile Pepper
by John Parra and Roseanne ThongGreen is a chile pepper, spicy and hot.Green is cilantro inside our pot.In this lively picture book, children discover a world of colors all around them: red is spices and swirling skirts, yellow is masa, tortillas, and sweet corn cake.
Many of the featured objects are Latino in origin, and all are universal in appeal.
With rich, boisterous illustrations, a fun-to-read rhyming text, and an informative glossary, this playful concept book will reinforce the colors found in every child's day!
The Bear's Song
by Benjamin ChaudSweet has new meaning in this richly illustrated, immersive picture book about two bears on a big-city adventure.
Papa Bear is searching for Little Bear, who has escaped the den. Little Bear is following a bee, because where there are bees, there is honey!
When the quest leads both bears into the bustling city and a humming opera house, theatrical hijinks ensue, culminating in a deliciously harmonious reunion.
Children and parents alike will savor Benjamin Chaud's lush illustrations, and relish in the book's bonus seek-and-find elements.
Telephone
by Mac Barnett and Jen CoraceIt's time to fly home for dinner!
In this witty picture book from award-winning and bestselling author Mac Barnett, a mother bird gives the bird next to her a message for little Peter.
But passing messages on a telephone line isn't as simple as it sounds. Each subsequent bird understands Mama's message according to its own very particular hobbies.
Will Peter ever get home for dinner?
This uproarious interpretation of a favorite children's game will get everyone giggling and is sure to lead to countless rereads.
Toot & Puddle
by Holly HobbieIt's a glorious day in Woodcock Pocket. The sun is shining, the birds are singing . . . and Toot is moping.
Outer Space Bedtime Race
by Rob Sanders and Brian WonAaaaaand they're off . . . to bed!
Aliens from every planet rocket through their out-of-this-world bedtime routines--they sink into steamy crater bubble baths and shimmy into deep-sleep suits, just like you (almost)!
Brian Won's glowing graphic art pops off the page, and Rob Sanders's goofy rhymes will have kids racing to snuggle under the covers and blast off to dreamland.
Frederick
by Leo LionniWhile the other field mice work to gather grain and nuts for winter, Frederick sits on a sunny rock by himself.
"I gather sun rays for the cold dark winter days," he tells them. Another day he gathers "colors," and then "words."
And when the food runs out, it is Frederick, the dreamer and poet, whose endless store of supplies warms the hearts of his fellow mice, and feeds their spirits during the darkest winter days.
Frederick's story will warm readers as well in this Caldecott Honor winning fable.Now available as an eBook.
My New Mom & Me
by Renata GalindoHere is a heartwarming and completely accessible story about adoption, diversity, and acceptance. Told from the point of view of a puppy who is adopted by a cat, this gentle and reassuring tale is perfect for very young readers and listeners.
When the puppy comes to live with his new mom, he is nervous. After all, his mom has stripes and he doesn't. But his mom says she likes that they look different, and soon the puppy likes it, too. (And who cares what anyone else thinks!)
The puppy's new mom does all the things other parents do. She plays with him, takes care of him, and sometimes even makes him mad! But that's okay, because when he's feeling sad, she knows just what to say.
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? (25th Anniversary Edition)
by Bill MartinA big happy frog, a plump purple cat, a handsome blue horse, and a soft yellow duck--all parade across the pages of this delightful book.
Children will immediately respond to Eric Carle's flat, boldly colored collages.
Combined with Bill Martin's singsong text, they create unforgettable images of these endearing animals. Images and Image descriptions available.
Curious George
by H. A. Rey and Margret ReyBrought to life over sixty years ago by Margret and H.A. Rey, Curious George has found a lasting place in the hearts of millions of children all over the world. Along with his friends, George has had many fun adventures
Snakes
by Seymour SimonWhat animal can smell with its tongue, swallow an animal larger than its own head, and grow to be longer than a school bus? A snake!
Pound for pound, snakes are among the strongest of animals.
Most people fear snakes, but there are only a few that are dangerous to humans.
And if snakes were to disappear, the earth would be overrun with rats and rodents.
We all must learn to appreciate these awesome reptiles as a vital part of the global balance of nature.
The Paper Kingdom
by Helena Ku RheeWhen the babysitter is unable to come, Daniel is woken out of bed and joins his parents as they head downtown for their jobs as nighttime office cleaners. But the story is about more than brooms, mops, and vacuums. Mama and Papa turn the deserted office building into a magnificent kingdom filled with paper. Then they weave a fantasy of dragons and kings to further engage their reluctant companion--and even encourage him to one day be the king of a paper kingdom. The Paper Kingdom expresses the joy and spirit of a loving family who turn a routine and ordinary experience into something much grander. Magical art by Pascal Campion shows both the real world and the fantasy through the eyes of the young narrator.
Peanut Goes for the Gold
by Jonathan Van NessPeanut Goes for the Gold is a charming, funny, and heartfelt picture book that follows the adventures of Peanut, a gender nonbinary guinea pig who does everything with their own personal flare. Peanut just has their own unique way of doing things. Whether it’s cartwheeling during basketball practice or cutting their own hair, this little guinea pig puts their own special twist on life. So when Peanut decides to be a rhythmic gymnast, they come up with a routine that they know is absolutely perfect, because it is absolutely, one hundred percent Peanut. This upbeat and hilarious picture book, inspired by Jonathan’s own childhood guinea pig, encourages children to not just be themselves—but to boldly and unapologetically love being themselves.
The Very Noisy Night
by Diana HendryLittle Mouse keeps Big Mouse awake with his worries about nighttime noises.
Big Mouse offers him earmuffs, but the quiet only makes Little Mouse feel lonely.
By morning, both mice are sound asleep in Big Mouse's bed.
The Napping House
by Audrey WoodA cozy bed, a snoring granny, a dreaming child, a dozing dog, a snoozing--WAIT!
There's a surprise in store, and little ones will want to discover it over and over again.
So pull on your sleeping cap and snuggle in for a timeless cumulative tale that's truly like no other.
Don and Audrey Wood's beloved picture book has sold more than one and a half million copies.
I Want to Be an Astronaut
by Byron BartonFrom picture-book master Byron Barton, this is the perfect story for young readers who love outer space and want to know more about how NASA astronauts do their job. Up into the sky goes the space shuttle!
Space Boy
by Leo LandryThis world, decides Nicholas, is too noisy for him.
Time to take a trip.
He packs a snack, puts on his suit, and takes off . . . to the utterly quiet craters and vast deserts of the distant moon.
In this utterly charming picture book, the allure of space travel and the longing for peace and quiet entice a young boy to take his space rocket to the moon for a picnic.
Dory Fantasmagory
by Abby HanlonDory the rascal turns learning to read into a hilarious adventure through the power of imagination
Ever since Dory met Rosabelle, a real true friend whose imagination and high spirits match her own, school has been pretty good. But now the class is learning to read, and it's proving to be a challenge for Dory.
While Rosabelle can read chapter books in her head, Dory is stuck with baby books about a happy little farm. Dory wishes for a potion to turn her into a reader but things don't go as planned. Suddenly, a naughty little girl who looks an awful lot like Dory's imaginary nemesis, Mrs. Gobble Gracker, shows up. And a black sheep leaves the pages of the farm book to follow Dory to school. It really needs her help--this seems like a job for a superhero!
And it would help if she knew how to read. I
n her third book, Dory the rascal takes reluctant reading to new heights with a story that is as one-of-a-kind and hilarious as she is.