The extreme simplicity of The Storm Whale's text belies layers of symbolism that emerge with second, third, and fourth readings — father's reawakening to his son's need for friendship; the treasures that can be left behind by a storm. Readings are more like experiences, as Davies' cinematic illustrations draw readers in with visual details and varying scope. A new favorite that's repeatedly ...

Gentle humor and fun characters provide a celebration of friendship, old and new.

Heartwarming watercolor illustrations depict the delight Harry Coleburn, military veterinarian took in his new charge, Winnifred the black bear. While the storyline follows the endearing role Winnie played among soldiers at military camps, it conveys the critical role animal health played during World War I, a time when horses played the role of today's heavy equipment. The well-woven story comes ...

This Caldecott winner employs curves and movement on each page that accommodate the story's gentle flow. Narrated by a mom speaking to her young child, the book's clean, soft, subtly-shaded illustrations provide a calm, pleasing visual experience. Notably, both the storyteller and artist incorporate a winding pattern that repeats throughout, creating a familiar reference point that completely sati ...

Fogliano draws the reader into the memory of each season's sensory delights and opportunities for reflection: hot sand on the edge of the sea in summer, November showers that are "practice for snow". Poems are concise and rhythmic for sharing aloud and each is dated to further draw young readers into a journal-like experience of the year in all its glorious variety. A beautiful addition to the par ...

At 4 years old, Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews found the music of his New Orleans hometown irresistible. He joined crowds of musicians, mimicking them with homemade instruments, and eventually playing right along on a found, beat-up trombone. His insatiable appetite for playing music sends a powerfully important to readers; hard work doing something you love and are gifted to do is not only fulfil ...

Charming, find-a-new-detail-every-time illustrations enliven a father's hard work and loving relationship with his daughter. Rhythmic text in the style of "The House That Jack Built" gives young listeners the chance to memorize and chime in with repetition. The world is depicted as full of wonder, beauty and warmth for those who will joyfully dive into hard work and caring relationships.

The gentle narrative shows how dreams can come true in unexpected ways and in unusual places.

The simple, life-affirming story told in rhyme shares a father-bear's barely-contained joy at the 'secret' of his new cubs. Tiptoe Joe introduces simple onomatopoeia and includes new discoveries to be made on second and third readings, including a color-coded map of the journey he makes to gather his friends. Perfect for very young readers and listeners, from 2 to 5.

A celebration of friendship, from its hesitant start to its bittersweet end.

This story exudes beauty. It is a study in kindness and grace. It shows what knowing how to see beyond personal needs, penchants, and shortsightedness looks like. Nana's wisdom teaches readers to look with eyes that see beyond the surface to love the potential of each individual and to give. Because that is where joy begins. CJ: "How come it's always so dirty over here?" Nana (smiling and poin ...

The simple but delightful story focuses on the fun of friendship. However, the photographic illustrations elevate the book, making it an extraordinary reading experience. (Be sure to read the interview with the author at the book's conclusion!) Readers will be longing for friends of their own, possibly of the tree-climbing and nut-loving variety!

In a forest of seedlings, only one refused to let go of its leaves season after season. The tree's sad, cowering posture helps early grade school readers see that fear hinders the little tree's growth. Eventually with coaxing and reassurance, it lets go and is able to realize its full potential—to grow and to serve. A wise message, simply illustrated for easy comprehension.

Expect the unexpected! Houses, apartments, underground lairs, giant shoes and hollow trees capture the imaginations of young readers dreaming of home. Ellis encourages children to ask and answer questions (‘Whose home is this?’ ‘Why would someone live here?’) in a way that evokes wonder and inspires creativity. Kids will be redecorating their rooms and building forts afte ...

A hungry bear finds himself in the big city...or does he? Text with just enough figurative language for early listeners, and active, painterly pictures complement each other beautifully. A humorous surprise ending provokes thought about narrator's voice, truthfulness and perspective—and compels you to "Read it again!"...and again.

The unbreakable bond between Moose and his owner Zara is brilliantly conveyed through metaphor; "Hello smelled like homemade cookies" but "Goodbye was hide without seek. Entertaining antics flood each colorful page that lead to a problem-solved, "hello" resolution.

Watercolors rich with color and undertones speak to the deep character of Harriet Tubman, once General Tubman, Union Spy, Moses, Araminta, and more. Concise word selection shapes historical contrasts within short lines of verse on each spread, conveying poignant truth with hope and a relentless spirit bound only by freedom.

We can't get enough of this author/illustrator duo. They discover the most interesting individuals and masterfully shape the telling by relating familiar, present-day experiences with their characters' experiences, enabling details to stick. In this telling, William Carlos Williams faces the difficulty of balancing the need to earn a living with pursuing his artistic endeavors. He manages to estab ...