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| The 5 O'Clock Band by Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews; illustrated by Bryan CollierWelcome to: New Orleans, where musician Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews shares an episode from his own childhood. What happens: After missing a band practice with his friends, young Shorty wonders if he's cut out to be a bandleader. Luckily, several notable New Orleans figures are on hand to offer him advice.
Series alert: This inspiring follow-up to Trombone Shorty features similarly vivid collage art by award-winning illustrator Bryan Collier. |
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| Geraldine by Elizabeth LillyStarring: Geraldine, a melodramatic giraffe who absolutely does NOT want to move from familiar Giraffe City to a new town where she's the only giraffe in her class.
Why kids might like it: Geraldine's outsize feelings are reflected in the contortions of her long neck, and kids will giggle at the book's silly sight gags even as they relish watching Geraldine transform from lonely and sad to friendly and proud. |
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| The Dinosaur Expert by Margaret McNamara; illustrated by G. Brian KarasWhat it's about: Young fossil collector Kimmy is bursting with facts to share during a class trip to the museum, but after Jake declares that "girls aren't scientists," she goes quiet. Will encouragement from her teacher help Kimmy reclaim her enthusiasm?
Don't miss: the concluding gallery of female paleontologists.
Series alert: This is the 4th relatable read from the Mr. Tiffin's Classroom series, which begins with How Many Seeds in a Pumpkin? |
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| Jump by David McPhailWhat it is: an exuberant, watercolor-illustrated celebration of jumping, as demonstrated by two kids, a rabbit, a frog, a bug, a kangaroo, a hippo, and a cow (who jumps over the moon, naturally).
Who it's for: beginning readers who are gearing up for the leap into independence, as well as wiggly little ones in need of a high-energy read-aloud. |
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| How to Be a Lion by Ed VereWhat it's about: Illustrated in bold lines and deep colors, this is the story of Leonard, a gentle, poetry-writing lion; his best friend Marianne, a duck; and the other lions, who claim that lions must be fierce and that ducks are only good for chomping.
Want a taste? "If there must be a must, then this we must try...Why don't you, be you...And I, will be I."
Kids might also like: Munro Leaf's classic The Story of Ferdinand. |
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| Colette's Lost Pet by Isabelle ArsenaultWhat it's about: "I lost my pet," announces Colette to her new next-door neighbors. When questioned, Colette improvises (her pet is, um…a parakeet!), elaborating on her tale with each neighbor she meets. But how will Colette's new friends feel when they discover that her lost parakeet is merely a flight of fancy?
Why kids might like it: Charming and minimally colored, this picture book will keep readers curious right through to the unexpected ending. |
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Peanut Butter & Cupcake!
by Terry Border
What it's about: Taking his mom's advice to make friends in his new hometown, a little peanut-butter-covered slice of bread meets a hot-dog-walking Hamburger, a Cupcake who is building a sprinkle castle, a cracking-up Egg and other candidates. By the creator of the Bent Objects blog.
Kids might also like: Terry Border's holiday book, Merry Christmas, Peanut!
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Vanilla Ice Cream
by Bob Graham
What it's about: Stowing away in the back of a truck that is carrying some interesting-looking food, a curious young sparrow takes an unusual voyage south through the lush rice paddies of India, across the rough sea and into a sunny new city, where he transforms the life of a little girl at a café.
More from India: Children may also like to meet more animals from India in You're Safe With Me by Chitra Soundar & Poonom Mistry.
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| Lenny & Lucy by Philip C. Stead; illustrated by Erin E. SteadStarring: Peter, who's uneasy about the ominous forest surrounding his family's new house.
What happens: Peter builds Lenny and Lucy, two patchwork guardians who watch the woods until new neighbor Millie convinces Peter that the woods aren't as scary as they seem.
Why kids might like it: Though the initial color palette is chilly and austere, readers will warm up along with Peter and his bright new friends. |
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| Bad Bye, Good Bye by Deborah Underwood; illustrated by Jonathan BeanWhat it's about: Waving farewell to his old home feels like a "bad bye" to the little boy in this story -- though his spirits lift when his family reaches their new home and he finds a friend who warrants a "good bye" at the end of the day.
Who it's for: Realistically portraying the challenges of moving, this expressive book in verse may soothe the worries of children facing a big change. |
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Contact your librarian for more great books for ages 0-8!
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