| 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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| Disappointed she cannot have a pet, Colette, who has just moved to a new house, claims she's lost a pet parakeet and two neighborhood boys agree to help her find it. |
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Malaika's costume
by Nadia L Hohn
Participating in a first Carnival since her mother moved away to find a better job, young Malaika fears she will not be able to dance in the parade without a costume and gratefully accepts a tailor's bag filled with scrap fabric to create a patchwork rainbow peacock outfit.
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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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