|
|
| The King of Kindergarten by Derrick Barnes; illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-NewtonWhat it is: a buoyant slice-of-life story in which a kindergartner’s first day of school gets the royal treatment.
What happens: Kids can follow one confident boy as he wakes up, the sun behind his head “like a crown,” and rides “a big yellow carriage” to the “grand fortress” of his school, where he learns about shapes, letters, numbers, and making new friends.
Who it’s for: anxious almost-kindergartners in need of encouragement. |
|
| Bear Came Along by Richard T. Morris; illustrated by LeUyen PhamWhat it’s about: Bear’s impromptu log ride down a winding river turns into a group expedition as he’s joined by several other animals, each one bringing an enlightening new perspective to share.
Art alert: Perspective is also key to the retro illustrations, which show the animals’ journey from varying points of view, heightening both the goofy sight gags and the drama of an unexpected waterfall. |
|
| Puppy Truck by Brian PinkneyWhat it’s about: When Carter is given a toy truck instead of the puppy he wanted, he literally takes it in stride, leashing up the truck (which comes to life with a “vroom beep bark!”) and heading off for a walk in the park.
Why kids might like it: Swirling, swooping lines and a bright, bold color palette add irresistible verve to this tale of a boy and his unusual pet.
Kids might also like: Chris Raschka’s A Ball for Daisy. |
|
| Bilal Cooks Daal by Aisha Saeed; illustrated by Anoosha Syed What’s cooking? Lentils, cumin, turmeric, chili...Bilal and his dad are making chana daal, with help from Bilal’s friends Elias and Morgan.
Is it ready yet? Making daal takes patience, and though Bilal worries that his friends might not like it, he’s reassured by their enthusiastic slurping when mealtime finally rolls around.
For your next course: try F. Zia’s Hot, Hot Roti for Dada-ji, another upbeat picture book about preparing and sharing delicious South Asian food. |
|
|
Llama Destroys the World
by Jonathan Stutzman; illustrated by Heather Fox
What it is: a supremely silly and open-ended story about “the ultimate doom of everything.”
Starring: doofy, googly-eyed Llama, who eats a gigantic pile of cakes, causing him to rip his dancing pants with enough force to create an all-consuming black hole.
For fans of: Adam Rubin’s Dragons Love Tacos, a similarly absurd tale featuring unusual -- and potentially hazardous -- eating habits.
|
|
|
My Papi Has a Motorcycle
by Isabel Quintero; illustrated by Zeke Peña
What it is: an exhilarating, wind-in-your-hair ride through Corona, California, from the perspective of an adventurous girl on the back of her papi’s motorcycle.
Art alert: With kinetic lines, muted ice cream colors, and a detailed cityscape, the book’s illustrations feel just as vivid and authentic as its bilingual dialogue.
Try this next: For a quieter but equally joyful visit to an urban neighborhood, try Windows by Julia Denos.
|
|
|
Camp Tiger
by Susan Choi; illustrated by John Rocco
What it’s about: While on a family camping trip, a little boy acquires an unexpected companion: a large, friendly tiger.
What happens: Even though he doesn’t like change, and definitely doesn’t want to start first grade after they return home, the boy quickly bonds with the tiger, leading to outdoor adventures and newfound confidence.
About the creators: Award-winning artist John Rocco illustrates this debut picture book from novelist Susan Choi.
|
|
|
Can You See Me?
by Bob Staake
Simple rhymes and visual-clue artwork in Bob Staake's trademark high-energy graphic style depict a lovable, giant lizard whose near-invisible camouflage helps him hide in unlikely places. By the award-winning creator of The Red Lemon.
|
|
|
A Skunk in My Bunk!
by Christopher Cerf
Illustrations and simple, cumulative text introduce such characters as a pig in a wig dancing a jig, and a knight with a bright light saying good night.
|
|
|
Harold & Hog Pretend for Real!
by Dan Santat
Can the friendship of best friends Harold and Hog, a carefree elephant and a careful hog, survive a game of pretending to be Mo Willems's Elephant and Piggie?
|
|
|
School of Fish
by Jane Yolen
A rhyming early reader by the Caldecott Medal-winning author of Owl Moon depicts an intrepid little fish who experiences the myriad emotions associated with starting at a new school.
|
|
Contact your librarian for more great books for ages 0-8! |
|
|
|
|
|