RAR #45: Our Favorite Picture Books

FROM SARAH

A silly, lighthearted board book this is sure to get your little one giggling.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Are you longing for adventure? Mischief? What about sandwiches?

Tag along with one sneaky ninja who is happy to share his busy day (but not his lunch) with curious kids everywhere in this rhyming picture book perfect for fans of The Three Ninja Pigs and 10 Little Ninjas.

FROM SARAH

Follow the zoo’s night watchman as he tucks in all the animals for the night. But, uh-oh...did that gorilla just nab his keys?

FROM THE PUBLISHER

It's bedtime at the zoo, and all the animals are going to sleep. Or are they? Who's that short, furry guy with the key in his hand and the mischievous grin?

FROM SARAH

Funny and down-to-earth, your child may very likely read this one to you after you've read it together once or twice!

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Learning about opposites has never been more fun — or funny — than with this winning board book. Yummy!

FROM SARAH

A fun combination of Mother Goose and I Spy, this book is one your child won't tire of hearing you read time and time again.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Each Peach Pear Plum is a timeless picture book classic from the bestselling illustrator/author team Janet and Allan Ahlberg, creators of Peepo! Each beautifully illustrated page encourages young children to interact with the picture to find the next fairy tale and nursery rhyme character.

FROM SARAH

This board book is a silly good time...and kids will love the “oops!” moments.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Three earnest animals and one misguided turkey learn colors and clothes in this Sandra Boynton classic.

FROM SARAH

The updated and expanded version of the awesome original, this book can absorb a child for hours as they learn - you guessed it - how stuff works, from jackhammers to digital cameras.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

From levers to lasers, from cameras to computers, this 384-page volume is a remarkable overview of the machines and inventions that shape our lives, amusingly presented with a large dose of Macaulay's wit and personality.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Sal goes blueberry picking with mama, but it turns out a mama bear and baby bear had the same idea. Wait - will the right babies go home with the right mamas?

FROM SARAH

As each new child arrives in the family, the family food requests get more and more complicated, and Mrs. Peters finds herself accommodating more and more tricky appetites. But when her birthday comes, so does a surprise.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Peter wants only milk, Lucy won’t settle for anything but homemade lemonade, and Jack is stuck on applesauce. Each new addition to the household brings a new demand for a special meal. What’s a mother to do?

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Easily among my all-time favorites. The story of little Alice, whose grandfather invites her to travel the globe, come home to the salty sea, and do something to make the world more beautiful. Listen to my special edition podcast episode about the author.

FROM SARAH

Everything Jane Yolen writes has a touch of magic to it, including this simple story about a girl and her father going “owling.” A beautiful tale to warm your winter.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Distinguished author Jane Yolen has created a gentle, poetic story that lovingly depicts the special companionship of a young child and her father as well as humankind's close relationship to the natural world.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Illustrated by Barbara Cooney (Miss Rumphius), Roxaboxen is a special place where games like playing house magically come to life.

‘What will you wear in the morning?’ asks Jesse’s mama. Enjoy the sweet verse while teaching little ones about daily rhythms!

FROM SARAH

Silly sound-effects and and sheep hijinks make this series a favorite among pre-schoolers!

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Out for a drive in the country, Nancy Shaw and Margot Apple's well-known and beloved sheep run into some mishaps with their sturdy red jeep.

Such a fun book! A little girl travels the globe looking for the perfect ingredients to make an apple pie. Cute for geography or a unit study!

FROM SARAH

From the wonderful Jan Brett, Nicki’s grandmother knits him a mitten that soon gets lost in the snow, but becomes a warm, expanding home for many animals. The preview drawings will enchant kids and help them guess what’s coming next!

FROM THE PUBLISHER

In this bestselling modern classic, a young boy’s lost mitten leads to a charming snowy adventure. Jan Brett’s beautiful retelling is a family favorite.

Pressing in the dot is the start of a journey. Interactive reading at its best!

*Description from Amazon: Simple seeds of friendship grow into something extraordinaryAfter World War II there is little left in Katje's town of Olst in Holland. Her family, like most Dutch families, must patch their old worn clothing and go without everyday things like soap and milk. Then one spring morning when the tulips ...

**Description from Amazon: This is young William, His mind all ablaze, Who stays up all night Writing poems and plays.And this is a book, unforgettable and wise, that applauds inspiration, creation, story, and the world and works of William Shakespeare.Illustrated by Caldecott Honor artist Anita Lobel, All the World's a Stage...

**Description from Amazon: Animalium presents the animal kingdom in glorious detail with illustrations from Katie Scott, an unparalleled new talent.Welcome to the Museum is a series of books set on the "walls" of the printed page, showcasing the world’s finest collections of objects — from natural history to art. Open 365...

FROM THE PUBLISHER

The Mary Celeste was discovered adrift on the open sea by another ship in 1872 -- with no sign of captain or crew. What happened? Did the crew mutiny? Were they attacked by pirates? Caught in a storm? No one ever found out. Inside this book are the clues that were left behind ...

FROM THE PUBLISHER

When Lisa's woolen stocking flies off the clothesline, Hedgie finds it and pokes his nose in. He tries to pull it out, but the stocking gets stuck on his prickles -- and the fun begins.

**Description from Amazon: One of the most popular picture books for children, The Story About Ping is the adventure of a young duck in search of home.

**Description from Amazon: Laura helps Ma and Pa make the little log cabin snug and cozy for the snowy days ahead. 1994 "Pick of the Lists" (ABA)

**Description from Amazon: Travel the world without leaving your living room.This book of maps is a visual feast for readers of all ages, with lavishly drawn illustrations from the incomparable Mizielinskis. It features not only borders, cities, rivers, and peaks, but also places of historical and cultural interest, eminent p...

**Description from Amazon: "Where are the girls?" When Grace's teacher reveals that the United States has never had a female president, Grace decides to be the first. And she immediately starts off her political career as a candidate the school's mock election! Author Kelly DiPucchio not only gives readers a fun introduct...

**Description from Amazon: Using a town’s mayoral election as a model, this lively introduction to voting covers every step in the process, from the start of the campaign all the way to the voting booth. There’s even a recount! The cast of characters includes two dogs (and a cat), whose questions and comments mirror those...

**Description from Amazon: A playful peek into the homes of dinosaur babies and their parents at bedtime. 'How does a dinosaur say good night when Papa comes in to turn off the light? Does a dinosaur slam his tail and pout? Does he throw his teddy bear all about?' Most certainly not! Dinosaurs give their mums and dads big h...

**Description from Amazon: Every year Grandmother invited a guest for Thanksgiving dinner and allowed Maggie to do the same. "Ask someone poor or lonely," she always said. Thanksgiving was Grandmother's favorite day of the year. The cooking was done and her famous cranberry bread was cooling on a wooden board. But she wasn'...

**Description from Amazon: It's Almanzo's birthday, and he spends the day on the Wilder farm learning to train his two little calves and flying down the hill on his birthday sled.

**Description from Amazon: Beauty and the Beast by Brett, Jan. Published by Putnam Juvenile,2011, Binding: Hardcover

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Meet the animals of Maple Hill Farm and learn about their antics as they bring joy, laughter, and life to the people who live in a house that needs painting at the end of a road full of holes.

**Description from Amazon: “This is George. He lived in Africa. He was a good little monkey, and always very curious.” With these words, H. A. and Margret Rey introduced the world to Curious George in 1941, and the world has loved him ever since. The tales of this cheerful and resilient little hero have kept generations o...

**Description from Amazon: A picture book retelling of C. S. Lewis's classic story, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, for the youngest fans! Introduce them to the magic of Narnia with this picture book featuring illustrations by Tudor Humphries.Now younger children can share the magical experience, entering into a world o...

**Description from Amazon: A young girl who lives across the street from the reclusive Emily Dickinson gets her chance to meet the poet when her mother is invited to play the piano for Emily. The girl sneaks up to Emily's room and exchanges a small gift for an authentic poem, which is included in the book.

**Description from Amazon: The #1 New York Times bestselling phenomenon! Poor Duncan just wants to color. But when he opens his box of crayons, he finds only letters, all saying the same thing: His crayons have had enough! They quit! Beige Crayon is tired of playing second fiddle to Brown Crayon. Black wants to be used f...

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Celebrate the power of friendship with all four of the beloved Frog and Toad I Can Read stories by Arnold Lobel—now in one volume! This treasury includes the complete art and text from four classics: Frog and Toad Are Friends, Frog and Toad Together, Frog and Toad All Year, and Days with Frog and Toad.

A small boy and a big friendly bear embark on a berry-picking extravaganza. Their fun adventure comes to a razzamatazz finale under a starberry sky. A perfectly delicious read-aloud.

**Description from Amazon: A #1 New York Times bestseller, this innovative and wildly funny read-aloud by award-winning humorist/actor B.J. Novak will turn any reader into a comedian.You might think a book with no pictures seems boring and serious. Except . . . here’s how books work. Everything written on the page has to ...

**Description from Amazon: Yanking cat by tail: no NO. Gentle pat on back: yes YES. And it’s funny how dumping a bowl of food gets a very different reaction from mastering the use of a spoon. An expressive baby demonstrates familiar behaviors — and their predictable responses — in an amusing toddler-friendly offering th...

**Description from Amazon: A subject dear to children’s hearts is in the spotlight as Leslie Patricelli’s beloved baby character returns. Everybody does it: Kitty, Doggie, Daddy — even Mommy! And when Leslie Patricelli’s beloved bald baby does it while running, it sounds like a train. This frank and very funny look at...

**Description from Amazon: The original, bestselling Good Dog, Carl is now a board book. This classic, wordless story will find a new audience in a chunky board format which includes the complete story and the original full-color illustrations. Children follow with delight as Carl leads his infant mistress on a wild adventure...

**Description from Amazon: "Alborough's simplicity results in another gem." —School Library JournalBobo needs a hug. But his friends don't seem to understand. "Hug," he implores, time and again. Time and again his puzzled pals—from the smallest chameleon to the tallest giraffe—shrug and cuddle with their jungle mothers....

One snowy afternoon, Annabelle finds a box filled with yarn of every color. She begins to knit... but the yarn never runs out. Your kids can meet author Mac Barnett or illustrator Jon Klassen in Author Access at RAR Premium.

**Description from Amazon: “Mr. Galdone . . . had a knack for communicating humor through the eyes of his characters, whether he was drawing an overconfident wolf ogling a clever pig or a mouse in raptures at the scent of a freshly baked cake.”—Wall Street Journal This wonderful library includes four classic stories, a...

**Description from Amazon: Owen had a fuzzy yellow blanket. "Fuzzy goes where I go," said Owen. But Mrs. Tweezers disagreed. She thought Owen was too old for a blanket. Owen disagreed. No matter what Mrs. Tweezers came up with, Blanket Fairies or vinegar, Owen had the answer. But when school started, Owen't mother knew just w...

**Description from Amazon: Written and illustrated by Kevin Henkes, the nationally bestselling and celebrated creator of Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse, Owen, and Kitten's First Full Moon, Chrysanthemum is a funny and honest school story about teasing, self-esteem, and acceptance to share all year round. Chrysanthemum thinks he...

**Description from Amazon: Celebrate the 30th anniversary of the award-winning If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, one of the most beloved children’s books of all time, from the #1 New York Times bestselling team Laura Numeroff and Felicia Bond.This book is a great first introduction to Mouse, the star of the If You Give series a...

Sam and Dave are on a mission to find something spectacular. So they dig a hole. And they keep digging. And they find . . . nothing. Yet the day turns out to be pretty spectacular after all. This one is full of surprises! Your kids can get to know both the author and the illustrator in the Author Access replays in RAR Premium.