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Image for "Oh Dear, Look What I Got!"

Oh Dear, Look What I Got!

Michael Rosen

Description

"A guaranteed hit for the storytime set, from a team whose talents haven't aged a day."--Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

The incomparable creative team behind We're Going on a Bear Hunt reunite for a read-aloud comedy of misunderstandings that has all the hallmarks of a classic.

I went to the shop to get me a carrot.
Oh dear! They gave me . . .
. . . a parrot.
Oh dear! Look what I got.
Do I want that? No, I do NOT!

As a hapless boy goes from shop to shop, requesting a series of perfectly reasonable items--a hat, a coat, a cake, a chair--he finds himself thwarted at every turn, amassing instead a growing menagerie of animals who happily follow him on his errands. It's not until he finally asks for a cup that he's proffered a wriggly creature that solves his dilemma . . . or does it? Adding delicious momentum to Michael Rosen's rhymes (and mastery of the page turn) are an expressive crew of animal characters rendered as only Helen Oxenbury can, making for a timeless story guaranteed to beg many repeat readings. Oh dear!

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Ahoy!

Sophie Blackall

Description

Join a child captain and parent first mate as they embark on a wild high seas adventure…all without leaving the living room! This imaginative romp of a picture book is filled with glorious illustrations from a beloved Caldecott Medalist and New York Times bestselling creator.

A HORN BOOK AND BULLETIN OF THE CENTER FOR CHILDREN’S BOOKS BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR

Raise the mainsail! 
Batten the hatches! 
It's time to set sail…on the couch!

There's a storm coming, and a child is ready to captain the ship. "Make haste and climb aboard," they call out to their parent, "before you're swept out to sea!" 

Sea? What sea? The parent is only trying to vacuum the rug. But the child is adamant. It's not a rug--it's the ocean. And that broom? It's the ship's mast. Soon enough, child and parent are both off on an imaginary nautical adventure!

Here is a thoroughly engaging, hilarious picture book that celebrates the joys of playing make-believe--and hanging out with a parent!

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When You Love a Book

Kaz Windness

Description

A poetic, rhyming story about the profound way books shape us and become part of who we are, featuring clever nods to the most classic children's books of all time. A true love letter to the power of creating readers at the youngest age and the magic that happens when you love a book.

A book is a friend found in all shapes and sizes,
a buddy who's bound to be full of surprises.
And when you grow bigger your books grow big, too. 
A book is forever the right size for you. 

With winsome, rhyming text and sweet, irresistible art, When You Love a Book is a poetic ode to readers and the way the stories we read as children have the ability to shape our lives forever. Includes nods to some of the most beloved children's books of all time. Perfect for book lovers, especially those who want to introduce their own little ones to the joy of finding a book that stays with them forever.

Perfect for fans of The Word Collector by Peter Reynolds and How to Read a Book by Kwame Alexander.

Praise for When You Love a Book:

A 2025 CLEL Bell Award winner

"A spirited ode to the ways books affect us all."--Kirkus reviews

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Image for "If We Were Dogs"

If We Were Dogs

Sophie Blackall

Description

NATIONAL BESTSELLER!



Two-time Caldecott Medalist Sophie Blackall's follow-up to her bestselling If I Was a Horse explores the challenges of first friendships through imaginative play. 



If we were dogs, what kind would we be?

I'd be a big dog! And you'd be little dog.

Woof!



Join two friends as they bark and growl, woof and howl - and maybe even quack - in a romp that makes room for everybody's ideas. 



Sophie Blackall unleashes a marvelous game of pretend that explores navigating friendship and celebrates boundless imagination in this wonderful companion for her national bestseller If I Was a Horse.

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Image for "Between Two Windows"

Between Two Windows

Keisha Morris

Description



 

A friendship blossoms between two children as they pass drawings across the clothesline between their apartment windows in this imaginative picture book about creativity, the power of art, adventure, innovation, and friendship.

Between two windows, Kayla and Mateo pass drawings of dinosaurs back and forth, back and forth, back and forth...until a story comes to life and the worlds of two friends come together.

But when the clothesline is taken down, the friends must use their creativity to find a new way to keep their story going.

This fun-filled author-illustrator debut from Keisha Morris is perfect for fans of classics like The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds, Swatch by Julia Denos, and Beautiful Oops by Barney Saltzberg.

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Image for "If You Make a Call on a Banana Phone"

If You Make a Call on a Banana Phone

Gideon Sterer

Description



 

"This delightfully silly story subtly guides kids through the art of broaching new friendships and careful listening." -- The Washington Post

A love letter to making friends from unexpected places, If You Make a Call on a Banana Phone is silly, wise, and surprising all at once.

If you make a call from a banana phone, who will answer What will you talk about Will you share secrets or ask questions No one knows what will happen, really. This very silly story is full of the joy and wisdom that comes from making new friends from unexpected places.

Go ahead, pick up a banana and make a call. You'll be glad you did.

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Ancestor Approved

Cynthia Leitich Smith

Description



 

Edited by award-winning and bestselling author Cynthia Leitich Smith, this collection of intersecting stories by both new and veteran Native writers bursts with hope, joy, resilience, the strength of community, and Native pride.

Native families from Nations across the continent gather at the Dance for Mother Earth Powwow in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

In a high school gym full of color and song, people dance, sell beadwork and books, and celebrate friendship and heritage. Young protagonists will meet relatives from faraway, mysterious strangers, and sometimes one another (plus one scrappy rez dog).

They are the heroes of their own stories.

Featuring stories and poems by:

Joseph Bruchac

Art Coulson

Christine Day

Eric Gansworth

Carole Lindstrom

Dawn Quigley

Rebecca Roanhorse

David A. Robertson

Andrea L. Rogers

Kim Rogers

Cynthia Leitich Smith

Monique Gray Smith

Traci Sorell,

Tim Tingle

Erika T. Wurth

Brian Young

In partnership with We Need Diverse Books

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Image for "The Echo People"

The Echo People

S. D. Youngwolf

Description

A thought-provoking picture book about the ways we create our own realities through the words and actions that we put out into the world.

 

In the early morning hours, two young children go on a journey of discovery with their grandfather, a great chief. After offering prayers to Creator, Grandfather leads Aiyanna and Little Wolf separately to the river gorge to meet the Echo People. There, surrounded by the beauty of Mother Earth, the children connect with the Echo People in a way that reveals something about themselves and learn a valuable lesson that will guide them throughout their lives.

Winner of Lee & Low's New Voices award, The Echo People gently teaches young readers that if we meet the world with love and kindness then that kindness is echoed back to us.

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Image for "The Trickster Shadow"

The Trickster Shadow

Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley

Description

From an acclaimed Ojibwe artist comes a story that offers an empowering universal message about finding inner strength.

Zoon's shadow is always in his way. It makes a mess of his room, disrupts his class at school, and trips him on the soccer field. Zoon doesn't know what to do! Until he tells his grandmother about it, and she gives him his grandfather's drum. Its rhythm is like a heartbeat. If only Zoon can listen to the drum's song, and ultimately to his own heart, he may yet find a way to thrive alongside his shadow.

Pawis‑Steckley's striking, graphic art brings to vibrant life both the challenges of controlling our trickster impulses and the luminosity of ancestral and inner wisdom, paving the way for us all to listen to our hearts.

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Image for "Up, Up, Up, Down!"

Up, Up, Up, Down!

Kimberly Gee

Description

Follow an energetic toddler's day with Dad that's full of opposites - up and down, make and break, yum and yuck, and more. 

From his first demand to be picked up and then immediately put down, opposites pop up all day long for this energetic boy. Breakfast is no, no, no, yes! At the sandbox, it's make, make, make, break! And jumping into the pool goes from can't, can't, can't, to can

Kimberly Gee's expressive illustrations emphasize the loving connection between a boy and his father in this clever concept book about everyday highs and lows that is sure to entertain little (and big!) members of the family.

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Image for "I Love All of Me (Wonderful Me)"

I Love All of Me (Wonderful Me)

Lorie Ann Grover

Description

What do you love about you? Find out in this sweet padded storybook full of wonder and love!

 

I love my wiggle toes. I love my smelly nose!From head to toe, there's so much to love about wild, wonderful you! With charming illustrations and a sweet, bouncy text that begs to be read aloud, this padded board book is a joyous reminder to little ones to love their whole selves -- just as they are.A glorious celebration of self-esteem that's full of humor, love, and heart.Wonderful Me: Books that celebrate the milestone emotional and social moments of little ones of today!

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Image for "Farmyard Beat"

Farmyard Beat

Lindsey Craig

Description

Author Lindsey Craig teams up with Arthur creator and bestselling artist Marc Brown in a toe-tapping farmyard dance-a-thon perfect for toddler and preschooler read-alouds. As soon as the sun goes down, the animals are up! ("Sheep can't sleep. Sheep can't sleep. Sheep can't sleep 'cause they got that beat!") Before long, there's a giant farmyard dance party, complete with funny animal sounds. But what happens when all the racket wakes up Farmer Sue? Here's a colorful bedtime story that begs to be read aloud."

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Image for "Feel Calm"

Feel Calm

Andy J. Pizza

Description

From the creators of the New York Times bestseller​ Invisible Things, this hands-on board book leads toddlers on a whimsical and reassuring journey from chaos to calm. 

When you feel wound up, how do you get the knots out? Follow along to unwind the tangled mess of ups, downs, and loop the loops and find the way back to calm. With this book in hand, take a moment to pause, take a deep breath, and practice mindfulness and grounding techniques perfectly suited for young readers.

Invisible Things introduced the wonderful concept of exploring the invisible things that make up the human experience, encouraging us to look past the visible and connect with the things that are not seen. This inviting board book brings the idea into an interactive format, offering kids a great way to explore and take charge of their emotions.

FEELINGS BOOK: Educators, therapists, and caregivers looking to have nuanced or challenging discussions with kids about their experiences can use this as a jumping-off point for conversation: What are your chaos feelings? What helps you feel calm? 

SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING: One common exercise teachers use is to ask kids to point to their emotions on a chart and then name them, for which this book will be a powerful tool. 

REVIEWED BY MENTAL HEALTH EXPERT: This book was vetted by a licensed independent clinical social worker specializing in mental health for kids. Pair it with the Invisible Things book or Invisible Things Feelings Flash Cards to create an effective home or classroom resource.

POPULAR AUTHOR: Andy J. Pizza is one of the creative minds behind several children’s books, including the bestselling Invisible Things, A Pizza with Everything on It, and A Sundae with Everything on It. He also hosts the popular podcast Creative Pep Talk.

Perfect for:

  • Parents, grandparents, caregivers, teachers, and educators
  • Anyone interested in social-emotional learning (SEL) and entertaining ways to explore emotions with kids
  • Anyone looking for interactive books about emotional health for babies and toddlers
  • Young readers who enjoy tactile board books like Press Here and Mix It Up!
  • Fans of Pixar's Inside Out
  • Fans of Andy J. Pizza, the Creative Pep Talk podcast, or his bestselling books, including Invisible Things and A Pizza with Everything on It
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Image for "Welcome: A Mo Willems Guide for New Arrivals"

Welcome: A Mo Willems Guide for New Arrivals

Mo Willems

Description

Mo Willems' introductory guide for new arrivals welcomes readers to the world using bold, eye-catching graphics and clever text that is perfect for reading aloud. With a fun and heartwarming message, Welcome playfully interacts with the reader with its meta-humor, while addressing such topics such as injustice, cats, friendship, and family. This one-of-a-kind guide to the world is a must-have for infants and new parents alike.

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Image for "Hello, Tummy!"

Hello, Tummy!

Aya Khalil

Description

Hello, belly button!

From tummy time to snack time, from burps to giggles, join baby in discovering what round little bellies can do. With high-contrast design and engaging photographs, Hello, Tummy! is perfect for the very youngest readers.

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Image for "Baby Sees Things That Go"

Baby Sees Things That Go

Janna Steagall

Description

A high-contrast board book full of vehicles, designed for babies' developing eyes by artist Janna Steagall

Baby sees motorcycles.
Baby sees cars.
Baby sees trucks.

Created for the youngest readers and their developing eyes, this high-contrast board book introduces all your favorite vehicles, including trains, planes, taco trucks, and even rockets. With simple text and trendy images and patterns by Janna Steagall, Baby Sees Things that Go is the perfect tummy time companion for babies on the go!

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Image for "Hello, face!"

Hello, face!

Aya Khalil

Description

Books made for the very youngest of readers, now in bilingual Spanish!



Hello, smiling face! From laughing to cooing, from sneezing to yawning, join baby in discovering what expressive eyes, noses, and mouths can do. Bilingual Spanish Edition.

  • High-contrast designs and photographs engage infants and toddlers
  • Photographs show a diverse cast of babies and families
  • Part of the Hello, Body! series
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Image for "El Tummy Time"

El Tummy Time

Mike Alfaro

Description

A first-of-its-kind tummy time book inspired by papel picados—featuring high-contrast art of animals from Latin America!

Infants have limited capabilities with vision upon birth and respond well to high-contrast images, which is why this vibrant book is perfect for their young and growing minds. This unique accordion-style board book—inspired by papel picados and featuring animals from Latin America—provides developmentally appropriate visual stimuli for your baby’s visual development, while exposing them to Spanish vocabulary words.

The animals featured in El Tummy Time include:
 

  • Jaguar
  • Sloth
  • Toucan
  • Tortoise
  • Anteater
  • And more!


This book is meant to be functional for your child's many different learning needs as well as versatile for any space. The unique accordion-style format is perfect for tummy time, allowing your child to unfold the pages and stare and play with them, either with you or on their own.

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Image for "Sacred Spiral"

Sacred Spiral

Aspen Song Kids

Description

We are the Aspen Song Kids from Taos Pueblo, a beautiful place in Northern New Mexico. Our mission is to preserve our culture, our heritage, our tradition, and our language. We do that through our art. We give our thanks to our elders and our ancestors. Our grandparents and great-grandparents were artists. If it were not for their hard work, we would not be here today. We carry on their legacy. We give thanks to the artists who came before. We get our name, Aspen Song Kids, from our great-great grandfather whose name was Aspen Song. We didn't know him in person as he had passed away before we were born, yet, we honor him with our name. The paintings and stories in this book were created by us, the Aspen Song Kids. Everyday, after school and on the weekends, we walk from the day school to the Pueblo village where we practice our art and practice speaking Tiwa, our native language. We love learning from the elders about the old ways so we may carry on the knowledge to our children and grandchildren in the years to come. We are proud to share our art and to honor Taos Pueblo with this book. - Aspen Song Kids

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Image for "Chooch Helped"

Chooch Helped

Andrea L. Rogers

Description

Every big sister knows the feeling: little brothers get away with EVERYTHING!

Meet Sissy, who's had it up to here with her two-year-old brother Chooch. No matter what chaos he creates in their loving Cherokee family--and trust us, there's a lot--their parents just smile and say he's ""helping."" When Elisi paints a mural? Chooch ""helps."" When Edutsi makes grape dumplings? Chooch ""helps."" When Sissy tries to make her own clay pot? Well, you can guess what happens next.

But when Sissy finally loses her cool and yells ""Hesdi!"" (Quit it!), what unfolds is a tender moment that captures the messy, beautiful reality of sibling love. This Caldecott Medal winner perfectly nails that universal big sibling frustration--and the surprising grace that can follow.

Winner of the Caldecott Medal * Starred reviews from Kirkus, Publishers Weekly, and Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

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