By Julie Fogliano
If you want to see a whale, you will need to know what not to look at.
Pink roses, pelicans, possible pirates…
If you want to see a whale, you have to keep your eyes on the sea, and wait…
and wait…and wait…
In this quiet and beautiful picture book by Julie Fogliano and Erin E. Stead, the team that created the Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor book And Then It’s Spring, a boy learns exactly what it takes to catch a glimpse of an elusive whale.
By Patricia MacLachlan & Emily MacLachlan Charest, illustrated by Barry Moser
Princess Sheba Darling is a beauty queen. Romeo is a lover. Tuck knows the coziest spots to sleep. Eddie has a job to do.
From cuddler to troublemaker, kitten to tom, cats have a lot to say. Authors Patricia MacLachlan and Emily MacLachlan Charest and illustrator Barry Moser give voice to and celebrate our most opinionated furry friends in this spirited collection of feline poetry. Full of curiosity, mischief, and some secrets, too, Cat Talk is sure to make readers wonder what their own four-legged friends have to say.
By Mary Logue, illustrated by Pamela Zagarenski
Winner of a 2013 Caldecott Honor!
In this magical bedtime story, the lyrical narrative echoes a Runaway Bunny-like cadence: “Does everything in the world go to sleep?” the little girl asks. In sincere and imaginative dialogue between a not-at-all sleepy child and understanding parents, the little girl decides “in a cocoon of sheets, a nest of blankets,” she is ready to sleep, warm and strong, just like a tiger. The Caldecott Honor artist Pamela Zagarenski’s rich, luminous mixed-media paintings effervesce with odd, charming details that nonsleepy children could examine for hours. A rare gem.
Written & illustrated by Anthony Browne
Primo primate artist Anthony Browne is at the top of his form with a simple – and simply fascinating – array of creatures for kids to count.
What better attention-getter for small children than primates in all their variety? And who better to render them than Anthony Browne? In this elegant counting book, the author-illustrator outdoes himself with a vivid presentation of primates from gorillas to gibbons, macaques to mandrills, ring-tailed lemurs to spider monkeys. With his striking palette, exquisite attention to detail, and quirky flair for facial expressions, Anthony Browne slyly extends the basic number concept into a look at similarities and differences – portraying an extended family we can count ourselves part of.
By Neil Gaiman, illustrated by Adam Rex
Chu is a little panda with a big sneeze.
When Chu sneezes, bad things happen.
Will Chu sneeze today?
By Candace Fleming
“This picture book reads like an instant classic….Oh, yes!” raved Kirkus Reviews in a starred review.
Young children will delight in repeating the refrain “OH, NO!” as one animal after another falls into a deep, deep hole in this lively read-aloud. This simple and irresistible picture book by hugely popular picture book creators – Candace Fleming and Caldecott medalist Eric Rohmann – feels like a classic-in-the-making. Fans of Rohmann’s Caldecott Medal-winning My Friend Rabbit will be thrilled to see a new book created in the same expressive and comical style.
By Philippa Leathers
In this clever picture book, a debut author-illustrator introduces a plucky rabbit and the new companion that he just can’t shake.
Rabbit has a problem. There’s a large black rabbit chasing him. No matter where he runs – behind a tree, over the river – the shadowy rabbit follows. Finally in the deep, dark wood, Rabbit loses his nemesis – only to encounter a real foe! Kids who like to be in on the secret will revel in this humorous look at shadows and friendship, brought to light by a talented animator.
Written & illustrated by Jon Klassen
From the creator of the #1 New York Times best-selling and award-winning I Want My Hat Back comes a second wry tale.
When a tiny fish shoots into view wearing a round blue topper (which happens to fit him perfectly), trouble could be following close behind. So it’s a good thing that enormous fish won’t wake up. And even if he does, it’s not like he’ll ever know what happened…Visual humor swims to the fore as the best-selling Jon Klassen follows his breakout debut with another deadpan-funny tale.
Recently named the 2013 winner of the Caldecott Medal for the most distinguished picture book of the year!
By Philip Christian Stead, illustrated by Erin Stead
“It was almost winter and Bear was getting sleepy. But first, Bear had a story to tell…”
Bear found his friend Mouse, but Mouse was busy gathering seeds and didn’t have time to listen to a story. Then Bear saw his friend Duck, but Duck was getting ready to fly south. What about his friend Toad? He was busy looking for a warm place to sleep. By the time Bear was through helping his friends get ready for winter, would anyone still be awake to hear his story?
This endearing story of friendship and patience is a worthy companion to Philip and Erin Stead’s last collaboration, A Sick Day for Amos McGee, winner of the 2011 Caldecott Medal.
By Francesco Marciuliano
Cat lovers will laugh out loud at the quirkiness of their feline friends with these insightful and curious poems from the singular minds of housecats. In this hilarious book of tongue-in-cheek poetry, the author of the internationally syndicated comic strip Sally Forth helps cats unlock their creative potential and explain their odd behavior to ignorant humans. With titles like “Who Is That on Your Lap?,” “This Is My Chair,” “Kneel Before Me,” “Nudge,” and “Some of My Best Friends Are Dogs,” the poems collected in I Could Pee on This perfectly capture the inner workings of the cat psyche. With photos of the cat authors throughout, this whimsical volume reveals kitties at their wackiest, and most exasperating (but always lovable).
