Special Collections
Summer Fun for Emerging Readers
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An Egg Is Quiet
by Dianna Hutts Aston and Sylvia LongAward-winning artist Sylvia Long has teamed with up-and-coming author Dianna Aston to create this gorgeous and informative introduction to eggs.
From tiny hummingbird eggs to giant ostrich eggs, oval ladybug eggs to tubular dogfish eggs, gooey frog eggs to fossilized dinosaur eggs, it magnificently captures the incredible variety of eggs and celebrates their beauty and wonder.
The evocative text is sure to inspire lively questions and observations. Yet while poetic in voice and elegant in design, the book introduces children to more than 60 types of eggs and an interesting array of egg facts. Even the endpapers brim with information.
A tender and fascinating guide that is equally at home being read to a child on a parent's lap as in a classroom reading circle.
Words Are Magic!
by Zaila Avant-gardeScripps National Spelling Bee champ Zaila Avant-garde shares her love of words with new readers in this level 1 Step Into Reading book.Words are magic! Have you heard? Pick a letter. Make a word! New readers will find joyful encouragement in this level 1 easy reader that sings out about the magic of words. Encouraging kids to mix words, match words, shout and rap words, Scripps National Spelling champ Zaila Avante-garde takes readers along on a noisy and boisterous celebration of letters, sounds, and reading. It's the perfect first step for new readers, full of fun and energy, from one of America's most exciting and unique young voices. Step 1 Readers feature big type and easy words for children who know the alphabet and are eager to begin reading. Rhyme and rhythmic text paired with picture clues help children decode the story.Also available by Zaila Avant-garde:Words of Wonder from Z to AIt's Not Bragging If It's True
Marley and the Family Band
by Cedella Marley and Tracey BaptisteA picture book that celebrates music, love, and family from author Cedella Marley. A poetic story about a young girl who moves to a new country and learns to make friends—inspired by a childhood growing up with the musician Bob Marley as a father.When Marley and her family move from Jamaica to Delaware, she knows life is about to change in big ways. And she's got the perfect plan to help her and her siblings make friends: an outdoor concert for the whole neighborhood!But when weather ruins their plans, she discovers help in the most unlikely places as her new neighbors quickly become the kindest of friends.In this joyful, vibrant picture book inspired by her childhood and iconic father, Cedella Marley assures children that nothing can stop the music as long as they have community.
Telephone
by Jen Corace and Mac BarnettIt's time to fly home for dinner!
In this witty picture book from award-winning and bestselling author Mac Barnett, a mother bird gives the bird next to her a message for little Peter.
But passing messages on a telephone line isn't as simple as it sounds. Each subsequent bird understands Mama's message according to its own very particular hobbies.
Will Peter ever get home for dinner?
This uproarious interpretation of a favorite children's game will get everyone giggling and is sure to lead to countless rereads.
I Want to Be an Astronaut
by Byron BartonFrom picture-book master Byron Barton, this is the perfect story for young readers who love outer space and want to know more about how NASA astronauts do their job. Up into the sky goes the space shuttle!
Ada Twist, Scientist
by Andrea Beaty and David RobertsLike her classmates, builder Iggy and inventor Rosie, scientist Ada, a character of color, has a boundless imagination and has always been hopelessly curious. Why are there pointy things stuck to a rose? Why are there hairs growing inside your nose? When her house fills with a horrific, toe-curling smell, Ada knows it’s up to her to find the source. What would you do with a problem like this? Not afraid of failure, Ada embarks on a fact-finding mission and conducts scientific experiments, all in the name of discovery. But, this time, her experiments lead to even more stink and get her into trouble! Inspired by real-life makers such as Ada Lovelace and Marie Curie, Ada Twist, Scientist champions girl power and women scientists, and brings welcome diversity to picture books about girls in science. Touching on themes of never giving up and problem solving, Ada comes to learn that her questions might not always lead to answers, but rather to more questions. She may never find the source of the stink, but with a supportive family and the space to figure it out, she’ll be able to feed her curiosity in the ways a young scientist should.
Zoom at Sea
by Tim Wynne-Jones and Eric BeddowsThis fanciful nautical adventure stars a winsome cat named Zoom who stays indoors paddling in the sink or sailing in the bathtub all night when other self-respecting cats are out mousing and howling at the moon. One day Zoom finds in his Uncle Roy's diary a map of the sea and how to get there, which leads him to the huge house of the beautiful Maria. When, with the turn of a large wheel, mysterious Maria launches him on a wonderful sea voyage, the first of Zoom’s adventures begins.
Dragons in a Bag
by Zetta Elliott and Geneva BThe dragon's out of the bag in this diverse, young urban fantasy from an award-winning author!
When Jaxon is sent to spend the day with a mean old lady his mother calls Ma, he finds out she's not his grandmother--but she is a witch! She needs his help delivering baby dragons to a magical world where they'll be safe.
There are two rules when it comes to the dragons: don't let them out of the bag, and don't feed them anything sweet.
Before he knows it, Jax and his friends Vikram and Kavita have broken both rules! Will Jax get the baby dragons delivered safe and sound? Or will they be lost in Brooklyn forever?
Ruby Bridges Goes To School
by Ruby BridgesThe extraordinary true story of Ruby Bridges, the first African-American child to integrate a New Orleans school--now with simple text for young readers!
In 1960, six-year-old Ruby Bridges walked through an angry crowd and into a school where she changed history.
This is the true story of an extraordinary little girl who helped shape our country when she became the first African-American to attend an all-white school in New Orleans. With simple text and historical photographs, this easy reader explores an amazing moment in history and the courage of a young girl who stayed strong in the face of racism.
Lexile Measure: 470L
Imani's Moon
by Janay Brown-Wood and Hazell MitchellWanting to do something great, Imani, a young Maasai girl with a loving mother, decides she wants to touch the moon and works hard to reach her goal despite the teasing of detractors, in a story complemented by facts about Maasai folklore and culture.
Start Saving, Henry!
by Nancy CarlsonHenry's finally old enough to get an allowance, and he can't wait to spend it every week on giant jawbreakers, a huge pencil, and other silly things. But when Henry finds something he really wants, he discovers that saving money can be more difficult- and more rewarding-than he ever imagined. With candy-bright artwork, a popular main character, and a story that every child will relate to, Nancy Carlson's new book makes perfect "cents" for young readers!
The Bear's Song
by Benjamin ChaudSweet has new meaning in this richly illustrated, immersive picture book about two bears on a big-city adventure.
Papa Bear is searching for Little Bear, who has escaped the den. Little Bear is following a bee, because where there are bees, there is honey!
When the quest leads both bears into the bustling city and a humming opera house, theatrical hijinks ensue, culminating in a deliciously harmonious reunion.
Children and parents alike will savor Benjamin Chaud's lush illustrations, and relish in the book's bonus seek-and-find elements.
Rot, the Cutest in the World
by Ben ClantonA mutant potato learns that he’s pear-fect just the way he is in this bright, fun, and silly picture book from the creator of It Came in the Mail that will have kids collapsing in giggles (and rescuing the contents of the vegetable drawer).
Rot is a mutant potato. Like most mutant potatoes, Rot loves all sorts of games and contests. So when he sees a sign for the “Cutest in the World Contest,” he can’t wait to enter.
But when Rot realizes who he’s up against—an itty-bitty baby bunny, a little-wittle cuddly kitten, and an eenie-weenie jolly jellyfish—he loses confidence. Will the judges find room in their hearts for an adorable mutant potato?
Yoshi, Sea Turtle Genius
by Lynne CoxIn this picture book that is both heartwarming and exciting, join Yoshi, a sea turtle, on her remarkable journey as she swims farther than any animal in recorded history—23,000 miles!—to return to the beach where she first hatched, to lay her own eggs.
Inside every loggerhead turtle is genius: the ability to find their first home, no matter how far away. Follow one, from her birth on a beach in Australia…to her trip across an ocean filled with sharks and seahorses and much more…to her rescue from a net by a fisherman, who names her Yoshi…to her rehabilitation at an aquarium…to her record-breaking swim across the Indian Ocean to the beach on which she hatched, to lay her eggs.
Written by Lynne Cox, also a record-breaking swimmer, here is the true story of a sea turtle who swam the longest distance of any animal in recorded history.
The Storm Whale
by Benji DaviesNoi and his father live in a house by the sea. Noi's father works hard as a fisherman, and Noi often has only their six cats for company.
So when, one day, he finds a baby whale washed up on the beach after a storm, Noi is excited and takes it home to care for it. He tries to keep his new friend a secret, but but there's only so long you can keep a whale in the bath without your dad finding out.
Noi is eventually persuaded that the whale has to go back to the sea where it belongs, but now very much aware of his son's loneliness, his father helps and in the weeks that follow the whale's return, finds time to do more with him, be it colouring or going on a picnic.
For Noi, even though he can't keep it, the arrival of the whale changes his life for the better - the perfect gift from one friend to another.
The Lemonade War
by Jacqueline DaviesFor a full hour, he poured lemonade. The world is a thirsty place, he thought as he nearly emptied his fourth pitcher of the day. And I am the Lemonade King. Fourth grader Evan Treski is people-smart. He's good at talking with people, even grownups. His younger sister, Jessie, on the other hand, is math-smart, but not especially good with people. So when the siblings' lemonade-stand war begins, there really is no telling who will win--or even if their fight will ever end. Brimming with savvy marketing tips for making money at any business, definitions of business terms, charts, diagrams, and even math problems, this fresh, funny, emotionally charged novel subtly explores how arguments can escalate beyond anyone's intent. This book features a teaser chapter from book two of the Lemonade War series, The Lemonade Crime.
J.D. and the Hair Show Showdown
by J. DillardEight-year-old kid barber J.D. takes his talent to an Atlanta hair show in this illustrated chapter-book series.At only eight years old, J.D. the Kid Barber has already won a barber battle and appeared on local TV. Now he&’s the youngest barber to be invited to the Beauty Brothers Hair Expo in Atlanta! J.D. gets the VIP treatment—he takes his first flight, rides in a limo for the first time, and gets gifts from the show&’s sponsors. At the show, there are hair classes to take, product samples to try, and some of J.D.&’s favorite hair influencers to meet. And, of course, there&’s his own demo alongside kid hairstylist, Isabel Is Incredible. But what J.D. is most excited about is snapping a pic with eleven-year-old rap sensation Li&’l Eazy Breezy, which is harder than it sounds! The world of hair and beauty is so much bigger than J.D. could&’ve imagined, and he&’s ready to step up his game. Check out the other chapter books in the J.D. the Kid Barber series:J.D. and the Great Barber Battle J.D. and the Family Business
Becoming Charley
by Kelly DiPucchioA New York Times bestselling author and an award-winning illustrator team up for a striking, modern-day take on The Very Hungry Caterpillar that celebrates staying true to oneself.
Everyone is trying to teach Charley the right way to become a butterfly: Eat your milkweed! Think black! Think orange!But Charley's busy admiring the many beautiful things in the world. Like the swaying trees, and the tall mountains, and the turquoise sea. . . . Is there really a "right" way for Charley to become a butterfly?
Young readers will see themselves in Charley--a little caterpillar with an emerging identity--in this dazzling picture book that beautifully explores the nature of self-love.
Oona
by Kelly DiPucchioThis comical and heartfelt picture book is a winning celebration of invention, creativity, and friendship. With gorgeous underwater scenes and a crowd-pleasing tale, this is one little mermaid who is here to make a splash! New York Times bestselling author Kelly DiPucchio and illustrator Raissa Figueroa would like to introduce Oona-the big wide sea's littlest mischief-maker. Oona and her best friend Otto love to search for treasure...and often find trouble instead. Messy trouble. Tricky trouble. Even shark-related trouble. That's never stopped them before, though! After all, no proper treasure hunt is without some adventure. But when the grandest treasure yet is stuck in a deep, dark rift, Oona's not sure if she can dive right in. What might be waiting for her in those unknown waters?
The Gruffalo
by Julia DonaldsonA mouse is taking a stroll through the deep, dark wood when along comes a hungry fox, then an owl, and then a snake. Mouse outwits them by talking about his friend, the gruffalo, a creature with terrible claws, and terrible tusks in its terrible jaws, and knobbly knees and turned-out toes, and a poisonous wart at the end of its nose. Of course, there's no such thing as a gruffalo... or is there?
My New Mom & Me
by Renata GalindoHere is a heartwarming and completely accessible story about adoption, diversity, and acceptance. Told from the point of view of a puppy who is adopted by a cat, this gentle and reassuring tale is perfect for very young readers and listeners.
When the puppy comes to live with his new mom, he is nervous. After all, his mom has stripes and he doesn't. But his mom says she likes that they look different, and soon the puppy likes it, too. (And who cares what anyone else thinks!)
The puppy's new mom does all the things other parents do. She plays with him, takes care of him, and sometimes even makes him mad! But that's okay, because when he's feeling sad, she knows just what to say.
Dory Fantasmagory
by Abby HanlonDory the rascal turns learning to read into a hilarious adventure through the power of imagination
Ever since Dory met Rosabelle, a real true friend whose imagination and high spirits match her own, school has been pretty good. But now the class is learning to read, and it's proving to be a challenge for Dory.
While Rosabelle can read chapter books in her head, Dory is stuck with baby books about a happy little farm. Dory wishes for a potion to turn her into a reader but things don't go as planned. Suddenly, a naughty little girl who looks an awful lot like Dory's imaginary nemesis, Mrs. Gobble Gracker, shows up. And a black sheep leaves the pages of the farm book to follow Dory to school. It really needs her help--this seems like a job for a superhero!
And it would help if she knew how to read. I
n her third book, Dory the rascal takes reluctant reading to new heights with a story that is as one-of-a-kind and hilarious as she is.
The Very Noisy Night
by Diana HendryLittle Mouse keeps Big Mouse awake with his worries about nighttime noises.
Big Mouse offers him earmuffs, but the quiet only makes Little Mouse feel lonely.
By morning, both mice are sound asleep in Big Mouse's bed.
Toot & Puddle
by Holly HobbieIt's a glorious day in Woodcock Pocket. The sun is shining, the birds are singing . . . and Toot is moping.
Charlie & Mouse
by Laurel Snyder and Emily HughesFour hilarious stories, two inventive brothers, one irresistible story! Join Charlie and Mouse as they talk to lumps, take the neighborhood to a party, sell some rocks, and invent the bedtime banana. With imagination and humor, Laurel Snyder and Emily Hughes paint a lively picture of brotherhood that children will relish in a format perfect for children not quite ready for chapter books.
Winner of the 2018 Theodore Seuss Giesel Award