Special Collections
Picture Books and Easy Readers
Description: Browse this list of popular favorites for bedtime stories, picture books and early readers. Some books will have pictures, and some will have picture descriptions. You can find more books by many of these authors in the Bookshare collection. #kids
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Get Ready for Second Grade, Amber Brown
by Paula DanzigerAmber Brown goes into second grade and encounters more problems.
Andy and the Lion
by James DaughertyWhen Andy goes to the library, he checks out a book about lions. Suddenly, lions are everywhere! A charming story. This file should make an excellent embossed braille copy.
The Boy Who Drew Birds
by Jacqueline DaviesJohn James Audubon was a boy who loved the out-of-doors more than the in. He was a boy who believed in studying birds in nature, not just from books. And, in the fall of 1804, he was a boy determined to learn if the small birds nesting near his Pennsylvania home really would return the following spring. This book reveals how the youthful Audubon pioneered a technique essential to our understanding of birds. Capturing the early passion of America’s greatest painter of birds, this story will leave young readers listening intently for the call of birds large and small near their own homes.
Strega Nona
by Tomie DePaolaWhen Strega Nona leaves him alone with her magic pasta pot, Big Anthony is determined to show the townspeople how it works in this classic Caldecott Honor book from Tomie dePaola.
Strega Nona—"Grandma Witch"—is the source for potions, cures, magic, and comfort in her Calabrian town. Her magical everfull pasta pot is especially intriguing to hungry Big Anthony. He is supposed to look after her house and tend her garden but one day, when she goes over the mountain to visit Strega Amelia, Big Anthony recites the magic verse over the pasta pot, with disastrous results.
In this retelling of an old tale, author-illustrator Tomie dePaola combines humor in the writing and warmth in the paintings as he builds the story to its hilarious climax.
Gossie and Gertie
by Olivier DunreaGossie and Gertie are best friends. They splash in the rain, play hide-and-seek, and they dive in the pond together. Everywhere Gossie goes, Gertie does too. Or does she?With charming illustrations and gentle text, Olivier Dunrea has created two lovable, sweet characters that will appeal to the youngest listeners.
Ollie
by Olivier DunreaFriends Gossie and Gertie are waiting and waiting for Ollie to hatch. They try poking, listening, even sitting on top of his egg--but Ollie just won't come out.Ollie is Ollie and he will decide when it's time to hatch. Fans of Gossie and Gossie and Gertie will find Ollie just as charming and delightful as the first two books. Any toddler that has had to wait for a new brother or sister will find Ollie irresistible.
Are You My Mother?
by P. D. EastmanA baby bird goes in search of his mother in this hilarious Beginner Book edited by Dr. Seuss. When a mother bird's egg starts to jump, she hurries off to make sure she has something for her little one to eat. But as soon as she's gone, out pops the baby bird. He immediately sets off to find his mother, but not knowing what she looks like makes it a challenge. The little hatchling is determined to find his mother, even after meeting a kitten, a hen, a dog, and a Snort. The timeless message of the bond between mother and child make P. D. Eastman's Are You My Mother? A must for baby showers, beginning readers, and Mother's Day.
Originally created by Dr. Seuss, Beginner Books encourage children to read all by themselves, with simple words and illustrations that give clues to their meaning.
[This text is listed as an example that meets Common Core Standards in English language arts for K-1 at http://www.corestandards.org.]
Images and descriptions available.
Burnt Toast on Davenport Street
by Tim EganWhen a magic fly grants Arthur Crandall three wishes, he's not very impressed, especially since he doesn't believe in magic flies. So he's not particularly careful about what he wishes for: a new toaster, a solution to the bullies down on the street corner, and, for his third wish . . . let's just say that life on Davenport Street will never be the same for the Crandalls. The creator of the critically acclaimed Friday Night at Hodges' Cafe and Metropolitan Cow now brings us a tour de force in humor and storytelling. Egan has created an inviting world on Davenport Street where Stella and Arthur Crandall, two good-natured dogs who have an incredible, magical experience and react much as youor I would - with a combination of disbelief and willingness.
You Read to Me, I'll Read to You
by Michael Emberley and Mary Ann HobermanMary Ann Hoberman and Michael Emberley have added Aesop's fables to their bestselling and award-winning series! Rediscover familiar tales and find new favorites in this irresistible fifthYou Read to Me collaboration. These stories of classic characters-from wise ants and kind mice to sly foxes and hungry wolves-are fables as you've never seen them before! With clear, color-coded typography and clever illustrations, this book "in two voices" uses traditional reading teaching techniques-alliteration, rhyme, and repetition-to invite young children to read along with peers or with an adult.
Olivia
by Ian FalconerOlivia is a little pig who likes to dress up, sing songs, dance, think, snooze and is even quite good at building sandcastles. At the end of the day, when she snuggles up in bed and her mother reads her a story (or three), Olivia feels very full of love.
I Lost My Bear
by Jules FeifferIt's not under the bed, or on the chair, or beneath the couch, or behind the curtains.It's GONE!
What do you do when your favorite toy disappears, and you can't find it where you left it? What if your family is NO help at all? A determined little detective heads up the search, and discovers more than she ever expected! No one will help look for Bearsy. Mom's too busy. Dad's reading, and Sister's grumpy. But when Jules Feiffer's spunky heroine strikes out on her own to find her favorite stuffed toy, she discovers much more than anyone ever expected! With a simple text and bold, expressive pictures, here is a playful salute to a girl who won't give up.
00-01 Young Reader's Choice Award Program Masterlist
Buffalo Music
by Tracey E. FernOnce, long, long ago, buffalo roamed the West, filling the plains and canyons with the music of their thundering hooves and huffing breath.
Then hunters came and destroyed nearly all of them.
But buffalo are stubborn, ornery creatures, and though the herds were gone, a few lone calves lingered.
If the buffalo were to survive as a species, however, they needed the help of someone just as feisty as they were.
Inspired by the work of Mary Ann Goodnight, a pioneer credited with forming one of the first captive buffalo herds in the 1800s, this is the beautifully told and warmly illustrated tale of one woman's quest to save what otherwise would have been lost forever.
Clever Jack Takes the Cake
by G. Brian Karas and Candace FlemingTake a bite out of this deliciously funny original fairy tale, which received four starred reviews and was named a Best Book of the Year by Booklist, School Library Journal, Kirkus Reviews, and the Bank Street College of Education. What would you do if you were invited to the princess's tenth birthday party but didn't have money for a gift? Well, clever Jack decides to bake the princess a cake.Now he just has to get it to the castle in one piece. What could possibly go wrong?Candace Fleming and G. Brian Karas, creators of the bestselling picture book Muncha! Muncha! Muncha!, have teamed up again to bring us a modern fairy tale starring a determined boy and a story-loving princess with a good sense of humor. While girls will fall for a story featuring a princess's birthday party, Jack's adventures with trolls, bears, and gypsies make this the perfect read for young boys as well--and ideal for storytime.From the Hardcover edition.
Corduroy
by Don FreemanCorduroy was first introduced to readers in 1968, and in the fifty years since, his adventures have never stopped.
Corduroy has been on the department store shelf for a long time. Yet as soon as Lisa sees him, she knows that he’s the bear for her. Her mother, though, thinks he’s a little shopworn—he’s even missing a button! Still, Corduroy knows that with a bit of work he can tidy himself up and be just the bear for Lisa. And where better to start than with a nighttime adventure through the department store, searching for a new button!
Celebrate 50 years of this irresistible childhood classic, a heartwarming story about a little bear and a little girl finding the friend they have always wanted in each other.
Let's Do Nothing!
by Tony FucileMeet Frankie and Sal, two boys who've done it all. They've played every board game. They've read every comic book. They've painted a zillion pictures. What's left to do? Just when it seems they will collapse from boredom, Sal gets a brilliant idea. What about doing nothing? But is it possible--can two boys do ten whole seconds of nothing? Hold your breath and get ready for this laugh-out-loud romp created by feature film animator and debut picture-book artist Tony Fucile.
Three Tales of My Father's Dragon
by Ruth Stiles GannettThe classic fantasy trilogy of Elmer Elevator and the flying baby dragon has delighted children and their parents for generations. Now, on the occasion of their fiftieth anniversary, Random House is proud to bring the three timeless tales together in one beautiful commemorative edition, complete with the original delightful illustrations. A Newbery Honor Book and an ALA Notable Book, My Father's Dragon is followed by Elmer and the Dragon ("rich, humorous, and thoroughly satisfying"*) and The Dragons of Blueland ("ingenious and plausible, the fantasy well-sustained"*). Each story stands alone, but read in succession, they are an unforgettable experience.*Library Journal, starred review From the Hardcover edition.
Rotten Ralph
by Jack Gantos and Nicole RubelRalph, a very, very nasty cat, finally sees the error of his ways -- or does he?
The Pumpkin Book
by Gail GibbonsDescribes how pumpkins come in different shapes and sizes how they grow and their traditional uses and cultural significance Includes instructions for carving a pumpkin and drying the seeds Gail Gibbons is the well known nonfiction author for children. Other titles include Fire Fire, Apples, Bats, and the Post Office. This book would be a wonderful teaching tool with real pumpkins.
The Candy Corn Contest
by Blanche Sims and Patricia Reilly GiffIt's almost Thanksgiving, and Richard Best can't stop thinking about Ms. Rooney's Candy Corn contest. Whoever can guess the exact number of yellow-and-orange candies in the jar on Ms. Roney's desk gets to keep them all. The only problem is Richard has to read a page in a library book for each guess.Smelly Matthew, who sits in front of him, knows they'll never win. "We're the worst readers in the class, " he says. But Richard won't give up. He can already taste those Candy Corns. And before he knows it, he has. Three fat juicy ones.What will Ms. Rooney do when she finds out?From the Trade Paperback edition.
Little Toot
by Hardie GramatkyIn this Weekly Reader Children's Book Club selection, a tiny tug rescues a big ship.
Ginger Bear
by Mini GreyAny child who loves cookies will enjoy this inventive tale of Ginger Bear, a cookie in the shape of a bear, who sets out to avoid being eaten. As she did with Traction Man Is Here! and The Adventures of the Dish and the Spoon, Mini Grey has created a totally original book that is fun to read and fun to look at.From the Hardcover edition.
Traction Man is Here!
by Mini GreyTraction Man—wearing combat boots, battle pants, and his warfare shirt—comes in a box, but very quickly finds the way into the imagination of his lucky boy owner. This superhero searches for the Lost Wreck of the Sieve as the boy makes a game of doing the dishes, and later in the bathtub, he conquers the Mysterious Toes that are stealing his pet, the brave little Scrubbing Brush. These are just a few of the action-packed adventures played out by the boy and his new toy that may not be able to leap tall buildings in a single bound, but can vanquish all manner of villains lurking around the house. Mini Grey’s story in words and pictures is an irresistible invitation to the private world of a child’s play.
Anna All Year Round
by Diane De Groat and Mary Downing HahnEight-year-old Anna enjoys one exciting experience after another in this charming story set in Baltimore just before World War I. She gets a new winter coat that's even better than Rosa's, rollerskates down the steepest hill in the neighborhood, and rides the trolley all by herself. And she delights in the changes occurring in the world around her, as motorcars and electric lights appear for the first time on her street. Based on the childhood experiences of the author's mother, these heartwarming episodes touch on timeless themes of family, friends, and the wonders of growing up.
Henry and the Kite Dragon
by Bruce Edward HallEveryone knows that kids from Chinatown don't go to the park when the kids from Little Italy are there. They're rough, they're big, and they don't like Chinese kids. That's okay--Henry doesn't like them, either. But what Henry does like is kites. He loves them. Even more, he loves to help his friend Grandfather Chin make them and send them soaring over Chinatown and the park. But when Tony Guglione and his friends from Little Italy keep throwing rocks and destroying their beautiful creations, Henry and his friends decide enough is enough! In this touching story based on true 1920s events, two rival groups of children representing two different cultures come face-to-face, and when they do, they find they share much more than just the same sky. A beautifully told and brilliantly illustrated celebration of diversity and acceptance.
Game of My Life New York Rangers
by John Halligan and John KreiserFamous games and players have been the hallmark of the New York Rangers from their NHL debut in 1926 to the present day. From Frank Boucher and the original Blueshirts to Jaromir Jagr, the Rangers have thrilled their fans with some of the most memorable performances in hockey history. In this newly revised edition of Game of My Life New York Rangers, John Halligan and John Kreiser share the recollections of over twenty of the most famous names in Rangers history as they discuss the most memorable games in their careers. Boucher describes the Rangers' first game; Clint Smith remembers what it was like to win the Stanley Cup in 1940; Mark Messier and the stars of the 1994 team share their memories of the games that ended the fifty-four-year Cup drought; Wayne Gretzky talks about his final NHL game; and Jagr describes his feelings about setting team scoring records. It's the best kind of anecdotal history, in which the people who made history are the ones doing the telling. Game of My Life New York Rangers takes readers inside the mind of each player and behind the doors of the locker room to reveal what really happened, and how it affected the people who were involved in some of the most memorable moments in New York hockey history.