Special Collections
Early Childhood Books
Description: This collection is a sampler of of books for emergent readers to read, and books for adults to read to emergent readers. Each is accessible and contains image and audio descriptions. #kids #earlychildhood #picturebooks #earlyreaders #earlylearning
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We Came to America
by Faith RinggoldA timely and beautiful look at America&’s rich history of diversity, from Faith Ringgold, the Coretta Scott King and Caldecot Honor winning creator of Tar Beach From the Native Americans who first called this land their home, to the millions of people who have flocked to its shores ever since, America is a country rich in diversity. Some of our ancestors were driven by dreams and hope. Others came in chains, or were escaping poverty or persecution. No matter what brought them here, each person embodied a unique gift—their art and music, their determination and grit, their stories and their culture. And together they forever shaped the country we all call home. Vividly expressed in Faith Ringgold&’s sumptuous colors and patterns, We Came to America is an ode to every American who came before us, and a tribute to each child who will carry its proud message of diversity into our nation&’s future. PRAISE FOR WE CAME TO AMERICA: &“As Americans wrestle with the moral and legal aspects of immigration, Ringgold offers a reminder of the country&’s multifaceted lineage—and of the beauty to be discovered at cultural crossroads…. The simplicity of Ringgold&’s text, combined with the captivating designs, makes this a compelling, must-have narrative for a wide audience.&” –School Library Journal, starred review &“Using a broad brush and folk style familiar from her story quilts, Ringgold pictures families of diverse heritage… her powerful voice emphasizes unity and mutual appreciation.&” –Publishers Weekly &“[A] timely look at the diverse makeup and backgrounds of the American people.&” –Booklist
We Are in a Book!
by Mo WillemsGerald is careful. Piggie is not. Piggie cannot help smiling. Gerald can.
Gerald and Piggie are best friends.
In We Are in a Book! Gerald and Piggie discover the joy of being read. But what will happen when the book ends?
Using vocabulary perfect for beginning readers (and vetted by an early-learning specialist), Mo Willems has crafted a mind-bending story that is even more interactive than previous Elephant & Piggie adventures. Fans of the Geisel Award-winning duo won't be able to put this book down--literally!
The Very Hungry Caterpillar
by Eric CarleThe all-time classic story, from generation to generation, sold somewhere in the world every 30 seconds! Have you shared it with a child or grandchild in your life?
One sunny Sunday, the caterpillar was hatched out of a tiny egg. He was very hungry. On Monday, he ate through one apple; on Tuesday, he ate through three plums - and still he was hungry. When full at last, he made a cocoon around himself and went to sleep, to wake up a few weeks later wonderfully transformed into a butterfly!
The brilliantly innovative Eric Carle has dramatized the story of one of Nature's commonest yet loveliest marvels, the metamorphosis of the butterfly.
Too Many Babas
by Carolyn CrollThe soup Baba Edis requested to warm her frail bones is spoilt when Baba Basha, Baba Yetti, and Baba Molka each decide something--salt, pepper, garlic--is missing, in an illustrated folktale with a Russian flavor.
The Snowy Day
by Ezra Jack KeatsNo book has captured the magic and sense of possibility of the first snowfall better than The Snowy Day. Universal in its appeal, the story has become a favorite of millions, as it reveals a child's wonder at a new world, and the hope of capturing and keeping that wonder forever. Images and image descriptions available.
Riding to Washington
by Gwenyth Swain and David GeisterJanie is not exactly sure why her daddy is riding a bus from Indianapolis to Washington, D.C. She knows why she has to go-to stay out of her mother's way, especially with the twins now teething. But Daddy wants to hear a man named Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. speak and, to keep out of trouble, Janie is sent along. Riding the bus with them is a mishmash of people, black and white, young and old. They seem very different from Janie.
As the bus travels across cities and farm fields to its historic destination, Janie sees firsthand the injustices that many others are made to endure. She begins to realize that she's not so different from the other riders and that, as young as she is, her actions can affect change.Though fiction, Riding to Washington is a very personal story for Gwenyth Swain as both her father and grandfather rode to Washington, D.C., to participate in the 1963 civil rights march on the nation's capital.
Quiéreme con ternura
by Elvis Presley and Stephanie Graegin
Quiéreme con ternura.
Quiéreme con dulzura.
Nunca me dejes ir.
Has llenado mi vida.
Te quiero mucho, mi amor.
Tomando como punto de partida la letra oficial de la conocida canción de Elvis Presley, este precioso y tierno álbum ilustrado es una oda al lazo de amor que existe entre padres e hijos.
Pete the Cat and the Cool Caterpillar
by James DeanPete the Cat meets a super-cool caterpillar in the first Pete the Cat Level 1 I Can Read tale from New York Times bestselling author-illustrator James Dean!
Pete thinks he found a new best friend. But when his caterpillar goes missing, Pete has to find out what happened to his new friend. Pete is in for one wild surprise at the end!
Pete the Cat and the Cool Caterpillar is a Level I Can Read book, complete with original illustrations from the creator of Pete the Cat, James Dean, and is perfect for children learning to sound out words and sentences.
Pete The Cat And His Four Groovy Buttons
by Eric Litwin and James DeanPete the Cat is wearing his favorite shirt-the one with the four totally groovy buttons. But when one falls off, does Pete cry? Goodness, no! He just keeps on singing his song-after all, what could be groovier than three groovy buttons? Count down with Pete in this rocking new story.
Now & Ben
by Gene BarrettaThe inventions and inspiration of Benjamin Franklin and how they've stood the test of time. What would you do if you lived in a community without a library, hospital, post office, or fire department? If you were Benjamin Franklin, you'd set up these organizations yourself. Franklin also designed the lightning rod, suggested the idea of daylight savings time, and invented bifocals-all inspired by his common sense and intelligence. In this informative book, Gene Barretta brings Benjamin Franklin's genius to life, deepening our appreciation for one of the most influential figures in American history.
A New Year's Reunion
by Yu Li-QiongThis poignant, vibrantly illustrated tale, which won the prestigious Feng Zikai Chinese Children’s Picture Book Award in 2009, is sure to resonate with every child who misses relatives when they are away — and shows how a family’s love is strong enough to endure over time and distance.
Miss Rumphius
by Barbara CooneyA beloved classic—written by a beloved Caldecott winner—is lovelier than ever!Barbara Cooney's story of Alice Rumphius, who longed to travel the world, live in a house by the sea, and do something to make the world more beautiful, has a timeless quality that resonates with each new generation. The countless lupines that bloom along the coast of Maine are the legacy of the real Miss Rumphius, the Lupine Lady, who scattered lupine seeds everywhere she went. Miss Rumphius received the American Book Award in the year of publication.To celebrate the thirtieth anniversary of two-time Caldecott winner Barbara Cooney's best-loved book, the illustrations have been reoriginated, going back to the original art to ensure state-of-the-art reproduction of Cooney's exquisite artwork. The art for Miss Rumphius has a permanent home in the Bowdoin College Museum of Art.
La Luna se fue de Fiesta
by Matthew Gollub and Leovigildo Martinez and Martín Luis Guzmán FerrerThe sun lights the day and the moon lights the night, and morning seldom breaks to find them both up in the sky. But when the moon does stay up past dawn, the people of Oaxaca, Mexico, have an explanation: “The moon was at a fiesta.” Once again, Matthew Gollub and Leovigildo Martínez have created a sumptuous original tale set amid the rich folk culture of Mr. Martínez’s own Oaxaca—a tale as exhilarating as a moonlit fiesta full of music, tamales, and paper lanterns.
California Department of Education Suggested Reading Title Artwork honored by the Society of Illustrators in New York Paintings and text displayed in Art Institute of Chicago and over 40 museums nationwide
I'm A Seed
by Jean Marzollo and Judith MoffattThe story of two newly planted seeds, the first a marigold, the second a mystery seed, discussing the changes that take place as they grow until the second seed delightedly becomes a bright pumpkin plant with five baby pumpkins.
I'm a Fire Breather!: Meet A Dragon
by Shannon KnudsenMeet Alice. She's a dragon! She breathes fire as she flies overhead. She likes her humans crispy! But don't worry. Alice isn't real. She's one of the monsters you meet in stories. She just wants to tell you about dragons. Find out where dragons store their treasure. Learn about dragons' special powers. And meet different kinds of dragons from around the world. You'll have a sizzling good time with this monster buddy!
I Love My White Shoes
by Eric LitwinDon't miss the first and bestselling book in the beloved Pete the Cat series!
Pete the Cat goes walking down the street wearing his brand-new white shoes. Along the way, his shoes change from white to red to blue to brown to WET as he steps in piles of strawberries, blueberries, and other big messes!
But no matter what color his shoes are, Pete keeps movin' and groovin' and singing his song...because it's all good. Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes asks the reader questions about the colors of different foods and objects—kids love to interact with the story.
The fun never stops—download the free groovin’ song.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas!
by Dr Seuss“Every Who down in Who-ville liked Christmas a lot . . . but the Grinch, who lived just north of Who-ville, did NOT!” Not since “’Twas the night before Christmas” has the beginning of a Christmas tale been so instantly recognizable. This heartwarming story about the effects of the Christmas spirit will grow even the coldest and smallest of hearts. Like mistletoe, candy canes, and caroling, the Grinch is a mainstay of the holidays, and his story is the perfect gift for young and old.
And don't forget to celebrate Grinch-mas this Christmas season, the annual holiday tradition inspired by How the Grinch Stole Christmas that encourages readers to grow their hearts three sizes by doing good deeds!
Green Eggs and Ham
by Seuss“Do you like green eggs and ham?” asks Sam-I-am in this Beginner Book by Dr. Seuss. In a house or with a mouse? In a boat or with a goat? On a train or in a tree? Sam keeps asking persistently. With unmistakable characters and signature rhymes, Dr. Seuss’s beloved favorite has cemented its place as a children’s classic. In this most famous of cumulative tales, the list of places to enjoy green eggs and ham, and friends to enjoy them with, gets longer and longer. Follow Sam-I-am as he insists that this unusual treat is indeed a delectable snack to be savored everywhere and in every way.
[This text is listed as an example that meets Common Core Standards in English language arts for K-1 at http://www.corestandards.org.]
A Grand Old Tree
by Mary NewellThis book depicts the nurturing nature of a tree which provides bountiful when it is young and still nurtures even after it is dead.
Go, Dog. Go!
by P. D. EastmanWhether by foot, boat, car, or unicycle, P. D. Eastman's lovable dogs demonstrate the many ways one can travel. The new text emphasizes the concept element of the original while maintaining its rhythm and charm.
¿Cómo lo ves?
by Vera GalindoThe other day I discovered something amazing! We don't all see everything the same. A journey through art led by grand contemporary artists: Picasso, Barquiat, Frida Khalo, Mondrian, etc. Discover how they paint the things they see and that inspire them. And the best part, see how you can paint them, too.
Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs
by Judi Barrett and Ron BarrettLife is delicious in the town of Chewandswallow where it rains soup and juice, snows mashed potatoes, and blows storms of hamburgers--until the weather takes a turn for the worse. Images and image descriptions available.
Chickens Aren't the Only Ones
by Ruth HellerRuth Heller's prose and pictures are the perfect means for discovering the variety of oviparous animals and their unique ways of laying eggs.