 Song
and Dance Man
by Karen Ackerman
Caldecott Medal
1989
Ages 3–7
One afternoon a visit to the attic convinces
Grandpa to recreate his vaudeville song and dance act for his
three delighted grandchildren. The colorful illustrations capture
the children’s viewpoint of this delightful event. |
|
 All
of Baby, Nose to Toes
by Victoria Adler, Hiroe Nakata
Ages Birth–2
While exploring a baby’s anatomy,
this delightful book featuring Adler’s poems and Nakata’s
vivid watercolors celebrates both a baby's joy in exploration
and the delight a baby brings to the whole family. This
gleeful book would be a perfect new-baby present for
any member of the family. |
|
 The
Pencil
by Allan Ahlberg, Bruce Ingman
Ages 4–8
This clever book tells the story of
a pencil whose creations come to life. Young readers will love
watching the pencil draw his way out of one predicament and
straight into another. |
|
 All
Things Bright and Beautiful
by Cecil F. Alexander, Ashley Bryan
Ages 2–5
Ashley Bryan’s colorful illustrations
celebrate the words of Cecil F. Alexander’s 19th-century
hymn. Using his mother’s embroidery scissors, Bryan has
created incredible cut-paper collages that are global
in scope, featuring a full range of skin tones and animals
from all over the world. |
|
 In
a Blue Room
by Jim Averbeck
Ages 3–7
Alice begs for everything blue
as her mother tries to put her to bed in a room full
of other colors. Turning out the light bathes Alice’s
room in the pale blue light of the moon and Alice’s wishes
all come true. |
|
 The
Mitten
by Jim Aylesworth, Barbara McClintock
Ages 3–8
In this retelling of a folk tale,
a young boy loses his red mitten while sledding. The
mitten is found by a delighted squirrel who enjoys its
cosiness until a first a rabbit, then a fox, and finally
a bear beg to join in the warmth. McClintock’s pen-and-ink
illustrations illustrate the silliness in a wonderfully
naturalistic way. |
|
 Our
Abe Lincoln
by Jim Aylesworth
Ages 4–8
The simple text of this biography
is adapted by a popular song during Lincoln’s presidential
campaigns, and can be sung to the tune of “The
Old Grey Mare.” The charming and detailed illustrations
will enchant children as they sing along. |
|
 LMNO
Peas
by Keith Baker
Ages 3–8
A hilarious group of alphabet
peas romp through the alphabet, appropriated garbed
to illustrate various jobs and occupations for each
letter. Bouncy rhyming text accompanies each letter,
presented as a large colorful shape surrounded by cheerful
busy pea creatures. The book is a fun read-aloud, and
young readers will want to spend time examining each
page closely. |
|
 Potato
Joe
by Keith Baker
Ages 4–8
If it can rhyme with potato, Potato
Joe and his nine potato friends have thought of it. The simple
illustrations complement the rhymes in this counting book,
and kids will be eager to turn the page to see what the silly
spuds are up to next. |
|
 Oh
No!: Or How My Science Project Destroyed the World
by Mac Barnett, Dan Santat
Ages 4–8
When an overly ambitious girl
builds a robot for her science project, things get
hilariously out of hand very quickly. Speech bubbles
tell the tale in this nearly-wordless book as our heroine
tries unsuccessfully to control her prize-winning entry
in this action-packed kids-eye account of girl versus
machine. |
|
 The
Day-Glo Brothers
by Chris Barton, Tony Persiani
Ages 4–8
Brothers Joe and Bob Switzer
were very different. Bob was serious and wanted to
be a doctor. Joe was an amateur magician and wanted
to make a name for himself in show business. When Bob
had a serious accident and was confined to a dark basement
for recovery, the two brothers began experimenting
with ultraviolet light and fluorescent paints, and
invented a new kind of intense color they called Day-Glo.
Joe used the Day-Glo paint in his magic act, and later
Day-Glo paint was used to guide planes to safe landings
on aircraft carriers during WWII. The illustrations
for this accessible biography are created with three
Day-Glo colors: Saturn Yellow, Fire Orange, and Signal
Green. |
|
 Shark
vs. Train
by Chris Barton, Tom Lichtenheld
Ages 4–8
Who is better, Shark or Train?
This cleverly funny book proves that it all depends
upon the circumstances. When trick-or-treating, Shark’s
toothy grin fills the bag first, but Train’s coal burning
engine has the advantage when roasting marshmallows.
As the stakes grow more absurd and funnier neither
comes out on top — the lack of thumbs make both
pathetic at video games. The hilarious expressions
in the watercolor cartoon illustrations are the perfect
match for the snappy dialog of the text. |
|
 ABC3D
by Marion Bataille
Ages 4–up
In this amazing pop-up book, the 26
letters of the alphabet not only pop up, they also move and
transform. This clever French book will enchant readers and
art lovers of all ages. |
|
 How
Do I Love You?
by Marion Dane Bauer
Ages 3–5
This charming board book, inspired
by he poem by Elizabeth Barrett Browning, compares
a parent’s love to the constant nature of the natural
world. The beautifully simple illustrations complement
the text perfectly. |
|
 Doctor
Ted
by Andrea Beaty
Ages 4–up
Humorous story of pretend play. |
|
 Madeline’s
Rescue
by Ludwig Bemelmans
Caldecott Medal
1954
Ages 4–8
One day on a walk through Paris Madeline
slips and falls off a bridge right into the Seine and is rescued
by a brave dog. The girls take the dog home, but she is banned
from the house, so the girls must search all of Paris to find
her again. Incredible illustrations complement the rhyming text.
(sequel to Madeline) |
|
 Seasons
by Blexbolex
Ages 4–up
This stunning picture book explores
the cyclical nature of life by examining the seasons. Beautiful
prints present simple yet detailed views of landscapes, objects,
and people during different times of the year, encouraging
readers to notice subtle details. As time passes and the seasons
rotate, a sense of the permanence of the cycle of change is
revealed. |
|
 Pete & Pickles
by Berkeley Breathed
Ages 4–8
Pete the sensible pig leads a predictable
life until Pickles, a runaway circus elephant enthusiastically
turns it upside down. Breathed’s evocative digital illustrations
bring this funny and exciting story to life. |
|
 The
Easter Egg
by Jan Brett
Ages 3–5
All the rabbits in this
charming book are busily decorating eggs, hoping
to win the prize of being named the Easter Rabbit’s
helper. Hoppi would really like to win, but he
is discouraged by the wonderful creations by the
other rabbits. Then a robin’s egg falls from the
nest, and Hoppi is too busy keeping the egg safe
and warm to worry about the contest. When the egg
hatches, the Easter Rabbit rewards his kindness
by choosing the discarded blue eggshell as the
winning egg. This sweet story celebrating spring
will enchant young readers.
|
|
 Cinderella,
or the Little Glass Slipper
by Marcia Brown
Caldecott Medal
1955
Ages 4–8
This retelling of the classic tale by
Charles Perrault is a skillful version that is both simple and
romantic. The pen and watercolor illustrations complement the
story beautifully. |
|
 Once
a Mouse…
by Marcia Brown
Caldecott Medal
1962
Ages 4–8
The mighty tiger challenges anyone to
say he was once a mouse, but the hermit knows it to be true,
since he himself used magic to transform the mouse into a cat
and then a dog and finally a tiger. And unfortunately for the
too proud tiger, those changes can be reversed. Beautiful woodcuts
illustrate this Indian fable. |
|
 The
Little Island
text by Margaret Wise Brown, illustrations
by Leonard Weisgard
Caldecott Medal 1947
Ages 4–9
The little island is rich with plant
and animal life despite its remote location. The illustrations
beautifully document the seasonal changes. |
|
 The
Curious Garden
by Peter Brown
Ages 3–6
While exploring his city neighborhood,
Liam notices some flowering plants by an old railway
track. He teaches himself to care for the plants, and
the energetic plants respond by spreading though the
formerly bleak neighborhood. Increasingly vibrant illustrations
capture the transformation of Liam’s world. |
|
 The
Little House
by Virginia Lee Burton
Caldecott Medal 1943
Ages 3–6
The little house in the country was happy
until the city grew large enough to surround her. Finally a woman
rescues the house by moving it back to the country. The whimsical
drawings are delightful. |
|
 Yellow
Square:
A
Pop-up Book for Children of All Ages
by David A. Carter
Ages 3–up
A yellow square hides in plain
sight, or within the paper engineering on each page,
encouraging readers of all ages to explore the modern
art inspired pages. |
|
 Redwoods
by Jason Chin
Ages 4–8
A young boy finds a book titled Redwoods on
a subway bench and is amazed to find his own picture on the
cover. As he reads, he is immersed in the history of the redwoods.
When he leaves the train, the boy finds himself in the middle
of a redwood forest in California. Beautiful and realistic
watercolors accompany the interesting and accurate information. |
|
 The
Big Book for Little Hands
by Marie-Pascale Cocagne
Ages 3–6
This engaging activity book reinforces
educational concepts as young artists color and complete
the illustrations. |
|
 Our
Children Can Soar:
A
Celebration of Rosa, Barack, and the Pioneers of Change
by Michelle Cook
Ages 4–8
This beautiful book pays tribute
to 10 African Americans from the Civil Rights movement
to the present. The powerful illustrations by many different
artists complement the text, presenting African-American
history as the story of hope. |
|
 Chanticleer
and the Fox
by Barbara Cooney
Caldecott Medal 1959
Ages 4–8
Chanticleer the rooster falls for the
flattery of the fox and is caught. Luckily Chanticleer is clever
enough to think himself out of danger in this retelling of the
“Nun’s Priest’s Tale” from Geoffrey Chaucer’s Canterbury
Tales. Beautiful pen and ink drawings illustrate the fable. |
|
 Farm
by Elisha Cooper
Ages 4–8
This beautifully illustrated book is
a tribute to family farms. Beginning in March and ending in
November, the quietly poetic text follows a family of four
through their daily life, introducing the land, buildings,
and animals that fill this family’s modern rural life. |
|
 Jake’s
Best Thumb
by Ilene Cooper & Claudio
Muñoz
Ages 4–8
Jake is so adept at one-handed
life that he sees no reason to stop sucking his thumb
until a Kindergarten bully begins to mock him. Quirky
illustrations and a charming story will have readers
cheering for Jake as he struggles to balance habit
and acceptance. |
|
 Yummy:
Eight Favorite Fairy Tales
by Lucy Cousins
Ages 4–10
In the retelling of these fairy
tales, the villains are scary and eager to eat their
tasty prey. Bold and vibrant illustrations complement
the slyly humorous text. |
|
 Dancing
Feet!
by Lindsey Craig, Marc Brown
Ages 1–5
The bouncy rhyming text full
of made-up sound words has an addictive beat and a
guessing element just easy enough for preschoolers
to anticipate. Celebrating movement and sound, the
guessing-game story hints at the identity of each creature
whose footprints vanish off the page. Marc Brown’s
collage illustrations are full of simple shapes for
kids to find and name. This book is a natural for reading
aloud, with lots of noisy help from the audience. |
|
 Click,
Clack, Moo: Cows That Type
by Doreen Cronin, Betsy Lewin
Ages 4–8
Farmer Brown is amazed when his
cows discover an old typewriter in the barn and soon
learn to use it to air their grievances. When Farmer
Brown denies their requests, the cows go on strike in
this hilarious example of the power of the protest. |
|
 Giggle,
Giggle, Quack
by Doreen Cronin, Betsy Lewin
Ages 4–8
When Farmer Brown goes on vacation,
he leaves his brother Bob in charge of the animals. Duck
finds the written directions, and amends them to add more
interesting food, bubble baths, and movie nights to the
amusement of all. |
|
 Duck
for President
by Doreen Cronin, Betsy Lewin
Ages 4–8
Duck is tired of doing his chores
and decides to hold an election to replace Farmer Brown
with himself. Quickly discovering that running a farm
is way too much work, Duck moves on to governor and then
president. A hilarious look at the electoral process. |
|
 Doobie,
Doobie, Moo
by Doreen Cronin, Betsy Lewin
Ages 4–8
When Duck reads about the upcoming
talent show at the county fair, he organizes the animals
into nightly rehearsals. This funny book makes a wonderful
read-and-sing-aloud! |
|
 Thump,
Quack, Moo
by Doreen Cronin, Betsy Lewin
Ages 4–8
Farmer Brown is trying to build
a fabulous Statue of Liberty corn maze, but the subversive
duck has other ideas in this hilarious read-aloud winner. |
|
 Cool
Daddy Rat
by Kristyn Crow
Ages 3–up
Bass player Cool Daddy Rat heads
out to perfrom in the big city and his son Ace comes
along in this tribute to jazz. Scat lines are delicious
to read aloud. |
|
 What
Is This?
by Antje Damm
Ages 2–5
This clever book asks young
readers to imagine what everyday objects can become
with a few additions. Prompted by the lively text written
in an appropriate media for each object, buttons become
pig noses and a hose becomes a snake, encouraging children
to look at familiar things in new ways. |
|
 May
I Bring a Friend?
text by Beatrice Schenk de Regniers, illustrations
by Beni Montresor
Caldecott Medal 1965
Ages 3–8
The King and Queen are always gracious,
even when their guest brings along a wild animal or several.
The richly colored illustrations show the well-behaved animals
causing unintentional havoc in the palace. |
|
 Hattie
the Bad
by Jane Devlin
Ages 4–8
Hattie loves being bad because
it is so much fun. She tries to sell her little brother
at a garage sale and ties her father’s keys to a helium
balloon. Her friends love playing with her, but eventually
their parents decide she is too bad to be a friend.
So Hattie decides to become the best behaved child
ever, with hilarious results. Hattie’s spirited first
person narration is cleverly matched with sly illustrations. |
|
 Louise,
The Adventures of a Chicken
by Kate Dicamillo, Harry Bliss
Ages 4–8
Louise is an adventurous chicken
who longs for excitement, so she leaves the farm and
meets pirates on the high seas and lions under the big
top. The comic narration makes for a perfect read-aloud. |
|
 Stick
Man
by Julia Donaldson
Ages 4–8
In this bouncy story in verse,
Stick Man unwillingly joins a dog’s game of fetch and
is sent away from his family far downstream. As the
seasons change, he becomes part of a swan’s nest and
finally, almost kindling. Saved by Santa’s arrival
down the chimney, this book is a perfect winter story. |
|
 What
the Ladybug Heard
by Julia Donaldson, Lydia Monks
Ages 2–6
All the animals in this colorful
barnyard have plenty to say, except the silent ladybug,
until she overhears a plot to steal the prize cow.
The clever ladybug comes up with a plan to foil the
robbers and save the cow, instructing each animal to
mimic the sound of another animal. The lilting rhyming
text and exuberant illustrations invite young listeners
to join in the chorus. |
|
 Her
Mother’s Face
by Roddy Doyle, Freya Blackwood
Ages 4–8
When Siobhán was three
her mother died. Now 10 years old, she cannot remember
her mother’s face. Then a strange woman in the park tells
her to search her own reflection in the mirror. As time
passes, Siobhán realizes the woman was her mother.
Blackwood’s illustrations mirror Doyle’s optimism that
time heals grief. |
|
 Finn
Throws a Fit
by David Elliott, Timothy Basil
Ering
Ages 2–5
Finn usually likes peaches,
but today the toddler doesn’t like anything. His parents
try to placate him, but nothing works and Finn’s raucous
and hilarious tantrum sweeps through the house. Young
readers will love the clever text and wild illustrations. |
|
 Drummer
Hoff
illustrations by Ed Emberley, text by
Barbara Emberley
Caldecott Medal 1968
Ages 3–8
Seven soldiers build an incredible cannon
which Drummer Hoff sets off. The cumulative rhymes and repetition
in the text encourage young children to “read along” while
admiring the brightly-colored woodcut illustrations. |
|
 My
Mom Is Trying to Ruin My Life
by Kate Feiffer, Diane Goode
Ages 4–8
Our young narrator’s mother
seems perfect to others, but she insists on embarrassing
her daughter in public by kissing her and telling loud
jokes. The watercolor illustrations perfectly complement
the text. |
|
 There
by Marie-Louise Fitzpatrick
Ages 4–8
A small girl wonders what it means
to grow up, questioning who she will be, what she will know,
and what she must leave behind. This simple and beautiful book
leaves the questions unanswered as she decides not to go There
yet. |
|
 Willoughby & the
Lion
by Greg Foley
Ages 4–8
When Willoughby Smith moves
to a new home, it feels small and lonely. Then he finds
a golden lion perched on a boulder who offers him 10
wishes, with the warning that unless Willoughby wishes
the most wonderful thing of all that the lion will
be stuck on the rock forever. As Willoughby makes each
wish, the illustrations move from black and gray to
include more and more gold until he finally does wish
for the most wonderful thing of all. |
|
 Hello
Baby!
by Mem Fox, Steve Jenkins
Ages 3–5
After a series of playful questions
about animals, the baby discovers that a baby is the
perfect answer. Steve Jenkins’s cut-paper illustrations
bring the various animals to life in this appealing
book. |
|
 Ten
Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes
by Mem Fox, Helen Oxenbury
Ages 3–5
The rhythmic rhyming text in
this picture book for very young children is addictive.
Adorable multicultural babies are added with each new
stanza. |
|
 Bees,
Snails, & Peacock Tails: Patterns & Shapes… Naturally
by Betsy Franco, Steve Jenkins
Ages 4–8
This inviting book explores geometry
in the natural world. The layout of the rhymes often
echoes the shapes pictured in the stunning cut-paper
collages. |
|
 Stanley
Goes for a Drive
by Craig Frazier
Ages 4–8
Stanley goes for a drive in his
pickup on a hot dry day. He sees a black and white cow
in the middle of a herd of solid black cows. As he milks
it, the white spots disappear. Stanley throws the milk
into the sky. White clouds appear and then rain turns
the earth green as Stanley drives home. Incredible illustrations,
which move from a orange pallate into greens, support
this magical tale of transformation. |
|
 Stanley
Mows the Lawn
by Craig Frazier
Ages 4–8
Stanley heads out to mow the
lawn: up and back, up and back. Or is that the only way
to do it? This beautifully illustrated book celebrates
the imagination and the art of looking at the world in
your own way. |
|
 Stanley
Goes Fishing
by Craig Frazier
Ages 4–8
After Stanley pulls a boat out
of the water instead of a fish, he casts his line into
the sky and hauls in a boatload of golden fish. The story
is intriguing, but it is the illustrations that shine
in this beautiful picture book which encourages kids
to look at the world in a different way. |
|
 Hank
Finds Inspiration
by Craig Frazier
Ages 4–8
Stanley and his snake friend
Hank head off to the city in search of inspiration. As
Hank travels from one destination to another, he is sent
on somewhere new in this beautifully illustrated tale
of discovery. Echoes of Stanley’s previous adventures
appear in the text and illustrations. |
|
 Dinotrux
by Chris Gall
Ages 3–8
Millions of years ago giant part truck,
part dinosaur creatures like the Craneosauraus ruled the Earth.
Their descendents are the trucks and construction vehicles
we see today. The illustrations, text, and the typography all
pitch in to bring these fearsome and hilarious Dinotrux to
life. |
|
 The
Grasshopper’s Song:
An
Aesop’s Fable Revisited
by Nikki Giovanni
Ages 4–up
The grasshoppers sing while the ants
work in rhythm. When the ants refuse to share the harvest,
the grasshoppers take them to court. This amusing retelling
will appeal to all ages. |
|
 Tillie
Lays An Egg
by Terry Golson, Ben Fink
Ages 4–8
The other hens are content
to use the henhouse, but Tillie searches for perfect
places in the house and Massachusetts farm. Fink’s
charming photographs with funny close ups of chicken
faces beautifully complement the text. |
|
 Bring
Me Some Apples and I'll Make You a Pie
by Robbin Gourley
Ages 4–8
This book follows Edna Lewis
during her childhood in a Virginia farming community.
From early spring until first snow, Edna appreciates
each crop as it ripens and is ready to be incorporated
into a delicious dish. Folk rhymes and sayings are
sprinkled throughout the text. A short biography of
this famous African-American chef and five kid-friendly
recipes are included. |
|
 The
Dinosaur Tamer
by Carol Greathouse, John Shroades
Ages 4–8
This humorous tall tale is
set in the old West, when cowboys like young Rocky
tamed dinosaurs of all kinds. Narrated in classic tall
tale prose, the dinosaur names and characteristics
are authentic. Rocky’s battle to tame T. Rex is a classic
humorous epic that creates several American landmarks
along the way. |
|
 Little
Mouse’s Big Book of Fears
by Emily Gravett
Ages 4–8
Little Mouse uses a scrapbook diary
to confront her fears, and she is afraid of just about
everything. Expansive collages with interactive elements
illustrate all sorts of esoteric fears, like sciaphobia:
the fear of shadows. |
|
 The
Big Snow
by Berta & Elmer Hader
Caldecott Medal 1949
Ages 4–8
Simple text and beautiful illustrations
tell the story of how the woodland creatures prepare for winter.
In the winter of the big snow, the people who live in the little
stone house help the animals by putting food out for them. |
|
 A
Story, A Story
by Gail E. Haley
Caldecott Medal 1971
Ages 4–8
In the beginning there were no stories
for children to hear, so Ananse the Spider went to bargain with
Nyame, the Sky God, to bring the stories down to Earth. Wonderful
woodcut illustrations support the clever text in this retelling
of an African folktale. |
|
 Ox-Cart
Man
text
by Donald Hall, illustrations by Barbara Cooney
Caldecott Medal 1980
Ages 4–8
The stunning combination of text and
illustrations recreates the mood of 19-century rural New England. |
|
 The
Day Leo Said I Hate You!
by Robie Harris, Molly Bang
Ages 3–8
Leo is sulking after misbehaving
and his mother’s disciplining sparks words that Leo wishes
he could take back as soon as they leave his mouth. Leo
worries he has endangered his mother’s love, but she
manages to heal the breach in a reassuring and sensible
manner. |
|
 Mail
Harry to the Moon!
by Robie H. Harris
Ages 3–8
The narrator is less than thrilled
with his annoying, attention-hogging new baby brother
and has numerous creative suggestions for solving the
problem until he is convinced that his parents are ready
to act on his moon idea. Fresh and funny look at a classic
situation. |
|
 Princess
Hyacinth
by Florence Parry Heide, Lane
Smith
Ages 4–8
Princess Hyacinth is lighter
than air, so her concerned parents weigh her down with
diamond pebbles in her socks and a crown decorated
with the heaviest jewels in the kingdom. She yearns
for freedom as she drags her heavy clothing around
the castle. One day she floats free with the help of
a balloon and Boy, who lends a hand in her escape from
her parents’ restrictive rules. |
|
 The
Shrinking of Treehorn
by Florence Parry Heide, Edward Gorey
Ages 4–8
Treehorn is shrinking, but no one seems
to care. His mother is obsessed with her baking, his father
refuses to believe him, his teacher and principal think he
is behaving badly and seeking attention. Gorey’s drawings perfectly
complement the story that captures the feeling of any child
who has ever been ignored by the adults in his or her life. |
|
 Most
Loved in All the World
by Tonya Hegamin, Cozbi A. Cabrera
Ages 4–8
When our heroine is sent north
on the Underground Railroad, her mother stays behind
to help others make the journey. She sends a beautiful
quilt with her daughter to help her find her way, and
to remind her that she is the most loved in all the world.
This beautiful book uses a child’s voice to talk about
difficult concepts of slavery, courage, and sacrifice. |
|
 Kitten’s
First Full Moon
by Kevin Henkes
Caldecott Medal
2005
Ages 3–5
This lively kitten is positive that the
full moon is a bowl of milk and persists in trying to lap it
up despite numerous setbacks. |
|
 My
Garden
by Kevin Henkes
Ages 2–7
A young girl helping her
mother with their garden dreams of an imaginary
garden as she weeds and waters. In her fantasy garden,
she would harvest seashells and jelly beans, some vegetables
would become invisible, and the rabbits that nibble
on the plants would be made of chocolate so that she
could also nibble on them. Both the real and fanciful
gardens in this book will enchant young readers. |
|
 Old
Bear
by Kevin Henkes
Ages 3–8
A hibernating bear dreams of
a spring when he was a cub, followed by dreams of summer,
fall, and winter in this beautifully illustrated book
about the annual cycle of seasons. |
|
 Spuds
by Karen Hesse
Ages 4–8
When their mother leaves to work the
night shift, the three fatherless children sneak out in the
middle of the night to glean potatoes from a neighbor’s field.
Evocative language and subtle illustrations transform the poverty
of the children into an exciting adventure. |
|
 Little
Chick
by Amy Hest, Anita Jeram
Ages 2–up
Old-Auntie helps Little Chick
deal with frustration in three stories: waiting for
carrots to grow, learning to fly a kite, understanding
that the star she wants is better off staying in the
sky. The charming illustrations are a perfect match
for the light humor of the text. |
|
 Chickens
to the Rescue
by John Himmelman
Ages 4–8
No problem is too small for
the intrepid chickens on the Greenstalk farm. Lost
sheep? A watch dropped down the well? The cow is stuck
in the tree? You can count on this energetic flock
to come up with a zany solution. Simple text is paired
with detailed and hilarious illustrations that will
be appreciated over and over and over again. |
|
 Pigs
to the Rescue
by John Himmelman
Ages 4–8
Eight excitable pigs throw
themselves into solving minor problems at the Greenstalk
farm with over-the-top rescue missions. Hilarious illustrations
bring the funny situations to life in this silly book
that begs to be read aloud. (follow-up to Chickens
to the Rescue) |
|
 Katie
Loves the Kittens
by John Himmelman
Ages 3–8
Katie the dog loves the new kittens
but they are frightened by her barking and leaping. Katie
eventually learns that sometimes it is best to let others
take the initiative in this heart-warming book. |
|
 City
I Love
by Lee Bennett Hopkins, Marcellus
Hall
Ages 4–8
This poetry collection follows
a dog and bluebird who travel to famous cities around
the world. The reflective and humorous poems by Lee
Bennett Hopkins are illustrated with Marcellus Hall’s
lively watercolors. |
|
 Stagecoach
Sal
by Deborah Hopkinson, Carson Ellis
Ages 4–8
Sal can catch a fish with her
bare hands, ride a bronco, and drive a stagecoach.
When her Pa falls sick, it’s up to young Sal to drive
the stagecoach alone to deliver the mail. When Poetic
Pete, the most polite bandit in all of California,
boards the coach, Sal sings him to sleep. She continues
her all-night singing marathon until they arrive in
town where Sal delivers the bandit to jail. Delicate
watercolor illustrations provide the perfect counterpoint
for the rambunctious text. |
|
 Princess
Says Goodnight
by Naomi Howland, David Small
Ages 4–8
In this joyful bedtime story,
a small girl imagines herself a princess and transforms
her ordinary modern family life into royalty living
in a castle. Rhyming text and enchanting watercolor
illustrations add to the fun as the nighttime routine
ends with the one thing every little girl, whether
princess or not, needs before sleep—a kiss good-night. |
|
 How
to Clean Your Room in 10 Easy Steps
by Jennifer Larue Huget, Edward
Koren
Ages 4–8
When your mother uses all
three of your names, you know it really is time to
clean your room, advises this hilarious book. Koren’s
scratchy ink drawings are the perfect match for the
funny directives in the text. A perfect read-aloud,
this book will appeal to messy kids and those who
live with them. |
|
 My
People
by Langston Hughes, Charles R. Smith
Jr.
Ages 4–8
Poetry
Smith’s sepia-toned photographs of African-Americans
illustrate Langston Hughes’s eloquent tribute to his people.
This beautiful book will be enjoyed over and over. |
|
 The
Negro Speaks of Rivers
by Langston Hughes, E.B. Lewis
Ages 4–8
Poetry
Luminous watercolors by E.B. Hughes of
rivers all over the world accompany the poem by Langston Hughes.
Together they portray the experiences of black people throughout
history. |
|
 Saint
George and the Dragon
text
by Margaret Hodges, illustrations by Trina Schart Hyman
Caldecott Medal 1985
Ages 4–8
George, the Red Cross Knight, slays the
dreadful dragon that has been terrorizing the countryside for
years and brings peace and joy to the land. The illustrations
for the retelling of this segment from Spenser’s The Faerie
Queene are rich in detail and sparkle with gold highlights. |
|
 One
Fine Day
by Nonny Hogrogian
Caldecott Medal
1972
Ages 4–8
In this humorous retelling of an Armenian
folktale, a fox steals some milk from an old farm woman. She
cuts off his tail, and the fox spends the rest of the day bargaining
to get it back. The vividly beautiful illustrations bring this
tale to life. |
|
 Grump
Groan Growl
by Bell Hooks
Ages 3–8
A child and his inner monster
illustrate this effective portrayal of a bad mood on
the prowl. |
|
 The
Heart and the Bottle
by Oliver Jeffers
Ages 4–up
When a small girl loses her father,
her only parent, she decides that the best thing is to
put her heart in a bottle and hang it around her neck.
All the wonder, curiosity, and delight in the world they
shared together vanishes, but the girl believes her heart
at least is safe from further pain. When the girl is
older, her heart is restored when she meets someone smaller
who still delights in the world. This gentle book is
a quietly moving portrait of grief. |
|
 Red,
Green, Blue: A First Book of Colors
by Alison Jay
Ages 1–5
One a rainy grey day a boy
discovers a rainbow of colors hidden in nursery rhymes.
Beautiful illustrations bring the colorful rhymes to
life. |
|
 Skunkdog
by Emily Jenkins
Ages 4–9
Dumpling the dog has no sense of smell
and so no dog friends. Pierre Pratt’s amusing illustrations
help to bring this tale of a dog forced to choose between obedience
and companionship to life. |
|
 Same
Same
by Marthe Jocelyn
Ages 2–5
This clever book introduces
the concept of classification to the very young. Bright
cut-paper images illustrate the characteristic that
is held by three objects, for example “round
things.” One object is carried forward to the
next page where it has similarities with two new objects.
Simple, striking, and delightful. |
|
 Sleepover
at Gramma’s House
by Barbara Joosse, Jan Jutte
Ages 3–5
First person narration by an
enthusiastic granddaughter celebrates the wonderful
anticipation and happy fulfillment of a very special
sleepover at Gramma’s house. Gramma, an appropriately
wrinkled elephant, is an artist, and the detailed illustrations
present her artistically cluttered house. The bouncy
text and rich illustrations capture the loving relationship
between generations. |
|
 The
Hello, Goodbye Window
text by Norton Juster, illustrations
by Chris Raschka
Caldecott Medal 2006
Ages 4–7
A girl visits her grandparents, enjoying
the house and garden and the surprises through the window. This
child-centered view of everyday activities is just right for
reading aloud. The bright illustrations are perfect for portraying
this happy multi-racial family. |
|
 Sourpuss
And Sweetie Pie
by Norton Juster
Ages 4–8
Our multiracial heroine admits
that she has conflicting personalities, sometimes she
is Sourpuss, sometimes Sweetie Pie. Her grandparents
accept her dual natures, reflected in the different color
palettes illustrating her happy moments and her tantrums. |
|
 Tsunami!
by Kimiko Kajikawa, Ed Young
Ages 4–8
Ojiisan, a wealthy rice farmer, sees
a tsunami threatening the village and sacrifices his own rice
fields in order to save the villagers. Ed Young’s stunning
collage illustrations vividly portray the power of the tsunami. |
|
 The
Snowy Day
by Ezra Jack Keats
Caldecott Medal 1963
Ages 4–8
A small boy wakes up to discover that
snow has fallen overnight. The beautiful illustrations of watercolor
and collage show the magic of simple experiences in the snow. |
|
 One
World, One Day
by Barbara Kerley
Ages 4–up
Sixty beautiful photographs
follow children all around the world as they eat breakfast,
go to school, and live a normal day. The global perspectives
of the numerous photographers echo the theme of one
global family. |
|
 What
To Do About Alice?
How
Alice Roosevelt Broke the Rules, Charmed the World, and Drove
Her Father Teddy Crazy!
by Barbara Kerley
Ages 4–8
This high energy picture book
celebrates a young spirited American heroine who livened
up the White House. |
|
 The
Little Red Hen and the Passover Matzah
by Leslie Kimmelman, Paul Meisel
Ages 4–8
This Jewish Little Red Hen
asks her friends for help making the traditional Passover
matzah. Unfortunately her friends aren’t too eager
to help. Couldn’t they at least help schlep the wheat
to the mill? In this hilarious version of the traditional
tale, a hard-working hen finds the true meaning of
Passover. |
|
 The
Gingerbread Pirates
by Kristin Kladstrup, Matt Tavares
Ages 4–10
Jim and his mother make gingerbread
pirate cookies on Christmas Eve, and Jim likes his
Captain Cookie with a gingerbread cutlass and toothpick
peg leg too much to leave him on the plate for Santa.
In the middle of the night, the brave Captain Cookie
dashes down the stairs to save his crew from the mysterious
cannibal named Santa. Luckily Santa ends up not being
as terrifying as the cookies feared. |
|
 Fartiste
by Kathleen Krull, Paul Brewer, Boris
Kulikov
Ages 4–9
Joseph Pujol learns to control
his intestines and performs at the legendary Moulin Rouge
in this mostly true story. Kulikov’s explosive illustrations
are sure to amuse the small boy in all of us. |
|
 Frog
Went A-Courtin’
text by John Langstaff, illustrations
by Feodor Rojankovsky
Caldecott Medal 1956
Ages 4–8
In this version of the old song, Froggy
puts on his shiny black boots and goes out to court Miss Mousy.
The colorful illustrations bring this book to life. Included
are the words and music to the song. |
|
 Oscar
and Arabella
by Neal Layton
Ages 4–8
Oscar and Arabella, a wooly
mammoth and a mastodon, have to think fast to outwit
the scary creature in the cave. The simple language
and lively illustrations will captivate youngsters. |
|
 Hot,
Hot, Hot
by Neal Layton
Ages 4–8
Wooly mammoth Oscar and mastodon Arabella
love playing in the ice and snow, but a sudden heat wave makes
them uncomfortable. Luckily Oscar has an idea to help them
survive the hot weather. This wonderfully silly picture book
will charm young readers. (follows Oscar
and Arabella) |
|
 Oscar
and Arabella and Ormsby
by Neal Layton
Ages 4–8
When wooly rhino Ormsby arrives,
woolly mammoth Oscar fears he has a rival for mastodon
Arabella. But every time Oscar performs a show-off
trick, Ormsby thinks of something even better. When
they fear Arabella is in danger, the two finally join
forces for a hilarious ending. (follows Oscar
and Arabella and Hot,
Hot, Hot) |
|
 Wave
by Suzy Lee
Ages 4–8
Wordless two-color picture book follows
a small girl’s interaction with the waves. The vibrant watercolor
illustrations capture the joy and laughter of a day at the
beach. |
|
 Trainstop
by Barbara Lehman
Ages 4–8
This wordless fantasy takes a young
urban girl on a subway train to an idyllic Lilliputian world. |
|
 Always
Room for One More
text by Sorche Nic Leodhas, illustrations
by Nonny Hogrogian
Caldecott Medal 1966
Ages 4–8
Travelers in a storm are glad to hear
Lachie MacLachlan generously call out that there is always room
for one more. Narrated in a lilting, rhyming brogue, the Scottish
travelers fill the little house until it explodes. |
|
 Bats at the Beach
by Brian Lies
Ages 4–8
The bats apply their moon-tan lotion
and head out for an incredible night at the beach. The dark
yet luminous art and rhyming text are the perfect foil for
these furry and friendly creatures. |
|
 Bats
at the Library
by Brian Lies
Ages 4–8
Thanks to an open window, the bats
have a wonderful time exploring the books and the library after
dark. |
|
 Finders
Keepers
text by William Lipkind, illustrations by Nicolas
Mordvinoff
Caldecott Medal 1952
Ages 4–8
Nap and Winkle dig up a bone together
in the yard and can’t decide who it belongs to since Nap saw
it first and Winkle touched it first. People passing by can’t
help them solve their disagreement until another dogs offers
a solution both can agree to. The humorous illustrations fit
the story perfectly. |
|
 Applesauce
Season
by Eden Ross Lipson, Mordicai Gerstein
Ages 4–8
This delightful picture book
tells the story of an urban family who comes together
every fall to make homemade applesauce. Every step of
the process is celebrated: buying, peeling, cooking,
stirring, and tasting. The recipe on the last page encourages
families to start their own fall cooking tradition. |
|
 Hello
Day
by Anita Lobel
Ages Baby-Preschool
Spend a day in the colorful countryside
with nine animals while encouraging babies to imitate sounds. |
|
 Such
a Silly Baby!
by Steffanie Lorig, Richard Lorig
Ages 1–5
Preschoolers will enjoy the story
of this mother who can’t go on an outing without switching
her baby for an animal. The text encourages audience
participation in the animal noises and Amanda Shepherd’s
delightful illustrations add to the fun. |
|
 The
Pirate of Kindergarten
by George Ella Lyon, Lynne Avril
Ages 4–8
Ginny loves Kindergarten, even
though the other kids sometimes laugh when she bumps
into things or reads lines of text twice. Finally the
nurse during Vision Screening Day discovers that Ginny
has double vision and the doctor gives her a temporary
eye patch. Ginny happily wears the eye patch and transforms
herself into a “Kindergarten Pirate” suddenly
able to draw, cut, and read with ease. This empathetic
book humorously presents the disorienting alienation
of those who see the world differently. |
| |
|
 Black
and White
by David Macaulay
Caldecott Medal 1991
Ages 4–10
Four stories, that at first seem unrelated,
each occupy a fourth of each two-page spread. The interactions
between the four stories creates a fifth. There is no resolution,
challenging readers to discover new meaning with each reading. |
|
 Snowflake
Bentley
text by Jacqueline Briggs Martin,
illustrations by Mary Azarian
Caldecott Medal 1999
Ages 4–8
This biography of Wilson A. Bentley tells
the story of a rural Vermont farmboy in the mid 19th century
who became fascinated by snowflakes. Bentley developed a system
of microphotography that allowed him to capture images of snowflakes
and prove that no two snowflakes are identical. Azarian’s woodcuts
are perfect. |
|
 Henry
In Love
by Peter McCarty
Ages 4–8
Henry, an open-hearted cat,
is totally smitten with Chloe, a flirtatious rabbit.
Pitch perfect observations of grade school romance
are complemented by the beautiful illustrations. |
|
 Adèle & Simon
by Barbara McClintock
Ages 4–8
Walking home from school in early
20th century Paris, Adèle’s little brother Simon
leaves something at every stop, encouraging the reader
to search carefully through every beautifully detailed
ink and watercolor illustration. A 1907 map of Paris on
the endpapers traces the children’s route. |
|
 Adèle & Simon
in America
by Barbara McClintock
Ages 4–8
Visiting from Paris, Adèle
and Simon take a train journey across early 20th century
United States with their Aunt Cécile. The forgetful
Simon loses one of his belongings at each stop prompting
a visual hide-and-seek through the illustrations, which
include historical figures. Sepia endpapers trace their
route on an old railway map. |
|
 Make
Way for Ducklings
by Robert McCloskey
Caldecott Medal 1942
Ages 3–8
Mr. and Mrs. Mallard are having trouble
finding the perfect nest site until they reach Boston’s Public
Garden. Safe from foxes and turtles, and plenty of peanuts, this
must be the perfect spot. The lovely humorous illustrations beautifully
support the gentle minimal text. |
|
 Time
of Wonder
by Robert McCloskey
Caldecott Medal 1958
Ages 4–8
Two sisters spend a glorious summer in
Maine on Penobscot Bay, swimming, sailing, and experiencing a
storm. The poetic language and beautiful illustrations capture
this magical time. |
|
 Mirette
on the High Wire
by Emily Arnold McCully
Caldecott Medal
1993
Ages 4–8
Mirette helps “The Great Bellini” regain
his confidence while he stays at her mother’s boarding house
and eventually the two are walking the high wire above the rooftops
of the city. Rich illustrations capture 19th-century Paris. |
|
 Arrow
to the Sun:
A
Pueblo Indian Tale
by Gerald McDermott
Caldecott Medal 1975
Ages 4–8
A young boy searches for his father and
must prove he is worthy by passing through four ceremonial chambers
in this retelling of the Pueblo Native American legend. The bold
and colorful geometric illustrations echo Pueblo designs. |
|
 The
Hinky-Pink
by Megan McDonald, Brian Floca
Ages 4–8
In this retelling of a story from 1940,
the humble seamstress Anabel is about to realize her dream
of sewing a ball gown for a princess when a Hinky-Pink appears
to rob her of sleep so that she is too tired to sew. Floca’s
active and detailed watercolors bring long-ago Florence to
life. |
|
 South
by Patrick McDonnell
Ages 3–7
In this nearly wordless book, Mooch
the cat helps a small bird whose flock has flown south without
him. This humorous and moving story explores crossing boundaries
and saying goodbye. |
|
 Bye-bye,
Crib
by Alison Mcghee
Ages 2–6
A small boy wavers between confidence
and hesitation as he graduates from his small but secure
crib. |
|
 The
Whistle on the Train
by Margaret Mcnamara, Richard Egielski
Ages 2–6
In this colorful pop-up book, the song “Wheels
on a Bus” is adapted for a train journey. The lyrics
are easy to learn, so young children can “read” this
book over to themselves as they enjoy the sturdy pop-up features. |
|
 Waiting
for Winter
by Sebastian Meschenmoser
Ages 5–8
Squirrel, Hedgehog, and Bear
scurry around searching for the first snowflake of
winter, which they are told will be white and wet and
soft and cold. They each find a candidate for the snowflake:
a toothbrush, a tin can, and an old white sock. The
wonderfully detailed and silly illustrations are sure
to enchant readers. |
|
 Color
Magic Sticker Play Book
by Metropolitan Museum of Art
Ages 4–8
More than 2000 red, blue, and
yellow translucent stickers in various geometric shapes
encourage children to experiment with color and the shapes
that make up the world around us. The reusable stickers
easily peel away from the laminated pages, making it
simple to create new masterpieces. |
|
 Bear
in the Air
by Susan Meyers, Amy Bates
Ages 4–8
When a beloved teddy bear is
lost by the child who loves him, the stuffed animal
takes an amazing journey to get back home again. The
bear is transported by fish, gulls, sailors, and the
wind until he eventually reaches home again. Beautiful
illustrations of a pre-WWII seaside resort town accompany
the rhythmic verse documenting the journey. |
|
 The
Funny Little Woman
text by
Arlene Mosel, illustrations by Blair Lent
Caldecott Medal 1973
Ages 3–8
Long ago in old Japan a funny little
woman with a silly little laugh chases a runaway dumpling and
soon finds herself cooking dumplings for a band of demons. Her
infectious laugh helps her charm the demons into releasing her. |
|
 A
Book of Sleep
by Il Sung Na
Ages 1–5
When the sky grows dark, everyone
goes to sleep except the watchful owl, who travels on a moonlit
journey while observing the other animals settle into sleep.
This beautifully illustrated bedtime book is destined to
become a classic. |
|
 Mama
Miti
by Donna Jo Napoli, Kadir Nelson
Ages 4–8
This story of Wangari Maathai’s
mission to plant trees in Kenya is told more as a folk
tale than a biography. Wangari Wangari becomes known
as Mama Miti (Mother of Trees) because she knows her
trees, and recommends the perfect one to plant to meet
the needs of those she meets. Some trees produce edible
berries, some make good firewood, some have roots that
purify the water. Beautiful and colorful illustrations
bring Mama Miti and her community to life. |
|
 Sam,
Bangs & Moonshine
by Evaline Ness
Caldecott Medal
1967
Ages 4–8
Samantha is a fisherman’s daughter who
lives in her imagination. Everyone calls her fantasies moonshine.
One day she sends her friend Thomas and her cat Bangs out to
sea to look for her escaped pet kangaroo. A sudden storm makes
Sam rethink the line between moonshine and reality. |
|
 Subway
by Christoph Niemann
Ages 2–5
Two children and their father, drawn
as transit map stick figures, spend a rainy day exploring New
York subway routes. The bright gouache illustrations, color-coded
to match the appropriate subway line, pop out from the solid
black background in this celebration of public transportation. |
|
 The
Pet Dragon:
A
Story about Adventure, Friendship, and Chinese Characters
by Christoph Niemann
Ages 4–8
As the spunky Lin searches for
her runaway pet dragon, young readers are introduced
to 33 Chinese characters. The bold black characters are
ingeniously integrated into Niemann’s vivid computer
graphics. |
|
 Do
Not Build a Frankenstein!
by Neil Numberman
Ages 4–8
The new boy in town tells his
new peers that though it may sound like great fun,
having a monster of your very own is really a lot of
trouble. The colorful watercolor illustrations deliver
the visual punch line to the funny text. (Numberman
did the illustrations for the graphic novel Joey
Fly, Private Eye.) |
|
 Bunny
Days
by Tao Nyeu
Ages 3–6
The six adorable bunnies in
this hilarious picture book are unintended victims
of their busy but unobservant neighbors, Mr. and Mrs.
Goat. Luckily the Bear is always there to put things
right, though sometimes the cure is as bad as the accident.
The charming illustrations and prim narration are perfect
foils for the silly stories that will keep the audience
giggling throughout. |
|
 Fancy
Nancy’s Favorite Fancy Words: From Accessories to Zany
by Jane O’Connor
Ages 4–9
Fancy Nancy makes vocabulary
glamorous in this A-Z list of useful words used and illustrated
in classic Fancy Nancy style. |
|
 A
Paddling of Ducks
Animals
in Groups from A to Z
by Marjorie Blain Parker, Joseph Kelly
Ages 4–8
This delightful ABC book
presents groups of animals from an army of ants to
a herd of zebras. Each group of animals is described
with the proper collective noun (a skulk of foxes,
a nest of vipers, a labor of moles) and shown in
a detailed illustration depicting fantastic yet animal
appropriate play. |
|
 If
Animals Kissed Good Night
by Ann Whitford Paul
Ages 3–6
Wonderfully silly presentation
of animal parents and children kissing good night complete
with nonsense sounds is sure to become a bedtime ritual. |
|
 The
Cardboard Piano
by Lynne Rae Perkins
Ages 4–8
Debbie and Tina share everything,
except piano lessons since Tina doesn’t have a piano.
Debbie constructs a beautiful cardboard piano for her
friend, but Tina soon loses interest. The dialog and
watercolor illustrations subtly explore what is most
important in friendship. |
|
 The
Rooster Crows:
A
Book of American Rhymes and Jingles
by Maud & Miska Petersham
Caldecott Medal 1946
Ages 3–8
This book is full of nursery rhymes,
counting-out games, skipping-rope songs, finger games, and other
jingles. |
|
 The
Lion & the Mouse
by Jerry Pinkney
Caldecott Medal
2002
Ages 3–6
This adaptation of Aesop’s fable is nearly
wordless, but Pinkney’s gorgeous illustrations tell the tale
in stunning detail. |
|
 The
Song of the Swallows
by Leo Politi
Caldecott Medal 1950
Ages 4–8
Julian, the gardener and bell-ringer
at Mission San Juan Capistrano, shares his love of the swallows
that return every year with his young friend Juan. This year
Juan plants his own garden and hopes that the swallows will build
a nest there. Beautiful watercolor illustrations capture the
magic of the migrating birds. |
|
 The
Glorious Flight:
Across
the Channel with Louis Blériot
by Alice & Martin Provensen
Caldecott Medal 1984
Ages 4–8
This book shows the persistence of Louis
Blériot, a Frenchman, who was determined to to build a
flying machine to cross the English Channel. His glorious flight
occurred on July 25, 1909. |
|
 The
Fool of the World and the Flying Ship
text by Arthur Ransome, illustrations
by Uri Shulevitz
Caldecott Medal 1969
Ages 4–8
In this retelling of a Russian folktale,
the simple third son is helped by those with magical powers to
perform the impossible tasks set by the Czar and wins the princess.
The colorful illustrations have a wonderful Russian folk-art
look. |
|
 Officer
Buckle and Gloria
by Peggy Rathmann
Caldecott Medal 1996
Ages 4–8
Officer Buckle’s school safety assemblies
are so boring that his audience falls asleep. Then police dog
Gloria joins the act and pantomimes each safety tip behind the
unsuspecting Officer Buckle who is amazed that his audience suddenly
finds him funny. The hilarious illustrations make this book something
special. |
|
 Fletcher
and the Falling Leaves
by Julia Rawlinson, Tiphanie Beeke
Ages 3–8
The young fox Fletcher is concerned
when leaves begin to fall from his favorite tree. His
mother assures him that it is only autumn, but to Fletcher
the tree does not seem at all well. He tries to capture
the leaves and stick them back on, but eventually the
twig breaks off. The next day a beautiful sight reassures
him that the tree is fine. The beautiful illustrations
echo the magical transformation of the seasons. |
|
 Fletcher
and the Springtime Blossoms
by Julia Rawlinson, Tiphanie Beeke
Ages 3–8
When Fletcher the young fox sees
the first spring blossoms flying through the air, he
is sure that the snow has returned. At first annoyed
by the false alarm, Fletcher’s friends soon join him
in romping through the petals. Tiphanie Beeke’s beautiful
illustrations celebrate the season and give each animal
a distinctive personality. (follows Fletcher
and the Falling Leaves) |
|
 A
Pop-Up Book of Nursery Rhymes
by Matthew Reinhart
Ages 3–8
Matthew Reinhart’s phenomenal
paper engineering illustrates these classic nursery rhymes.
Ingenious details make this book a family keepsake. |
|
 Baboushka
and the Three Kings
text by Ruth Robbins, illustrations
by Nicolas Sidjakov
Caldecott Medal 1961
Ages 4–8
The Three Kings coming from the East
to bring gifts to a new-born child lose their way in the snow
in Russia and knock on Baboushka’s door. She is too busy with
her chores to join them. The next morning she is sorry she refused
and tries to follow with her own gifts but the trail is covered
by new snow. Baboushka gives her gifts to other children instead.
The strong primary colors and bold outlines emphasize the Russian
theme of the story. |
|
 The
Chicken Thief
by Béatrice Rodriguez
Ages 4–8
This wordless book begins with
a bear and a rabbit enjoying a picnic lunch. The a
fox steals a chicken from her home. The rooster, bear,
and rabbit give chase though forests and across the
ocean. The shape of the book adds to the excitement,
as the fox stays just ahead of his pursuers. The distinct
personalities of each character are masterfully portrayed
through the body language of the illustrations, and
the loving way the fox cradles the hen makes it clear
early in the story that all may not be what the reader
expects. |
|
 Sergio
Makes a Splash
by Edel Rodriguez
Ages 3–8
Sergio the penguin loves water,
as long as it’s not very deep since he can’t swim. Poster-like
expressive illustrations present Sergio’s plunge into
the water, armed with floaties, snorkel, and a life preserver. |
|
 My
Friend Rabbit
by Eric Rohmann
Caldecott Medal 2003
Ages 4–8
Mouse narrates this story of his friend
Rabbit who has just as much fun getting Mouse out of trouble
as he does getting him into it. Incredible and hilarious illustrations
support the simple story. |
|
 Duck!
Rabbit!
by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, Tom Lichtenheld
Ages 3–8
This clever book uses a simple
version of the classic optical illusion that can look
like either a duck or a rabbit, depending on your perspective.
As the background details change, snappy dialog, that
begs to be read, aloud argues for both creatures, encouraging
young readers to also take sides. |
|
 Jumpy
Jack & Googily
by Meg Rosoff & Sophie Blackall
Ages 3–8
Jumpy Jack the snail is worried
he will meet a monster and describes the dreaded beast
to his friend Googily. The comically understated text
provides a foil for the vivid visual punch lines. |
|
 Meet
Wild Boars
by Meg Rosoff, Sophie Blackall
Ages 4–8
Wild boars Morris, Boris, Horace,
and Doris are dirty, smelly, bad-tempered, and rude.
This silly cautionary book is sure to delight young readers. |
|
 Wild
Boars Cook
by Meg Rosoff, Sophie Blackall
Ages 4–8
The bossy, selfish, stinky, and hilarious
boars are back to create the messiest, stickiest, gooiest pudding
in the world. This sequel to Meet
Wild Boars is sure to delight every child. |
|
 Moon
Rabbit
by Natalie Russell
Ages 3–8
Moon Rabbit loves the city
but she is lonely by herself. She meets Brown Rabbit
in the park and loves playing with him, but misses
her home. Beautiful prints illustrate this tale of
balancing friendship and independence. |
|
 Baby
Face:
A Book of Love for Baby
by Cynthia Rylant
Ages 1–5
Six poems celebrating universal
moments in a baby’s life are illustrated with Diane Goode’s
multiracial watercolors. |
|
 Peter
Pan:
A
Classic Collectible Pop-Up
by Robert Sabuda
Ages 4–10
Amazing pop-up illustrations
bring characters from J.M. Barrie’s classic Peter
Pan to 3-D life. (11/08) |
|
 The
Snow Day
by Komako Sakai
Ages 3–5
A small rabbit wakes up to
discover that snow has been falling all night. School
is closed and the father rabbit’s flight home has been
cancelled. The rabbit and his mother are safe and warm
inside the apartment, but feel all alone in the world.
The small rabbit enjoys the magic of the snow, waiting
for the news that his father will return tomorrow. |
|
 Grandfather’s
Journey
by Allen Say
Caldecott Medal
1994
Ages 4–8
This book tells the story of Say’s grandfather
who sailed from Japan to North America, ending up in California.
He returned to Japan to marry his sweetheart, bringing her back
to California. When his daughter is nearly grown, he takes his
family back to Japan. In Japan they miss California and return
to America. The beautiful illustrations perfectly capture the
feeling of always being homesick for one country or the other. |
|
 All
the World
by Liz Garton Scanlon, Marla Frazee
Ages 4–8
Following an interracial family
from morning until night, this book shows the world’s
connectivity by affirming the importance of all things,
from the tiniest grain of sand on the beach to the
huge sky at sunset. Frazee’s beautiful watercolor and
pencil illustrations complement the lively verse of
the text. |
|
 Kids
Like Us
by Carole Schaefer & Pierr Morgan
Ages 3–6
Enthusiastic language and appropriate
text capture the exuberant yet serious spirit of small multiracial
children absorbed in creative play. |
|
 Little
Blue Truck
by Alice Schertle
Ages 3–7
All the animals love to see Little
Blue Truck coming down the road, but not the obnoxious
Dump Truck. Rhyming stanzas encourage joining in on the
animal and vehicle noises in this nostalgic homage to
friendship and the rewards of helping others. |
|
 There
are Cats in this Book
by Viviane Schwarz
Ages 3–8
Three playful cats romp through
this interactive book that encourages the reader to join
in the fun. |
|
 Splat
the Cat
by Rob Scotton
Ages 4–8
Splat the Cat has a severe case
of first-day-of-school anxiety, so he secretly brings
his pet mouse for comfort. Splat is astounded when he
learns that cats are supposed to chase mice in a hilarious
chase sequence. |
|
 Gallop!
by Rufus Butler Seder
Ages 4–8
Inventor, artist, and filmmaker Seder
has created Scanimation, a new animation technique. A hidden
tab in each page slides an acetate layer over an animal image,
creating the illusion of motion reminicent of Eadweard Muybridge’s
motion photography. Rhyming text accompanies each animated
image on this fascinating picture book. |
|
 Swing!
by Rufus Butler Seder
Ages 4–8
Seder’s amazing Scanimation technology
animates various activities: hitting a baseball, riding a bike,
spinning on the ice. Rhyming text captures in words the energy
of the moving images. |
|
 One
Boy
by Laura Vaccaro Seeger
Ages 2–6
This clever peek-a-boo book counts
from one to ten and also reveals words within words.
Young children will enjoy discovering the hidden words—when
the boy is alone, the word one is
revealed within alone. |
|
 What
If?
by Laura Vaccaro Seeger
Ages 3–7
In this unique book about friendship,
a young boy kicks a beach ball into the water where
it is found by three seals. The reader is invited to
explore the possibilities of what might happen next
in three separate stories, told with minimal text and
richly textured illustrations. |
|
 Where
the Wild Things Are
by Maurice Sendak
Caldecott Medal 1964
Ages 4–8
Max puts on his wolf suit and gets sent
to bed without supper. Luckily a forest grows in his room and
he can rampage with the other wild things. The hilarious wild
things, scary-looking without actually being scary, and the wonderful
run-on sentences of the simple text combine to create an incredible
view inside a child’s imagination. |
|
 Coretta
Scott
by Ntozake Shange, Kadir Nelson
Ages 4–9
This picture biography shows
important events in Coretta’s life from her childhood
through her marriage to Martin Luther King. The rhythmic
text and powerful illustrations captures the intensity
of the Civil Rights Movement. |
|
 Sneaky
Weasel
by Hannah Shaw
Ages 4–8
The sneaky weasel narrating
this book finds that his tricks have brought him desirable
possessions, power over others, and no friends at all.
So he tries to become a better weasel, with very mixed
results, in this hilarious picture book. |
|
 Dinosaur
vs. Bedtime
by Bob Shea
Ages 2–6
The little red dinosaur is fearless
and invincible in his bouts against everyday obstacles like
a bowl or spaghetti or talking grown-ups until he meets his
nemesis—bedtime. |
|
 Red
Sings from Treetops: A Year in Colors
by Joyce Sidman, Pamela Zagarenski
Ages 4–8
Stylized figures move through
colorful illustrations celebrating the four seasons.
The unrhymed poems are filled with imaginative uses of
color words to highlight each season. (2010 Caldecott
Honor Book) |
|
 Madam
President
by Lane Smith
Ages 4–8
Katy is an small girl determined to
be president. In fact, she behaves as if she has been elected
already, fulfilling presidential duties at home and at school—attending
a pet frog’s “state funeral” and giving a press
conference instead of an oral report. |
|
 Born
Yesterday
by James Solheim, Simon James
Ages 3–8
This funny diary written from
a newborn’s point of view documents his attempts to
understand and conquer the world around him. Our narrator
quickly figures out who is the power in his household—his
kindergarten-age sister, who is “some kind of
monkey-bar superstar,” and decides to grow up
just like her. This amusing slant on sibling relationships
will go a long way toward easing the inevitable jealousy
of the older sibling. |
|
 Ladybug
Girl
by David Soman and Jacky Davis
Ages 3–5
Lulu’s older brother says she is too
little to play with him, and her parents are busy, so Lulu
invents Ladybug Girl and happily makes her own fun in an imaginative
world where she is definitely not too little. |
|
 Ladybug
Girl and Bumblebee Boy
by David Soman and Jacky Davis
Ages 3–5
Lulu meets her friend Sam at
the playground, but they have trouble deciding what
to play together. Sam is finally intrigued by Lulu’s
superhero idea and transforms himself into Bumblebee
Boy to accompany her Ladybug Girl. Together they battle
the Mean Robot, which looks a lot like a tire swing
to the uninitiated. (followup to Ladybug
Girl) |
|
 Noah’s
Ark
by Peter Spier
Caldecott Medal
1978
Ages 2–6
Minimal text and detailed illustrations
retell the Biblical story of Noah and the paired animals on his
ark. |
|
 I
Can Be Anything!
by Jerry Spinelli, Jimmy Liao
Ages 3–6
Spinelli’s exuberant rhymes
and Liao’s energetic illustrations combine to take
the reader on a playful journey through all the wonderful
possibilities life has to offer. This imaginative book
is sure to please both young readers and the adults
that share the pleasure of reading with them. |
|
 Wilson
and Miss Lovely:
A
Back-to-School Mystery
by John Stadler
Ages 4–8
After his first week of school, Wilson
is enthusiastic about his new teacher. But something is wrong.
The school bus never arrives, and the school is empty. Wilson
goes through his normal school routine, completing his math and
science lessons alone, sending himself to the principal’s office
when he misbehaves, but he grows more and more worried. Fold-out
flaps reveal a first green foot with claws, and then more details
until the surprise conclusion. A bit scary, but funny and sweet. |
|
 All
God’s Critters
by Bill Staines, Kadir Nelson
Ages 5–8
Kadir Nelson’s playful illustrations
enliven this energetic spiritual. The song’s message
of tolerance encourages everyone to sing along—and
everyone can thanks to the sheet music included at
the end of the book. |
|
 A
Sick Day for Amos McGee
by Philip Christian Stead, Erin
Stead
Ages 2–6
Elderly zookeeper Amos McGee
always makes time in his busy day to spend time with
the animals. He plays chess with the elephant, reads
to the owl, and sits quietly with the penguin. When
Amos catches a cold and can’t come to work, the animals
miss him and pile onto the bus to pay him a visit,
each offering a small kindness in return. Erin Stead’s
delicate woodblock prints perfectly complement this
gentle story of quiet affection. |
|
 Rattle
and Rap
by Susan Steggall
Ages 2–5
Amazing torn paper collages follow
a young boy and his family on a train trip through the
British countryside to the coast. The text is minimal,
and the illustrations richly detailed, combining to make
a dynamic and satisfying book. |
|
 Sylvester
and the Magic Pebble
by William Steig
Caldecott Medal 1970
Ages 4–8
Sylvester the donkey finds a magic pebble
that will grant his every wish. Unfortunately Sylvester is startled
by a lion and wishes he were a rock and then cannot hold the
magic pebble to wish himself back to normal again. The glorious
watercolor illustrations convey the nuances of this touching
story. |
|
 The
House in the Night
by Susan Marie Swanson, Beth
Krommes
Ages 3–6
Caldecott Medal
2009
Beth Krommes’s magical illustrations
amplify the minimal text to highlight the things in a
house that really matter: books, art, music, and love.
This bedtime book will be treasured by children and adults
alike. |
|
 The
Christmas Magic
by Lauren Thompson, Jon J Muth
Ages 4–8
In the far far north where
the nights are longest and the stars shine brightest,
Santa begins to prepare for his long night of toy-giving.
This particular Santa is a bunny-slipper-wearing character
who feels the approaching holiday through the tingling
of his whiskers. The luminous watercolor illustrations
add to the reassuring magic of this Christmas story. |
|
 Many
Moons
by James Thurber, illustrations by
Louis Slobodkin
Caldecott Medal 1944
Ages 4–8
Once there was a little princess who
wanted the moon, but no one could get it for her—not her
father, the king, his wise men, or the jester. Finally the little
princess solves the problem herself. The beautiful watercolors
portray the magical quality of this tale. |
|
 Jack
and the Box
by Art Spiegelman
Ages 4–8
Jack the bunny receives a talking
jack-in-the-box that is both funny and scary. Beginning
readers will love this clever Toon Book with plenty of
repeated vocabulary and age-appropriate humor. |
|
 The
Donut Chef
by Bob Staake
Ages 3–5
Rival donut chefs compete by
creating ever more bizarre donuts until a small girl
asks for a simple glazed donut. The rhyming couplets
and delicious illustrations make this book a treat for
both ear and eye. |
|
 The
Tree House
by Mariji Tolman, Ronald Tolman
Ages 2–up
This wordless picture book
features a central tree containing a many-storied tree
house. A polar bear riding a whale appears first, followed
by a brown bear in a boat. A flock of flamingoes bring
a cloud of pink. More animals arrive and all are welcomed
by the tree house. The youngest readers will enjoy
visiting this dreamy book again and again. |
|
 White
Snow, Bright Snow
text
by Alvin Tresselt, illustrations by Roger Duvoisin
Caldecott Medal 1948
Ages 4–8
When the snow begins to fall, the adults
rush around doing important chores, but the children dance and
try to catch snowflakes on their tongues. The bright illustrations
capture a child’s delight in the first snow of the season. |
|
 Mama
Says: A Book of Love for Mothers and Sons
by Rob D. Walker
Ages 4–up
This beautiful book pairs a
series of poems with stunning illustrations to celebrate
the bond between mothers and sons. Each poem appears
in English and another language (Cherokee, Danish,
Hebrew, etc.). The often simple verses are rendered
powerful by the illustrations that provide a deeper
context. |
|
 The
Biggest Bear
by Lynd Ward
Caldecott Medal 1953
Ages 4–8
Johnny sets off to kill the biggest bear
he can find, but since all he finds is a cup he brings it home.
When the bear grows too big to keep as a pet, Johnny tries to
set it free, but the bear keeps returning at supper time. Finally
Johnny has to find permanent solution. Beautifully detailed illustrations
capture rural life perfectly. |
|
 Chester
by Mélanie Watt
Ages 4–8
Mélanie Watt starts to write the story
of a mouse, but her cat Chester, armed with a red marker, dismisses
the mouse and rewrites the story with a new hero—himself.
Mélanie and the mouse fight back, and it’s a duel to the final
page in this hilarious picture book. |
|
 Chester’s
Back!
by Mélanie Watt
Ages 4–8
Mélanie hopes
that making her egocentric cat Chester the star of
his own fairy tale will keep him satisfied, but Chester
can’t resist using his red marker to make himself even
more important. (sequel to Chester) |
|
 Chester’s
Masterpiece
by Mélanie Watt
Ages 4–8
Chester the cat continues his
battle for control with author Melanie Watt by hiding
her art supplies and computer mouse. Wielding a red
marker, Chester tries to construct a story on his own,
but discovers that it isn’t as easy as he imagined.
Watt’s advice is delivered by post-it notes, which
the trouble-making cat ignores until the hilarious
conclusion. (follow-up to Chester and Chester’s
Back) |
|
 New
Year at the Pier
by April Halprin Wayland, Stephane
Jorisch
Ages 4–8
Izzy’s favorite part of Rosh
Hashanah (Jewish New Year) is Tashlich, when sins are
symbolically cast away by throwing pieces of bread
into the water. But first Izzy must make his “I’m
sorry” list and seek forgiveness from all he
has wronged the last year, and there is one item on
his list that Izzy is finding especially hard to say
out loud. This empathetic book makes important points
about personal responsibility and the joys of communal
tradition in a humorous and low-key style. |
|
 Sophie
Peterman Tells the Truth!
by Sarah Weeks, Robert Neubecker
Ages 4–8
Sophie Peterman tells the truth
about babies: they aren’t cute, or precious, or sweet.
In fact, they are smelly crybabies and attention hogs.
Sophie’s personality leaps off the pages of this funny
book that begs to be read aloud. |
|
 Alphabeasties:
And
Other Amazing Types
by Sharon Werner and Sarah Forss
Ages 4–8
This amazing ABC book begins by
introducing various typefaces and their different personalities.
From the alligator made form As through the zebra composed
of Zs, each page presents an innovative use of type, encouraging
repeat visits. |
|
 Cat
the Cat, Who Is That?
by Mo Willems
Ages 3–6
In Cat the Cat’s world, names
are easy to remember. Her friends all have names like
Mouse the Mouse and Fish the Fish. But then Cat the
Cat meets a strange and colorful new creature with
eyestalks and three legs, who greets her with a cheerful, “Blarggie!
Blarggie!” Young readers will love spending time
with spunky Cat the Cat as she struggles to fit this
new creature into her world. |
|
 City
Dog, Country Frog
by Mo Willems, Jon J Muth
Ages 4–8
City Dog, enthusiastic about
his new life without a leash, meets Country Frog in
the spring and the two frolic throughout the summer
and fall. But winter finds Country Frog’s favorite
rock empty. In the spring, City Dog meets a new friend
and extends the same welcome he received from Country
Frog. Beautiful watercolors expand the emotional depth
of this simple story about the transitory nature of
the seasons and the cycle of life. |
|
 Naked
Mole Rat Gets Dressed
by Mo Willems
Ages 3–8
Unlike the rest of his family
of naked mole rats, Wilbur likes to wear clothes. When
the other mole rats report them to their leader Grand-pah, Wilbur
is worried. Wonderful illustrations and funny prose are
a perfect match in this tale of tolerance and the importance
of being yourself.
|
|
 Wangari's
Trees of Peace:
A
True Story from Africa
by Jeanette Winter
Ages 4–8
When Wangari Maathai was a child,
Kenya was full of trees. When she returns after six years
of study in the United States, Wangari is horrified to
find whole forests have been cut down. Beginning with
nine seedlings in her backyard, Wangari inspires the
Green Belt Movement, which has planted 30 million trees
in Kenya. This simple biography of the 2004 Nobel Prize
winner is a wonderful example of how one person can bring
about change. |
|
 Here
Comes the Garbage Barge!
by Jonah Winter, Red Nose Studio
Ages 4–8
In 1987, when Islip, NY, has
nowhere to put 3168 tons of garbage, the town decides
to load the garbage on a barge and send it south. But
North Carolina won’t allow the barge to land, and neither
will New Orleans, so the barge heads on to Mexico,
Belize, Texas, Florida, and finally back to New York.
The exuberant dialog of the text matches the zany artwork
created by Red Nose Studio (Chris Sickels) from recycled
materials, found objects, garbage, and clay figures.
This fictionalized retelling of a true story cleverly
gets across a serious message about the amount of garbage
we all produce every day. |
|
 Gertrude
is Gertrude is Gertrude is Gertrude
by Jonah Winter, Calef Brown
Ages 4–8
The non-linear and repetitive
prose in this book pays homage to Gertrude Stein’s
own work. The whimsical illustrations of Stein and
Alice B. Toklas are a perfect match for the text. |
|
 You
Never Heard of Sandy Koufax?!
by Jonah Winter, Andre Carrilho
Ages 4–9
In this striking picture book,
an anonymous former teammate tells what made Sandy
Koufax, the 1960s pitcher for the Dodgers, so amazing.
We learn about his shyness, his physical limitations,
and the anti-Semitism he faced. But in the end it’s
Sandy Koufax in action, boldly portrayed by Andre Carrilho,
that captures the mysterious power of the great pitcher. |
|
 Owl
Moon
text by Jane Yolen, illustrations by John
Schoenherr
Caldecott Medal 1988
Ages 3–8
A young girl and her father go owling
late one winter night. The lyrical text and beautiful illustrations
combine to transform this simple event into a magical adventure. |
|
 Paris
in the Spring with Picasso
by Joan Yolleck, Marjorie Priceman
Ages 4–8
It’s spring in Paris and Gertrude
Stein and Alice B. Toklas prepare for an evening party
for their friends Pablo Picasso, Max Jacob, Apollinaire,
and others. Marjorie Priceman’s exuberant illustrations
beautifully complement the text presenting a normal
day in the lives of creative people as Picasso paints,
Stein reads, and Jacob writes a poem. |
|
 A
Tree Is Nice
text by Janice Udry, illustrations by
Marc Simont
Caldecott Medal 1957
Ages 4–8
This book explores all the benefits that
trees bring us in simple text suitable for young readers. The
elongated shape of the book allows the beautiful illustrations
to capture the graceful height of trees. |
|
 Jibberwillies
At Night
by Rachel Vail
Ages 4–8
Katie Honors is sometimes afraid at
night when the Jibberwillies fly through her room. Luckily
Katie’s mother knows just what to do, and together they catch
the Jibberwillies in a bucket and throw them out the window.
This fun book is sure to empower any child who has ever had
nighttime fears. |
|
 Lyle
Walks the Dogs
by Bernard Waber, Paulis Waber
Ages 4–8
In this charming counting book,
Lyle the Crocodile goes into the dog walking business.
Every day Lyle adds a new dog, with a distinct personality,
to his client list. Daughter Paulis Waber makes her
illustrating debut, and her cheerful drawings echo
the humor of her father’s art. Together, the text and
illustrations convey the energy and enthusiasm of the
dogs which must be controlled by Lyle’s patience and
good humor. Young readers will enjoy counting along
to make sure that Lyle ends his journey with all the
dogs he started with. |
|
 Hey,
Al
text by Arthur Yorinks, illustrations
by Richard Egielski
Caldecott Medal 1987
Ages 4–8
A strange bird offers to take Al, the
janitor, and his dog Eddie to a wonderful place with no worries.
The strange and beautiful place is indeed paradise, but Al and
Eddie eventually decide that home is better. |
|
 Hook
by Ed Young
Ages 3–8
A Native American boy finds an abandoned
egg. Hatched by the boy’s chicken, the strange chick grows
up to be a bald eagle, named Hook for his curved yellow beak.
The chicken tells Hook he is not meant for earth, but Hook
can’t figure out how to fly until the boy takes him to the
canyon. Beautiful chalk sketches illustrate the spare text
in this powerful story of friendship and perseverance. |
|
 Lon
Po Po:
A
Red-Riding Hood Story from China
by Ed Young
Caldecott Medal 1990
Ages 4–8
Three daughters left at home while their
mother goes to visit Grandmother are almost fooled by Lon Po
Po, the wolf pretending to be their Grandmother. Incredible illustrations
that are both realistic and abstract add to the power of this
retelling of the classic tale. |
|
 Last
Night
by Hyewon Yum
Ages 3–8
A little girl sent to bed early for
not finishing her supper dreams of a night in the forest with
her teddy bear. In the morning the mother and child make peace
in this spell-binding exploration of coping with anger from
a child’s point of view. Stunning linoleum block prints present
the dreamy atmosphere. |
|
 Rapunzel
by Paul O. Zelinsky
Caldecott Medal 1998
Ages 4–10
The beautiful Italian Renaissance-styled
illustrations with warm golden tones bring the classic Brothers
Grimm fairy tale to life. |
|
 Duffy
and the Devil
illustrated by Margot Zemach, text by
Harve Zemach
Caldecott Medal 1974
Ages 4–8
This comic version of the Rumpelstiltskin
story is based on a 19th century play from Cornwall, England.
The pen and wash illustrations are rich in detail and humorous
interpretation of the characters. |
|
 Snow
Party
by Harriet Ziefert, Mark Jones
Ages 4–8
When the first snow of the year
falls on the winter solstice, the snow people have a
party. Mark Jones’s breathtaking
pastel illustrations make this book stand out. |
| |
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