Picture Books
Bunny & Tree
Balint Zsako
jE Zsako
Picture Books, Early Chapter Books, Fantasy, Adventure
"Bunny, who's looking for his rabbit friends, convinces Tree that it's time to uproot and see the world."
The artivist
Nikkolas Smith
jE Smith
Picture Books
Motivated by the realization of global inequities, a young boy embraces his dual identities as an artist and activist, becoming an "Artivist" to make a difference by using his viral mural as a catalyst for positive change.
This is a beautiful introduction to the power of art and its ability to wash away the dust of everyday life and hold a mirror up to problems in our world. The text is simple and the story is told mostly through the illustrations (which are fantastic). The ideas are heady and real, but the art is more real and connects the reader to an inertia art creates to bring about real change. A wonderful read! -Victoria
The baddies
Julia Donaldson
jE Donaldso
Picture Books
A troll, a witch, and a ghost compete to see who can scare the little girl who is new to the their neighborhood, but her courage and kindness defeats them all.
A ghost, a witch, and a troll compete to see who is the baddest and can scare a little girl away from her hanky. A light Halloween read with moments of giggle, and the delightful flowing rhyme of Julia Donaldson (of Room on the Broom and The Gruffalo fame) and the familiar bold, and sometimes silly illustrations of Axel Scheffler will draw little ones right into this story! -Mari
Stickler loves the world
Lane Smith
jE Smith
Picture Books
"Stickler is a woodland creature who reminds us to appreciate the everyday wonders we often ignore"--
Stickler is a captivating, enchanting, and odd one; part Golem with twig-like appendages, full reveler in the magic of every day. Objects jump off the page as they're being praised, "fluffy cloud, mushy moss, weepy tree," introducing young children to descriptive vocabulary with captivating (and sometimes droll- see slimy frog) illustrations alongside. This book is also funny! Lane Smith has created another beautifully illustrated book about reconnecting with the how amazing our world is when we approach it with gratitude and fresh eyes (it helps when you have a cutting-edge space helmet covering your face and Stickler as a guide!). -Victoria
In the night garden
Carin Berger
jE Berger
Picture Books, Nature, Animals, Kids
"A collage-illustrated bedtime read about the often mysterious and always beautiful experiences to be found in nighttime spaces"--
Yet another gorgeous picture book title from Carin Berger! Pair with Ashley Wolff's "Only The Cat Saw" for a fabulous nighttime cat-themed storytime. -Casey
The hidden world of gnomes
Lauren Soloy
jE Soloy
Picture Books, Nature, Fantasy
"A delightful collection of gnome facts, featuring Lauren Soloy's gnome wisdom and gorgeous artwork."--
The Hidden World of Gnomes is stunning! A long-form picture book without chapters, this is an excellent choice for newly independent or graphic novel exclusive readers and confident lap-sitters. Pair with Phoebe Wahl's Little Witch Hazel for a magical long-form storytime. -Casey
Simon and the better bone
Corey R. Tabor
jE Tabor
Kids, Picture Books, Animals
One day, down by the pond, Simon meets another dog just like him. And that dog has a bone just like his, only better! How will Simon ever get him to trade, when the other pup knows all the same tricks?
I love books that play with book structure, and this one features a cute dog! The innovative formatting of this title makes for a spectacular lap-sit or storytime read. Pair with Tabor's Mell Fell or Suzy Lee's Wave series for a fun book-gutter-themed storytime. -Casey
Over and under the waves
Kate Messner
jE Messner
Picture Books, Nonfiction, Nature
"A girl and her parents paddle into the bay. Over the water pelicans fly; under the water all kinds of sealife go through their daily life. Discover the magical depths of the kelp forest and all the fascinating creatures living just over and under the waves."--
This series is a storytime favorite! I'm excited to add this to our program collection and take it to preschool classes soon. If you like the other titles in Kate Messner and Christopher Silas Neal's Over and Under series, check this one out! -Casey
Bing! Bang! Chugga! Beep!
Bill Martin
jE Martin
Kids, Picture Books, Music
Bing! Bang! Chugga! Beep! This old car has been everywhere from the backyard to the sky, from the hills to the water. Bouncing between the mud in the ground and the clouds up high, the old car is loved by a clever young boy ... --Publisher.
This old car it's so fun, It's a hit with everyone! With a "Bing! Bang! Chugga! Beep!" You'll surely sing along, This great book's based on a song! -Casey
Awake, asleep
Kyle Lukoff
jE Lukoff
Picture Books, Kids
"From sunup to sundown, a young child's day is bursting with discovery and wonder-filled moments."--
Looking for a quick, sweet bedtime read? Look no further than Kyle Lukoff's latest title, "Awake, Asleep" which is bound to be a storytime favorite. -Casey
This is a beautiful long-form, wordless picture book debut! I'm hopeful we see more like it from Balint Zsako. -Casey