The Tornadoes, Horace B. Smedley School’s football team, are losers.  Coach Armstrong gets the measles.  The big game is coming up and Miss Viola Swamp, tough substitute teacher, subs for Coach Armstrong.  The no nonsense practice saves the day.  Thanks, Miss Nelson.  PS - Loved Ms. Swamp's sweats! (MR) 

Allard, Harry.  Miss Nelson is Missing!  Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1977. 

The students in  sweet Miss Nelson's class are noisy and rude. They will not settle down.  Something must be done.  Miss Nelson disappears!  Now the kids have a mean, ugly, witchy substitute teacher—and she's piling on the homework!  Where is Miss Nelson?  Even Detective McSmogg can't find her! (AB) 

Allard, Harry.  The Stupids Die.  Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1981. 

Wow, the Stupids are really STUPID!  When the lights go out in the Stupids house, the Stupids believe that they have died and gone to heaven.  The family pets save the day and stupidity continues! (MR) 

Allard, Henry.  The Stupids Take Off.   Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1989. 

The Stupids are on another zany adventure.   This time they fly off in order to avoid a visit from Uncle Carbuncle.  In their travels, they manage to visit many of their other relatives, one crazier than the next. (JP) 

Anno, Masaichiro and Mitsumasa.  Anno's Mysterious Multiplying Jar.  Illustrated by Mitsumasa Anno.  New York:  Philomel, 1983. 

Things multiply in this unusual story: on one island there were two countries, and within the two countries there were three mountains, and so on up to ten.  You’ll learn about the mathematical concept of factorials in this intriguing book which is both a math lesson and a story. (JS) 

Anno, Mitsumasa. Anno's U.S.A.  New York: Philomel, 1982. 

Anno's artistic ability lets the reader travel through the United States from East to West.  Each picture shows the traveler on horseback as he finds familiar historical places along the way.  This book has no words which lets imaginations fly.  Each time it is opened, something new is discovered.   (JD) 

Arnold, Tedd.  No Jumping on the Bed!  New York: Penguin, 1987. 

Walter now understands why his father says, "No jumping on the bed!" as this action-packed book has Walter crashing through his downstairs neighbors' rooms. Soon everyone is dragged along with Walter until he wakes up. It was only a dream; it could never really happen. Or could it? (TD) 

Auch, Mary Jane.  Bantam of the Opera.  New York: Holiday House, 1997. 

Luigi was a bantam rooster but he possessed  the soul of a musician.  The first time he hears an aria from Rigoletto, he's overcome with the beauty.  When he learns that the farmer and his wife are going to hear Rigoletto he knows he must get there, too.  Luigi will make you laugh and also make you want to listen to Rigoletto. (JP) 

You can't know that your clothes don't fit, or think that you are anything but beautiful when the only reflection in the house is the one in your Nana's eyes.  This illustrated song from Sweet Honey in the Rock comes with a CD. (JM) 

  Base, Graeme. The Eleventh Hour.  New York: Harry N. Abrams, 1989. 

Horace the Elephant is having his eleventh birthday party at eleven o'clock.  He has invited eleven friends to play eleven games.  But when eleven o'clock arrives, the birthday feast had vanished!  Looking through the pictures, the reader can gather clues from secret codes and hidden messages to discover the identity (or identities?) of the thief. (MA) 

Bauer, Marion Dane.  Sleep, Little One, Sleep.  New York: Simon & Schuster, 1999.

Look!  See it there?  Sleep creeps in on velvet paws. Hear it purr? Hear it purr?  A cozy bed-time story filled with pictures of puppies, sheep, turtles, polar bears. (MK)

Bedard, Michael.  Sitting Ducks.  New York: Putnam and Grosset, 1998. 

Day in and day out alligators in the Colossal Duck Factory work hard packaging and shipping ducks to Ducktown.  Soon after coming to Ducktown, the ducks are turned into delectable entrees and served at the finest restaurants in the city.  When a duck accidentally falls off the factory’s assembly line at the Colossal Duck Factory, a kindhearted alligator takes the duck home and rescues him from his tragic fate.  Yet, in a world where ducks are destined to become food for the alligators, how can one alligator ensure that his newfound friend will not end up on the dinner plate tonight? (SD)

Birney, Betty G.   Pie's In the Oven.  Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1996. 

Grandma has a big surprise-a pie's in the oven and news travel fast.  Each page brings someone else to share in Grandma's pie.  Everyone wants to have a piece of pie!  Will there be enough?  Don't worry!  There's another pie in the oven! (JP) 

Borden, Louise.  Good Luck, Mrs. K. New York: McElderry, 1999.

Ann loves her new third grade teacher, Mrs.Kempczinski, who is one of those teachers who makes everyone feel special.  After the class has had a substitute for two weeks, the principal comes in to tell them that Mrs. K. has cancer.  Ann’s class waits for Mrs. K. to come back, which she finally does for an end of the year party.  Mrs. K. was a real teacher and this book was written to honor her. (KG)

Brett, Jan.  Armadillo Rodeo.  New York: Putnam, 1995. 

Kick up your boots and join in the fun! With his poor eyesight, Bo, a curious armadillo, wanders away from his family to follow a new "friend". Bo thinks it is a red armadillo, but is it? Experience the rodeo with Bo and his "friend" as they ride a horse and eat hot jalapeño peppers. (TD) 

Brett, Jan.  Berlioz the Bear.  New York:  Scholastic, 1992.   [unp.] 

Berlioz and his orchestra have a very important gig—the gala ball in the village square.  Berlioz has two problems.  His bass fiddle is making a strange buzzing noise and now they’re going to be late because the wagon is stuck, and the mule won’t budge. Many animals try to help, but it is a buzzing bee that holds the key to solving both problems.  Jan Brett’s rich and lively illustrations are an open invitation to join the dance at the gala ball. (CG) 

Brett, Jan.  Town Mouse and Country Mouse.  New York: Putnam, 1994.  unp. 

In a twist of the well-known tale, two mice couples decide to switch homes.  A new adventure is around every corner.  The city cat causes the country mice to scurry back to their own home, while the country owl frightens the city mice into returning.  “There's no place like home.”  However, the cat and owl come face to face at the end of this story for a surprise.  “I've always wondered what it would be like to live in the country...” (DH) 

  Brown, Marc. Arthur Writes a Story.  Boston: Little, Brown, 1996. 

What starts out as a nice, simple story for class about Arthur's dog, Pal, turns into an exaggerated, unbelievable tale when Arthur tries to follow the suggestions of all his friends.  When he changes it back to its original form in the end, his classmates think its the best story he could've written. (MA) 

Brown, Marc.  Arthur’s Birthday.   Boston: Little, Brown, 1989. 

Two birthday parties on the same day! Muffy and Arthur try to force their friends to decide which party they should attend. At first it is divided between the boys and the girls, but Arthur and Francine hatch a plan. (JHP) 

Brown, Marc.  Arthur’s Eyes.  Boston: Joy Street Books, 1979. 

Arthur is having trouble seeing.  He cannot read the board so his friend, Francine, has to read him the problems.  He visits the optometrist, where he finds out he needs glasses.  When he wears them to school, everyone makes fun of him.  He tries every possible way to lose his glasses.  Arthur even has to go to the principal's office.  When it is class picture time, Arthur is ready for it.   (JD) 

Brown, Marc. Arthur’s New Puppy.  Boston:  Little, Brown, 1993. 

Arthur gets a new terror-of-a-puppy, Pal (who really is just a normal puppy who needs to learn some manners).  Pal digs holes, messes in the house and destroys EVERYTHING!  But Pal isn’t the only one who needs to be trained; Arthur does too.  (SN) 

Brown, Marc.  Arthur’s Nose.  Boston: Little, Brown, 1976. 

Arthur, the aardvark, feels that his nose is a nuisance.  He sets out to change it.  A rhinologist makes recommendations.  Arthur is wise enough to not make a “big” mistake.  (MR) 

Brown, Marc.  Arthur’s Teacher Trouble.  New York: Little, Brown, 1986. 

Just Arthur's luck-he's got the strictest teacher in the third grade!  While everyone else is eating popcorn and going on field trips, Arthur's class is working hard.  When Arthur has to participate in the spelling bee, the pressure is really on! (JP) 

Brown, Marc.  Arthur’s Tooth.  Boston: Little, Brown, 1985. 

Arthur is the only one in the class to have never lost a tooth.  Francine, classmate of Arthur’s, chides Arthur.  Arthur becomes so worried that there is something wrong that his mother takes him to the dentist.  The dentist tells Arthur that he was eight before he lost his first tooth.  Returning to school from the dentist, Francine pretend to be the “Tooth Fairy” and disaster strikes! (MR) 

Buehner, Carolyn.  Fanny’s Dream.  New York:  Dial, 1996. 

Fanny had a dream.  To marry a prince who would be tall and handsome, dress her in silks, and never let her do another stitch of work.  When her fairy godmother does not appear to make her dream come true, Fanny realizes that Herber, a local farmer, is truly her prince charming.  (MJ) 

Buehner, Carolyn. It's a Spoon, Not a Shovel. New York: Dial, 1995. 

Whoever thought learning about manners could be funny?  Each page has animals in silly situations on it and a quiz.  The answers are hilarious. To help you pick the answer that shows good manners just look very closely at the pictures. The right answer is hidden somewhere in the picture. (JM) 

Bunn, T. Davis. Princess Bella and the Red Velvet Hat. Minneapolis: Bethany Backyard, 1998. 

Princess Bella is a little Bunny who hides under a floppy, red velvet hat. No one has ever seen her without out it, and the royal subjects begin to spread rumors explaining why she wears it.  After an accident causes the hat to come off, the King discovers why Bella wore the hat, and Bella discovers she doesn't need it anymore. (JM) 

Bunting, Eve.  Butterfly House.  Illustrated by Greg Shed.  New York: Scholastic, 1999.

A girl and her grandfather create a wonderful home for a larva.  Together, they feed and care for it.  When the time comes for the beautiful transformation, the girl must say goodbye. This is a poetic way to tell the life cycle of a butterfly. At the back of the book, you’ll find out how to raise your own butterfly. (SS)

Bunting, Eve. I Have An Olive Tree. New York: Harpercollins, 1999. Unpaged.

On Sophia’s seventh birthday Grandfather gives her an olive tree, far away on an island off Greece.  After her grandfather’s death, Sophia and her mother travel to the island from America to visit the tree.  (DR)

Bunting, Eve.  Night of the Gargoyles.  New York: Clarion, 1994. 

The musuem gargoyles gather in the night by flight of wing or thump of stump at the fountain to bemoan their lot in life.  They have been seen by the watchman who is afraid on his lonely job.  As the sun rises, the gargoyles return to their lofty positions. (MR) 

Bunting, Eve.  Swan in Love.  Illustrated by Jo Ellen McAllister Stammen.  New York: Atheneum, 2000.

This unusual picture book story is based on a real swan who grew attached to a boat that looked like a swan.  (MK)

Burleigh, Robert.  Messenger, Messenger.  Illustrated by Barry Root.  New York: Atheneum, 2000.

“Snow, wind, sun, rain, Morning’s come around again…Calvin Curbhopper rides into the day: ‘Messenger comin’, outta my way.”  Follow a bicycle messenger along city streets. (MK)

Mother Bat loves her baby, Stellaluna, so much.  But, Stellaluna is captured by an owl and dropped into the forest, all alone. Unable to find her mother, Stellaluna stumbles into a bird's nest wbere she meets Flap, Flitter and Pip.  Mama Bird feeds Stellaluna icky bugs. But, when she catches Stellaluna teaching her babies to hang upside down, she forbids such dangerous bat behavior.  Try as she might, Stellaluna cannot act like a bird. How will she ever find her beautiful Mother Bat?   (AB)

Cannon, Janell. Verdi. New York: Harcourt, Brace, and Company, 1997. 

Verdi is a story about being yourself, even if you are not little and green. Verdi is a python. All green python's start out with yellow scales and black stripes. Verdi loved his stripes. To him, it seemed like once a python lost his or her black stripes, they lost their energy and spice for life. But Verdi is determined to keep his fun loving life style even if it means losing his stripes. (SM) 

  Carle, Eric.  The Grouchy Ladybug.  New York: Scholastic, 1977. 

"Hey, you! " said the grouchy ladybug. "Want to fight?" This ladybug  is in a bad mood!  She needs to get some frustration out from under her hard shell before she can relax and have her dinner of aphids.  (AB) 

Carle, Eric. Little Cloud.  New York: Philomel, 1996.

How many times have you seen pictures in the clouds?  Little cloud pulls away from the rest of the clouds and turns himself into all sorts of images: a hat, a clown, a tree.  After you read this book, you'll want to run outside and see what pictures you can find in the clouds. (JP)

Carle, Eric.  The Mixed-Up Chameleon.  New York:  Scholastic, 1984. 

As strange as it seems, the chameleon in this story has the wings of a flamingo, the tail of a fox, the fins of a fish, and the neck of a giraffe!  It all started when the chameleon, bored with a life of changing colors and catching flies, visits the zoo.  He wishes that he were like other animals and to his dismay, his wish comes true.  When he finds that he’s too mixed up to even catch flies anymore, the chameleon learns to be himself and to be careful with his wishes.  (CG) 

Carle, Eric.  Walter the Baker.  New York: Simon & Schuster, 1995. 

Walter is the best baker in all of Duchy.  The Duke and Duchess get a delivery of sweet rolls every morning.  One morning Walter adds water to the flour instead of milk.  The Duke banishes Walter from the town unless he can "invent a roll through which the rising sun can shine three times."  Walter works all day and night on this invention.  Does he do it or is he banished?   (JD) 

Carr, Jan. Swine Divine.  Illustrated by Robert Bender.  New York: Holiday House, 1999. 

Farmer Luke gives Rosie the Pig a bath and takes her to town, but she doesn’t like it a bit.  “She dreamed of a heaven, Hog Heaven, where mud stretched as far as a pig’s eye could see.” (MK) 

Cash, Rosanne.  Penelope Jane: A Fairy’s Tale.  Illustrated by G. Brian Karas.  New York: HarperCollins, 2000.

“Tall as an eyelash, quick as a plane was the tiniest fairy, Penelope Jane.”  When Penelope Jane goes to school with five-year-old Carrie, she stirs up trouble. Book includes a CD of the song “How to be Strong” performed by the author/Grammy Award-winning singer.(MK)

Cazet, Denys.  Minnie and Moo and the Musk of Zorro.  New York: DK Ink., 2000.

Funny!  Minnie and Moo want to be heroes, so when they find some old clothes in the barn, all they need is a sword with a lipstick on the end—“Zip, zap, zip!”  (MK)

Cazet, Denys.  Minnie and Moo Go Dancing.  New York: DK Publishing, Inc., 1998. 

Minnie and Moo are cows who wished they could dance.  One night there was a dance at the farmer’s house, so the two cows got dressed up, put on some makeup, and knocked on the farmer’s front door.  The farmer’s wife recognized them immediately, as her husband’s long lost relatives! You won’t believe what happened next in this very funny book. (JS) 

Cleary, Beverly. The Hullabaloo ABC. New York: Morrow, 1998. 

Come on down to the farm for a romp through the alphabet. It’s a cluck and cackle, a quack and a squeak. There are lots of sounds, rhyme, and rhythm that young children will love as they learn the letters of the alphabet. (MJG) 

Clement, Claude.  The Man Who Lit the Stars.  Illustrated by John Howe.  Boston: Little, Brown, 1992.

As a stranger wanders into town one day, he is questioned by locals as to what he is doing with a long ladder at his side.  When he replies that he polishes the stars, the villagers laugh, until they realize his seriousness.  He is driven from the village when he persists that he speaks the truth.  As the man leaves the village, a young homeless boy follows, only to watch the man with the ladder begin his ascent into the clouds. (SR) 

Clement, Rod. Grandpa’s Teeth.  New York: HarperCollins, 1997. 

When Grandpa loses his specially made Swiss false teeth, the police are alerted.  When the thief continues to elude them, the media is alerted.  Before long, everyone not smiling constantly becomes a suspect and the very livelihood of the entire town is at stake.  Something must be done - and FAST!  (BMD) 

Clement, Rod. Just Another Ordinary Day. New York: HarperCollins, 1995. 

You may wish you could exchange places with the main character of this story for a day  or two.  An ordinary day for Amanda means riding to school with a Tyrannosaurus Rex, having lunch with an alien, sailing a pirate ship at the library, and riding home on an elephant.  How extraordinary! (LB)

Clements, Andrew. Big Al. New York: Scholastic, 1988.

Big Al just can’t seem to make friends with the other fish in the sea. It could be because Al is big, and bumpy and has lots of scary sharp teeth. One day a crisis occurs that gives Al the opportunity to make lots of new friends and a reason to be thankful for being, well frankly, an ugly fish. (DAH) 

Clements, Andrew.  Workshop.  Illustrated by David Wisniewski.  New York: Clarion, 1999.

This book introduces the tools in a workshop.  Beginning with the black and white carousel plans, the reader watches each step used to build the colorful ride.  Boards are sawed, then chiseled and sanded to form the horses. Household tools, such as hammers and screwdrivers, are used to attach the horses to the carousel.  Wait until you see the final product! (MP)

Crews, Donald.  Night at the Fair. New York: Greenwillow, 1998. 

Enter through the main gate and enjoy an evening at the fair.  With bright, eye-catching illustrations and very few words the author recreates the sights and sounds of this familiar scene.  Bright lights, games, food stands, and rides stand out against the dark sky.  Can you find the picture of  Donald Crews in one of the illustrations? (LB)

Cronin, Doreen.  Click, Clack, Moo Cows that Type.  Pictures by Betsy Lewin.  New York: Simon & Schuster, 2000.

Farmer Brown’s cows are typing notes.  They demand electric blankets.  NO, says Farmer Brown.  So, the next day there is no milk.  Then the chickens get involved, and it’s up to the duck to set things straight.  Funny, funny story!  (MK)

Cummings, Priscilla. Chadwick the Crab. Maryland: Tidewater Publishers, 1986.

Chadwick despises sleeping on the bottom of the bay every winter.  He dreams of a life in the Baltimore Aquarium. Will his dream ever come true? (KM)

Curtis, Gavin.  The Bat Boy & His Violin.  New York: Simon & Schuster,  1998. 

Reginald can “sashay his bow across violin strings the way a mosquito skims a summer pond,” but his father hopes he will want to become a baseball player instead of a violinist.  When he becomes the bat boy for the Dukes, the Negro National League’s worst team, his music begins to lead the team to victory. (LB) 

Cuyler, Margery.  100th Day Worries.  New York: Simon & Schuster, 2000.

Jessica was worried.  On the 100th day of school, what could she bring that equaled 100? (MK)

A little African American girl gets in trouble when she accidentally ruins the material her mother has bought to make a new dress.  What will happen when her mama finds out?  What will mama wear to the wedding? (LB)

Demi.  The Emperor’s New Clothes.  New York: Margaret K. McElderry, 2000.

Demi retells Hans Christian Anderson’s story and sets it in ancient China.  The vain emperor gets tricked into parading in his underwear. (MK)

 DePaola, Tomie. The Art Lesson.  New York:  Putnam, 1989.  unp. 

Tommy knows he wants to be an artist when he grows up.  When he gets to 1st grade, though, he only gets one piece of paper and has to use school crayons.  When the art teacher tells him to copy her picture, it is the last straw!  Tommy knows that real artists don't copy.  Can he get the art teacher to understand how important this is to him? (DH) 

DePaola, Tomie.  Bill and Pete Go Down the Nile.  New York: Putnam, 1987. 

Bill, a crocodile, and his toothbrush, Pete, are ready to start school.  They find out they will study the history of Egypt.  Once they learn about Egypt, the class takes a field trip.  After they finish their lunch at the pyramids, Bill goes to brush his teeth.  He and Pete run into the Bad Guy.  Bill gets locked in a sarcophagus.  Pete is his only hope.   (JD) 

DePaola, Tomie. Jamie O'Rourke and the Big Potato.  New York: Scholastic, 1992. 

Jamie O'Rourke is the "laziest man in all of Ireland." When his overworked wife injures her back, and can't work anymore, Jamie decides he will surely starve to death. But, the luck o' the Irish is with him, because on his way to confession, he happens upon a leprechaun. Much to his neighbors' dismay, the leprechaun tricks Jamie into wishing for the biggest pratie in the world. The potato grows so big it blocks the only road into town!  But, the O'Rourkes' have a plan, and Ireland's laziest citizen outsmarts the leprechaun after all! (AB) 

DePaola, Tomie.  The Knight and the Dragon.    New York: Putnam, 1980.

What happens when a knight who has never fought a dragon and a dragon who has never fought a knight decide that it is time for them to fight each other?  They prepare for battle, reading books, practicing on wooden dragons and piles of straw.  The big day comes for this timid duo and the outcome is quite a surprise!  Tomie dePaola's pictures make this a fun story. (JP)

DePaola, Tomie.  Mice Squeak, We Speak.  New York: Putnam, 1997. 

In this colorful book, three curious children discover the noises made by many different animals.  They learn how these animals communicate and compare it to how people communicate – we talk. (CS) 

DePaola, Tomie.  Now One Foot, Now the Other.  New York:  Putnam, 1980.

Grandfather Bob teaches Bobby to say "Bob," and to walk with "one foot, then the other."  The two enjoy many special birthdays together.  When Grandpa Bob suffers a stroke, Bobby does not understand why his grandpa is so sick.  The author touches on a real life, childhood experience, and he does this in a way that opens the hearts of both children and adults alike.  (MJ)

DePaola,Tomie.   Strega Nona’s Magic Lessons.   New York: Harcourt, 1982. 

Overworked daughter —Bambolona, overbearing father, underachieving assistant— Anthony, and kind sorceress— Strega Nona make a lively tale of envy and misadventure.  Anthony wants to be a baker, then a strega.  With a few ill spoken words, Strega Nona disappears.  How to get Nona back? (MR)

Diakite, Baba Wague.  The Hatseller and the Monkeys.  New York: Scholastic Press, 1999. 

This popular African folktale has been told in many countries around the world.  A man sets out to sell his hats only to have them stolen by a treeful of mischievous monkeys while he is taking a nap.  What other story does this remind you of? (LB)

DiSalvo-Ryan, DyAnne. A Dog Like Jack. New York: Holiday House, 1999.

"Jack was eight years old when our family adopted him from the animal shelter.  That's fifty-six in dog years."  A wonderful book to share at any storytime, but especially nice when someone has lost a pet.  (MK)

Several animals in the woods help a runaway slave escape from the slave hunters that are pursuing him.  Known as Barefoot, he follows the animals’ lead and is able to escape and survive.  Although it is a fictional, the book explores the courageous journeys of the slaves during this heartrending era in American history.  (MJ) 

Edwards, Pamela Duncan. Livingstone  Mouse.   New York: HarperCollins, 1996. 

It is time for Livingstone Mouse and his siblings to find their own places to live.  They have grown too big to share their mother's nest.  Livingstone wants to build his nest in the greatest place in the world.  His mother suggests China and so off Livingstone goes exploring until he does indeed find the perfect place to live—"china." (JP)

Egielski, Richard. Buz. New York: Laura Gehringer, 1995.

Having a “bug” takes on a new twist when Buz, the bug, is accidentally swallowed. Buz narrowly escapes capture by the pill police and just when he thinks he’s safe the bug doctor has a sickening diagnosis. (DAH) 

Ehrlich, Amy.  Hans Christian Anderson’s Thumbelina.  New York: Dial, 1979. 

A woman’s wish comes true when she finds a tiny little girl inside her flower.  Trouble begins, though, when an ugly toad snatches the tiny girl for the wife of his son.  Ehrlich takes the readers on the journey of Thumbelina as she escapes from the unfriendly toad, a demanding mole, saves a dying swallow, and is united with her perfect prince.  (MJ) 

Ernst, Lisa Cambell.  Stella Louella's Runaway Book.  New York: Simon & Schuster, 1998. 

Stella Louella's library book has disappeared and she has to return it to today!  She starts her search in her backyard by the hammock.  It is not there!  Stella trails the book with help from those who have enjoyed reading it and then passed it on. When the last clue leads her to the library, Stella realizes she will have to tell the librarian.  What will she say?  (DM) 

Everitt, Betsy. Mean Soup. New York: Scholastic, 1988.

If you’ve ever had a case of the meanies here’s a recipe to get rid of them. Horace has had a very bad day and feels mean enough to hiss and growl. Mom teaches Horace how to make mean soup and cook his meanies away. Find out what it takes to make some mean soup today. (DAH) 

Falconer, Ian.  Olivia.  New York: Atheneum, 2000.

Olivia is a pig who dreams of being a ballerina, or maybe an artist.  She does not like to take naps.  Funny story.  Funny illustrations.  Fun to read over and over.  (MK)

Fleming, Candace.  Gabriella’s Song.  Illustrated by Giselle Potter.  New York: Simon & Schuster, 1997.

Set in beautiful Venice, Italy Gabriella did not know that her song would touch so many people.  She sang it to the baker who passed it along to the widow Santucci and eventually the song was all over Venice, it was even performed in the Piazza San Marco – Bellissima! (CS) 

George, Jean Craighead.  Arctic Son.  New York:  Hyperion, 1997. 

This book is filled with wonderful illustrations that almost put you in the picture and a story of a boy who lives in a small village near the Arctic Ocean.  The story contains Eskimo words. (SN) 

Giff, Patricia Reilly.  Watch Out, Ronald Morgan!  Illustrated by Susanna Natti.  New York:  Viking Kestrel, 1985. 

Poor Ronald Morgan!  He can't see a thing!  After he gets glasses, he thinks they will improve his pitching and his reading.  But there's only one thing the glasses will really help! (DLM) 

Griffith, Helen V.  Grandaddy's Place.  New York:  Greenwillow, 1987.

"Janetta is excited about meeting her Grandaddy for the first time - and she gets to ride a train, too.  But when she gets to Grandaddy's place, it's not at all what she expected.  He has animals she's never seen before, and Janetta thinks none of them like her.  Find out how Janetta gets to know her Grandaddy, and his animals, too, in this heartwarming and humorous story. (DC)
 

Chrysanthemum loves her name until she starts school and meets Jo, Rita and Victoria.  They tell her that her name is too long and that since she is named after a flower, they should smell her and pick her! Suddenly, poor little Chrysanthemum doesn't like her name anymore.  She doesn't even want to go back to school, but then, Mrs. Twinkle, the music teacher lets the girls in on a secret.  (AB)

Henkes, Kevin. Circle Dogs. New York: Greenwillow Books, 1998. 

Circle dogs live in a square house, with a baby, and a mama and a papa. Every morning they get good morning kisses and they get to run and play outside and then they get to eat. But watch out! Circle dogs do not like to be disturbed while they are sleeping!  (SM) 

Henkes, Kevin.  Julius, the Baby of the World.  New York: Mulberry Books, 1990. 

Lilly hates her new baby brother, Julius.  Everyone pays more attention to him than to Lilly. But when Lilly's cousin insults Julius, Lilly finds herself defending and finally loving her little brother. (MA) 

Henkes, Kevin.  Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse.   New York: Greenwillow, 1996.

Lilly loves school and wants to be a teacher someday.   Until the day she comes to school with her purple plastic purse.   She is so excited to share her new purse  that she can't control herself.   Lilly ends up in trouble and suddenly she's having the worst day of her life. (JP)

Henkes, Kevin.  Owen.   New York: Greenwillow Books, 1993. 

Owen's blanket, Fuzzy, goes with him wherever he goes. But school is going to start and Owen's neighbor reminds him, "Can't bring a blanket to school."  Owen's parents try to get the blanket fairy to help.  But Owen hides Fuzzy in his pajama bottoms.  They even dip his favorite corner of Fuzzy in vinegar. But Owen just picks a different favorite corner. Finally, Owen's mother gets an idea that involves Fuzzy---and a pair of SCISSORS!  (AB)

  Hest, Amy.   Baby Duck and the Bad Eyeglasses.  Boston: Candlewick, 1996.

Poor Baby Duck—she has new eyeglasses and does not like them at all.  She can't dance, and she can't hop because she's afraid her new glasses will fall off.  Grandpa, who wears glasses just like Baby helps her to "see" that glasses aren't all that bad and helps her to smile again.  I remember when I had to start wearing glasses and I know just how Baby Duck feels. (JP)

Hoberman, Mary Ann. One of Each. Boston: Little, Brown, and Company, 1997. 
Being the only one can be lonely sometimes. Oliver Toliver took pride in the fact that he owned one of everything. Just one, only one, simply one, one of each. Everything was perfect until one day, he decided to show his home to a friend. But when they do not approve of his house full of one, Oliver learns a very valuable lesson—the lesson of sharing. (SM) 

Hutchings, Amy & Richard.  The Gummy Counting Book.  NewYork: Scholastic, 1997. 

Get some gummy candies and get ready to count.  Have fun with this book! (JW) 

Jackson, Shelley.  The Old Woman and the Wave.  New York:  DK Publishing, 1998. 

“Once upon a time there was an old woman who lived under a wave.”  This is a wonderful story that will keep you turning the pages until the very end, because you just can’t quite believe that the wave never breaks on the old woman’s house. (JS) 

Johnston, Tony.  The Ghost of Nicholas Greebe.   New York: Dial, 1996. 

In this good-natured ghost story, an old man  “gives up his ghost” only to have his eternal sleep interrupted by a mischievous dog who digs up his bone.  The bone goes on a 100 year long journey around the world until it is finally brought back to rest! (SF) 

Peter finds a pair of aviator goggles.  He and his friend Archie are pursued by older ruffians, who want the goggles.  Willie the dog manages to thwart the big kids and the goggles are safe. (MR)

Keats, Ezra Jack.  A Letter to Amy.  New York:  Harper & Row, 1968.  unp. 

Peter wants to invite a GIRL to his birthday party!  So he sends a letter to Amy in the mail.  On his way to the mailbox, the wind blew the letter out of his hand.  Now Amy is walking around the corner and the letter is headed straight for her!  Will the surprise be ruined? (DH) 

Keats, Ezra Jack.  Maggie and the Pirate.  New York: Four Winds Press, 1979. 

Is there a connection between a mysterious note signed “the pirate” and the disappearance of Maggie’s pet cricket Nikki? Maggie and her friend Paco follow a trail of clues that lead them to the new kid in town. What does the new kid know about Nikki? This is an exciting tale about making friends in the strangest places. (JHP) 

Keller, Laurie.  The Scrambled States of America. New York: Holt, 1998. 

Kansas gets bored just sitting in the middle of the county and stirs up all kinds of fun with a party that includes all the states.  The states exchange places, but soon discover that they are homesick for their own special locations.  Can they become the United States again? (LB)

Kellogg, Steven.  A-Hunting We Will Go!  New York: Morrow, 1998.

It’s time for bed.  All you need are some musical instruments, enchanted animals, and an old traditional tune, made new. Take a charming journey on your way to dreamland. (DA)

  Kellogg, Steven. I Was Born About 10,000 Years Ago.  New York: Morrow, 1996. 

This is the illustrated story of a 19th century American folk song. In typical folk tale fashion, this story boasts of feats from Biblical times to taking a trip to Saturn. Kellogg's illustrations are designed to motivate young readers to create a few tall tales of their own. (JHP) 

Kellogg, Steve.  Much Bigger Than Martin.  New York: Dial, 1976. 

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be bigger than your older brother or sister? Well, Martin has and what an imagination! Will he ever grow up to be bigger, faster, and taller than his big brother? Along with Kellogg's hilarious illustrations, this story is a gentle reminder of what it is like to grow up in the shadow of an older sibling. (TD) 

Kellogg, Steven.  The Mysterious Tadpole.  New York: Dial, 1977. 

Louis always gets a birthday present for his nature collection from his Uncle McAllister.  When he takes it to school, his teacher tells him it is a tadpole.  She asks Louis to bring it back so the class can watch it grow.  Alphonse outgrows every place Louis keeps him.  Louis finds a place to keep him for the summer, but when school starts again . . . Oh no!   (JD) 

Kellogg, Steven.  The Mystery of the Stolen Blue Paint.  New York: Dial, 1982. 

Belinda Baldini decides to paint a blue picture.  Jason, Simon, and LouAnne want to paint too, but there is not enough paint.  Suddenly a windstorm comes, so Belinda has to clean up.  Her blue paint is missing!  This is a case for Inspector Belinda.  She suspects Jason, Simon, or LouAnne.  Her "police dog" is brought into help solve the case.  Will Homer find the guilty one?   (JD) 

Kellogg, Steven.  Pinkerton, Behave!  New York:  Dial, 1979. 

Pinkerton is a Great Dane with a problem—he can’t behave.  When he’s told to come, he goes. When he fetches the paper, he tears it to shreds, and when he’s supposed to attack burglars, he licks them instead.  His owner sends him to obedience school where Pinkerton is thrown out for being a bad influence on the other dogs.  When a real burglar comes to the house, his owner discovers the secret of making Pinkerton behave—what to say and when to say it! (CG) 

Kellogg, Steven.  Prehistoric Pinkerton.  New York:  Dial, 1987. 

When Pinkerton begins to chew on everything in the house, his family realizes that something must be done.  When his little owner goes on a field trip to a dinosaur museum, she decides that Pinkerton come along with her class.  Pinkerton can not be left alone in the house!  Did she make the right decision, or will Pinkerton, disguised as a stegosaurus, create chaos at the museum?  (MJ) 

Kessler, Cristina.  Jubela.  Illustrated by Jo Ellen McAllister Stammen.  New York: Simon & Schuster, 2001.

Based on a true story, this fictional picture book describes what happens to Jubela, a baby rhino after hunters kill its' mother.  (MK)

Ketteman, Helen. Bubba The Cowboy Prince: A Fractured Texas Tale. New York: Scholastic Press. 1997. 

In this fractured Cinderella tale, set in the southwest, the hero, Bubba, is helped by an unusual godmother to attend a hoe-down given by the “purtiest” and richest gal in the county.  Don’t miss this version, ya’ll. (LB)

Kirk, David.  Nova’s Ark. New York: Scholastic Press, 1999.

Nova, a young robot from planet Roton, takes an unexpected journey into the galaxy.  When his spaceship crashes, Nova’s imagination and ingenuity allow him to use the wires and computer parts of the demolished spaceship to create a set of animals, based on his ancient wooden ark at home.  These toys will come in handy before Nova returns to Roton. (LB)

Krensky, Stephen. How Santa Got His Job. New York: Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers. 1998.

Santa was not always the fat, jolly, generous person we all know and love.  This story explains Santa’s unusual climb up the career ladder.  He tried his hand at many occupations before discovering his true calling. (LB)