Beginner Readers
Are you ready to play outside? by Mo Willems (2008). Elephant, who is cautious and pessimistic, and Piggie, who is optimistic and sometimes reckless, go outside to play in the sun and hope that it does not rain. (2009 Geisel Medal Winner)
Annie and Snowball and the Teacup Club : the third book of their adventures by Cynthia Rylant (2009). Annie forms a club for girls who love teacups and other dainty things, but she will always love her cousin Henry and his big drooly dog too. (Fiction)
Cork & Fuzz : the collectors by Dori Chaconas (2008). Cork, a short muskrat, and Fuzz, a tall possum, both like to collect shiny stones, but Cork must act fast to save his friend when Fuzz angers a mother duck by trying to take a "stone" from her nest. (Fiction)
Giant John by Arnold Lobel (2008). Hired to perform odd jobs at the royal castle, Giant John's work pleases everyone until the musical fairies arrive and the friendly giant cannot resist the urge to dance. (Fiction)
Goose and Duck by Jean Craighead George (2008). A young boy becomes the "mother" to a goose, who becomes "mother" to a duck, as they learn about the rhythms of nature together. (Fiction)
I Love My New Toy! by Mo Willems (2008). Gerald and Piggie have a misunderstanding over Piggie's new toy, but soon realize friends are more fun to play with than toys. (Fiction)
Ricky by Guido Van Genechten (2008). Ricky Rabbit, who has one ear that hangs down while the other sticks straight up, teaches young readers that there is nothing wrong with being different. (Fiction)
Chicken said, "Cluck!" by Judyann Ackerman Grant (2008). Chicken wants to help Earl and Pearl plant their pumpkins, but she only manages to get in the way, until grasshoppers invade the pumpkin patch and Chicken is the only one who can stop them. (Fiction) (2009 Geisel Honor Book)
Biography
Barack Obama : son of promise, child of hope by Nikki Grimes (2008). Full-color illustrations and easy-to-follow text presents a narrative description of the life of President Barack Obama, beginning with his childhood in Hawaii, his family, his education, and professional achievements. (Non-Fiction)
What to do about Alice? by Barbara Kerley (2008). An illustrated biography of Alice Roosevelt Longworth that focuses on her experiences while her father was president of the United States. (Non-Fiction) (2009 Sibert Honor)
Nothing but trouble : the story of Althea Gibson by Sue Stauffacher (2007). Explores the life and achievements of Althea Gibson, the first African-American woman to win the Wimbledon Cup. (Non-Fiction)
Before John was a jazz giant : a song of John Coltrane by Carole Boston Weatherford (2008). A biography of John Coltrane that focuses on his childhood and adolescent years and discusses his inspirations, influences, family, the development of his musical talent, and more. (Non-Fiction) (2009 Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Award)
Different like Coco by Elizabeth Matthews (2007). An illustrated look at the life of fashion designer Coco Chanel, discussing her youth in France, and the development of her own particular style which caught on around the world. (Non-Fiction)
You can't do that, Amelia! by Kimberly Wagner Klier (2008). Describes Amelia Earhart's determination and efforts to become one of the world's first female pilots. (Non-Fiction)
Manfish : a story of Jacques Cousteau by Jennifer Berne (2008). An illustrated biography of Jacques Cousteau, discussing how his youthful fascinations with filming and underwater exploration translated into his life's work, and telling of his later devotion to saving the ocean environment. (Non-Fiction)
Johnny Appleseed by Jane Yolen (2008). Presents an illustrated retelling of the life of Johnny Appleseed that captures the magic of his adventures and his impact on American history. (Non-Fiction)
Pocahontas : princess of the New World by Kathleen Krull (2007). An illustrated introduction to the life of the Indian princess Pocahontas and her contact with English settlers, especially John Smith. (Non-Fiction)
Helen Keller : the world in her heart by Lesa Cline-Ransome (2008). Describes how Helen Keller used her working senses, including touch and smell, to explore the world around her. (Non-Fiction)
Beyond Princess Books
Don't kiss the frog! : princess stories with attitude by Lou Kuenzler (2008). A collection of six stories about princesses who are anything but ordinary princesses. (Fiction)
The apple-pip princess by Jane Ray (2008). In a land that has stood barren, parched by drought and ravaged by frosts since the Queen's death, the King sets his three daughters the task of making the kingdom bloom again, and discovers that sometimes the smallest things can make the biggest difference. (Fiction)
The Umbrella Queen by Shirin Yim Bridges (2008). In a village in Thailand where everyone makes umbrellas, young Noot dreams of painting the most beautiful one and leading the annual parade as Umbrella Queen, but her unconventional designs displease her parents. (Fiction)
The princess gown by Linda Leopold Strauss (2008). If the wedding dress young Hanna's family is making is not chosen for the princess, they will go to the poor house but thanks to Hanna's sharp eyes and artistic ability, her father stands a very good chance of becoming Embroiderer to the Princess. (Fiction)
Mercy Watson : princess in disguise by Kate DiCamillo (2007). Mercy the pig is in for a Halloween adventure when Mr. and Mrs. Watson decide to dress her up as a princess and take her trick-or-treating. (Fiction)
Ella Bella ballerina and the Sleeping Beauty by James Mayhew (2008). Ella finds a music box after ballet class and is transported to the world of Princess Aurora where she helps save the princess from a spell. (Fiction)
The prince won't go to bed! by Dayle Ann Dodds (2007). When the young prince refuses to go to bed, assorted members of the royal household offer their ideas on exactly what he needs, but it is his sister, Princess Kate, who learns the truth. (Fiction)
Arthur and Guen : an original tale of young Camelot by Jon Koons (2008) Arthur and Princess Guenevere meet when they are young, and, with the help of a magical sword that appears from the middle of a lake, they fend off the advances of a band of thieves who mean to kill them. (Fiction)
Ladybug Girl by Jacky Davis (2008). After her brother tells her she is too little to play with him, Lulu, dressed as Ladybug Girl, makes her own fun. (Fiction)
The fiesta dress : a quinceanera tale by Caren McNelly McCormack (2009). While Eva and her family prepare for her quinceanera, no one is paying attention to her younger sister, but when the dog gets out of the laundry room and steals Eva's sash, her little sister comes to the rescue. (Fiction)
The Hinky Pink : an old tale by Megan McDonald (2008). Anabel, a talented seamstress, is delighted to be summoned to the Great Castle of Firenze to create a special dress for Princess Isabella Caramella Gorgonzola, but becomes discouraged when her efforts are continually subverted by an unseen sprite. (Fiction)
Space & Nature Books
Wolfsnail : a backyard predator by Sarah C. Campbell (2008). Close-up photographs and simple text describe how a wolf snail hunts, attacks, and eats it prey. (Non-fiction) (2009 Geisel Honor Book)
Boy, were we wrong about the solar system! by Kathleen V. Kudlinski (2008). Looks at scientific discovery as a process of mistakes, mishaps, and enlightenment, and discusses how theories have changed throughout the history of research into the solar system. (Non-fiction)
Down, down, down : a journey to the bottom of the sea by Steve Jenkins (2009). Illustrations explore the ocean from the birds and waves down to the deepest, darkest bottom; and feature jellyfish, squid, whales, and more. (Non-fiction)
The curious garden by Peter Brown (2009). Liam discovers a hidden garden and with careful tending spreads color throughout the gray city of Manhattan. (Fiction)
You Are the First Kid On Mars by Patrick O'Brien (2009). Introduces young readers to what it might be like to live on Mars. (Non-fiction)
Look to the Stars by Buzz Aldrin (2009). Chronicles the history of space exploration, looking at space pioneers, programs, rockets, missions, and related topics from the perspective of Buzz Aldrin, one of the few astronauts to have walked on the moon. (Fiction)
Neil Armstrong : one giant leap for mankind by Tara Dixon-Engel & Mike Jackson (2008). A biography of former American astronaut, Neil Armstrong, who, in 1969, became the first man to walk on the moon. (Non-fiction)
Sports & Horse Books
Going, going, gone! : and other silly dilly sports songs by Alan Katz (2009). Provides new, sports-themed lyrics to well-known songs, including "On Top of the Bleachers" and "When Jimmy Gets in the Batter's Box." (Non-fiction)
Before they were famous : Babe Ruth by Vito Delsante (2009). A graphic novel offering a fictionalized account of the childhood of baseball legend Babe Ruth. (Non-fiction)
The Super Sluggers: Slumpbuster by Kevin Markey (2009). Eleven-year-old slugger Banjo "The Great Walloper" Bishbash is overcome by a nasty hitting slump as he tries to lead the Rambletown Rounders to the division baseball championship. (Fiction)
Black Diamond & Blake by Deborah Blumenthal (2009). After an injury, Black Diamond, a racehorse, is sent to a country prison where he forms a strong bond with the inmate assigned to care for him. Includes facts on programs that pair animals with prisoners who learn how to take care of them. (Fiction)
Seabiscuit : the wonder horse by Meghan McCarthy (2008). Seabiscuit, a funny looking horse with a losing streak, is bought and given a second chance by Charles Howard, and after new training and a loving jockey, Seabiscuit starts winning more races, but must prepare to run against War Admiral, the top racehorse in the country. (Non-fiction)
You never heard of Sandy Koufax?! by Jonah Winter (2009). Offers a brief overview of the life of Sandy Koufax, discussing the obstacles and physical challenges he faced, his successful career, his retirement, and other related topics.
(Non-fiction)
Graphic Books
Stinky : a toon book by Eleanor Davis (2008). Stinky, a monster who lives in a swamp, comes up with all kinds of strange ways to get rid of a kid who has wandered into his territory. (Fiction) (2009 Geisel Honor Book)
Johnny Boo by James Kochalka (2008). Johnny Boo, along with his pet ghost Squiggle, play and encounter an ice cream monster while searching for the secret ice cream that Johnny Boo buried in the ground, but when the ice cream monster eats Squiggle, he must use his "Squiggle power" to get free. (Fiction)
Babymouse #10: The musical by Jennifer L. Holm (2009). As tryouts for the school musical begin, Babymouse takes the starring role in several imaginary Broadway productions, which also feature her debonair new classmate, Henry the hedgehog. (Fiction)
Lunch Lady and the Cyborg Substitute by Jarrett J. Krosoczka (2009). Lunch Lady and Betty, her assistant in both the cafeteria and her role of supersleuth, investigate the strange case of an absent teacher, his creepy substitute, and a plan to grab the Teacher of the Year Award by truly foul means. (Fiction)
Great Read Aloud Chapter Books
Cool zone with the Pain and the Great One by Judy Blume (2008). More adventures at school and at home with Jake, a first-grader, and his older sister Abigail, known to each other as the Pain and the Great One.
Doll People by Ann M. Martin and Laura Godwin (2000). A family of porcelain dolls that has lived in the same house for one hundred years is taken aback when a new family of plastic dolls arrives and doesn't follow The Doll Code of Honor. (Fiction)
Clementine by Sara Pennypacker (2008). While sorting through difficulties in her friendship with her neighbor Margaret, eight-year-old Clementine gains several unique hairstyles while also helping her father in his efforts to banish pigeons from the front of their apartment building. (Fiction)
Snake and Lizard by Joy Cowley (2008). Snake and Lizard share a number of adventures, argue with each other, and end up as lifelong friends. (Fiction)
Daisy Dawson and the secret pond by Steve Voake (2009). Daisy Dawson, who can understand and speak with animals, attempts to find a couple of shy otters and take their picture to bring to school, with help from Boom the basset hound and Cyril the squirrel. (Fiction)
The Dunderheads by Paul Fleischman (2009). When Miss Breakbone confiscates Junkyard's crucial find, Wheels, Pencil, Spider, and the rest of the Dunderheads plot to teach her a lesson. (Fiction)
Stink-o-pedia : super stink-y stuff from A to Zzzzz by Megan McDonald (2009) Contains alphabetically arranged entries that provide strange-but-true information on a variety of funny, amazing, and sometimes smelly topics. (Fiction)
Toys Go Out : being the adventures of a knowledgeable stingray, a toughy little buffalo, and someone called Plastic by Emily Jenkins (2006). Six stories relate the adventures of three best friends, who happen to be toys. (Fiction)
Toy Dance Party : being the further adventures of a Bossyboots Stingray, a courageous Buffalo, and a hopeful round someone called Plastic by Emily Jenkins (2008). Six stories relate further adventures of three best friends, who happen to be toys, as they encounter a fearsome--possible--shark, enjoy a dance party, and deal with rejection by The Girl, who is growing up. (Fiction)
Poetry
The Blacker the Berry : poems by Joyce Carol Thomas (2008). A collection of poems, including "Golden Goodness," "Cranberry Red," and "Biscuit Brown," celebrating individuality and Afro-American identity. (2009 Coretta Scott King Author Honor Books)
Pizza, pigs, and poetry : how to write a poem by Jack Prelutsky (2008). Explains to kids how to write poems about everyday subjects from their lives, such as experiences with their family, friends, and pets, providing tips, example poems, and exercises.
The swamps of Sleethe : poems from beyond the solar system by Jack Prelutsky (2009). A collection of humorous poems for young readers about life beyond the solar system.
Read a rhyme, write a rhyme : poems by Jack Prelutsky (2005). Presents a collection of complete and incomplete illustrated poems that encourage children to write.
City I love by Lee Bennett Hopkins (2009). Collects eighteen poems by American poet Lee Bennett Hopkins that guide the reader through cities around the world, including New York, San Francisco, London, Tokyo, and elsewhere, with illustrations by Marcellus Hall.
Dinothesaurus : prehistoric poems and paintings by Douglas Florian (2009). Presents illustrated verse about various carnivorous and herbivorous dinosaurs, including the Iguanodon, Spinosaurus, and long-necked plesiosaurs.
Mother Goose
The neighborhood Mother Goose by Nina Crews (2004). A collection of nursery rhymes, both familiar and lesser known, illustrated with photographs in a city setting.
The neat line : scribbling through Mother Goose by Pamela Duncan Edwards (2005). A young scribble matures into a neat line, then wriggles into a book of nursery rhymes where he transforms himself into different objects to assist the characters he meets there.
Knick knack paddy whack illustrated by Christiane Engels (2008). An illustrated version of the traditional counting song that tells of the ten things "this old man" played before he came rolling home.
Dimity Dumpty : the story of Humpty's little sister by Bob Graham (2007). Humpty Dumpty's little sister is too shy to be part of her family's circus act, but she finds courage when her brother needs her help.
Mary had a little lamp by Jack Lechner (2008). Mary takes her "bendy," gooseneck lamp wherever she goes, much to the dismay of her parents and classmates, but after leaving it at home during summer camp, Mary finds that she has outgrown her need for her odd companion.
Popular Books in a Series
Roscoe Riley Rules by Katherine Applegate (2008). Short chapters, fast moving action, and a funny, first-grade boy!
Alvin Ho by Lenore Look (2008). Touching, drop-dead-funny chapter books about a young boy in Concord, Massachusetts, Alvin Ho, who loves superheroes and comes from a long line of brave Chinese farmer-warriors, wants to be courageous, but first he must overcome his fear of everything.
Horse Diaries by Alison Hart (2009). For anyone who has every dreamed of hearing a horse's story. . .with exciting and knowledgeable text and lovely black-and-white art throughout, this series is the perfect fit for all lovers of horses and history.
Mercy Watson Something Wonky This Way Comes by Kate Dicamillo (2009). Some may find it wonky to take a pig to the movies. But not Mr. and Mrs. Watson, who think the title of the film, “When Pigs Fly,” is inspirational. And not their beloved Mercy who becomes a pig on a mission.
Notable Picture Books
What can you do with a rebozo? by Carmen Tafolla (2008). A spunky, young Mexican American girl explains the many uses of her mother's red rebozo, or long scarf. (2009 Pura Belpré Illustrator Honor Book)
ABC3D by Marion Bataille (2008). From the lenticular cover to the jazzy use of a red, white and black color scheme, this hand-size French alphabet book is as stylish as a pop-up can be. Letters here not only pop up, they move and transform.
Bats at the library by Brian Lies (2008). Bored with another normal, inky evening, bats discover an open library window and fly in to enjoy the photocopier, water fountain, and especially the books and stories found there.
A couple of boys have the best week ever by Marla Frazee (2008). Friends James and Eamon enjoy a wonderful week at the home of Eamon's grandparents during summer vacation. (2009 Caldecott Honor Book)
Help me, Mr. Mutt! : expert answers for dogs with people problems by Janet Stevens and Susan Stevens Crummel (2008). Dogs across the United States write to Mr. Mutt, a people expert, for help with their humans.
The House in the Night by Susan Marie Swanson (2008). Illustrations and easy-to-read text explore the light that makes a house in the night a home filled with light. (2009 Caldecott Award)
How I Learned Geography by Uri Shulevitz (2008). As he spends hours studying his father's world map, a young boy escapes the hunger and misery of refugee life. 'Based on the author's childhood in Kazakhstan, where he lived as a Polish refugee during World War II. (2009 Caldecott Honor Book)
How to heal a broken wing by Bob Graham (2008). When Will finds a bird with a broken wing, he takes it home and cares for it, hoping in time it will be able to return to the sky.
Just in case : a trickster tale and Spanish alphabet book by Yuyi Morales (2008). As Senor Calavera prepares for Grandma Beetle's birthday he finds an alphabetical assortment of unusual presents, but with the help of Zelmiro the Ghost, he finds the best gift of all. Text in English with some Spanish.
Little Mouse's big book of fears by Emily Gravett (2008). Little Mouse draws pictures of some of the many things of which he is afraid, including creepy crawlies, sharp knives, and having accidents, and provides the correct scientific name for each of his fears.
Louise : the adventures of a chicken by Kate DiCamillo (2008). Longing for adventure, intrepid Louise leaves her comfortable nest and goes to sea.
Madam President by Lane Smith (2008). A little girl imagines what her day would be like if she were President of the United States.
Mail Harry to the moon! by Robie H. Harris (2008). Harry's older brother, unhappy that the new baby is making lots of noise and getting all the attention, thinks up creative ways to get rid of him.
Old Bear by Kevin Henkes (2008). When Old Bear falls asleep for the winter, he has a dream that he is a cub again, enjoying each of the four seasons.
Ten little fingers and ten little toes by Mem Fox (2008). Rhyming text compares babies who, although born in different places and in different circumstances, each have ten little fingers and ten little toes.
Traction Man meets Turbodog by Mini Grey (2008). Traction Man braves the evil bin things in order to save Scrubbing Brush, who had been thrown away by the little boy's father and replaced with a battery-operated dog.
A Visitor for Bear by Bonny Becker (2008). Bear's efforts to keep out visitors to his house are undermined by a very persistent mouse.
Wabi Sabi by Mark Reibstein (2008). Wabi Sabi, a cat living in the city of Kyoto, learns about the Japanese concept of beauty through simplicity as she asks various animals she meets about the meaning of her name.
One Boy by Laura Vaccaro Seeger (2008). A boy creates ten paintings in this counting book that also explores the relationship of words within words. (2009 Geisel Honor Book)
2008-09 Author/Illustrator Visits
Bad Kitty by Nick Bruel (2005). When a kitty discovers there is no cat food in the house, she decides to become very, very bad.
Boing by Nick Bruel (2004). A mother kangaroo and various woodland animals coach her joey as she attempts her first jump.
Poor Puppy by Nick Bruel (2005). When Bad Kitty won't play with him, Poor Puppy has to amuse himself with an alphabetical list of toys and dreams of playing in an alphabetical list of countries.
Who is Melvin Bubble? by Nick Bruel (2006). An introduction to six-year-old Melvin Bubble as presented by his family, friends, and others.
Comets, Stars, the Moon, and Mars : space poems and paintings by Douglas Florian (2007). A collection of twenty whimsical poems about comets, the stars, moon, and the planets.
Handsprings : poems & paintings by Douglas Florian (2006). An illustrated collection of twenty-nine poems that celebrate the promise of spring.
Winter eyes : poems & paintings by Douglas Florian (1999). A collection of poems about winter, including "Sled," "Icicles," and "Ice Fishing."
Insectlopedia : poems and paintings by Douglas Florian (1998). Presents twenty-one short poems about such insects as the inchworm, termite, cricket, and daddy longlegs.
Omnibeasts : animal poems and paintings by Douglas Florian (2004). An illustrated collection of forty-four rhyming poems about animals by the famous author of children's poetry.
Bark, George by Jules Feiffer (1999). George the puppy's mother is in for a big surprise when she takes him to the veterinarian to find out why he does not bark.
The Daddy Mountain by Jules Feiffer (2004). A little girl makes the perilous climb up her father's body, from his foot to the top of his head.
Henry, the Dog With No Tail by Kate Feiffer ; illustrated by Jules Feiffer (2007). Envious of the other dogs that have tails, Henry goes in search of a tail of his own, but in the end he decides he is happy the way he is.
Which Puppy? by Kate Feiffer ; illustrated by Jules Feiffer (2009). Puppies from around the world--along with some would-be puppies--compete with one another to become the First Family's new puppy.
Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs by Judi Barrett and drawn by Ron Barrett (1978). Life is delicious in the town of Chewandswallow where it rains soup and juice, snows mashed potatoes, and blows storms of hamburgers--until the weather takes a turn for the worse.
Pickles to Pittsburgh : the Sequel to Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs by Judi Barrett and Ron Barrett (1997). Dozing off while contemplating Grandpa's unusual vacation, Kate dreams about Chewandswallow, a town where giant food falls from the sky and is shipped off to hungry people around the world.
Never Take a Shark to the Dentist : (and Other Things Not to Do) by Judi Barrett (2008). A list of things one should not do with various animals, such as "hold hands with a lobster."
Things That are Most in the World by Judi Barrett (1998). The reader who wants to know what are the quietest, silliest, smelliest, wiggliest things in the world finds imaginative answers to these and other questions about superlatives.
Dinosaur Books
I like dinosaurs by Angela Aylmore (2007). Photographs and simple, first-person text describe different types of dinosaurs, their physical characteristics, behaviors, and habitats. (Non-fiction)
Life-size dinosaurs by David Bergen (2004). Presents ten colorful fold-out pages featuring life-size pictures of dinosaur claws, teeth, and more, and describes when these predators lived, how they survived, and their habitats. (Non-fiction)
Mysteries of the fossil dig : how paleontologists learn about dinosaurs by Pamela Rushby (2006). An introduction to the methods and job responsibilities of a paleontologist that focuses on the excavation and study of dinosaur bones. (Non-fiction)
Gorgonzola : a Very Stinkysaurus by Margie Palatini (2008). When Gorgonzola the dinosaur learns that everyone runs from him to avoid his smell, rather than out of fear, he is grateful to the little bird who shows him how to brush his teeth and wash. (Fiction)
Dinosaur vs. Bedtime by Bob Shea (2008). Little Dinosaur roars his way through a number of daily challenges, but he cannot seem to defeat bedtime. (Fiction)
I'm bad! by Kate & Jim McMullan (2008). A hungry Tyrannosaurus rex searches for food in the prehistoric forest but is thwarted in its attempts to find something to eat.
(Fiction)
Library Catalogs
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