Birthday Gift Books
Picture Book Selections:
Amy Wu and the Perfect Bao written by Kat Zhang, illustrated by Charlene Chua (Aladdin, $17.99) Amy is determined to make a perfect dumpling like her parents and grandmother do, but hers are always too empty, too full, or not pinched together properly. Can she figure it out?
Are Your Stars Like My Stars? written by Leslie Helakoski, illustrated by Heidi Woodward Sheffield (Sterling Children's Books, $16.95) A poetic read-aloud that encourages young children to consider how color is experienced all over the world. No matter where you live, all children gaze at a blue sky, bask in the warmth of a golden sun, dig in the rich brown dirt, and stare at white glowing stars. Do you think all of us, everywhere, share the very same colors of the world?
The Camping Trip written and illustrated by Jennifer Mann (Candlewick Press, $17.99) Ernestine is beyond excited to go camping. She follows the packing list carefully (new sleeping bag! new flashlight! special trail mix made with Dad!) so she knows she is ready when the weekend arrives. But she quickly realizes that nothing could have prepared her for how hard it is to set up a tent, never mind fall asleep in it, or that swimming in a lake means that there will be fish -- eep! Will Ernestine be able to enjoy the wilderness, or will it prove to be a bit too far out of her comfort zone?
The Capybaras written and illustrated by Alfredo Soderguit (Greystone Kids, $18.95) Hens and their chicks are living safe and secure in their coop, or at least they think so. They are happy. Each knows what they should be doing. They don't even notice when every now and then one of them is carried off. Then one day some capybaras appear. It's hunting season and they are looking for refuge. But they are unwanted, undesirable guests and refuse to follow the rules. As events unfold, minds begin to open and new possibilities appear. A charming and hilarious tale about how accepting others can enrich us all.
Danbi Leads the School Parade written and illustrated by Anna Kim (Viking, $17.99) Danbi is thrilled to start her new school in America. But a bit nervous too, for when she walks into the classroom, everything goes quiet. Everyone stares. Danbi wants to join in the dances and the games, but she doesn't know the rules and just can't get anything right. Luckily, she isn't one to give up. With a spark of imagination, she makes up a new game and leads her classmates on a parade to remember!
Daniel Finds A Poem written and illustrated by Micha Archer (Nancy Paulsen Books, $16.99) A little boy's animal friends help him discover the poetry to be found in nature.
Fatima's Great Outdoors written by Ambreen Tariq, illustrated by Stevie Lewis (Kokila, $17.99) Excitedly joining her family for an outdoor camping trip in a Midwestern state park, Fatima Khazi helps set up a tent, build a fire, and fend off a daddy longlegs before settling down to sleep surrounded by the near-magical sounds of the forest.
Fairy Science written and illustrated by Ashley Spires (Crown Books for Young Readers, $17.99) All the fairies in Pixieville believe in magic--except Esther. She believes in science. When a forest tree stops growing, all the fairies are stumped--including Esther. But not for long! Esther knows that science can get to the root of the problem--and its solution!
The Goose Egg written and illustrated by Liz Wong (Alfred A. Knopf, $17.99) Henrietta the elephant's serene life is disrupted when a baby goose comes to stay, but after Goose finally leaves, Henrietta no longer enjoys the quiet.
Kitten and the Night Watchman written by John Sullivan, illustrated by TaeeunYoo (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, $17.99) As he makes his rounds, a night watchman hears birds calling, insects buzzing, and vehicles roaring by, while a stray kitten keeps him company.
Larf written and illustrated by Ashley Spires (Kids Can Press, $16.95) No one believes Larf exists, and he likes it that way. Larf, you see, is a sasquatch, the only sasquatch in the world (or so it seems). He has a very pleasant, and very private, life in the woods, where on any given day he might be found jogging, gardening or walking Eric, his pet bunny. But everything changes one morning when Larf discovers that another sasquatch is scheduled to make an appearance in the nearby city of Hunderfitz. What?! That must mean he's not the only sasquatch in the world! Excited by the prospect of having a friend to share hair grooming tips with (and let's face it, teeter-tottering alone is no fun), Larf disguises himself as a city slicker and heads for Hunderfitz -- where he's in for a couple enormous surprises.
The Littlest Yak written by Lu Fraser, illustrated by Kate Hindley (Peachtree, $16.99) A rollicking, rhyming, heartwarming, and reassuring story. Gertie is the littlest yak, feeling stuck in her smallness--she wants to grow UP and have bigness and tallness. But when it turns out that there are some things that only Gertie can do, might she come to see that she's perfect, just the way she is?
Mel Fell written and illustrated by Corey Tabor (Balzer & Bray, $17.99) Follow Mel on her journey from downward fall to triumphant flight in this tale of self-confidence and taking a leap of faith.
My Papi Has A Motorcycle written by Isabel Quintero, illustrated by Zeke Peña (Kokila, $17.99) When Daisy Ramona zooms around her neighborhood with her papi on his motorcycle, she sees the people and places she's always known. She also sees a community that is rapidly changing around her. But as the sun sets purple-blue-gold behind Daisy Ramona and her papi, she knows that the love she feels will always be there. With vivid illustrations and text bursting with heart, My Papi Has a Motorcycle is a young girl's love letter to her hardworking dad and to memories of home that we hold close in the midst of change.
The NIght Gardener written and illustrated by The Fan Brothers (Simon & Shuster Books for Young Readers, $17.99) Everyone on Grimloch Lane enjoys the trees and shrubs clipped into animal masterpieces after dark by the Night Gardener, but William, a lonely boy, spots the artist, follows him, and helps with his special work.
Oona written by Kelly DiPucchio, illustrated by Raissa Figueroa (Katherine Tegen Books, $17.99) Oona and her best friend Otto love to search for treasure...and often find trouble instead. Messy trouble. Tricky trouble. Even shark-related trouble. That's never stopped them before, though! After all, no proper treasure hunt is without some adventure. But when the grandest treasure yet is stuck in a deep, dark rift, Oona's not sure if she can dive right in. What might be waiting for her in those unknown waters?
The Panda Problem written by Deborah Underwood, illustrated by Hannah Marks (Dial Books for Young Readers, $17.99) Every story needs a problem. But Panda doesn't have a problem. Unless Panda is the problem. A narrator's story is disrupted by the main character (Panda) who refuses to play the part.
Sheepish: (Wolf Under Cover) written and illustrated by Helen Yoon (Candlewick Press, $17.99) Hungry Wolf disguises himself as a sheep and nobody suspects a thing! (Or do they?) Wolf dreams of tasty sheep--sheep sandwiches, sheep sushi, sheep tacos! In his clever sheep costume, he infiltrates the friendly neighborhood herd, blending in by helping with chores, reading bedtime stories to the lambs, and working up a sweat in sheep aerobics class. Wolf's sneaky plan works so well, he becomes part of the family. And suddenly, the sheep don't seem quite as tasty. . . . With a charming twist ending and lots of visual fun--including the running theme of Wolf's disguise not being quite as convincing as he thinks--this hilarious take on the wolf-in-sheep's-clothing will have readers howling for more.
Swashby and the Sea written by Beth Ferry, illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, $17.99) No-nonsense Captain Swashby is used to the sea meeting all of his needs and when, after his retirement, new neighbors disturb his solitary life, the sea helps in just the right way.
That's Not a Hippopotamus! written by Juliette MacIver, illustrated by Sarah Davis (Gecko Press, $17.99) On a visit to Don's Safari, the students in class 2B attempt to find a missing hippopotamus.
This Way, Charlie: Inspired by a Real Animal Friendship written by Caron Levis, illustrated by Charles Santoso (Abrams Books, $17.99) Jack, an introverted goat, and Charlie, a blind horse, meet at Open Bud Ranch, an animal rehabilitation center, and form an unlikely friendship that grows stronger in the face of adversity.
Watercress written by Andrea Wang, illustrated by Jason Chin (Neal Porter Books, $18.99) Embarrassed about gathering watercress from a roadside ditch, a girl learns to appreciate her Chinese heritage after learning why the plant is so important to her parents.
Where's Baby? written and illustrated by Anne Hunter (Tundra, $17.99) Anne Hunter's delicate and lovely illustrations with their limited palette highlight the humor of this adorable hide-and-seek tale. Papa Fox is looking for Baby Fox, who is just out of his sight ... but not ours! An adorable, interactive read-aloud for fans of Are You My Mother. A near-sighted Papa is looking for his baby. Is Baby up in the tree? Is Baby under the log? Is Baby around the corner? Where could Baby be? Young readers will delight in spotting the little fox on every page as Papa wanders the forest, encountering other animals all along the way, but never quite able to spot his own baby.
Easy Fiction
Biscuit Loves the Park written by Alyssa Satin Capucilli, illustrated by Pat Schories (Harper, $16.99) When Biscuit and his owner go to the park to play, Biscuit chases a ball and becomes lost.
Houndsley and Catina and Cousin Wagster written by James Howe, illustrated by Marie-Louise Gay (Candlewick Press, $15.99) When his cousin Wagster comes for a visit, Houndsley is excited. Wagster is all adventure and enthusiasm and razzle-dazzle, and all his friends love him. Even Catina thinks Wagster is fun and good at everything, and pretty soon Houndsley is starting to feel a little bit invisible. But Houndsley and Catina are best friends, and certainly Cousin Wagster won't change that -- right? A tender and funny story about some of the ways that friendships can change, and how they also stay exactly the same.
Houndsley and Catina at the Library written by James Howe, illustrated by Marie-Louise Gay (Candlewick Press, $15.99) Friends Houndsley and Catina have a love letter to the library, good friends, the joy of learning, and self-reinvention.
Max & Mo's Science Fair Surprise written by Patricia Lakin, illustrated by Priscilla Lamont (Simon Spotlight, $17.99) It's school science fair time, and Max and Mo love seeing what the big ones -- the kids in the class -- are making. The two hamsters decide to do their own experiment and learn how to grow plants from seeds! Follow along with Max and Mo with simple instructions at the back of the book for kids to grow their own plants!
Swim, Mo, Swim! written by David A. Adler, illustrated by Sam Ricks (Penguin Young Readers, $15.99) On Field Day, Mo swims a lot faster than he knew he could, not because his team might win but because a fish keeps nibbling his toe.
Ty's Travels: Zip, Zoom! written by Kelly Starling Lyons, illustrated by Nina Mata (Harper, $16.99) Ty cannot wait to ride his new scooter, but when he has a hard time learning and wants to quit, a new friend encourages him to give it another try.
Zoey and Sassafras: Dragons and Marshmallows written by Asia Citro, illustrated by Marion Lindsay (Innovation, $16.99) A girl, Zoey, and her cat, Sassafras, use science experiments to help a dragon with a problem.
Zoey and Sassafras: Monsters and Mold written by Asia Citro, illustrated by Marion Lindsay (Innovation, $16.99)
Non-Fiction Books:
Anansi and the Moss-Covered Rock retold by Eric Kimmel, illustrated by Janet Stevens (Holiday House, $17.99) Anansi the Spider uses a strange moss-covered rock in the forest to trick all the other animals, until Little Bush Deer decides he needs to learn a lesson.
Blooming Beneath the Sun poems by Christina Rossetti, illustrated by Ashley Bryan (Atheneum Books, $17.99) Using some of 19th century poet Christina Rossetti's classic nursery rhymes and poems Ashley Bryan illustrates this book using colorful paper collage.
Commotion In The Ocean written by Giles Andreae, illustrated by David Wojtowycz (Tiger Tales, $18.99) A collection of silly verses about various creatures that live in the ocean, including crabs, swordfish, whales, and polar bears.
Cricket in the Thicket written by Carol Murray, illustrated by Melissa Sweet (Henry Holt and Company, $17.99) Poetry about cool insects with accompanying fascinating facts.
Hummingbird written by Nicola Davies, illustrated by Jane Ray (Candlewick Press, $18.99) Every spring, birds small enough to fit in the palm of your hand fly two thousand miles north to lay their eggs. This is the story of one tiny hummingbird's amazing journey.
La Madre Goose: Nursery Rhymes for Los Niños written by Susan Middleton Elya, illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal (G.P. Putnam's Sons, $16.99) A collection of classic nursery rhymes presented with a bilingual twist. Written in English with some Spanish words.
Make Yourself At Home written and illustrated by Signe Torp (Thames and Hudson, LTD, $19.95) Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live in a tree house? Or how cozy it must be to sleep in an igloo? Have you noticed that some houses are extremely old and were built centuries ago and other houses can be set up wherever you go? In Make Yourself at Home, young readers are introduced to ten extraordinary types of homes. Find out what it's like to live underground or floating on a canal. Open up one of the two double gatefolds to see whether having hundreds of rooms in a castle is as exciting as it sounds, or whether a windmill is more your style. Any kind of house can be a home; learn about them all and choose your favorite!
Meet the Quokkas! written by Caryn Jenner (Penguin Random House, $17.99) Introduces the Australian quokka, describing the species' habitat, behaviors, and life cycles while explaining how its cheeky and mischievous nature have rendered it one of the world's friendliest marsupials.
Power Up written by Seth Fishman, illustrated by Isabel Greenberg (Greenwillow Books, $17.99) An exploration of the relationship between the human body and all the energy that it takes to make it go.
