About Marsupials: A Guide for Children
By Cathryn Sill, illustrated by John Sill
Peachtree Publishers, 2006

Welcome to the world of marsupials! This non-fiction book explores the many different types of marsupials and the variety of characteristics they possess. Unique facts, paired with wonderful illustrations, are revealed at the turn of each page. Children’s curiosity will be peaked as they learn interesting (and often surprising) things about marsupials. Below each fact is the name of the marsupial appearing in the accompanying illustration, and the back of the book contains an afterward with more detailed information and a glossary for those who would like to read on. An adventure in science for both adults and children!

Animal Babies in Seas
Kingfisher Books/Houghton Mifflin, 2006

Can you guess the mommy? Vivid photography, animal sounds and descriptive clues invite toddlers and preschoolers to guess the aquatic baby and mommy pairs. This straightforward, appealing board book is a perfect introduction to non-fiction for young pre-readers.

See other wonderful titles in the series as well - Animal Babies in Deserts, Animal Babies in Towns & Cities.

Black? White! Day? Night! A Book of Opposites
By Laura Vaccaro Seeger
Roaring Brook Press, 2006

Outside? Inside! Over? Under! Children become active participants in this interactive concept book about opposites.  With a lift-the-flap on each page, the picture transforms into the opposite of what was there before!  A “tiny” insect becomes the eye of a “huge” elephant.  The plus sign in an “addition” problem becomes the number four in a “subtraction” problem.  The opposites in this book go beyond the common list.  Children will have fun guessing what each picture will become. This book is enjoyable from “beginning” to “end”

Clip-Clop!
by Nicola Smee
Boxer Books, 2006

This delightful book presents a simple story that will be charmingly familiar to any child or adult who has enjoyed playing horsy-back or knee-bounce games. In large, brightly painted pictures we watch as kindly Mr. Horse takes cat, dog, pig and duck for a ride on his back with a “clip-clop, clippity-clop”. They plead with him to go faster and faster, and as he does, their faces brighten. Soon, though, they have trouble holding on, and call out for him to stop. The sudden stop lurches them forward; they fly through the air and into a haystack—“plop-plop, ploppity-plop!” When the worried Mr. Horse goes to rescue them, however, he hears, “AGAIN!” as cat, dog, pig and duck jump up on his back, smiling widely and ready for another ride. The text is spare and rhythmical. The illustrations and accompanying print are large and depict the changing emotions as the story progresses. Children will love re-telling and re-enacting this classic adventure.

Heave Ho!
By Heinz Janisch and Carola Holland
North-South Books, 2006

It only takes 12 sentences for a lot of mischief to occur in this rollicking picture book! Encouraging young readers to count each sentence, each page spread advances the line-by-line story of a hungry (and inventive) group—a dog, a cat and three mice. Though it’s over far too soon, the humorous tale and light-hearted, cartoon-like illustrations reveal the essential, enumerated elements of a story.

How To Be
By Lisa Brown
HarperCollins Publishers, 2006

Wondering how to be brave like a bear? Have you ever wished to be patient like a turtle? This “how-to” book will show you the way! Through the actions of animals, this book teaches about the character traits that make us who we are, with the final message of “be yourself.” Children will enjoy the positive message, as well as the actions of each animal, which are being portrayed by humans in the illustrations. Children will most likely be motivated to act them out themselves! Thinking about how to enjoy a good book? Choose How to Be by Lisa Brown.

“I’m not cute!”
By Jonathan Allen
Hyperion Books for Children, 2006

Everyone Baby Owl meets tells him how cute he is, much to his dismay. Doesn’t anyone realize that he is a huge and scary hunting machine? Luckily, Mama understands and knows just the right thing to say. This sweet, thoughtful picture book explains the frustrations we sometimes feel when others don’t see us the way we want to be. Simple ink and watercolor illustrations perfectly complement this gentle and (apologies to Baby Owl) cute story about the comforting power of a parent’s compassion.

The Last Laugh
by Jose Aruego and Ariane Dewey
Dial Books for Young Readers, 2006

Bullies, look out! This nearly wordless picture book tells the tale of a sneaky snake that enjoys scaring others he meets. That is, until he attempts to scare a particular duck, who finds a way to turn the tables. With a dedication at the end of the book to “bullies everywhere,” this easy read combines humor, picture reading, and a valuable lesson. This amusing story will have children laughing as they read on to find out who really does have the last laugh…or quack!

Not a Box
by Antoinette Portis
HarperCollins Publishers, 2006

This engaging, brown paper-wrapped picture book answers the simplest of childhood questions: “Why are you sitting in that box?” “It’s not a box!” replies the imaginative rabbit, who instead shows the reader how his box is, instead, a robot costume, a burning building, a tugboat, a crow’s nest on a pirate ship (!), a hot-air balloon, ANYTHING but a box!  Illustrated with simple line-drawings reminiscent of Crockett Johnson’s Harold and the Purple Crayon, Not a Box is a story guaranteed to send readers running to discover what their own ‘not-a-box’ can be!

Snow Sounds: An Onomatopoeic Story
Written and illustrated by David A. Johnson
Houghton Mifflin Company, 2006

This book features the sights and sounds a boy hears inside and outside of his house on a snowy morning. The soft illustrations convey the quiet of such a morning, while the onomatopoeic words (words that imitate the sound of a thing or an action), such as the “Crash Crush Clank” of a snowplow and the “Scrape” of a shovel fill that snowy morning with sounds. This book captures the quietness and the noisiness of a snowy school-day morning—while teaching children many onomatopoeic words.

Tools
By Taro Miura
Chronicle Books, 2006

Any preschooler who loves exploring gadgets will be fascinated by this portrayal of the tools of 10 familiar professions. Sets of tools, each clearly labeled, are presented on double-page spreads, followed by an illustration of a person engaged in that profession. Young children will enjoy touching and naming the various tools, as well as guessing, and then remembering, the profession that uses each tool set. Older preschoolers will be intrigued by comparing and contrasting similar tools (pinking scissors vs. regular scissors; adjustable wrench vs. open-ended wrench), and by talking about how each tool is used. The illustrations and accompanying print are large and clear, enhanced by backgrounds of interesting textures and contrasting colors. This is a perfect choice for both lap-reads and group read-alouds.

What a Treasure!
By Jane and Will Hillenbrand
Holiday House, 2006

Follow Mole on his hunt for treasure. As he digs, he unearths many things that are of great value to others around him. Mole is kind enough to share his findings, and continues digging in search of his own treasure, which he finds at the end of the story.  What a Treasure! is a heartwarming story about adventure, sharing, and friendship. Children will enjoy making discoveries along with Mole, and might be inspired to do some digging of their own!  Curious minds will find this book a treasure in itself.

What Do Wheels Do All Day?
By April Jones Prince, illustrated by Giles Laroche
Houghton Mifflin Company, 2006

This book really moves along, showing many kinds of wheels in action—what they do and the sounds they make. Plenty of action verbs, such as “zoom,” “roll,” and “spin” in short, energetic sentences with brilliant pictures (made of paper relief art) make this an exciting book that children will want to read again and again! With pictures of people on bicycles, buses, skateboards, and even a Ferris wheel, this book will take children on a great ride.

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