Awards

Welcome to the world of marsupials! This nonfiction 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 piqued as they learn interesting (and often surprising) things about marsupials. Below each fact is the name of the marsupial appearing in the accompanying illustration. The back of the book contains an afterward with even more detailed information and a glossary for those who would like to read on.

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 nonfiction for young pre-readers.



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

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”.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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!

Any preschooler who loves exploring gadgets will be fascinated by this portrayal of the tools of ten 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.

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, but 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 they might even be inspired to do some digging of their own! Curious minds will find this book a treasure in itself.

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," used 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.

An extended family of cut-out paper rabbits are viewed among the many objects in their house that start with each letter of the alphabet. This classic ABC book also presents a wonderful exercise in identifying all the unnamed paper objects glued on each page. A nice touch is that two of the adult rabbits wear glasses—not something you see illustrated every day.

It's time for bed, but is Cornelius P. Mud ready? Of course not! This energetic pig still has to put away his toys, brush his teeth, put on his pajamas, and find countless ways to make mischief throughout all of his nighttime chores. Children who dread the thought of bedtime will enjoy Cornelius' creative approach to his nightly routine. An appealing picture book that invites active, vocal participation from readers, Cornelius P. Mud is a bedtime story that nearly every child can relate to.