Special Collections
Picture Books and Easy Readers
Description: Browse this list of popular favorites for bedtime stories, picture books and early readers. Some books will have pictures, and some will have picture descriptions. You can find more books by many of these authors in the Bookshare collection. #kids
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The House in the Night
by Susan Marie SwansonA spare, patterned text and glowing pictures explore the origins of light that make a house a home in this bedtime book for young children. Naming nighttime things that are both comforting and intriguing to preschoolers—a key, a bed, the moon—this timeless book illuminates a reassuring order to the universe.
To Market, To Market
by Anne MirandaAnne Miranda’s inventive twist on a classic rhyme tells what happens after a shopper goes “to market, to market, to buy a fat pig. ” Back home the pig promptly escapes, and soon the pig’s in the kitchen, the lamb’s on the bed, the cow’s on the couch--and the rest of the animals are wreaking havoc throughout the house.
What Alvin Wanted
by Holly KellerAlvin wanted something but neither Sam nor Libby knew what it was. And Alvin couldnt tell them. Mama had gone out, leaving him in their care, and Sam and Libby simply couldnt make him happy. They offered games, stories, crayons and cookies. They even called Grandma. But Alvin couldnt tell anyone what was wrong. Then Mama returned, and knew at once what Alvin wanted. Because it was something she had forgotten to give him when she left!
Joseph Had a Little Overcoat
by Simms TabackThe story takes place in a small village in Poland probably in the middle or late 19th century, and the people are dressed in costumes of the period. This elegant picture book tells the story of Joseph's overcoat, and what he does wih it when it wears out. Along the way, children meet some Yiddish words and glimpse a bit of Jewish culture. This picture book includes picture descriptions, and this file should make an excellent embossed braille copy.
Martha Speaks
by Susan MeddaughWhen Helen Finney feeds alphabet soup to her dog Martha, Martha begins to speak. But having a talking dog is not as fun as it seems.
Traction Man is Here!
by Mini GreyTraction Man—wearing combat boots, battle pants, and his warfare shirt—comes in a box, but very quickly finds the way into the imagination of his lucky boy owner. This superhero searches for the Lost Wreck of the Sieve as the boy makes a game of doing the dishes, and later in the bathtub, he conquers the Mysterious Toes that are stealing his pet, the brave little Scrubbing Brush. These are just a few of the action-packed adventures played out by the boy and his new toy that may not be able to leap tall buildings in a single bound, but can vanquish all manner of villains lurking around the house. Mini Grey’s story in words and pictures is an irresistible invitation to the private world of a child’s play.
Pinky and Rex
by James Howe and Melissa SweetPinky and Rex are the best of friends, but a trip to the museum with Pinky's dad and his sister, Amanda, puts their friendship to the test. When Pinky, whose favorite color is pink, and Rex, who loves anything to do with dinosaurs, set their sights on the very same stuffed animal at the museum gift shop, it takes a little wisdom and some help from an unexpected source before the matter is neatly sorted out. "Pinky and Rex" is the first in a series of short chapter books about this inseparable pair by acclaimed author James Howe. Accompanied by Melissa Sweet's exuberant illustrations, "Pinky and Rex" captures perfectly the challenges -- and the rewards -- that true friendship brings.
Blackout
by John RoccoOne hot summer night in the city, all the power goes out. The TV shuts off and a boy wails, "Mommm!" His sister can no longer use the phone, Mom can't work on her computer, and Dad can't finish cooking dinner. What's a family to do? When they go up to the roof to escape the heat, they find the lights--in stars that can be seen for a change--and so many neighbors it's like a block party in the sky! On the street below, people are having just as much fun--talking, rollerblading, and eating ice cream before it melts.
The Seals on the Bus
by Lenny HortA fun repetitive type book for young children. The story is a take off on the song "The Wheels on the Bus" and features animals on the bus. Includes picture descriptions.
George and Martha
by James MarshallTwo lovable hippos teach the meaning of friendship in five separate vignettes: "Split Pea Soup," "The Flying Machine," "The Tub," "The Mirror," "The Tooth."
Dolphins at Daybreak
by Sal Murdocca and Mary Pope OsborneJack and Annie are ready for their next fantasy adventure in the bestselling middle-grade series--the Magic Tree House!
IT'S SINK OR SWIM for Jack and Annie when the Magic Tree House whisks them off to the middle of the ocean.
Luckily, they find a mini-submarine on a coral reef. Unluckily, they are about to meet a giant octopus and one very hungry shark.
Will the dolphins save the day? Or are Jack and Annie doomed to be dinner?
Zelda and Ivy
by Laura Mcgee KvasnoskyStories of two inventive sisters at play, and at odds, ZELDA AND IVY is packed with sugar and sass -- a first-rate original! Zelda and Ivy are fox sisters with a flair for the dramatic. Their exploits unfold with plenty of sugar and sass in this spirited trio of stories.
Gregory, The Terrible Eater
by Mitchell SharmatA very picky eater, Gregory the goat refuses the usual goat diet staples of shoes and tin cans in favor of fruits, vegetables, eggs, and orange juice. Copyright © Libri GmbH. All rights reserved.
Mr. Popper's Penguins
by Richard Atwater and Florence AtwaterMr. Popper and his family have penguins in the fridge and an ice rink in the basement in this hilarious Newbery Honor book that inspired the hit movie! How many penguins in the house is too many? Mr. Popper is a humble house painter living in Stillwater who dreams of faraway places like the South Pole. When an explorer responds to his letter by sending him a penguin named Captain Cook, Mr. Popper and his family&’s lives change forever. Soon one penguin becomes twelve, and the Poppers must set out on their own adventure to preserve their home. First published in 1938, Mr. Popper&’s Penguins is a classic tale that has enchanted young readers for generations. This ebook features an illustrated biography of Richard and Florence Atwater including rare photos from the authors&’ estate.
Biscuit
by Alyssa Satin CapucilliThe city is a big, busy place for a little yellow puppy. From gazing at the tops of tall buildings to chasing pigeons across crowded sidewalks, there's so much to do! There are more people than Biscuit's ever seen before, too -- and so many new friends to make! Image Descriptions Added.
Clever Jack Takes the Cake
by G. Brian Karas and Candace FlemingTake a bite out of this deliciously funny original fairy tale, which received four starred reviews and was named a Best Book of the Year by Booklist, School Library Journal, Kirkus Reviews, and the Bank Street College of Education. What would you do if you were invited to the princess's tenth birthday party but didn't have money for a gift? Well, clever Jack decides to bake the princess a cake.Now he just has to get it to the castle in one piece. What could possibly go wrong?Candace Fleming and G. Brian Karas, creators of the bestselling picture book Muncha! Muncha! Muncha!, have teamed up again to bring us a modern fairy tale starring a determined boy and a story-loving princess with a good sense of humor. While girls will fall for a story featuring a princess's birthday party, Jack's adventures with trolls, bears, and gypsies make this the perfect read for young boys as well--and ideal for storytime.From the Hardcover edition.
Junie B.'s First Ever Ebook Collection!
by Barbara Park and Denise BrunkusDear Person Who Is Reading This,Hurray! Hurray! Now you can laugh out loud with the first four books in my First Ever Ebook Collection! (The "E" stands for "Excellent," I believe.) Look inside for Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus, Junie B. Jones and a Little Monkey Business, Junie B. Jones and Her Big Fat Mouth, and Junie B. Jones and Some Sneaky Peeky Spying. These books will make you laugh out loud, I think. Love, your friend, Junie B. Jones Junie B. Jones has kept kids laughing--and reading--for 20 years. Hurray for Barbara Park and the Junie B. Jones® books! New York Times Bestsellers "Junie B. is a darling of the young-reader set." --USA Today "Park convinces beginning readers that Junie B.--and reading--are lots of fun." --Publishers Weekly "Junie's swarms of young fans will continue to delight in her unique take on the world. . . . A hilarious, first-rate read-aloud." --Kirkus Reviews "Although Junie B. is a kindergartner, she's sure to make middle graders laugh out loud." --School Library Journal
In the Rain with Baby Duck
by Amy HestIt's a rainy, rainy day, and that makes Baby mad. Baby's parents worry-whoever heard of a duck who doesn't like the rain? But when Grandpa uncovers a sparkling red umbrella in the attic, and matching boots too, Baby finds out just how much fun playing in the rain can be. With gentle affection and lots of pluck, Amy Hest and Jill Barton create a story that will have every puddle-jumper wishing for rain.
Gleam and Glow
by Eve BuntingIt’s too dangerous to stay any longer--the war is coming closer. Viktor, little Marina, and Mama must pack what they can carry and flee their home. As they trudge beside the other refugees, Viktor worries about what lies ahead, and what he’s left behind--his room, his books, the fish Marina loves so much. Even worse, his papa is off fighting with the Liberation Army and doesn’t know they’ve left home. How will Papa ever find them now? Inspired by real events, master storyteller Eve Bunting recounts the harrowing yet hopeful story of a family, a war--and a dazzling discovery.
Food Chain Frenzy
by Anne Capeci and John SpeirsArnold, Ms. Frizzle, and the whole Magic School Bus crew find themselves in a Food Chain Frenzy as they digest lots of fab facts on ecosystems and eating habits.
Ms. Frizzle is the weirdest teacher around, and Arnold is her most reluctant student. A field trip on the Magic School Bus can be torture for Arnold, and there is just one thing that can make it worse: his cousin Janet. With his know-it-all relative's visit combined with an all-wheel learning adventure, it is sure to be a school day Arnold won't soon forget. The Friz is always hungry for adventure, and that's just what the class gets. With so much to learn about ecosystems, even Arnold finds himself eating up all the food-chain facts.
Caps for Sale
by Esphyr SlobodkinaCaps for Sale is a timeless classic, in print for over fifty years, and beloved by generations of readers. This easy-to-read story about a peddler and a band of mischievous monkeys is filled with warmth, humor, and simplicity. Children will delight in following the peddlers efforts to outwit the monkeys in this new, enlarged, and redesigned edition, and will ask to read it again and again.
Game of My Life New York Rangers
by John Halligan and John KreiserFamous games and players have been the hallmark of the New York Rangers from their NHL debut in 1926 to the present day. From Frank Boucher and the original Blueshirts to Jaromir Jagr, the Rangers have thrilled their fans with some of the most memorable performances in hockey history. In this newly revised edition of Game of My Life New York Rangers, John Halligan and John Kreiser share the recollections of over twenty of the most famous names in Rangers history as they discuss the most memorable games in their careers. Boucher describes the Rangers' first game; Clint Smith remembers what it was like to win the Stanley Cup in 1940; Mark Messier and the stars of the 1994 team share their memories of the games that ended the fifty-four-year Cup drought; Wayne Gretzky talks about his final NHL game; and Jagr describes his feelings about setting team scoring records. It's the best kind of anecdotal history, in which the people who made history are the ones doing the telling. Game of My Life New York Rangers takes readers inside the mind of each player and behind the doors of the locker room to reveal what really happened, and how it affected the people who were involved in some of the most memorable moments in New York hockey history.
Moose Tales
by Nancy Van Laan and Amy RuschMoose has good friends in the woodland: Beaver, Squirrel, Rabbit, and Mouse. Together they count snowflakes, help one another out of fixes, and make practically perfect creatures out of snow. Set in the secure world of the woods, these tender, funny stories for beginning readers celebrate the simple joys of having friends both trusty and true. And the delicately silly illustrations capture the foibles and idiosyncrasies of each woodland creature, from Moose's skinny legs to Rabbit's long, floppy ears.
How I Became a Pirate
by Melinda Long and David ShannonWhen Braid Beard's pirate crew invites Jeremy Jacob to join their voyage, he jumps right on board. Buried treasure, sea chanteys, pirate talk--who wouldn't go along? Soon Jeremy Jacob knows all about being a pirate. He throws his food across the table and his manners to the wind. He hollers like thunder and laughs off bedtime. It's the heave-ho, blow-the-man-down, very best time of his life. Until he finds out what pirates don't do--no reading bedtime stories, no tucking kids in. . . . Maybe being a pirate isn't so great after all.
Let's Count It Out, Jesse Bear
by Nancy White CarlstromFrom the book: JESSE BEAR IS OFF on a rollicking trip to an amusement park, and he's counting on you to join him! Everyone's favorite bear is at it again, showing off new shoes, bumping in bumper cars, and--oops!-even getting a few bumps and scratches of his own. Nancy White Carlstrom's fanciful counting poems and Bruce Degen's bright, cheery illustrations make Let's Count It Out, Jesse Bear, the sixth in the Jesse Bear series, a guaranteed hit for read-aloud sessions. This rhyming, rambling jaunt will have readers counting, and chuckling, in no time! Other books about Jesse Bear are available from Bookshare.