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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Saving Samantha
by Robbyn Smith van FrankenhuyzenGijsbert (Nick) and Robbyn van Frankenhuyzen have spent years rehabilitating injured and orphaned animals and restoring them back into the wild. Their adventures began with the tale of Jackson the great horned owl in Adopted by an Owl, published in 2001. In Saving Samantha they continue sharing one of many of their fascinating wildlife accounts with the recovery and release of a red fox. Upon discovering her as a pup in a rusty trap near her family den, Robbyn raced home with her to begin Samantha's healing. Sam's encounters with other animals on the farm highlight her need to return to the wild, from her friendship with the family dog, Myles, to her battles with the local bully (a rooster named Igor) and the family crow, Corvis. Through Samantha, readers will come to understand the delicate balance between healing and release, the glory of reunion, and the bittersweet sadness of letting go. Picture descriptions present.
Curious George and Friends
by H. A. ReyCurious George and Friends: Favorite Stories by Margret and H. A. Rey features eight classic stories by the creators of Curious George. The book opens with an introduction called "Memories of the Reys" by Margaret Bloy Graham, the illustrator of the popular Harry the Dirty Dog and other books about Harry. Graham was a long-time friend and neighbor of Hans and Margret Rey. Throughout their lives the Reys created many lively books together. The character for whom the author-illustrator team became best known, Curious George, arrived as one of many monkey children in Cecily G. and the Nine Monkeys, Hans's first book for children. Encouraged by their publisher and children throughout the world, the Reys continued with more books about Curious George. In the meantime, the Reys published a number of books showcasing their creative talents and their rare, immediate connection with childhood. These books feature characters, all with their own personalities, and a few with resemblances to George. Whether they come to you as new friends or old, they are sure to entertain children's book lovers everywhere.
Officer Buckle and Gloria
by Peggy RathmannOfficer Buckle is dedicated to teaching schoolchildren important safety tips, such as never put anything in your ear and never stand on a swivel chair. The problem is, Officer Buckle's school assemblies are dull, dull, dull, and the children of Napville just sleep, sleep, sleep. That is, until Gloria the police dog is invited along!
Yo! Yes?
by Chris RaschkaRaschka's Caldecott Honor Book which captures the street poetry between two boys is now available for the first time in a Scholastic Bookshelf paperback version. Full color.
The Tale of Peter Rabbit
by Beatrix PotterThe story of a naughty young rabbit who decides to disobey his mother by trespassing into Mr. McGregor's garden. Images and image descriptions available.
Thunder Cake
by Patricia PolaccoFrom the Book Jacket: A loud clap of thunder booms and rattles the windows of Grandma's old farmhouse."This is Thunder Cake baking weather," calls Grandma, as she and her granddaughter hurry to gather the ingredients around the farm. A real Thunder Cake must reach the oven before the storm arrives. But the list of ingredients is long and not easy to find ... and the storm is coming closer all the time! Reaching once again into her rich childhood experience, Patricia Polacco tells the memorable story of how her grandmaher Babushkahelped her overcome her fear of thunder when she was a little girl. Ms. Polacco's vivid memories of her grandmother's endearing answer to a child's fear, accompanied by her bright folk-art illustrations, turn a frightening thunderstorm into an adventure and ultimately...a celebration! Whether the first clap of thunder finds you buried under the bedcovers or happily anticipating the coming storm, Thunder Cake is a story that will bring new meaning and possibility to the excitement of a thunderstorm. Patricia Polacco, born to parents of Russian extraction, comes from a large family of storytellers. She reminisces, "My fondest memories are of sitting around a stove or open fire, eating apples and popping popcorn while listening to the old ones tell glorious stories about the past." Many of Ms. Polacco's stories are based on family history, as are Thunder Cake and the recently published Uncle Vova's Tree. Her first book for Philomel, Rechenkd's Eggs, won the 1989 International Reading Association Book Award, Younger Reader Category. Ms. Polacco has studied in both the United States and Australia, receiving both a bachelor's and master's degree in fine art and a Ph.D. in art history, specializing in Russian and Greek painting and iconographie history. Having raised a son and daughter, Patricia Polacco and her husband, Enzo, now live in Oakland, California.
Clementine
by Sara PennypackerWhile sorting through difficulties with her friend Margaret, 8 year old Clementine gains several unique hairstyles, and helps her father banish pigeons from the front of their apartment building.
Amelia Bedelia
by Peggy ParishFrom dressing the chicken to drawing the drapes, Amelia Bedelia does exactly what Mr. and Mrs. Rogers tell her to do. If things get a bit mixed up, well, that's okay. When Amelia Bedelia is involved, everything always turns out perfectly in the end!
If You Give a Mouse a Cookie
by Laura Joffe NumeroffIf a hungry traveler shows up at your house, you might want to give him a cookie. If you give him a cookie, he's going to ask for a glass of milk. And there, the story begins. There are many, funny consequences of giving this mouse a cookie; read and play along!
Sam, Bangs & Moonshine
by Evaline Nessfrom the book Jacket: Sam, a fisherman's daughter who dreams rich and lovely dreamsmoonshine, her father sayssits in her dragon-drawn chariot and says wise things to Bangs, her cat. One day Sam sends little Thomas, her devoted friend, to Blue Rock, far out in the harbor, and a sudden storm brings near disaster to Thomas and Bangs. It is then that Sam repentantly draws a line between moonshine and reality. Young readers whose mothers are mermaids, who own fierce lions and baby kangaroos, and who can talk to their cats will find a fast friend in the heroine of this imaginative, humorous book. "Never has the artist made more striking pictures." The Horn Book "The narrative is delightfully expressed and the charming drawings beautifully portray the island scene." Booklist "An unusually creative story . . . presented in a realistic and sympathetic context. . . . This is an outstanding book." School Library Journal
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?
Love You Forever
by Robert MunschStory of a mother who loves her son and always says "I will love you forever."
If the Dinosaurs Came Back
by Bernard MostWhat would happen if the dinosaurs returned? Would they trample towns, smash automobiles, mash up people like asparagus? "No!" declares a little boy, who dreams of having a dinosaur of his own. Dinosaurs could help build skyscrapers and catch lost kites. They could push away rain clouds and plow farmers' fields. And giraffes would have someone to look up to. . . .
Zin! Zin! Zin! A Violin
by Lloyd MossUsing evocative poetic language, the author describes ten instruments coming on stage and performing, to the delight of the audience. [This text is listed as an example that meets Common Core Standards in English language arts for K-1 at http://www.corestandards.org.]
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.
Little Bear
by Else Holmelund MinarikIn one story, "Birthday Soup," Little Bear cannot find his mother and presumes she has forgotten his birthday. With the prospect of guests arriving and no cake in sight, he sets out to make birthday soup (all his friends like soup). Just as the gathering is sitting down for soup, Mother Bear shows up with a big, beautiful birthday cake.
"I never did forget your birthday, and I never will," she says to her son as he hugs her leg. In "Little Bear Goes to the Moon," Little Bear declares that he will fly to the moon in his new space helmet. Mother Bear tells him to be back by lunch, and he is.
[This text is listed as an example that meets Common Core Standards in English language arts for K-1 at http://www.corestandards.org.]
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.
Edward and the Pirates
by David M. McphailEdward is a voracious reader of anything he can get his hands on, even seed catalogs in a pinch. One night, while reading a book about pirates, Edward finds himself surrounded by the salty sailors who think his book might tell them where their treasure is buried. They beg, threaten, and bribe him to no avail, but when Edward's father scares the pirates with a shower of arrows, Edward feels sorry for them and relinquishes the book. As it turns out, the pirates can't read, so Edward reads the book aloud to them.
One Funny Day
by Kate McmullanAn Easy-to-Read Book.
Laughter is the best medicine for Pearl and Wagner!
Wagner is having a bad day. He oversleeps and is late for school. His best friend, Pearl, his teacher, and even the school librarian are acting very strangely. And the lunch lady is serving bug juice!
Why?
It's April Fools' Day!
But when Pearl picks another partner for the class dance contest, she's not joking around. It's one unfunny day for poor Wagner ... until he dreams up the perfect way to get the last laugh!
Winner of the Theodore Seuss Geisel Honor
Make Way for Ducklings
by Robert MccloskeyThis classic tale of the famous Mallard ducks of Boston was awarded the Caldecott Medal in 1941. Make Way for Ducklings has been described as 'one of the merriest picture books ever' (The New York Times). Ideal for reading aloud, this book deserves a place of honor on every child's bookshelf. Images and image descriptions available.
Just A Mess
by Mercer MayerLittle Critter can't find his baseball mitt. Could it be in the treehouse? Not there! Oh! no! Where is it? Other books by Mercer Mayer are available from Bookshare.
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."
Dancing Dinos Go to School
by Sally Lucas and Margeaux LucasThe dancing dinos are back, and this time, when their book turns up in a school library, they leap out and bring their musical mayhem to a kid's classroom. This fun, rhyming Step 1 reader is perfect for back-to-school!
Gooney Bird Greene
by Lois Lowry and Middy ThomasFrom the moment Gooney Bird Greene arrives at Watertower Elementary School, her fellow second-graders are intrigued by her unique sense of style and her unusual lunches. So when story time arrives, the choice is unanimous: they want to hear about Gooney Bird Greene. And that suits her just fine, because, as it turns out, Gooney Bird has quite a few interesting and "absolutely true" stories to tell.Through Gooney Bird and her tales, acclaimed author Lois Lowry introduces young readers to the concepts and elements of storytelling. By demonstrating some of the simple techniques that reveal the extraordinary in everyday events, this book will encourage the storyteller in everyone.