Special Collections

Pierre

Young Pierre, whose favorite line is "I don't care!" changes his mind after meeting a hungry lion.

Date Added: 05/16/2019

Freight Train

In powerful words and vibrant illustrations, Donald Crews evokes the essence of inexorably rolling wheels, so that even a child not lucky enough to have counted freight cars will feel he has watched a freight train passing. A book truly for the youngest child -- and for every one of us who has been that child. Images and image descriptions available.

Winner of the Caldecott Honor

Date Added: 05/16/2019

Sylvester and the Magic Pebble

One rainy day, Sylvester finds a magic pebble that can make wishes come true. But when a lion frightens him on his way home, Sylvester makes a wish that brings unexpected results. How Sylvester is eventually reunited with his loving family and restored to his own donkey self makes a story that is beautifully tender and perfectly joyful.

Illustrated with William Steig's glowing pictures, this winner of the 1970 Caldecott Medal is a modern classic beloved by children everywhere. It also features his moving Caldecott Medal acceptance speech.

Date Added: 05/16/2019

Good Night, Gorilla

"Good night, Gorilla," says the zookeeper. But mischievous Gorilla isn't quite ready to go to sleep. He'd rather follow the zookeeper on his rounds and let all of the other animals out of their cages. Little night owls can sneak along with Gorilla and see who gets the last laugh in this riotous goodnight romp. Practically wordless yet full of expressive art and hilarious, adorable detail, this book from Caldecott Medal winning author Peggy Rathmann is sure to become a beloved part of children's own bedtime rituals.

Date Added: 05/23/2019

Harold and the Purple Crayon

From beloved children’s book creator Crockett Johnson comes the timeless classic Harold and the Purple Crayon!

One evening Harold decides to go for a walk in the moonlight. Armed only with an oversize purple crayon, young Harold draws himself a landscape full of wonder and excitement.

Harold and his trusty crayon travel through woods and across seas and past dragons before returning to bed, safe and sound. Full of funny twists and surprises, this charming story shows just how far your imagination can take you.

Date Added: 05/23/2019

The Giving Tree

The Giving Tree, a story of unforgettable perception, beautifully written and illustrated by the gifted and versatile Shel Silverstein, has been a classic favorite for generations.

Since it was first published fifty years ago, Shel Silverstein's poignant picture book for readers of all ages has offered a touching interpretation of the gift of giving and a serene acceptance of another's capacity to love in return.

Date Added: 05/23/2019

The Lion and the Mouse

Textless retelling of the Lion and the Mouse fable, with beautiful images. Winner of the 2010 Caldecott Award. Images and image descriptions available.

Date Added: 05/25/2017

Officer Buckle and Gloria

Officer 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!

Date Added: 05/25/2017

King Bidgood's in the Bathtub

In this delightful story, the king refuses to leave his bathtub and rule the kingdom. "Beauty aside, this also has a panache and sly wit that will please children and their parents, who will be called on to peruse the book again and again." --Booklist

Date Added: 05/25/2017

Go, Dog. Go!

Whether by foot, boat, car, or unicycle, P. D. Eastman's lovable dogs demonstrate the many ways one can travel. The new text emphasizes the concept element of the original while maintaining its rhythm and charm.

Date Added: 05/25/2017

Ira Sleeps Over

Ira is thrilled to spend the night at Reggie's, until his sister raises the question of whether he should take his teddy bear. Images and image descriptions available.

Date Added: 05/25/2017

Curious George

Brought to life over sixty years ago by Margret and H.A. Rey, Curious George has found a lasting place in the hearts of millions of children all over the world. Along with his friends, George has had many fun adventures

Date Added: 05/25/2017

Madeline

Madeline, smallest and naughtiest of the twelve little charges of Miss Clavel, wakes up one night with an attack of appendicitis. Images and image descriptions available.

Date Added: 05/25/2017

Fortunately

Good and bad luck accompany Ned from New York to Florida on his way to a surprise party. Images and image descriptions available.

Date Added: 05/25/2017

Press Here

Press the yellow dot on the cover of this book, follow the instructions within, and embark upon a magical journey! Each page of this surprising book instructs the reader to press the dots, shake the pages, tilt the book, and who knows what will happen next! Children and adults alike will giggle with delight as the dots multiply, change direction, and grow in size! 3 YEARS on The New York Times bestseller list! Images and descriptions available.

Date Added: 05/25/2017

The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs

A spoof on the three little pigs story. The wolf gives his own outlandish version of what really happened when he tangled with the three little pigs. Images and image descriptions available.

Date Added: 05/25/2017

Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? (25th Anniversary Edition)

A big happy frog, a plump purple cat, a handsome blue horse, and a soft yellow duck--all parade across the pages of this delightful book.

Children will immediately respond to Eric Carle's flat, boldly colored collages.

Combined with Bill Martin's singsong text, they create unforgettable images of these endearing animals. Images and Image descriptions available.

Date Added: 05/25/2017

Make Way for Ducklings

This 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.

Date Added: 05/25/2017

The Paper Bag Princess

The Princess Elizabeth is slated to marry Prince Ronald when a dragon attacks the castle and kidnaps Ronald. In resourceful and humorous fashion, Elizabeth finds the dragon, outsmarts him, and rescues Ronald --- who is less than pleased at her un-princess-like appearance. Images and image descriptions available.

Date Added: 05/25/2017

Harry the Dirty Dog

There's never been another dog as delightful--or dirty--as Harry. This lovable white dog with black spots (or black dog with white spots) has charmed children for fifty years. This childhood favorite is perfect for reading aloud before going to bed or avoiding a bath. Images and image descriptions available.

Date Added: 05/25/2017

Frog and Toad Are Friends

From writing letters to going swimming, telling stories to finding lost buttons, Frog and Toad are always there for each other--just as best friends should be. Images and image descriptions available.

Date Added: 05/25/2017

Owl Moon

Late one winter night a child and father go owling. The trees stand still as statues and the world is silent as a dream. Wordlessly the two companions walk along, for when you go owling you don't need words. You don't need anything but hope. Sometimes there isn't an owl, but sometimes there is.

Distinguished author Jane Yolen has created a gentle, poetic story that lovingly depicts the special companionship of a child and father as well as humankind's close relationship to the natural world.

Images and image descriptions available.

Date Added: 05/25/2017

Scaredy Squirrel

Scaredy Squirrel never leaves his nut tree. It's way too dangerous out there. He could encounter tarantulas, green Martians or killer bees. But in his tree, every day is the same and if danger comes along, he's well-prepared. Scaredy Squirrel's emergency kit includes antibacterial soap, Band-Aids and a parachute. Day after day he watches and waits, and waits and watches, until one day, his worst nightmare comes true! Scaredy suddenly finds himself out of his tree, where germs, poison ivy and sharks lurk. But as Scaredy Squirrel leaps into the unknown, he discovers something really uplifting.

Date Added: 05/25/2017

I Want My Hat Back

A New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Book of 2011! A picture-book delight by a rising talent tells a cumulative tale with a mischievous twist. The bear's hat is gone, and he wants it back. Patiently and politely, he asks the animals he comes across, one by one, whether they have seen it. Each animal says no, some more elaborately than others. But just as the bear begins to despond, a deer comes by and asks a simple question that sparks the bear's memory and renews his search with a vengeance. Told completely in dialogue, this delicious take on the classic repetitive tale plays out in sly illustrations laced with visual humor-- and winks at the reader with a wry irreverence that will have kids of all ages thrilled to be in on the joke.

Images and image descriptions available.

Winner of the Theodore Seuss Geisel Honor

Date Added: 05/25/2017

Strega Nona

When Strega Nona leaves him alone with her magic pasta pot, Big Anthony is determined to show the townspeople how it works in this classic Caldecott Honor book from Tomie dePaola.

Strega Nona—"Grandma Witch"—is the source for potions, cures, magic, and comfort in her Calabrian town. Her magical everfull pasta pot is especially intriguing to hungry Big Anthony. He is supposed to look after her house and tend her garden but one day, when she goes over the mountain to visit Strega Amelia, Big Anthony recites the magic verse over the pasta pot, with disastrous results.

In this retelling of an old tale, author-illustrator Tomie dePaola combines humor in the writing and warmth in the paintings as he builds the story to its hilarious climax.

Date Added: 05/15/2019