Special Collections
District List: NYC Reads 365 - Pre-K
Description: NYC Reads 365 is a literacy initiative of the New York City Department of Education to create a new generation of readers. This list of high-interest titles is curated by NYC school librarians for children in Pre-K and is updated each school year.
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Splat The Cat
by Rob ScottonSplat and his class go on a field trip to an ice cream factory in this delectable I Can Read book from New York Times bestselling author-artist Rob Scotton. Splat can barely sit still during the bus ride. He's imagining the mountain of ice cream he thinks he'll get to eat! But when Splat gets there, that mountain becomes more of an avalanche. It's up to Splat and his classmates to save the day! Beginning readers will practice the –eam sound in this easy-to-read addition to the Splat series. Splat the Cat: I Scream for Ice Cream is a Level One I Can Read book, which means it's perfect for children learning to sound out words and sentences.
Cat Nap
by Toni YulyCat loves to nap. If only he could find a good resting place to hide from playful (and wide awake) Kitten!
Opposites and hide-and-seek make this a fun story for nap time -- or anytime.
Little Tree
by Loren LongIn the middle of a little forest, there lives a Little Tree who loves his life and the splendid leaves that keep him cool in the heat of long summer days. Life is perfect just the way it is.
Autumn arrives, and with it the cool winds that ruffle Little Tree's leaves. One by one the other trees drop their leaves, facing the cold of winter head on. But not Little Tree—he hugs his leaves as tightly as he can. Year after year Little Tree remains unchanged, despite words of encouragement from a squirrel, a fawn, and a fox, his leaves having long since turned brown and withered. As Little Tree sits in the shadow of the other trees, now grown sturdy and tall as though to touch the sun, he remembers when they were all the same size. And he knows he has an important decision to make.
From #1 New York Times bestselling author Loren Long comes a gorgeously-illustrated story that challenges each of us to have the courage to let go and to reach for the sun.
Marta! Big And Small
by Jen Arena and Angela DominguezMarta is una niña, an ordinary girl . . . with some extraordinary animal friends!
As Marta explores the jungle, she knows she's bigger than a bug, smaller than an elephant, and faster than a turtle. But then she meets the snake, who thinks Marta is sabrosa―tasty, very tasty! But Marta is ingeniosa, a very clever girl, and she outsmarts the snake with hilarious results.
With simple Spanish and a glossary at the end, this fun read-aloud picture book, Marta! Big and Small, teaches little ones to identify opposites and animals and learn new words.
Raindrops Roll
by April Pulley SayreDiscover the wonder of water in this refreshingly fun and fascinating exploration of rain, raindrops, and the water cycle from the creator of Rah, Rah, Radishes! and Go, Go Grapes!
Raindrops drop. They plop. They patter. They spatter. And in the process, they make the whole world feel fresh and new and clean.
In this gorgeously photo-illustrated nonfiction picture book, celebrated author April Pulley Sayre sheds new light on the wonders of rain, from the beauty of a raindrop balanced on a leaf to the amazing, never-ending water cycle that keeps our planet in perfect ecological balance.
Splat the Cat Funny Valentine
by Rob ScottonFeel the love in a new Splat the Cat tale by New York Times bestselling author-artist Rob Scotton in Funny Valentine.
It’s Valentine’s Day, and Splat wants to give a secret present to someone special. His classmates all decide to help, and make the best Valentine ever!
Read all about Splat’s Valentine’s Day misadventures in Splat the Cat: Funny Valentine, another sure-to-be-a-classic story by Rob Scotton.
Splat the Cat and the Snowy Day Surprise
by Rob ScottonIn this book, Splat the cat alongwith his friend goes through a day of fun as the snow falls.
Fishy Tales
by Rob ScottonSplat the Cat and his class go to the aquarium! Splat tries to impress Kitten with his excellent sea creature facts, but he might not know as much about underwater creatures as he thought. Mrs. Wimpydimple reminds them to look, don't touch, but Splat finds himself making a great big-splat!
The Bear Ate Your Sandwich
by Julia Sarcone-RoachBy now I think you know what happened to your sandwich. But you may not know how it happened. So let me tell you. It all started with the bear . . .
So begins Julia Sarcone-Roach’s delicious tale of a bear, lost in the city, who happens upon an unattended sandwich in the park. The bear’s journey from forest to city and back home again is full of happy accidents, funny encounters, and sensory delights. The story is so engrossing, it’s not until the very end that we begin to suspect this is a TALL tale.
The wonderfully told story, spectacular illustrations, and surprise ending make this Julia Sarcone-Roach’s best book to date. You’ll want to share it with your friends (and keep a close eye on your lunch).
Lizard from the Park
by Mark PettWhen Leonard takes a shortcut through the park, he finds an egg and takes it home, where it hatches into a lizard (or so Leonard thinks). Leonard names his new pet Buster and takes him all around the city: on the subway, to the library, to a baseball game, and more.
But Buster keeps growing and growing—and Leonard gets the sense that Buster is longing for something Leonard can’t provide.
Before long, Buster becomes too big to keep, and Leonard realizes he needs to set Buster free. So Leonard comes up with an inventive plan, one that involves all the balloons Leonard can find and the annual Thanksgiving parade, in an imaginative plot twist that will spark readers’ imaginations—and touch their hearts.
Merry Christmas, Splat
by Rob ScottonThe fun of Splat the Cat continues in New York Times bestselling author/artist Rob Scotton's paper-over-board format of Merry Christmas, Splat! It's the night before Christmas, and Splat wonders if this year he's going to get the really big present he wants. Has Splat been good enough or will Christmas wind up ruined?
Fans of Splat will delight in this hilarious holiday tale. Rob Scotton has even hidden Santa in some of the pictures so kids can search for Kris Kringle right along with Splat!
1 Big Salad
by Juana MedinaJuana Medina's ingenious illustrations nearly pop off the page in her new counting book, ONE BIG SALAD. One avocado deer saunters across the spread, two radish mice scurry by, until finally ten clementine kitties prance onto the scene - all of the ingredients in one big salad!
Medina's previous book with Viking, SMICK!, introduced her to the children's book world, and now she's bringing her fresh and innovative take on the concept book form.
Stanley The Builder
by William BeeWhat a job for Stanley—he's building a house for his friend Myrtle. He will need his digger and his bulldozer and his cement mixer. He will also need his friend.
Stanley's Garage
by William BeeStanley is working at his garage today. From filling up Hattie's red sports car with gas to changing the tire on Shamus and Little Woo's blue car, it sure is a busy day. As his friends each come in with their car problems, Stanley knows just what to do to get them back on the road.
Stanley's Store
by William BeeStanley has fresh fruits and veggies to be unloaded, Myrtle needs help at the cheese counter, Shamus and Little Woo’s groceries must be rung up, and Charlie just knocked over Stanley’s produce display. Even for an industrious hamster like Stanley, running a store is hard work!
Splat The Cat
by Rob ScottonSplat tries to cheer up his athletic dad when his soccer team loses its big game. Looking back at old pictures of his father and grandfather winning a three-legged race, Splat decides that if he and his dad can win some events at the Cat School Games, Dad will be glad. As usual, disaster occurs, causing all of the events that father and son participate in to become quite slapstick. The good news is that Dad has a great sense of humour and really enjoys spending time with his son.
Splat the Cat
by Rob ScottonSplat decides to create his own from ice cubes, feathers, and a fan. When that doesn't work, he tries to persuade the snow to fall by dressing in his snowsuit and waiting with his sled.
Stanley's Diner
by William BeeStanley is cooking for some hungry customers today!
Eggs and pancakes, coming right up! Stanley is cooking for all the hungry customers who come into his diner, while Hattie takes their orders. Then Stanley serves up a special cake – but whose birthday are they celebrating?
William Bee’s wonderful series featuring Stanley, an adorable hamster, is great for readers at a transitional age between board books and picture books. Stanley’s Diner will appeal to young children wanting to know about occupations and machines.
If I Had a Triceratops
by George O'ConnorWouldn’t it be great to have a triceratops for a pet? If you had one, it would probably be your best friend. It would always want to play with you, and it would always know how you’re feeling. On dark and stormy nights, if your triceratops got scared, you could let it sleep in your room. True, a triceratops is a little on the huge side, but that just means more pet to love, and more pet to love you right back! Just imagine your very own pet triceratops running out to greet you at the end of the day. Ooof! Wouldn’t that be the best thing ever?
Splat the Cat and the Big Secret
by Rob ScottonShhhhh! Can you keep a secret? New York Times bestselling author-artist Rob Scotton is back with another story about Splat the Cat, and this time, your favorite frazzled cat has a secret of his own. When Splat overhears his parents planning a trip to Cat Kingdom for his sister’s birthday, he’s overjoyed. There’s just one problem—it’s a secret! Can Splat contain his excitement, or will he blow the big secret?
Splat the Cat and the Quick Chicks
by Rob ScottonSplat's class project is taking care of chicken eggs in this I Can Read book from New York Times bestselling author-artist Rob Scotton. When Splat takes the chicks home overnight, they hatch and run loose around his house! They pop up in the bathroom, hide inside his socks, and fall asleep in the paint box! Will Splat be able to round them all up?
Splat the Cat
by Rob ScottonSplat is thrilled when he finds out that Seymour's brother is coming to visit. Splat even stays up all night planning ways to impress his new friend. Although Splat's big surprise takes a calamitous turn, everyone ends up having even more fun than they expected!
Stanley the Mailman
by William BeeIt's going to be a busy day for Stanley! He gets up early to sort through all of the mail in his post office. Then he sets off through town to deliver it all. Myrtle, Little Woo, and Charlie all receive exciting gifts and letters. But will everyone be happy with what's in Stanley's mail bag?
Shark Detective!
by Jessica OlienA missing pet poster nudges him to grab for his fantasy, and Shark thoughtfully begins a quest to find the missing kitty of the poster, a search that begins with research in the library and developing inner strength through Tai Chi. Interviewing witnesses is difficult when the detective presents his formidable teeth, but luck is with him as a chance sighting of the missing kitty not only solves the case but promises a future career for Detective Shark.
Stanley the Farmer
by William BeeDown on the farm, Stanley is sowing seeds. Will they grow? It’s going to be a busy day on Stanley’s farm! From plowing the field, to planting the seeds, to harvesting the wheat, Stanley has a lot to do. Luckily, his friends Shamus and Little Woo lend a helping hand. William Bee’s wonderful series featuring Stanley, an adorable hamster, is great for readers at a transitional age between board books and picture books. Stanley the Farmer will appeal to young children wanting to know about occupations and machines.