Recommended Reads Books (List)

On Mavin Road, there’s no time for hellos or chats—until a lonely and mysterious cookie maker’s gifts bring everyone together.

Benedict Stanley lives alone with his cat on a road where families hustle, joggers puff, workers scurry to the train, and no one has time for anyone else. So Benedict begins making cookies to mark moments in his neighbors’ lives—a new baby, a kitten rescue, a soccer event—and quietly leaves the treats at their doors. People wonder who this secret cookie maker could be, but only young Rory knows his identity. When Benedict falls ill one day, Rory gathers the residents of Mavin Road, the recipients of Benedict’s kindness, and brings them to the cookie maker’s door. A beautiful, heartwarming book that celebrates community and human connection—and features a simple cookie recipe at the end that’s ready to be customized for someone’s special occasion.

Jan Brett’s beloved character the Gingerbread Baby returns in a fun-filled Christmas caper!
 
Gingerbread Baby and his friend, Matti, take his gingerbread band to the Christmas Festival where they are a hit! That is until the aroma of gingerbread reaches the children, making them hungry.

That means it is time to run away. Clever Matti uses snow to disguise the gingerbread instruments while Gingerbread Baby leads the audience on a merry chase to the smartest hiding place ever--a giant Christmas tree.

Celebrate the tradition of making Christmas cookies with family and friends by sharing this delightful board book, ?Christmas Cookie Day! The cute, simple, easy-to-read rhyming text is perfect for little ones during the holiday season, in addition to the adorable bear illustrations and yummy cookie recipe on the back cover!

Readers young and old will enjoy the sweet rhymes of this board book and colorful illustrations that remind us all of the tradition of baking cookies and giving them as gifts during the holiday season.

Christmas Cookie Day:

• Features fun, rhyming text written for children ages 0 to
• Is perfect for building new memories, great for family reading, and ideal for Christmas or Advent gift-giving
• Is a durable board book that fits into little hands, with a festive glittery cover and adorable illustrations
• Features a recipe for sugar cookies that parents and grandparents can bake with their toddler

On a rainy day, Henry helps his mom make cookies. From mixing to measuring, making cookies is a lot of fun.

A visit to a fire house is always fun, but it's even more exciting when the Gingerbread Man comes along!

Guess who gets to go along on a field trip to the firehouse? The Gingerbread Man! But when he falls out of his classmate's pocket, Spot the Dalmatian comes sniffing around. Luckily, this Gingerbread Man is one smart cookie, and he races into the fire truck, up the pole, and all through the station, staying one step ahead of the hungry dog the whole time.

Then an emergency call comes in and the Gingerbread Man knows just what to do:

“I’ll ride to the rescue, as fast as I can.

I want to help, too! I’m the Gingerbread Man!”

With snappy rhymes and fresh illustrations, the Gingerbread Man makes a sweet return in his second school adventure.

Beginning readers will love following along with Flat Stanley’s yummiest I Can Read adventure yet!

Flat Stanley loves to help Mr. Pete the Baker make his delicious treats! When another baker begins taking away all his business, Mr. Pete comes up with a BIG idea to save his bakery, but he needs help from Stanley and Arthur! Will they succeed or will everything just fall flat?

Flat Stanley and the Very Big Cookie is a Level Two Can Read book, geared for kids who read on their own but still need a little help.

You can't catch me, I'm the gingerbread man!Everyone wants to catch the gingerbread man. Only the fox wants to help him - or does he?Includes a word list, 5 pages of activities and free online audio (British English and American English).500 headwords800 words

The horse loves hay, the chickens need feed, the geese munch on corn, the hogs devour slop, the dog eats treats, but the cow loves…COOKIES?

With an original twist on the ordinary barnyard book, the latest read-aloud from bestselling author Karma Wilson is a clever exploration of a curious incident on the farm. As the farmer makes his rounds each day, most of the animals chew on the foods a young reader would expect. But when it’s time to feed the cow, she feasts on a special treat. Wilson’s signature style and Marcellus Hall’s spirited watercolors will delight children on and off the farm—because when it comes down to it, who doesn’t love milk and cookies?

It’s the Christmas season during a time when people had little money to spend. Cookie jars held pennies, not Christmas cookies. So when Jack smells something delicious coming from the kitchen, he can’t believe his nose. Cookies! But his excitement turns to disappointment when he learns the cookies aren’t for him. Instead, Mother is baking them for the needy people at their church. While Jack helps roll out the dough, his mother tells him the legend of the Christmas cookie. In a captivating interplay of simple words and beautiful illustrations, The Legend of the Christmas Cookie tells a tender story of giving—not just cookies, but gifts of the heart that last forever.

Zogby wants to work for Fluffy Tail Cookies as a delivery animal--but he's a bear and all the other animals are cute bunnies. Zogby tries to pretend to be a bunny by wearing bunny ears, putting on whiskers, and adding a fluffy tail. But he still scares the customers! When Zogby realizes being himself is best, can he find a way to stand out and get the job?

A World of Cookies for Santa takes readers across the globe to see all the treats that await Santa on Christmas Eve. Head to the Philippines, where children leave out puto seko cookies and ginger tea for Santa; jet to Russia for a honey-spice cookie; then set out for Malawi for a sweet potato cookie When you've returned home, the journey's still not over--M. E. Furman provides recipes for children to bake some of Santa's cookies for themselves.

A World of Cookies for Santa is a multicultural celebration that families will return to year after year.
Winner of the American Book Fest Best Book Award and the Moonbeam Book Award

Four friends. Three cookies. One problem.
Hippo, Croc, and the Squirrels are determined to have equal cookies for all! But how? There are only three cookies . . . and four of them! They need to act fast before nervous Hippo breaks all the cookies into crumbs!

A delicious take on a classic story. . . .

When an elderly couple decides to bake gingerbread one day, they have no idea what they're getting in to.  As soon as the gingerbread man is all dressed up in his peppermint buttons, he leaps off the table and runs out the door!

Chase along in Eric A. Kimmel's retelling of this classic kids story as the man and woman, a dog, a pig, and more pursue the quick-on-his-feet cookie in a simple text, perfect for reading aloud, featuring strong patterns and repeated refrains that young listeners will want to read along with.

The gingerbread man runs and runs, as fast as he can . . . until he meets a wily fox, whose promise to help him escape isn't all it seems.

Heaps of riddles about Pilgrims, pies, and turkey are served up in this hilarious collection. Starting with the holiday preparations and leading up to the big dinner, follow a story peppered with riddles to feast on and lift the flaps to find the answers.

1996 ‘Pick of the Lists’ (ABA)

Thanksgiving is... A holiday for gratitude.  It is turkey, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie.  It is a time to celebrate and share with family and friends.

Explaining the roots of our familiar fall holiday in ancient harvest celebrations, Gail Gibbons' clear, kid-friendly language is accompanied by colorful watercolor illustrations.  The story of the Pilgrims' journey and first Thanksgiving feast is retold, as well as the history of Thanksgiving as a national holiday, and the traditions and celebrations that have developed over the years.  

Thanksgiving Is. . .  is a perfect introduction to early American history, and a fun autumn holiday from a children's nonfiction master.

From Dav Pilkey, creator of the New York Times bestselling Dog Man and Captain Underpants series, comes a charming story about eight children and eight turkeys on the night before Thanksgiving.

On the day before Thanksgiving, a group of children visit a turkey farm and meet Farmer Mack Nuggett and his coop of cockerels: Ollie, Stanley, Larry, Moe, Wally, Beaver, Shemp, and Groucho. The children and turkeys giggle and gobble, and everything is gravy. As the trip comes to an end, the children leave the farm with full hearts -- and bulging bellies -- reminding people and poultry alike that there is much to be thankful for.This hysterical read-aloud and fan-favorite picture book is now available for the first time in a paper-over-board format!

Laura Malone Elliott and Lynn Munsinger have created another holiday story about the lovable characters from A String of Hearts.

Perfect for a teacher's classroom or a child's home bookshelf, Thanksgiving Day Thanks tells the story of Sam trying to figure out what he's thankful for.Sam also works on a special project to share at the Thanksgiving feast—his own version of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade!

Parents and teachers will find inspiration for other Thanksgiving crafts and projects in this charming and funny storybook. A section at the back includes fun Thanksgiving facts.

Full of creativity, humor, and heart, Thanksgiving Day Thanks celebrates friendship, family, and the many other blessings in our lives for which we give thanks.

Jamie has a lot of friends—a lot of friends with different kinds of families. Kate has two dads. Olivia has two moms. And Jade has her very own butler! But no matter what the families look like, the love they feel for each other is all the same.

My Blended Family is an entertaining and colorful book intended to help adults explain the concept of blended families and how they work. There are two stories in this book, Weekend Visit and Birthday Party.

An overbearing older sibling can really be a bear, but the child in this understated, gently humorous story finds out that they can have their advantages, too.

"I live with a bear," the story's young narrator declares. The bear is loud, messy, uncouth, and very strong (too strong!). For some reason, his parents treat the bear like family, despite his protests. Why can't they see? Then he runs into some bullies on the playground. When the bear ROOAARS with all her might and scares them away, he realizes that there are advantages to having a bear in the family. In a delightful twist, the narrator's older sister (the bear) appears, telling him that she is NOT a bear. But if she is, HE is too--because two bears are even better than one!

I am thankful for music because it makes me want to dance.
I am thankful for my feet because they help me run and play.
I am thankful for kisses because they make me feel loved.

Todd Parr's bestselling books have taught kids about unconditional love, respecting the earth, facing fears, and more, all with his signature blend of playfulness and sensitivity. Now, The Thankful Book celebrates all the little things children can give thanks for. From everyday activities like reading and bathtime to big family meals together and special alone time between parent and child, Todd inspires readers to remember all of life's special moments. The perfect book to treasure and share, around the holidays and throughout the year.

When Nancy has to write a report on her ancestors for school, she can’t help exaggerating a little—at first. After all, what’s wrong with making her family history sound fancier? But Nancy goes too far and has to deal with truth and consequences!

Readers will sympathize with Nancy’s quandary in this engaging Fancy Nancy I Can Read story.

Winner, 2018 Gwen P. Reichert Gold Medal for Children's Literature, Florida Book Award

Meili, who is six years old and adopted from China, learns that her parents are going to adopt a baby from Haiti. She's not happy. Why do they need a new baby? Their family is just right as it is. As Meili learns more about her new sibling and the importance of being a big sister, will she realize that a new addition can be just right for their family too?

This Step 2 Step into Reading leveled reader is based on Disney Encanto—now streaming on Disney+!

Disney Encanto tells the tale of an extraordinary family, the Madrigals, who live hidden in the mountains of Colombia, in a magical house, in a vibrant town, in a wondrous, charmed place called an Encanto. The magic of the Encanto has blessed every child in the family with a unique gift from super strength to the power to heal—every child except one, Mirabel. But when she discovers that the magic surrounding the Encanto is in danger, Mirabel decides that she, the only ordinary Madrigal, might just be her exceptional family’s last hope. Girls and boys ages 4 to 6 will love this Step 2 Step into Reading leveled reader based on the animated feature film. Step 2 readers use basic vocabulary and short sentences to tell simple stories. For children who recognize familiar words and can sound out new words with help.

No matter your size, shape, or pedigree--if you love each other, you are a family!


Moms, dads, sisters, brothers — and even Great Aunt Sue — appear in dozens of combinations, demonstrating all kinds of nontraditional families! Silly animals are cleverly depicted in framed portraits, and offer a warm celebration of family love.

From School Library Journal
PreS-Gr 1—Imagine a house with many rooms, whose walls each have a different color or wallpaper, accenting a family portrait hanging there. On a rustic wooden wall hangs the first portrait—a large family of ducks posing beside a still pond. The next spread shows three pandas in pink vests, much like the pink oriental wallpaper behind them. Each portrait features a gently rhyming line: "Some children live with their grandparents…/and some live with an aunt./Some children have many pets…/and some just have a plant." All of these appealing images demonstrate different ways of being a family. "Some children live with their father./ Some children have two mothers./Some children are adopted./Some have stepsisters and—brothers." The cartoon-style critters contrast pleasantly with more realistic elements—a bamboo plant, a slender ceramic dog, a fat ceramic cat. Families of hippos, tigers, lions, ostriches, and whales join the other family groups in the final spread. The loud-and-clear message is that "if you love each other, then you are a family." And imagine the many children who will be reassured because they have found a portrait of a family they will recognize as their own. A solid choice for most libraries.—Mary Jean Smith, formerly at Southside Elementary School, Lebanon, TN

This book looks at the rich diversity of family life around the world. Through simple text and stunning photographs, it introduces children to similarities found in families in different cultures, and honors differences.

Worms don't take good family photos, do they? Find out in this hilarious picture book from a Caldecott Honor illustrator and debut author about a young worm who comes to appreciate her very unusual family for who they are.

Emma is excited for her worm family to have their portrait taken. But when she sees her other friends' portraits, she gets discouraged. "We had the most beautiful smiles," Ellie the Chipmunk squeals. Abigail the Cat meows, "I looked gorgeous with my big poufy hair." The worm family doesn't have teeth...how will they show their beautiful smiles? They don't have hair either...how can it look big and poufy?! So Emma gathers wigs, giant fake teeth, and colorful clothing for her parents and sisters.

But it's only after taking off their costumes that the worm family is able to wriggle and squiggle and squeeze into a delightful pose that only a worm family can make. And Emma? She thinks it's perfectly perfect.

It's Thanksgiving Day, and there's a lot to be done before turkey time! I Am Thankful follows a young boy through his busy holiday adventures, from running in the turkey trot to helping his family bake pies. Even though the weather might ruin the annual family football game, the jam-packed day proves there's never a shortage of things to be thankful for. In this first installment of the Positive Power series, kids will learn the affirmation “I am thankful” through a delightful story of food, family, and fun.

About the Positive Power Series:

Short on words and long on empowerment, the Positive Power early reader series teaches kids and parents alike the power of positive affirmations and how to incorporate them into their daily lives.

This beautiful and informative picture book follows a single tree through the fall season, from the end of summer to winter’s first snowfall. A great read-aloud for home and the classroom by the New York Times–bestselling creator of My Heart Is Like a Zoo and Red: A Crayon’s Story.

Wonderfall follows a single tree through the changing of the seasons. People, animals, and vehicles pass in front of the tree, celebrating holidays, playing in its leaves, and getting ready for winter. Fifteen combined words (thankful + fall = thankFALL, plentiful + fall = plentiFALL) underscore the themes and concepts of the season, while the main attraction—the beautiful tree—drops acorns, loses leaves, and provides food and a home for a pair of scurrying squirrels. Two full spreads at the back of the book offer additional information about the animals featured in the book, as well as the science behind squirrels, acorns, and saplings.

The first pumpkin Tim ever carved was fierce and funny, and he named it Jack. When Halloween was over and the pumpkin was beginning to rot, Tim set it out in the garden and throughout the weeks he watched it change. By spring, a plant began to grow! Will Hubbell's gentle story and beautifully detailed illustrations give an intimate look at the cycle of life.

Growing up on Mimi and Papa’s farm, Peter knows a lot about caring for pumpkins. One summer Peter finds a lonely pumpkin all by itself in the field, and with his tender care, the pumpkin flourishes. By autumn, it’s the very best pumpkin of all, and Peter wants to keep it for himself. But when a young girl shows up at the farm in quest of a perfect pumpkin, will Peter pass on his prized pumpkin and gain a friend? From the bestselling creators of Reindeer Christmas and A Snowman Named Just Bob, this enchanting story is filled with the magic of autumn and friendship.

It's big. It's orange. But what is it?

When Field Mouse and Squirrel find something big, round, and orange in the middle of the road, it looks kind of familiar. Skunk is positive it's a lamp, and Rabbit thinks it looks like a snack, but no one knows for sure. Luckily, there's one thing they can all agree on: it's the life of the party! Discover all of the ways you can use a pumpkin in this adorable fall adventure.

What is that pup up to?

That pup digs. And digs. And digs some more.

What is that pup looking for? And why should this squirrel care?

Horace and Hattie are hedgehogs and the very best of friends. Together they make shadow puppets, follow slimy snail trails, and search for spider webs. One autumn day they are watching the leaves fall from the trees when they hear a squeak . . . Could it be a new friend to play with?

The perfect Halloween read for trick-or-treators of all ages.

Best-selling illustrator Lynn Munsinger puts pumpkins and autumn center stage in this rollicking take on the classic song, We're Going on a Bear Hunt.

A spooky nighttime hunt for the biggest pumpkin in town results in a fright but also a great adventure. Laugh out loud at the sweet silliness and be heartened to know you might not be the only scaredy cat...er, mouse...in the pumpkin patch. The perfect read aloud for fall and Halloween fun.

"Even without pumpkin pie, readers will hunt down this delightful Halloween offering."
—Kirkus Reviews, starred review

A young girl spends a glorious fall day picking apples and searching for the perfect pumpkin in this refreshed classic.

"When red and yellow leaves are on the trees," a little girl goes with her parents to a farm where they pick apples and choose "the best pumpkin of them all." Back home, she helps to carve a grinning jack-o'-lantern face on the big orange pumpkin, which guards their doorstep on halloween night while her mother hands out shiny red apples and she and her father go trick-or-treating with the neighborhood ghosts and goblins.

Bold, autumn-colored paintings and a simple but lively story capture a little girl's joy and satisfaction as she shares in the excitement of the fall season.

This vibrant poem celebrates the beauty of autumn while inviting us all to go ahead and jump in that big, colorful, pile of fall leaves. Leslie Evan’s bold artwork brings together gold, orange, yellow, red, and brown leaves into a literary pile creating the magic of autumn for young readers. The poetic text gives simple facts about different types of fall leaves making it easy for readers to identify leaves ranging from  red maple to sycamore by color, shape, and other characteristics. Informative and fun, Carole Gerber brings us a wonderful introduction to seasons and science for the earliest of leaf jumpers.

Lauren Thompson and Bucket Erdogan show what makes fall so much fun in Classic Board Book edition of Mouse's First Fall!

One cool day Mouse and Minka venture out to play. From leaves of all colors—red, yellow, orange to brown—to leaves of all shapes and sizes—Mouse learns what makes fall such a special season! Before their fun, fall day is over, Mouse takes a big "leap!" Now featuring the newly redesigned Classic Board Book logo, this sturdy book is perfect for little ones learning about the seasons!

As September fades, a new season begins. Leaves and temperatures tumble. And, as autumn falls, new colors and smells gradually replace the heat and intensity that was summer. Vibrant cut-paper illustrations help bring this season to life. Full color.

“This exquisite picture book will inspire youngsters to get outdoors and observe the world around them.”—School Library Journal (starred review)

From Caldecott Medalist and Newbery Honor author Kevin Henkes and acclaimed painter Laura Dronzek, the bestselling and award-winning creators of Birds and When Spring Comes, In the Middle of Fall is perfect for the very youngest readers.

In the middle of fall, it takes only one gust of wind to turn the whole world yellow and red and orange. Caldecott Medalist and award-winning author Kevin Henkes’s striking text introduces basic concepts of language and the unique beauty of the fall season. Laura Dronzek’s expressive paintings illuminate pumpkins, apples, falling leaves, busy squirrels, and the transformation from colorful autumn to frosty winter.

From New York Times–bestselling author Deborah Diesen and illustrator Lucy Fleming, Hello, Fall! is a touching story of the autumn season.

Fall is here! Colorful leaves whisper to each other. Geese honk as they flock across the sky. Pumpkins listen patiently from their patch. The season announces itself in all sorts of ways—if you stop to say hello! A grandfather and his granddaughter welcome fall in this sweet, whimsical story about finding beauty and wonder in every moment.

"Every September,Every October,Fall fills my senses with scenes to remember.""Bears gather nuts.Geese hibernate.Squirrels fly south in big figure eights."Fall is all mixed up in this silly book from Bob Raczka! Can you find his mistakes in the words and pictures?

A wonderfully zany story about what happens on a farm when a leaf blows into the barn!

When the leaf blows into the barn,
The cow sneezes "Ah choo!"

And when the cow sneezes "Ah choo!"
The spider falls on top of the owl.

With simple, repetitive text and silly, expressive illustrations, children will fall for this hilarious autumn story about the way one leaf turns an entire barnyard upside down!

In an updated version of a perennial backlist favorite that revolves around such integral elements of autumn as apples, pumpkins and Halloween, a little girl and her parents visit Comstock Farm, where they enjoy a glorious fall day picking the fruits of the season.

Level 1 guided reader that explains leaves' cycle of change during fall. Students will develop reading skills while learning how and why leaves change color and fall.

Teach young readers all about autumn in this informative, easy-to-read, illustrated book. Learn about the position of the sun, the autumnal equinox, the activities of plants and animals, and all of the fun things humans can do during the season of autumn! A season calandar, autumn activity ideas, glossary, and index provide more learning opportunities! Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards. Looking Glass Library is an imprint of Magic Wagon, a division of ABDO Group. Grades PreK-4.

"Every September,Every October,Fall fills my senses with scenes to remember.""Bears gather nuts.Geese hibernate.Squirrels fly south in big figure eights."Fall is all mixed up in this silly book from Bob Raczka! Can you find his mistakes in the words and pictures?

Bella loves the sights and sounds of fall--the crinkle-crackle of fallen leaves, the crunch of crisp, red apples, the honking and flapping of migrating geese. She wants the season to last forever. She also wants her fall coat--the one her Grams made especially for her--to last forever. But the coat is worn-out and too small. . . . With a snip and a whir, Grams makes sure Bella will be warm when the first snowflakes fall. And Bella finds a perfect use for her old favorite coat--on the first snowman of the season. Adorned with beautiful fall oranges, reds, and yellows, and sprinkled with fun sound words, this read-aloud will help families celebrate both fall and winter.

As September fades, a new season begins. Leaves and temperatures tumble. And, as autumn falls, new colors and smells gradually replace the heat and intensity that was summer. Vibrant cut-paper illustrations help bring this season to life. Full color.

This book explains why we have seasons and when the fall season begins. It also suggests some activities that people do in the fall as well as what animals may do during this season. There is an easy experiment relating to fall included in the back of the book. Author Sara L. Latta creates a fun learning environment about science for emerging readers.

Join three friends on a fun leaf-finding adventure! This bouncy new version of the popular song begs to be read out loud.

There are lots of beautiful fall leaves to find! Three friends have a big adventure hiking over a mountain and through a forest to collect leaves of all kinds and colors. What will they do with all their leaves at the end of the story? Jump and play in them, of course!

With easy rhyming text and fun sound effects, children will delight in this rollicking autumn story.

As her grandmother's health declines, a young girl begins to lovingly take the lead in their cozy shared autumn traditions. Poetic prose paired with evocative illustrations by Mexican illustrator Claudia Navarro make for a beautiful celebration of life and a gentle introduction to the death of a loved one.

All the animals know not to mess with old Scarecrow. But when a small, scared crow falls from midair, Scarecrow does the strangest thing. . . .

Bestselling author Beth Ferry and the widely acclaimed Fan Brothers present this tender and affectionate tale that reminds us of the comforting power of friendship and the joy of helping others.

This title invites readers to discover what's fun and unique about an apple orchard. Simple text, engaging pictures, and a photo glossary make this title the perfect introduction to an apple orchard field trip.

A simple story about green apples, what they look like, and how they grow. This story helps readers learn the words green, and apples. Bright pictures provide visual cues to help the reader. Additional features include a word list, an introduction to the author, and a letter to caregivers and educators.

This book guides young readers through the process of adding. With simple text and closely matching pictures, this title is perfect for beginning readers.

This fun book introduces readers to several words that start with the letter A. Vibrant photos closely match the text to build vocabulary. The book also includes a table of contents, a picture glossary, and an index. This Little Blue Readers title is at Level 1, aligned to reading levels of grades PreK-1 and interest levels of grades PreK-2.

"In Watch an Apple Grow, early fluent readers learn how apples grow. Vibrant, full-color photos and carefully leveled text will engage young readers as they learn about how this delicious fruit is grown and harvested."--Amazon.com.

Apple Orchard takes emergent readers on a trip to the apple orchard while providing them with a supportive first nonfiction reading experience. Carefully crafted text uses high-frequency words, repetitive sentence patterns, and strong visual references to support emergent readers, making sure they aren't facing too many challenges at once.

Apple Orchard includes Tools for Teachers and Caregivers and a Let's Review! question and image, as well as introductory nonfiction features such as labels, a table of contents, words to know, and an index.

Apple Orchard is part of Jump!'s Around Town series.

Explore the apple orchard, from types of apples to tasty treats. The apple orchard makes fall fun.

Get a close-up view of the life of a apple trees.

Engage readers with the story of a trip to the apple orchard. Readers are introduced to the harvesting of apples in fall, such as picking, and making apples into their favorite treats. Additional features include a table of contents, phonetic glossary, index, and sources for further research. A kid-friendly project inspires creativity and hands-on fun.

Today, the average American consumes about sixty-five fresh apples each year. Where do so many apples come from? How do they grow? Jacqueline Farmer takes young readers on a field trip to the apple orchard to find out how apple growers turn seeds and seedlings into the many different varieties of America's favorite fruit. Recipes, trivia, and fun facts included.

A little apple tree in a forest of oaks begs God for stars like those glimmering on the branches of the great oak trees beside her. As the seasons pass, she learns to appreciate her own gifts and realizes that it's possible to find a star in each of us.

Johnny Appleseed was an important historical figure, well known for planting apple orchards across the new frontier. But he was also a master storyteller! In his own folksy voice, Johnny Appleseed tells his story to a couple of entranced children in this fictionalized Step 2 title. Readers learn how he started planting apple trees—and about some of the myths and true stories of his life.

Join troublemaking squirrels Norma and Belly on more delicious adventures in the sequel to the Eisner-nominated graphic novel Donut Feed the Squirrels, the perfect next-read for fans of Narwhal & Jelly!

When local park fixture (and spy-master) Pops gets squirrel-napped, it's up to Norma, Belly, and their friend little B to save him! This time, their adventure takes them out of the park--and into the uncharted territory of . . . the local apple orchard.

Where can Pops be? Will this adventure end in tragedy . . . or in apple pie? Or both? With these best friends on the case, you never know what's coming next--but you can be sure there will be friends and delicious foods along the way.

I'm nuts for these sweet and silly squirrels. -- Ben Clanton, author of Narwhal and Jelly

"An apple a day keeps the doctor away" Yes! This healthy series from QED teaches young readers the benefits of eating fruit and vegetables, and advises how to grow your own.

Join Fancy Nancy on the perfect fall field trip—to the apple orchard. Fall is an extra-fancy season. Even the trees wear fancy colors! Nancy is determined to find a perfect Gala apple for her dad—it’s his favorite kind, and even the name sounds fancy. But what if the perfect apple is just out of reach?

Fans of Fancy Nancy will delight in this festive fall adventure story about a class trip to the apple orchard. Fancy Nancy: Apples Galore! is a Level One I Can Read book, which means it’s perfect for children learning to sound out words and sentences.

If you take a mouse to school, he'll ask you for your lunch box. When you give him your lunch box, he'll want a sandwich to go in it. Then he'll need a notebook and some pencils. He'll probably want to share your backpack, too . . .

The famous mouse from the New York Times #1 best-seller If You Take a Mouse to the Movies and If You give a Mouse a Cookie is back for his first day of school. Only Laura Numeroff and Felicia Bond could make school this much fun!

In the tradition of School’s First Day of School, debut author Keith Calabrese and Pura Belpré Award winner Juana Medina share a sweet, universal story about a clever little girl whose shoes are nervous about the first day of school.

Today is a big day! Today, Lena starts kindergarten. She is very excited. But there’s just one problem…

Lena’s shoes are nervous.

Lena doesn’t want to miss out on her first day of school, but she can’t go without her favorite shoes! How can she convince them to be brave?

“This beautiful tale with gentle illustrations is an ode to the milestone of attending school for the first time and all it entails.”—School Library Journal. “A cozy portrait of the everyday discoveries and accomplishments that school can bring.”—Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

Ming goes to school, where she learns to say hello and good-bye. She meets new friends and introduces them to old friends (including her favorite teddy). She builds sandcastles and makes snow angels; she traces, glitters, and glues. She is so fearless that when held at sword point, she even walks the plank! And when she’s playing in the mud, she reaches out and touches the worms with her bare hands. But despite those brave deeds, she isn’t quite ready for the big red slide—not yet.

This is a very sweet story with soft, evocative watercolor illustrations that will help kids to grow comfortable with the idea of starting preschool. Ming is curious and playful and ready for adventure, but even she gets scared of new things sometimes. Kids will relate to her desires and fears and will be excited to see Ming at the top of the slide by the story’s end.

A quiet and reassuring picture book for preschoolers (3-5), this is a wonderful going-to-school story that can be read both at home and in the classroom or childcare center. The illustrations provide a lot of diversity of characters, making this feel like any classroom in any school in the country.

This exuberant celebration of the first day of school illustrated by award-winning illustrator Frank Morrison will have every kid cheering for school to begin!

Summer is over, and this little girl has got the school spirit! She hears the school spirit in the bus driving up the street--VROOM, VROOM!--and in the bell sounding in the halls--RING-A-DING! She sings the school spirit in class with her friends--ABC, 123!

The school spirit helps us all strive and grow. What will you learn today?

Don't miss these other exuberant titles:
I Got the Rhythm
I Got the Christmas Spirit

It’s the first day of school! But is Busy Bus ready? Find out in this darling picture book that showcases the excitement and worries little ones experience as they prepare for their first day.

Today is the very first day of school! Busy Bus is excited, but he also has some first-day jitters. Will the children like him? Will he be homesick? What if he gets lost?! Luckily, bus driver Ben knows just what to do to make sure that the school year gets off to a great start.

You can call her Ally-SAURUS! When Ally roars off to her first day at school, she hopes she'll meet lots of other dinosaur-mad kids in class. Instead, she's the only one chomping her food with fierce dino teeth and drawing dinosaurs on her nameplate. Even worse, a group of would-be "princesses" snubs her! Will Ally ever make new friends? With its humorous art, appealing heroine, and surprise ending, this fun picture book celebrates children's boundless imagination.

Spunky Lola embarks on a new adventure--the first day of school!

Lola and her family prepare for the first day of school the night before, then get up early, take pictures, and head to class. Lola puts her things in her cubby, chooses her activities, reads, plays, and has a snack. Before she knows it, it's time to sing the good-bye song and rush into Mommy's arms for a warm reunion. A comforting, cheerful read that demystifies the school day for preschoolers and kindergarteners.

In this exuberant companion to If I Built a Car, a boy fantasizes about his dream school--from classroom to cafeteria to library to playground.

My school will amaze you. My school will astound.
By far the most fabulous school to be found
Perfectly planned and impeccably clean.
On a scale, 1 to 10, it's more like 15
And learning is fun in a place that's fun, too.

If Jack built a school, there would be hover desks and pop-up textbooks, skydiving wind tunnels and a trampoline basketball court in the gym, a robo-chef to serve lunch in the cafeteria, field trips to Mars, and a whole lot more. The inventive boy who described his ideal car and house in previous books is dreaming even bigger this time.

The first hilarious story in the New York Times bestselling Magnolia Says DON'T! series about a charismatic kid who's got a terrific knack for terrible ideas!

Note to self: If your teacher tells you to bring something from nature for show-and-tell, she does not want you to bring an alligator! But nothing will stop Magnolia, who's determined to have the best show-and-tell of all--until her reptilian rapscallion starts getting her into some major trouble. Now it's up to Magnolia to find a way to send this troublemaker home--but what could possibly scare an alligator away?

It's the first day of school and George has been invited to Mr. Apple's class to be a special helper! George is just the right monkey for the job--that is, until he starts to make his usual mischief. A mixture of red and yellow paint makes orange . . . a mixture of yellow and blue makes green. . . . and a mixture of all the paint colors makes a big mess! After a speedy adventure up and down the halls of the school, George and Mr. Apple clean up the classroom--with a little help from George's new friends.

When a class leaves for recess, their just-baked Gingerbread Man is left behind. But he's a smart cookie and heads out to find them. He'll run, slide, skip, and (after a mishap with a soccer ball) limp as fast as he can because: "I can catch them! I'm their Gingerbread Man!"

With help from the gym teacher, the nurse, the art teacher and even the principal, the Gingerbread Man does find his class, and he's assured they'll never leave him behind again.

Teachers often use the Gingerbread Man story to introduce new students to the geography and staff of schools, and this fresh, funny twist on the original can be used all year long. Includes a poster with fun activities!
 

It only takes a little to BE BIG!

Emily Elizabeth's aunt wants to teach Clifford to behave like a good dog, so he learns to heel, sit, and stay. Even when it's very hard to do, if he BELIEVES IN HIMSELF, Clifford can do anything!

The BE BIG campaign invites everyone, big and small, to take action and raise awareness for how CLIFFORD'S BIG IDEAS can make the world a better place.

Clifford's Big Ideas are:

Be a Good Friend * Share * Be Kind * Help Others * Be Truthful * Have Respect * Be Responsible * Play Fair * Work Together * Believe in Yourself

Young readers can learn all about what happens at school in this Pre-Level 1 Ready-to-Read with sweet text and photographs of first-time students!

It’s the first day of school in this early reader by Biscuit creator Alyssa Satin Capucilli. What will it be like? At school, students will meet the teacher, make new friends, sing songs, play, learn, and so much more! Young readers will love seeing kids their age go to school in this adorable introduction to the classroom.

Includes a special section in the back with more information about what happens at school!

The first day of school is exciting--but it can be scary, too Meet Rosie, a brand-new student who just happens to have butterflies in her stomach.

"Silvestro and Chen take a common figure of speech and transform it, literally, into a lovely expression of a universal experience." --Kirkus
"A cheering first-day story." --Publishers Weekly

Rosie can't wait to start kindergarten--she's had her pencils sharpened and her backpack ready for weeks. But suddenly, on the night before the big day, her tummy hurts. Rosie's mom reassures her that it's just butterflies in her belly, and she'll feel better soon. Much to Rosie's surprise, when she says hello to a new friend on the bus, a butterfly flies out of her mouth As the day goes on, Rosie frees all her butterflies, and even helps another shy student let go of hers, too.

Pete and Gabby are bored so they go in search of something to do. When they come across a school, they know it must be fun! The two bear cubs prowl through the school and wreak havoc in the music room, art room, gymnasium, and the cafeteria before having to be escorted back to the campground by the ranger. It turns out that school is a very fun place!

A new generation of children love Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, inspired by the classic series Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood!

Daniel Tiger is excited to go to school—but he is worried when his dad can’t stay with him—in this back-to-school story now in paper over board format.

Daniel Tiger is excited to go to school, but he’s not happy that his dad can’t stay at school with him. Daniel learns that “grown-ups come back” and has lots of fun with his teacher and classmates in this sweet storybook that will ring true for children just starting school.

© 2016 The Fred Rogers Company.

Louise the Big Cheese is determined to make the grade in school this year and that means straight As. But she's stuck with the toughest teacher ever. Will Louise make the grade?

All Rufus Leroy Williams III wants is to go to school so he can learn to read his favorite book. But there's one problem: he's a pig and Principal Lipid says: “NO PIGS IN SCHOOL!” Rufus even gets a backpack, a lunchbox, and a blanket to prove he's ready. But Mr. Lipid won't budge. Is there ANYTHING Rufus can do to change his mind? Kim Griswell and illustrator Valeri Gorbachev have created a love letter to reading that's also a charming, original, and child-friendly first-day-of-school story.

Beloved and New York Times bestselling author Todd Parr uses his signature blend of playfulness and sensitivity to introduce readers to all the wonderful things they can do at school, where everyone is welcome!
With his trademark bright colors and bold lines, Todd Parr introduces readers to a perennial source of childhood anxiety and excitement both: school! From morning routines to meeting new people to learning and playing together, Todd explores all the different things that can happen in school, all the while sharing a cheerful, child-friendly message of sharing, inclusion, and community. Welcome to school-- a place for everyone to grow!

What would you do if a very large Ceratosaurus stomped into your classroom? And what if he student sitting next to you was a gigantic Silvisaurus--who decided to jump on top of his desk? Come along and join the fun as dinosaurs ride the bus, read their favourite books, and have fun on the playground with all their friends. Filled with entertaining details and familiar scenes, each illustration includes the name of the featured dinosaur hidden in the picture. Going to school has never been so much fun!

Why does the Pigeon have to go to school? He already knows everything! And what if he doesn't like it? What if the teacher doesn't like him? What if he learns TOO MUCH!?!
Ask not for whom the school bell rings; it rings for the Pigeon!

Ride along to school with the #1 New York Times best-selling Little Blue Truck and meet Blue's new friend: a bright yellow school bus. Beep-beep!

Little Blue Truck and his good friend Toad are excited to meet a bright yellow school bus on the road. They see all the little animals lined up in the school bus's many windows, and Blue wishes he could be a school bus too. What a fun job--but much too big for a little pickup like Blue. Or is it? When somebody misses the bus, it's up to Blue to get his friend to school on time. Beep! Beep! Vroom!

Also enjoy Blue's bedtime ride in Good Night, Little Blue Truck and his trip to the city in Little Blue Truck Leads the Way.

A companion to the Caldecott Honor-winning classic No, David!by bestselling picture-book creator David Shannon!

David's teacher has her hands full. From running in the halls to chewing gum in class, David's high-energy antics fill each schoolday with trouble -- and are sure to bring a smile to even the best- bahaved reader.

A New York Times bestselling author (The True Meaning of Smekday) and illustrator (Last Stop on Market Street) team bring you a fresh look at the first day of school, this time from the school's perspective.

It's the first day of school at Frederick Douglass Elementary and everyone's just a little bit nervous, especially the school itself. What will the children do once they come? Will they like the school? Will they be nice to him?

The school has a rough start, but as the day goes on, he soon recovers when he sees that he's not the only one going through first-day jitters.

Uni the Unicorn for early readers! This Step 2 Step into Reading book about Uni and friends going to school is great for back-to-school time, or any day of the year!

It's the first day of school! Join Uni on this all-new adventure in the land of unicorns! Unicorns can fix things with their horns, and Uni wants to learn. But learning anything takes time, practice, and belief in yourself. And unicorn magic only works if you're helping others. At first, Uni doesn't have a very magical horn. Will Uni be able to fix a nest and help the birds?

Uni the unicorn is a charming and relatable character! Fans of the picture books, as well as new Uni fans, will be excited to join this bighearted unicorn on an amazing journey. Look for all the Uni stories, including Uni's First Sleepover and more!

Step 2 readers use basic vocabulary and short sentences to tell simple stories. They are perfect for children who recognize familiar words and can sound out new words with help.

Pinkalicious thinks school is okay, but she misses her imaginary unicorn, Goldie. When she brings her golden classmate to class one day, her teacher is concerned: Unicorns aren't allowed in school! It's up to Pinkalicious to make sure Goldie behaves herself. In this I Can Read companion to the New York Times bestsellers Pinkalicious, Purplicious, and Goldilicious, a pink-crazed girl learns that with her companion by her side, school rules!

They can stand in line (sort of), use indoor voices (perhaps), and are capable of sharing (rumor has it), so the Click Clack critters are ready for school…but is school ready for them? A charming addition to the award-winning Click, Clack series from the New York Times bestselling and Caldecott winning team who brought you Click, Clack, Moo and Click, Clack, Surprise!

Farmer Brown has been invited to be a guest at the elementary school’s Farm Day! The animals excitedly practice their best classroom behavior: standing quietly in line, using their inside voices, and learning how to share. But then they find out that farm animals aren’t actually allowed in school (who knew they were considered a health code violation?!). Rules are rules, so Farmer Brown goes to school solo—or so he thinks…for while our favorite barnyard bunch don’t get high marks in rules, they do excel in disguise.

Mark didn't ask to move to New Hampshire. Or to go to a hick school like Hardy Elementary. And he certainly didn't request Mr. Maxwell as his teacher. Mr. Maxwell doesn't like rich kids, or slackers, or know-it-alls. And he's decided that Mark is all of those things. Now the whole school is headed out for a week of camping -- Hardy's famous Week in the Woods. At first it sounds dumb, but then Mark begins to open up to life in the country, and he decides it might be okay to learn something new. It might even be fun. But things go all wrong for Mark. The Week in the Woods is not what anyone planned. Especially not Mr. Maxwell. With his uncanny knack to reach right to the heart of kids, Andrew Clements asks -- and answers -- questions about first impressions, fairness, loyalty, and courage -- and exactly what it takes to spend a Week in the Woods.

Martin Bridge returns with more daily slice-of-life adventures. This time, Martin's first overnight camping trip with the Junior Badgers is going to be a weekend with the works! There are badges to earn, gooey campfire treats to eat, hiking trails to explore ? and Alex's pranks to avoid. But when Martin finds himself on the receiving end of his friend's horror-movie slime, it's payback time! Join Martin Bridge as he blazes ahead with a flashy campfire performance, an inspired prank of his own, some lightning-fast bicycle repairs and a surefire way to make his father's old lawn mower go like blazes.

An introduction to camping describes the equipment, skills, history, and safety measures associated with the activity.

Here's the second book in the beloved and hilarious Alvin Ho chapter book series, which has been compared to Diary of a Wimpy Kid and is perfect for both beginning and reluctant readers.

Alvin, an Asian American second grader who's afraid of everything, is back, and his worst fear has come true: he has to go camping. What will he do exposed in the wilderness with bears and darkness and . . . pit toilets? Luckily, he's got his night-vision goggles and water purifying tablets and super-duper heavy-duty flashlight to keep him safe. And he's got his dad, too.

From Lenore Look and New York Times bestselling illustrator LeUyen Pham comes a drop-dead-funny and touching series with a truly unforgettable character.

“Shares with Diary of a Wimpy Kid the humor that stems from trying to manipulate the world.” —Newsday

“Alvin's a winner.” —New York Post

This book describes camping, from planning and getting ready for the challenges of your camping trip to leaving a clean campsite after experiencing this outdoor adventure.