GREETINGS AND SALUTATIONS FROM THE ANIMAL WORLD!

Hi there! Howdy! Hey! Hi-ya! Hello Hello, written and illustrated by Cadecott Honoree Brendan Wenzel, is a triumphant and jubilant picture book greeting from the animal kingdom. All sorts of animals welcome the reader from page to page: 

Hello Quiet
Hello Loud
Hello Wild
Hello Proud

The deceptively simple text-told in a cheerful rhyme tailor-made for storytime--celebrates the marvel, curiosity, inclusion, and diversity in the natural world, while the exquisitely vibrant illustrations showcase just some of the myriad of animals children could encounter in the world around them, from a cuttlefish to an aardwolf. An appendix of the animals is included in the backmatter, along with an inspirational author's note inviting young readers to find out more, especially about the many threatened and endangered animals they might see in the pages in an effort to help save them. 

Share this book with babies through kindergartners to spark a joy of nature and celebrate it's extraordinary wonder. 

SMALL WONDERS

Little Bitty Friends is filled with natural living things for both children and adults to enjoy.  These small wonders--a small turtle, a parade of ants, gentle snails, and the most delicate flowers--remind the reader to take a moment to discover the smallest wonders of the world, just as a very young child would.  The text is spare but this itty bitty story will bring big, bright smiles. 

Patrice Barton's illustrations nicely complement Elizabeth McPike's sweet story for children.

For ages 3 to Kindergarten.  

WHAT DO YOU DO WITH A WATER MONSTER?

Official Apprentices' to do list: 

• Do not go beyond this point! 
• Cut Sasquatch's toe nails.
• Do not do anything else!!

Pearl's to do list: 

• See what's beyond those doors. 
• See what that big green thing is outside the window.  
• Get a leprechaun with a nasty cold becayse Ben's been taken hostage by the Lake Monster.  

And this is their first day as official apprentice's to Dr. Woo's Worm Hospital.  Oh, Dr. Woo will not be happy with these two apprentices that's for sure. 
The Lonely Lake Monster : The Imaginary Veterinary Book 2 by Suzanne Selfors for those who love animals (imaginary of course) and not following the rules.  

For readers in 2nd-4th grades. 

DANGER IN A BOX

Zoomy wears very thick glasses. He likes to make lists. Some things make him very nervous. But he helps his grandparents and does lots of research at the local library (a really great place to find out about stuff). One day his wayward pop comes along and leaves a big box of junk. Inside there's a mysterious notebook, so Zoomy starts to do research on it. Somehow his investigating ends up in a robbery, a fire and some very scary changes! THE DANGER BOX by Blue Balliett will captivate any reader grades 5 & up.

DOWN ON THE BAYOU - SOUTHERN GOTHIC FOR KIDS

There are many emotional animal stories dealing with adventure and tragedy, but none as poetically beautiful as THE UNDERNEATH by Kathi Appelt. Many creatures lurk in dark places, waiting to come out into the light. Some are evil, but some, like two frisky kittens and their mom, are innocent and curious. Unfortunately, from their home underneath the porch of a mean old man called Gar Face, the cat family and their trusty watch dog and companion Ranger rarely get to experience the light. When they dare to risk it, their lives are changed forever. Written with captivating imagery and the dark enchanting tone of a much more mature novel, this story will draw readers in to its tangled web of raw feelings and vivd personification of the many animal characters. Appropriate for grades 6 and up.