Posts from category "Recommendations "

While there are countless ways to celebrate a love of books and reading, these titles help children & families be a part of the celebration as well! Enjoy this selection of books about books, all available from the Cape May County Library.

Abner and Ian Get Right-Side Up by Dave Eggers: Abner and Ian are stuck sideways on the pages of their debut picture book. They can't start the story like this! Ian is trying to be brave, despite his dizziness and fear of heights. But don't worry, because Abner has a plan: Readers will shake and turn the book until they get right side up! Sounds easy, right? Think again, because the real solution may be the opposite of what you'd expect. With the odd couple wit of Elephant & Piggie, the interactive appeal of Press Here, and a timeless charm all their own, Abner & Ian offer readers of all ages 80 pages of fast-paced fun.

Just Read! by Lori Degman: Learning to read is a big accomplishment, and this exuberant picture book celebrates reading in its many forms. In lively rhyme, it follows a diverse group of word-loving children who grab the opportunity to read wherever and whenever they can. They read while waiting and while sliding or swinging; they read music and in Braille and the signs on the road. And, sometimes, they even read together, in a special fort they've built. The colorful, fanciful art and rollicking text will get every child more excited about reading!

This Book is Spineless by Lindsay Leslie: A wary and unadventurous book uses its different parts, such as the jacket, gutters, and endpapers, to try and get a sense of what kind of story might be on its pages. By navigating the book's contents together, the reader and the book become friends and the book becomes braver.

The Book Hog by Greg Pizzoli: The Book Hog loves books - the way they look, the way they feel, the way they smell - and he'll grab whatever he can find. There's only one problem: he can't read! But when a kind librarian invites him to join for storytime, this literature-loving pig discovers the treasure that books really are.

Night Library by David Zeltser: After a young boy goes to sleep upset that he's getting a book for his birthday, he's visited in the night by Patience and Fortitude, the two stone lions who guard the New York Public Library. Soon, he's magically whisked away from his cozy home in the Bronx, and the two mighty lions show him the wonder of the library. There, the inquisitive Latino boy discovers the power of books and their role not only in his own life, but also in the lives of the people he loves. Raul Colon's gorgeous, rich art creates an immersive world in this book about books, which is sure to capture the imaginations of kids and adults and inspire them to grab their library cards and dive into the worlds of stories.

Lyric McKerrigan, Secret Librarian by Jacob Sager Weinstein: When an evil genius has a diabolical plan to destroy every book on the planet, who has the tome-toting page power to thwart his dastardly scheme? Lyric McKerrigan, Secret Librarian! She's got the gadgets. She's got the disguises. And she's always got the right book at the right time. It's a good thing, too, because Lyric McKerrigan is the world's last hope! Jacob Sager Weinstein and Vera Brosgol introduce a smart and crafty heroine who is part comic-book hero, part reader extraordinaire, and wholly awesome.

Lost in the Library by Josh Funk: Steadfast Fortitude and curious Patience are waiting every morning to greet visitors of the Library. That is until, one early morning, when Fortitude finds Patience is missing. The city is about to awake, and the lions absolutely must be in their places before the sun rises. Now, Fortitude must abandon his own post to find his best friend in the Library's labyrinthine halls. With Josh Funk's clever rhymes and Steview Lewis' vibrant art, Lost in the Library introduces young readers to a pair of unforgettable lions, as well as the famed New York Public Library, and includes bonus material loaded with facts about Patience, Fortitude, and the NYPL's history.

Interrupting Chicken and the Elephant of Surprise by David Ezra Stein: Surprise! The little red chicken is back -- and as endearingly silly as ever. It's homework time for the little red chicken, who has just learned about something every good story should have: an elephant of surprise. Or could it be an element of surprise (as her amused papa explains)? As they dive in to story after story, looking for the part that makes a reader say "Whoa! I didn't know that was going to happen," Papa is sure he can convince Chicken he's right. After all, there are definitely no elephants in "The Ugly Duckling," "Rapunzel," or "The Little Mermaid" -- or are there? Elephant or element, something unexpected awaits Papa in every story, but a surprise may be in store for the little red chicken as well. Full of the same boisterous charm that made Interrupting Chicken so beloved by readers, this gleeful follow-up is sure to delight fans of stories, surprises, and elephants alike.

The Midnight Library by Kazuno Kohara: There is a little library that only opens at night. In the library there is a little librarian--and her three assistant owls--who helps everyone find the perfect book. The library is always peaceful and quiet . . . until one night when some of the animals stir up a little trouble (and a little fun!) in the Midnight Library. From Kazuno Kohara, creator of the New York Times Best Illustrated book Ghosts in the House! comes a beautiful book brimming with cozy charm.

Bookjoy, Wordjoy by Pat Mora: Whether we are collecting words, reading favorite books in the library, celebrating holidays, writing poems, sharing secrets, or singing a jazzy duet, words and books can take us on wonderful adventures and bring us joy. Poet Pat Mora has brought together a collection of her poems that celebrates engaging with words and books in all these ways and more. Vivid illustrations by Raúl Colón bring the poems to life and interpret the magic of the language with captivating images in a style influenced by Mexican muralists. Together the poems and illustrations are sure to inspire creative wordplay in readers of all ages.

How Do Dinosaurs Learn to Read? by Jane Yolen: Children sometimes feel the task of learning to read is overwhelming, but the winning combination of rhyme and illustrations here provide a perfect way to present the subject in a comical, engaging, and nonjudgmental way. The contrast of enormous dinosaurs in kid-sized bedrooms (with human parents) adds irresistible humor as families explore the do's and don'ts of reading. Both practical and engaging, this book shows dinosaurs getting into all sorts of reading-related trouble! But of course, in the end, the dinosaurs learn how to carefully handle their books, read out loud, and read a lot!

Lola at the Library by Anna McQuinn: Lola has a big smile on her face. Why? Because it's Tuesday--and on Tuesdays, Lola and her mommy go to the library. Join Lola in this cozy celebration of books and the people who love them.

One of the most important and difficult lessons children can learn is how to be comfortable and confident in themselves. Thankfully, picture books exist that help children on that journey! Check out some of our favorite titles here. All selections are available for checkout from the Cape May County Library. 

Most Marshmallows by Rowboat Watkins: Most marshmallows like to watch television and lead normal lives--but some marshmallows dream of greater things.

Alma and How She Got Her Name by Juana Martinez-Neal: When Alma Sofia Esperanza José Pura Candela asks her father why she has so many names, she hears the story of her name and learns about her grandparents.

The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson: Other students laugh when Rigoberto, an immigrant from Venezuela, introduces himself but later, he meets Angelina and discovers that he is not the only one who feels like an outsider.

Ogilvy by Deborah Underwood: When Ogilvy moves to a new town, he discovers that bunnies who wear dresses play ball and knit socks, and bunnies in sweaters make art and climb rocks, and Ogilvy must figure out a way to do it all.

Petra by Marianna Coppo: Petra is a little rock who believes she is a mighty mountain... until a dog fetches her for its owner, and she is tossed into a bird's nest. A mountain? No, Petra is now an egg! An egg of the world in a world of possibility.

Perfectly Norman by Tom Percival: Norman is thrilled to discover he grew a pair of wings overnight, but his excitement turns to doubt when he realizes he is now different from everyone else, causing him to question whether there is such thing as perfectly normal.

I’m Fun, Too! by Jonathan Fenske:  What happens when an ordinary LEGO® minifigure of the past meets the extraordinary minifigures of today, with their elaborate vehicles, colourful clothes and wild accessories? He thinks he's no fun at all! But after feeling down about being ordinary, he and his new friends piece together just how special he truly is.

Where Are You From? by Yamile Saied Mendez: When a young girl is asked where she's from--where she's really from--she's no longer as she was. She decides to turn to her dear abuelo for some help with this ever-persistent question. But he doesn't quite give her the answer she expects.

What If… by Samantha Berger: A child who likes to draw and write stories imagines what would happen if there were no pencils, paper, or other tools for being creative.

Eraser by Anna Kang: Eraser is always cleaning up everyone else's mistakes. They all love how sharp Pencil is and how Tape and Glue help everyone stick together. Eraser wants to create so that she can shine like the others. She decides to give it a try, but it's not until the rubber meets the road that Eraser begins to understand a whole lot about herself.

Giraffe Problems by Jory John: Can you guess what's making this giraffe self-conscious? Could it be . . . HIS ENORMOUS NECK?? Yes, it's exactly that--how on earth did you figure it out? Edward the giraffe can't understand why his neck is as long and bendy and, well, ridiculous as it is. No other animal has a neck this absurd. Just when he has exhausted his neck-hiding options and is about to throw in the towel, a turtle swoops in (well, ambles in, very slowly) and helps him understand that his neck has a purpose, and looks excellent in a bow tie.

Robyn Boid: Architect by Maree Coote: Robyn Boid studied architecture at the National University and dreamed of becoming a famous architect. There's a lot more to architecture than nest-building, as this busy little bird soon discovers. Join Robyn Boid as she learns the most important principles of architecture by studying the great buildings of the world.

Wordless picture books (or, just picture books!) make up some of the best content of our collection. These books are incredibly important for young readers as they are actively engaged in thinking about the story and what the illustrations are communicating. Here is a list of our favorite new picture books from 2019. All are available for checkout from the Cape May County Library system!

Sign Off by Stephen Savage: From award-winning author-illustrator Stephen Savage comes a playful wordless picture book about what the figures on road signs do when no one is around! What do the figures on signs do when no one is watching? Under cover of night, they leave their signs to play and collaborate in this imaginative story by celebrated author-illustrator Stephen Savage.

Red by Jed Alexander: Red is on her way through the woods to visit Grandmother when she meets the Big Bad Wolf. What are that Wolf and all of those woodland creatures up to? This version of the classic folktale ends a bit differently. A delightful surprise awaits Red and readers in this wordless picture book featuring newcomer Jed Alexander's exquisite two-color illustrations.

Dust Bunny Wants a Friend by Amy Hevron: A lonely dust bunny tries to make friends with passing creatures with no success, until a broom sweeps him under the bed and he finds more friends like him.

Another by Christian Robinson: In his eagerly anticipated debut as author-illustrator, Caldecott and Coretta Scott King honoree Christian Robinson brings young readers on a playful, imaginative journey into another world.  What if you...encountered another perspective? Discovered another world? Met another you? What might you do?

Imagine! by Raul Colon: When a boy visits an art museum and one of the paintings comes to life, he has an afternoon of adventure and discovery that changes how he sees the world ever after.

Found by Jeff Newman: A wordless picture book about what we lose, what we find, and what we give back. Jenn's beloved dog was lost sometime ago. Long enough that she has given up the search. But she still misses her friend. One day she finds a lost dog. She takes him in and despite a rocky start, she grows to love him. Until she spots his picture on a missing poster. His name is Roscoe, and he's someone else's best friend. Jenn knows she should return Roscoe, but she really doesn't want to. Will Jenn do the right thing? Or will she keep this new dog she's grown to love so much?

Once Upon a Snowstorm by Richard Johnson: The Snowman meets the Polar Express in this dazzling picture book, sure to be a new holiday classic. The story of a father and his son who live by themselves in a cosy cabin in the woods. But, one day they are separated out in the beautifully falling snow. The boy is lost and falls asleep. When he wakes up he is surrounded by blinking eyes, a rabbit, a fox, an owl and all manner of other creatures have surrounded him! But with a bear hug he and the woodland animals become best of friends! But soon he misses his dad and so the animals bring him back home. The father opens up his heart and home, and lets nature and love envelop their previously lonely existence.

Pip & Pup by Eugene Yelchin: Across the barnyard, Pip the chick spots a new friend to play with - Pup! But Pup isn't sure he likes how Pip plays - too rough. These two friends will weather the storm though. A bright, fun celebration of friendship!

Dog on a Digger by Kate Prendergast: Two perennial favorites -- canines and heavy machinery - come together in a charming wordless book sure to please readers of all ages. Dog likes to ride along while his human companion works the big excavator at the construction site. But today, when they stop at the snack bar for something to eat, Dog's little puppy friend goes missing. Luckily, Dog has a brave and ingenious idea for coming to the rescue -- with the help of the excavator, of course! Incorporating bright yellow accents, Kate Prendergast's wonderfully detailed pencil drawings tell a satisfying story of a loyal, resourceful, and clever pup.

Wallpaper by Thao Lam: A wordless picture book about an imaginary world behind the walls in Thao Lam's signature paper collage style. It tells the story of a young girl whose family moves into a new house. Outside, she can hear other kids playing, but she's too shy to say hello. So she picks at the old wallpaper in her room - revealing an entryway to a fantastic imaginary adventure world behind the walls. There, she runs between the vibrant and varied environments as she finds herself chased by a monster. He is frightening at first, until it becomes clear he simply wants to be her friend. When it comes time to go back to reality, the girl feels inspired with the courage to approach the other kids and say hello.

Aquarium by Cynthia Alonso: In this wordless picture book, a little girl learns about love, nature, and the transformative power of letting go when a little fish leaps into her life.

A Stone for Sascha by Aaron Becker: A young girl, still reeling from her dog's death, finds solace while picking up stones on the beach during her family's vacation.

We used our favorite picture & chapter books to create our newest display in the children’s room! Check out the titles that make up each letter here. Also, print the PDFs here: display one, display two, display three, and display four.

R:

Crunch the Shy Dinosaur by Cirocco Dunlap

Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes by Eric Litwin

The Bad Guys Series by Aaron Blabey

Can I Be Your Dog? by Troy Cummings

Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! by Mo Willems

I Need a Hug by Aaron Blabey

Julian is a Mermaid by Jessica Love

After the Fall by Dan Santat

Tiny T. Rex and the Impossible Hug by Jonathan Stutzman

Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast: Mission Defrostable by Josh Funk

Neon Leon by Jane Clark

E:

We Are in a Book! by Mo Willems

Smile by Raina Telgemeier

Giraffe Problems by Jory John

Narwhal: Unicorn of the Sea by Ben Clanton

Llama Destroys the World by Jonathan Stutzman

Can You Make a Scary Face? by Jan Thomas

The Hueys in the New Sweater by Oliver Jeffers

The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt

Princess Puffybottom and Darryl by Susin Nielsen-Fernlund

Thank You, Omu! by Oge Mora

A:

Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney

I’m the Biggest Thing in the Ocean by Kevin Sherry

How to Feed Your Parents by Ryan Miller

I Want My Hat Back Jon Klassen

The Bad Seed by Jory John

Dude! by Aaron Reynolds

Amulet: The Stonekeeper by Kazu Kibuishi

Interrupting Chicken by David Ezra Stein

D:

Goosebumps: How I Learned to Fly by R.L. Stine

Strictly No Elephants by Lisa Mantchev

Lola Goes to School by Anna McQuinn

Lunch Lady and the League of Librarians by Jarrett Krosoczka

The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson

Dandy by Ame Dyckman

The Rough Patch by Brian Lies

Under My Hijab by Hena Khan

Pretty Kitty by Karen Beaumont

Kitten and the Night Watchman by John Sullivan

Be a Maker by Katey Howes

We are so lucky to have read so many silly picture books this year! Check out a few of our funny favorites here. All are available for checkout from the Cape May County Library system.

Llama Destroys the World by Jonathan Stutzman: “Meet Llama, the next great picture-book megastar, who has most definitely driven a bus and who loves tacos way more than you. He also loves cake, and that's where our story begins. On Monday, Llama discovers a pile of cake, which he promptly eats. On Tuesday, Llama squeezes into his dancing pants, which he promptly rips. The force of the rip creates a black hole (naturally). By Friday, Llama will (indirectly) destroy the world. So grab some cake and your dancing pants and prepare for Llama Destroys the World ... because THE TIME FOR LLAMA IS NIGH!”

Underwear! by Jennifer Harney: “A tired bear dad tries to herd his rambunctious bear cub who would rather play with his tighty whities into bed. Underwear makes great hair. It can even turn one into a superbear, or a goggle-wearing swimming bear. But beware of a big scare! Rhymes, homonyms, and conjunctions abound in this book that could be used to teach reading, but whose primary purpose is to make bedtime fun.”

The Panda Problem by Deborah Underwood: “Every story needs a problem. But Panda doesn't have a problem. Unless . . . Panda is the problem. The New York Times bestselling author of Here Comes the Easter Cat and The Quiet Book loses control of the narrative in the funniest, most exuberant, most kid-delighting way in this adventurous ode to what makes a story--and what makes a story great.”

Cake by Sue Hendra: “In the tradition of I Want My Hat Back, this delicious story from Sue Hendra and Paul Linnet tells the story of a cake who's about to attend his very first party--but he has no idea what's coming! Cake has been invited to his very first birthday party! He buys just the right outfit--including the PERFECT hat. But as the candles on his perfect party hat begin to burn, and the other party guests start to sing, Cake starts to think that this is one party he'd rather not be at…”

Dandy by Ame Dyckman: “From popular author Ame Dyckman and rising star Charles Santoso comes the laugh-out-loud story of a father desperate to destroy the dandelion marring his perfectly manicured lawn, and his daughter's fierce attempts to save it. When Daddy spots a solitary weed in his lawn, he's appalled (along with all of his neighborhood friends). But his daughter Sweetie has fallen in love with the beautiful flower, even going so far as to name it Charlotte. Racing against time and the mockery of his friends, Daddy has to find a way to get rid of the errant dandelion without breaking his little girl's heart.”

Teach Your Giraffe to Ski by Viviane Elbee: “Your giraffe wants to learn how to ski--but but not on the bunny hill. She wants to go down the big scary slope! Enjoy this riotous journey as the narrator tries to reign their giraffe in--and learns something about courage along the way.”

When a Tiger Comes to Dinner by Jessica Olien: “A funny interactive picture book that's great for reading aloud. Perfect for fans of Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus. A tiger is coming to dinner! Are you ready? Luckily, this book can help. Ask yourself, do tigers . . . Like to play a rousing game of Go Fish? Prefer peanut butter and jelly? Enjoy wearing party hats? Whatever you do, be sure to practice your ROAR! for when the tiger arrives!”

Bruno, the Standing Cat by Nadine Robert: “Meet a silly and absurd cat who's like no cat you've ever met before. When a box arrives on Peter's doorstep, he opens it to find Bruno, a cat who is standing up on two legs. It is very odd. Bruno likes to chew bubblegum, play house, and skateboard--and refuses to engage in any catlike behavior. But Peter likes Bruno, and so they become friends and do everything they can think of together. Jean Jullien (illustrator of the picture-book version of John Lennon's song "Imagine") is an emerging picture-book creator who works in a signature thick black line and bold, flat color. His quirky, subversive humor is childlike at its core, and kids will delight in his light and irreverent approach.”

Undercover Ostrich by Joe Kulka: “Animals can be sneaky. But do you know who is especially sneaky? Undercover ostriches! They're everywhere, and they're masters at going undetected. You've probably seen one and just assumed it was another woodpecker or owl. The narrator of this book is on the case, following a single ostrich on his many adventures. Not until the final twist does author and illustrator Joe Kulka let the readers in on the narrator's true motivation: a peanut collection mission involving undercover elephants.”

Where is My Balloon? by Ariel Bernstein: “Owl and Monkey from I Have a Balloon are back! But what happened to Owl's balloon? Find out in this hilarious picture book about making mistakes and finding forgiveness. Owl has a balloon. Monkey has a sock with a star and a perfectly shaped hole. But then Owl asks Monkey to hold his balloon, just for a second. What do you think happens? POP! When Owl returns and asks for his balloon, Monkey offers him everything under the sun...except for the balloon. Can their friendship survive this catastrophe?”

Owls Are Good at Keeping Secrets: An Unusual Alphabet by Sara O’Leary: “Did you know that chipmunks love to stay up past their bedtime? Or that dragons cry at happy endings? I bet you'd never have guessed that iguanas sometimes get homesick at sleepovers. Sara O'Leary pulls back the curtain on the animal world and gives us an absolutely charming little one-line "fact" about one animal for each letter of the alphabet. Kids will love to see their own quirks reflected in these adorably rendered creatures, and perhaps will be comforted to know that--just like them--narwhals can be perfectly happy all on their own and quail also get tired of being told to be quiet. This is more than just an alphabet book. It's a charming, hilarious, and touching look at the diversity of personalities in the world--worth many, many rereads.”

The Good Egg by John Jory: “From the bestselling creators of The Bad Seed, a timely story about not having to be Grade A perfect! Meet the good egg. He's a verrrrrry good egg indeed. But trying to be so good is hard when everyone else is plain ol' rotten. As the other eggs in the dozen behave badly, the good egg starts to crack from all the pressure of feeling like he has to be perfect. So, he decides enough is enough! It's time for him to make a change… Dynamic duo Jory John and Pete Oswald hatch a funny and charming story that reminds us of the importance of balance, self-care, and accepting those who we love (even if they are sometimes a bit rotten). Perfect for reading aloud and shared story time!”

Our library is constantly seeing kids coming in asking for popular titles such as Dog Man, anything by Raina Telgemeier, Pokemon, and so on. As a result, they fly off the shelves! Here is our new display offering read alikes. To view the PDF, click here!

Read the rainbow! Check out our newest display that features a rainbow of book covers. We are very excited to use the endcap to highlight a variety of beloved classics with new favorites. For a printable PDF of this display, click here!

Our library is constantly seeing kids coming in asking for popular titles such as Goosebumps, the Junie B. Jones Series, Wings of Fire, and so on. As a result, they fly off the shelves! Here is our new display offering read alikes. To view the PDF, click here!

Our library is constantly seeing kids coming in asking for popular titles such as Diary of a Wimpy Kid, the I Survived Series, Harry Potter, and so on. As a result, they fly off the shelves! Here is our new display offering read alikes. To view the PDF, click here!

Yo ho ho, the library life for us! Check out our favorite mermaid and pirate picture books for your own young seafarer!

Mermaids Fast Asleep by Robin Riding: “Silver mermaids with golden hair go to sleep in the sea, counting fish instead of sheep.”

Kindergarrrten Bus by Mike Ornstein: “After his parrot companion flies away, a rough and tough pirate experiences anxiety on his first day as a school bus driver, echoing some of the concerns expressed by the young students in his care.”

Julian is a Mermaid by Jessica Love: “While riding the subway home from the pool with his abuela one day, Julián notices three women spectacularly dressed up. Their hair billows in brilliant hues, their dresses end in fishtails, and their joy fills the train car. When Julián gets home, daydreaming of the magic he's seen, all he can think about is dressing up just like the ladies in his own fabulous mermaid costume: a butter-yellow curtain for his tail, the fronds of a potted fern for his headdress. But what will Abuela think about the mess he makes -- and even more importantly, what will she think about how Julián sees himself?”

Arrr, Mustache Baby! by Bridget Heos: “Arrr, babies! Mustache Baby and his first mate Beard Baby set sail on the high seas and turn into big bad pirates in this newest addition to the popular Mustache Baby books! In this swashbuckling tale, Mustache Baby and Beard Baby work hard to recover stolen treasure and convince baby buccaneers Captain Kid and Short John Silver to go legit. But when the scallywags refuse to play nice, Billy and Javier see red and go rogue, turning into bad guy pirates themselves. High spirits, plenty of pirate talk, and a mild message about not letting emotions get the best of you make for a rollicking read-aloud full of side-splitting, silly fun.”

Pearl by Molly Idle: “Sometimes the tiniest light can shine the brightest ! Like the other mermaids of the deep, Pearl longs to care for the endless beaches, coral reefs, and towering kelp forests of her vast ocean world. So when her mother asks her to tend to a mere grain of sand, Pearl is heartbroken. It takes all her patience and determination to discover how even the littlest mermaid can transform the world. Caldecott Honor-winning author and artist Molly Idle has masterfully crafted a modern classic in this mesmerizing tale about the immense power of small actions.”

Pirate Chicken: All Hens on Deck by Brian Yanish: “A hilarious picture book about pirate chickens and their feared and feathered leader Redfoot! Lily is no ordinary chicken. She dreams of a life off the farm where she can put her grand plans into action. Her wish is granted when pirates recruit her and her fellow chickens and whisk them away to the open seas. Soon, Lily has taken charge and becomes captain of an all-chicken crew. But when Lily faces a mutiny,will she change her ways, or be forced to squawk the plank?”

Mermaid School by JoAnne Wetzel: “

Starting school is always exciting... especially when you're a mermaid! From schools of fish to the A B Seas, this whimsical underwater tale puts a fun twist on what to expect on the first day of school. It's Molly's first day at mermaid school, and there's so much to learn! Follow the mermaids as they count clamshells, recite the A B Seas, and make new friends. They even enjoy story time about children who walk on land! At the end of the day, it's time to sing the goodbye song and head home. With sweet, rhyming language and a peek into a fantastical undersea world, Mermaid School touches on all the major moments children will experience on their first day. And don't miss the mermaid school handbook in the back of this book for more mermaid fun!”

Pirate Stew by Lou Carter: “A quick-witted shrimp saves his friends from the pirates' cooking pot in this comical undersea caper about friendship, tolerance ...and CLEANING! Scrubadub the Shrimp LOVES to clean. He polishes the crabs, trims the reeds, shampoos the fish and grooms the frogs, until all his friends have had ENOUGH. But when the seafood friends are scooped from the sea by hungry pirates, only Scrubadub can save them from the stew pot ...using his super cleaning powers!”

How to Catch a Mermaid by Adam Wallace: “Many claim to have caught a mermaid, but can YOU? How do you catch a mermaid? You must be very clever. With mirrors, crowns, and pearls galore, this quest can't last forever!”

No Bath, No Cake: Polly’s Pirate Party by Matthias Weinert: “Ay, a pirates' life is dangerous n' dirty life! But when this motley crew gets an invitation to a little girl's birthday party, they're simply delighted. What could be better than cake? Just as they're about to walk the plank, their piratey parrot tells them--as only a parrot or a mother could--that they need to clean up their act. With a scrub-a-dub-dub, brand new clothes, and a doll for the birthday girl, the 'pirates' show up sparkling and clean. But they're in for a big surprise. What the birthday girl wants most of all are real pirates--black feet, messy hair, stinky clothes and all.”

The Mermaid by Jan Brett: “When Kiniro, a young mermaid, comes upon a gorgeous house made of seashells and coral, she is so curious that she goes inside. She's thrilled to find a just-right breakfast, pretty little chair, and, best of all, a comfy bed that rocks in the current. But when the Octopus family returns home, they are not happy to find that someone has been eating their food and breaking their things. Baby has the biggest shock when she finds the mermaid asleep in her bed! Luckily, shock turns to happiness when Kiniro gives her a thoughtful gift before escaping from the twenty-four arms coming her way. Vibrant, intricate scenes of an underwater paradise transport this classic fairy tale to a magical setting inspired by the seas off the coast of Okinawa, Japan. Along with fun details that enrich the storytelling in Jan Brett's trademark borders, this visual treat will enchant readers of all ages.”

A Pirate Alphabet: The ABC’s of Piracy! by Anna Butzer: “Take young pirate fans on an alphabet adventure! They'll love learning about gangways and quartermasters while practising their pirate lingo. Whimsical illustrations and melodic text create an arrr-esistable early-learning experience.”