Read Aloud list for Grade 1 and 2

A hilarious, bestselling cat-and-dog story returns as a Dragonfly paperback!

Merl the Cat's pampered life is turned upside down when a little golden retriever puppy moves into the house. Merl tells the story of how he tries his best to oust the newest member of his household. Thwarted at every turn by the ever-growing puppy, he finally comes to terms with the presence of his big dog. Hilarious illustrations by Caldecott Honor winner Janet Stevens make this one story kids will ask to read again and again!

Kupu hates looking like all the other geckos. Perhaps Mom and Dad have a solution... Told in rhyming verse. With imaginative, lyrical writing from the award-winning author, accompanied by whimsical, colorful illustrations, keiki and adults alike with love and enjoy this book.

From the creators of Little Pea and Little Hoot comes this tidy tale of a decidedly different pig. Little Oink is a neat little fellow. Clean clean clean that's all he wants to do. But Mama and Papa won't have it! They say in order to be a proper pig he has to learn to make a proper mess. "Don't come out until your room is a pigsty " says Papa Pig. "I won't have any child of mine going out looking so neat and clean. It's just not acceptable " says Mama Pig. Readers who hate to clean up will love this humorous twist on a universal dilemma.

Have you ever gone on a bear hunt? Come along on this one with a brave young family -- four children (including the baby) and their father. They're not scared. With them you will cross a field of tall, wavy grass ("Swishy swashy!"), wade through a deep, cold river ("Splash splosh!"), struggle through swampy mud ("Squelch squerch!"), find your way through a big, dark forest ("Stumble trip!"), fight through a whirling snowstorm ("Hoooo woooo!"), and enter a narrow, gloomy cave. WHAT'S THAT? You'll soon learn just what to do to escape from a big, furry bear!
With tremendous pace, humor, and verve, Michael Rosen has retold a favorite tractional story. The pictures by Helen Oxenbury, one of the most widely loved contemporary artists, are full of masterly characterizations, delightful comedy, and high drama, set in lovely sweeping landscapes. This is a book not to be missed, one to be chanted aloud and acted out, to be enjoyed over and over again. It is a picture book on the grand scale.

Leaping lizards—the Cat and Co. explore the world of reptiles!

The Cat in the Hat travels the globe—in his trusty crocodile car—to explore the world of reptiles: lizards, snakes, turtles, and crocodilians. Along the way, young readers learn the characteristics shared by most reptiles; basic information about each group; quirky, fun facts about individual species; and much, much more. Cool creatures featured include komodo dragons, chameleons, geckos, cobras, leatherback turtles, frilled lizards—a virtual Who's Who of the World's Most Remarkable Reptiles. Young readers will slither in delight!

The story of Dewey the celebrated library cat is now available for the youngest of readers in this new, fully-illustrated picture book adventure.

When Librarian Vicki Myron finds a young kitten abandoned in the Spencer Library return box, she nurses him back to health, deciding then and there that he will be their library cat, and naming him, appropriately, Dewey Readmore Books. Dewey loves his new home, but once he discovers the littlest library visitors-who like to chase him, pull his tail, and squeeze him extra tight-Dewey begins to wonder if he's truly cut out for the demands of his new job. In the end, he is triumphant as he realizes that helping people big and small is what he is meant to do, and that by sharing his special brand of Dewey love, he can be the best library cat of all.

The New York Times bestseller and official 2013 Jumpstart Read for the Record selection!
New York Times bestselling author/artist Loren Long creates an unforgettable children's classic.

Otis is a special tractor. He loves his farmer and he loves to work. And he loves the little calf in the next stall, whom he purrs to sleep with his soft motor. In fact, the two become great friends: they play in the fields, leap hay bales, and play ring-around-the-rosy by Mud Pond.

But when Otis is replaced with the big yellow tractor, he is cast away behind the barn, unused, unnoticed . . . until the little calf gets stuck in Mud Pond. Then there is only one tractor—and it's not big or yellow—who can come to the rescue. It is little old Otis who saves his friend. It is Otis who saves the day.

In a wonderful new palette, and in the tradition of classics like Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel and The Story of Ferdinand, Loren Long has crafted an unforgettable new story—and character—celebrating the power of friendship and perseverance.
 

 

 

Captain Squint and his pirate crew spend their days doing evil deeds. When at last the gang is captured, the judge says they can go free--if they do one good deed before sunset. But what's a good deed? Can these pirates save themselves from prison?

The sun is shining, the birds are singing, and the flowers are in full bloom- so why is Toot so blue? In an effort to cheer up his best friend, Puddle bakes Toot's favorite berry cobbler, takes him on a river rafting adventure, invites all of their friends over for a fun-filled day of games and sing-alongs, but nothing seems to help. Just when he is about to give up, a sudden thunderstorm hits Woodcock Pocket, flooding all of Pocket Pond. The next day, Puddle waks up to find the air cleared...and his old friend back.

With a cheerful mix of humor, warmth, and a classic style all her own, Holly Hobbie captures how the coming of a new day and good friends can help raise our spirits. Best of all, this affordable paperback edition comes with two punch-out recipe cards with step-by-step instructions that kids can follow to make a no-bake fruit cheesecake and chilled strawberry lemonade.

After meeting a bevy of baby animals— including a clever monkey, a sleepy leopard, and a dusty lion cub—the baby in this story discovers the most precious creature of all . . . itself, of course! With an exuberant rhyming text by bestselling author Mem Fox and adorable cut-paper illustrations by Caldecott Honor recipient Steve Jenkins, this book is an irresistible celebration of the joyful connection between parent and child.

"The book is considered one of the best selling self-published children's titles of all times and has won numerous awards."
– CITY SMART MAGAZINE

"Digital technology and a little sweat equity helped Laura Duksta pull off an unlikely career switch from bartender to successful children's book author...With $10,000 of her mom's money riding on the first 3000 copies of her children's book... Duksta, who lost her hair due to childhood illness, persevered."
– USA TODAY

"{Her classroom visits and books} promote the self-actualization concepts of human possibility rather than limitation, so the child and adult alike may transform their lives into whatever they dream or imagine."
– FLORIDA SUN SENTINEL

"Disguised as a Children's book, this story is all about how much one person can love another."
– ePREGNANCY MAGAZINE

"The day we received I Love You More my wife read it over the phone to our youngest child. The conversation of love it sparked was magical."
-Jack Canfield, Co-author of CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE KID'S SOUL

"I love this book because it deals with the most powerful thing in the world...love"
-Mark Victor Hansen, Co-author of the CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE SOUL SERIES

"In my entire life I've never read a children's book that has touched me so deeply. I Love You More is simply, elegant and moving. It's impossible for anyone to read this book without their hearts opening with tears of gratitude and love."
-Dr. John F. Demartini, Author of COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS, featured in the movie phenomenon THE SECRET

"I Love You More shines as a pure expression of the heart. I wish everyone could ready this book and live its glowing message."–Alan Cohen, Author of A DEEP BREATH OF LIFE

"I cannot get enough of I Love You More. I actually first saw it under the Christmas tree at The White House during a Christmas party over a year ago. It is, by far, my favorite book to read to my boys. It truly touches my heart every time I read it and wanted to thank you writing and illustrating this book." -Carly Glazier

Experience the bestseller that has sparked the conversation of love around the world!

I love you brighter than
the brightest star ever shone.
I love you more, so much more
than you've ever known.

Were you ever told, "You know I love you?" Or have you ever felt that you did not tell someone you loved them enough? Reach out and embrace I Love You More, a timeless gift you will share again and again.

Too often love is assumed and not spoken. Love should be seen, heard, felt, sensed, shown, expressed, talked about-and more! Reading I Love You More will become a game, a conversation of love, that people, especially parents and
children, can share for years.

This cleverly conceived flip story, which ends in the middle and starts from either side, will show you what love looks like from both a child and a parent's perspective. With a
simple, touching story, rhyme and rhythm, and vibrant child-like illustrations, this book will be treasured by anyone who has ever said "I love you" and heard the best response in the world: "I LOVE YOU MORE."

A Little Bit About the Author:
The first thing people notice about Laura is that she is bald. Laura lost all of her hair to Alopecia Areata at the age of 11. It took her many years to love herself and to allow others to love her. Laura believes that when people know they are loved-anything is possible. This is the power of the message of her first book I Love You More, written for her nephew Tyler. Laura knew from a young age that she was meant to travel the world, meet her brothers and sisters and spread the message of love. She is now fulfilling this mission through her book, school programs and inspirational talks.

Laura resides in Fort Lauderdale surrounded by the love of her family and friends.

A Little Bit About the Illustrator
Karen earned the nickname "Hippie" from her love for people and the planet. She loves all things that connect her to nature including surfing and gardening. She's an avid vegetarian who practices yoga and meditation. Karen is a professional photographer and now illustrator capturing the world's magic and love through her pictures.

Once upon a time . . .

From The Princess and the Pea and Rumpelstiltskin to The Three Bears and The Elves and the Shoemaker, children will love reading the four stories in this abridged version of Tomie dePaola?s Favorite Nursery Tales. And at 24 pages, there?s a lot to love! The accessible trim, glittered cover, and beautiful illustrations make this book the perfect addition to any child?s library.

At the playground, Lulu asks her friend Sam if he wants to play with her. Sam likes Diggers, while Lulu thinks Monkeys is the best game. Sam suggests playing under the castle, but Lulu knows that the top is the most fun. They just can't agree! And then Lulu asks, “Have you ever played Ladybug Girl?”

As Ladybug Girl and Bumblebee Boy, Lulu and Sam save the playground from hairy monsters and big mean robots, and have their very own parade on the bouncy dinosaurs. They figure out that when they work together, they can create fun games that they both like to play.

There's a new dog in the junkyard, and boy, is he ever grouchy! He seems the perfect friend for surly, grumbling Rat. But the two animals are only interested in shouting at each other. "Don't you come near me!" barks Dog, and Rat mutters back, "Fine with me. Don't need friends, don't need 'em at all!" But as this crusty duo soon discovers, everybody needs a friend. Especially during a bitter winter in a junkyard where warmth is hard to find—and a foot-long salami sandwich is a near-miracle.

Endearing and sassy, this uplifting story of the importance of companionship will put a smile on even the grumpiest of faces.

For any young child (or pig), there are few things more excruciating, more traumatic, more torturous than bathtime. And this little pig is putting his hoof down. No. More. BATHS. But how can he possibly accomplish this? Well, by being someone else, of course. After all, everyone knows that pirates, astronauts, and knights in shining armor-just to name a few-never, EVER take baths. Now if only he can convince his mother . . .

In his hilarious new picture book that is sure to become an integral part of bathtime routines, John Segal documents one particular skirmish in this never-ending battle of wills.