2011 Children's Choices-Beginner Readers (Grade K-2)

Mama raccoon is sick in bed, so Papa and the kids pitch in to do the cooking and cleaning and take care of Baby Mabel. It should be a breeze, right? But taking care of a family is harder than it looks. As the lovable raccoons bumble their way through the household chores, doing their best to take care of Mama, too, readers will laugh out loud at the mess they manage to make?and clean up just in the nick of time.

Mitra Modarressi?s endearing illustrations of the raccoon family in its cozy tree house are the perfect accompaniment to this tribute to mothers everywhere.

Pete the Cat goes walking down the street wearing his brand new white shoes. Along the way, his shoes change from white to red to blue to brown to WET as he steps in piles of strawberries, blueberries, and other big messes! But no matter what color his shoes are, Pete keeps movin' and groovin' and singing his song...because it's all good. Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes asks the reader questions about the colors of different foods and objects.

Don't miss Pete's other adventures, including Pete the Cat: Rocking in My School Shoes, Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons, Pete the Cat Saves Christmas, and Pete the Cat and His Magic Sunglasses.

Supports the Common Core State Standards

This remarkable story has already garnered a great deal of media attention: the irresistible photographs documenting Pink and Tink?s relationship have appeared on Good Morning America and The Ellen DeGeneres Show. Readers of all ages will be captivated by these adorable animals and the amazing bond that they share.

Your buffalo is growing up. He plays with friends. He shares his toys. He's smart! But is he ready for kindergarten? (And is kindergarten ready for him?)

Is Your Buffalo Ready for Kindergarten? is a hilarious look at first-day-of-school jitters from author Audrey Vernick and illustrator Daniel Jennewein.

From the talent behind Bridget Fidget and the Most Perfect Pet! comes a hilarious, lovable little imp, who?like most kids?is both bad and good. Who can?t relate?

Just before midnight, on the night of a full moon, a young barber stays out past his bedtime to go to work. Although his customers are mostly regulars, they are anything but normal-after all, even monsters need haircuts. Business is steady all night, and this barber is prepared for anything with his scissors, rotting tonic, horn polish, and stink wax. It's a tough job, but someone's got to help these creatures maintain their ghoulish good looks.

Perfect for Halloween, this is a hilarious story about a boy who follows in his father's footsteps . . . in his own monstrously unique way.

Imagine! A day ago I?d never even heard of the world, and suddenly here I am in it. There?s so much to write about?macaroni, Fun World, and a big sister who has it all figured out. Which is why boys adore her. I need to get her attention back on me? and quick. But how? Should I take up sumo wrestling? Stunt flying? All I know how to do is write.

But don?t tell anyone. This diary you?re looking at is TOP SECRET? just for you and me!

Renowned illustrator Simon James brings sweetness and charm to James Solheim?s hilarious diary of a baby?and the result is a one-of-a-kind picture book no one will be expecting!

Two monkeys. One banana. What's to be done?

Ed Vere's hilariously eye-popping art tells the story of two monkeys learning to share in this stunning, nearly-wordless picture book.

One banana. Two monkeys. Perfect!