Storytime & Early Literacy

Mint Chip is green with envy. Well, he's green because he's mint-flavored. But he IS envious of Vanilla, Chocolate, and Strawberry. They are so popular on the ice cream truck. First, he tries to break into the cool crowd. Will making himself more minty or chippy do the trick? Alongside his trusty pal Waffle Cone, a chance meeting with a new ice cream flavor gives him a new perspective.

Forest school meets sensory play in this cozy picture book about a grandparent and grandchild on an exploratory walk through the woods.

Smooth and wet is a stone in a creek. Slippery and cold is the splash on your cheek.

A boy and his grandfather travel through a scenic forest on a sensory adventure written in soothing rhyme. Everywhere they look, there are fascinating things to see and feel. The boy is naturally curious… and in the woods, it’s okay to touch!

Some things are sticky. Some things are firm. Some are oozy or crumbly or coarse. The boy delights in using his sense of touch to explore the natural world—made even sweeter by grandpa as his companion.

With soft, velvety illustrations, this sumptuous story is just right for kids who learn by doing, and makes an ideal read-aloud for preschools with sensory awareness on the curriculum. Back matter features an author’s note about the five senses, as well as an interactive sensory treasure hunt for curious young readers (with adult supervision).

A NATIONAL BESTSELLER • Fluffalo has had enuffalo when his quiet prairie life is turned upside down by the arrival of his new sibling, Puffalo, in this sweet and funny follow-up to the #1 New York Times bestselling Buffalo Fluffalo!

Every day, Buffalo Fluffalo goes about his usual routine. He munches all the grass he can eat, frolics and rollicks with his friends, and at noontime, lies down for a nap in the shade. But one morning, Fluffalo wakes up to a loud wailing cry and, to his surprise, finds a little buffalo named Puffalo with the tiniest, shiniest eyes!

At first, Fluffalo does not like Puffalo. “What does it need?” he huffs in alarm. But Crow wisely explains that Puffalo doesn't need much—just time to learn and grow. Slowly, Fluffalo watches as Puffalo learns to trip, slip, gallop, and trot. He teaches Puffalo to eat plants and to keep away from red ants. Together, the two take long strolls and snuggle for naps. And even though Puffalo sometimes slows him down, Fluffalo realizes that life is much better with Puffalo by his side.

From national bestseller and Emmy-nominated comedy writer Bess Kalb comes this hilarious tale featuring the surly Buffalo Fluffalo and introducing his new sibling, Puffalo. Illustrated by the talented Erin Kraan, readers will delight in the loving message about the joy of discovering that the yelly, smelly, squiggly, and short new sibling might be a tiny bit cute.

Hey! What's that rap-tap-tapping? Too-OOT! Is that a trumpet? Yak-yak-yammer! Who's making all that NOISE?!

A rowdy, nonfiction animal guessing game picture book for 3-7-year-olds that will cause a ruckus of a read-aloud!

Animals make all sorts of sounds for all sorts of reasons! Can you guess the noisemaker from the noise?

Featured animals include:
 

• Woodpecker
• Dolphin
• Quacking frog
• And more

From world-class zoologist Darrin Lunde, author of Whose Poop Is That?, find out which animals hammer, click, and roar (and why) in this guessing game perfect for fun and rowdy read-alouds.

"Eye-catching images help kids master time and colors....Useful and attractive introductions to several important concepts."--Kirkus Reviews

I spent the day
On the dock
And who zoomed up
At six o'clock?
A purple speedboat.

A day on the dock is never dull when boats of all shapes, sizes, and colors are zooming on by! Indulge your preschoolers love for boats while also subtly teaching them about colors and time! Who zoomed up at six o'clock? A purple speedboat! What boat will arrive next? What time will it be?

Victoria Allenby adds another kid-tastic instalment to the Big, Little Concept Books collection that has already graced story times with the Mathical Book Prize honor book Shape Up, Construction Trucks!, the sound-celebrating Listen Up! Train Song, and the most recent Look Up High! Things that Fly. Like its predecessors, this book features a closing note to caregivers with age-appropriate enrichment activities to extend both the learning and the fun. But they needn't worry about handing the whole thing over to their children, since the padded cover, rounded corners, and extra-sturdy paper of this Toddler Tough format can endure many a rough reading.

A New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’s Book! • Join Mei Mei on her hilarious and emotional journey in this dramatic and tenderhearted picture book about guilt and forgiveness, from the acclaimed creator of We Are Definitely Human.

When Mei Mei accidentally breaks her ama's favorite cup, she's convinced it's the end of the world. What if Ama is angry? What if she yells? What if she kicks Mei Mei out of her house? Mei Mei can't face it. But when Mimi, the innocent cat who witnesses her crime, ends up being blamed, the guilt is too much! Mimi's accusing eyes follow Mei Mei until she just can't take it anymore, and the truth comes spilling out.

With vibrant and moody cinematic illustrations and pitch-perfect pacing, X. Fang's newest picture book is filled to the brim with comedic drama and the comforting sweetness of a grandparent's forgiving hug.

Author-illustrator Lian Cho of Oh, Olive! and Pig Town Party delivers her third hilarious picture book about a bear and the fish, named Eustace, that they're trying to make their lunch. But a dash of diversion, a pinch of luck, and the surprising power of friendship just might save Eustace after all!

Today's Lunch Special: Freshly caught fish.

Bear lives alone in a lighthouse.

Bear mends their clothes, sweeps the floors, and catches their own lunch.

Today's lunch is Eustace.

Eustace would really like to live. (He has a girlfriend after all.)

Will Eustace be released back into the sea Or will he end up in Bear's stock pot

Find out in this funny adventure filled with brilliant illustrations and lots of humor.

New York Times bestselling author and illustrator Adam Rex has created a funny and timely conversation starter about how dull life might be if everyone always agreed

Everyone always agrees with Junior, including the mysterious voice from across the valley.

“Junior Junior is the greatest in the world!” he shouts.
“Junior Junior is the greatest in the world!” the echo shouts back.

Until one day, a new girl moves in next door. A disagreeable, rude girl who doesn’t think Junior is right all the time. Unable to stand living next door to someone like that, Junior runs to the valley to meet his echo. But when being around someone who agrees with him all the time is less fun than he imagines, Junior must decide if a new friend is worth admitting he was wrong.

★ "Simultaneously cozy and utterly engaging."--Kirkus, starred review​

This celebration of going at your own pace will remind readers that sometimes slow is the best way to go!

After some sleep, 
sloth is ready to eat. 
Go, Sloth, go!

In a world where the pressure to speed ahead seems relentless, now is the time to take a trip to the rainforest and cheer for the slowest mammal on Earth--a hungry sloth--who takes her time moving through thicket and vine in search of the tastiest leaves. Developed in consultation with The Sloth Conservation Foundation in Costa Rica, Toni Yuly's exploration of the sloth's habits and habitat springs to life, rendered in rich, colorful layers of torn paper and ink.

Don't miss Toni Yuly's companion title The Pelican Can!

Celebrate the little artist in your life with this hilarious picture book from bestselling author Diane Alber that asks the question: if princesses run entire KINGDOMS and unicorns run on RAINBOWS...why can't they PAINT together?

Even if everyone says "never let a princess paint with her unicorn," one little princess is determined to unleash her inner artist with her silly steed by her side. But princesses aren't all ballgowns and sing-alongs...give them a paint brush, a unicorn, and who KNOWS what colorful, magical messes will happen. With bright illustrations that jump off the page and hilarious text, parents, educators, and children ages 4-10 will love this laugh-out-loud story that celebrates the power of creativity.
This funny picture book with one very inde-paint-ent princess is the perfect read-aloud or gift opportunity for birthdays, bedtime, or any occasion!
I'm not sure if you noticed my dazzling crown, but I'm a princess. And I do pretty much everything with my pet unicorn. So when I heard NEVER LET A PRINCESS PAINT WITH HER UNICORN, I was shocked!
Also in the Never Let A series:

 

• Never Let a Dinosaur Scribble
• Never Let A Unicorn Wear a Tutu
• Never Let a Unicorn Scribble
• Never Let a Unicorn Make Slime
• and more!