GOAT’S COAT
written by Tom Percival, illus. by Christine Pym, (Bloomsbury Children’s Books, Dec. 2018, $16.99, ISBN 978-1-68119-901-6), 32p, Ages 3-6

“Let me tell you the tale of Alfonzo the goat, / who was terribly proud of his lovely new coat. It had bright shiny buttons all made out of glass / and a collar the color of freshly cut grass.” Alfonzo is a kind goat but far from ordinary, as readers and listeners learn when he goes the extra mile to help other creatures in need.

On a morning walk, Alfonzo comes across a family of frogs without a home, a cat with a hurt tail, and a lost chick up in a tree. Using the stitches on his new coat, Alfonzo provides a boat for the frogs, a bandage for the cat’s tail, and a rope for rescuing the chick. “Alfonzo’s new coat was now just a few threads, / but he thought of the good deeds that he’d done instead.” When the weather turns cold and Alfonzo is close to freezing, find out how the animals return his kindness in this lovely tale of resourcefulness, kindness, and helping others in need.
        Themes: Adventure, Animals, Friendship, Heroes, Rhythm & Rhyme

PAPER MICE
written by Megan Wagner Lloyd, illus. by Phoebe Wahl, (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, $17.99, May 2019, ISBN 978-1-4814-8166-3), 40p, Ages 3-7

One day a young girl and her grandmother cut out two paper mice from envelopes, paint eyes, tiny noses, and whiskers on the cutouts, give them names, and slip them between pages of two books. That night, unaware of each other, Ralph and Della come to life and venture out of their books to explore their surroundings. Della discovers a doll house just her size, while Ralph explores the kitchen and runs into trouble. When Della rescues him, they decide to explore together. “The house creaked, the fire sighed, the night slipped away, and the mice were happy. Out into the darkness they’d each ventured—alone—and found true comfort: a friend.” As the night comes to an end, the two friends slip back into their books to wait for the next night’s adventure. Kids will love the detailed illustrations in this whimsical, clever tale of adventure and friendship.
        Themes: Adventure, Animals, Friendship, Humor

ROAD TRIP!: A Whiskers Hollow Adventure
written/illus. by Steve Light. (Candlewick Press, $16.99, Feb. 2021, ISBN 978-1-5362-0947-1), 40p, Ages 3-6

Welcome to the magical world of Whiskers Hollow with its magnificent tree branches which the inhabitants zoom around on using unique vehicles. This day Bear’s red 1940s Chevy pickup needed a headlight replacement after Bear accidentally crashed into a large acorn, thus requiring a road trip to Elephant's Old Junk Tree. Along the way Bear picks up his friends, snack-obsessed Rabbit, fearful Mouse, and junk enthusiast Donkey. Finally, they arrive at Elephant’s Old Junk Tree. The tree was filled with old car parts and lots of rusty treasures. There were tires, tricycles, a guitar with broken strings, a motorcycle, and lots of wrenches. Even hubcaps!”

Find out how a mud puddle and an elephant help them find their needed treasure. Little ones will love the detailed illustrations to pore over in this charming miniature world of adventure and friendship. Endpapers contain a detailed map of Whiskers Hollow with its trees that contain a bank, library, a general store, acorn storage, acorn ice cream shop, gas station, train station, and much more.
        Themes: Adventure, Animals, Friendship, Humor, Machines

LITTLE POLAR BEAR AND THE PANDAS
written/illus. by Hans de Beer, (NorthSouth Books, $17.95, March 2021, ISBN 978-0-7358-4428-5), 32p, Ages 4-7

In this newest addition to the Little Polar Bear series, spring in in the air in the Artic. When Lars follows a group of tourists in their snow vehicle to their cruise ship, he smells something delicious and investigates, only to find himself on a trip to China. Now a stowaway on the ship, he meets new mice friends, who smuggle him off at the next port. Wandering through a bamboo forest he meets two young pandas, Ying and Yong, who introduce him to bamboo and help him scale the Great Wall of China.

Smelling water in the distance, Lars finds fish to eat and a friendly otter, Oleg. “The two of them sat and began to eat the fish. ‘Everyone keeps helping me,’ said Lars, his mouth full of fish. ‘And now you’ve helped me too. How nice you all are!’ ‘Of course,’ laughed Oleg ‘It’s the best way. You today, me tomorrow.’” Discover how Lars manages to fly home, arrive safely to relieved and overjoyed parents, and tells of an exciting adventure and new friendships. Kids will love the illustrations especially the rope ladders.
Themes: Adventure, Animals, Friendship, Heroes, Series, Values
Others in the Series: Little Polar Bear | Ahoy There, Little Polar Bear | Little Polar Bear Finds a Friend | Little Polar Bear, Take Me Home! | Little Polar Bear and the Brave Little Hare | Little Polar Bear and the Husky Pup | Little Polar Bear and the Big Balloon | Little Polar Bear and the Reindeer | Little Polar Bear and the Whales | Little Polar Bear and the Submarine | Little Polar Bear Takes a Stand

SHARE SOME KINDNESS, BRING SOME LIGHT
written/illus. by April Stott, (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, $17.99. Oct. 2020, ISBN 978-8888-1-5344-6238-0), 40p, Ages 4+

“Coco and Bear were friends from almost the first time they met. They were very different: Bear was big. Coco was small. Bear was shy. Coco was brave.” When Coco learns that the forest animals think Bear is mean, she offers to remedy the situation. Giving Bear a hug, she remembers her grandmother’s saying: “When life gets dark as winter’s night, share some kindness, bring some light.” Together they make cookies and lanterns to share, but the animals reject the gifts in fear of Bear.

Returning home, Coco and Bear discover Baby Deer, who is stuck in the snow, give her a ride home on Bear’s back, and meet up with a rescue party using their lanterns for light. Recognizing that Bear is responsible for the rescue, the animals appreciate Bear’s kindness, friendliness, and bravery, and Bear realizes that “kindness is about giving away love instead of gifts. It’s doing something nice without expecting to get anything in return.” Kids will love this big, brown, lovable, and dancing bear.
        Themes: Adventure, Bears, Animals, Friendship, Heroes, Values

IN MY DREAMS I CAN FLY
written by Eveline Hasler, illus. by Käthi Bhend, (NorthSouth Books, $17.50, Reprint Feb. 2021, ISBN 978-1-7658-4430-8), 32p, Ages 4-7

Five friends, a grub, a beetle, two worms, and a caterpillar wait for spring in their underground homes. “Every third evening, the friends played cards together in the grub’s home among the roots. The little beetle usually lost, so the caterpillar told him funny stories and jokes to cheer him up.” As winter progresses and food runs out, beetle eats most of grub’s huge onion, and caterpillar disappears.

All seems lost, until the snow begins to melt. Spring was on its way, and the friends begin to tunnel out. Once above ground they love the Spring breezes, find that grub’s onion has sprouted, and discover that their friend caterpillar is now a butterfly. “‘You can fly!’ gasped the grub. ‘It’s what I’ve always dreamed of doing.’ The butterfly laughed. ‘Be patient, little grub,’ she said softly. ‘One day your dream will come true!’” Kids will enjoy the beautiful, intricate illustrations and friends working together.
        Themes: Friendship, Insects, Nature, Seasons

THE BARNABUS PROJECT
written/illus. by the Fan Brothers, (Tundra Books, $18.99, September 2020, ISBN 978-0-7352-9626-0), 72p, Ages 5+

Barnabus is a cute half-mouse/half-elephant, who lives underneath a pet store in the Failed Projects laboratory along with other imperfect pets. Confined to a small bell jar, Barnabus dreams of the world above ground with its green trees, tall buildings, sparkling lakes, and the stars that his friend Pip the cockroach described.

Slated for re-cycling by the lab’s Green Rubber Suits, Barnabus cracks his jar open, frees the other misfits, and their quest begins to reach the outside world. Along the way they discover another failed project, a huge marine creature in a tank of water, however, when the Green Rubber Suits find them, all seems lost. Discover how Barnabus and his friends find freedom with the help of water pressure, proving that with determination “Nothing is impossible.” Kids will love the creative illustrations and the ambitious dream of finding “a place that might be home.”
        Themes: Adventure, Fantasy, Friendship, Heroes, Pets

THE GREAT PET HEIST
written by Emily Ecton, illus. by Dave Mottram, (Atheneum Books for Young Readers, $17.99, June 2020, ISBN 978-1-5344-5536-8), 256p, Ages 8-12

“Butterbean knew she wasn’t always a GOOD dog. But until the morning of Tuesday, October 20, she’d never considered herself a BAD dog. And she definitely never thought that by Wednesday, October 21, she’d be a member of an International Crime Syndicate.”

When Butterbean’s owner, Mrs. Food, accidentally slips and falls on Butterbean’s throw up and ends up in the hospital, the household pets suspect that their owner may never return. Realizing that they may be destined for the shelter, Butterbean, Walt the cat, Oscar the myna bird, and pet rats Marco and Polo devise a survival plan to become independently wealthy. When Butterbean smells coins on a mean, shifty man in the elevator, the pets discover a cache of coins in the man’s apartment and plan the heist of the century. With the assistance of an octopus named Chad and a vent-dwelling Wild Rat Wallace, they begin a quest to rescue the cache of gold and free their young caregiver, who was kidnapped by the criminals.

Kids will love the animals quirky, endearing personalities, their crazy plot to become independently wealthy, and the stunning illustrations.
         Themes: Adventure, Animals, Heroes, Humor, Families, Fantasy, Friendship, Pets

THE SASQUATCH ESCAPE: The Imaginary Veterinary Book 1
written by Suzanne Selfors, illus. by Dan Santat, (Little, Brown & Co. 2013, ISBN 978-0-316-20934-2), 224p, Ages 9-12

Not much happens in Buttonville since the factory closed, until 10-year-old Ben, who is expecting a dull summer with his grandfather, spies a helicopter-sized bird with enormous wings and a ropelike tail and Grandpa's cat brings home a bat that breathes fire. With the help of a new friend, Pearl, they take the wounded baby dragon to the only veterinary office in town, Dr. Woo’s Worm Hospital in the old Button Factory.

Turns out that the hospital is home to imaginary creatures, one of which (a hairy sasquatch) is accidentally released by Ben. Now tasked with the job of retrieving the pudding-loving sasquatch, the two friends begin an adventure of a lifetime filled with mythical creatures, cliffhangers, suspense, and secrecy. Kids will enjoy the endpapers featuring the Wyvern and Sasquatch Connection, the Dragon Milk Science Connection, and the Creativity Connection (homemade chocolate pudding).
         Themes: Adventure, Animals, Families, Fantasy, Heroes, Mysteries, Series Other Books in the Series: The Lonely Lake Monster #2 | The Raindragon Rescue #3 | The Order of the Unicorn #4 | The Griffin’s Riddle #5 | The Fairy Swarm #6

THE CLOCKWORK CROW #1
written by Catherine Fisher, (Walker Books, $16.99, Sept. 2020, ISBN 978-1-5362-1491-8), 208p Ages 10-13

One wintery night before Christmas in Victorian Wales, an orphan girl waits at an empty train station, ready to begin a new life as a ward of her godfather at his country mansion, Plas-y Fran. When a frightened stranger leaves a mysterious package with her containing the pieces of a mechanical talking crow, little does Seren Rhys realize that her life is about to magically change. Upon arrival, Seren finds the mansion nearly deserted with a dark secret, a few tight-lipped servants, the family away, and the son, Tomos, missing for almost a year. With the help of her only ally, the crochety crow, and a snow globe, the two heroes begin a magical quest to an enchanted world of danger, mystery, suspense, snow, and adventure to rescue Tomos.

Originally published in England, readers and listeners will enjoy the forbidden rooms, hidden tunnels, magical snow globes, the Fair Family, Enoch the crow, and the clever rhymes that begin each chapter in this engaging tale of family, friendships, heroes, and magic.
        Themes: Adventure, Families, Friendship, Folk Literature, Heroes, Mystery, Suspense
Others in the Series: The Velvet Fox #2 | The Midnight Swan #3

CATALYST
written by Sarah Beth Durst, (Clarion Books, $16.99, June 2020, ISBN 978-0-358-06502-9), 288p, Ages 10-13

What does a giant talking, reading, singing cat christened Pipsqueak, a multi-colored flying mouse called Buttermouse, and a six-tailed, shark tooth, green dog named Kermit, have in common? It seems that they all met a young girl when they were normal animals, who promises to take care of them after they begin to transform into magical animals. About to celebrate her 12th birthday, Zoe rescues a stray kitten and decides to keep it hidden, as her parents have forbidden any more animal rescues. She begins to realize that this is no ordinary kitten when it begins to abnormally grow bigger and starts to read, talk, and sing opera. Zoe and her neighbor/best friend Harrison devise clever hiding places for Pipsqueak as he grows, but they realize the impossibility of keeping an almost mountain-sized cat in the backyard. Zoe longs to return Pipsqueak to her normal size and thinks her aunt in New Hampshire can help.

They devise a plan to ride the still growing Pipsqueak from Western Massachusetts to the White Mountains of New Hampshire, discover two other magical animals along the way, and camp out, without avoiding detection. As Pipsqueak declares, “We’re having an adventure! Our own incredible journey!” Kids will enjoy the flying poodle, the rooftop leaps, second cake, s’mores, and the secrets that Aunt Alecia is keeping.
        Themes: Adventure, Animals, Families, Fantasy, Friendship, Heroes, Pets

NEVER AFTER: The Thirteenth Fairy #1
written by Melissa De La Cruz, illus. by James Madsen, (Roaring Brook Press, $16.99, Dec. 2020, ISBN 978-1-250-31121-4), 336p, Ages 10-14

12-year-old Filomena Jefferson-Cho, adopted as a baby, overprotected by her parents, and a victim of school bullying, enjoys escaping into the world of fantasy. A fan of the Never After fairy tale series, Filomena looks forward to the release of the thirteenth book in the series. Upon discovering that the long-awaited book was mysteriously never published, Filomena returns home only to be followed by one of the characters in the books, Jack the Giant Stalker, and both are almost killed by one of the creatures in the books.

Realizing that the stories were real, Filomena travels to the world of evil fairies, princesses, ogres, and sorcerers, where an evil queen is bent on destroying what is left of the fairy kingdom. Together with friends Jack and Alistair they begin a quest to defeat an evil queen, return the fairy tale world to safety, and find the truth behind the fairy tale series. Along the way Filomena confronts her bullies, befriends fairy tale characters and learns the truth of her past.

Kids will enjoy the motor-cycling wolves, riddles that become spells, and one brave, independent heroine who confronts her bullies and bands together with her beloved characters to save Westphalia.
        Themes: Adventure, Families, Friendship, Folk Literature, Heroes, Series

A TREE FOR ALL SEASONS
written/illus. by Maryse Guittet, (Twirl, 2014, ISBN 978-2-8480-1945-1), 8p, Ages 3+

Young children will enjoy the seasons in all their splendor presented in this tree-shaped board book. Birds, bees, ladybugs, butterflies, flies, caterpillars, dragonflies, and spiders flit through the trees, while questions on the flaps ask, “Who’s hiding here?”, “Who is munching these apples?”, “Who is making that crunching sound?”, and Who’s there?” This colorful and attractive board book is a great introduction for little ones to the yearly seasons.
        Themes: Concept, Nature, Seasons

TEN SEEDS
written & illus. by Ruth Brown, (Knoph Books for Young Readers, 2001), 24p, Ages 3-6

Touching on the number concept as well as the stages of a plant, children learn, in a fascinating way, the number of creatures that are found in the garden, plus how ten seeds can multiply. When a little boy plants 10 seeds, they are subsequently reduced by an ant lifting out a seed, a pigeon picking up a seed with is rootlets, a mouse digging one with longer roots, a slug eating one, a mole burrowing under the roots, and a cat clawing one up. Of the four remaining seeds, three are taken out by a ball, dog, and greenflies, but the lone survivor seed blossoms into a beautiful sunflower, which produces 10 more seeds.
        Themes: Classic, Concept, Nature

THE CARROT SEED
written by Ruth Krauss, illus. by Crockett Johnson, (HarperCollins 1945), 32p, Ages 3+

In spite of his family’s doubts, a young boy plants a carrot seed and believes it will grow, even though he is told by his parents, the competition, and his big brother that it will not. He waters, pulls weeds, and waits, until his patience is rewarded, and it is huge. Published in 1945, this beautiful classic of patience and determination has never gone out of print.
        Themes: Classics, Food, Nature

CLOUDETTE
written/illus. by Tom Lichtenheld, (Henry Holt & Co., 2011), 40p, Ages 3-7

Small, content, and happy Cloudette was friendly with birds, squirrels, and kites. She loved watching fireworks, sneaking through tight spaces, and hiding between buildings. However, she longed to do important things like the big clouds that made storms, watered crops, and created mighty rivers. “She wanted to make a garden grow. She wanted to make a brook babble. She wanted to make a waterfall fall. And she thought nothing would be more fun than giving some kids a day off from school.”

When blown from her neighborhood by a huge storm, Cloudette sees a chance to help a small frog, whose pond has dried up. Puffing, rumbling, and raining, she creates a lovely water-filled pond, perfect for frog jumping. According to the author, water was collected during a rainstorm and used for the watercolor illustrations.
        Themes: Concept Heroes, Humor, Nature, Values

… AND NICK
written by Emily Gore, illus. by Leonid Gore, (Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2015), 40p, Ages 4-7

Nick, the youngest of four identical brothers, is always trying to catch up. Whatever the activity, Nick always lags behind. Even when picking flowers for Mom, he is left with a “small green sprout.” It turns out that his sprout blooms into the most beautiful flower of all, which Mom labels a “late bloomer.” Family love, patience, and acceptance always makes for the best in read-aloud stories.
        Themes: Families, Nature

THE CURIOUS GARDEN
written/illus. by Peter Brown, (Little, Brown and Co., 2009), 40p, Ages 4-7

One day while exploring his dreary neighborhood, Liam finds a few flowers on an old, elevated train track. With several hits and misses, he begins watering, weeding, and pruning them. “But this was no ordinary garden. With miles of open railway ahead of it, the garden was growing restless. It wanted to explore.” Over the next few months, the garden expands along the railway and into the drab city. Sidetracked by winter snow, the plants and flowers lay dormant until spring, when they pop up in every conceivable place. New gardens turn up on rooftops, windmills, and ponds along with new gardeners to care for them. The colorful illustrations are fascinating, and the message that one small dream can change the world is what children need to hear.
        Themes: Concept, Heroes, Humor, Nature

THE DANDELION SEED
written by Joseph Anthony, illus. by Cris Arbo, (DAWN Publishers, 1997), 32p, Ages 3-10

Afraid to leave the garden and venture out into the world, a small reluctant dandelion seed is carried away by the wind across farmland, cities, and lakes arriving as the winter snow begins. When spring comes, the little seed begins to grow and flower, and so begins the lovely cycle once again.
        Themes: Nature, Nonfiction, Seasons

THE LITTLE GREEN GIRL
written/illus. by Lisa Anchin, (Dial Books for Young Readers, $17.99, April 2019, ISBN 978-0-735-23073-6), 40p, Ages 4-7

“The Little Green Girl, like so many great things, began as a tiny seed. One bright morning, she unexpectedly blew into Mr. Aster’s garden, and he was just as surprised as she was.” Even though Mr. Aster prefers his normal routine, he places the seedling into the greenhouse, carefully cultivates her, and then moves her into the garden as a topiary. There, the birds tell her about the outside world and faraway places.

Desiring to see for herself, the Little Green Girl tries to convince Mr. Aster of her need to travel by stretching her roots, but he thwarts her every attempt to leave. Find out how the little topiary convinces Mr. Aster to leave his comfort zone, broaden his horizons, and explore the world in this father-daughter friendship/adventure.
        Themes: Adventure, Friendship, Humor, Nature

PITTER AND PATTER
written by Martha Sullivan, illus. by Cathy Morrison, (Dawn Publications, 2015), 32p, Ages 4-10

Two raindrops, Pitter and Patter, fall from the sky one day and take quite different paths on their way to the ocean. Pitter lands on a leaf, drips into a stream, and is carried into a valley river, past wetlands, and onto the ocean. During the long journey, Pitter happily greets all the animals in each habitat. “Hello, crayfish. / Howdy snake. / Best wishes for the day, mayfly.” Patter tumbles into a spring meadow with similar greetings to the surrounding animals, “Hello daisy. / Good morning, bee. / Rise and shine, butterfly.” Patter trickles into the soil and spills into an underground cave that flows into a river, which sweeps to the ocean.

There, both are reunited, become warmer, and rejoin a gray cloud. Endpapers describe the water cycle, and offer diagrams, scientific terms, and activities for kids. Martha Sullivan’s clever story of two raindrops and Cathy Morrison’s outstanding illustrations will help kids connect with the water-cycle journey, realize the importance of water to our planet, and teach good manners in the process.
        Themes: Adventure, Concept, Nature, Water

A PROMISE IS A PROMISE
written by Knister, translated by Kathryn Bishop, illus. by Eve Tharlet, (Minedition, 2006/2016), 32p, Ages 4-7

In a sweet story of trust and friendship, a young marmot awakes after a long winter to discover a beautiful dandelion. Over the summer, their friendship grows. They laugh together, play together, and dance together. . . and when it was time to sleep Bruno looked after her.” One day the dandelion asks Bruno for a promise (to blow on her), and she assures him that all will be fine. Bruno fulfills the promise but is heartbroken when he realizes that his friend is gone. Upon awakening the next spring, he discovers hundreds of new dandelions and just as many new friends.
        Themes: Friendship, Nature

A SEED IS SLEEPY
written by Dianna Hutts Aston, illus. by Sylvia Long, (Chronicle Books, $16.95, 2007, ISBN 978-0-8118-5520-4), 40p, Ages 5-10

From the creators of “An Egg Is Quiet” comes another elegant and informative book about seeds. From tiny redwood seeds and hamburger bean seeds to Texas mountain laurel seeds and pods of fluffy milkweed seeds, information is presented on two levels. For younger children, poetic phrases such as “A seed is secretive”; “A seed is fruitful”; “A seed is inventive” are easy to understand.

For older children, science concepts and general information is given in short paragraphs. “Ninety percent of the plants on Earth are flowering plants. Flowering plants produce fruits—fruits of all shapes and textures that keep the seeds cozy until they have found the right place to grow.” A helpful chart depicts various seeds as they grow over days, months, and years into adult plants. Pages filled with attractive illustrations and interesting plant information will surely help children develop an interest in botany.
        Themes: Nature, Nonfiction, Seasons, Series
Other Books in Series: An Egg is Quiet | A Nest is Noisy | A Butterfly is Patient | A Rock is Lively

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