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Click below to see the other books in each age band.
BIRTH TO 4
GRADES K TO 2
GRADES 3 TO 5
GRADES 6 TO 8
GRADES 9 TO 12
ADULT
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Rocks crumble, battered by ice, wind, and water. Plants wilt, trees fall, and old bones, fins, and feathers break apart. What then? Step by step, Sally M. Walker’s simple narration lets the youngest soil scientists learn how dirt is created, becoming home to animals as well as conduits for nutrients that help to continue the life-giving cycle. Kim Smith’s inviting landscapes capture a range of forest flora and fauna, from mushrooms to pinecones, foxes to chipmunks, birds to snails. A note to parents suggests bringing the learning to life by encouraging questions and observations of the natural world.
E-I-UFO: Old MacDonald Had a Farm
by Zach von Zonk
Old MacDonald had a farm—that is, until an alien spirits his animals away in a UFO. Now, Old MacMartian has a farm—in space—and young readers will delight in the out-of-this-world hijinks that result when cows, pigs, sheep, and more create chaos in his spaceship. With a zerp zap and a zerp zap there, colorful and detail-rich illustrations bring this hilarious tale to life as Old MacMartian and his faithful three-eyed dog get a bit more than they bargained for with their messy, hungry, noisy, and mischievous new barnyard companions. E-I-UFO!
Hugged by the Night
by Harold Green III
As darkness settles over the forest, three animals gaze up at the night sky and wonder how they can be as confident, proud, and fearless as she is. Hearing their wishes, the sky takes the animals into her arms and, with a gentle embrace, bestows upon each a powerful and transformative gift. Harold Green III brings his vibrant poeticism to this new, richly lyrical folktale illustrated with luminous art by South African designer Karabo Poppy.
Inventions to Count On: A Celebration of Black Inventors: A Picture Book
by Dana Marie Miroballi
From forgotten innovators like Anna M. Mangin to well-known inventors like James West, this picture book is a celebration of Black history and inventors with a unique counting rhyme. One heater keeps a family warm / Sheltered from the winter storm. Two phones bridge a thousand miles / Bringing laughter, joy, and smiles. From traffic lights to ice cream scoopers to fire trucks, there are so many different ways that Black inventors changed history. Follow a bustling modern-day family as they get ready for a beloved family member’s 100th birthday. Woven into their activities are ten inventions that positively impact their daily lives as they prepare for the celebration. With simple, rhyming text and charming art, Inventions to Count On: A Celebration of Black Inventors shines a light on forgotten pioneers, including Alice H. Parker, Garrett Morgan, Anna M. Mangin, Joseph Winters, Alfred L. Cralle, Sarah Boone, Jan Ernst Matzeliger, and Alexander Miles, as well as honoring celebrated inventors like James West, who developed the tiny microphone still used in cell phones today, and Granville T. Woods, who invented third rail technology for trains.
POP! Goes the Nursery Rhyme
by Betsy Bird
In this laugh-out-loud spin on a classic nursery rhyme collection, a feisty weasel continuously interrupts the narrator’s carefully prepared recitation—adding exuberant mischief to the timeless rhymes we all know and love. The sensible Secretary Bird wants nothing more than to get on with their job of properly narrating a classic nursery rhyme book. But something is afoot in the orderly land of nursery rhymes . . . a zippy little Weasel has entered the scene! As the Secretary Bird tries to get through the rhymes—from Little Miss Muffet to Jack and Jill—the Weasel bursts in, throwing everything into a comical tailspin. Can the Secretary Bird put an end to the chaos?
Silly Puppies: Baby’s First Giggles
by Heidi Bee Roemer
Get ready to giggle as playful pups prepare for bedtime in this delightful board book, perfect for babies, toddlers, and their grown-ups. Follow along with the puppies’ bedtime routine—from bath time to drying their fur to snuggling in for one more story (or maybe four). With hilarious photos of dogs and simple, rhyming text, this book is perfect for reading aloud. The sturdy pages are built for little hands, making it a fun and durable way to share laughs and bond together.