Never Take a Shark to the Dentist

There are many things you should never, ever, ever do.
Like sit next to a porcupine on the subway (ouch!). Or hold hands with a lobster (double ouch!). Or take a shark to the dentist (triple ouch!).

Bestselling author JUDI BARRETT and imaginative illustrator JOHN NICKLE give us a raucous look at the perils of taking giraffes to the movies, goats to the library, and pigs out to lunch...and other such silly stuff.

E Barrett

The Sea Serpent and Me

When a tiny sea serpent tumbles from the bathtub faucet, a little girl finds an unexpected friend. As rainy day after rainy day passes, the two sing songs, take baths, and talk about the sea.
But little girls live on land, and a growing sea serpent needs wave upon wave of water.
Here's a story about the true meaning of friendship, perfect for children, parents, and anyone who has ever had second thoughts about growing up.

E Slater

Just Grace

Grace loves cats. She also loves taking pictures of cats and drawing Not-So Super comics. She doesn't like Sammy Stringer, a boy in her class. She's got lots and lots of ideas, and when her neighbor's cat goes missing, Grace does her best to make Mrs. Luther feel less lonely. But as the mystery of the missing cat continues, Grace's well-intentioned plan backfires, and she finds herself in a bit of trouble. Maybe, just maybe, Sammy Stringer will help her through.

J Harper

First the Egg

This is a book about transformations...from egg to chicken, seed to flower, and caterpillar to butterfly. But it's also a book about creativity as paint becomes picture, word becomes story...and commonplace becomes extraordinary.

j571.8 Seeger

The Brook Book

A babbling brook may seem peaceful on the surface, but look closer—it's full of life! A crayfish pokes among the pebbles for food. A salamander sits on a smooth stone. Over there, a small catfish darts around in a slow pool. Acclaimed naturalist and author Jim Arnosky offers this informative guide—a field trip in book form—to brooks and streams that is perfectly pitched to young explorers and scientists. Through simple, respectful language and lively, engaging illustrations, readers are encouraged to touch and discover—instilling a lifelong appreciation for the natural world.

j577.64 Arnosky

The Retired Kid

Brian the kid is tired of school, homework, and daily chores. So he decides to retire and head to the Happy Sunset Retirement Community. Is retirement all it's cracked up to be, especially when you're 60 years younger than eveybody else?

E Agee

Animals Are Sleeping

Just how do animals sleep in the wild? Some animals sleep standing up, others even sleep while swimming or flying! The short, lyrical text provides fascinating information, such as location, position, and duration of sleep of animals living in different habitats. The satisfying conclusion will have children reaching for this book again and again at naptime, bedtime, or any time of day to learn about animals.
j591.5 Slade

The Xanadu Adventure

Vesper and her friends are sailing off to the newly discovered archeological site of Troy. But danger is close behind—and the party is tricked and imprisoned in a fabulous palace called Xanadu. Xanadu’s master is none other than Vesper’s archenemy, Dr. Helvitius, who has a diabolical scheme to dominate the world. His first goal is to destroy Vesper, who has thwarted him once too often. Escape seems impossible. But if anyone can do it, Vesper can!

J Alexander

Orange Pear Apple Bear

In only five words -- four of which are in the title -- Kate Greenaway Medalist Emily Gravett presents a delightful picture book that is "simple and stunning" (The Guardian), and "daring, original, and a joy" (Sunday Times, London).

E Gravett

Small Steps

Two years after being released from Camp Green Lake, Armpit is home in Austin, Texas, trying to turn his life around. But it’s hard when you have a record, and everyone expects the worst from you. The only person who believes in him is Ginny, his 10-year old disabled neighbor. Together, they are learning to take small steps. And he seems to be on the right path, until X-Ray, a buddy from Camp Green Lake, comes up with a get-rich-quick scheme. This leads to a chance encounter with teen pop sensation, Kaira DeLeon, and suddenly his life spins out of control, with only one thing for certain. He’ll never be the same again.

In his first major novel since Holes, critically acclaimed novelist Louis Sachar uses his signature wit combined with a unique blend of adventure and deeply felt characters to explore issues of race, the nature of celebrity, the invisible connections that determine a person’s life, and what it takes to stay on course. Doing the right thing is never a wrong choice–but a small step in the right direction.

J Sachar

Ghosts & Goblins

Meet plenty of ghosts, including Abraham Lincoln and his son, sailors on an aircraft carrier, an airline passenger, and even a ghost that lives at a Toys 'R Us store.

j133.1 Hamilton

I'm the Best Artist in the Ocean

The squid that charmed a nation is back . . . and he's making a big mess!

Not only is this irrepressible squid the biggest thing ever, he's also the best artist in the entire ocean. He squirts ink, for goodness' sakes, and there aren't many animals in the ocean who can do that! This squid is making a masterpiece that is sure to wow his fellow fish. But perhaps they aren't as pleased as he would think?

The giant squid that garnered starred reviews from Publishers Weekly and Kirkus for his larger-than-life performance in I'm the Biggest Thing in the Ocean is sure to delight fans with this lively and fresh follow-up that includes a double gatefold spread featuring the squid's impressive artwork!

E Sherry

Dimity Dumpty

What happened to Humpty Dumpty is the stuff of legend. But how many know of his brave little sister? While the Tumbling Dumpties, the family traveling circus troupe, is doing acts of spectacular daring, Dimity stays far from the spotlight, playing tunes on her tiny flute. But when Humpty falls off the wall where he's writing graffiti, it's Dimity who finds her voice and brings help that even the king's soldiers can't provide. With a wealth of humorous visual details — the egg-carton caravan drawn by a chicken, the bandaging of Humpty's "leakage" after his fall — Bob Graham pays tribute to a famous nursery rhyme figure and brings smiles to his readers once again.

E Graham

Giant Meatball

A rude meatball wreaks havoc everywhere he goes. Can the polite townspeople stop him?

E Weinstock

The Rich Man and the Parrot

Once there was a wealthy merchant who loved all his possessions, but his favorite by far was the talking parrot who entertained him with old legends and tall tales. The merchant surrounded the parrot with a beautiful garden and fountains, but he kept the parrot locked in a golden cage, fearful that one day the parrot would fly away.
One day the merchant left for India. His parrot asked that he deliver a message to his brothers in the jungle. "Tell them I often think of the days when we flew freely from branch to branch—and please, Master, bring me back their reply." So the merchant traveled to India. He delivered the parrot's message, and then watched in dismay as each of the birds fell lifeless to the ground. What would his pet make of this reply?
This tale from the thirteenth century Persian poet Rumi has a clever twist sure to delight young readers.

j398.2 Nadimi

Conejito

Conejito the rabbit is traveling to his aunt’s house across the mountain. Can he avoid being eaten by the fox, the tiger, and the lion? Enjoy colorful illustrations and learning Spanish words in this lively folktale from Panama.

j398.2 MacDonald