This section includes descriptions and links to recommended picture books that make excellent feature books in different themes or are special favorites that can extend and enrich the study of a particular subject.
B - Books by author
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Pages
Tornado Alert
What tornadoes look like, why they occur, when they occur, and what to do when one strikes in simple terms and clear drawings and diagrams.
Volcanoes
A sound basic introduction to the hows and whys of volcanoes, updated with colorful new graphics.
The Last Basselope
Opus the penguin, along with his friends Ronald-Ann, Bill the Cat, and Milquetoast the Housebug, sets out in search of a prehistoric beast.
Mars Needs Moms
Milo doesn't get it: What's the big deal about moms? They're just slave-driving broccoli bullies. And why would 3 Martians come all that way to steal his?
Growing Up at Uluru Australia
Life for the Aboriginal people around Uluru/Ayers Rock in Australia is documented in simple text and full-color photographs.
The Goat Lady
Tells the story of an elderly French-Canadian woman who lived in Massachusetts and raised goats to provide milk for people who needed it.
Daisy Comes Home
Daisy, an unhappy hen in China, floats down the river in a basket and has an enlightening adventure.
Gingerbread Baby
A gingerbread baby runs away through the Swiss countryside pursued by a variety of people and animals. A boy prepares a surprise ending to the chase.
Gingerbread Friends
Gingerbread Baby goes looking for a friend but finds only danger and disappointment and has to make a desperate dash for home.
Goldilocks and the Three Bears
A beautiful retelling of the familiar tale including illustrations with a Scandinavian flair.
The Hat
A hedgehog acquires a funny hat when his prickles get stuck in a woolen sock that has fallen from the clothesline.
The Mitten
Retelling of a Ukrainian folktale about a boy who lost his new white mitten in the snow.
Mossy
Mossy is an amazing turtle with a gorgeous garden growing on her shell. Taken to a museum, she has become sad and lonesome for her home at Lilypad Pond and her friend Scoot.
The Twelve Days of Christmas
Detailed illustrations of a historical perspective on 12 days of gifts for Christmas.
Who’s That Knocking on Christmas Eve
A boy from Finnmark and his ice bear help scare away some hungry trolls so that Kyri and her father can enjoy their Christmas Eve meal.
The Wild Christmas Reindeer
Teeka is responsible for training the wild reindeer, Windswept, Bramble, Heather, Lichen, Crag, Snowball, Twilight, and Tundra, for their Christmas task.
Through My Eyes
Ruby Bridges, first African American student to attend an all-white school in New Orleans, shares her childhood memories as well as adult perceptions of the role she played in the Civil Rights Movement. Compelling sepia-toned photographs enhance this personal narrative.
The Witch Next Door
A young boy and girl explain why the witch who lives next door makes such a wonderful neighbor.
Father Christmas
Funny-paper format shows the activities of a European version of Santa Claus from the time his alarm goes off on December 24 until his long hectic night is over.
Jim and the Beanstalk
Jim climbs up a beanstalk and meets an old giant. Instead of stealing from him, Jim runs some special errands for the giant and the two become friends.
Georgie
Georgie the friendly little ghost doesn't feel needed at the Whittaker's home so he leaves to find a new place to care for.
Merry Christmas, Old Armadillo
Old, grumpy Armadillo wonders why his friends seem to have forgotten him on this special night, with no mail and no visitors in sight.
Goody O’Grumpity
Children come from near and far to taste Goody O'Grumpity's wonderful spice cake.
Wanda's Roses
Wanda mistakes a thornbush for a rose bush but involves the whole community into creating a rose garden in the vacant lot.
Gumption!
Peter's been invited to go on safari with Uncle Nigel and to be safe and successful he will need “a bit of gumption.” (Gumption: n. Courage; spunk; fortitude; resourcefulness; good sense.)
City Sounds
Shares many different sounds a visitor might hear in a city including the honking of trucks, bonging of a big clock, amd the whine of sirens.
A Voice from the Wilderness: True story of Anna Howard Shaw
Before Anna Howard Shaw turned thirteen years old, she had crossed the Atlantic, survived an arduous journey to the unexplored woods of Michigan, and helped create a new home with her family. A true pioneer story.
The Scarecrow's Hat
Chicken would love to have Scarecrow's straw hat for her very own. He will gladly swap it -- for something she does not have (but may be able to acquire).
D. W. Rides Again
Arthur gives his younger sister D.W. lessons in bicycling and bicycle safety after she passes her tricycle down to baby Kate and hops on a new pink two-wheeler.
Stone Soup
This old French tale about soldiers who trick miserly villages into making them a feast won a Caldecott Medal in 1947.
Christmas in the Barn
The text is a story of the first Christmas long ago but the illustrations show happenings as if it were recent times in a snowy New England landscape.
Four Fur Feet
"He walked around the world on his four fur feet and never made a sound-o."
The Golden Egg Book
One day a lonely little bunny found an egg and could hear something moving inside. What was it?
The Important Book
A poetic look at the significant attributes of familiar things like grass, shoes, and the sky.
The Little Fireman
A great big tall fireman and a little fireman live next door to each other and fight their own size fires.
The Little Scarecrow Boy
A little scarecrow goes out into the cornfield alone. Is he is fierce enough to frighten the crows?
On Christmas Eve
Three children sneak downstairs to take a peek at the Christmas tree in the middle of the "night of all nights".
The Summer Noisy Book
Muffin, a little black dog, travels to the country and listens carefully to identify the source of many different new sounds.
The Train to Timbuctoo
A classic story that follows the travels of two trains - one big, one little - as they head down the tracks for Timbuctoo.
Two Little Trains
Fascinating paintings help readers follow parallel journeys of two trains heading West. One is a shiny, streamlined train, moving fast; the other is old and not so fast.