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.
L - Books by author
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The Elves and the Shoemaker
In this retelling of the classic story from the Brothers Grimm a poor shoemaker becomes prosperous with the help of elfin magic.
Snow Day!
Someone is very excited about the possibility of missing school due to snow and plans a whole day of sledding, building forts, reading, and sipping hot chocolate.
Queen of the Track
From running and jumping barefoot through the fields of Georgia to shaking hands with King George VI of England, the story of the first African American woman to win an Olympic gold medal.
The Gates of the Wind
Looking for adventure, Gamma Lee heads for the mountains. When she finally arrives, she discovers a fierce wind that does not want any company.
Who Took the Cookies from the Cookie Jar?
Help Skunk solve the mystery as he asks each of his animal friends, Mouse, Raven, Squirrel, Rabbit, Turtle, Raccoon, Snake, Beaver, and Frog, who took the cookie from the cookie jar?
Which Witch
Once there were two witches. One was rich. The other had an itch. Which was which?
CinderHazel: The Cinderella of Halloween
At the Halloween Ball the reclusive Prince Alarming will finally choose a bride. Hazel isn't interested in any "hoity-toity prince" until she finds out he shares her love of D-I-R-T.
The Dragon’s Robe
A young weaver in twelfth-century China saves her people from drought and foreign invasion by weaving the imperial dragon's robe.
Be a Friend to Trees
Trees are a valuable natural resource, providing food, oxygen, and many other essential things.
Volcano: The Eruption and Healing of Mount St. Helens
Photographs accompany concise text detailing the eruption of Mount St. Helens in May, 1980, and the subsequent healing of the surrounding environment.
They Were Strong and Good
The story of the author's mother and father and their mothers and fathers that won the 1940 Caldecott Medal.
The Story of Ferdinand
The classic story of the misunderstood bull who'd rather smell flowers than stomp and snort; one of the best-selling children's books of all times.
A Was Once an Apple Pie
A collection of 26 nonsense rhymes, one for each letter of the alphabet.
The Quangle Wangle's Hat
A Quangle Wangle shares his enormous hat with a multiplying cast of real and imaginary creatures in this singsong tale from the classic nonsense poet.
Beauty and the Beast
A delightful African variation of the familiar tale created by a husband and wife team of author and illustrator.
In the Snow
Xiao Ming and his mother walk through the winter forest where she teaches him Chinese characters by drawing them in the snow with a stick.
From Seed to Sunflower
Visually stunning presentation of the life cycle of a sunflower, first published in England.
Hansel and Gretel
A poor woodcutter's children, lost in the forest, come upon a house made of cookies, candies, and other goodies. It is occupied by a hungry witch who loves to eat children.
Author: A True Story
Child-friendly text and charming illustrations share a personal story of trials and triumphs in a writer's life.
Me First!
Pinkerton Pig insisted on being first at everything "even if it meant bouncing off bellies, stepping on snouts, or tying tails."
Pookins Gets Her Way
Pookins always gets what she wants, until a gnome shows her she may not always like it.
A Porcupine Named Fluffy
A porcupine named Fluffy is happier with his name after he finds a friend in a similarly misnamed rhinoceros.
Something Might Happen
Twitchly Fidget the lemur worries about almost everything until his Aunt Bridget Fidget shows him another way to live.
Tacky the Penguin
Tacky saves his proper penguin companions from "rough and tough" hunters with his totally nonconformist ways.
Black Cowboy Wild Horses
Based on an incident in the life of Texas cowboy Bob Lemmons, a former slave, the tale centers on his success in corralling a herd of wild mustangs with only his legendary tracking ability and the aid of his horse Warrior .
John Henry
With his two sledgehammers pulverizing boulders, John Henry races a steam drill tunneling through a mountain in a deadly contest between man and machine.
The Old African
An unusual, complex, and thought-provoking story in which the Old African is the keeper of a power that brings comfort and, ultimately, salvation to his people.
Sam and the Tigers
One of the most controversial books in children's literature, Little Black Sambo, has been reinvented as a lively tale of a little boy who triumphs over several hungry tigers.
Tales of Uncle Remus
Whether he is besting Brer Fox or sneaking into Mr. Man’s garden, Brer Rabbit is always teaching a valuable lesson with wit, humor, and wisdom.
A is for Salad
Each letter of the alphabet is presented in an unusual way, such as "A is for salad" showing an alligator eating a bowl of greens.
Pumpkin Circle: The Story of a Garden
Rhyming text and close-up photographs follow a pumpkin patch as it grows.
This Is the Turkey
The whole family is making preparations for guests at a Thanksgiving feast including roasting “a turkey to shout about”.
Henry's Freedom Box
This Caldecott Honor book retells the true story of Henry Brown, a slave who mailed himself to freedom.
Walk a Green Path
A collection of poems accompanied by splendid watercolor paintings offers gentle instruction on how to live in harmony with nature.
Fair!
Describes the sights, sounds, and smells of a county fair, from setting up the Ferris wheel to the craft, food, and animal judgings.
Lost City The Discovery of Machu Picchu
Vividly illustrated picture book account of the 1911 expedition by a team of archaeologists in search of Vilcapampa, the legendary lost city of the Inca.
Sacred River
Join Hindu pilgrims in Benares, India, as they renew and purify their souls in the waters of the Ganges River.
Doodle Dandies Poems That Take Shape
An inventive collection of concrete poems illustrated with bold and colorful mixed-media collages.
The Christmas of the Reddle Moon
Lost in a snowstorm on Christmas Eve, Liddy and Will meet the magical and mysterious Wee Mary Fever who provides several holiday surprises.
Chugga-Chugga Choo-choo
A rhyming story about a toy freight train's day, from loading freight in the morning to retiring to the roundhouse after the day's work is done.