Children's Picture Books & Readers

We missed having a dog in the house. We had heard about and studied the Golden Retriever and French Poodle cross or GoldenDoodle. So, we started to search for a one-year-old one on the internet in animal shelters. Our search found one goldendoodle four hours away in southwest Missouri, one 4 hours north in western Illinois and one had just arrived the day before at the Open-Door Animal Sanctuary only 45 minutes away in House Springs, Missouri. Fate seemed to point towards the 45 minutes’ drive.

Upon arriving at the shelter, they walked us to a pen with a young male doodle. A family had purchased him from a breeder as a puppy. By the time he was a year old, he was too large and kept knocking down their 3 and 5-year-old children and thus ended up in the shelter. The staff at the sanctuary opened the pen door to allow access to him. The bundle of energy leaped through the opening and stopped in front of my wife. He raised up on his rear legs, placed a paw on each of her shoulders and gave her a chin to brow “take me home with you” kiss. That sealed the deal and Angus (Gus) McDoodles became a member of our family. Two days later, after passing the home visit by the sanctuary, we brought Gus home on Valentine’s Day.

The book is illustrated stories of Gus’s walks in our woodland community and his interactions with neighborhood canine friends and the deer, squirrels, raccoons, opossums and other wildlife where he lives. Hardbound with 48 pages. Good for children 10+ years, parents, grandparents, and folks who like stories about animals.

Hank is one rude goose. He doesn't see anything wrong with interrupting others when they're speaking. He helps himself to the cherries on the top of other people's cupcakes. He makes loud noises in the library and movie theater...and he's upsetting everyone!

But being rude, loud, and obnoxious can't always be fun--in fact, it can be downright lonely. Will Hank find a way to be more considerate of his friends? This humorous story presents the themes of friendship, recognizing others' feelings, and being considerate of those around us. Start of a character launch, with a board book and new picture book planned!

In this award-winning, delightfully upside-down picture book holiday story, cousins from opposite sides of the globe debate who can celebrate the best Hanukkah. Eight chances to prove it--may the best cousin win!

"You'll have Hanukkah in summer? Talk about backwards."
"Your Hanukkah's in winter? You're missing out."

From their homes in New York and New Zealand, cousins Noah and Nora decide to have a competition. Winter versus summer: Who can have the world's best Hanukkah? But as the eight nights of Hanukkah go on, the contest proves tougher than they imagined. Even as each cousin celebrates the holiday with their own unique traditions, they realize they have more in common than they thought.

A warm, witty holiday story from acclaimed award-winning creators Elissa Brent Weissman and Omer Hoffmann, Hanukkah Upside Down shows that while there are countless ways to celebrate Hanukkah, family is what matters most.

It's opening night of the school play and there are plenty of nerves to go around! There are lines to be memorized, costumes to sew, and sets to paint. It's a good thing Hattie Harmony is ready to help her friends soothe their worries with everything in her trusted tool belt. Will Hattie be able to settle the pre-show jitters before the curtain call?

In this dazzling sequel to the #1 New York Times bestselling Hattie Harmony: Worry Detective, critically acclaimed actress Elizabeth Olsen and esteemed musician and writer Robbie Arnett have crafted another relatable tale to introduce the youngest reader to the importance of self-care.

The brilliantly interactive, bestselling picture book that tickles the funny bones of both children and adults.

Elephant wants to play hide and seek. You can play too. But you'll need to try your best--he's VERY good! He can even hide behind a lamp, or a small tree . . .

A small boy and his elephant play an absurd game of hide and seek in this beautifully illustrated picture book that will have young readers shouting out loud in delight, and adults laughing too, as Elephant hides, in full view. Perhaps the little dog sees him, perhaps not.

This game-inside-a-book celebrates imaginative play and is perfect for sharing with children who will love being better at finding the elephant than the boy. Watch out for the tortoise, too . . .

David Barrow is a graduate of the Cambridge School of Art and his debut picture book, Have You Seen Elephant? has been shortlisted for multiple awards.

Praise for Have You Seen Elephant?

"Beyond the sheer absurdity, children will delight in details, such as the wide-screen TV the elephant holds in one scene, the child's dad so focused on the soccer game on the screen that he asks, 'What elephant?' and the sly alterations to the family portraits on the rear endpapers. Younger audiences will be screaming 'There it is!' from the get-go."--Kirkus Reviews, Starred

"Best of all this book will stand the test of time as there's something new to be found on every page as you reread"--The Bookbag UK

Hello apple,
hello shelf
I can reach you
all by myself.

When a father and child finally get out of the house, the toddler says "hello" to everything from a snack to a squirrel to a sidewalk puddle. Meanwhile, Dad stays focused on getting the duo from point A to point B. But the eager and enthusiastic "hellos" from his kid remind Dad to pay attention to the here and now.

Told entirely in the child's voice, and boldly illustrated in vibrant colors and joyful lines, this picture book from Charlie Mylie celebrates gentle parenting and invites kid and adult readers alike to get curious about the small wonders hiding in everyday moments.

A delightfully illustrated book about Louisiana Purchase O'Leary, who was a real person. She was born in 1902 and died in 2003. As an infant, she lived in a tent in what is today Forest Park in St. Louis City.

Pick a book. Grow a Reader!

This series is part of Scholastic's early reader line, Acorn, aimed at children who are learning to read. With easy-to-read text, a short-story format, plenty of humor, and full-color artwork on every page, these books will boost reading confidence and fluency. Acorn books plant a love of reading and help readers grow!

Viv and Sanjay are the Inside Scouts! Together, they help animals. They have a cool superpower -- they can shrink super small. When a lion with a leaky heart needs help, the Inside Scouts know what to do! They put on their suits, grab their tools, and get really small. They go inside the lion to find the leaky spot. And they fix it together!

This series introduces beginning readers to the human body through mammals with similar anatomy -- and it does so in really fun ways! In this first book, readers learn about the circulatory system as Viv and Sanjay fix the lion's heart! With color-coded speech bubbles, easy-to-read text, and light nonfiction content, these engaging STEM-themed stories are the perfect fit for new readers!

A beginning chapter book series based on the award-winning picture book, A Friend for Henry!

Henry likes Classroom Ten. He likes how it is always the same. But this week, Henry's class will have a parade, and a parade means having Share Time on the wrong day. A parade means playing instruments that are too loud. A parade means this week is not like always.

Join Henry as he navigates the ups and downs of marker missiles, stomach volcanoes, and days that feel a little too orange. From the creators of the Schneider Family Honor-winning picture book A Friend for Henry, this warmly funny book starring a child on the autism spectrum is a reassuring read for school-bound kids of all stripes.

GREAT FOR BEGINNING READERS: With short chapters and simple text, this book is perfect for newly independent readers who are just moving into longer books.

BACK TO SCHOOL: Familiar school scenarios--from new schedules to making new friends--are portrayed with humor and understanding in this series that will appeal to and reassure any child starting or continuing in school.

DIVERSE STORIES: Representing neurodivergent kids is a vital aspect of expanding diverse representation across books for all ages. Henry, Like Always provides a mirror and a window for kids on the autism spectrum and their friends to see themselves in the stories they read.

AN AWARD-WINNING TEAM: Jenn Bailey and Mika Song were awarded a Schneider Family Honor Award for their picture book A Friend for Henry. See how the story continues in this classic-feeling early reader series based on the same character!

Perfect for:

Rupert, Thistle, and Nibbs, the fun-loving mice in Bruce's begrudgingly expansive family, guide readers on a quest for a fun reading experience, with Bruce the ever-reluctant star. As readers turn the page, flip the book, and follow the mice's increasingly silly instructions, Bruce is sent flying and tumbling--all as he looks right up the reader's nose! How will you interact with Bruce?

Bruce's life is what YOU, the reader, make it in this special interactive addition to the award-winning Mother Bruce series.

From mountain to sea, meadow to tree, small town to big city, people and animals make their homes all over the world. Some are forever while some change with the seasons, but all are just right for the creatures who live in them. With lyrical rhyming text perfect for reading aloud and evocative jewel-toned illustrations, here is a book that will have young readers thinking about home in a whole new way.