Grade: K

When a bus driver takes a break from his route, a very unlikely volunteer springs up to take his place — a pigeon! But you’ve never met one like this before. As he pleads, wheedles, and begs his way through the book, children will love being able to answer back and decide his fate. In his hilarious picture book debut, popular cartoonist Mo Willems perfectly captures a preschooler’s temper tantrum.

Mr. Frimdimpny, an alligator, has made up some unusual rules. Rule #1, “Do Not Laugh!” is followed by Rule #2, “Do Not Even Smile.” If a reader breaks a rule, he or she must go back to the front of the book and begin reading again. Just try not to chuckle.

Ma has made a dozen delicious cookies. It should be plenty for her two children. But then the doorbell rings–and rings and rings. Each ring of the doorbell brings more friends to share the delicious cookies Ma has made.

With Dr. Seuss as your guide, learning the alphabet is as easy as A, B, C.

Deliberately calculated to make its readers yawn. No one could resist those zillions of astonishing sleepyheads.

Children will anticipate that something goofy is coming by a glance at the cover art: a duck in a soup pot balancing a lid on his head. Urbanovic has created a funny story in which Max’s friends mistakenly believe that he is in the soup pot. Their attempts to save him ruin his meticulously prepared soup (”‘AHHHHH! It’s his head!’ said Bebe. ‘Silly! It’s only a potato!’ Brody replied. ‘EYEBALLS! His eyeballs!’ said Bebe. ‘Guys, it’s only tiny onions!’ said Brody”), but reinforce the value of friendship. The softly outlined watercolor illustrations feature a loose style that gives freshness and energy to each scene. Children will laugh out loud at the antics in this story, which blends so cohesively with the large pictures.

Easter eggs hold special surprises in this fantastic pop-up book from David Carter. With colorful eggs and cute critters on every page, this Easter book is sure to please the masses.

The author invites readers along on a visit to a Mexican market. During the tour, you compare colors and shapes of produce, solve math problems, and learn about Mexican culture. Science, language, math, and social studies concepts are hidden in this brightly illustrated picture book bursting with different kinds of foods.