Frog and Toad Are Friends by: Arnold Lobel - (Harper Collins, 1970) 64 pages. This classic features the escapades of Frog and Toad, an adorable amphibious duo who are the best of friends. Your child will love these five stories about friendship that include adventures such as feeling embarrassed when wearing a bathing suit, waiting for mail, finding a lost button and waking up from hibernation in the spring. Caldecott Honor Book, 1971.
Margaret and Margarita: Margarita y Margaret by: Lynn Reiser - (Greenwillow Books, 1993) 32 pages. Your child will love this bilingual (Spanish and English) book about a budding friendship between an English-speaking girl and a Spanish-speaking girl who meet in a park.
Henry and Mudge by: Cynthia Rylant - (Aladdin, 1996) 40 pages. Henry and Mudge is a delightful early chapter book that features a young boy named Henry. Henry has no siblings and no friends in his neighborhood. Poor Henry is lonely and is yearning for a pet, so his parents allow him to get a huge, loveable dog named Mudge. Henry and Mudge become fast friends and Mudge follows Henry everywhere. One day, Mudge gets lost. Will Henry and Mudge find each other again?
Carlo and the Really Nice Librarianby: Jessica Spanyol - (Candlewick, 2004) 32 pages. Little giraffe Carlo is very excited to go to the library with his dad, but feels very shy of the librarian, Mrs. Chinca, who happens to be a crocodilian! Once Carlo learns how knowledgeable about books she is, the two become fast friends.
Ramona the Pest by: Beverly Cleary, illustrated by: Tracy Dockray - (William Morrow and Company, 1968) 208 pages. Ramona the Pest is one of Cleary’s classic stories of the feisty Ramona. Children are sure to love hearing about Ramona’s troubles in Miss Binney’s kindergarten. Ramona fans will also enjoy Beezus and Ramona and Ramona Quimby, Age 8.
The New Girl … and Me by: Jacqui Robbins, illustrated by: Matt Phelan - (Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2006) 32 pages. Shakeeta is the new girl and like all new kids since schools were first invented she feels out of place. Told in the first person by Mia, wise in the ways of school politics, this gentle story of adjustment and budding friendships carefully sticks to a child-eyed perspective to make its point: it’s not so much what you say that makes a difference, it’s that you say it at all.
Edward and the Pirates by: David McPhail - (Little, Brown, 1997) 32 pages. When Edward discovers a mysterious, dusty book on pirates hidden away on a shelf in the library, he can’t wait to get it home. When pirates come to his room looking for the secret to hidden treasure, he realizes how precious the gift of reading can be.
The Apple Pie That Papa Baked by: Lauren Thompson, illustrated by: Jonathan Bean - (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2007) 32 pages. The Apple Pie that Papa Baked is as homey as Grandma’s kitchen, yet it’s modern, rich and even scientific. In simple language that is also poetic and true, Thompson tells the heartwarming story of how the apple pie comes to be, including a quick introduction to the whole ecological web of life. And, as a final loving touch, she adds that the true enjoyment comes in sharing the pie with all the creatures on the farm. With that, the circle is made complete.
Bear Snores On by: Karma Wilson, illustrated by: Jane Chapman - (Simon & Schuster, 2003) 32 pages. One by one, cold and hungry forest animals take refuge in brown bear’s cave. He snores on as they light a fire, pop popcorn, and brew tea. This delightful rhyming book with beautiful full-page illustrations and an unforgettable ending will capture your child’s interest.
Emily’s First 100 Days of School by: Rosemary Wells - (Hyperion Books for Children, 2000) 64 pages. Count the first one hundred days of school with Emily in this fun, fact-filled book. Children will love learning about Emily’s days at school as she learns the alphabet, sings, reads and dances. The oversized format of this book makes the bright illustrations pop off the pages. Want to see the movie? The Scholastic video collection Emily’s First 100 Days of School… and More Great School Time Stories features more Rosemary Wells stories and If You Made a Million by David M. Schwartz.
My Best Friend by: Pat Hutchins - (Greenwillow, 1993) 32 pages. This playful story shows that two little girls can be friends and appreciate each other even though they are good at doing different things. You child will enjoy this book over and over again.
Frankie Stein by: Lola M. Schaefer, illustrated by: Kevan Atteberry - (Marshall Cavendish Children's Books, 2007) 32 pages. Frankie Stein is a cute baby, but his parents fear he will never be as scary as they are — until they learn to see him for the unique Stein that he is in this humorous story.
The Giant Hug by: Sandra Horning, illustrated by: Valeri Gorbachev - (Random House Children's Books, 2005) 32 pages. Owen sends Granny a hug. He hugs Mr. Nevin at the Post Office, who hugs Mrs. Porter, who hugs someone else … all the way to Granny. The humor associated with each hug passing appeals immensely to children.
Hi! Fly Guy by: Tedd Arnold - (Scholastic, 2005) 32 pages. Buzz meets a fly that can say his name and decides it should be his pet. Trying to convince his parents and the judges at a pet contest is another story.
Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse by: Kevin Henkes - (Greenwillow, 1996) 32 pages. Lilly’s pride in her new purse overrides her patience and brings her into conflict with her teacher, whom she loves. Ambivalent emotions, perfectly depicted.
Sally and the Some-Thing by: George O'Connor - (Roaring Brook Press, 2006) 32 pages. One boring morning, Sally decides to go fishing and meets a slimy, slithery “some-thing.” Sally is thrilled, and together they do things like make mud pies and have burping contests. Unexpected and beautifully illustrated, this book is a sure delight.
So, What’s It Like to Be a Cat? by: Karla Kuskin, illustrated by: Betsy Lewin - (Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2005) 32 pages. The private lives of cats are explored in this question-and-answer exchange between a precocious young boy and an extremely smart cat. Young readers will be attracted to the rhythmic language and realistic illustrations from the cat’s viewpoint.