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Adèle & Simon, written/illus. by Barbara McClintock, (Farrar, Straus Giroux, 2006),
40p, Ages 4-8.
On their way home from school in early twentieth century Paris, Adéle cautions her little brother, Simon, "Please try not to lose anything today." They take a leisurely route home, visiting a bustling street market, the Jardin park, the Louvre, the famous Notre-Dame Cathedral, and friends. At every stop, Simon manages to leave a personal item behind. When they reach home, Simon is minus his hat, gloves, scarf, sweater, coat, knapsack, books, and crayons. The illustrations are a visual delight, depicting several Paris landmarks. Endpapers with detailed descriptions trace the children's route through Parisian neighborhoods and famous landmarks.

The Adventures of Old Bo Bear, written by Alice Schertle, illus. by David Parkins, (Chronicle Books, 2006), 32p, Ages 3-7.
For a little boy and his toy bear getting dirty is all part of having fun. Cleaning up is an entirely different matter. When Bo Bear has an unfortunate encounter with the washing machine, he comes out with one ear missing and not smelling right. Returning outside, they have fun getting dirty again by fighting off pirates, riding bucking horses, and capturing varmints until Bo Bear looks and smells familiar again.

Always, written by Alison McGhee, illus. by Pascal Lemaitre, (Simon & Schuster, 2009), 40p, Ages 4-8.
A small dog declares his love and devotion for his young mistress by enumerating the many ways in which he will protect her. Declaring, "I am keeper of the castle," he pledges to tame squirrels, guard against monsters (spiders), halt avalanches (mounds of toys), patrol and ambush intruders (mice), divert meteors, contain the weather, and calm the sea. This sentimental tale is perfect for teaching children about the bonds of love and loyalty, and courage and determination in their young lives.

Amos & Boris, written/illus. by William Steig, (Square Fish, 2009), 32p, Ages 5-8.
This charming and whimsical tale concerns a life-long friendship between a mouse, Amos, and a whale, Boris, who have nothing in common but their desire to help their fellow mammals. Amos loves sailing, but one day he accidentally falls overboard and meets Boris, who kindly takes him back home to the Ivory Coast of Africa. It seems that Boris was on his way to a convention of whales from the seven seas. During the trip, the two strike up a lasting friendship. "Boris admired the delicacy, the quivering daintiness, the light touch, the small voice, and gemlike radiance of the mouse. Amos admired the bulk, the grandeur, the power, the purpose, the rich voice, and the abounding friendliness of the whale." Hoping the repay the kindness someday, Amos pledges his help, if ever needed. Little does Boris realize that one day he will need a rescuing that only Amos can provide. Appealing to all ages on many levels, these two characters will wind their way into every reader and listener's heart.

Audrey and Barbara, written & illus. by Janet Lawson, (Antheneum Books for Young
Readers, 2002), 32p., Ages 4-7.
Audrey is adventurous but her cat, Barbara, is lazy. When Audrey decides to visit the Taj Mahal and ride an elephant, Barbara has serious doubts. Undaunted, Audrey comes up with the perfect solution of sailing across the ocean in the bathtub.

A Ball For All, written by Brigitte Weninger, translated by Kathryn Bishop, illus. by Eve Tharlet, (minedition, 2006), 32p, Ages 4+.
Learning to share sometimes can be difficult, as Max, the mouse, and his friends discover. When the local bully, Rico, seizes their ball, the friends form a plan to get it back; but Max has another idea that includes inviting Rico to play with them. Originally published in German, this delightful book reminds children that sharing can be the best form of fun.

The Birthday Fish, written/illus by Dan Yaccarino, (Henry Holt, 2005), 40p, Ages 3-6.
Upset that her birthday present is a goldfish instead of a pony; Cynthia tries to pour it down the drain. Is she surprised when the fish pleads for its life and promises to grant her a wish for its freedom. On the way to the lake to set him free, there are many mishaps, and Cynthia realizes that Marigold indeed is a special pet.

Boo and Baa Have Company, written/illus. by Lena and Olof Landström, translated by Joan Sandin, (R&S Books, 2006), 32p, Ages 3-6.
Two small sheep think it is strange that their wheelbarrow is meowing. They soon realize that there is a cat high above them sitting on a tree limb. Working together, they devise several plans to help the cat down, (tempting it with sardines, placing a plank to the second-story window, and propping up a ladder, which breaks) but nothing works. Boo even gets stuck in the tree for a while. They finally leave an escape route for the cat and go to bed. Final pages show Boo and Baa asleep in their beds, while the cat is sleeping on the rug. Translated from Swedish, the illustrations are clever and humorous, reminiscent of the silent film comedies.

Blue Burt and Wiggles, written/illus. by Derek Anderson, (Simon & Schuster, 2006), 32p, Ages 3-6 yrs.
As fall sneaks in, inseparable friends, Blue Burt and Wiggles, are determined to keep summer around. They gather up the fallen leaves and tape them back on the trees, paint the grass green again, and draw flowers to glue around the woods. Realizing that they can no longer hold back Mother Nature, Blue Burt packs his suitcase and flies south. They still keep in touch by phone and letter, because "nothing could keep true friends apart forever."

Brothers, written by Yin, illus. by Chris Soentpiet, (Philomel Books, 2006), 32p, Ages 6-9.
Newly arrived from China, Ming is instructed by his brothers not to leave the boundaries of San Francisco's Chinatown. Although Ming helps in the family's store, he longs for adventure. A friendship begins when he meets Patrick, an immigrant from Ireland. As Ming learns English, he helps promote the family business to customers outside Chinatown. Further information about Chinese and Irish immigration during the mid-1800s is clarified in the endpapers.

Cold Paws, Warm Heart, written/illus. by Madeleine Floyd, (Candlewick Press, 2006), 32p,
Ages 4-8.
Cold Paws is a cold and lonely polar bear who plays his silver flute for company. He tries to play with the other animals, but he was just too big. When a little girl hears his magical music, it draws her to the sad polar bear. Hannah begins to comfort him with her warm scarf, teaches him jumping jacks, and brings hot chocolate. Soon Cold Paws does not feel so cold anymore. A sweet story for any time of the year.

Duck Soup, written/illus. by Jackie Urbanovic, (HarperCollins, 2008), 32p, Ages 4-7.
Max's friends from Duck at the Door believe that he fell into the soup pot that he was cooking. Brody the dog, Dakota the cat, and Bebe the bird come to this decision after finding a feather floating in the soup. (Max was in the garden picking herbs for the soup.) In an attempt to save him, they ruin Max's masterpiece soup by pouring it down the drain. "Brody hoped that the soup would go down the drain and Max would stay behind." They think Max's head is a potato, his eyeballs are onions, and his feet are carrot slices. Max returns and is stunned that his soup is gone, but the friends cheer him up and remind him "at least you're not duck soup." The lively and exuberant illustrations are a definite plus for children to enjoy.

Duck & Goose, written/illus. by Tad H. Mills, (Schwartz & Wade Books, 2006), 40p, Ages 4-7.
In a cute finders-keepers tale, Duck and Goose find what they believe to be an egg. They constantly quibble about ownership, but they finally decide to share the duty of keeping the egg warm and raising the baby when it hatches. Upon learning from a little bird that their baby is a toy ball, Duck and Goose decide to make the best of the situation and have a great time quacking, honking, and playing with the ball.

The Egg, written & illus. by M. P. Robertson, (Puffin Books, 2004), 32p, Ages 4-8.
Parenting is harder than it looks which George discovers when he tries to teach a baby dragon to fly, breathe fire, and defeat knights. But what does a parent do when his dragon is lonely for other dragons?

Elephants Never Forget!, written by Anushka Ravishankar, illus. by Christiane Pieper, (Houghton Mifflin Co., 2008), 44p, Ages 4-8.
This simple three-color picture book tells of a young elephant who becomes separated from his herd by a terrible storm and who searches for friendship and comfort. He comes across frisky monkeys who pelt him with coconuts. The strange creatures (water buffalo) who wallow in the mud are more welcoming and the little elephant decides to stay with them. A friendship develops as the water buffalo protect the young elephant from danger, and the elephant clears paths for them, provides water showers from his trunk, and finds food when the land becomes dry. When a herd of elephants beckons, the elephant must choose whom to follow. "In the end, the answer was plain/A buffalo he would always remain!" Elephants may never forget, but they can choose to change. There are many fun read-aloud noises (crack, flash, boom, toot, hoot, splatter, chitter, chatter) for children to enjoy.

Emma Kate, written/illus. by Patricia Polacco, (Philomel Books, 2005), 32p. Ages 3+.
Emma Kate and her imaginary friend share everything together, homework, soccer practice, sleepovers, and even have their tonsils out and eat pink ice cream together. However, this charming story takes a comic twist when readers and listeners discover that Emma Kate is the elephant.

Emily's Balloon, written/illus. by Komako Sakai, (Chronicle Books, 2006), 44p, Ages 2-5.
A sweet and endearing friendship develops between a little girl and a yellow balloon. While she is out walking one day, Emily's mother buys her a yellow helium balloon, and by the time they arrive home, Emily and the balloon have bonded. When a breeze blows the balloon into a tree, Emily must wait until morning for Mom to retrieve it, but she spends her time imagining how she and her friend will eat, play, and sleep together tomorrow. Winner of the Japanese Picture Book Prize.

The End of the Beginning: Being the Adventures of a Small Snail (and an Even Smaller Ant), written by Avi, illus. by Tricia Tusa, (Harcourt Children's Books, 2004), 140p, Ages 8-11.
Avon, the snail, believes that adventure brings happiness. Thus, he journeys with his friend, Edward, the ant, at a snail's pace down a branch and meet many interesting characters, one whom they believe may be a dragon disguised as a mouse.

Fall Is for Friends, written and illus. by Suzy Stafford, (Scholastic, Inc., 2003), 32p, Ages 3-6.
Sometimes waiting is hard, especially for Suzy and Emily who wish the leaves would hurry up and fall. A charming story about best friends and finding fun in the simplest of pleasures.

Frank & Izzy Set Sail, written & illus. by Laura McGee Kvasnosky, (Candlewick Press,
2004), 32p, Ages 5-9.
They say that opposites attract. When quiet Frank accepts adventurous Issy's invitation to an overnight camping trip, they get more than they bargained for. They must work together to overcome scary noises, near misses, and a hurt paw.

A Friend Is Someone Who Likes You, written/illus. by Joan Walsh Anglund, (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2008), 32p, Ages 4-8.
Reissued for its 50th anniversary, this soothing and comforting little book describes friends and friendships that can be found in unlikely places-a shady tree that provides branches for swinging and eating delicious fruit, a gurgling brook that is perfect for cooling small feet, and even the wind can be a friend. "Sometimes it calls to you to play. It pushes you from behind as you walk and makes the leaves dance for you." Small animals and children are also featured as special friends. This little treasure will touch the hearts of children and adults, and is perfect for sharing.

Germs, written & illus. by Ross Collins, (Bloomsbury Books, 2004), 32p, Ages 4-8.
A hilarious look at illness from the germ's viewpoint. Pox is a wash out at the Germ Academy and does not like making people ill. When he is sent to infect a little girl, he draws up a plan to help the immune system and fight off the other germs that are coming.

Gossie, written/illus. by Olivier Dunrea, (Houghton Mifflin Co., 2007), 32p, Ages 3-5.
"This is Gossie. Gossie is a gosling. A small, yellow gosling who likes to wear bright red boots. Every day." Whether walking uphill or downhill, forward or backward, in rain or snow, Gossie is never without her boots. One morning she awakes to find them missing. Heartbroken, she spies them on her best friend's feet. Both Gossie and Gertie love the boots, so they decide to share–one boot apiece. Now in board format, the use of bright illustrations, simple words, and repetitive sentences are perfect for small listeners.

Gossie & Gertie, written/illus. by Olivier Dunrea, (Houghton Mifflin Co., 2007), 32p, Ages 3-5.
Best friends Gossie and Gertie are inseparable companions. Gossie in her red boots and Gertie in her blue boots splash in the rain, play hide-and-seek, dive in the pond, and watch the night. Gertie is a follower, except when she is sidetracked by a small beetle or a trail of grain. Gossie is annoyed, but circumstances change when Gertie leads the way to the food bowl and their differences are forgotten. This board book format will please younger as well as older preschoolers. Along with simple line drawings, each page contains details that more observant children will enjoy.

Hit the Ball Duck, written/illus. by Jez Alborough, (Kane/Miller, 2006), 32p, Ages 4-8.
It's spring and baseball is in the air. Duck, Goat, Sheep, and Frog travel to the park to play, but with Duck nothing turns out as planned. In a comical twist when Duck hits the ball, it ends up in a tree. He tosses the bat and hurls the glove up to loosen the ball but, of course, they also are stuck. Working as a team, they friends manage to knock the equipment free. Much to Duck's chagrin as the ball falls, Frog catches it and calls Duck out. Told in rhyme it's a fun read-aloud for young children.

How the Nobble Was Finally Found, written by C. K. Williams, illus. by Stephen Gammell, (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2009), 40p, Ages 6-9.
Nobble is a cute creature with "huge eyes and dangly ears and long hair and two lovely wings and little claws on his fingers and a bunch of nice toes." He loves playing in space between Wednesday and Thursday, napping on the bottom rung of number eight, and swinging in rivers beneath piano strings. After 4,323 years of loneliness, the Nobble journeys beyond Friday and Saturday and past the moon, until he reaches a town with strange buildings, funny boxy things that zoom past, and fuzzy creatures that make yowling noises. He also meets a little girl, who teaches him about roads, phone booths, and a special door, which leads to a forever friend, who looks a lot like him. This endearing little Nobble will delight young hearts, and leave children yearning for more Nobble tales.

I Am Pangoo the Penguin, written/illus. by Satomi Ichikawa, (Philomel Books, 2006), 40p, Ages 4+.
From infancy Danny and his beloved penguin, Pangoo, were inseparable. When Danny receives new toys for his birthday, little Pangoo feels threatened and runs away to the Central Park Zoo where the real penguins live. Pangoo soon realizes that he doesn't belong with the fish-eating, cold-loving penguins that swim. Danny is worried about Pangoo's disappearance, but his wise Grandma knows better. This is a sweet story about friendship and belonging.

I Want a Hug, written/illus. by John A. Rowe, (minedition, 2007), 32p, Ages 4+.
Little Elvis asks everyone for a hug, but no one will get too close. "'Oh please, won't you give me an itsy bitsy little hug?' he asked. 'No no no! Your prickles are much too prickly!' the man answered. 'Please let go of my leg!'" He sees hugs in the park, in the city, and in the forest, but none for him. When he hears Colin the Crocodile crying out for a kiss, the two become instant friends with lots of hugs and kisses. This story is a great lesson about the value of compassion and reaching out to help others.

I'll Protect You From the Jungle Beasts, written/illus. by Martha Alexander, (Charlesbridge Publishing, 2006), 32p, Ages 3-6.
While walking through a forest one day, a young boy promises to protect his small teddy from the lions, snakes, and hyenas. When the boy becomes lost and his courage wanes, Teddy assures him that his special built-in home finder stuffing will lead them home. By the time they arrive home, a much larger Teddy is carrying the little boy. When asked about her success in publishing, the late Martha Alexander said, "I steal ideas from children." This classic was originally published in 1973.

Just a Little Bit, written by Ann Tompert, illus. by Lynn Munsinger, (Houghton Mifflin Co., 1993), 32p, Ages 3-6.
When Mouse and Elephant decide to ride on the seesaw, Mouse needs some help from the other animals before they can go up and down.

La La Rose, written & illus. by Satomi Ichikawa, (Philomel Books, 2004), 40p, Ages 4-7.
A beloved stuffed rabbit accompanies Clementine and her family to the Luxembourg Gardens. When accidentally lost, La La Rose experiences many trials and tribulations before reunited with Clementine.

Learning to Fly, written/illus. by Sebastian Meschenmoser (Kane-Miller Books, 2006), 56p,
All Ages.
This delightful and charming story from Germany features a lost little penguin, that convinces his rescuer he crashed while flying. Everyone knows that penguins cannot fly, but together they try all sorts of ways to return the aerodynamically challenged penguin to the skies. Nothing works until they spot a penguin colony flying by. Children will enjoy the expressive drawings.

Little Blue Truck, written by Alice Schertle, illus. by Jill McElmurry, (Harcourt Children's Books, 2008), 32p, Ages 3-7.
A small, cheerful little blue truck chugs along a country road beeping at his friends, when he is pushed off the road by a rude dump truck. "Coming through! I've big important things to do!" The obnoxious dump truck misses the curve and lands in the mud. The little truck tries to help but the mud catches him too. All the friends come to their aid and teach the dump truck a lesson about neighborliness. Children will love the rhyming stanzas. "'Cluck!' said a chicken,/and her chick said, 'Peep!'/ 'Maaa!' said a goat./Blue said, 'Beep!'" Filled with truck sounds and animal noises, this is a rollicking homage to the power of friendship and the rewards of helping others.

The Little Yellow Leaf, written/illus. by Carin Berger, (Greenwillow Books, 2008), 40p, Ages 3-7.
As the seasons change, leaves fall from their trees, pumpkins turn ripe, wild geese fly away, and snow begins to fall. However, one Little Yellow Leaf isn't quite ready to leave the oak tree. It holds on tight in spite of the wind and snow, until it spies a Little Scarlet Leaf higher up on an icy branch. Together they find courage to fly off together. "And one, two, three, they let go and soared. Into the waiting wind they danced . . . off and away and away and away. Together." With beautiful paper-cut illustrations, this charming and delightful story of friendship, courage, trust, and letting go can be discussed on many levels with children.

Lizette's Green Sock, written/illus. by Catharina Valckx, (Clarion Books, 2005), 32p, Ages 4-7.
Delighted with a green sock she found on the ground, Lizette happily wears it all day, until two bullies make fun of her one sock. Fortunately, her friend Bert has an ingenious solution and Lizette realizes that like friends, socks are best in pairs.

Lost and Found, written/illus. by Oliver Jeffers, (Philomel Books, 2006), 32p, Ages 4-8.
Upon opening his front door, a little boy discovers a forlorn looking penguin. Assuming that he is lost, the child decides to return the penguin home. Discovering that home is the South Pole, the boy uses his small boat to row the penguin home, telling him many stories along the way. Reaching their destination, the boy helps the penguin ashore, gives him a hug, and rows away. When loneliness sets in, the boy realizes his mistake, turns around, and returns for him. A gentle story of friendship and helping others.

Louie, written & illus. by Ezra Jack Keats, (Viking Children's Books, $16.99), 40p, Ages 4+.
This reissue of a Keats classic concerns a lonely inner city boy who falls in love with a puppet during a neighborhood show. Because of the generosity of two friends, Louie and gussie, the puppet, become friends forever.

Madeline and the Cats of Rome, written/illus. by John Bemelmans Marciano, (Viking Children's Books, 2008), 48p, Ages 4-7.
"From an old house in Paris that was covered with vines/Left twelve little girls in two straight lines./Their bags were packed, a camera stowed;/They were ready to escape the cold." On a visit to Rome in the spring, Miss Clavel's camera is stolen. Madeline chases the thief through the streets of Rome and discovers many homeless cats that are cared for by the young thief. Ultimately, Madeline rescues the young girl from a life of crime, and together they find homes for all the cats. After a fifty-year absence in new Madeline books, Ludwig Bemelmans's grandson has created a delightful tale around some of the more than 300,000 cats that over the centuries inhabited the ruins of Rome's Torre Argentina.

Misery Moo, written by Jeanne Willis, illus. by Tony Ross, (Henry Holt & Co., 2005), 32p,
Ages 4-8.
Misery Moo is a pessimist, while her friend, Lamby Poo, is an optimist. When Lamby runs out of ways to cheer up his friend, he becomes miserable too. It is now up to Misery Moo to rectify the situation, and finally realizes the importance of friendship.

Mr. Putter & Tabby Run the Race, written by Cynthia Rylant, illus. by Arthur Howard, (Harcourt, Inc., 2008), 44p, Ages 6-9.
The two friends are back again in another humorous episode where Mr. Putter, at the recommendation of his neighbor, decides to enter a senior marathon. First place prize is a set of golf clubs, but second place is a train set, which Mr. Putter really desires. Neighbor Mrs. Teaberry and her dog Zeke practice constantly, while Mr. Putter enjoys muffins and tea (he is exhausted from touching his toes and only reaching his knees). Finally, the day of the race arrives. Mr. Putter is trailing the pack, when Zeke grabs a jump rope, enters the race, and creates chaos. Fortunately, Mr. Putter grabs the rope, and Zeke pulls him across the finish line to win. Find out how Mr. Putter ends up with the train set, anyway.

Mr. Putter & Tabby Spin the Yarn, written by Cynthia Rylant, illus. by Arthur Howard, (Harcourt Children's Books, 2006), 44p, Ages 6-9.
Deciding to be neighborly, Mr. Putter offers to help serve tea for Mrs. Teaberry's knitting club. Everything moves along nicely until Mr. Putter's cat, Tabby, spies the balls of yarn and unravels Mrs. Fitzwater's sweater. Mrs. Teaberry's dog, Zeke, loves potatoes and snatches the fake ones from Gertrude's hat. Of course, chaos erupts, but Mr. Putter charms everyone with extra bridge mix and lots of tea.

Mrs. Crump's Cat, written by Linda Smith, illus. by David Roberts, (HarperCollins, 2006), 32p, Ages 4-8yrs.
Mrs. Crump has no use for cats until one rainy day, a shivering, stray feline enters her home and slowly transforms her life. Each day she finds more excuses not to turn the cat away-it must dry out, it needs food, it looks like more rain. The sign at Mr. Henry's store even reads, "Found one sneaky finicky troublesome WET yellow cat with FLEAS." Mr. Henry points out that after buying a collar, soap, tuna, cream, and a dish, she might as well keep the cat. And she does, because wonderful things happen when you open the door of friendship.

Mucky Pup, written & illus. by Ken Brown, (Dutton Children's Books, 1997), 28p, Ages 3-6.
A lovable and cheerful little farm pup want a playmate, but most of the animals feel superior to a scruffy mud-covered puppy. One day he discovers a friend who enjoys the same pleasure, a friend who absolutely loves mud. Together they form a lasting friendship, proving that friends can come in different shapes and sizes.

The Mushroom Man, written by Ethel Pochocki, illus. by Barry Moser, (Tilbury House, 2006), 32p, Ages 8-11.
"There once was a man who worked in a mushroom farm, and people called him the Mushroom Man, for he even resembled the crop he tended." Having a cheerful nature he is, for the most part, content with his lot in life. Considering a pet for company he decides that dogs have snarling teeth and cats are wanderers. One night he befriends a mole, and as their friendship grows, they find many common interests. In addition to truffles and Christmas gifts, they discover that having a friend is the best gift of all. A quiet, gentle story for sensitive hearts.

No Place Like Home, written by Jonathan Emmett, illus. by Vanessa Cabban, (Candlewick Press, 2005), 32p, Ages 3-6.
Mole thinks his burrow is too small, dark, and dull. He sets out to find somewhere big, bright, and beautiful, and his friends Hedgehog, Squirrel, and Rabbit try to help, but finding a new home is not as easy as it seems.

Nutmeg And Barley: A Budding Friendship, written/illus. by Janie Bynum, (Candlewick Press, 2006), 32p, Ages 4-7.
Two neighbors, who believe that they have nothing in common, discover that friendship may have more to do with kindness than interests. Nutmeg is an exuberant squirrel who loves everyone, while Barley is quite shy and unsociable. When Barley becomes ill, Nutmeg nurses him back to health. They even discover a common interest - music.

Old Bear's Surprise Party, written & illus. by Jane Hissey, (Philomel Books, 2001), 28p,
Ages 3-7.
When Old Bear paints a picture in bright colors, Little Bear and his friends want to paint one, too. They each paint a different pattern, but their pictures are either too drippy or splotchy. Old Bear finds a way to turn their messy mistakes into a surprise masterpiece.

Otis, written/illus. by Loren Long, (Philomel Books, 2009), 40p, Ages 3-6 yrs.
"There was once a friendly little tractor. His name was Otis, and every day Otis and his farmer worked together taking care of the farm they called home." After a hard day's work, Otis loved to unwind and ride the hills, chase the ducks, leapfrog over hay bales, sit under his favorite apple tree, and putt puff into his barn for a good night's sleep. Even Otis's soft putt puff puttedy chuff calms a new calf to the farm, and the two become best friends. Replace by a new yellow tractor Otis lives behind the barn alone. One day the calf becomes stuck in a mud pond, and no one can pull him to safety. Hearing her cries, Otis revs his engine and races down the hill to the rescue. "From that day on, the farmer discovered that with Otis's puttering purr beside the chicken coop, his chickens laid more eggs. At milking time, with Otis's gentle chuff nearby, his cows produced more milk." Now valued and productive, Otis still enjoys sitting under the apple tree with his best friend, calf.

Owen & Mzee: The True Story of a Remarkable Friendship, written by Isabella Hatkoff/Craig Hatkoff/Dr. Paula Kahumbu, photographs by Peter Greste, (Scholastic Press, 2006), 40p,
Ages 4-8.
A 600-pound baby hippo, stranded on a reef in Kenya during the 2004 tsunami in South Asia and rescued by villagers, is resettled at an animal shelter at Hallard Park. There Owen develops an unconventional friendship with Mzee, a 130-year-old giant Aldabra tortoise. Unfriendly at first, Mzee becomes a protective presence in Owen's life, and eventually they become inseparable. Endpapers overflow with information about the animals, their caregivers, and the locales.

Peanut,written/illus. by Linas Alsenas, (Scholastic Press, 2007), 32p, Ages 3-6.
A sad and lonely older lady finds a baby elephant in the park, takes him home, treats him like a puppy, and gives him the name of Peanut. She loves him unconditionally even though he never fetches, rolls over, or barks. Another walk in the park reveals a circus owner who is looking for Peanut. After the circus leaves town with Peanut, Mildred discovers a stray kitten (a camel) and takes him home. Young children will enjoy the silliness, and may be open to discussing the topic of loneliness.

Pete and Polo's Farmyard Adventure, written and illus. by Adrian Reynolds, (Orchard
Books, 2002), 28 p, Ages 3-6.
Ten of Grandpa's ducklings are missing, but Pete and his polar bear, Polo, track them down. Whether splashing in Buffy's water bowl or wading in the pig's trough, wherever there is water the runaways are sure to be found.

Pigeon and Pigeonette, written by Dirk Derom, illus. by Sarah Verroken, (Enchanged Lion Books, 2009), 32p, Ages 4-8.
Left behind for the winter, a small pigeon with wings too small to support flight and an enormous blind pigeon form a lasting friendship and dream of soaring like eagles in the clouds. With Pigeonette's verbal directions, Pigeon's strong wings, and a few mishaps along the way, they soar. "From then on,/all day long right through the summer,/the chirping voice of Pigeonete/guides Pigeon through the mighty forest." They also listen to an old wise pigeon's advice on navigating storms. With a positive message of overcoming obstacles, cooperation, and perseverance, this heart-warming story of friendship will charm children and adults.

A Pipkin of Pepper, written/illus. by Helen Cooper, (Farrar, Straus & Giroux, 2005), 32p,
Ages 4-8.
While making pumpkin soup, Duck, Cat and Squirrel discover they are missing the key ingredient - salt. On their shopping trip to the big city, Duck becomes lost when he stops at the Pepper Shop. All ends well with the help of six Police Dogs, four Fire Dogs, and two Foxes.

A Promise Is A Promise, written by Knister, translated by Kathryn Bishop, illus. by Eve Tharlet, (minedition, 2006), 32p, Ages 2+.
After a long winter of hibernation, a young marmot awakes to discover a beautiful dandelion. Over the summer, their friendship grows. They laugh together, play together, and dance together. ". . . and when it was time to sleep Bruno looked after her." One day the dandelion asks Bruno for a promise and assures him that all will be fine. The promise is to blow as hard as he can. Bruno is heartbroken when he realizes that his friend is gone. Upon awakening the next spring, he discovers that there are now hundreds of new dandelions in the meadow. A sweet story of trust and friendship.

Red Ted and the Lost Things, written by Michael Rosen, illus. by Joel Stewart, (Candlewick Press, 2009). 40p, Ages 4-7.
Left at a train station by his owner, a small bear finds himself placed in the lost property office with hundreds of other lost belongings. A stuffed crocodile informs him that they reside in the Place for Lost Things where most things never leave. After crying a bit, the two devise a clever scheme to escape and locate Red Ted's owner, Stevie. "The next morning, when the Man in the Hat came in, Red Ted hopped down off the shelf. So Crocodile hopped down off the shelf too, and together they rushed out the door." The two are joined by a cheese-loving white cat, who tracks Stevie's smelly trail. Many obstacles await the trio, including a dachshund, which Crocodile frightens off with his sharp teeth. Upon reaching home, all three are accepted into Stevie's family and given plenty of love and cheese for the cat. Where there is purpose, persistence, and a cheese-sniffing cat, success is just a matter of time.

The Sea Serpent and Me, written by Dashka Slater, illus. by Catia Chien, (Houghton Mifflin Co., 2008), 40p, Ages 4-8.
A small sea serpent emerges from the bathtub faucet while a little girl is bathing, and an unexpected friendship develops. The sea serpent grows rapidly, but living in an aquarium and the bathtub is not adequate to hold him. Returning him to the ocean is the perfect solution, but once there, the sea serpent is reluctant to sever their relationship. The little girl encourages him with "You won't be lonely. You'll play with sea lions and Otters. Whales will sing with you, and when you're tired, the waves will rock you to sleep." With wonderful watercolor illustrations, this story of friendship and bonding will make a great read-aloud, especially at bedtime.

Singing Shijimi Clams, written/illus. by Naomi Kojima, (Kane/Miller Books, 2006),
32p, Ages 4-8.
From Japan comes a story of an old, but not so wicked witch, her grumpy cat, Toraji, and their friendship with a bunch of shijimi clams. Preparing her newly purchased clams for miso soup, she suddenly realizes the cruelty of cooking peacefully sleeping clams. Toraji disagrees and they have plain miso soup. They continue to argue day after day, until the clams wake up asking questions. With determination, ingenuity, and kindness, the old witch and her cat decide to return the clams home. Because money is a problem, the clams agree to sing for donations. Train tickets to the beach are purchased, and before long, all are waiting for high tide. Not wishing to part from their friends, the old woman and her cat decide to live at the beach permanently, ". . . surrounded by the pretty voices of the clams, the gentle sound of the waves, and the warmth of the sun."

The Snail and the Whale, written by Julia Donaldson, illus. by Axel Scheffler, (Dial Books for
Young Readers, 2004), 32p, Ages 4-8.
A fun rhyming book in which a small sea snail hitches a ride on a humpback whale and visits far-off islands, icebergs, and underwater caves. When the whale loses his way, the very small and helpless snail comes to the rescue. A great story for teaching children about helping others.

Snake and Lizard, written by Joy Cowley, illus. by Gavin Bishop, (Kane/Miller Book Publishers, 2008), 94p, Ages 8+.
Originally published in New Zealand, the adventures of two unlikely friends surround their personalities, differences, moods, perspectives, lifestyles, and eating habits. Snake is self-centered and aggressive. Lizard is exuberant and friendly. Even though they disagree, argue, and complain, a long-lasting friendship is developed, and they become inseparable companions. "You're my dearest friend, Lizard. You have first call on my time. When you need help, just let me know." The two friends go into a helping business and take payment for services rendered in beetles, flies, and quail's eggs. They help a skunk cross the "River of Death" (a busy highway), advise a jittery mouse to move home with relatives due to her fear of snakes (Lizard's advice), and counsel a rabbit on how to evict a pesky tortoise from his burrow. With subtle humor, fifteen simple and touching tales mirror a bit of human life. Bishop's colorful illustrations are a wonderful addition to a great first chapter book.

Something About Hensley's, written/illus. by Patricia Polacco, (Philomel Books, 2006),
48p, Ages 6+.
Based on a true story, Polacco tells of an optimistic and resourceful general store proprietor, Old John, who provides for families, whether common needs or emergencies. When a single mom moves into town and is desperately in need of help, Old John comes to the rescue, providing material comfort as well as emotional. Drawing from her life and experiences, Patricia Polacco salutes John Soncrant, a true American whose influence changed the lives of many.

Something for James, written by Shirley Sherwood, illus. by Neil Reed, (Dial Books for Young Readers, 1996), 24p, Ages 3-7
Neither James nor Elephant can coax whatever is hiccupping out of the mysterious bag. Along comes old and wise Bear, and with just the right amount of gentle encouragement persuades the mystery creature to come out.

A Splendid Friend, Indeed, written and illus. by Suzanne Bloom, (Boyds Mills Press, 2005), 32p, Ages 2-5.
Polar Bear wants to be left alone, but Goose tries to convince him that they are friends. Only when Polar Bear listens to a special note written by Goose, does he realize what a splendid friend he has. The illustrations are delightful.

Sylvia and Bird, written/illus. by Catherine Rayner, (Good Books, 2009), 32p, Ages 2+.
"In a faraway place, on a high mountaintop, lived a shimmer-shiny dragon named Sylvia." While searching the world for another dragon and coming up empty, Sylvia discovers a small, yellow bird building a nest. She brings twigs for the nest and they soon become best friends, swimming together and picking cherries. When racing to the moon, Bird tires and drops through the clouds, only to be rescued by Sylvia and gently carried home. This charming tale about friendship will have children hoping for more adventures. Catherine Rayner's illustrations are, as always, irresistible.

Ten Old Men and a Mouse, written by Cary Fagan, illus. by Gary Clement, (Tundra Books, 2007), 32p, Ages 5-8.
As families move to other neighborhoods, the remaining members of a dwindling synagogue are ten old men. Their lonely lives brighten when an intelligent mouse takes up residence among the holy books. After failing to trap the mouse, they decide that one small mouse would be good company; after all, "he's the first new member we've had in thirty-five years." Day after day, they form a deeper attachment to the mouse. They bring him food and fresh water, provide an old dollhouse for sleeping, and make a bed out of a matchbox. Then her new babies arrive. Now there are too many mice, and the men relocate the family to the country. Loneliness sets in again, until they hear a familiar scritch-scratching and they realize that the empty-nest mother has returned to the synagogue. This humorous tale, full of wit and truths, teach excellent lessons of compassion and friendship.

Tom Rabbit, written by Martin Waddell, illus. by Barbara Firth, (Candlewick Press, 2001), 32p,
Ages 2-6.
Sammy and his toy rabbit, Tom, venture out to the backfield to see the real, wild rabbits, however, Tom is accidentally left behind when dinner is called. All alone as night falls, Tom wonders what the real rabbits will think of him, and more important, will Sammy return.

Too Many Frogs!, written by Sandy Asher, illus. by Keith Graves, (Philomel Books, 2005), 32p, Ages 3+.
Rabbit has a simple, comfortable life, with a nightly routine of reading a story. Night after night Froggie and family disturb his routine and settle in for a snack and a story without being invited. Rabbit tells them to leave, but realizes something is missing.

Toot and Puddle: Wish You Were Here, written/illus. by Holly Hobbie, (Little, Brown & Co., 2005), 32p, Ages 4-7.
Toot travels to Borneo in search of exotic plants, but returns with the Violet Virus. The only cure is to drink tea made from the purple Slimecat Stinkhorn. Wouldn't you know, it's only found in their own meadow.

Toy Dance Party: Being the Further Adventures of a Bossyboots Stingray, a Courageous Buffalo, & a Hopeful Round Someone Called Plastic, written by Emily Jenkins, illus. by Paul O. Zelinsky, (Schwartz & Wade Books, 2008), 176p, Ages 6-10.
The lovable toys from Toys Go Out are back in six new escapades and adventures. Stingray and Plastic join together to brave a snowstorm and rescue Lumphy, who has ventured out in search of their owner, a little girl named Honey. They save the toy mice from the vacuum cleaner, and they have an all out dance party in the basement with Frank, the singing washing machine. Dryer needs repair and is grumpy. A new character is introduced, garbage-eating Shark, and together with Sheep they start the Chewing Society of North America. With their little girl growing up and preferring Barbies, the toys feel neglected. When they deliberately create a nail polish mess, Honey takes the blame, and they realize that she truly loves them. "I know I haven't played with you much lately. . . but I love you. And I will always keep you." Their adventures, human-like emotions, and faithful friendship make this first chapter book a great read-aloud.

Toys Go Out, written by Emily Jenkins, illus. by Paul O. Zelinsky, (Schwartz & Wade Books, 2006, Yearling, 2008), 144p, Ages 9-12.
StingRay, Lumpy, and Plastic are three toys that belong to a little girl. They are times when they are very insecure and uncertain about their role and purpose in her life, but together they face the huge washing machine, school, the bathtub, commercials, dogs, and bathtubs. Shy Lumpy fears the washing machine, and is terrified when a peanut butter accident results in getting washed. It turns out that Frank is a great conversationalist, and Lumpy deliberately causes accidents when he feels like company. Gentle Plastic has an identity crisis until TukTuk, the towel, convinces her that she's a beautiful rubber ball. Know-it-all StingRay has a comeuppance in the bathtub, when she realizes that she cannot float. For all children who belong to toys, this story of three extraordinary friends is a must.

Travels with Toot & Puddle: Three Books About Friendship, written & illus. by Holly Hobbie,
(Little Brown & Co., 2003), 32p, Ages 3-7.
Three of the Toot & Puddle stories are contained in a traveling case just right the little hands. You Are My Sunshine, A Present for Toot, and the original Toot & Puddle, about two friends and their adventures, will surely charm everyone.

Treasure, written/illus. by Suzanne Bloom, (Boyds Mills Press, 2007), 32p, Ages 2-6.
In a follow-up to A Splendid Friend, Indeed, Goose talks Bear into hunting for hidden treasure. Goose is positive that they will find treasure, because the "X" on Bear's paper (the beginning of a tic-tac-toe game) is a treasure map. After digging and diving, their search proves fruitless, but they realize that their friendship is treasure enough for both of them. This warmhearted story ends with Bear and Goose finishing the game.

Walter: The Story of a Rat, written by Barbara Wersba, illus. by Donna Diamond, (Front Street, 2005), 61p, Ages 9-12.
This quiet and charming story is told from the viewpoint of a well-mannered and educated rat named for Sir Walter Scott. Walter lives in the Long Island house of Miss Amanda Pomeroy, an elderly, reclusive writer of children's books. One day, he discovers her library and the fact that she has created a series of children's books about a secret-agent mouse. However, there are no books about rats. Walter writes her a note: "I live here too." Amanda writes back, "I know." Thus, begins an unusual friendship between two lonely creatures-a writer and a reader. This story will appeal to lovers of words and those who remember children's books from long ago. It may also be a great read aloud for the holidays.

Webster J. Duck, written by Martin Waddell, illus. by David Parkins, (Candlewick Press, 2001), 32p, Ages 2-5.
Little Webster finds himself alone after cracking open his egg. Determined to find his mother, he meets some very kind friends who lend a helping hand.