Videos

A little bunny keeps running away from his mother in an imaginative and imaginary game of verbal hide-and-seek; children will be profoundly comforted by this lovingly steadfast mother who finds her child every time.

The Runaway Bunny, first published in 1942 and never out of print, has indeed become a classic. Generations of readers have fallen in love with the gentle magic of its reassuring words and loving pictures.

Publisher: HarperCollins; Revised edition (January 24, 2017)
ISBN-13: 978-0060775827

A hungry caterpillar eats his way through a large variety of foods until, finally full, he forms a cocoon around himself and goes to sleep. 

Publisher: Philomel Books; Reprint edition (October 9, 2018)

ISBN-13:  978-0525516194

One night Max puts on his wolf suit and makes mischief of one kind and another. Max’s mother calls him ‘Wild Thing’ and sends him to bed without supper. Later that night a forest grows in Max’s bedroom and an ocean flows by with a boat to take Max to where the wild things are. Max tames the wild things and crowns himself as their king. Then the wild rumpus begins!

Max sends the monsters to bed and everything is quiet again and he begins to feel lonely. Max realizes it is time to sail home where he is loved best of all.

Publisher: Scholastic Inc. (1963)
ISBN-13: 978-0061227400

Red has a bright red label, but he is, in fact, blue. His teacher tries to help him be red (let’s draw strawberries!), his mother tries to help him be red by sending him out on a playdate with a yellow classmate (go draw a nice orange!), and the scissors try to help him be red by snipping his label so that he has room to breathe. But Red is miserable. He just can’t be red, no matter how hard he tries! Finally, a brand-new friend offers a brand-new perspective, and Red discovers what readers have known all along. He’s blue! This funny, heartwarming, colorful picture book about finding the courage to be true to your inner self can be read on multiple levels, and it offers something for everyone.

Publisher: Greenwillow Books (February 3, 2015)
ISBN-13: 978-0062252074

Alone with her doll in a playhouse, a little girl spends a happy day with her playmate who arrived “in a carriage bright as the sun.” Her friend came to visit with a lemon-yellow lion who dines on blueberries and cream as the two girls play dolls and paint a rainbow. At day’s end, the visitor departs into a glowing sunset, promising to return.

Publisher: Philomel; First Edition, 45h Printing edition (September 22, 1986)
ISBN-13:  978-0399213601

While a little girl is visiting her grandmother, she discovers an old trunk full of toys that come magically to life at bedtime. That night when Nora wishes that she could have the stars that appear to be so close, the toys gather them up from the sky and bring them to her. They spend an enchanted evening playing with the stars; when Nora realizes how sad and dark the sky is without any twinkling lights, she sends them back where they belong and falls contentedly asleep.

Publisher: Philomel; Stated First Printing edition (March 15, 1989)
ISBN-13:  978-0399216169

A charming book filled with characters that children can relate to while learning the qualities of a positive self-image.

Publisher: HJ Kramer (1991)
ISBN-13: 978-0915811250

When day is gone, and shadows begin to deepen, it is time for Grandfather Twilight to close his book, put on his jacket, and go for a walk through the forest. Little birds hush as he walks by, and the rabbits and other small creatures watch in silence as he performs his very special evening task and returns to his house among the trees. Twilight is a gentle, friendly time.

Publisher: Philomel Books (November 5, 1984)
ISBN-13: 978-0399209963

Julián lives with his abuela and is obsessed with mermaids. He imagines taking off his clothes, growing a tail, and swimming freely through the blue-tinted water with swirls of fish and stingrays. After spying some women on a train dressed as mermaids, Julián later tells his abuela, “I am also a mermaid,” then proceeds to wrap a curtain around his waist as a “tail.” Ferns in his hair complete the fantastical look, and when his grandmother catches him —is he in trouble? Not at all! In fact, she takes Julián to a festival where people are dressed as fantastically as Julián.

Publisher: Candlewick; Later Printing edition (April 23, 2018)
ISBN-13: 978-0763690458

* Share photos of you as a mermaid with #homemademermaid! Or email them to me at [email protected]. Please let me know if it’s ok for me to post on our website, Facebook, or in a future video

Poetic language and vibrant art portray Mother Earth in all her glory, depicting how all living creatures and all the elements exist — from birds and animals to fire and water — as the product of her love.

Publisher: Atheneum (March 1, 1992)
ISBN-13: 978-0689316685

In this infectious rhyming read-aloud, Baby Llama turns bedtime into an all-out llama drama! Tucked into bed by his mama, Baby Llama immediately starts worrying when she goes downstairs, and his soft whimpers turn to hollers when she doesn’t come right back. But just in time, Mama returns to set things right.

Publisher: Scholastic; 1st edition (2005)
ISBN-13: 978-0545030106

The fiercest dragon in the whole world smashes Princess Elizabeth’s castle, burns all her clothes, and captures Prince Ronald. Elizabeth decides to rescue the prince with her wits alone and nothing but a paper bag to wear. She challenges the dragon to show his strength in the hopes of saving the prince. But is it worth it?

Publisher: Annick Press (1980)
ISBN-13: 978-177321029

*This is the original version in which Prince Ronald is described as a bum. In latter versions he is described as a toad.

A perfect square is transformed in this adventure story that will transport you far beyond the four equal sides of this square book.

Publisher: Greenwillow Books; First Edition edition (March 29, 2011)
ISBN-13: 978-0061915130

A child tests the limits of her independence while her mother reassures that a parent’s love is unconditional and everlasting.

Publisher: Chronicle Books
ISBN-13: 978-1452131498

A lively alphabet rhyming story in which all the letters of the alphabet race each other up the coconut tree. But will there be enough room? Oh, no, Chicka Boom! Boom!

Publisher: Scholastic (1991)
ISBN-13: 978-1586691110

Stellaluna, who becomes separated from her mother and finds her way to a nest of birds. She is adopted by them and learns how to behave like them. Eventually, Stellaluna finds other bats and reunites with her mother. Stellaluna and her bird friends decide that even though they have many differences, they are still friends.

Publisher: Harcourt (1993)
ISBN-13: 978-0152015305

This bedtime book features a young girl rounding up her sleeping companions–an assortment of stuffed animals and dolls. Searching her home she finds her toys in various spots and affectionately reminds each one that it’s time to go to bed. After assembling her menagerie on her quilt, she discovers that her toy duck is missing and rescues it from the bathroom. The story ends with simple words as everyone is tucked in, GOOD NIGHT.

Publisher: Chronicle Books; 1st US edition (March 1, 1994)
ISBN-13: 978-0811806442

A bus driver takes a break from his route and a pigeon steps up and volunteers to drive the bus. And this pigeon really wants to drive the bus! He pleads, wheedles, and begs to drive the bus.

Publisher: Hyperion Books; 1st edition (2003)
ISBN-13: 978-0786819881

When something sad happens, Taylor doesn’t know where to turn. All the animals are sure they have the answer. The chicken wants to talk it out, but Taylor doesn’t feel like chatting. The bear thinks Taylor should get angry, but that’s not quite right either. One by one, the animals try to tell Taylor how to act, and one by one they fail to offer comfort. Then the rabbit arrives. All the rabbit does is listen . . . which is just what Taylor needs.

Publisher: Dial Books (February 20, 2018)
ISBN-13: 978-0735229358

The sky brings the smell of flowers, exercises the trees, squeezes inside balloons, holds up rainbows, makes the ocean dance, and bathes in waterfalls.

Publisher: Green Tiger Press; 1st edition (January 1, 1991)
ISBN-13: 978-0881380682

The story of two male penguins, Roy and Silo, who create a family together. With the help of the zookeeper, Mr. Gramsay, Roy and Silo are given an egg which they help hatch. The female chick, that completes their family, is consequently named “Tango” by the zookeepers. The book was based on the true story of Roy and Silo, two male chinstrap penguins who fell in love in New York’s Central Park Zoo.

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers
ISBN-13: 978-0689878459

This book has the delightful lyrics of the song about a small white whale and his adventures during the day and the end of the day with his mother.

Publisher: Dragonfly Books; 1st Pbk. Ed edition (March 17, 1992)
ISBN-13: 978-0517583623

Despite being the smallest of the bunch, Thunder Bunny discovers her true identity in the world through a courageous act and determined spirit that is appreciated by all, in a touching tale with poetic verse by the creator of Grandfather Twilight.

Publisher: Philomel; First edition edition (February 1, 2007)
ISBN-13: 978-0399220357

Art class is over, but Vashti is sitting glued to her chair in front of a blank piece of paper. The words of her teacher are a gentle invitation to express herself. But Vashti can’t draw – she’s no artist. To prove her point, Vashti jabs at a blank sheet of paper to make an unremarkable and angry mark. “There!” she says. That one little dot marks the beginning of Vashti’s journey of surprise and self-discovery. The Dot is about getting started — getting unstuck. It is also about creative teaching, exploring an idea in many ways, and sharing our gifts with others.

Publisher: Candlewick; 1st edition (September 15, 2003)
ISBN-13: 978-0763619619

Ramon loved to draw. Anytime. Anything. Anywhere. Drawing is what Ramon does. It’s what makes him happy. But in one split second, a single remark by Ramon’s older brother, Leon, turns Ramon’s carefree sketches into joyless struggles. Luckily for Ramon, though, his little sister, Marisol, sees the world differently. She opens his eyes to something a lot more valuable than getting things right. Thinking “ish-ly” is far more wonderful.

Publisher: Candlewick; Fourth Printing edition (August 19, 2004)
ISBN-13: 978-0763623449

Marisol loves to paint. So when her teacher asks her to help make a mural for the school library, she can’t wait to begin! But how can Marisol make a sky without blue paint? After gazing out the bus window and watching from her porch as day turns into night, she closes her eyes and starts to dream…this story is a reminder that if we are open to it and look beyond the expected, creative inspiration will come.

Publisher: Candlewick; Dot, Ish, Sky Color edition (August 28, 2012)
ISBN-13: 978-0763623456

Despite her friendship with Ralph, Ballerina Bear Barbara decides she wants to meet some new friends and sets out to explore the world around, forgetting all about Ralph until she finds a group of bears that are too busy to play. Soon she realizes that her old friend Ralph is truly her very good friend.

Publisher: Philomel (October 14, 1993)
ISBN-13: 978-0399220203

Poor Nora! She has stayed inside all week with a cold, and only Kiki the dog, Teddy the bear, and Maggie the doll for company, while the roses bloom just outside her window. One by one, visitors pass, each stopping to pick a rose on his way, and soon there won’t be any roses left! But with a little imagination, Nora discovers just the right way to cure her sick-in-bed boredom and make her roses last forever.

Publisher: Philomel (May 1, 1993)
ISBN-13: 9780399219689

Long ago, Bramwell Brown saw Old Bear packed away in a box in the attic. Now, Bramwell knows the time has come to find his forgotten friend and save him from loneliness in the attic. So, with the help of Little Bear, Duck, Rabbit, he plans a rescue mission using a number of ingenious methods. And off they go to save him!

Publisher: Book House (February 4, 2020)
ISBN-13: 978-1912904846

Rose sails the seas in an oversized teapot that she fills with seeds from every place she visits. Rose arrives in a port city, where she finds a dusty, forgotten stretch of earth, which she decides needs some color and decides it’s time to plant her seeds. After planting her seeds, she patiently waits—through four seasons—for flowers to bloom. As word of the girl’s faith in her garden spreads, children from all over the globe appear like seeds carried on a breeze, and each presents Rose with a bright paper flower. Soon Rose a real flower grows among the paper ones, and her garden becomes the community’s garden. This book is a tribute to Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy and the creation of the Greenway Conservancy and Park in Boston.

Publisher: Candlewick; 1 edition (October 13, 2009)
ISBN-13: 978-0763646417

A true classic with a timeless message, The Story of Ferdinand has enchanted readers since it was first published in 1936. All the other bulls would run and jump and butt their heads together. But Ferdinand would rather sit and smell the flowers. So what will happen when our pacifist hero is picked for the bullfights in Madrid? This is the original version of the story; the 2017 movie was an adaption from the book.

Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers; Library Binding edition (January 1, 1936)
ISBN-13: 978-0670674244

In a great green room, tucked away in bed, is a little bunny. “Goodnight room, goodnight moon.” And to all the familiar things in the softly lit room—to the picture of the three little bears sitting on chairs, to the clocks and his socks, to the mittens and the kittens, to everything one by one—the little bunny says goodnight.

Publisher: HarperCollins; Anniversary edition (January 23, 2007)
ISBN-13: 978-0060775858

Happiness, sadness, bravery, anger, shyness…our hearts can feel so many feelings! Some make us feel as light as a balloon, others as heavy as an elephant. “In My Heart” children learn a new vocabulary that helps them to identify and describe their own feelings. This book celebrates the milestones of a toddler’s emotional development, from conquering fears to expressing feelings.

Publisher: Harry N. Abrams; 1 edition (October 14, 2014)
ISBN-13: 978-1419713101

This book follows two families – one White, one Black – as they discuss a police shooting of a Black man in their community. The story aims to answer children’s questions about such traumatic events, and to help children identify and counter racial injustice in their own lives.

Publisher: Magination Press; 1 edition (April 4, 2018)
ISBN-13: 978-1433828546

A garden is the setting for this nearly wordless book about the adventures of a garden gnome. A young girl plays with the garden gnome along with her dolls and stuffed animals. As she plays a stuffed bear tumbles unnoticed from her red wagon. After an enjoyable day, the child puts the garden gnome back where it belongs and takes her playthings home. At night, the gnome comes to life, tending the garden and caring for all the animals. The gnome finds the lost bear and delivers him to the child’s bedroom windowsill. But when the sun comes up he returns to his spot in the garden as a statue.

Publisher: Dial; F edition (March 1, 2001)
ISBN-13: 978-0803725317

Isabela, a young island girl who loves to wear her many colored ribbons. One day, when no one can play with her, Isabela takes a basket full of her hair ribbons up into to a tree and ties them to the branches and she is swept away on a marvelous adventure that takes her on an fantastic undersea adventure with wonderful ocean playmates. Later Isabela throws the ribbons down to the children who have gathered below the tree and everyone plays delighted with all the ribbons. This story celebrates the power of imagination.

Publisher: Philomel; Stated First Edition edition (September 12, 1995)
ISBN-13: 978-0399227721

Dreamers is a celebration of the many gifts people bring with them when they leave their homes, resilience, dreams, hopes and history. It’s a story to remind us that we are all dreamers, bringing our own strengths wherever we roam. It’s about finding your way in a new place, of navigating an unfamiliar world and finding the best parts of it. Beautiful and powerful at any time, this is a story that is both topical and timeless.

Publisher: Neal Porter Books (September 4, 2018)
ISBN-13: 978-0823440559

In a park one day, a girl, boy, and their grandfather enjoy observing the busy activities of the creatures around them…Everything is in such a hurry, busy as busy can be. The birds are flying so fast, the dragonfly is zooming over the water—even the trees are waving their leaves. So what if we sit here, you next to me…This book gently encourages children to find comfort in their own quiet moments.

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers (October 9, 2018)
ISBN-13: 978-1481477543

This book tackles the subject of diversity and acceptance for the youngest readers. It’s a powerful book for children about celebrating differences. It introduces children not to be colorblind, but to recognize and embrace the differences of all people. We need to appreciate our unique differences and also understand that what matters most is not our differences, but what we do together as friends, as families, as coworkers, as citizens.

Publisher: Feiwel & Friends (September 19, 2017)
ISBN-13: 978-1250107091

Following a young boy’s journey through life, this classic story “The North Star” is an allegory that raises questions about which road we take, and how to seek our own path through life. The boy learns along his journey that he needs to look to his own star and follow his own path for happiness and a fulfilling life.

Publisher: Candlewick; Library Binding edition (April 14, 2009)
ISBN-13: 978-0763636777

Down in the big construction site, all of the favorite trucks are facing their biggest job yet and need the help of new construction friends to get it done. “Mighty, Mighty Construction Site” teaches kids that when working as a team, even a big job seems small! They find out that with teamwork, nothing is impossible.

Publisher: Chronicle Books (February 14, 2017)
ISBN-13: 978-1452152165