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Max, a boy, and Pinky, a pig, capture the imagination of young readers. Kids love this book, but teachers and parents will also enjoy reading it in class or at home. Max and Pinky has the engaging universal theme of friendship.

Perfect for: Kids who like making friends.

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Anatole is a story of honor and one anthropomorphic mouse’s search for self-respect. Just a simple family mouse, Anatole is a hard-worker and gentle friend with high ideals. Rather than giving in and accepting what seems to be the lowly lot of mice in Paris, which would be the easy thing to do, he is determined to become something more honorable. Intent on earning what he eats, he becomes a “mouse of action!” and gains the respect of everyone around him. The first of ten Anatole adventures, Anatole was originally published in 1956 and won the Caldecott Award.

Perfect for: Kids who like to challenge the odds.

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The hook: When Holabird and Craig teamed up to create the first Angelina Ballerina picture book in 1983, no one could have dreamt how long this little mouse with big dreams would endure. This lovely tale about New Year’s Eve party plans gone awry doesn’t disappoint. Still filled with dancing (this time on the ice) and friendship, Angelina’s newest escapade is sure to fill your child with winter wonder.

Perfect for: Kids who like adventure stories.

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Hilarious Seussian text and zany pictures to match. A great pleasure to read aloud. Questions the wisdom of tampering with nature. May prompt discussion about weather. The merits of apologizing are pointed out through well-crafted writing.

Perfect for: Kids who like humor stories.

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When “a” tells “b” and “c”, “d” and “e” to meet at the top of the coconut tree, all of the alphabet joins in the rollicking adventure. Too many vowels and consonants bring a crash that calls mamas, papas, uncles and aunts (the capital letters, of course) to the rescue. Skit Skat Skoodle Doot, Flip Flop Flee, no sooner are the little letters comforted and consoled than the rhyming tale begins anew with a moonlight challenge: “Dare double dare, you can’t catch me. I’ll beat you to the top of the coconut tree!”

Perfect for: Kids who like humor stories.

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The hook: Corduroy, a teddy bear who has always wanted a friend, goes searching all around the department store where he lives for the missing button on his overalls. Happily, his new friend Lisa finds him, delivers him to his new home, and sews on a new button. In all of his little adventures into the big world, Corduroy finds the wonder in everyday things — even mattresses and laundry mats.

Perfect for the curious little bears in all of us.

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Cornelius P. Mud takes care of bedtime rituals in a very unusual way, by feeding cookies to his fish and putting his toys in the refrigerator. Children love the illustrations that tell what Cornelius does when he answers mother’s question.

Perfect for: Kids who like humor stories.

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Marvin the ape has escaped from the zoo and is fitting into everyday life quite nicely. Will the zoo find him before one of the other animals follows suit?

Perfect for: Kids who like mysteries.

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The fairy folk of the winter season are celebrated in this beloved classic passed down from generation to generation. First published in the 1920s and now reissued in a keepsake hardcover edition, Barker’s original artwork and poetry are preserved in this unique combination of naturalism and fantasy. Both a charming read-aloud and a book your young one will choose as a lifelong favorite.

Perfect for: Kids who like classics.

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When each animal faces a moment that threatens to ruin his day, we can all empathize. The sad eyes of the bird, dog, fox and squirrel look up at us, stunned at the fact that something has gone wrong in each of their worlds. And we feel for them. But then … “But then” are two words that change the world. Life does move on, things turn around and what seemed like a bad day is suddenly good. And, to top it all off, what had created the fleeting disappointment in one world actually adds to happiness in another. What a great lesson! And what a beautiful book! Keith Henke is an award-winning author/illustrator who knows how to zero in on important lessons and is not afraid to try new things. His creative works range from the simplicity of this book for tots to the bubbly, well-loved Lily books to moving stories for older kids. This is among his best.

Perfect for: Kids who are optimistic.

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It’s easy to see why this book about a young girl’s trips to her grandparents’ house was awarded the Caldecott Medal for best picture book illustrations. The bright, mixed-media images capture both a childlike energy and the warmth of a loving family. Young readers will recognize their own favorite family rituals as they watch the unnamed narrator count stars with her grandma from inside the kitchen window, or see her grandfather very seriously preparing her oatmeal for breakfast. This is a charming book that you and your kids will want to say hello to over and over again.

Perfect for: Kids who like to spend time with their grandparents.

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Fun dinosaur characters explain important facts about friendship. Through silly illustrations, the authors explore different ways to make friends and appropriate ways to cope with difficult situations and emotions such as arguments, bullying, and rejection.

Perfect for: Helping kids learn about friendship.

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A sweetly written nostalgic book. Singsong rhyming verse combined with the familiar blue engine helps us remember that anything is possible if you persevere. Younger children may need help understanding the greater meanings behind each rhyming verse. This book encourages children to believe in themselves.

Perfect for: Kids who like adventure stories.

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This gentle, rhyming story about a boy who is a regular visitor to the king and queen is sure to be one of your child’s favorites. Each time he goes for a visit, he politely asks to bring a friend. Each time the king and queen tell him that any friend of his is welcome — though his choice of friends will surprise and amuse your child.

Perfect for: Kids who like creative solutions.

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Millie the Cow loves to scare the mailman every day. When Millie’s tricks leave him in a mess, she learns to love something new. Children make many text-to-self connections to Millie and her silly tricks and hiding places.

Perfect for: Kids who doesn’t like to wait.

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Books that encourage a child to interact with the text are the perfect way to foster a love of reading. In Monkey and Me, a little girl and her toy monkey love to imitate animals. The book employs a rhyming refrain and charming illustrations that encourage the reader to play along. Start by reading Monkey and Me together and be amazed when you see your child reading it alone again and again.

Perfect for: Kids who like humor stories.

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With its strong artistic lines, simple text and uplifting message, My Friend Rabbit is a book that should be a part of every young child’s library. How to play with the big kids, how to share a treasured toy and how to solve problems for yourself are the primary themes. Whether or not people will still be your friends when you mess up is another. All of this is addressed in the simple, supportive friendship of Rabbit and Mouse. Their relationship and Rabbit’s shenanigans bring to mind other mischievous but well-meaning characters such as Curious George, the Cat in the Hat and, of course, the Froggy from the series by Jonathan London. Caldecott Award winner.

Perfect for: Kids who making friends.

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In this book, kids will get a first glimpse of how their everyday observations are connected to the larger life of the planet. Karas takes readers on “a giant ride in space/spinning like a merry-go-round” With minimal text, the book explains in words and colorful pictures the Earth’s daily and yearly cycles. Although the concepts are complex, children will get a rudimentary explanation of the orbit, rotation and tilt of planet Earth, gravity, why we have seasons, and what happens as day turns into night. Vocabulary is simple for early readers, but because the scientific concepts are complex, some adult explanation will be welcome.

Perfect for: Kids who like science and nature.

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This is a story about Jack, a cat who builds the perfect nest to get the perfect egg for his omelet. However, Jack winds up with more than he bargained for. Students will enjoy making predictions about what they think will happen next.

Perfect for: Kids who like to humor stories.

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Preschoolers and kindergartners are sure to fall in love with this rhythmic read aloud. If your little one is mesmerized by animals of the jungle, then this book is a must have. Travel on a jungle adventure with a small group of ants and see what wild animals you may encounter. Could it be a lion, a zebra or an elephant, too? Look inside and a surprise is waiting for you.

Perfect for: Kids who like fantasy stories.

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Snowflakes fall one by one, slowly covering the city in a beautiful white blanket. Your child will enjoy this story as one boy celebrates the joys of a new snowfall. Simple text and wonderful illustrations make this award-winner perfect for a young audience.

Perfect for: Kids who like science and nature.

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No one illustrates the cozy comforts of winter better than Jan Brett. In her newest picture book, she retells the favorite children’s story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears with an Arctic Inuit twist. As is Brett’s practice, intricately drawn side panels convey more details of the story. This is a book to be read and discovered again and again.

Perfect for: Kids who like classics.

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Don’t all parents and toddlers wish bedtime went this smoothly! Although the rituals are romanticized — devoid of tantrums or battles of wills — children will love the tenderness and safety this story provides. The simple, flowing text encourages children, even those with limited language skills, to repeat rhyming words and peaceful passages. Calming illustrations capture universal rituals of snuggling, playing, eating, bathing, a bedtime story and a lullaby song. Children and their working parents will find this ideal environment comforting.

Perfect for: Kids love bedtime stories.

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