Fabulous Award-Nominated Picture Books

How I Became a Pirate by Melinda Long

Excerpt from the front flap of the book:

    When Braid Beard's pirate crew invites Jeremy Jacob to join their voyage, he jumps right on board.  Buried treasure, sea chanteys, pirate curses -- who wouldn't go along?

     Soon Jeremy Jacob knows all about being a pirate.  He throws his food across the table and his manners to the wind.  He hollers like thunder and laughs off bedtime.  It's the heave-ho, blow-the-man-down, very best time of his life.

    But then Jeremy Jacob finds out what pirates don't do....

    Caldecott Honor illustrator David Shannon teams up with Melinda Long for a hilarious look at the finer points of pirate life.  Shiver me timbers -- it's a pirate adventure!

Miss Smith's Incredible Storybook by Michael Garland

Excerpt from the front flap of the book:

    Zack is sure second grade will be boring, but that's before he meets his intriguing new teacher.  Miss Smith has a knack for telling tales -- when she reads to the class from her incredible book, the stories seem to literally spring to life.  First there are dueling pirates on the high seas, then a shady forest and the adventures of the Big Bad Wolf.  After each tale ends, the fantastic characters slip back into Miss Smith's mysterious book, leaving Zack and his classmates wide-eyed with wonder.

     When Miss Smith is late one day, the principal takes over story time...and flees in terror from a fire-breathing dragon!  The kids are in charge, and their school is soon swarming with rowdy creatures and familiar folktale friends.  It's a morning of high-spirited fun for all...until pirates hoist their Jolly Roger on the roof.  Before his class is ordered to walk the plank, Zack knows it's up to him to rein in the storybook gone berserk.

    Michael Garland's dazzling, action-packed artwork showcases a tale of high adventure inspired by the magic of reading and one spectacular teacher.

Ruby in Her Own Time by Jonathan Emmett

This is a really cute book about a duckling who takes her own time to develop and accomplish feats that her other siblings do much quicker than her.  It's a great book to reinforce with kids that everyone does things when they're ready and to not feel pressure about doing something more slowly than others.

The Perfect Pet by Margie Palatini

Excerpt from the front flap of the book:

     Elizabeth really, really wants a pet, but her parents say NO to all of her ideas.  Instead, she ends up with a cactus called Carolyn.  And after some very unsuccessful campaigning, to her wonderful surprise, Elizabeth encounters Doug -- surely the most unusual and special pet of all.

    Even Carolyn agrees.

    Margie Palatini and Bruce Whatley team up for a wacky picture book that handles a topic every parent and child will relate to -- choosing that just perfect pet.

The Teddy Bear by David McPhail 

Excerpt from the front flap of the book:

    A little boy and his teddy bear were always together.  Every night, when the little boy went to sleep, his teddy bear was right there next to him.  When the little boy went on a trip, his teddy bear went, too -- until one terrible day when the teddy bear was left behind....

    This is the wonderful story of a friend who is lost and found and lost and found again, and of a little boy who begins to understand the meaning of compassion.