For Other Professionals
Books by Theme
A Pet Spectacular
Cats, dogs, even ants!… kids love their pets. See this month's list of recommended books for children ages 0-9 for new and old favorite stories about pet pals with four legs, six legs, and no legs at all. Read and laugh together with Perfectly Martha or revisit the classic tale, The Cricket in Times Square. Either way, it's a pet spectacular!
What has six legs, is very strong, always busy, and probably lives in your neighborhood? The ant, of course! Find out more about this small insect, then try your hand at some ant-related projects. Clear photographs and readable text in this attractive book will start your ant-venture. (For an ant’s eye view of the insect world in photographs, take a look at In Front of the Ant: Walking with Beetles and Other Insects by Ryuichi Kuwahara).
When Mama announces that the relatives are coming and starts the flurry of preparations, Baby Bubba and his dog, Beau take refuge down in the mud hole. Big Bubba finds them, washes them and dresses Baby Bubba in a brand new stiff sailor suit. When Cousin Arlene, wearing a frilly dress, and her yippy little dog, Bitsy, arrive, the foursome find paradise in the mud hole. Comic illustrations add to the understated text for a satisfying, funny, and recognizable family story with a decidedly Texas twinkle.
Buster is happy being an only dog and finds that he is fearful of the new addition, a small white kitten named Betty. Buster learns, however, that being a friend is special in its own happy and unique way.
When a boa constrictor arrives as a gift from her son, the old woman enjoys his company. She soon learns, though, that Crictor is more than just an unusual pet. From helping her teach her students the alphabet to capturing unscrupulous burglars, Crictor's special talents earn him the friendship and thanks of the entire town.
No one would want to meet a greedy cat like this! A very hungry and especially greedy cat eats a series of animals and people – "Gobble, gobble, slip, slop" – until clever crabs help them all find a way out. A quite contrite cat promises never to be greedy again in this lively and handsomely illustrated retelling of a traditional tale.
Mama has three kittens. Fluffy and Skinny do things when their mama does, but not Boris who marches to his beat. Readers will recognize themselves in this satisfying and brilliantly colored picture book.
The entire town is scammed by the new Perfect Pup Institute but not Martha. She discovers that the partners who run it are using the RoboRover Brain Stopper and saves the day (and the dogs). As all of the Martha tales, this is told and illustrated with lots of humor and verve.
Bob and Joan’s white puppy, Sam, is bored, so she decides to join the kids when they board the school bus. The children try to hide Sam, but she wants to play. Sam reluctantly returns home with Joan and Bob, but only after deciding that puppies need school, too!
When a cat’s elderly mistress dies, he finds himself an outcast, soon forgotten. He begins a lonely journey, traveling across a lush country. When the tired cat comes to a stone cottage by the edge of the sea, he finds a new home with children who love him. Rich paintings combine with a lyrical text in this evocative saga.
When Chester Cricket accidentally finds himself in a New York subway, he is befriended by a worldly mouse and cat. Before returning to his Connecticut home, Chester becomes Mario Bellini’s special pet and helps save Bellini's Times Square newsstand with his very special talent.
A cactus just isn’t much company, but it’s all Elizabeth has for a pet since her parents won’t budge on the issue; no dog, no cat, and a horse is just unthinkable. But then Elizabeth meets Doug, a bug found on the rug. Has she finally found the perfect pet?
More than anything, Peter wanted to whistle for his dog Willie. But try as he might, he could not do it. One day, after lots of practice, he surprises Willie and his family! Peter's memorable story is told in simple text and highly textured collage illustrations.
Proceeds from the sale of books purchased at Amazon.com help support the Reading Rockets project. Thank you!
