Featured books by Rosemary Wells
Reading Rockets recommends the following books by Rosemary Wells.
Bunny Cakes
Max and Ruby prepare for Grandma’s birthday as they bake a cake and look for the perfect present in these companion books. The distinct personality of each bunny sibling comes through loud and clear in these humorous stories that introduce important concepts.
Bunny Mail
When Ruby sends out invitations to a party, Max sends out his own which are delivered to Grandma. Children are encouraged to participate by lifting the flaps in this sturdy, colorful book. They'll try to figure out the meaning of Max’s messages and may even be inspired to write their own letters in this latest Max and Ruby jaunt.
Bunny Money
Bunny siblings, Max and Ruby, want to get their grandmother the perfect present. Ruby’s full wallet slowly empties as their shopping expeditions require a trip to the Laundromat, a snack and more! Young readers can copy endpapers with funny bunny money to “spend” and count along with the indomitable Max and Ruby.
Emily's First 100 Days of School
On the first day of school, Emily's teacher, Miss Cribbage, tells the class that they will make a new number friend every day for the first 100 days of school. Everyone will have a number book in which to write numerical discoveries and musings. From day one to day 100, Emily and her classmates expand their creative and mathematical skills as they immerse themselves in the exciting early days of school.
Hazel's Amazing Mother
The power of maternal love fuels this fantasy. Hazel, a whimsical badger who wears a girl's wide-brimmed hat, blouse and skirt, strolls her doll around town. On the way home, she becomes lost. She is set upon by buck-toothed beaver Doris and her two friends, who unstuff her doll and throw her carriage into the lake. Just in time, a gust of wind blows mother into the tree under which Hazel stands, and the bullies are ordered to repair the doll and retrieve her carriage.
If You Believe in Me
A small bear knows it can do almost anything — from cartwheels to swimming — “when you say/you believe in me.” Wells’ signature illustrations and a warm, easy rhyming narrative present an affirming book on the relationship between a child and their adult.
Ivy Takes Charge
Ivy lives on a Nevada ranch with her parents. During the summer of 1949, with her best friend gone, Ivy's gentle ways and affinity for animals leads to unexpected adventures and a job with a veterinarian, causing Ivy to dream of one day becoming one.
Lincoln and His Boys
The voices of Abraham Lincoln's sons, Willie and Tad, are used effectively to reveal their father as both a man and as a leader during very difficult times.
Love
A baby Max thoroughly enjoys his daily routine. He loves everyone and each activity — from waking up in his crib to driving in a car but he especially loves the one who makes his jelly toast! Repetition in a catchy cadence combines with Wells' signature illustrations in a sturdy, uncluttered format to share with the youngest.
Love Waves
Children and their parents are always connected by love — even when they are apart — shown in this gentle book by sparkly "love waves" sent from parent to child to parent.
Mary on Horseback: Three Mountain Stories
Three fictionalized narratives create a biography of Mary Breckenridge, the founder of the Frontier Nursing Service in Appalachia, and vividly detail the hardship of mountain life.
Max and Ruby in Pandora's Box
When Max invades his sister's private space, Ruby tells him the story of what happened long ago to another too-curious character named Pandora. Wells' retelling and humorous illustrations make the ancient Greek myth a timely tale for contemporary readers.
Max and Ruby's Bedtime Book
Max, Ruby, and friends are back for a series of short everyday adventures. They cook and open a restaurant, learn to swim and save a special buddy, and more. Humorous, textured illustrations in a large format are just right for bedtime (or anytime) sharing.
Max and Ruby's Treasure Hunt
Rain spoils Max and Ruby (and friends) outdoor plans but their clever grandmother's treasure hunt more than makes up for it. Clues in the form of traditional rhymes are numbered, hidden beneath small but sturdy flaps as well as in the spot art are sure to make this a modern classic.
Max Board Books
Max is a determined three-year-old bunny, while his big sister, Ruby, is a smart, goal-oriented seven-year-old. Although the two siblings squabble as siblings often will, they usually manage to come to an agreement by the end of each of these satisfying stories.
Max's Bunny Business
Ruby and her friend sell lemonade in order to buy matching rings. When Max's help is rebuffed, he sells leftover Halloween candy to Grandma in time to buy the last ring. Good-natured competition and lots of humor make this another Max and Ruby winner.
Max's Dragon Shirt
Ruby has five dollars to buy Max a new pair of much needed pants, but Max wants the dragon shirt. The trip to the department store holds adventure and surprises at least for Ruby!
Max's First Word
No matter how hard Ruby tries to get her baby brother to say the names of the objects around him, Max will only say “Bang!” One day, however, Ruby gets a big surprise from Max’s first real word. Understated humor and bright, bold illustrations appeal to children and their adults.
My Kindergarten
Introduce young readers to a kindergarten filled with activities and great fun, from making a museum of treasured objects to celebrating holidays. Current kindergarteners will draw connections to their own experience in school, and younger children will look forward to their turn.
On the Blue Comet
The Great Depression changed everything for 11-year-old Oscar and his widowed dad. Oscar's prized model trains are sold, his dad leaves Illinois to find work in California, and Oscar begins an adventure through time and places after he jumps onto a model train.
Otto Runs for President
When Otto runs for school presidency, he must defeat some underhanded techniques used by his opponents. What might convince the students that Otto is the best candidate for the job?
Read to Your Bunny
From best-selling author/illustrator Rosemary Wells comes a charming, rhyming story that children will want to hear again and again. An invitation for parents and children to read together every day, this picture book promises: Read to your bunny often, and your bunny will read to you.
Stella's Starliner
Stella loves her silver starliner — a mobile home — until she's teased about living in a trailer. When other kids think her home is gorgeous, Stella comes to appreciate what they see and feels pride, actually like a "squillionaire!" Signature illustrations effectively convey Stella's rollercoaster emotions and the ultimate comfort of friends, family and home.
Tallchief: America's Prima Ballerina
Maria Tallchief shares the story of her childhood and path to becoming America's first prima ballerina. Growing up on the Osage Indian reservation, Maria was a gifted pianist and dancer, but at the age of twelve, her father told her that she must choose between dance and music. Maria chose ballet, changing the course of her life and the face of classical ballet in America.
The Man in the Woods
After witnessing a car accident, Helen follows a suspect into the woods. Did the suspect spot her? Did the police arrest the right person? Helen and her friend Pinky are going to find out.
Time-Out for Sophie
Exasperated Mama and Daddy put Sophie in time-out when she dumps her dinner and tosses the clean laundry. But when Granny puts herself in time-out during their book-sharing, Sophie straightens up. Text and illustration capture a young child’s tenacious behavior and her adults’ reactions, sure to be recognized by all.
Timothy Goes to School
Wearing his brand-new, mom-made sunsuit, Timothy is all set for the first day of school. It looks like nothing can spoil this exciting moment until perfect Claude shows up in his jacket and tie.
Voyage to the Bunny Planet
This boxed set from the creator of the inimitable Max consists of three beguiling volumes: First Tomato, Moss Pillows and The Island Light. In each, an endearing bunny is having a bad day. Just when it seems that matters can get no worse, each bunny is transported to an extraordinary locale: the Bunny Planet. Here the beleaguered bunnies are treated to the day that should have been, and their halcyon activities are described in soothing rhymed couplets.
Yoko
In this first book about Yoko, she and her classmates learn to appreciate her Japanese heritage as well as their own backgrounds. This and other Yoko books introduce young readers to familiar issues in colorful illustration and relatable language.
Yoko Writes Her Name
Yoko is ready for kindergarten! She can write her name, write numbers, and read stories. There is only one problem, though — she does it all in Japanese, and her classmates make fun of her scribbles. Can her new friend convince her that knowing a secret language isn't such a bad thing after all? Wells offers a loving, empathetic story that young ELLs will easily relate to, as well as a thoughtful portrayal of a teacher who embraces her young student's native language in the classroom.
Yoko's Show and Tell
Yoko disobeys her mother by taking her special Japanese doll to school and is heartsick when it is broken. Her mother reassures Yoko that she loves her in spite of her mistake and takes Miki to a doll hospital for repair. Textured, evocative illustrations effectively convey feelings and Yoko's Japanese heritage.
Books illustrated by Rosemary Wells
Getting to Know You! Rogers and Hammerstein Favorites
This curious little picture book sets out to accomplish the odd but surprisingly worthwhile task of assembling some classic Rodgers & Hammerstein lyrics into a kid-friendly, sing-along format. You might need to hit the video store to recall the tune to a few of these, but most of the 16 songs should be memorable enough to get you singing within the first few words. For the rest, there's a staple-bound songbook tucked into the back cover, which includes sheet music and complete lyrics for all the songs.
Here Comes Mother Goose
More than 50 well-known nursery rhymes such as "1, 2, Buckle My Shoe," "Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary," and "Old Mother Hubbard" are included, along with some less familiar but equally engaging ones like "One-ery, two-ery, tickery, ten,/Bobs of vinegar, gentlemen." The book's large size makes it perfect for lap-sit reading and an alphabetical index by first line provides easy access to favorite selections.
My Very First Mother Goose
This spritely collection of both familiar and less well known rhymes is presented in an oversized format just right for sharing. Young children will likely examine lighthearted, detailed illustrations as they extend the rhymes' action with verve and humor.
On the Go with Mother Goose
Traditional nursery rhymes, some familiar, others not so familiar, appear in a compact, sturdy collection appealingly illustrated with a host of animals in the artist’s signature style.
One, Two, Three, Mother Goose
Familiar and some not-so-familiar nursery rhymes are presented in a child-sized, sturdy format illustrated in Well’s signature style. Charming bunnies, chicks, cats and other critters in old fashioned garb and settings enliven and freshen up the ditties.
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