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Rabbit’s carefully planned sleepover with Robot doesn’t work out exactly as he imagined in this offbeat tale about two comically mismatched friends — a rabbit who likes to be in control and an obliging robot who calmly keeps their friendship humming.

Will Timmy and Total no longer be detecting partners? Readers will find out the fate of the dynamic duo in this fourth, funny, highly illustrated and certainly not final installment in the Timmy Failure series.

In Timmy and Total Failure’s third adventure, the detective and his sidekick vie with their arch nemesis to find the mythical, magical, “Miracle Project.” The Miracle Project, they think, assures the finder of an “A” (with multiple pluses, of course) in all schoolwork.

Timmy Failure and his trusty sidekick, Total, are back for another adventure. Here, Timmy and Total are on the trail of a stolen globe.

Timmy is an imaginative (if delusional) 11-year old who fancies himself a stellar detective with his sidekick, Total (a 1500-pound polar bear) at his side. Fans of heavily illustrated, almost graphic novels are sure to respond to the dark humor in this first of a series about Timmy and his antics

The cast of the Pastis syndicated comic strip, Pearls Before Swine, share adventures in this comic book collection of slightly irreverent, always funny strips.

The Croc family is on a never-ending mission to eat Rat, Pig, Goat, and Zebra. Fans of graphic novels (or comic collections such as Calvin and Hobbes) and of the Timmy Failure series are sure to enjoy this collection.

Each section of the first in the Pearls Before Swine collections is organized by each of the strip’s characters: Rat, Goat, Zebra, Croc and Pig. Understated humor is evident in the line drawings and minimal language create an accessible, offbeat humor just right for middle schoolers.

A child can be as quiet as a cricket, as small as an ant or as big as a whale on the path from toddler to childhood. Lyrical metaphors and realistic illustrations combine for a celebration of the sometimes contradictory process of growing up.   

Young readers share short, humorous escapades with Piggy Pie Po, a large-eared porcine hero. Lively illustrations and vivacious, rhyming illustration make this an adventure to share more than once.

Little pigs play on pudgy fingers in this inventive and playful illustrated rhyme. Young children and adults are sure to enjoy reading and re-reading the book and slow down to examine the colorful paintings.

Sleepers, both human and four-legged, pile atop of each other in this clever cumulative rhyme. Rich illustrations evoke the evening setting and provide humorous personalities to the drowsy granny and her companions.

A small mouse tries to protect its lovely strawberry from a big hungry – but always “off stage” – bear. The narrative directly addresses readers, complemented by colorful illustrations of a charismatic mouse with large ears and an expressive face.

A mother warns her seven children not to open the door in her absence, but alas, the children are duped by a tricky witch named Heckedy Peg. Their mother’s wisdom, however, cleverly saves the day. Told in the cadence of a folktale, this richly illustrated tale makes a fine read aloud.

While others in his court have tried, only the young page is able to dislodge King Bidgood from his bubbly bathtub. Rich illustration (which won a Caldecott Honor) and a rhyming text depict an elegant Elizabethan period in this rib-tickling tale. 

Residents of the napping house are anything but sleepy; in fact, the full moon shining brightly is making them restless! With rich, rhyming language and playful paintings, this cumulative tale is a worthy companion to the creators’ early (and quite opposite book), The Napping House. 

From sending invitations to preparing party games, the queen makes certain that all is just perfect for an upcoming birthday party. Whose birthday is it? Her daughter’s! Bouncy illustrations and a relaxed text are sure to inspire party planners everywhere.

Short poems and gentle illustrations present seasons almost as a journal. Each entry captures natural beauty and emotions that often accompany them. For example the March 13 entry: “politely/but tired of mittens/I asked winter to please tell the snow/thank you very much, but no”.

The author successfully creates a picture in the title of each poem (they are concrete or shape poems, after all!) followed by the poems in which are “pictures with words.” The result is a creative, playful collection of concrete poetry.

Cars from one to ten line up to race in this rhythmic countdown. The rhyming text is a lively accompaniment to stylized illustrations and the final “GO!” as colorful vehicles zoom through the pages.

The alphabet is used to introduce animals of the cloud forest and its most recently discovered resident, the elusive olinguito. Handsome illustrations and brief information appear in both Spanish and English as does more complete information at this stunning book’s conclusion.

A town transforms from dreary to delighted when a night gardener provides a new topiary to be seen each day. Muted colors in highly detailed illustration depict the impact of the creative gardener on the townspeople as they enjoy the outdoors.

Familiar rhymes and ditties are set in a city by clever photo-collage images. The diverse casts of characters bring new life to poems appealing and appropriate for the youngest listener.

Don’t toss that tube, use it to create! Clearly presented ideas for crafts, games and other activities are displayed in this well organized, accessible book – a creative way to recycle and reuse “trash.”