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A girl’s parents say she can get a do. She, of course, wants to find the perfect one which will be big, bigger … well, hairy, hairier … well … Ultimately, the perfect pup finds her for a happy ending. Exaggerated illustrations exude a lively humor in a satisfying story of finding the perfect companion.

The story of a small dog, the girl who loves her, and the girl’s struggling father come together in four acts. Brief text and detailed, black/white illustrations that appear as though in a spotlight effectively convey the daily intersections of these lives. Touching, dramatic, and gently humorous, Lucy — as the dog comes to be known — steals the show!

The day Frank went to the shelter, he got Lucky. From that day forward, boy and dog are inseparable. Together they learn science and entomology (Lucky finds burdock and ticks), reading (Lucky listens best), foreign language (Spanish and “quack”) and more. Academic subjects applied to the duo’s explorations are sure to add verve to classroom experiences revealed in detailed illustration and unassuming text. 

Each member of the Ellis family excels at something; that is, everyone except their dog, Ed. Ed’s confidence soars, however, when he’s recognized for being an excellent greeter, dropped-food-cleaner-upper, and more. Everyday activities are shown in a loving family with their insecure but loving mutt.

An imaginative girl with her trusty canine creates adventure all day by combining a variety of things. She adds water to dirt to create a huge mud puddle in which to frolic followed by “Hose + High Up = Shower.” At the end of the day, tuckered out girl + dog = best friends. Math equations and charming illustrations capture the joy of summer play.

Marty would rather spend recess catching frogs in the pond than playing dress-up with the other girls in third grade. So when her teacher casts Marty as the princess in the class play, Marty’s absolutely, positively sure that there’s been a huge mistake! But after a special lesson in the art of improvisation, Marty comes up with her own plan to improve the play. Maybe a princess in muddy sneakers can live happily ever after, after all! This is the first title in the Marty Maguire chapter book series.

Meet Ranger! He’s a time-traveling golden retriever who has a nose for trouble … and always saves the day! This is the first book in the historical fiction chapter book series titled Ranger in Time.

Charlie learns that wishes granted by a magic fish do not work as planned. In fact, Charlie learns that it sometimes takes a lot more to confront the most difficult things, including her older sister’s heroin addiction. 

Gianna Zales enjoys lots of things but doing a research project is not one of them. Achieving a balance between school work and family is presented through humorous, recognizable characters in a well-paced plot.

Middle school is stressful for everyone, especially for Ava. When she discovers her pencil can answer questions, Ava learns that there’s more to consider than just being right. Magic allows tough topics to be tackled.

Simple, everyday activities enjoyed by a father and his children become a vivacious romp as this is no ordinary family. They are, after all, alligators (though their antics are highly recognizable!) making the joy even more jubilant and the frolic more playful. 

Henry is a tireless toddler, generally outlasting each member of the family with his desire for more music, more stories, more attention!  That is until at last, the baby is tuckered out and goes to sleep with “more!” kisses from his loving family.  

A preschool child imagines that his dad goes to school to learn all the things that dads do — from making awesome snacks to telling silly stories.  But this dad and his child know that the most important job is “being my dad.”

Have you ever wondered what your dad would be like as an animal?  Siblings who usually like their real dad (except when he’s “grouchy, bossy, or just totally gross…”) imagine with very funny results their dad as various animals.

Sophisticated listeners will appreciate this touching World War II story of a disabled girl learning to respect herself in spite of her uncaring mother.

A harmonica and a bit of magic link different children from different times. 

Young possums work together to overcome the trouble they find themselves in. A lively but sweet story read with humor.

Inge Maria leaves her beloved Copenhagen to live with Dizzy, her seemingly stern grandmother. But Inge Maria brings mischief, laughter, and warmth to Bornholm, her new island home. The tale unfolds through Inge Maria’s naïve and good-natured voice.

Tuesday McGillycuddy, first introduced in Finding Serendipity is back to save stories from colliding and writers from being hurt when thrown far away from where they start. 

The “what I did on my summer vacation” will never be the same after reading what this young fellow did!  It all started when he found a message in a bottle which took him around the world from the Great Wall of China to India’s Taj Mahal. Locales both real and imagined are only noted in witty line and wash illustration.

An old horse chestnut tree observes a girl in a window – writing and petting a cat – that is, until the soldiers came. The summer the girl would have turned 82, the tree was struck by lightning, though both girl and tree live on. The lyrical story of Anne Frank is expanded by sepia toned illustrations that use delicate lines. An afterword about Anne concludes this handsome volume.

Can Suzannah bear to let Paloma, the puppy she’s cared for ever since she arrived at the shelter, be adopted into a permanent home? Her dilemma is happily resolved in the latest installment of the Shelter Pet Squad. Information about shelter dog adoptions is included at book’s end.

Hopper’s new school, Stately Academy, is more creepy than scholarly as the 12-year-old girl soon learns. But with her new friends, they discover the school’s secrets and address them through computer coding. The adventures of this multicultural cast of kids continue in Paths and Portals(opens in a new window) as the series goes on.  

Move over Nancy Drew; Sophie – better known as Sesame – Seade is on the job! Here, Sesame and her friend, Jeremy, solve the mystery of why the rowing team is getting sick. Told with humor and solid pacing, this is sure to engage light mystery fans.