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A surprise box is delivered to the very grumpy Elephant. In it, he discovers a host of hats which he shares with his animal friends to improve their grumpiness, too. Flat forms on open pages make this a true celebration of friendship — and hats!

When a boy’s dragon goes missing in New York City, he goes out in search of it. Readers can explore the city sights while counting from one dragon to 20 lanterns. Illustrations use black line to create texture with color to define the objects counted.

More than 40 years ago, Spier won a Caldecott Honor for his illustrations of this traditional folk song. In it, a fox cheerfully poaches the farmer’s geese. Now the artist has added color to original black/white illustrations, enlivening the tale for a new generation. Music and additional verses are included.

Flora dances on a thick sheet of ice with a penguin companion who appears from a hole in the ice. Humor and movement are enhanced by the gentle depiction of fluid girl and bird body language, and through the unique perspectives shown. Glued-in flaps and fold-outs add another dimension and a bit of surprise.

Meet animals like the cow in informative rhymes and cartoon illustrations. Turn half the page and make a “pow” — half pig, half cow. Funny critters emerge with each half page turn. See and read the poem about another farm animal when pages match.

Three little pigs named Sweet Pea, Nibbles and Clean Bean, try to be big, bigger, biggest as they “flopped and plopped…muddled and puddled…walloped and wallowed” until stopped by their mother. Comic illustration and lively language make a fun farm tale.

When the bats awaken from winter hibernation, not only do their stomachs grumble, they are hungry for music! The latest in this series presents the varied music interests of very likable (and rather human) bats.

Familiar animals and their young are presented in a game-like board book that engages and informs. The text on the parent’s page and colors provide clues as young children turn smaller pages to identify the puppy, hatchling, kitten, hamster and fish. Forest animals are presented in a companion book, You Are My Baby: Woodland (opens in a new window) (Chronicle).

Getting ready for bedtime means getting tucked in, but whose “two little eyes [are] shining at me”? Do they belong to the curly haired child, the rabbit toy or maybe the dog? Rhyming text and gentle illustrations present a charming bedtime ritual.

To begin the family frolic, the bald, comically illustrated but appealing baby asserts, “I am NOT ticklish!” Father and child are joined by mom and pets until it’s time to start again. The same baby and family explore bodily noises in Toot (opens in a new window) (Candlewick).

A duckling is afraid to swim but with the continued encouragement of his parents and siblings makes the plunge. Surprisingly expressive photographs and the duckling’s rhyming narrative convey emotions ranging from trepidation to the joy of success.

How do animals greet everyone? With woofs and meows for a big hello! Beginning with a dog’s “licky and loud … bow-wow-wow-wow!” the split pages hide the sounds until the turn — sure to delight young readers. Bold, colorful illustrations exude joy and spirit.

Charlie, a young British soldier, tells of an experience he had on a battlefield in France in 1914. Based on an actual event during World War I — framed by the fictional soldier’s letter to his mother and illustrated by evocative illustrations — a touching bit of history is brought to light for younger but sophisticated readers.

Stink would have preferred a trip to James Madison’s home but is happy when his parents win a sleepover at the aquarium. At the aquarium, Stink likes learning about sharks and other creatures but he still finds it kind of creepy. Share the evening with Stink and his family, learning and laughing.

Richard has put off his report on howler monkeys and now he’s got to get a note from his teacher signed. It surely will thwart his plans to attend the skateboard birthday party! How Richard resolves his dilemma is as realistic as the kids and adults in this engaging, contemporary tale.

The children first introduced in Journey (opens in a new window) begin another imaginative adventure armed with magic markers that add color to an otherwise monotone world. No words are needed as this visual voyage stands on its own and is sure to encourage multiple examinations.

Can science find a peaceful resolution to the discord between Scientist’s friends, Viking and Pirate? Using the scientific method, Scientist demonstrates that it can be achieved! Comic illustrations and jaunty text not only show how the intersection of interests can lead to an unlikely friendship, but also introduce some science concepts.

Grandma Lou joins Judy, Stink and their parents to ride out a hurricane. When the power is off, does a pretzel-eating ghost join the family? Characteristic good humor, recognizable situations and likeable characters are hallmarks of this series.

A farmer and his wife longed for a child and miraculously got one who they named Issum Boshi, the One-Inch Boy. Though small, Issum Boshi proved his bravery in this Japanese tale. Imaginative illustrations suggest art from both the East and the West bring the hero into focus.

Tales translated into English from Danish author Hans Christian Andersen have become part of the oral tradition and adapted into movies and more. Faithful versions of some of the best-known tales have been compiled anew, delicately illustrated and presented in a handsome volume. Be warned, however, Andersen’s endings are not always happy!

Offley is a vibrant street where a delightful white mouse named Hermelin lives and narrates his story. Using an old manual typewriter, Hermelin shares how he solves mysteries and even saves a baby — and ultimately finds a human friend and partner. Humor abounds in the clever illustration and narrative in Hermelin’s appealing saga.

Will Freddie Ramos’ super-power shoes work in the snowstorm? Not to worry! Inventor/maintenance man Mr. Vaslov has invented superpower snowshoes — just in time to help Freddie fight crime. The latest in the series is equally charming and highly readable.

The Beaver Brothers in all their silliness are back for another madcap adventure. This time, Ace and Bub decide to hit the ski slopes on their winter vacation. As with others in the series, nothing goes quite as planned. Fans of the zany comic book beavers will again find lots of chuckles here.

On a sunny summer day long ago, a boy planted an acorn. From that grew an oak tree that survived for more than two centuries until it was felled by lightning. Simple but lush illustrations depict the evolution of the world surrounding the oak and how it remained useful in the “furniture, firewood and mulch.” And soon, another oak begins to grow.