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What happens to a city kid who spends the summer in the country? Sheila Tubman (aka as Peter Hatcher’s nemesis) finds out as she confronts her fears ranging from dogs to swimming. Snappy dialog and recognizable characters come to life through Sheila’s narration.

Now not only does Peter’s little brother, Fudge, decide he loves Peter’s sworn enemy, Sheila Tubman, his parents rent a vacation home with them! There, a grandparent from each family meets, fall in love, and decide to marry — making Sheila and Peter relatives. Rip-roaring humor abounds in this rollicking continuing family saga.

Princess Hyacinth has a truly unique problem. If she doesn’t wear additional weights, she’ll float off to who knows where! One day, the princess, however, takes off — literally — on her own but is rescued in an innovative way. Comic illustrations combine with an understated text for a very funny and very satisfying resolution.

A boy named Jeremy defines himself in the context of his world. The animated narrator begins by looking in the mirror and seeing a boy, and then adds brother, son, artist, writer, and more as he interacts with his family and community. The lively poem concludes with a look at a very young author and illustrator and a short list of how they self-define.

A teddy bear and a small dog share a great friendship in these three satisfying short tales. Young listeners and new readers will appreciate the gentle humor and vivid, boldly outlined illustrations in this latest Dog and Bear installment.

Beauty is a small kitten who becomes a large gorilla’s best friend as they happily share their lives together (reminiscent of Koko’s Kitten). When “King Kong” is mistreated, the gorilla smashes the television. The keepers come to remove Beauty, but Beauty signs that she broke the TV, not her friend. Realism and fantasy combine in this smart, expressive book.

A lonely child says he hates winter until he meets an angular, spiky kind of spiky fellow that covers his house with frost and ice. Together they enjoy the snowy day but Jack Frost asks his playmate to “never mention anything warm in front of me.” Limited colors and a simple text show an unusual friendship and a wintertime adventure.

Friendships come in all sizes and shapes — even among animals of different kinds. Here crisp photographs and a straightforward text chronicle the unusual friendship between a retired circus elephant named Tarra and a stray dog, Bella, who appeared at the elephant sanctuary in Tennessee. Fans of Owen and Mzee are sure to enjoy this story.

Bespectacled Sunday Chutney has an unusual name — and she’s always the new girl as her family moves frequently for her dad’s work. Her voice is real as is her take on herself and her life (which she admits is sometimes lonely) and utterly charming. The illustrations are as quirky as the character herself.

Ten year old Allie Sherman resists her family’s move until she learns that they will live on Strawberry Hill. It is on this intriguing sounding street that Allie finds a friend, confronts racism, and comes to appreciate her family. Set during the Great Depression, this nostalgic novel continues to ring true.

Paulie Pastrami is just a kid, and a kid who even has trouble getting his socks to match. But Paulie has big plans. In order to achieve his plan of world peace, Paulie begins with small kindnesses which are sure to grow. Bold, comic illustrations complement this recognizable, winning, and empowering story.

Dyamonde, a bright, articulate and confident 3rd grader, is entering the library’s poetry contest to win the prize money. Then Dyamonde and her friend, Free, learn that their new friend, Damaris, who is also the best poet in their class, lives in a homeless shelter. The duo of friends turns into a trio — who take a different look at what wealth really means.

Nubs was the leader of a pack of wild dogs in Iraq but became part of a human pack when he met Marine Major Brian Dennis. The story of this amazing friendship is all the more remarkable as it happened in a war zone. It is documented in photographs and a lucid text that comes to a very satisfying conclusion.

Jake (aka the Pain) and his older sister Abigail (the Great One) are back, each sharing one of their experiences, alternating perspectives and voices from one chapter to the next. Each vignette is plausible, recognizable, and often humorous. Cartoon-like illustrations enhance the characterization and their wit.

The well-known fable about how the smallest creature — a mouse — saves the majestic lion is a tale of kindness returned. Here it is effectively recast as a wordless story in a new setting. Stunning illustrations are expressive and emotive, evoking Africa’s Serengeti while retaining the tale’s power. (2010 Caldecott Medal Winner)

Where can Duck and Goose find a pumpkin? Young children will delight in the search and rejoice when the silly friends find their pumpkin. Autumnal colors and a simple, predictable text make an engaging book for the very young.

Farmer Red decides to buy a lamb to cure his loneliness. He couldn’t afford to buy the fancy educated sheep, so he ends up with an uneducated lamb. He names her Delilah and they quickly become the best of friends. Delilah becomes such a help on the farm, that Red is soon able to afford educated sheep… but the new sheep bring new conflicts.

Harold the squirrel is living the life in New York City, feasting on nuts from a kind old man in the park. The old man never feeds, the rats, though. One rat, angry at this fact, tells Harold the only difference between himself and a rat is his fluffy tail. Determined to prove the rat wrong, Harold shaves his tail… only to be proven wrong himself.

The Moon leads a small, lonely, city rabbit across the park to find a friend who shares her interest in story and music. Gentle, slightly abstract illustrations enhance the mellow language in which friends meet, part, and reunite.

Babymouse may be a cartoon mouse, but she has experiences that will resonate with her tween audience: friend drama, boring old school, and the social strata of those same friends and school.

Self-confident, cheerful, and bright but friendless, Dyamond is the newest kid in Mrs. Cordell’s 3rd grade. That is, until a grumpy boy named Free moves to town — and a friendship begins. Lively, believable, and likeable characters introduce this new heroine.

Gerald the elephant can throw a ball a long distance but to his surprise, Piggie delights in just throwing the ball no distance at all. Willem’s signature humor and cartoon style using dialogue balloons reminds readers that Piggie and Gerald have a great deal to share.

Ben is trying to train Aggie, a small brown and white dog, but she doesn’t listen very well at all. But “bad dog” turns to “good dog” when Aggie finally understands what her human friend expects of her in this warmly illustrated and told tale.

Sound effects and dramatic reading make the humorous saga of an eight-legged hero come to life. Based on the picture book of the same name.