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A dog holds its human’s one shoe in preparation for a walk. Many types of shoes are seen from the dog’s perspective — including shoes that provide a house for a mouse. Mice multiply, and once dog and person go for another walk, the mice play on roller skates. Mixed-media illustrations and staccato language make this ripe for a lively read aloud.

Frog, kitten, dog, grasshopper, and other critters (well, maybe not the snail) jump with each upward turn of durable pages. “BOING” configures differently for everyone airborne until a girl exclaims “I jump” accompanied by an extended “B-oi-oi-oi-oing!” This playful book is sure to delight young readers.

Callie loves theater. She’s the set designer for the stage crew, and this year she’s determined to create a set worthy of Broadway on a middle-school budget. But how can she, when she doesn’t know much about carpentry, ticket sales are down, and the crew members are having trouble working together? Not to mention the onstage and offstage drama that occurs once the actors are chosen. Telgemeier brings us another graphic novel featuring a diverse set of characters that humorously explores friendship, crushes, and all-around drama!

Why does the Pigeon have to go to school? He already knows everything! And what if he doesn’t like it? What if the teacher doesn’t like him? What if he learns TOO MUCH!?!

Fly Guy and his owner, Buzz, are back! This time they’re on a field trip to the aquarium. With a bit of trepidation (which he loses along the way), Fly Guy agrees to tour the shark exhibit with Buzz acting as guide. Mixing photos of fish tanks with notebook-lined journal pages, taped pictures, and handwritten notes about the predators, Buzz introduces readers to a sampling of the more than 400 kinds of sharks.

Fifth-grader, Liam, is the oldest of the three with two younger sisters. Confident Dakota is a third grader just waiting until she can cure cancer; friendly second grader, Izzy, is a hugger and notices things that other kids miss. Their parents are divorced and money is tight. Can the kids figure out what is causing their beloved dog to urinate on the apartment’s carpet – before the landlord evicts them? Difficult themes are handled with a light touch by the author of Newbery-honor winning, Al Capone Does My Shirts.

After Little Lobo and his dog, Bernabe, finish breakfast, they load their wagon to deliver to the various merchants. While they deliver the goods, they take time to watch the dancing, smell the churros, and even draw stripes on the newly made “zonkey”. Humor abounds in the graphic tour of Mexican culture complete with Spanish words. A glossary concludes this cheery introduction to a country and its language.

Mr. Penguin longs for adventure with his Kung Fu kicking spider sidekick, Colin. They find it in the Museum of Extraordinary Things many times over. The author/illustrator (opens in a new window) of the “Claude” series has begun a new series with quirky, over-the-top, always comic characters as Mr. Penguin and Colin save the day and the museum, putting the bad guys where they belong.

The sea turtle, pufferfish, octopus and other sea creatures do what they do; crab bakes cakes. One day, however, there’s a huge splash and sunshine no longer reaches the bottom; crab bakes a cake. Fortified by cake, the sea critters turn the tide on polluters in a droll, dramatic, and effective tale told with visual elements of a graphic novel. Final resources include links to information about oceans and pollution.

Not all of the residents on Deckawoo Drive were thrilled when a small piglet wound up on their street. Happily, however, this small creature found the way into the hearts of the Watsons and became the toast-eating toast of Deckawoo Drive. How Mercy Watson came to become part of the family and community is a worthy prequel to those who have read or will read the early chapter books by the same author/illustrator team. Nonetheless, t is strong, handsomely illustrated tale in its own right.

Soon after a small pig starts a bath (“oink!”), there’s an insistent “knock, knock” on the door. Gradually, poor pig is joined by sheep (“Maa!}, cow (“Moo!”) and more. Then one-by-one all of the animals leave pig alone for a peaceful bath. The humor in this nearly wordless book is conveyed by understated line and wash illustrations sure to elicit laughs and language from readers.

The day Winston, Sophie and their mom saw the sign looking for a home for chickens, the family determined to raise the fowl in their backyard. They learned, however, that chickens do not lay eggs on demand that and different breeds lay different kinds of eggs. The humorous story of chickens is based in the author’s Brooklyn research and sure to inform as well as entertain.

Duck wants Bear to play in the snow with him, but Bear prefers the indoors. Then Bear gets the sniffles but Duck takes care of Bear; that is, until Bear has had enough. Will Bear return the favor when his neighbor comes down with a cold? Understated humor in text and comic illustrations are hallmarks of the latest Bear and Duck tale.

When his classmates can’t sit still for a big performance at school, Roscoe Riley takes matters into his own hands with a liberal dose of Super-Mega-Gonzo Glue. Roscoe doesn’t mean to break the rules — he just can’t help himself! 

Absolute silliness results when a chicken is caught up in a struggle with a Norse god. The result is a superhero chicken. The hybrid clucker (half god, half fowl) is sure to cause readers to chuckle as well as groan with its heroic absurdity.

One sunny afternoon, Wolf decides to make an apple cake. But when he goes out to collect all of the ingredients it becomes more difficult than expected. Along the way he meets other fairy tale characters with whom he shares the final product! A recipe for Aunt Rosie’s apple cake concludes this comic take on traditional tales.

Are fish bright just because they travel in schools? Mac and Mac are not called noodleheads for nothing! The pair is back for another silly adventure presented in easy graphic format. 

Bear is in bed when he hears the first knock. The parade of animal friends begins with Justin (as in “Justin the neighborhood and thought I’d stop by!”). Everyone has gathered to wish Bear a Happy Hibernation! Comic illustrations and dialogue in conversation bubbles combine to tell a funny tale with lots of wordplay and friendship.

Marmalade is not only a trained architect with terrific plans to build a house, but she’s cute on top of it. But are cute kittens taken seriously? This — and more — are explored in a graphic novel just right for emerging readers.

If an ordinary hamster drew a dinosaur, it would look nothing like the one Leonardo da Vinci may have created. In fact, few classic works would. Humor, art and art history combine in this very clever, slightly irreverent, but fascinating introduction to art and artists in this companion to If Picasso Painted a Snowman. (opens in a new window)

Meet Hansel and Gretel again! This, however, is not the typical telling. Here Willow the witch is a kindly good witch who finally has had enough of a rude duo. Strong lines, limited color, and understated text turn the traditional tale into a fresh, funny, and satisfying story. Readers may also enjoy Woollvin’s recasting of Rapunzel (opens in a new window) and Little Red. (opens in a new window)

Poor but worthy Freddie Mole winds up with a circus job in an effort to help his struggling family. The story is fast and funny sprinkled with black/white drawings adding to the absurdity. The humor is likely to appeal to sophisticated readers and perhaps Roald Dahl fans.

“Have you ever wondered why all the animals at the zoo seem so tired?” It’s because soon after the zoo closes to visitors, they all dance and boogie all night! Join the fun with the vivacious translucent illustrations and lively language.