El Deafo

Written & Illustrated by: Cece Bell

Color by: David Lasky

Published in 2014

Genre: Graphic Novel, Humor, Autobiography

Grade Level: 2-6

Newbery Honor Book 2015

Eisner Award for Best Publication for Kids (ages 8-12) 2015

Summary: El Deafo is a autobiographical memoir of the author’s experiences growing up deaf, including the imaginary superhero she created to fight her battles. Cece was born hearing, but became deaf at age four after an illness. The book tells the story of the struggles she faced, the friends she made (and lost), and the “super powers” she gained with the use of her Phonic Ear.

Monsters Love Underpants

Written by: Claire Freedman

Illustrated by: Ben Cort

Published in 2014

Genre: Picture Book

Grade Level: PreSchool-1

Summary: Did you know that monsters love underpants? From pants filled with slime to pants decorated with jewels from a sunken pirate ship, the monsters in this book are proud to show off their underpants… At least until the sun comes up that is. After all, what kid would be afraid of a monster wearing silly underpants?!?

Frog on a Log?

Written by: Kes Gray

Illustrated by: Jim Field

Published in 2014

Genre: Picture Book

Grade Level: Preschool-K

Summary: Frog does not want to sit on an uncomfortable log. Cat tells him he must, because it’s simply the right thing to do. Frogs sit on logs, cats sit on mats, hares sit on chairs, and so on. It’s the way of things.

The Three Ninja Pigs

Written by: Corey Rosen Schwartz

Illustrated by: Dan Santat

Published in 2012

Genre: Picture Book

Grade Level: K-2

Summary: “Once upon a dangerous time” a wolf was going around blowing down the animals’ houses. The three pigs (two brothers and one sister) decided that enough was enough and they would stop the big bully. They each enroll in a different form of martial arts class and prepare to take on the wolf.

Neon Aliens Ate My Homework and Other Poems

Written by: Nick Cannon

Illustrated by: Nick Cannon, Art Mobb, caliFAWNia, Captain Kris, MAST, Mike P, Morf, & Queen Andrea

Published in 2015

Genre: Poetry

Grade Level: 2-6

Summary: Neon Aliens Ate My Homework and Other Poems is a collection of poems by Nick Cannon, illustrated by street artists. The book contains poems inspired by Shel Silverstein, hip hop, people Nick has met, and many others.

The Duckling Gets a Cookie!?

Written & Illustrated by: Mo Willems

Published in 2012

Genre: Picture Book

Grade Level: PreSchool-K

Summary: In this book a cute little duckling asks for a cookie politely, and is given one with nuts. Suddenly a pigeon comes on the scene and starts complaining about how he never gets anything he asks for. Eventually, the duckling agrees to give him the cookie, then asks for another one… this time without nuts.

Llama Llama Misses Mama

Written & Illustrated by: Anna Dewdney

Published in 2009

Genre: Picture Book

Grade Level: PreSchool-K

Summary: Llama Llama Misses Mama continues the adventures of Llama Llama on his first day at school. The story shows the little llama getting up and ready, then going to school. After Mama Llama leaves, Llama Llama starts to get sad and lonely. He refuses to join in any of the fun until the teacher finally tells him that Mama will come to get him at the end of the day. Llama Llama finally starts to have fun, and in the end discovers that he loves school.

Llama Llama Red Pajama

Written & Illustrated by: Anna Dewdney

Published in 2005

Genre: Picture Book

Grade Level: PreSchool-K

Summary: Llama Llama Red Pajama tells the story of Baby Llama who has just been tucked into bed by Mama Llama. Once Mama goes downstairs Baby Llama starts to panic, crying, screaming, and throwing a tantrum until Mama comes to check on him.

Zen Ghosts

Written & Illustrated by: Jon J Muth

Published in 2010

Genre: Picture Book

Grade Level: 1-3

Summary: Zen Ghosts is a creative retelling of an old Chinese koan, which according to the author is a question that you have to answer for yourself. In this book, three children visit their friend Stillwater (a panda) after trick-or-treating to hear a ghost story. Stillwater is there, along with another panda who looks just like him and who tells them the story of Senjo. In the story, the main character’s soul is separated to live two lives, and is eventually rejoined into one person. At the end of the story, one of the pandas is gone, and the reader is left to decide what happened.

Your Skeleton is Showing

Written by: Kurt Cyrus

Illustrated by: Crab Scrambly

Published in 2013

Genre: Poetry, Picture Book

Grade Level: K-3

Summary: Your Skeleton is Showing is a book of poems based in a graveyard. The book begins with a young boy finding a ghost dog looking for it’s master. They journey through the graveyard, encountering poems about the various people who… reside there. From Freddie Diggs (who died from picking his nose), to Michael Gann (who was buried in a garbage can), to Bud Pugsley (whose cause of death was suffocation by hat), the poems in this book are sure to capture the attention of all who read them.