Brought to you by Chris Van Dusen, this children’s book is full of fun rhymes, an engaging story, and beautiful illustrations. Chris Van Dusen is also the illustrator of the Mercy Watson series, so if children like the pictures in that series, they might enjoy taking a peek inside this book.

A load of circus animals rides along in a ship, minding their own business when suddenly they find themselves crashing along the coast of Maine. The animals swim to shore and at first the townspeople aren’t sure what to make of them. But then the animals begin performing good deeds and show that they are quite good-natured. The townspeople are delighted and welcome the animals into their community. Everything seems like it will end happily ever after—until the greedy owner comes to fetch them. No one, animals included, wants the owner to take them, so the townspeople and the animals hatch a plot to trick him so that they can get the happily ever after they deserve.

When poorly treated animals win, it’s cause for celebration. Though the age range is for kids 4-8, all ages will likely smile and fall in love with all the nice animals from the circus troupe. How can you not smirk at the idea of a zebra in your garden or a tiger rescuing kids from burning buildings? Especially when it is done with such bright colors and fun detail. The most talk about this title’s illustrations stems from the large spread of hiding animals that readers will linger on to find.

Whether it’s because you love a good story or love good animals, Chris Van Dusen’s book is a definite winner for adults and children alike.

But when poachers catch the lion, all seems lost. Until the most surprising little character shows up! The little creature frees the king of the Serengeti, showing that a good deed is repaid by another. Kindness is repaid in kind.

The thing that children may love the most about this title is not necessarily the story, but the illustrations by Jerry Pinkney. The images are large, filling the entire page, and in fact this story comes with virtually no words at all. Instead, children are encouraged to roar and squeak along with the main characters, as well as make other animal noises as the turn the pages. Pinkney uses sweeping watercolors to bring the images to life, echoing the reality of the Serengeti as the plains mesh with marshland and animals roam freely over the landscape.

Such high quality childrens books like this are hard to come by. Written for children ages 4-6, kids can get different point-of-views and imagine how big a lion might be with a mouse so small perched upon his paw. It ignites imaginations with bright colors and so few words. Even the back of the dust cover contains an extra treat; a painting that echoes Edward Hick’s Peaceable Kingdom painting of animal of the while Serengeti. Don’t be surprised to find your kids spending hours gazing at the pictures contained within The Lion and the Mouse. Who knows? Adults might end up doing the very same thing!

Wag features Mooch, Earl, and Earl’s tail. Mooch the cat isn’t exactly sure what it is that makes Earl’s tail go fwip-fwap. Every time it happens, it’s because of something different. Earl gets dinner. He gets his tummy rubbed. He gets taken on nice long walks. Even a field of pretty flowers does it or drifting snowflakes does it. Mooch eventually decides that it isn’t just one thing—it’s what they all have in common. What else but love could make Earl’s tail wiggle like that?

This is the sort of children’s book that comes with an uncomplicated message that even parents can appreciate. The simple things in life that one loves are what can be the most important. If a little dog named Earl can be so happy with his friends or fields of flowers, then why can’t we? Of course, enjoying a belly rub is more suited for dogs than humans, but hugs can do just fine. Parents can even take the story and shift the idea to their children, asking them what it is they love enough that would make their tail fwip-fwip—that is, if they had one.

Patrick McDonnell’s books are well-known not only for their happy, cozy stories, but also for the minimal illustrations within. Each page has a pale tint, acting as a backdrop for whatever Mooch and Earl happen to be doing in the foreground. The focus is entirely on them and kids will love the down-to-earth, ever so slightly sketchy style.

It’s primarily designed for children ages 4-8 or fans of Mooch and Earl. It’s hard not to appreciate these books and their reflection for the way one man views the world. The way many of us still wish we might.

As with many of Eric Carle’s children’s books, there is a special feature with this one. Some of the sea life is camouflaged and not fully revealed until the page is turned. This will make it almost a guessing game as you go along through the book, making young and old alike want to guess what creature is featured on the next page. Mister Seahorse, as well as the tilapia, pipefish, bullhead catfish, and other sea animals, hatch their eggs and help them on their way to being on their own.

This story may give kids a fresh admiration and gratitude for their own fathers, as the father-child relationship is given a new look, and a fresh story of its own. Though it’s intended for children ages four to eight, this is one story that is educational and timeless, making it great for families and collectors of great children’s literature. Award winning author Eric Carle has brought another great story to the world with this amazing tale.

Cannon’s gorgeous color pencil and acrylic illustrations perfectly embody the movements and awkwardness of a baby fruit bat.  She dangles and struggles to get the right grip on a tree branch with soft and brown leathery wings stretched over the bark.  Her face is all readers need to see when she finally gets on top, an adorable face of triumph.  Using deep blue backgrounds for the skies, as well as browns and greens for forests, the dark colors punch up the contrast and put Stellaluna front and center every time.

The text can occasionally include interesting words children may not find elsewhere (“sultry” and “anxious”) in other books for young readers.  They may provide a challenge, but parents can help and together you will delight in watching the little baby bat learn to use her wings and soar through the sky.  Bats will no longer be scary creatures of the night, but animals just like any other with everything from fear of the unknown to loving parents.

When Hedgie finally has some of the animals convinced that he is wearing the stocking as a hat, on purpose, Lisa comes out to find her missing stocking and sees Hedgies predicament. With caring and concern, she helps him get out of it, and explains that animals don’t need to wear winter clothes, they are already equipped with the fur they need to keep warm.

One of the most heartwarming children’s books, The Hat offers more than the laughter and charm of an endearing story, but the artwork is something in itself. With paintings of the Scandinavia countryside, farms, and the forest, The Hat carries a beauty that isn’t found in every children’s book. Hedgie, as well as all the other animals, are seen in a setting that is beautiful and will draw the reader in to the scene. Sharing this story with your children will be something that will draw you together with an adventure that is both humorous and heartwarming.

When this story is read to your children, they will get the message that everyone wants to belong. And that there is something for each person to belong to. A family, a group of friends, a club, and many ways to belong. When The Lonely Firefly finally finds a group of other fireflies to belong with, they begin lighting up together, doing what fireflies do best. As you turn the last page, you and your children will enjoy the sight of all the fireflies lighting up, even The Lonely Firefly. There is a replaceable battery in the book so that you can enjoy the story in it’s entirety, again and again.

As with all of Eric Carle’s books, this is one that will be amusing, entertaining and educational, as you and your children learn more about fireflies together, and learn from the lessons presented in this beautiful piece of children’s literature. As with many of his award winning books, this one is also available as a board book for babies.

Animalia, by Graeme Base, is not your normal, run of the mill alphabet book. Layer upon layer of surprises awaits you, and will inspire you to look even deeper into the lush illustrations.  With a letter for each page, the images depicted represent not only the letter itself, but the mystery, and mastery of artistic illustrations that will draw even the most mature adult to keep looking for more. From dragons to Iguanas, from Horns to the Waves of the Sea, you will be delighted with the visual effects, as well as the beyond the normal words to go with each letter represented.

Children’s books are one thing, but when you come upon a book for children that will draw the attention and bring out the child in an adult, it is truly a thing to be treasured. Animalia is such a book, one to be shared, and treasured, as a family favorite. From one generation to the next, sharing this book will bring a new way to enjoy literature and art together as a family enchanted with beauty and art. Jumping into the world of Graeme Base will delight and amaze you and your children.

Curious George is sure to delight any child – after all, who wouldn’t love a mischief causing monkey?  His innocent mistakes are forgiven, something that young children can easily relate to.  Parents can use George as a learning tool, showing children what not to do in certain situations, and also as a reading book.  Parents can either read with their child or allow the child to read the book on their own.  With short, easy sentences and pictures sure to make everyone smile, it’s a classic that can be enjoyed again and again.  Full of giggles and love, children can watch as George carries his own luggage off the boat and walks across power lines.  The story always ends with George reunited with his good friend, the Man in the Yellow Hat, complete with a big hug.

The Cat in the Hat is a story about two young children who are forced to stay home one wet, rainy day. Their mother goes out and tells them that they must stay inside. They, of course, get bored rather quickly. Until, that is, a mysterious cat wearing a very large hat comes to play. He shows the children that there is much fun that can be had, and that “we can have lots of good fun that is funny”, even though it’s raining outside.

The cat’s fun, however, soon turns into disaster, as the house becomes destroyed and a fish is forced to tell the children, and the cat, what they’re doing wrong, becoming the morality in the story. The Cat in the Hat is a story not only about having fun inside, but about learning how to have fun that isn’t destructive, and about how to clean up things once you’ve destroyed them. Any Seuss library would be incomplete without The Cat in the Hat in its collection in literary form, as it’s a great bedtime story to read over, and over, and over again!