There's nothing better than getting involved in a story - and these books encourage it! The books on this page include many different ways to interact with the story. Children can peek through holes, search for hidden pictures, or even hear parts of the story.
Madlenka by
A trip around a city block is like a trip around the world! Peeking out through a die-cut window on the jacket, Madlenka invites the reader to enter her world. And what a world it is! On the surface, it looks like an ordinary city block, but as we meet Madlenka's neighbors -- the French baker, the Indian news vendor, the Italian ice-cream man, the Latin American grocer, a retired opera singer from Germany, an African American school friend, and the Asian shopkeeper -- and look through die-cut windows to the images and memories they have carried from old country to new, we can see that Madlenka's block is as richly varied as its inhabitants. And why is Madlenka going around the block, jumping for joy? Her tooth is loose, and she wants everyone to know!
Color Farm by
The rooster, dog, sheep, cow, pig, and other animals on a farm are made up of colorful shapes such as square, circle, rectangle, and triangle. Features die-cut pages.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar by
Follows the progress of a hungry little caterpillar as he eats his way through a varied and very large quantity of food until, full at last, he forms a cocoon around himself and goes to sleep. Die-cut pages illustrate what the caterpillar ate on successive days.
The Secret Birthday Message by
On the night before Tim's birthday, he finds a rebus note, a secret message directing him to his gift. Youngsters can read the note with him, then follow him up, down, and through the various-shaped, brightly colored [die-cut] pages to find the puppy at the end.
Tuck Me In! by
Who needs to be tucked in? Turn each page until all baby animals--and little readers--are cozy and ready for sleep in this irresistible bedtime ritual. The stars are out. The moon is rising. All the baby animals, from peacocks to pigs to zebras, are ready for bed. Will you tuck them in and say good night? Just turn the pages and the big inviting flaps that serve as blankets cover each little creature up to its chin. This simple but endlessly satisfying novelty, with its array of goggle-eyed baby animals, bold patterns, and vibrant colors, is sure to be the book of choice for little ones everywhere, night after night.
Where's Spot? by
For more than three decades, children have been looking everywhere for Spot in this classic, first-ever lift-the-flap book. Is he in the piano? Is he under the stairs? After finding other familiar animals, there he is in his basket.
The Very Lonely Firefly by
When a very lonely firefly goes out into the night searching for other fireflies, it sees a lantern, a candle, and the eyes of a dog, cat, and owl all glowing in the darkness. It even sees a surprise celebration of light. But it is not until it discovers other fireflies that it finds exactly what it's looking for. Read it with a flashlight in the dark or under the table--and watch those fireflies glow!
White Noise by
Modern and elegant paper structures create displays to stimulate the senses. Poetic text guides readers through the bold and colorful paper structures that create their own unique sounds.
Dream Snow by
It's December 24th, and the old farmer settles down for a winter's nap, wondering how Christmas can come when there is no snow! It is in his dream that he imagines a snowstorm coming and covering him and his animals - named One, Two, Three, Four and Five - in a snowy blanket. But when the farmer awakens, he finds that it has really snowed outside, and now he remembers something! Putting on his red suit, he goes outside, puts some gifts under the tree for his animals, and presses a button near a Christmas tree, creating a most surprising musical treat for children everywhere.
The Very Quiet Cricket by
A small cricket hatches one warm day,' and the other insects greet him. Though the little guy wants very much to respond, nothing happens when he rubs his wings together. Finally, as night falls, he spies another cricket and attempts to greet her. And this time . . . he chirped the most beautiful sound that she had ever heard.' As usual, Carle's art is lovely and his story is simple and satisfying. But this book has something The Very Hungry Caterpillar and The Very Busy Spider didn't have: an electronic chirping mechanism activated by the turning of the last page. -Publishers Weekly
Press Here by
Press the yellow dot on the cover of this book, follow the instructions within, and embark upon a magical journey! Each page of this surprising book instructs the reader to press the dots, shake the pages, tilt the book, and who knows what will happen next! Children and adults alike will giggle with delight as the dots multiply, change direction, and grow in size! Especially remarkable because the adventure occurs on the flat surface of the simple, printed page, this unique picture book about the power of imagination and interactivity will provide read-aloud fun for all ages!
The Snowman by
Illus. in full color. A wordless story. The pictures have "the hazy softness of air in snow. A little boy rushes out into the wintry day to build a snowman, which comes alive in his dreams that night. The experience is one that neither he nor young 'readers' will ever regret or forget."--(starred) Booklist.
The Jolly Christmas Postman by
The Ahlbergs fracture several fairy tales, simply by putting all the most familiar storybook characters in one great neighborhood. There, an amiable postman delivers expressive missives from door to door, envelopes and pull-out notes included. Will elicit chuckles even upon rereadings. Biting, funny stuff.
Wheels on the Bus by
In this wittily illustrated, cleverly engineered book with moving parts, based on the popular play-rhyme, Zelinsky introduces all kinds of characters, slyly humorous subplots, and parts that go round and round, in and out, back and forth, up and down.
