Miles and Miles of Reptiles by Tish Rabe, illustrated by Aristides Ruiz and Joe Mathieu

Gr. 1-3. This rhyming reptile read is great for beginning readers because its jam-packed with information, but presented in a familiar storybook format. Detailed illustrations highlight what is described in the text from the difference in size between a crocodile's head versus an alligator's head to the shade a chameleon's skin turns when it's ready to attack! This book contains a glossary, an index, and suggestions for further reading.

Vampires by Bonnie McMeans

Gr. 4-6. This book in the Mysterious Encounters series has it all: superstitions, sightings, attacks, and all the facts that explain the many questions people have about this mysterious creature. The author provides historical information that helps set the back drop necessary for understanding the emergence of vampire lore and superstition. Accounts of specific attacks and sightings are included in this book as are numerous pictures and sidebars that contain brief facts. Included is a glossary, index, bibliography, and suggestions for further reading.

The reading level for this book is a little lower than Gr. 4-6, but due to the subject matter I believe this book is more appropriate for children in Gr. 4-6. Many of the pictures are graphic and may scare younger children.

You Are the First Kid on Mars by Patrick O' Brien

Gr. 1-3. Take a journey to Mars! Realistic illustrations show what life on Mars would really be like. Detailed descriptions and depictions reveal every step of the journey including the technology and machinery necessary to undertake such an expedition and support human life on the planet while research is being conducted.

This book reads like a factual picture book. The illustrations are so detailed and accurate that at first glance many of them appear to be photographs. A two-page spread at the back of the book lists facts about Mars. This might not be the text a child looking for sources for a school project is searching for, but it would be an excellent read for any child interested in space, space technology, planets, or the solar system.

Tornadoes: The Science Behind Terrible Twisters by Alvin and Virginia Silverstein and Laura Silverstein Nunn

Gr. 4-6. This book in the Science Behind Natural Disasters series begins with a look at one community struck by a deadly tornado: Greensburg, KS 2007. The authors then explain weather that make tornado formation possible. They also explain the technology that can be used to predict and track a tornado and break down the Enhanced Fujita (EF) Scale that rates the damage caused by a tornado much like the Richter Scale is used to describe the intensity of an earthquake. The book ends with a chapter addressing how to stay safe in the event that a tornado strikes your area. A glossary, suggestions for further reading, an index, and a list of websites on this topic are all all contained at the end of this book.

Tiny & Hercules by Amy Schwartz

PreK-2. Tiny, an elephant, and Hercules, a mouse, are best friends. They share many adventures in Schwartz's picture book-sized short story collection. In the first story, Hercules teaches Tiny to ice skate with a humorous result. In the second story, Tiny helps Hercules find inspiration for his artistic masterpiece. In the third story, the friends set up a lemonade stand, but soon find themselves with a bunch of unhappy customers. In the fourth story, the friends throw a birthday party for Hercules' Uncle Roy who is turning 103 and has a little trouble blowing out all the candles on his cake! In the fifth story, Tiny and Hercules knit each other sweaters.

These stories are fun whether read one at a time or all in one sitting!

A Small Surprise by Louise Yates

PreK-2. A rabbit is too small to do many things, but just small enough to do big things. Overall, the message is that everyone has different abilities and limitations based on their size and talents. Limited text and detailed pictures make this a book that can be shared over and over, sometimes in the same sitting. The text does interesting things in this book as its placement on the page is ever-changing and certain words are emphasized within the text by their artistic font.

Bea Rocks the Flock by Victoria Jamieson

PreK-2. Bea has a hard time following the Rule of Sheepdom: Sheep are not unique! After standing out too much she heads to New York to try out a few different identities to see if they're a better fit. After failing to be anything other than a "unique sheep" Bea heads home to her flock and finds that they missed her and have always had some dreams of their own, which Bea graciously helps them achieve.

Funny, detailed illustrations support a text with a strong message: be yourself.

Polo and Lily by Regis Faller

PreK-2. This wordless book is read by looking from each brightly colored picture frame to the next like a comic book. Polo is a dog and receives a special visitor one day when Lily, a bunny, crashes into his treehouse on her magic cloud. The two friends play and eat together and then Lily summons her cloud and goes home. Polo misses his friend until he realizes that Lily left him a special gift to use so that they can keep in touch.

This is a great book to use when reading together as kids are encouraged to "read" the pictures and "tell" the story. Anything goes with wordless books, there's no wrong way to tell them!

To the Beach by Thomas Docherty

PreK-2. A simple travel story told in a beautiful illustrated sequence of pictures. This is a book that can almost be told through its pictures as there are very few words and most of them are nouns naming the object depicted on the page. A small boy lists everything he will need for a trip to and from the beach. This book would work well with very young children as it is predominately visually interesting and short on words, meaning it can be shared many times in one sitting.

This book would work well in storytime, possibly as a flannel story. I highly recommend this book that allows readers to make a great journey by simply turning a page!

Catfish Kate and the Sweet Swamp Band by Sarah Weeks, illustrated by Elwood H. Smith

PreK-2. A rhythmic text that begs to be a part of a musical storytime, this story features Catfish Kate and her all girl band. Skink and his Skunktail Boys demand peace and quiet so they can read and so follows the battle underneath the moon to see what will prevail: music or silence? Luckily the two warring groups find a compromise in the cattails found around the swamp.

The added fun with this book is the opportunity to make up your own tune!

The Story Behind Toilets by Elizabeth Raum

Gr. 1-3. This title in the True Stories series discusses everything having to do with toilets from their history, sewers and sewage, toilets paper, and the technology behind the toilets of the present and near future. Boys will especially find this title interesting due to its "gross" subject matter. Jam-packed with pictures and terms this book will educate as it entertains. A timeline is included as well as a glossary, further reading, and websites of interest.

The Hermit Crab by Carter Goodrich

PreK-2. The humorous story of an unlikely hero! The hermit crab was very shy. He was so shy that he would retreat into his shell if someone so much as said "Hello" to him. One day the creatures at the bottom of the sea are startled by a large, wooden contraption that smells of food and has landed on the ocean floor. Unfortunately, it has also landed on top of the flounder. The hermit crab missed the commotion because he had found a fancy new shell and was trying on his new home for size (actually half of an action figure). When the hermit crab happens upon the wooden crate he attempts to locate the food and the other fish mistakenly believe a hero has come to save the flounder as all they can see from their vantage point is the action figure.

A funny story that is sure to please a crowd or an independent reader!

Little Oink by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, illustrated by Jen Corace

PreK-2. Little Oink is very different from other pigs. He hates messes! He's a neat pig and just wishes he could be like his friends and clean his room instead of mess it up the way his parents insist that he do. Reminicent of Gregory, the Terrible Eater by Mitchell Sharmat and illustrated by Jose Aruego and Ariane Dewey, kids will enjoy reading this story about one very unpiglike pig!

This would make a good storytime selection, especially when paired with Gregory. This book could be used in many ways as the pictures offer a lot in the way of discussion and is sure to be a crowd-pleaser on account of its humor!

Elephants Cannot Dance by Mo Willems

PreK-2. Piggie tries to teach Gerald (the elephant) to dance. They try simple moves like forward and back, but Gerald just can't dance. In frustration, Gerald expresses his feelings in such a physical manner that a few mice recognize the newest dance sensation: The Elephant!

A must-read funny book with limited text that's great for beginning readers!

Prairie Dogs Perching: Counting by 3s vy Amanda Doering Tourville, illustrated by Sharon Holm

Gr. 1-3. Learn how to count by 3s with the help of a town of prairie dogs! Numbers line the bottom of each page with the sequences of thee highlighted. In the bottom right-hand corner of each page a simple addition equation can be found that illustrates the number depicted by the town of prairie dogs (i.e. 3+3=6).

This is a fantastic book that teaches kids about prairie dogs and counting by 3s at the same time! The information about the prairie dogs is very basic, but the dual subject matter of this book serves to attract attention to a topic many kids would rather overlook. Instead, this book is a real treat and combines math with something kids already love: cute, furry animals!

Barack Obama: President for a New Era by Marlene Targ Brill

Gr. 4-6. An informative look at the current U.S. President Barack Obama detailing his family, his childhood, his education, and his career. A timeline of important dates can be found at the back of the book as well as suggestions for further reading and an index. Pictures highlight the fact-packed text. This book would be a good source for a biography project!

Michael Phelps: Swimming for Olympic Gold by David P. Torsiello

Gr. 3-6. This book in the Celebrity Biography series profiles American swimmer Michael Phelps who in the 2008 Beijing Olympics set a record by winning 8 gold medals in a single Olympics. This book covers his childhood, both the Athens and Beijing Olympics, as well as his college life at the University of Michigan and controversies that have erupted since the 2008 Olympics.

Vivid pictures highlight the text. A timeline is included at the back of the book along with suggestions for further reading and viewing, a list of websites, and an index.

Love that Puppy! by Jeff Jarka

PreK-2. Peter was an ordinary boy until he decided to become a dog. Peter does all of the things that dogs do such as sleep in a doghouse, beg, play fetch, bark, chase cars, terrorize the mailman, and eat homework. Finally, his parents are so fed up with Peter's behavior they ask him to stop being a dog. Peter goes back to being a boy... that is until he decides to be another animal!

Big, bright cartoon-like pictures depict this laugh-out-loud funny story perfectly. This would make for a fun storytime read or an appealing independent read!

Today is the Birthday of the World written by Linda Heller, illustrated by Alison Jay

PreK-2. God asks all of His creatures if they have been the best that they can be. Each creature's job is addressed in the simple, repetitive text and is supported by a vibrant picture of the animal. Animals featured include: the giraffe, elephant, beaver, fish, bee, worm, and cow. In addition to the variety of animals asked about their purposes, a young child is also asked about his purposes. The book closes by reviewing all of the creatures featured and their purposes. This would make an excellent choice for shared reading time!

Let's Do Nothing by Tony Fucile

PreK-2. Frankie and Sal have done it all. They've painted, read, baked, played sports, played board games, in short, they've done everything. So what's next? NOTHING! The boys challenge each other to do nothing for 10 whole seconds! First, they try to be statues. Then, they try to be giant redwood trees. Next, they try to be the Empire State Building. Everytime they try to do nothing, their imaginations get the better of them and the boys stumble upon a great discovery: there is no such thing as doing nothing!

This laugh-out-loud funny book will thrill kids, especially those who can read on their own because this author does a very good job of tapping into the ways kids think, act, talk and, most importantly, imagine. In addition to the text, kids will really respond to the illustrations. This is the authors 1st picture book, but Fucile has spent more than 20 years animating cartoon characters and this is apparent in the way he lays out the book and illustrates the two boys. I highly recommend this title!

Me with You written by Kristy Dempsey, illustrated by Christopher Denise

PreK-2. A beautifully illustrated picture book that highlights the special relationship between grandfather and granddaughter. Written in rhyming text, this story moves hops along like a charming song or poem. The grandfather and granddaughter are depicted as bears with very human-like expressions and emotions.

This story would be an excellent choice for shared reading time!

Ben Roethlisberger by Michael Sandler

Gr. 1-3 This title in the Football Heroes Making a Difference series gives readers everything they need to know in short about this sports star. Roethlisberger is the youngest quarterback to win a Super Bowl (with the Pittsburgh Steelers) and an Ohio native (Findlay, OH). He started the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation in 2006, which aims to buy service dogs for police and fire departments in every town where the Steelers play. These dogs are used to sniff out bombs, find hidden drugs, and help track down missing people.

Big, clear pictures support the text that contains words in bold-face that are defined in the glossary at the end of the book. This book contains a short bibliography, a section that suggests titles for further reading, and an index. Overall, this is a great read for any budding football fanatic!