Eggs-cellent Easter Reads

THE EASTER SHOP
Here are our recommendations for those celebrating Easter from ages 3-5!

Dot Unplugged
ISBN 9781536209839 | Candlewick Press

It’s pouring rain, and the power’s gone out at Dot’s house. Should they take it as a challenge to honor the National Day of Unplugging? Playing outside is out of the question, and so is using the many devices Dot is accustomed to. But what might the basement hold? Dot, her friend Hal, Mom, Dad, and Scratch find lots of exciting stuff, including an old spinner game. It turns out it’s super fun to watch Dad do charades, Mom speed-sculpt from clay, Hal tweet-sing a song, and Dot hunt for something surprising. Their improvised game keeps them so entertained, they just might decide to stay unplugged a bit longer!

Dream Big, Little Scientists
By Michelle Schaub
Illustrated by Alice Potter
ISBN 9781580899345 | Charlesbridge

Twelve kids. A dozen bedtimes. Endless sweet ways to say goodnight with science! Spark curiosity and exploration with this innovative bedtime story for budding scientists that introduces eleven branches of science. From astronomy to physics to chemistry to geology, this STEM picture book will help kids get excited to explore. Includes further information about each branch of science.

Emergency Kittens!
By Jody Jensen Shaffer; iilustrated by Dave Mottram
ISBN 9781984830081 | Random House Children’s Books

Meet the Emergency Kittens, a trio of furry, gentle superheroes who come to the rescue with their incredible cuteness when the going gets tough. When bullies steal Sheldon’s ball in the playground, a pack of your usual, everyday, human caped crusaders leaps to the rescue. But when their showy feats of strength and agility fail to impress, some real heroes step in to save the day: EMERGENCY KITTENS!!! With their unending cuteness and unforgivably adorable purrs, this mighty trio of fluffy goodness turns any sticky situation into one of pure cuddles.

Lilah Tov Good Night
By Ben Gundersheimer
Illustrated by Noar Lee Naggan
ISBN 9781524740665 | Penguin Young Readers Group

As the moon rises, a family steps into the night on a journey toward a new beginning. Along the way, their little girl delights in the wonders of nature, saying good night–lilah tov–to the creatures and landscapes they pass. Wherever she looks–on land, in the sky above and even, eventually, in the water below her boat–there are marvels to behold. “Lilah tov to the birds in the trees, lilah tov to the fish in the sea.” Then, when their travels are finally over, her parents tuck her in tight, safe and ready for dreams in their new home.

Llama Llama Very Busy Springtime
By Anna Dewdney
ISBN 9780593094198 | Penguin Young Readers Group

Look out, world–Llama Llama is a TV star! The beloved character, made famous by Anna Dewdney’s best-selling picture books, is the star of his own original series, now airing on Netflix. In this episode-based 8×8, Llama Llama plans a bit too much for one day, but comes up with a solution and learns important lessons along the way. Your little llamas will love relating to their favorite picture book character as he faces new and challenging situations.

Sharon, Lois and Bram’s Skinnamarink
By Sharon Hampson, Lois Lilienstein and Bram Morrison, with contributions by Randi Hampson
Illustrated by Qin Leng
ISBN 9780735264069 | Tundra Books

What does “skinnamarink” mean? You may not find its definition in a dictionary, but the meaning is clear to the generations of children who sang along: friendship, happiness, sharing, community and, ultimately, love. This song has been sung in weddings and in classrooms. It can be fun and silly – especially with the accompanying actions! And it has a way of bringing people together.

Teddy Bear of the Year
By Vikki VanSickle
Illustrated by Sydney Hanson
ISBN 9780735263925 | Tundra Books

Ollie is a regular bear with a regular job. He listens to his girl’s stories about her days, he snuggles her to sleep and he is there waiting when she gets home from school. Just your typical teddy bear stuff. So when he is whisked away to the annual teddy bears’ picnic, he feels insignificant compared to the other bears who do daring and daunting things: sleepovers, hospital stays–even a night in the lost and found! Ollie feels even more small and unimportant but he soon learns that it’s not just the big things that matter, it’s the little things too.

The Bear Must Go On
By Dev Petty
Illustrated by Brandon Todd
ISBN 9781984837479 | Penguin Young Readers Group

Bear and his woodland friends are putting on a show, and there are lots of plans to be made. Their curtains need sequins! Their hats must be very, very tall! And their tickets have to be shiny! (No one will come if the tickets are dull.) Behind the scenes, shy Bear takes notes on every detail until his paws ache. But at least he won’t have to go on stage. He could NEVER do that! . . . Or could he?

The Bug Girl
By Sophia Spencer and Margaret McNamara
Illustrated by KERASCOET
ISBN 9780735267527 | Tundra Books

Sophia Spencer has loved bugs ever since a butterfly landed on her shoulder–and wouldn’t leave!–at a butterfly conservancy when she was only two-and-a-half years old. In preschool and kindergarten, Sophia was thrilled to share what she knew about grasshoppers (her very favorite insects), as well as ants and fireflies . . . but by first grade, not everyone shared her enthusiasm. Some students bullied her, and Sophia stopped talking about bugs altogether. When Sophia’s mother wrote to an entomological society looking for a bug scientist to be a pen pal for her daughter, she and Sophie were overwhelmed by the enthusiastic response–letters, photos and videos came flooding in. Using the hashtag BugsR4Girls, scientists tweeted hundreds of times to tell Sophia to keep up her interest in bugs–and it worked!

The Button Book
By Sally Nicholls
Illustrated by Bethan Woollvin
ISBN 9780735267152 | Tundra Books

From a blue singing button to a purple tickle button, from a rude sound button to a mysterious white button, there’s only one way to find out what they do: press them all! And thankfully, there’s even a sleeping button to lull the animals to sleep after a busy day. A lively introduction to colors and shapes, The Button Book is the perfect interactive book for storytime (and bedtime!).

The Imaginaries: Little Scraps of Larger Stories
By Emily Winfield Martin
ISBN 9780553511031 | Random House Children’s Books

From mermaids and giant flowers to magical robes and mysterious characters, this full-color collection of old and new art from Emily Winfield Martin will inspire the artist and writer in you! Each glorious image is given a mysterious or magical one-line caption–the beginning of a story, or maybe the middle–you imagine the rest.

 

The Serious Goose
By Jimmy Kimmel
ISBN 9780525707752 | Random House Children’s Books

Written, illustrated, and lettered by Jimmy Kimmel, this picture book challenges young readers to bring the silly out of a very Serious Goose. Inspired by Jimmy’s nickname for his kids, The Serious Goose reminds us to be silly in a serious way. Put your little comedians in front of a mylar mirror and challenge them to make this no-nonsense goose smile. This delightful read-aloud is guaranteed to create gaggles of giggles time and time again!

Vote for Our Future!
By Margaret McNamara
Illustrated by Micah Player
ISBN 9781984892805 | Random House Children’s Books

Every two years, on the first Tuesday of November, Stanton Elementary School closes for the day. For vacation? Nope! For repairs? No way! Stanton Elementary School closes so that it can transform itself into a polling station. People can come from all over to vote for the people who will make laws for the country. Sure, the Stanton Elementary School students might be too young to vote themselves, but that doesn’t mean they can’t encourage their parents, friends, and family to vote! After all, voting is how this country sees change–and by voting today, we can inspire tomorrow’s voters to change the future.

What’s Up, Maloo?
By Genevieve Godbout
ISBN 9780735266643 | Tundra Books

No other kangeroo can hop like Maloo! But one day Maloo’s friends find him stepping instead of hopping. What’s wrong, Maloo? His pals look for ways to help Maloo regain the spring in his step. With patience, support and a little “hop” from his friends, Maloo gets his bounce back.

Find these books at your favorite local book store or at Indigo’s Easter Shop.

Hop! Hop! Fill your Easter baskets!

THE EASTER SHOP
Here are our recommendations for those celebrating Easter from ages 0-2!

100 First Things to Know100 First Things to Know
ISBN 9781465489784 | DK

Help your little one learn important vocabulary and build knowledge with this first word and picture book. Cleverly designed to inform and entertain, 100 First Things to Know takes your little one on an exciting learning adventure. As they point to the pictures and say the words, children can soon recognize colors, shapes, and patterns, count to 10, learn about life cycles, and name weathers and seasons. They will also be introduced to words from the worlds of art, music, math, and science.

Baby Touch and Feel BunnyBaby Touch and Feel Bunny
ISBN 9780756689872 | DK

A small touch and feel book full of cuddly bunnies, this is a gift your little one is sure to adore. Babies will explore different textures and expand their senses as they discover the tactile elements of Baby Touch and Feel: Bunny. This padded board book promotes sensory development and early language skills, and is the perfect size for small hands to hold.
With simple images that are clearly labeled, and an amazing range of novelty textures, Baby Touch and Feel books capture the attention of the very youngest children and create an experience they’ll want to repeat again and again.

Bizzy Bear Train EngineerBizy Bear: Train Engineer
Illustrated by Benji Davies
ISBN 9781536209853 | Candlewick Press

Come along for a train ride with Bizzy Bear in this board book full of sliders to push, pull, and turn. Join Bizzy Bear as he guides the big green steam engine across the city, through the level crossing, and then up into the high mountains. But where are he and his passengers going, and will they get there on time?

Bounce Bounce BunnyBounce! Bounce! Bunny
ISBN 9781465492999 | DK

Featuring familiar characters from Crunch! Munch! Bunny, join Binky the Bunny on a brand new journey as she tries to discover just what makes her special. Teach your little ones all about the power of self-confidence and how they can learn to help others, with this sturdy board book that’s ideal for preschoolers. Hop along with Binky as she meets her animal friends, including Pony, Ducky, Puppy, and new friend Kitty. Featuring playful rhyming text, this story is perfect for reading out loud again and again.

Can You Guess Animals with The Very Hungry CaterpillarCan you Guess Animals?
By Eric Carle
ISBN 9781524786366 | Penguin Young Readers Group

Spot the animals in this guessing-game board book featuring The Very Hungry Caterpillar! Which animal has wrinkly gray skin and a long trunk? It’s an elephant! Try to guess which animal will appear on the next page from the colorful close-ups and clever clues from The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Eric Carle’s beautiful classic illustrations bring the animals to life on the page!

Can You Guess Food with The Very Hungry CaterpillarCan you Guess Food?
By Eric Carle
ISBN 9781524786373 | Penguin Young Readers Group

Look for the colorful foods in this guessing-game board book featuring The Very Hungry Caterpillar! Which fruit is yellow and tart? It’s a lemon! Use the close-up art to guess which food item will appear on the next page as The Very Hungry Caterpillar eats through this book, giving clues along the way. Eric Carle’s colorful illustrations are tasty and vibrant, bringing life to each page of this board book.

Harris Finds His FeetHarris Finds his Feet
By Catherine Rayner
ISBN 9781680105964 | Tiger Tales

A beautiful story of a child’s journey to independence. Grandpa shows Harris how to hop high into the sky, to climb to the tops of the mountains, and to run very fast. Harris not only learns about the world around him but also the importance of finding his own feet…

Hey BabyHey, Baby! B Baby’s Day in Doodles
By Andrea Pippins
ISBN 9781984849519 | Random House Children’s Book

Follow a baby throughout the day, from napping to snacking to playing–and everything in between! High contrast, lively illustrations combine with gorgeous, colorful photographs to showcase the warmth and tenderness between a mommy and her baby. This affectionate look at babyhood is sure to appeal to new parents and grandparents, who will recognize their own little one in the pages.

Hop HopHop! Hop!
By Leslie Patricelli
ISBN 9780763663193 | Candlewick Press

The Easter Bunny is coming! It’s time to dye eggs. Did you know that red and blue make purple? That blue and yellow make green? That an art project may result in a multicolored Baby? There are bunny ears to wear (for the dog and cat, too) and an Easter basket to put out before bedtime. What will Baby find inside it the next morning?

Pop-Up Peekaboo Baby AnimalsPop-Up Peekaboo! Baby Animals
ISBN 9781465490513 | DK

This colorful pop-up peekaboo book follows animal parents and their babies as they play hide-and-seek in the rain forest. Babies and toddlers can lift big flaps and see peekaboo surprises pop up from the pages: a naughty baby monkey swinging from a tree, a lively baby tree frog leaping through the leaves, a baby elephant who loves to splish splash in the lake, and a sleepy baby sloth hanging upside down from the branches of his tree. The lively, read-aloud rhymes encourage literacy and early learning, while the surprise pop-up rain forest scenes will delight curious preschoolers.

There Was an Old Dragon Who Swallowed a KnightThere was an Old Dragon Who Swallowed a Knight
By Penny Parker Klostermann
Illustrated by Ben Mantle
ISBN 9781984892423 | Random House Children’s Books

We all know that “there was an old lady” who swallowed lots of things. Now meet the old dragon who swallows pretty much an entire kingdom! Will he ever learn a little moderation?! This rollicking rhyme is full to bursting with sight gags, silly characters, and plenty of burps! Parents and kids alike will delight in Ben Mantle’s precisely funny illustrations and in Penny Parker Klostermann’s wacky rhymes.

Where Is The Very Hungry CaterpillarWhere is the Very Hungry Caterpillar?
By Eric Carle
ISBN 9781524786328 | Penguin Young Readers Group

Where Is The Very Hungry Caterpillar? With a lift-flap on every spread, this sturdy casebound board book lets little readers join in the fun as they search for this beloved character. Is he hiding in the grass? No, that’s a chirpy cricket. Is he nibbling the strawberry? No, that’s an ant. Find out where everyone’s favorite caterpillar is hiding!

Wheres the ChickWhere’s the Chick?
Illustrated by Ingela P Arrhenius
ISBN 9781536207514 | Candlewick Press

Five beautifully illustrated spreads show a series of baby animals hiding behind bright felt flaps. A textile, sensory read that’s perfect for sharing with babies and toddlers, featuring a mirror reveal on the final spread.

Who's Hiding in the WoodsWho’s Hiding in the Woods
Illustrated by Katharine McEwen
ISBN 9781536208207 | Candlewick Press

There are lots of creatures in the woods. Where are they hiding and what are they doing? In this innovative lift-the-flap book, little ones can pore over the beautiful collaged pages and explore under rocks and logs to learn lots of interesting facts about the forest. This is a perfect introduction to the outdoors.

Find these books at your favorite local book store or at Indigo’s Easter Shop.

Tundra Book Group