National Pet Week

This year, May 6-11 is National Pet Week.  So this week, we are sharing some of our favorite chapter book stories about pets.

Bunnicula by Deborah & James Howe

Though scoffed at by Harold the dog, Chester the cat tries to warn his human family that their foundling baby bunny must be a vampire.

Wedgie & Gizmo by Suzanne Selfors

While his human Elliot adjusts to his new home and stepfamily, Gizmo, an evil genius guinea pig, searches for a new evil lair where he can plot to take over the world, but Gizmo is constantly thwarted by Wedgie (a Corgi superhero and Gizmo's nemesis).

The Great Pet Escape by Victoria Jamieson

A young graphic novel chapter book about the escape escapades of class pets at Daisy P. Flugelhorn Elementary School.

Quack by Anna Humphrey

After a duck helps ten-year-old Shady Cook, who has selective mutism, to gain confidence, he and his best friend, Pouya, bring the emotional support duck to school to help the many underdogs there.

More Books --

Bad Kitty series by Nick Bruel

The Great Pet Heist by Emily Ecton

The Incredibly Dead Pets of Rex Dexter by Aaron Reynolds

Jinxed by Amy McCulloch

Lio: There's a Monster in My Socks by Mark Tatulli

Maxi's Secrets by Lynn Plourde

Pax by Sara Pennypacker

Raising Rufus by David Fulk

Return of the Hungry Hamster by Sam Hay

The Simple Art of Flying by Cory Leonardo

Stubby by Kate Klimo

Switched by Bruce Hale

The World According to Humphrey by Betty G. Birney

Let's Learn About Animals

 Animal stories are always a popular request.  Who doesn't like to read a story about animals.  However, it is also fun to read and learn true information about animals.  Try one of these informational animal books . . . .

Animal Awards by Martin Jenkins

Fifty animals from across the globe are given awards for their most unique qualities, including the fabulous display award, the deep sea diver award, and the terrific teeth award.

Courageous Creatures by Lauren Tarshis

The author of the New York Times bestselling I SURVIVED series shares four thrilling true stories of animals who have faced disaster - and come through. You'll meet courageous animals and also inspiring humans who show how we can help protect the creatures who share our precious Earth.

More Books --
125 True Stories of Amazing Animal Friendships by National Geographic Kids
African Elephants by Gail Terp
Animal Showdown by Stephanie Warren Drimmer
Animals That Fly by Angela Royston
Baby Giraffes by Deanna Caswell
Caterpillar to Butterfly by Laura Marsh
Chimpanzees by Katie Marsico
Eagles by Gail Terp
Eyewitness: Animal by Tom Jackson
Kangaroos: Amazing Jumpers by Lisa M. Herrington
Miniature Horses by Elizabeth Noll
My Pet Bird by Lynn Hamilton
Octopuses: Clever Ocean Creatures by Mara Grunbaum
Red-Eyed Tree Frogs by Nicki Clausen-Grace
Sloths by Josh Gregory
Snakes by James Buckley, Jr.
Teaming Up: Animal Partners by Cassidy St. James

Tails & Tales: Reading Safari

 This week, I'm sharing picture books featuring animals you might find on a safari.  Here are a few of my favorites . . . .

Lion Lessons by Jon Agee
Learning to be a lion takes some serious lessons, but luckily, this kid has a teacher who is a real pro.

Hooray for Hat! by Brian Won

Elephant wakes up in a grumpy mood, but a present on his doorstep--a hat--cheers him and he sets out to greet his neighbors who all, it seems, need hats of their own!

Count the Monkeys by Mac Barnett
The reader is invited to count the animals that have frightened the monkeys off the pages.

Hippos Are Huge! by Jonathan London

Presents an introduction to the hippopotamus that describes its less well-known characteristics, including its strength, speed, and deadly nature.

Tiny Little Fly by Michael Rosen

With a tramp and a roll and a swat, Great Big Elephant, Great Big Hippo, and Great Big Tiger try to capture Tiny Little Fly as he teases each one in turn.

More Books --

Alan's Big Scary Teeth by Jarvis

Cecily G. and the Nine Monkeys by H.A. Rey

Elmer by David McKee

Giraffes Can't Dance by Giles Andreae

The Good Ship Crocodile by J. Patrick Lewis

Hello, Hippo! Goodbye, Bird! by Kristyn Crow

It's a Tiger! by David LaRochelle

Mouse & Lion by Rand Burkert

Old Mikamba Had a Farm by Rachel Isadora

On Safari by Emma Lynch

One Day in the Eucalyptus, Eucalyptus Tree by Daniel Bergstrom

One Gorilla: A Counting Book by Anthony Browne

The President of the Jungle by Andre Rodrigues
Rhino Romp by Jean Craighead George

Row, Row, Row Your Boat by Jane Cabrera

The Short Giraffe by Neil Flory

Sloth Went by Adam Lehrhaupt

Snappsy the Alligator Did NOT Ask to Be in This Book! by Julie Falatko

Snuggle Up, Sleepy Ones by Claire Freeman

Tales from the Waterhole by Bob Graham

Tiptoe Tapirs by Han-Min Kim
The Travels of Babar by Jean de Brunhoff

Verdi by Janell Cannon

Wally Wants to Hug by Barbara M. Joosse

What Does an Anteater Eat? by Ross Collins

Check these and more safari animal books out on display at the Arnold Branch through August 27, 2021.

Lesser Spotted Animals by Martin Brown

The Coolest Creatures You've Never Heard Of

This book definitely lives up to its slogan of giving information about cool animals you've haven't seen before.  It lists nearly 25 different animals that are relatively unknown to people.  This is a great browsing book for someone looking to learn a little while filling some time.  I would definitely recommend it to all kids.

Let's Take a Trip . . . On Safari

This week, let's take an imagination vacation to Africa on safari.  Here are some great books featuring safari animals . . .

Tiny Little Fly by Michael Rosen
With a tramp and a roll and a swat, Great Big Elephant, Great Big Hippo, and Great Big Tiger try to capture Tiny Little Fly as he teases each one in turn.

Elmer by David McKee
All the elephants of the jungle were gray except Elmer, who was a patchwork of brilliant colors until the day he got tired of being different and making the other elephants laugh.

Kiss Kiss by Margaret Wild
Baby Hippo is in such a rush to play one morning he forgets to kiss his mama, but strangely all the jungle noises seem to remind him.

Starry Safari by Linda Ashman
Bedtime becomes a jungle safari until the Big Safari Ranger brings it to a halt.

More Safari Books --
Bill and Pete by Tomie dePaolo
George and Martha by James Marshall
Gumption! by Elise Broach
How to Catch an Elephant by Amy Schwartz
The Lion and the Mouse by Jerry Pinkney

The Long, Long Line by Tomoko Ohmura

Fifty animals are all standing in a long, long line.  It is creeping forward very, very slowly.

Why are they in line?  What is at the end?

Read this book to find out!

Try identifying all fifty different animals as you read their excited comments about the upcoming fun.