Our Best Friends: Dogs

Sterling, Best Dog Ever written and illustrated by Aidan Cassie

Sterling the dog has always wanted a home. But no home has ever wanted him. So when Sterling sees a sign on the side of the Butlery Cutlery Company advertising free “shipping to homes around the world,” he is determined to become the most terrific fork ever!

Found by Jeff Newman

While Jenn is seeking Prudence, her big, sleek and shiny, black and white dog, she meets and falls in love with Roscoe, a scruffy little golden dog.

Old Hat written and illustrated by Emily Gravett

After buying one outrageous hat after another in an attempt to keep up with the latest fashions set by his teasing animal friends, Harbet the dog learns that true happiness comes from being yourself.

Tiny and the Big Dig by Sherri Duskey Rinker

Tiny is a small, but very determined dog and right now he smells a big bone buried deep in the earth of the garden–and he is going to get that bone no matter how far down he has to dig.

Floaty by John Himmelman

Mr. Raisin is a bit of a grump. He lives all alone in a little house, and he likes it that way just fine. One day, a mysterious basket appears on Mr. Raisin’s doorstep. When he opens it up, it seems there’s nothing inside… until he notices a floating dog bobbing along his ceiling.

Rescue & Jessica : a Life-changing Friendship by Jessica Kensky

When he is paired with a girl who has lost her legs, Rescue worries that he isn’t up to the task of being her service dog.

A Stone for Sascha written and illustrated by Aaron Becker

A young girl, still reeling from her dog’s death, finds solace while picking up stones on the beach during her family’s vacation.

Ben and the Scaredy-dog by Sarah Ellis

Ben was upset when his friend Peter moved away, but now the new neighbors are moving in across the street and Ben can’t wait to go say hello and make friends. That is, until he notices that this family has a pet dog; and unlike his sister and brother, Ben isn’t so sure around dogs.

A Universe of Stories: Space Aliens!

Company’s Going by Arthur Yorinks

After inviting two spacemen to stay for dinner, Shirley and Moe are asked to return with them to their planet Nextoo to cater their sister’s rather large wedding.

Best Frints at Skrool written and illustrated by Antoinette Portis

Yelfred and Omek are back and this time they’re going to skrool in Best Frints at Skrool, the hilarious sequel to Best Frints in the Whole Universe by award-winning writer/artist Antoinette Portis.

Time for (Earth) school, Dewey Dew by Leslie Staub

Click-Clack Waddle Dot Dewey Dew from Planet Eight Hundred Seventy-Two Point Nine does not want to go to school–not on his planet, and definitely not on Planet Earth at Mrs. Brightsun’s School for Little Learners.

Aliens Love Dinopants by Claire Freedman

When aliens crash-land in the jungle, they have no idea that they are about to stumble into the biggest stash of underwear ever. Their happiness knows no bounds since all aliens share a love for zany underpants!

Your Alien by Tammi Sauer

When a little boy meets a stranded alien child, the two quickly become friends, but at bedtime, the alien suddenly grows very sad, and the boy tries to figure out what his new friend needs to be happy again.

Wazdot? By Michael H. Slack

An alien is mystified by the sights and sounds of Earth, but a decoder beam helps identify such oddities as a pig, vegetables, and a tractor.

Take Me to Your BBQ by Kathy Duval

When Willy goes outside to check on his grill, he finds a UFO full of aliens who want some of his barbecue and chili, and then tear up his farm square dancing while he plays the fiddle.

When Edgar Met Cecil by Kevin Luthardt

A robot and an alien overcome obstacles to form an unlikely friendship.

Create alien space ships with paper plates: http://bargerfam.blogspot.com/2014/02/out-of-world-discover-moon-and-space.html

Blow paint aliens: https://www.masandpas.com/2018/09/amazing-blow-paint-aliens/

Meet the Monkeys!

Monkeys by Julie Murray

Learn about monkeys including details regarding their behavior, families, and environment.

Where’s My Mom? By Julia Donaldson

A butterfly tries to help a lost young monkey find its mother in the jungle, meeting many different animals along the way.

Count the Monkeys by Mac Barnett

The reader is invited to count the animals that have frightened the monkeys off the pages.

Two Little Monkeys by Mem Fox

A rhyming tale about two little monkeys who are hiding from a leopard.

Meet the Howlers by April Pulley Sayre

These rain forest dwellers are loud and sloppy. This playful poem brings howler monkeys to life in all their growly, barking glory. Extra facts within the text give readers the lowdown on these loudmouths.

Peanut by David Lucas

In the morning a flower opens. Inside is a monkey as big as a pea. The monkey calls himself Peanut. Day and night bring many surprises as Peanut learns about his life and the world.

No More, Por Favor by Susan Middleton Elya

Rain forest parents come up with a solution when all their children become picky eaters at the same time. Spanish words interspersed in the rhyming text are defined in a glossary.

Banana! By Ed Vere

Colorful illustrations and brief text show how two monkeys learn to share when there is only one banana between them.

Monkey paper bag puppet: http://kidzactivities.net/monkey-paper-bag-puppet/

Rainforest fine motor activity: http://munchkinsandmoms.com/rainforest-fine-motor-activity/

Rainforest stickers: https://www.flickr.com/photos/deluxxedition/2850949443/sizes/o/in/set-72157607014051303/

 

A Universe of Stories: Stars

Older Than the Stars by Karen C. Fox

In a way, we are all as old as the universe itself. In fact, every bit of every one of us was created in the Big Bang, billions of years ago.

Stunning illustrations and lively verse tell the story of the cosmic connections that tie human beings to the beginning of the universe. Simple, informative prose provides additional facts.

One Day a Dot by Ian Lendler

Starting with one tiny dot and continuing through the Big Bang to the rise of human societies, the story of our universe is told in simple and vivid terms. But the biggest question of all cannot be answered: Where did that one dot come from?

The Stuff of Stars by Marion Dane Bauer

Before the universe was formed, before time and space existed, there was . . . nothing. But then . . . BANG! Stars caught fire and burned so long that they exploded, flinging stardust everywhere. And the ash of those stars turned into planets. Into our Earth. And into us. In a poetic text, Marion Dane Bauer takes readers from the trillionth of a second when our universe was born to the singularities that became each one of us, while vivid illustrations by Ekua Holmes capture the void before the Big Bang and the ensuing life that burst across galaxies.

Lost Stars by Hannah Cumming

Everyone has become so focused on bright lights and new technology that they have forgotten about the stars. Fed up with not being appreciated, the stars decide to leave their posts and go on holiday. But what will happen when the lights go out? A charming picture book warning us to appreciate the natural beauty of the world, before it is lost.

A Big Mooncake for Little Star by Grace Lin

Reimagines the cycles of the moon as a mother bakes a Big Moon Cake and, despite Mama’s request to wait, Little Star begins nibbling at it every night.

First Star: a Bear and Mole Story by Will Hillenbrand

While camping, Bear tells Mole the story of how the First Bears created the moon and the stars.

Star Climbing by Lou Fancher

When he cannot sleep, a little boy imagines himself on a nighttime journey across the sky where he can run and dance with star constellations.

My House has Stars by Megan McDonald

Young people describe the different kinds of homes they live in around the world and how they see the stars.

Constellation lacing cards: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B8__TFE0yObfNmQ3NTA1NjUtYTdjMy00OGE5LTlkMzQtYjJmOWFjYjgzYzk2/view?hl=en&authkey=CJiFndEM

DIY Constellation flashlight: https://www.handmadecharlotte.com/diy-constellation-flashlight-discs/