An almost wordless book about a puppy who is looking for a playmate. None of the animals in the pasture want to play "Stick" until another puppy comes along and the others get the idea and make off with the stick. But, never mind, the two puppy dogs have something better--each other. A good choice for encouraging children to tell their own stories in their own words.

Age: Preschool, Early School Years. Award Year: 2013. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

Piggie found a polka dotted ball, but then a BIG guy took it. Gerald does his best to get it back until he sees just how BIG the guy is. As always, Mo Willems manages to create a small drama that is told in few words for the beginning reader. This one really has a simple enough text for early readers to find their way through. It also says something worth saying about big guys not always being as powerful and happy as little guys think they are. 6-8

Age: Early School Years. Award Year: 2013. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

Duck cannot find his new blue socks. So begins this journey in verse with Duck asking fox and ox and finally the peacocks if they, by chance, have seen his socks. This will be a fun read-aloud and a good one for breaking the code for beginning readers. It's a one-joke book that is pretty predictable, but probably satisfying enough to hear more than once. 4-7

Age: Preschool, Early School Years. Award Year: 2013. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

It's all in the family-toddler time. It's a busy day with everyone in the family wanting one thing or another. Baby wants Mama, Cat wants fish, Daddy wants supper, Pup wants dish. Lively illustrations are matched with easy rhymes. A just right read-aloud for toddlers. 18 months & up

Age: Toddlers. Award Year: 2013. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

Lily is having a bad day. She is not really helping her busy mom. Then to make matters worse she tosses her toy dog, Bobbo in the air and he goes flying off on top of the school bus. Will Lilly find Bobbo? A small adventure with just enough suspense to satisfy young listeners. 4 & up.

Age: Preschool. Award Year: 2013.

What with all the bullying going on these days, here's a meaningful old story retold and illustrated by a master to share with a new generation. It all begins when elephant and hippo torment hare by calling him names. In the darkness of night, hare claims he can win a tug-of-war with each of the two big bullies. The rest is all good fun and speaks to the bigger idea of brains over brawn.

Age: Preschool, Early School Years. Award Year: 2013. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

Have you ever thought about what it must be like to learn to catch a fish for a bear cub or catch a fly if you were a little frog? In this rather unscientific book, each of the young creatures has a task it aspires to and accomplishes. Like the child at the end of the book who wants to hop, skip and hit a ball, learning is not always easy. A reassuring picture book that may help young doubters who are often impatient to grow up.

Age: Preschool. Award Year: 2013. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

Monkey and Elephant are friends, but Monkey thinks Elephant is copying her and she doesn't like it. When Elephant comes down with a cold, Monkey takes good care of him and when he gets better--can you guess what will happen next? Nicely told and illustrated with lively art. Perfect for 2nd level beginning readers.

Age: Early School Years. Award Year: 2013. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

A light but meaningful book about a young hippo who is about to start school. Her best friend, Tiny, a mouse is very conservative and keeps telling plump Penelope that what she wants to wear, eat for lunch and carry for show and tell is all wrong. After hearing him out Pen turns out the next day in her original choices and discovers that being herself is the best thing she can be. On one level it's a terrific tale--on another, as a parent you may have some qualms about going along with some of the off the wall choices kids can and do make. 5 & up.

Age: Early School Years. Award Year: 2013.

Young preschoolers will relate to this little story about Pip who is so happy to have a big red balloon. But then, the inevitable happens and it is Posy who comes up with a clever way to cheer-up Pip. Spoiler alert: Posy and Pip have good fun with bubbles that are supposed to pop. 2 ˝ & up

Age: Toddlers. Award Year: 2013. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.