Storytime: New & Notable Picture Books (12)

Red: A Crayon's Story

Written & Illustrated by Michael Hall

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In this new picture book from Michael Hall, one crayon has spent his whole life believing he’s red, until the day a new friend allows him to see beyond his label and realize he’s been blue all along. This book looks deceptively simple, but, underneath the cover, readers young and old will find an inspiring story about joy of being true to oneself. I want to hand this book to everyone who walks through the door.

I Don't Want to Be a Frog
Written by Dev Petty; Illustrated by Mike Boldt

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This is the story of a frog who would rather be anything other than a wet, slimy, bug-eating amphibian. Anything — he’s sure! — would be better than being a frog. He can hop like a rabbit, and he’s sure he could stomach garbage like a pig, but one by one his alternatives are proved unsatisfactory. It isn’t until a hungry wolf with a diverse appetite comes along that frog realizes being just who he is isn’t so bad after all. Laughs and a worthwhile message about being yourself are guaranteed!

Second Banana
Written by Keith Graves

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Oop the Gorilla is always stuck playing second banana to the Amazing Bubbles, the star of the circus. Bubbles is the car driver, Oops is the tire pumper-upper. Bubbles dazzles on the piano, Oops holds the music. When Bubbles gets a boo-boo and is unable to perform, it’s up to Oop to help save the day. Things might not go exactly as planned, but Oops shows everyone that being different doesn’t necessarily mean you’re second banana, you might just be a Top Banana too. Get ready, the hapless Oops is about to steal the show – and your heart!

Wolfie the Bunny
Written by Ame Dyckman & Illustrated by Zachariah OHora

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Little bunny Dot does not approve when her parents decide to raise the wolf left on their doorstop as their own. Mama and Papa find the new addition to the family adorable, but Dot is quite certain that Wolfie is going to eat them all up. When Wolfie is threatened by a very hungry bear, Dot steps up, defending her sibling despite his wolfish tendencies. Wolfie the Bunny is a clever story about one skeptical bunny, her questionable new sibling, and the bond of family. Great fun!

Special Delivery
Written by Philip C. Stead; Illustrated by Matthew Cordell

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In Special Delivery, Sadie is determined to send her Great-Aunt Josephine an elephant. Josephine, who lives almost completely alone, could really use the company. But mailing an elephant from the post office requires a lot of stamps, so Sadie must find another way. Thus begins an adventure including an airplane, an alligator guide, monkey bandits, and more. Readers are sure to fall for the precocious Sadie and her patient elephant companion while trying to guess what might happen next. Highly recommended!

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Love any of the books featured this week? Want to see a certain theme, author, or illustrator explored in an upcoming Story Time post? Let me know in the comments!