Reading Caterpillar’s Book recommendations for ages 3 to 6

Some drool worthy books put together in a list just for you and your child :). We recommend that you get your hands on these right away or come to the Library!! Thank you to the very hard working Prerna Sood for putting this together.

1. Gaston by Kelly DiPucchio                                                                                                           (http://www.amazon.com/Gaston-Kelly-DiPucchio/dp/1442451025)

1

 

A bulldog and a poodle learn that family is about love, not appearances in this adorable doggy tale. This is the story of four puppies: Fi-Fi, Foo-Foo, Ooh-La-La, and Gaston. Gaston works the hardest at his lessons on how to be a proper pooch. He sips—never slobbers! He yips—never yaps! And he walks with grace—never races! Gaston fits right in with his poodle sisters.

 

 

  1. Goldilocks and the 3 Dinosaurs: As Retold by Mo Willems by Mo Willems

(http://www.amazon.com/Goldilocks-Three-Dinosaurs-Retold-Willems/dp/0062104187/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1423476184&sr=1-1&keywords=goldilocks+and+the+three+dinosaurs)

2Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs is a new take on the fairy-tale classic Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Once upon a time, there were three hungry Dinosaurs: Papa Dinosaur, Mama Dinosaur . . . and a Dinosaur who happened to be visiting from Norway.

One day—for no particular reason—they decided to tidy up their house, make the beds, and prepare pudding of varying temperatures. And then—for no particular reason—they decided to go . . . someplace else. They were definitely not setting a trap for some succulent, unsupervised little girl.

 

  1. The Lion and the Bird by Marianna Dubuc

(http://www.amazon.com/Lion-Bird-Marianne-Dubuc/dp/1592701515/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1423476582&sr=1-1&keywords=the+lion+and+the+bird+marianne+dubuc)
3

One autumn day, a lion finds a wounded bird in his garden. With the departure of the bird’s flock, the lion decides that it’s up to him to care for the bird. He does and the two become fast friends. Nevertheless, the bird departs with his flock the following autumn. What will become of Lion and what will become of their friendship?

  1. The Book with No Pictures by B.J. Novak

(http://www.amazon.com/Book-No-Pictures-B-J-Novak/dp/0803741715/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1423544238&sr=1-1&keywords=the+book+with+no+pictures+by+b.j.+novak)

4

 

You might think a book with no pictures seems boring and serious. Except . . . here’s how books work. Everything written on the page has to be said by the person reading it aloud. Even if the words say . . .BLORK. Or BLUURF.

Even if the words are a preposterous song about eating ants for breakfast, or just a list of astonishingly goofy sounds like BLAGGITY BLAGGITY and GLIBBITY GLOBBITY.

  1. Once upon an Alphabet by Oliver Jeffers

(http://www.amazon.com/Once-Upon-Alphabet-Stories-Letters/dp/0399167919/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1423544503&sr=1-1&keywords=once+upon+an+alphabet+oliver+jeffers)

5

From an Astronaut who’s afraid of heights, to a Bridge that ends up burned between friends, to a Cup stuck in a cupboard and longing for freedom, Once Upon an Alphabet is a creative tour de force from A through Z. Slyly funny in a way kids can’t resist, and gorgeously illustrated in a way readers of all ages will pour over, this series of interconnected stories and characters explores the alphabet in a way that will forever raise the bar.

 

 

  1. What do you do with an idea? by Kobi Yamada

(http://www.amazon.com/What-Do-You-Idea/dp/1938298071/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1423546892&sr=1-1&keywords=what+do+you+do+with+an+idea)

6

This is the story of one brilliant idea and the child who helps to bring it into the world. As the child’s confidence grows, so does the idea itself. And then, one day, something amazing happens.
This is a story for anyone, at any age, who s ever had an idea that seemed a little too big, too odd, too difficult. It s a story to inspire you to welcome that idea, to give it some space to grow, and to see what happens next. Because your idea isn’t going anywhere. In fact, it’s just getting started.

The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires

(http://www.amazon.com/Most-Magnificent-Thing-Ashley-Spires/dp/1554537045/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1423547056&sr=1-1&keywords=the+most+magnificent+thing)

7

The book is about an unnamed girl and her very best friend, who happens to be a dog. The girl has a wonderful idea. “She is going to make the most MAGNIFICENT thing! She knows just how it will look. She knows just how it will work. All she has to do is make it, and she makes things all the time. Easy-peasy!” But making her magnificent thing is anything but easy, and the girl tries and fails, repeatedly. Eventually, the girl gets really, really mad. She is so mad, in fact, that she quits. But after her dog convinces her to take a walk, she comes back to her project with renewed enthusiasm and manages to get it just right.

  1. Only One You by Linda Kranz

(http://www.amazon.com/Only-One-You-Linda-Kranz/dp/0873589017/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1423548431&sr=1-1&keywords=only+one+you)

 8

There’s only one you in this great big world. Make it a better place. Adri’s mama and papa share some of the wisdom they have gained through the years with their eager son. Their words, simple and powerful, are meant to comfort and guide him as he goes about exploring the world. This exquisitely illustrated book explodes with color and honest insights. Kranz’s uniquely painted rockfish, set against vibrant blue seas, make an unforgettable and truly special impression. Only One You will inspire parents and children of all ages as they swim through the sea of life.

 

  1. Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney

(http://www.amazon.com/Miss-Rumphius-Barbara-Cooney/dp/0140505393/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1423548537&sr=1-1&keywords=miss+rumphius)

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Barbara Cooney’s story of Alice Rumphius, who longed to travel the world, live in a house by the sea, and do something to make the world more beautiful, has a timeless quality that resonates with each new generation. The countless lupines that bloom along the coast of Maine are the legacy of the real Miss Rumphius, the Lupine Lady, who scattered lupine seeds everywhere she went. Miss Rumphius received the American Book Award in the year of publication.

 

 

  1. Extra Yarn by Mac Barnett

(http://www.amazon.com/Extra-Yarn-Mac-Barnett/dp/0061953385/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1423548689&sr=1-1&keywords=extra+yarn)

10This is the story of how a young girl and her box of magical yarn transform a community. With spare, gently humorous illustrations and a palette that moves from black-and-white to a range of color, this modern fairy tale has the feel of a new classic.

 

 

 

  1. Sleep like a Tiger by Mary Logue

(http://www.amazon.com/Sleep-Like-Tiger-Caldecott-Medal/dp/0547641028/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1423548888&sr=1-1&keywords=sleep+like+a+tiger)

 11

In this magical bedtime story, the lyrical narrative echoes a Runaway Bunny – like cadence: “Does everything in the world go to sleep?” the little girl asks. In sincere and imaginative dialogue between a not-at-all sleepy child and understanding parents, the little girl decides “in a cocoon of sheets, a nest of blankets,” she is ready to sleep, warm and strong, just like a tiger. The Caldecott Honor artist Pamela Zagarenski’s rich, luminous mixed-media paintings effervesce with odd, charming details that non-sleepy children could examine for hours.

 

  1. Those Darn Squirrels by Adam Rubin

(http://www.amazon.com/Those-Darn-Squirrels-Adam-Rubin/dp/0547576811/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1423549013&sr=1-1&keywords=those+darn+squirrels)

12
Old Man Fookwire is a grump who only likes to paint pictures of birds that visit his backyard. The problem is, they fly south every winter, leaving him sad and lonely. So he decides to get them to stay by putting up beautiful birdfeeders filled with seeds and berries. Unfortunately, the squirrels like the treats, too, and make a daring raid on the feeders. The conflict escalates—until the birds depart (as usual), and the squirrels come up with a plan that charms the old grump.

 

 

  1. The Flat Rabbit by Bardur Oscarrson

(http://www.amazon.com/Flat-Rabbit-Bardur-Oskarsson/dp/1771470593/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1423549133&sr=1-1&keywords=the+flat+rabbit)

 13When a dog and a rat come upon a rabbit flattened on the road in their neighborhood, they contemplate her situation, wondering what they should do to help her. They decide it can’t be much fun to lie there; she should be moved. But how? And to where? Finally, the dog comes up with an inspired and unique idea and they work together through the night to make it happen. Once finished, they can’t be positive, but they think they have done their best to help the flat rabbit get somewhere better than the middle of the road where they found her. Sparely told with simple artwork, The Flat Rabbit treats the concept of death with a sense of compassion and gentle humor — and a note of practicality. In the end, the dog’s and the rat’s caring, thoughtful approach results in an unusual yet perfect way to respect their departed friend.

 

  1. Waiting is not easy by Mo Willems

(http://www.amazon.com/Waiting-Easy-Elephant-Piggie-Book/dp/142319957X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1423549235&sr=1-1&keywords=waiting+is+not+easy)

14

 

Gerald is careful. Piggie is not.
Piggie cannot help smiling. Gerald can.
Gerald worries so that Piggie does not have to.
Gerald and Piggie are best friends.
In Waiting Is Not Easy!, Piggie has a surprise for Gerald, but he is going to have to wait for it. And Wait. And wait some more…

 

  1. Wild by Emily Hughes

(http://www.amazon.com/Wild-Emily-Hughes/dp/1909263087/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1423549350&sr=1-3&keywords=wild)

15 

In this book, we meet a little girl who has known nothing but nature from birth—she was taught to talk by birds, to eat by bears, and to play by foxes. She is unashamedly, irrefutably, irrepressibly wild. That is, until she is snared by some very strange animals that look oddly like her, but they don’t talk right, eat right, or play correctly. She’s puzzled by their behavior and their insistence on living in these strange concrete structures: there’s no green here, no animals, no trees, no rivers.