Read alouds for school visits: Kindergarten

With perfect pacing, the multi-award-winning, New York Times best-selling team of Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen dig down for a deadpan tale full of visual humor. Sam and Dave are on a mission. A mission to find something spectacular. So they dig a hole. And they keep digging. And they find . . . nothing. Yet the day turns out to be pretty spectacular after all. Attentive readers will be rewarded with a rare treasure in this witty story of looking for the extraordinary--and finding it in a manner you'd never expect.

Shark VS. Train! WHO WILL WIN?!
If you think Superman vs. Batman would be an exciting matchup, wait until you see Shark vs. Train. In this hilarious and wacky picture book, Shark and Train egg each other on for one competition after another, including burping, bowling, Ping Pong, piano playing, pie eating, and many more! Who do YOU think will win, Shark or Train?

"A subtle, deceptively simple book about inclusion, hospitality, and welcoming the 'other.'" --Kirkus Reviews "A boundlessly inclusive spirit...This open-ended picture book creates a natural springboard for discussion." --Booklist "This sweet extended metaphor uses an umbrella to demonstrate how kindness and inclusion work...A lovely addition to any library collection, for classroom use or for sharing at home." --School Library Journal In the tradition of Alison McGhee's Someday, beloved illustrator Amy June Bates makes her authorial debut alongside her eleven-year-old daughter with this timely and timeless picture book about acceptance. By the door there is an umbrella. It is big. It is so big that when it starts to rain there is room for everyone underneath. It doesn't matter if you are tall. Or plaid. Or hairy. It doesn't matter how many legs you have. Don't worry that there won't be enough room under the umbrella. Because there will always be room. Lush illustrations and simple, lyrical text subtly address themes of inclusion and tolerance in this sweet story that accomplished illustrator Amy June Bates cowrote with her daughter, Juniper, while walking to school together in the rain.

Old man, big city. Pretty kitty, pretty little itty bitty kitty cat.In this charming counting book, a lonely old man discovers one kitty on his front step. But he does not want a kitty cat--scat! As the number of kitties grows, will the man find room in his heart--and home--for his new feline friends?Godwin Books

Min is a microbe. She is small. Very small. In fact, so small that you'd need to look through a microscope to see her. Or you can simply open this book and take Min on an adventure to amazing places she's never seen before--like the icy glaciers of your tooth or the twisted, tangled jungle of your shirt. Written by Idan Ben-Barak, with illustrations from Julian Frost, Do Not Lick This Book is perfect for anyone who wants to take a closer look at the world.

What's the best way to cure a gloomy day? A trip to the library! Based on the hit song by Tom Chapin and Michael Mark, here is an affectionate, exuberant, uproarious celebration of books, reading, and--SHHH!--libraries! The rain is pouring, Dad is snoring, and the same old stuff is on TV--boring. What is there to do today? Go to the library, of course! Who will we meet there? Let's find out!

The humorous adventures of an irresistible little rock who finds herself in constantly changing circumstances, Petra is a picture book that celebrates the power of perspective and believing in yourself. Petra is a little rock who believes she is a mighty mountain . . . until a dog fetches her for its owner, and she is tossed into a bird's nest. A mountain? No, Petra is now an egg! An egg of the world in a world of possibility. Until she's flung into a pond, and becomes an amazing island . . . and, eventually, a little girl's pet rock. What will she be tomorrow? Who knows? But she's a rock, and this is how she rolls!

They can stand in line (sort of), use indoor voices (perhaps), and are capable of sharing (rumor has it), so the Click Clack critters are ready for school...but is school ready for them? A charming addition to the award-winning Click, Clack series from the New York Times bestselling and Caldecott winning team who brought you Click, Clack, Moo and Click, Clack, Surprise! Farmer Brown has been invited to be a guest at the elementary school's Farm Day! The animals excitedly practice their best classroom behavior: standing quietly in line, using their inside voices, and learning how to share. But then they find out that farm animals aren't actually allowed in school (who knew they were considered a health code violation?!). Rules are rules, so Farmer Brown goes to school solo--or so he thinks...for while our favorite barnyard bunch don't get high marks in rules, they do excel in disguise.

Farmer Brown has a problem. His cows like to type. All day long he hears Click, clack, MOO. Click, clack, MOO. Clickety, clack, MOO. But Farmer Brown's problems REALLY begin when his cows start leaving him notes.... Doreen Cronin's understated text and Betsy Lewin's expressive illustrations make the most of this hilarious situation.

The instant New York Times bestseller! Every porcine wonder was once a piglet! Celebrate the joy of a new arrival with this endearing picture-book prequel to the New York Times best-selling Mercy Watson series. Mr. Watson and Mrs. Watson live ordinary lives. Sometimes their lives feel a bit too ordinary. Sometimes they wish something different would happen. And one day it does, when someone unpredictable finds her way to their front door. In a delightful origin story for the star of the Mercy Watson series, a tiny piglet brings love (and chaos) to Deckawoo Drive -- and the Watsons' lives will never be the same.

In this uproariously funny counting book, illustrated by popular artist Kevin Hawkes, a ravenous little sister eats everything from one hare to ten peas. Now in Dragonfly, this is the perfect book for any kid who loves to giggle (and who doesn't?) and parents who love to hear them.  

Stegothesaurus has always been a little different from his brothers--he just loves words too much! But it gets a little lonely being so smart. What's a word-loving dinosaur to do?Dinosaurs are a perennial favorite in the picture book market, so young readers are sure to flock to this trio of stegosauruses. Adding to the fun is the author's playful introduction to synonyms and debut illustrator T. L. McBeth's vibrant, graphic art. The picture book, the first of two, is perfect for fans of Bob Shea and Tim Miller.

Queen Panda hasn't been able to sleep for days. Her subjects are worried and exhausted from serving her day and night. Something must be done! 
As news spreads throughout the kingdom that a reward will be given to whoever can make the Queen sleep, animals from faraway places rush to the palace to try their luck. Who will find the magic solution to Queen Panda's problem? Bright illustrations bring together animals from all over the world in this humorous and clever bedtime story. StarBerry Books, an imprint of Kane Press, is a library full of diverse and imaginative children's books created by authors and artists from all over the globe. "Read Your Way Around the World!"

Have you ever thought: I have so many problems and nobody even cares? Well, penguins have problems too! Discover them in this hilarious collaboration from Jory John (All my friends are dead. and Quit Calling Me a Monster!) and Lane Smith (The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales)!   This penguin has come to tell you that life in Antarctica is no paradise. For starters, it is FREEZING. Also, penguins have a ton of natural predators. Plus, can you imagine trying to find your mom in a big ol' crowd of identical penguins? No, thank you.   Yes, it seems there is no escaping the drudgery of your daily grind, whatever it might be. Or perhaps we've just learned that grumps are everywhere. . . .    This book is sure to tickle kids' funny bones and will elicit appreciative sighs from the adults reading it aloud.   "We are all Mortimer [the main character in Penguin Problems]." --The New York Times "Bursting with humor." --Kirkus Reviews   "The snark level is cranked up high." --The Horn Book, Starred   "Will be right at home with fans of Jon Klassen's This Is Not My Hat." --Booklist   "Classic comedy." --Publishers Weekly   "Rib-tickling." --School Library Journal

Bear's many animal friends try to help him get to sleep in time for winter hibernation in this companion story to Bear Snores On. It's winter, and deep in the forest, Bear should be fast asleep. But when his friends come by to check on him, they realize that Bear is still awake! They brew him hot tea and sing him lullabies, but nothing seems to work. Can Bear get to bed? Or will he be up all winter?

A little red bird is amazed when a friendly lion uses his tail as a paintbrush to create a picture just for her.

When Cow gets her hooves on the farmer's car, she takes it for a wild ride through the country. Moooo! But a bump in the road brings this joy ride to a troublesome end. Moo-moo. . . Has Cow learned her lesson about living life in the fast lane? Moo? Pairing two talented creators who managed to tell a complete story with just one word-MOO-this imaginative picture book will have readers laughing one moment and on the edge of their seats the next, as it captures the highs and lows of a mischievous cow's very exciting day.

It is nighttime at the zoo. The animals are asleep. All is still, until. . . beebeebobbibobbi beebeebobbibobbi beebeebobbibobbi beebeebobbibobbi The baby beebee bird, new to the zoo, is singing his song. . .ALL NIGHT LONG! Nothing the animals do or say will stop him. Until, that is, they come up with a plan to teach the baby beebee bird that nighttime is really best for sleeping -- especially for little birds.

If a hungry little traveler shows up at your house, you might want to give him a cookie. If you give him a cookie, he's going to ask for a glass of milk. He'll want to look in a mirror to make sure he doesn't have a milk mustache, and then he'll ask for a pair of scissors to give himself a trim.... The consequences of giving a cookie to this energetic mouse run the young host ragged, but young readers will come away smiling at the antics that tumble like dominoes through the pages of this delightful picture book.

New York Times bestseller! A warm, welcoming picture book that celebrates diversity and gives encouragement and support to all kids. Follow a group of children through a day in their school, where everyone is welcomed with open arms. A school where kids in patkas, hijabs, and yarmulkes play side-by-side with friends in baseball caps. A school where students grow and learn from each other's traditions and the whole community gathers to celebrate the Lunar New Year. All Are Welcome lets young children know that no matter what, they have a place, they have a space, they are welcome in their school. "Penfold and Kaufman have outdone themselves in delivering a vital message in today's political climate."--Kirkus, Starred review "A lively, timely picture book."--Booklist "This is a must-read for pre-school and elementary classrooms everywhere. An important book that celebrates diversity and inclusion in a beautiful, age-appropriate way." - Trudy Ludwig, author of The Invisible Boy and Quiet Please, Owen McPhee! "A great read-aloud selection to start the year and revisit time and again." --School Library Journal

It's autumn, and Fletcher's favorite tree is slowly changing colors and losing its leaves. Fletcher is very worried. He tells the tree he'll help. But when the very last leaf falls to the ground, Fletcher feels as though he's let down his friend . . . . . . until the first day of winter, when Fletcher sees that his tree has turned into a shining, glittering surprise.

It's midnight and the moon is full, but Darth Vader isn't scared. Of course I am not scared. Nothing can scare lord Vader! Correct. Not monsters or witches or ghosts, and especially not the dark. So what is Darth Vader scared of? Read on in Adam Rex's hilarious and spooky star wars tale to find out! You will learn nothing.

Calling all daredevils! It's time to play CRASH, SPLASH, OR MOO! in this boisterous picture book with all the excitement of a game show. Mr. McMonkey is your host, and your contestants are America's favorite stunt clam, Action Clam...and a cow! These unlikely daredevils face off in a zany sequence of challenges--and readers get to guess the outcome of all the wacky stunts. Winner gets a Golden Banana! Readers will be laughing, cheering, and giving themselves a round of applause as they play the game over and over again. Bob Shea, creator of many favorite funny books, including Unicorn Thinks He's Pretty Great and the Ballet Cat series, provides endless storytime fun with high-energy audience participation.

Bear is hungry. Gertie wants to help. But finding the perfect snack is harder than it looks. Will Gertie and Bear silence Bear's tummy grumbles before hunger gets the best of them? Expressive characters and funny dialogue lead the way in this pitch-perfect story about patience and teamwork, by nationally-syndicated cartoonist Drew Sheneman.

This clever companion to This Is a Ball and Did You Take the B from My _ook? is the perfect read-aloud for the giggling masses who love Hervé Tullet's Press Here, Lane Smith's It's a Book!, and BJ Novak's The Book With No Pictures. The Books That Drive Kids CRAZY! series offers parents, teachers, and storytellers a hilarious script for fun reading time with children. In book 3, This Book Is Red, something is clearly bonkers when the narrator insists that frogs and penguins are obviously the same color as lobsters--and the claims get more outrageous from there. What is up with this nonsense? Kids will demand to know--and all readers will be howling with laughter all along the way. With strikingly simple text and art, Books That Drive Kids CRAZY! are ideal picks for emergent readers.

It's bedtime, but Bird wants to play! Sound familiar? I AM NOT TIRED! WHY SHOULD I GO TO SLEEP?! Bird's friends are getting ready for bed, but Bird isn't ready to sleep. His wings want to flap. His legs want to run. All of him wants to play. "Whee!" says Bird. "It''s party time!" He tries to coax his pals into joining his fun, but they are tired and want to sleep. They offer to settle Bird with their bedtime rituals - reading a book, cuddling a stuffed animal, singing a lullaby - but he just ramps UP with every suggestion. Finally, after exhausting all possibilities and tiring himself with a signature melt down, he collapses into slumber . . . at least for a little while. Spirited kids and exhausted parents will laugh their way to happy dreams in this hilarious and relatable take on bedtime, which  as only the witty and warm Jeremy Tankard could create.

Bug! Rug! Mug! Hug! These dust bunnies love to rhyme. Well, except for Bob. Much to the other bunnies' frustration, Bob can never get the rhythm right. Then he saves everyone from a big, scary monster wielding--gasp!--a broom, and they all breathe a sigh of relief. But can Bob save them from the big, scary monster's next attack? Vrrrrrroooommm . . .

Trixie, Daddy, and Knuffle Bunny take a trip to the neighborhood Laundromat. But the exciting adventure takes a dramatic turn when Trixie realizes somebunny was left behind… Using a combination of muted black-and-white photographs and expressive illustrations, this stunning book tells a brilliantly true-to-life tale about what happens when Daddy's in charge and things go terribly, hilariously wrong.

There will be times when you walk into a room and no one there is quite like you. There are many reasons to feel different. Maybe it's how you look, talk, or where you're from; maybe it's what you eat, or something just as random. It's not easy to take those first steps into a place where nobody really knows you yet, but somehow you do it. Jacqueline Woodson's lyrical text and Rafael Lopez's dazzling art reminds us that we all feel like outsiders sometimes-and how brave it is that we go forth anyway. And that sometimes, when we reach out and begin to share stories, others will be happy to meet us halfway.

What will Bear do when he fills his cave so full of stuff that there's no room at all -- even for his friends? Big Brown Bear finds a lovely new home, a dark and empty cave just right for a bear. Then one day he wanders into the city and discovers that humans also have caves, which they call garages and fill with all sorts of stuff! Bear decides he must do the same -- but soon there is no room in his cave to stretch or scratch or do any of the things that Big Brown Bear likes to do, including seeing his friends. Maybe it's time for all the stuff to go!

A new edition of the timeless classic by celebrated children's author, Charlotte Zolotow, featuring Spanish words and phrases! When Tomás and his family moved to a new house on a new street, he took it into his head that the new people might not like him. "Of course they'd like you," his mamá said. "Why wouldn't they? ¿Por qué no? " But Tomás didn't answer. Tomás's Mom encourages him to go out and meet the kids in his neighborhood, but Tomas is too shy. Instead, he sits on his stoop, watching the world go by. But on the night of Halloween, opportunity arrives in the form of a tiger costume, complete with a mask that hides his identity. He can go trick-or-treating without anyone knowing it's him. But Tomás will soon discover his costume doesn't hide him quite as well as he thinks...