INSIDE OUTSIDE (PICTURE BOOK)

Inside Outside by Lizi Boyd. Wordless picture book full of die-cuts that perfectly allow preschoolers a view into and out of their wonderful world. Recommended by The PlanetEsme Plan.  Link for information; please support your local independent bookseller.

HOW TO (PICTURE BOOK)

How To by Julie Morstad. Some books teach you about art just by looking at them, and this is one. Holy smokes, look at these figures. Loveliest since Marc Simont. Recommended by The PlanetEsme Plan.  Link for information; please support your local bookseller.

EXCLAMATION MARK (PICTURE BOOK)

Exclamation Mark by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Tom Lichtenheld. Positivity is punctuated in a lively conversation with a question mark accentuated by cheerful minimalist illustration. Recommended by The PlanetEsme Plan.  Link for information, please support your local independent bookseller.

PETEY AND PRU AND THE HULLABALOO (PICTURE BOOK)

Petey and Pru and the Hullabaloo by Ammi-Joan Paquette and Joy Ang. Teacher pick! Amazing how useful this lively book is in determining meaning from context. Common Core, here we come (sigh)! Recommended by The PlanetEsme Plan.  Link provided for information; please support your local independent bookseller.

LITTLE RED WRITING (PICTURE BOOK)

 
Little Red Writing by Joan Holub and Melissa Sweet. Anyone who has ever tried to write knows it can be like entering the dark woods. Two picture book pros help us navigate our own writing process in this clever story. Recommended by the PlanetEsme Plan.  Link for information, please support your local independent bookseller.

OUCH! (NONFICTION)

Ouch!: The Weird, Wild Ways Your Body Deals With Agonizing Aches, Ferocious Fevers, Lousy Lumps, Crummy Colds, Bothersome Bites, Breaks, Bruises and Burns & Makes Them Feel Better! by Joe Rhatigan. Clear scientific explanations for (see above), with lots of pictures to sometimes clarify and sometimes gross out. Recommended by The PlanetEsme Plan.  Link for information, please support your local independent bookseller.

PAUL THURLBY'S WILDLIFE (NONFICTION)

 
Paul Thurlby's Wildlife by Paul Thurlby. Expect the unexpected in this offbeat alphabet book, combining idioms, animal facts, and very snazzy stylized illustrations. Recommended by The PlanetEsme Plan.  Link for information, please support your local independent bookseller.

THE INVISIBLE BOY (PICTURE BOOK)

The Invisible Boy by Trudy Ludwig and Patrice Barton. Poignant story of a boy lost in the crowd, in search of a friend. Recommended by The PlanetEsme Plan.  Link for information, please support your local independent bookseller.

READY AND WAITING FOR YOU (PICTURE BOOK)

Ready and Waiting for You by Judi Moreillon and Catherine Stock. Sometimes you just need a solid back-to-school book, and this is it. Upbeat and welcoming, this title introduces readers to all the folks in the building, who can't wait to meet you! Fold-out pages give the book an element of happy surprise and set it apart from hum-drum September fare. A perfect pick for kids who need a little reassurance that a great day is ahead. Recommended by The PlanetEsme Plan.  Link for information, please support your local independent bookseller.

JOE AND SPARKY GO TO SCHOOL (EMERGENT READER)

Joe and Sparky Go to School by Jamie Michalak and Frank Remkiewicz.  Dandy new emergent reader series, brightly colored, high energy and FUN-nee! Recommended by The PlanetEsme Plan.  Link provided for information; please support your local independent bookseller.