Norman and the Smell of Adventure,
By Ryan T. Higgins
Norman has a best friend – Mildred. She’s a tree. While they have favorite things they do every day, Norman is getting bored. He wants to do something new, but Mildred refuses. Norman storms off to search for adventure, without Mildred. In his journey he discovers many things – most of all missing Mildred. This book is adventure, humor, and friendship, all wrapped into a delightful story.
The Wombats Go WILD For Words,
by Beth Ferry
Evergreen Forest is nice and quiet, but dull. The wombats arrive. They love words, and their quest is to transform Evergreen Forest. They greet the animals they meet along the way with words, changing their ordinary words into wonderfully exciting words – parched instead of thirsty, famished instead of hungry. With the help of a little duckling, the animals become excited about new words, and Evergreen Forest is no longer dull. This book introduces children to new words, which is what reading is all about.
In the Winter Woods,
by Daniela Kulot
Fox and his friends, Mouse, Crow, and Squirrel, are hungry. It’s winter and food is scarce. Winter is not willing to share. Squirrel has stashed his autumn stockpile away, but he cannot remember where. The nuts and seeds and dried berries are all anyone could wish for. When his friends arrive, Squirrel is not willing to share, and scampers off to find his stockpile. He soon realizes he needs help. Together he and his friends set out to find his provisions. The message of friendship and helping others is perfectly written. This book is one in a series, each based on a season.
In the Autumn Forest,
by Daniela Kulot
The next book in the series is Autumn, hot off the press. Fox knows he must soon say goodbye to his friends, Mouse, Crow, and Squirrel (who is like the classic grasshopper, always happy yet never prepared.) When a storm arrives, everyone gets to shelter except squirrel. How the friends come together after the storm and discover a bounty of food is a surprise.
Bears Don’t Read
and
Bears Don’t Cry,
by Emma Chichester Clark
I discovered the new book (cry) and then found the first book (read) that was written ten years prior. Together they tell the story of a bear who wants more, He’s bored. He goes on a search and discovers a book with a picture of a bear – just like him! The problem is, he must learn to read. What he does is quite an adventure, including making a friend with a little girl who is also learning how to read.
The Wild Robot On the Island,
by Peter Brown
I was skeptical that the award-winning chapter book, The Wild Robot, could become a picture book. I’m happy to say this picture book is wonderful. It follows the story of Roz the robot and the island – perfectly. This book is a simplified version, to introduce readers to the chapter book. The large, colorful illustrations bring the story to life.
Big Enough,
by Regina Linke
This is a classic tale of a boy who must bring home the cow – yet the cow is an ox, and the boy is an oxherd boy in China. He is scared. He must be brave. He is not big enough for many things, and other animals remind him of that as he journeys to find the ox. The twist in the story is, the ox is scared, and he needs the boy to be brave in order to find the way home.
Sea Dog Rescue,
by Astrid Sheckels
This is the sequel to Sea Dog, the adventure story of Walter the dog who longs to be a seafaring dog like his long line of ancestors. Instead, he is a baker. He gives his cakes to the king under the sea, and makes many underwater friends, including merpups. In this new book, Boris, one of the sea creatures, is in trouble. The entire village is up in arms, and it takes a brave young merpup to get Walter to help Boris.
I hope you have enjoyed these new books. They certainly made my summer!
Jennie
A Teacher's Reflections 
What a wonderful collection of picture books. Most involve animals which children just love. (and some of us adults too)
Animals make the best picture books. Thank you, Darlene.
There are some good books out there.
Yes!
Great collection Jennie!
Thanks, FR!
What a collection, Jennie. A starter for any family.
Thanks, Jacqui. I must admit my collection is ginormous. 🙂
These look such lovely books.
Thank you, Esther.
Hi Jennie, these books all look amazing. I haven’t read any of them but I think you wrote about the wild robot in one of your posts.
Thanks, Robbie. I wrote about The Wild Robot chapter book, not this new picture book. It’s an introduction to the chapter book. 🙂
Jennie, the books sound lovely. Childhood around you seems like a magical idyllic thing. ❤ Big hugs.
That’s so nice, Teagan. Thank you! 💕
A great collection, Jennie. Thanks for sharing.
Glad you enjoyed the books, John. Best to you.
😊
All you need to say is “book fair” or “free children’s books” and I am out the door. 🏃🏼♂️🏃🏼♀️
Me, too! Thanks so much.
Love the bear who couldn’t read Jennie! I would have gotten him a audio book!
Ha-ha! It’s a wonderful book, Wayne. Right up your alley. If you get to a library, check it out. BTW, I have SO many bear books. You would love Finding Winnie, the true story of Winnie the Pooh. Maybe you know the backstory.
Oh yes, I’m familiar with Winnie. She came from the Whitefish area of Ontario. She also had either a brother or sister. The old prospector took a shot at it but missed.
Thank goodness he missed! I’m glad you know the back story. Traveling on that train to the coast and then traveling across the ocean… wow. Thank goodness he ended up in the London Zoo, and that’s where A.A. Milne’s story begins. No one knows about this wonderful bear’s journey. Well, we do. 🙂
Winnie was so tame they actually allowed children into her cage and she even allowed the children to take food from her dish!
That is wonderful! I’ve seen a photo of A.A. Milne’s son with Winnie in the zoo. Wayne, here is the BEST book. It’s about Winnie and also about Harry Coleburn and his family. thcagehttps://jenniefitzkee.files.wordpress.com/2022/01/04658d38-64ec-4e79-ba2e-24bc1dfc2c67.jpeg?w=300
oh, what a wonderful mix of book and I can see why you are so excited about them all, like you, I love children’s books –
I love sharing the books I discover every summer. Thanks, Beth. This is a great mix. Of course, children’s books are my passion. I think nature with children was your passion. Am I right?
yes, and books as well )
😀
I trust your expertise with picture books far more than mine. I think 80% of the books I’ve read this year are MG.
Thanks, Pete. Please, tell me your favorite MG books. I have my library kids to read to. Have you read DogTown by Katherine Applegate?
Dog Town is coming up on my Kindle soon. What’s my favorite MG book? That’s like asking me who is my favorite student. 🤣 There are too man. I’m not big on fantasy books. I like realistic fiction with embedded lessons that don’t come across as preaching. I’m impressed by their overall quality. I’ll name a few, though there are hundreds of others: Wonder, Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus, Front Desk, Starfish, and The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl. These are all more appropriate for upper MG. Of couse, I like classics like Charlotte’s Web too, which fits a slightly younger audience. I remember it’s one of your annual reads.
Thanks for the list, Pete. Wonder is one of my favorites. Yes, these books are too advanced for my library reading groups, but like you, MG is my favorite reading. I just posted about reading Charlotte’s Web on the first day of school.
These all look wonderful, Jennie.
Thank you, Dan.
The Wombats Go Wild for Words is the book for me!
Yes, it is so you!
😊
Jennie!!!! I’m positively enchanted by your post and this fabulous selection of books! Thank you so much. Love, love, love — and I can’t wait to share with a couple of parents I know who are looking for new books for their little ones. So good! 🥰❤️🥰
Thank you, Vicki! I love to post the books I’ve found and read over the summer. You know how picky I am when it comes to good children’s books. Thank you for sharing with parents, and pick my brain for good books anytime.😍
You are such a love…and I appreciate your discernment and excellent choices! Xo! 🥰❤️🥰
😍❤️😍
That’s a great crop of books indeed. Wombats are so cute, I wish we had them in the UK.
Best wishes, Pete.
Thanks, Pete. They’re not in America either, except in zoos.
Yes, I know. Just Australia. More’s the pity! 😊
Sad but true.
That’s a great collection, Jennie.
Thank you, Deborah!
You’re welcome, Jennie!
A wonderful collection of books. Thanks for sharing, Jennie! I will also forward the information to interested parents. xx Michael
I love sharing my favorite books each summer. I’m glad you enjoyed this. Many thanks for forwarding the information. Best to you, Michael.
Beautiful collection of picture books the children will just love them.
I think they will. Thank you, Kamal.
You are always welcome dear Jennie 🙏💟🙏
Thank you, Kamal!
Always welcome dear Jennie 🙏🙏
Many thanks, Kamal!
Always welcome dear Jennie 😊🙏
Thank you, Kamal!
Always welcome dear Jennie 🙏
Thank you, Kamal!
❤️❤️❤️❤️
Your recommends are a treasure trove for the youngsters Jennie. Hugs xx
Many thanks, Debby! Hugs.
Beautiful stories, thanks for sharing Jennie 🙂
Thank you!
These all sound great, Jennie. I read In The Autumn Forest to my grandson. I didn’t realize there was a winter one already.
It is so good! I actually discovered Winter before Autumn.
I’ll have to see if my library has a copy.