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Vooks at a Glance

Early Childhood

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Elementary

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Dream Big

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In the City

Friendship

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Be Brave

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Vooks A to Z

Be Resilient

Everyone's Reading

For Little Sock, every day is the same. He gets worn, he gets dirty, he gets washed. His friends don’t seem to mind the routine, but Little Sock dreams of something new. So one night, Little Sock decides to leave his drawer in search of adventure…to find the fabled land known as Sock City!

Follow Little Sock on this adorable journey about bravery and aspiration. Little ones will discover that sometimes in order to fulfill a dream we have to be courageous and try things that might seem a bit scary at first.

Written by Kia Heise and Christopher D. Park (with illustrations by Christopher D. Park as well), this light-hearted tale published by Sleeping Bear Press is sure to delight!


For Little Sock, every day’s the same—until, one night, he leaves his drawer in search of adventure.

Little Sock

Language and Vocabulary

S.T.E.A.M.

Numbers and Counting

Animals

There’s one white egg snuggled on Papa’s feet in a land of ice and snow. And two eggs, stuck together, warmed by a furry tail in a tunnel by a stream. There are three eggs, tiny as jewels, laid by a fluttery Mom on tasty plants of green—and four eggs of sky blue, in a nest of grass and mud on a branch in someone’s backyard. Seven eggs, oval and white, buried by two hind feet in the sand by the pond. Ten eggs, bigger than big, laid by the largest bird in the world.

From one up to ten, there are all kinds of eggs laid by all kinds of parents in all sorts of places. And who will these babies be when the eggs finally hatch? You’ll just have to wait and see.

With hints to help children guess what animals or insects will hatch, Eggs 1, 2, 3: Who Will the Babies Be? introduces easy concepts about birthing environments and habitats. Written by Janet Halfmann, illustrated by Betsy Thompson, and published by Blue Apple Books.

Who will the babies be when these eggs finally hatch? You’ll just have to wait and see.

Eggs 1, 2, 3: Who Will the Babies Be?

It’s the middle of the afternoon, and the barnyard mothers are out searching for their little ones. Hen is looking for her chick. Pig is on the hunt for her piglet. Duck is looking everywhere for her fuzzy little duckling. Goat, Cow, Sheep, and Cat are all doing the same thing, looking everywhere for their babies.

Can you help these mothers find their little ones? Do you know the sound each baby makes? Come along as we search the farm up and down until every hiding baby is found.

Where is My Baby? is a simple introduction to several barnyard animals and their babies, along with the different sounds they each make. Written by Harriet Ziefert, illustrated by Simms Taback, and published by Blue Apple Books.

All the barnyard mothers are searching for their little ones. Do you know where they’re hiding?

Where is My Baby?

Spooky Season

Ten funny, not-too-scary monsters have a problem. They each need one more. One hungry monster needs an extra cookie. One sad monster would love one more balloon. One grumpy monster needs another apple to juggle, while a candy-loving monster could really use one more jelly bean. One monster longs for one more strawberry—and one grouchy monster needs another cracker.

Will each and every monster get their wish? What about the monster who not only wants one more teddy bear, but also needs one extra goodnight kiss from its mom-ster? Come along for the count and find out.

Silly and educational, Monster Needs One More! is a rhyming primer that introduces the concepts of counting and addition. Written by Harriet Ziefert, illustrated by Natalie Marshall, and published by Blue Apple Books.

What do these monsters have in common? From jelly beans to teddy bears to goodnight kisses, they all want just one more.

Monster Needs One More!

Foundational Reading

Familius Presents

Come step aboard the monster train, where the ABCs can be Abominable, Beastly, and even downright Chilling. Near the caboose, you’ll find Crow carrying candy corn, along with Dracula drawing darling dragons. Jack-o-Lantern juggles jars of jam in the kitchen car, where the Kraken eats kidney beans with ketchup. (Gross.) Toward the back, Witch waves her wand at Werewolf, and Xana offers extra x-rays.

Spooky, silly, and strange, these monsters all have one thing in common: They know their ABCs. Come along for a ride, sit down beside Yeti, and sip some spider soup. By the time you’re done, you might feel like an alphabetical monster too.

Featuring classic monsters and quirky rhymes, Monster Train is a charming ABC primer that’s more silly than scary. Written and illustrated by Susanna Covelli, and published by Familius.

Come step aboard the monster train, where the ABCs can be Abominable, Beastly, and even downright Chilling.

Monster Train (On-Track Learning)

Family 

Today, Mike and his sister Pam are going on a shopping trip with Daddy. They all pile into the car and head downtown. First, they get haircuts. Mike hops into the chair, and then Pam. Next, they head over to the shoe store. A man measures Mike’s feet, and then he measures Pam’s. Mike picks out blue shoes. Pam is a copycat and picks out blue shoes as well.

The shoe store clerk gives them each a balloon, and Pam picks the same color as Mike. But on the way to the car, Pam’s balloon pops. Daddy gives Pam his balloon—and then decides to make an unexpected stop. Can you guess where they go?

Shopping with Daddy gives young readers a simple overview of a shopping trip—to the barber, a store, and a restaurant. Themes of sharing, copying, and mild sibling rivalry show up throughout the narrative. Written by Harriet Ziefert, illustrated by Travis Foster, and published by Blue Apple Books.

On a shopping trip with Daddy, Mike and his sister Pam get haircuts and new shoes—and make an unexpected stop.

Shopping with Daddy

Vehicles

A girl is dreaming of a rocket ship. It’s blasting off, circling round—under, over, up and down. Where is the dream rocket headed? Sometimes it’s near. Sometimes it’s far. It’s up and to the left of that cluster of stars. Over and under, through the jaws of space gators. It blasts and it zooms all over the place—at the top or the bottom of the corners of space.

Which direction do you wander in your dreams? Do you know left from right, and the bottom from the top? Follow this dream rocket as it zooms in every direction imaginable—and even zooms upside down. Just try not to get too mixed up!

A directional primer, Where is the Rocket follows a spaceship across the page (and screen) as it teaches left, right, up, down, and everything in between. Written by Harriet Ziefert and illustrated by Barroux. Published by Blue Apple Books.

Blasting off, circling round—under, over, up, and down. Where is the rocket headed next? That depends on you!

Where Is The Rocket?

Be Creative

Louie is a dog. His young owner is an artist. To improve his skills, Louie’s owner paints each day—and Louie is there as his audience. But then it’s time for Louie’s owner to go to school. Louie watches him go, feeling upset. He doesn’t like to be alone.

One day, after Louie’s owner leaves for school, Louie feels inspired. After watching so many pictures come to life, maybe he could try his own paw at the canvas. Maybe Louie is an artist himself. Will Louie make a big mess of his owner’s studio? Or will he prove that anyone can capture a spark of genius—even an enthusiastic pup like Louie?

A charming tale about a child and his pet, My Dog Thinks I’m a Genius celebrates the idea that to become an artist, one must simply choose to be one. The story touches on concepts of self-confidence, self-expression, and supporting one another’s art. Written by Harriet Ziefert and illustrated by renowned artist Barroux, My Dog Thinks I’m a Genius is published by Blue Apple Books.

Every day before school, Louie’s owner paints a picture. Today, Louie might like to try his own paw at the canvas.

My Dog Thinks I'm A Genius

The city is full of fun animals. Can you guess them all? With every clue, you’ll learn more and more about each animal. Then, see if you can solve the puzzle! 

In this colorful book—perfect for littles—the award-winning artwork of Caldecott winner Simms Taback is transformed into a fun guessing game. Simms Taback’s City Animals is published by Blue Apple Books.

Get ready for the sights and sounds of the city, in this fun animal guessing game!

Simms Taback's City Animals

One of these dinosaurs’s back legs are shorter than their front. Another has three horns—two big and one small—with a giant head and a frill. One is toothless with a long, pointy beak and long, pointy wings for flying. And then another is covered with armor and bony plates, with a bony club on the end of its tail—while another has a spiky tail for defense.

Who are these dinosaurs? Were you able to guess one or two? Spikes and scales, plates and claws, teeth and tails—come follow the hints and see if you can name these reptiles before each one’s identity is revealed.

An overview of five iconic dinosaurs, Simms Taback’s Dinosaurs describes each reptile with increasingly clearer hints before finally revealing their name. Written and illustrated by Simms Taback and published by Blue Apple Books.

One of these dinosaurs has a long neck. One has three horns, and another has no teeth. Can you guess who they all are?

Simms Taback’s Dinosaurs

On the Farm

There are so many barnyard animals, can you guess them all? With every clue, you’ll learn more and more about each animal. Then, see if you can solve the mystery, and get ready for some fun on the farm! 

In this colorful book–perfect for littles–the award-winning artwork of Caldecott winner Simms Taback is transformed into a fun guessing game. Simms Taback’s Farm Animals is published by Blue Apple Books.

Can you guess all of these fun farm animals? Listen close to the clues and see if you can guess them all!

Simms Taback's Farm Animals

Get ready for a guessing game that is truly wild–wild animals that is! Venture out on a fun-filled safari, and use clues to guess the names of the animals you discover along the way. With every clue, you’ll learn more and more about the animals. See if you can solve the mystery, and enjoy this wild adventure in search of safari animals!

In this colorful book–perfect for littles–the award-winning artwork of Simms Taback is transformed into a fun guessing game. Simms Taback’s Safari Animals is published by Blue Apple Books.

Venture out on a wild safari, and use clues to guess the names of animals you discover along the way

Simms Taback's Safari Animals

Little Sock lives in a drawer. He may look like the other socks, but he has a secret. Sometimes, late at night, he escapes to a marvelous place where everything is new and exciting: Sock City! But when Little Sock starts to wish he had someone to share all the fun with, he’ll have to do something truly brave. He’ll have to figure out… just how exactly does a sock make a friend?

The fuzzy hero from Little Sock returns for a new adventure beyond the dryer, into the magical world where all socks dream of going. Socks might not get there in pairs, but who’s to say they can’t make a friend once they arrive?

Written by Kia Heise and Christopher D. Park, Little Sock Makes a Friend is a sequel to the much-loved Little Sock. Published by Sleeping Bear Press in 2021, the book includes themes of friendship, overcoming social anxiety, and learning how to fit into a new community.

Little Sock loves to visit Sock City—but sometimes, he gets a bit lonely. Will he be able to find a new friend?

Little Sock Makes a Friend

Mozzie the mosquito lives near a pond, down in the meadow. The most beautiful butterflies flutter there all day long. And everyone adores the butterflies—Mozzie most of all. One day, Mozzie builds up her courage, takes a deep breath, and approaches the butterflies. “Can I flutter around with you?” she asks.

But the butterflies don’t hang out with mosquitos, they say. They only like to be around other butterflies, who look and act like they do. So Mozzie came up with a plan—a plan to become a butterfly herself. But when the unexpected happens, being a butterfly might not be so great. Mozzie might need to simply embrace who she’s been all along.

An inversion of the classic Ugly Duckling narrative, The Mozzie with a Sharp Snozzie is a sweet, non-threatening story about self-confidence, bullying, and feeling comfortable in one’s own skin. It also touches on the nature of true friendship and acceptance. Written and illustrated by Irina Goundortseva. Published by Big Sky Publishing.

Mozzie the mosquito adores the butterflies who flutter near the pond. So, Mozzie comes up with a plan to become one of them.

The Mozzie with a Sharp Snozzie

Ocean

Seasonal - Summer

It’s a new day, and Molly is waking up. She doesn’t feel sad, or worried, or sleepy, or angry. Today, Molly will be going to the beach, so she feels happy. At breakfast, Molly’s little brother is upset in his high chair. Molly thinks about what might make him feel happier—like a bottle or his rattle. When her mom takes Molly and her little brother to the beach, Molly makes a friend. This makes her happy too.

Will Molly’s emotions change throughout the day? Can her choices make her feel better about what’s happening around her? Come along with Molly as she thinks about all the things, places, and people who make her feel happy. 

A simple conversation starter about emotions, Happy Day subtly introduces young readers to the idea that feelings can be subjective. More importantly, it shows how Molly’s choices play a role in the happiness of herself and others. Written by Harriet Ziefert, illustrated by Marilyn Janovitz, and published by Blue Apple Books.

Come along with Molly as she thinks about all the things, places, and people that make her happy.

Happy Day

Bilingual Books

After Barker goes to bed, he hears a noise outside his window in the dark, dark night. Then he hears another. The noises scare Barker. Who is out there howling? Who is out there hooting? What is out there boom-booming? Mommy and daddy come and turn on the light. They explain where the sounds are coming from, and Barker goes back to sleep.

Later, Barker is again woken in the night. Will he be able to go back to sleep, knowing that his mommy and daddy will come if he needs them? Now he knows what the noises are and who made them. Will that be enough to make him feel safe? Come along for this bilingual story of bravery as Barker learns about the unknown.

A ¡Hola, English! title, Sleepy Barker gently introduces the concept of finding reassurance by confronting (and learning about) our fears. The narrative also reminds kids that parents are never far, and that when needed, adults can be looked to for comfort. Written by Harriet Ziefert in both English and Spanish, illustrated by Elliot Kreloff, and published by Blue Apple Books.


In this bilingual tale, Barker hears a noise in the night. Fortunately, mommy and daddy will come if he needs them.

Sleepy Barker

Sing-alongs and Music

Get ready to sing along with this rockin' band of inquisitive ants! "Why why why is the sky always blue, and the ocean is so deep?" This catchy song is full of the questions every kiddo asks... the questions of our lives!

A fun sing-along song that asks the question on everyone's mind: why why why?

Why Why Why?

One day, Bunny decides to impress his friends. But how can he make them think he’s funny? First, he tries swirling and twirling around like a ballerina. His friends aren’t impressed. Next, he tries wearing silly hats and wigs. Still, his friends aren’t amused. He puts on costumes—first a superhero outfit, then a solar system suit. Still, nothing seems to work.

Why don’t Bunny’s friends think he’s funny? Should he try harder to impress them? Or is there something else going on that Bunny doesn’t see? Come along as Bunny learns a vital lesson about the difference between playing, performing, and simply being yourself.

That’s Not Funny, Bunny! is a simple story that probes the difference between expressing yourself and accepting yourself as you are. Themes of self-love, self-knowledge, and friendship are woven into the narrative. Written and illustrated by Bethany Rose Hines, and published by Imagine That.

When Bunny tries very, very hard to impress his friends, he finds the task much more difficult than expected.

That's Not Funny Bunny

Sometimes, you might feel excited, like when you ride your bike. Sometimes, you might feel shy, like when new people come to visit. There are times you might feel sad, or sick, or curious. You might also feel brave, such as when you jump in the pool. Or proud, like when you win a medal for performing in a sport.

There are many ways to feel—and those feelings make us behave in silly, thoughtful, worried, frustrated, and angry ways. All emotions come and go, and they affect each of us differently. But no matter how you feel, it’s most important that you feel loved.

I Am offers a judgment-free exploration of the many ways people can feel in various situations. The narrative reinforces the idea that even though emotions are temporary, love is not. Written and illustrated by Chris Lensch, and published by the Experience Early Learning Company.

Sometimes, you feel excited. Sometimes, you feel shy. No matter how you feel, it’s most important that you feel loved.

I Am

You might never have heard of a bashful barracuda. And you may not know about the clownfish. Or the dolphins and the eels, or the flounders and giant squids—or even the picky hermit crabs, who are happy to swap their shell with one of their neighbors. What do these fishy creatures have in common? They’re alphabetically organized, from outgoing anemones on down to the spotted zebra sharks.

Come along for a tour of the ocean floor, one letter at a time. While practicing your ABCs, you might meet a few gilly, frilly new friends.

An ocean-themed ABC primer, O is for Ocean introduces offbeat fish, crustaceans, and oceanic features that you might never have seen before. Written by Ashley Marie Mireles, illustrated by Volha Kaliaha, and published by Familius.

Practice your alphabet with your favorite ocean-dwellers, from outgoing anemones to spotted zebra sharks!

O is for Ocean

These books focus on early concepts and development.