Telling the story of a brave knight and his not so brave horse, "Cowardly Clyde" was written by Bill Peet and originally published in 1979.The reckless knight spends his days seeking out fire-breathing dragons and other monsters with his reluctant sidekick, Clyde. When they seek out an owl-eyed ogre that has been running amok through the countryside, Clyde must decide between fleeing the ogre and saving his knight.
Using poetic language, author Byrd Baylor lays out 10 traits to look for when choosing a rock. "Not just any rock," she writes, "but a special rock that you find yourself and keep it for as long as you can." The rules require use of all the senses, and they inspire a different kind of connection with nature and an appreciation of the environment. Kids and parents can follow up their reading time with finding their own perfect rock or invent their own 10 rules for picking their own special item.
The tale of a little mouse who finds himself the perfect strawberry, "The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear" was written by Don and Audrey Wood. It was originally published in 1984. Prodded along by the sneaky narrator, the mouse devises plan after plan to hide his treasure from a big bear that supposedly loves red, ripe strawberries. The story is ideal for teaching sharing, but is also used by teachers to educate students on halves and other fractions.
A book of children's poetry, "Where the Sidewalk Ends" is a collection of work by Shel Silverstein. By one of the most well-known children's writers in modern history, "Sidewalk" was first published in 1974. The poems and progression of the book aim at addressing common childhood worries and concerns, and it also includes fantastic stories. The 30th anniversary edition was released in 2004 and included an additional 12 previously unreleased poems.
The first in the "Bear" series by Karma Wilson, "Bear Snores On" tells the story of Bear as he hibernates through a long, cold winter. His animal friends, including a gopher, a mole, a wren and raven, take refuge in his cave during a snow storm. The group engages in an array of activities during the storm, including singing, dancing and cooking, all the while Bear continues his slumber. As the group dances and celebrates, bear awakens surrounded by his uninvited visitors. Originally printed in 2002, this story was followed by five others, including "Bear Feels Scared" and "Bear Wants More."