Tell the Truth, B. B. Wolf
by Judy Sierra and illustrated by J. Otto Seibold is a wonderful retelling of the Three Little Pigs. Here we have the Big Bad Wolf living in retirement. He gets to go to the library to tell his story but as he is embarrassed by what his past he tries to rewrite history to make himself look better. Of course he is chastised for not telling the truth and in the end must come clean. I would have loved to read this at story time....it is such a fun book. It took me awhile to appreciate J. Otto Seibolds illustrations but now I find them to be comforting ----like visiting an old friend. This book is a sequel of sorts to Judy Sierra's other Big Bad Wolf story Mind Your Manners, B.B Wolf
which I always thought was a great way to teach manners to kids.....these should be must haves on any child's bookshelf.....
by Joan Steiner was such a refreshing change in the world of picture books. This had something for everyone. I liked to suggest this book as a great family gift because it appealed to all ages. I sometimes thought grown-ups got more of a kick out it than kids. It can be a very addicting book----always something new to discover. 
by Sally Lloyd-jones and illustrated by the wonderful Michael Emberley is the perfect book to help children learn how to take care of their Grandparents. I love the tongue in cheek aspect of this book and the way it is set up like a manual for kids. This is a great gift for grandparents to give to kids or vice versa. This is the kind of book that gets adults laughing out loud. I love the expressions on the Grandparents faces ---- a really fun book. I know it isn't really a "reference" book but I couldn't resist. It is also very sweet and heartwarming...a must have book for all to share....
originally by I.L. Peretz and adapted by the wonderful Eric A. Kimmel with illustrations by Jill Weber is a wonderful Jewish folktale. I have always liked this story because it tell of human kindness. I always tell my nephews that they need to be kind to others and help when they can. It is an important life lesson. Eric A Kimmel is a prolific author who retells this classic story with his usual style. This story talks of miracles but there really isn't a miracle just one person doing kind things for another....so simple. What a beautiful story to read on this special holiday. 
by Donald Crews is a classic book with few words but a really comforting book to read to your child. This is a great book to give to a child before they take the bus for the first time. It is spare in text but that only lets the reader use it as a tool to make a child less anxious about riding a bus to school. I also think it is a great gift for a child after they have successfully riding the bus alone. This is a wonderful addition to any back to school selection of books.
This is new and updated for 2010.
from Dk Publishing
which was last updated in 2009....this is for older kids. I like the graphics in this one. 
from Houghton Mifflin also from 2009. This was my favorite when I was young...well of course not this edition but you get what I mean. I liked how it was presented and at that time they were one of the first to use photographs as part of their descriptions.
by Antoinette Poris is a great new book for any child going from Preschool to Kindergarten. It is a great read along book that shows the progression of acceptance and joy that new adventures bring. At first the main character Annalina is apprehensive but in the end she is happy. A great new addition to a "back to school" book list. The illustrations are sweet too!
