Baabwaa and Wooliam (Candlewick, $16.99) are two sheep living a quiet life: Baabwaa loves to knit, and Wooliam spends most of his time reading. One day, however, they decide to set out in search of something extraordinary when they encounter a wolf in sheep’s clothing. What follows is a friendship mixed with a sprinkle of danger, as Wooliam endeavors to teach the wolf how to read. David Elliott’s clever story makes for a wonderful read-aloud, while Melissa Sweet’s layered illustrations add even more fun to this humorous tale. Ages 3-6.
On Nia’s sixth birthday, she brings home a very special friend: a turtle named Alfie. She teaches him her wiggle dance, introduces him to all her friends, and tells him stories every day… but Alfie just doesn’t seem to notice. After a while, Nia starts to forget about him. It’s not until the morning of her seventh birthday that she notices that Alfie is gone! Readers will love getting both Nia and Alfie’s sides of the story in Thyra Heder’s charming new picture book Alfie: The Turtle That Disappeared (Abrams, $17.95). Ages 3-6.
Hours before the sun comes up, a young boy and his father get ready for the new day by the light of a bare bulb. They quietly make their way to a pond to catch something for dinner. In these moments, the boy learns subtle lessons from his father, who speaks of his childhood in Vietnam and the long-ago time when he fished in A Different Pond (Capstone, $15.95). With Thi Bui’s meditative illustrations, Bao Phi reflects on his own childhood in this gentle story of family, memory, and finding one’s place in a new world. Ages 6-9.
