Play and Literacy - Books to Inspire Children's Play | Nashville Public Library

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1) How to party like a snail

Author

Description

"Snail is a party animal. Well ... kind of. He especially appreciates the quiet things about parties, like confetti, using his indoor voice, and softly blowing out birthday candles. But parties tend to get pretty loud, and that's when Snail disappears into his shell. But not to worry! Snail still has fun at parties - it's just that from inside his shell nobody can tell he's having a good time. And this means he doesn't get many party invitations ......

2) Very good hats

Author

Description

"Some people think hats are fancy things you can buy at a dressy store, but that's just the tip of the iceberg. In this book, acorns and raspberries are snug hats for your fingers, and an empty pudding cup is a good hat for a stuffed bear. Pajama pants make dangly hats, books can be dramatic hats, and bubbles make very fine hats as well (if temporary)."-- Provided by publisher.

Author

Description

"There are so many snoots to boop! Snoots attached to big dogs and little dogs and dogs with beards and those without. Are you ready to boop ALL the snoots?"-- Provided by publisher

4) Party hearty kitty-corn

Author

Description

Kitty is excited to throw a kitty-corn party but becomes frustrated when newcomer Puppy messes up the decorations, ruins the gift Kitty made, and worst of all, he takes up all of Unicorn's attention.

5) There was a party for Langston

Author

Reynolds, Jason

Description

A celebration of Langston Hughes and African American authors he inspired, told through the lens of the party held at the New York Public Library's Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in 1991.

6) Hickory dickory dock

Author

Description

Rhythmic text expands on the Mother Goose rhyme, including a variety of animals that react as the clock strikes one through twelve.

7) Scaredy squirrel has a birthday party

Author

Description

Scaredy Squirrel is planning his own birthday party for one, but despite his detailed plans, things get out of control when the party animals arrive.

8) When's my birthday?

Author

Fogliano, Julie

Description

Children excitedly discuss the details of their upcoming birthdays.

9) A crown for Corina

Author

Kemp, Laekan Zea

Description

Corina's Abuela helps her select flowers that mean something to Corina from the garden for her Mexican flower crown that she will wear on her birthday, and explains the symbolic meaning of a birthday crown.

10) Our favorite day of the year

Author

Description

Four kindergartners who think they have nothing in common become friends after sharing traditions of their holidays, including Eid-ul-Fitr, Rosh Hashanah, Christmas, and Pi Day.

11) Sometimes cake

Author

Description

"Sometimes it's your birthday. And sometimes it isn't. But even if it's not your birthday, it's still important to celebrate everyday things like Tuesdays, coconuts, and orange, and also yellow and lions. And monkeys. And purple. Friends Audrey and Lion find pleasure and solace in marking small moments together, with the help of balloons and confetti and drums and games and hats. For anyone who has ever wished for a birthday party every day of the...

12) Guinea pig party

Author

Surplice, Holly

Description

"The guinea pigs are having a party, and like many children's birthday parties, things aren't going perfectly. But in the end everyone has a good time and the party is a success!"-- Provided by publisher.

13) Thanking the moon: celebrating the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival

Author

Description

Each member of a Chinese family contributes to the celebration of the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival. Includes author's note explaining this festival's customs and traditions.

14) Let's go to the hardware store

Author

Rockwell, Anne F

Description

When the new house needs fixing up, a brother and sister accompany their father on a trip to the hardware store to find the tools and materials needed to get the job done.

15) Bear can't wait

Author

Description

As final preparations are being made for a long-planned surprise party, Bear gets so excited he nearly ruins everything.

16) On the Fourth of July

Author

Description

Happy birthday, America! This picture book celebrates patriotism, community, and summertime.

17) The squiggle

Author

Schaefer, Carole Lexa

Description

As she walks to the park with her school class, a young girl finds a piece of string which her imagination turns into a dragon's tail, an acrobat, fireworks, a storm cloud, and more.

Author

Portis, Antoinette

Description

To an imaginative bunny, a box is not always just a box.

19) Not a stick

Author

Portis, Antoinette

Description

An imaginative young pig shows some of the many things that a stick can be.

20) Your house is not just a house

Author

Description

This unputdownable STEAM rhyming read-aloud from a breakbeat poet and playwright shows us that our homes are more than places to live--they are vessels for creativity, joy and imagination.