2013 NYPL recommended Picture Books for age 2-6

Relates how the water in a park is used in different ways by the human and animal inhabitants of a neighborhood.

Ever since Unicorn moved into the neighborhood, Goat has been feeling out of sorts. Goat thought his bike was cool-until he saw that Unicorn could fly to school! Goat made marshmallow squares that almost came out right, but Unicorn made it rain cupcakes! Unicorn is such a show-off, how can Goat compete? When Goat and Unicorn share a piece of pizza, Goat learns that being a unicorn might not be all it's cracked up to be. And when Unicorn shows his admiration for Goat, it looks like the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

A rope passed down through the generations frames an African American family's story as they journey north during the time of the Great Migration.

A little boy's grandfathers, one in America and one in Japan, teach him about baseball and its rich, varying cultural traditions.

Every day, Snail waits for Fish to return and tell him a story but their friendship is tested when Fish asks Snail to take a leap out of their book to actually see a new pirate book in the library. Every day, Snail waits for Fish to return and tell him a story, but their friendship is tested when Fish asks Snail to take a leap out of their book to actually see a new pirate book in the library.

At the same moment that Jodie's baby brother takes his first step, a city's worth of moments unfold in a masterful picture book from Bob Graham.

At 9:59 on a Thursday morning, Jodie draws a duck. As her pen hovers in the air, ready to add a silver button to the duck's boot, her little brother Jonathan pushes to his feet, sways, and takes his first step. At the exact same moment, their mom plays a pennywhistle in the kitchen, a man buys fresh bread at the bakery, a baby is born, a soldier says good-bye to his mom, a granddad and granddaughter play with leaves in the park, a blackbird finds a worm. . . . From an ordinary scene of an apartment strewn with child's artwork and toys to a bird's-eye view of a city morning pulsing with life, Bob Graham celebrates a whole world-vision in a single moment, encouraging readers to stop, observe, and savor the world around them.

Picture a tree - what do you see? The possibilities are endless. In this gorgeous new picture book, Barbara Reid brings her vision, her craft, and her signature plasticine artwork to the subject of tree. Each page is a celebration, and you will never look at trees in quite the same way again.

When Papa Rabbit does not return home as expected from many seasons of working in the great carrot and lettuce fields of El Norte, his son Pancho sets out on a dangerous trek to find him, guided by a coyote. Includes author's note.

Amelia must continually remind her gorilla friend, Nilsson, not to have fits, especially when they are running errands with her mother, but sometimes Amelia stomps and growls, too.

Lucha Libre champion Niño has no trouble fending off monstrous opponents, but when his little sisters awaken from their naps, he is in for a no-holds-barred wrestling match that will truly test his skills.

What color is your mood?

On a really good day, Jamie feels purple like the first bite of a juicy cold plum.

And with a crayon in his hand, Jamie eases into a green feeling--like a dragon dancing through a jungle made of green jello.

But when his brothers push him around and make fun of his drawings, Jamie feels like a dark gray storm brewing.

What will it take to put Jamie back in a bright-feeling mood?

Through Jamie, young readers will learn to describe how they're feeling in a unique way.

My Cold Plum Lemon Pie Bluesy Mood is a 2014 Charlotte Zolotow Honor Book.

Are you bored with being so proper? Do you want to have more fun? Mr. Tiger knows exactly how you feel. So he decides to go wild. But does he go too far? Bored with city life and the proper behavior it requires, Mr. Tiger has a wild idea that leads him to discover his true nature. From Caldecott Honor artist Peter Brown comes a story that shows there's a time and place for everything...even going wild. - Publisher.

When the Moon disrupts a town by lowering itself into someone's backyard, a child finds a way to return the Moon to its proper place in the sky.

Newbery Medalist Paul Fleischman and Bagram Ibatoulline tell a breathtaking immigration tale with appeal across generations.

"Pick whatever you like most. Then I'll tell you its story."
When a little girl visits her great-grandfather at his curio-filled home, she chooses an unusual object to learn about: an old cigar box. What she finds inside surprises her: a collection of matchboxes making up her great-grandfather's diary, harboring objects she can hold in her hand, each one evoking a memory. Together they tell of his journey from Italy to a new country, before he could read and write — the olive pit his mother gave him to suck on when there wasn't enough food; a bottle cap he saw on his way to the boat; a ticket still retaining the thrill of his first baseball game. With a narrative entirely in dialogue, Paul Fleischman makes immediate the two characters' foray into the past. With warmth and an uncanny eye for detail, Bagram Ibatoulline gives expressive life to their journey through time — and toward each other.

Every morning, I play a game with my father. He goes knock knock on my door and I pretend to be asleep till he gets right next to the bed. And my papa, he tells me, “I love you.” But what happens when, one day, that “knock knock” doesn’t come? This powerful and inspiring book shows the love that an absent parent can leave behind, and the strength that children find in themselves as they grow up and follow their dreams.

A lonely girl draws a magic door on her bedroom wall and through it escapes into a world where wonder, adventure, and danger abound. Red marker in hand, she creates a boat, a balloon, and a flying carpet that carry her on a spectacular journey toward an uncertain destiny. When she is captured by a sinister emperor, only an act of tremendous courage and kindness can set her free. Can it also lead her home and to her heart's desire? With supple line, luminous color, and nimble flights of fancy, author-illustrator Aaron Becker launches an ordinary child on an extraordinary journey toward her greatest and most exciting adventure of all. - Jacket flap.

Loco for locomotives? Get your ticket ready - here is everything you need to know about finding, keeping and training your very own pet train. Finding advice on caring for a dog, a cat, a fish, or even a dinosaur is easy. But what if somebody's taste in pets runs to the more mechanical kind? What about those who like cogs and gears more than feathers and fur? People who prefer the call of a train whistle to the squeal of a guinea pig? Or maybe dream of a smudge of soot on their cheek, not slobber? In this spectacularly illustrated picture book, children who love locomotives (and what child doesn't?) will discover where trains live, what they like to eat and the best train tricks around ... everything it takes to lay the tracks for a long and happy friendship. All aboard! It features: a sly, back-door look at what it means to own and care for a pet; a unique, playful and visually arresting treat for kids who like things that GO!; and a simple catalogue of train types and characteristics for budding train enthusiasts everywhere. John Rocco's locomotive tour de force confirms his place on the list of hot illustrators to watch.

While walking through the woods, Hank finds an egg all alone on the forest floor. Spotting its home high up in a tree, Hank diligently tries to return the egg to its nest, but is met with failure each time. After keeping the egg warm overnight, he returns to the scene the next morning. To his surprise, he is met by another forest creature. Will they find a way together to see the egg safely home?

In this wordless book, a friendship develops between a girl named Flora and a graceful flamingo, as they learn to dance together.

A single china cup from a tea set left behind when Jews were forced to leave Russia helps hold a family together through generations of living in America, reminding them of the most important things in life.

Alex, whose birthday it is, hijacks a story about Birthday Bunny on his special day and turns it into a battle between a supervillian and his enemies in the forest--who, in the original story, are simply planning a surprise party.

Frog is settling in for a relaxing day at the pond. (AAHH.) But wait—there are other creatures at the pond as well. (AH HA!) And some of them are out to get Frog. (AHHH!) Not to worry, Frog gets the last laugh. (HA HA!) Using only two letters, along with many brightly colored and lively illustrations, Jeff Mack brings his hallmark humor to this rollicking book that will leave young readers guessing, laughing, and on the edge of their seats.