1000 Books Before Kindergarten: A Place to Start | Campbell County Libraries

1) Why mosquitoes buzz in people's ears: a West African tale

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Summary

A retelling of a traditional West African tale that reveals how the mosquito developed its annoying habit. A mosquito annoyed the iguana, who frightened the python, who scared the rabbit ... and now the whole jungle is in an uproar because the sun won't rise. The animals discuss the situation and decide to punish the mosquito. Even today, whenever we hear a mosquito buzz, we smack it hard!

2) My rhinoceros

Author

Summary

A rhinoceros does only two things: pop balloons and poke holes in kites. But rhinoceroses can really do more--so much more--than that!

3) Goodnight moon

Author

Brown, Margaret Wise, 1910-1952

Summary

"In a great green room, tucked away in bed, is a little bunny. "Goodnight room, goodnight moon." And to all the familiar things in the softly lit room?to the picture of the three little bears sitting on chairs, to the clocks and his socks, to the mittens and the kittens, to everything one by one?the little bunny says goodnight."-- Amazon.com.

4) Mike Mulligan and his steam shovel

Author

Burton, Virginia Lee, 1909-1968

Summary

When Mike Mulligan and his steam shovel, Mary Ann, lose their jobs to the gasoline, electric, and diesel motor shovels, they go to a little country town where they find that one new job leads to another.

Author

Cannon, Janell, 1957-

Summary

After she falls headfirst into a bird's nest, a baby bat is raised like a bird until she is reunited with her mother.

6) The very hungry caterpillar

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Summary

Follows the progress of a hungry little caterpillar as he eats his way through a varied and very large quantity of food until, full at last, he forms a cocoon around himself and goes to sleep. Die-cut pages illustrate what the caterpillar ate on successive days.

7) Fred Stays With Me!

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Summary

A child describes how she lives sometimes with her mother and sometimes with her father, but her dog is her constant companion.

8) Click, clack, moo, cows that type

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Summary

When Farmer Brown's cows find a typewriter in the barn, they start making demands and go on strike when the farmer refuses to give them what they want. One track has page-turn signals.

9) Animals should definitely not wear clothing

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Summary

Pictures of animals wearing clothes show why this would be a ridiculous custom for them to adopt.

10) A visitor for Bear

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Formats

Summary

Bear's efforts to keep out visitors to his house are undermined by a very persistent mouse.

Author

Bemelmans, Ludwig, 1898-1962

Summary

Set in picturesque Paris, this tale of a brave little girl's trip to the hospital is as appealing today as it was in 1940. The combination of spirited heroine, timelessly appealing art, cheerful humor, and rhythmic text makes "Madeline" a perennial favorite with children of all ages. Full color.

12) The mitten: a Ukrainian folktale

Author

Brett, Jan, 1949-

Summary

One by one, animals in a snowy forest crawl into Nicki's lost white mitten to get warm until the bear sneezes, sending the animals flying up and out of the mitten. On each turn of the page, signature borders inspired by Ukrainian folk art hint at what animal is coming next.

13) Clifford, the big red dog

Author

Bridwell, Norman

Summary

"It only takes a little to BE BIG! Meet Emily Elizabeth and her dog, Clifford. Clifford is big. Clifford is red. But most of all, Clifford knows how to be a good friend." -- Back cover. Emily Elizabeth loves her huge dog Clifford even though he is far from perfect.

14) The legend of rock paper scissors

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Summary

You've played the game. Now read the legend of how it all began...Long ago, in an ancient and distant realm called the Kingdom of Backyard, there lived a warrior named ROCK. Meanwhile in the Empire of Mom's Home Office, a second great warrior sought the glory of battle. And his name was PAPER. At the same time, in the Kitchen Realm, in the tiny village of Junk Drawer, lived a third warrior. They called her SCISSORS. These three were the strongest,...

15) Strega Nona: an old tale

Author

DePaola, Tomie, 1934-2020

Summary

When Strega Nona leaves him alone with her magic pasta pot, Big Anthony is determined to show the townspeople how it works.

16) Go, dog. Go!

Author

Eastman, P. D. (Philip D.)

Summary

Presents beginning vocabulary words demonstrated with the use of dogs.

17) Are you my mother?

Author

Eastman, P. D. (Philip D.)

Summary

Soft pages and a plush baby bird let children move our little hero from page to page as he asks, a kitten, a dog, a hen, and others, "Are you my mother?"

Author

Summary

Whether at home getting ready for the day, building sand castles at the beach or visiting museums, Olivia is an energetic pig who is very good at wearing everyone out, including herself.

19) Mama cat has three kittens

Author

Fleming, Denise, 1950-

Summary

While two kittens copy everything their mother does, their brother naps.

Author

Freeman, Don, 1908-1978

Summary

A toy bear in a department store wants a number of things, but when a little girl finally buys him he finds what he has always wanted most of all.

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