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This reissue about a father/daughter switch (he’s tired of his job in advertising; she’s tired of kindergarten) is just as fresh and funny as it was 24 years ago when it was first published. A new generation of parents and children will the welcome the return of its tart humor and expressive, detailed pencil illustrations.

Perfect for: Kids who like humor stories.

Find at your local library.

Two neighborhood cats go missing, birds are disappearing from pet shops all over town and now nearly a whole family of pigeons is gone as well! When LaRue the dog is falsely accused of catnapping, he is determined to get to the bottom of the situation.

Perfect for: Kids who like mysteries.

Find at your local library.

There’s a real surprise ending to this must-read for any child who is feeling those “first day jitters.” Older children as well as pre-schoolers will relate to this story. The surprise ending is guaranteed to put a smile on the face of any young child who is concerned about that all-important first day.

Perfect for: Kids who might be a little nervous about school.

Find at your local library.

Like most institutions, the library in this story has rules about a number of things but not about lions. It does, however, have rules about behavior and when the lion, who has jauntily sauntered in the front door to join story hour, roars in distress when the program is over, the head librarian, Miss Merriweather, turns stern. “If you cannot be quiet, you will have to leave. Those are the rules….” An agreement is brokered by the children and Miss Merriweather concedes that “Yes, a nice quiet lion would certainly be allowed to come back for story hour tomorrow.” … This gentle story, which toys with a host of library stereotypes, succeeds by virtue of that most winning of all combinations: humor and humanity.

Perfect for: Kids who like adventure stories.

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Harry, the lovable little dog featured in this sequel to Harry the Dirty Dog, once again mimics a child’s behavior when he receives a sweater from grandma that he doesn’t like. From “losing” it in a store, to hiding it in the house, Harry does everything he can to keep from wearing the rose-covered sweater. I recommend this to anyone who has a soft spot for a dirty dog or who has ever received a present that ended up in the back of the closet.

Perfect for: Animal lovers — and kids who like picking their own clothes.

Find at your local library.

The wolf’s delightfully outrageous story is a surefire attention-grabber, while the silly yet radiant artwork adds to the book’s appeal.

Perfect for: Kids who like humor stories.

Find at your local library.

Beatrice doesn’t like books, reading or the library. Forced to accompany her older brother to the library for three afternoons in a row, Beatrice discovers the magic of books after becoming entranced by a read-aloud.

Perfect for: Kids who like realism.

Find at your local library.