Children's Literature: TLA: 2x2 Reading List

Celebrate bodies of all shapes, sizes, ages and colors, with different kinds of hair, eyes, spots, scars, and more.

TLA 2x2, 2022
A zombie chef who has sworn off eating brains salivates over this super powerful organ in this . . . picture book.

Doug prefers not to be hugged, but there are a variety of other ways his loved ones can show him affection.

Caldecott Honor Book, 2022
TLA 2x2, 2022
Follow Mel on her journey from downward fall to triumphant flight in this tale of self-confidence and taking a leap of faith.

TLA 2x2, 2022
An, a young Vietnamese boy, sets out alone in a wooden boat wearing a little backpack and armed only with a single oar, facing challenges along the way. Although daunted by the dark unknown, An realizes that he is not alone and continues to paddle. He knows it will all be worth it when he reaches his destination.

TLA 2x2, 2022
With big, bold numerals, an array of dinosaurs in comical poses, and a humorous twist at the end, this tribute to a child’s imagination makes learning numbers a gigantic treat.

Caldecott Honor Book, 2022
Two curious children go for a walk, asking imaginative questions about the natural beauty that surrounds them

TLA 2x2 Selection, 2021

TLA 2x2 Selection, 2021
It’s almost the first day of school, and the animals are nervous. Somebody else is nervous too. It’s their teacher, the armadillo! But by the next day, the animals have all figured out how to help one another through their jitters. School isn’t so scary after all!

TLA 2x2 Selection, 2021

TLA 2x2 Selection, 2021

TLA 2x2 Selection, 2021

TLA 2x2 Selection, 2021

TLA 2x2 Selection, 2021

In the tradition of I Want My Hat Back, this delicious story from Sue Hendra and Paul Linnet tells the story of a cake who's about to attend his very first party--but he has no idea what's coming! Cake has been invited to his very first birthday party! He buys just the right outfit--including the PERFECT hat. But as the candles on his perfect party hat begin to burn, and the other party guests start to sing, Cake starts to think that this is one party he'd rather not be at...

A picture book for magical yet imperfect girls everywhere, written by debut author Ashley Franklin and perfect for fans of such titles as Matthew A. Cherry's Hair Love, Grace Byers's I Am Enough, and Lupita Nyong'o's Sulwe. Tameika is a girl who belongs on the stage. She loves to act, sing, and dance--and she's pretty good at it, too. So when her school announces their Snow White musical, Tameika auditions for the lead princess role. But the other kids think she's "not quite" right to play the role. They whisper, they snicker, and they glare. Will Tameika let their harsh words be her final curtain call? Not Quite Snow White is a delightful and inspiring picture book that highlights the importance of self-confidence while taking an earnest look at what happens when that confidence is shaken or lost. Tameika encourages us all to let our magic shine.

When is a mouse not a mouse? When he's a tiger of course! This funny story is all about being who you want to be! This is a story about a mouse with BIG ideas. Mouse believes he is a tiger, and he convinces Fox, Raccoon, Snake, and Bird he's one, too! After all, Mouse can climb a tree like a tiger and hunt for his lunch, too. And not all tigers are big and have stripes. But when a real tiger shows up, can Mouse keep up his act? With hilarious text by Karl Newson and bright and vivid illustrations from Ross Collins, this uproariously funny, read-aloud picture book encourages children to use their imaginations and be who they want to be! Doesn't everyone want to be a tiger?

From the author of Jumpstart's Read for the Record pick Quackers comes the story of Henrietta the Elephant, whose life goes from calm to chaotic when a baby goose comes to stay. Henrietta likes her quiet life. A morning swim, a cup of tea--all is serene. But everything changes when she bumps her head and winds up with a goose egg--a REAL goose egg. Henrietta tries to return the baby goose to the nest, but her flock has flown. It's up to Henrietta to raise her. Goose isn't anything like Henrietta. She's flappy, and noisy, and exhausting. But Henrietta raises that goose right. She teaches her to swim, and to honk, and to fly. When Goose flies off with the other geese, Henrietta is so proud! And then . . . lonely. How quiet her life feels now. But the love you give has a way of coming back to you. And Henrietta has a wonderful surprise in store. . . .

An NPR Favorite Book of 2019 A New York Times Best Children's Book of 2019 An NYPL Best Book of 2019 A Publishers Weekly Best Book of 2019 A School Library Journal Best Picture Book of 2019 A BookPage Best Picture Book of 2019 A Horn Book Fanfare Selection of 2019 In his eagerly anticipated debut as author-illustrator, Caldecott and Coretta Scott King honoree Christian Robinson brings young readers on a playful, imaginative journey into another world. What if you... encountered another perspective? Discovered another world? Met another you? What might you do?

Caldecott Honor Book, 2020

From author-illustrator Emily Gravett comes a warm and funny picture book about friendship and loving someone different from yourself. Cyril is a squirrel. Pat is a rat. They have a lot of adventures and fun together. But no one else thinks they should be friends. In Emily Gravett's brilliantly funny story, two friends learn that some things are more important than being the same, or following others.

From popular author Ame Dyckman and rising star Charles Santoso comes the laugh-out-loud story of a father desperate to destroy the dandelion marring his perfectly manicured lawn, and his daughter's fierce attempts to save it. When Daddy spots a solitary weed in his lawn, he's appalled (along with all of his neighborhood friends). But his daughter Sweetie has fallen in love with the beautiful flower, even going so far as to name it Charlotte. Racing against time and the mockery of his friends, Daddy has to find a way to get rid of the errant dandelion without breaking his little girl's heart.

In this funny nod to Chicken Little, a quiet afternoon on the farm might be the scene of a barnyard disaster waiting to happen. When Duck runs around the farm shouting "DUCK!" to the other animals, they grow exasperated as they haughtily explain to Duck which animal is which. Unfortunately, something is falling from the sky. But perhaps "DUCK!" isn't the best warning. Perhaps what Duck should have said is . . . "RUN!"

A silly pirate skeleton seeks to put its bones back together in this rhyming romp beneath the waves. Cast a spyglass 'round here while breakers curl and pound here. There's treasure to be found here -- I feel it in my bones! A stormy night at sea has uncovered some long-buried secrets and surprises. Is that the mast of a shipwreck? A faded pirate hat? And what's that hiding in the sand? A mandible and a clavicle, phalanges and femurs, a tibia and a fibula -- could there be a set of bones scattered across the ocean floor? And who might they belong to? A jaunty rhyme takes readers on an underwater scavenger hunt as a comical skeleton tries to put itself back together piece by piece. Make no bones about it: this rollicking read-aloud will have young ones learning anatomy without even realizing it.

A celebration of the love between a father and daughter, and of a vibrant immigrant neighborhood, by an award-winning author and illustrator duo. When Daisy Ramona zooms around her neighborhood with her papi on his motorcycle, she sees the people and places she's always known. She also sees a community that is rapidly changing around her. But as the sun sets purple-blue-gold behind Daisy Ramona and her papi, she knows that the love she feels will always be there. With vivid illustrations and text bursting with heart, My Papi Has a Motorcycle is a young girl's love letter to her hardworking dad and to memories of home that we hold close in the midst of change.