My name is Elizabeth!
Written by Annika Dunklee
Illustrated by Matthew Forsythe
Meet Elizabeth. She's got an excellent pet duck, a loving granddad and a first name that's just awesome. After all, she's got a queen named after her! So she's really not amused when people insist on using nicknames like “Lizzy” and “Beth.” She bears her frustration in silence until an otherwise ordinary autumn day, when she discovers her power to change things once and for all. In the process, Elizabeth learns about communication and respect --- and their roles in building better relationships with family and friends. The two-toned illustrations reflect the story's energy and sass, and the comic-book-like format makes it easy to follow. The cheeky, retro drawings also keep it real --- depicting the sometimes-feisty Elizabeth as a resolutely normal kid --- whether she's flossing her teeth or feeding her pet duck.
Me, Too!
Written by Annika Dunklee
Illustrated by Lori Joy Smith
There are many reasons why Annie is best friends with Lillemor, who is from Sweden. “They're the same age ... They like the same colors ... They like doing the same things ... They can both speak another language. Okay, so Annie made hers up, but she is pretty sure it still counts.” Annie and Lillemor like each other so much they play together every day. But then Lilianne, a new girl from France, arrives. Annie can't stand that Lillemor has become friends with Lilianne, and that Lilianne seems to have more things in common with Lillemor than Annie does --- even their names, which both begin with “Lil”! Has Annie lost her best friend forever?
Me, Me, Me
Written by Annika Dunklee
Illustrated by Lori Joy Smith
When best friends Annie, Lillemor and Lilianne learn their school will be having a talent show, Annie says they should enter as an all-girl singing group. Her friends are all in --- until Annie tries to force everyone to go along with her choice of song, costumes, band name and lead singer. When Lillemor and Liliane tell Annie they've had enough of her "me, me, me" attitude, the band splits up, with Annie intent on performing solo. But it doesn't take long for her to realize it's just not the same without her friends. Can Annie find a way to make things right before it's too late?
A Fire Truck for Chuck
Written by Annika Dunklee
Illustrated by Cathon
At a yard sale with his mom, among the toys for sale, Chuck spots a fire truck. It only costs a buck—what luck! Mom buys Chuck the truck, and he loves everything about it. At home, he plays with it nonstop: in the sandbox, the yard, and the mud. But after bath time, once Chuck is squeaky clean, his fire truck is nowhere to be seen!
Dumbstruck, Chuck hunts all over the house. Where is his truck?! Was it sucked up into the vacuum, now stuck? Finally, Chuck and his truck are reunited, just in time for bed.
Told not in verse but with plenty of fun rhyme and repetition, this story’s bright, cartoon-like art conveys Chuck’s full range of emotions. With humor and warmth, it’s a lovable read-aloud that captures a child’s joy for their favorite toy.
Sprout, Seed, Sprout!
Written by Annika Dunklee
Illustrated by Carey Sookocheff
One day, when a boy sees his dad cut an avocado in half, he decides to plant the fruit's seed and grow it into...an avocado tree! One glass of water, two careful hands, and three pointy toothpicks later, it's time to wait...and wait...and wait...for it to grow.
At long last, the boy and his faithful pet cat see one root, two roots, three roots emerge! Three scoops of soil, three sprinkles of water, and a lot more waiting...lead to one sturdy stem, two clapping hands, and three grateful cheers. The avocado tree starts to appear! One, two, and three years later, the tree grows taller still.
Eee-Moo!
Written by Annika Dunklee
Illustrated by Brian Won
A platypus who thinks he is an emu finds his way home with the help of his friends in this classic, tender picture book from Annika Dunklee and Brian Won.
When the stork drops an egg before delivering it to its parents the little animal’s first words are EEE-MOO. So, a cow, pig, horse, and other furry friends who watch him hatch decide he is an emu and Australia is his home. Good friends that they are, they offer to help him get there. So EEE-MOO’s journey begins, and along the way he meets a cast of other animal friends who guide him to the open arms of his family. But when he gets there, he realizes something is missing.