Nora is a big girl now, but she still clings to her pacifier when she gets sleepy. One day it falls out of her pocket while she’s playing outside. Ella Elephant doesn’t know what it is, but she thinks it’ll make a beautiful ring for her trunk. When she too loses it, Lotti Lamb finds it and thinks it’ll make a nice hair clip. One by one different animals find the binky and put it to different uses, only to lose it again. And just when Nora finally finds it, she realizes that maybe she doesn’t need it anymore.
Early Years (ages 2-6)
Hedgehog, Pig, and the Sweet Little Friend
It’s a quiet evening at Hedgehog’s house, until there’s a squeak at the gate. Someone’s outside who wants to come in. It’s dark and the hour is late. It’s someone who’s lost and wants to go home, someone who can’t find the way. “Come in,” invites Hedgehog, “come in and sit down. Tomorrow will be a new day.”
Sophie’s Big Bed
Sophie is a big girl now, with a nice, new big-girl bed. But Bunny, Bear, and Scarlett are worried that if the bed is too big, they may get lost under all those sheets and blankets.
Little Tad Grows Up
Little Tadpole is going through some big changes in his early life. For one thing, he’s sad when he learns he is losing his tail. Instead, he’s growing four strange, long legs that he doesn’t know what to do with. The older frogs tell him to be patient, but it’s hard when everything’s changing around you. Then one day he finds himself face-to-face with a water snake’s big fangs, and he learns just how useful his new legs can be. In the process, he discovers a beautiful new world outside the water. This is a funny, endearing look at what it means to grow up.
Piglet and Papa
When Piglet’s beloved father chases her away after she plays too rough, all of the barnyard animals try to make her feel better, but Piglet is still afraid that her father no longer loves her.
Little Chicken & Little Fox
Little chicken is all ready for be, when suddenly there’s a knock at the door. It’s little fox, freezing in the cold. The other chickens know they aren’t supposed to let anyone in. But little chicken feels bad, so she sneaks out to find him a warm place. The two become instant friends, building snowman together and searching for little fox’s parents.
Sam Is Never Scared
Sam feels fearless compared to Max who is afraid of climbing trees and watching scary movies, until Sam learns that everyone is afraid of something.
Burger Boy
Benny hates vegetables and eats nothing but hamburgers, until the day his mother’s prediction proves true and he turns into a walking, talking–and running–burger.
Boo and Baa Have Company
It’s autumn and Boo and Baa are raking leaves when they hear meowing. They discover a cat that has climbed up a tree and cannot get down. Boo and Baa try lots of different things, but it’s hard to convince their visitor he’s welcome to stay.
The New Hippos
Something unusual has happened at the river’s edge where the hippos live–two new hippos have arrived! They like the beach, all the space, and the diving board. But it’s not easy being the new arrivals. All day the new little hippo watches the other hippo kids play in the water, but she’s not allowed to join in their games. Meanwhile, the new hippo mama struggles with building a hut, while the adult hippos watch dubiously. And then one day the new hippos disappear, and it’s up to the little hippos to find them.
Ink and watercolor.