Mr. Brown's Fantastic Hat (Ayano Imai)

Mr. Brown is okay with being alone. Things change when a bird comes along and nests in his hat. As days go on more and more new friends come and interestingly, his hat grows to accommodate all this new found friendships.


Goodreads says:

An enchantingly positive story of love, loneliness, and the hope of renewal

 

“Who needs friends?” thinks Mr. Brown. “I can suit myself and wear my smart hat all day long.” Try as he might, however, Mr. Brown is lonely. But when a woodpecker decides Mr. Brown needs some company, his life is transformed.

And Then it's Spring (Julie Fogliano)

Where I live, we seem to wait a long time for Spring. This book does a great job of telling the story of the long wait for spring.

I loved Donalyn Miller's review:

A boy and his dog patiently wait for spring. Beautiful interplay between the simple text and detailed illustrations. I would like my favorite line on my classroom door, "Please do not stomp here-- there are seeds and they are trying."


Goodreads summary:

Following a snow-filled winter, a young boy and his dog decide that they've had enough of all that brown and resolve to plant a garden. They dig, they plant, they play, they wait . . . and wait . . . until at last, the brown becomes a more hopeful shade of brown, a sign that spring may finally be on its way.

Julie Fogliano's tender story of anticipation is brought to life by the distinctive illustrations Erin E. Stead, recipient of the 2011 Caldecott Medal.

Red Rubber Boot Day (Mary Lyn Ray)

Simple words. Beautiful pictures. Really portrayed the feelings of a rainy day - the dreariness and the fun - and the happiness when the sun comes out again.

Some great suggestions on Good Reads:

Kathy Bennett: This would be a great story for a small child who says "I'm bored" on a rainy day. A child lists the activities he enjoys when it is rainy out.

Ginna: This book has amazing illustrations, you could do a whole lesson on senses - What senses the character of the book used during the story, and how do you relate to that? You could ask your students to write a story where they are the main character and what would they do in a rainy day.
Or...you could use this book and Pete The Cat "I like My White Shoes" and make book to book connections during circle time. Students will use great vocabulary and they might also make personal connections too!

Duck! Rabbit (Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Tom Lightenheld)

Cute and simple story. Could be a good lesson on perspective.

Also available on Tumble Books.

Goodreads summary:

From the award-winning author of Little Pea, Little Hoot, and Little Oink comes a clever take on the age-old optical illusion: is it a duck or a rabbit? Depends on how you look at it! Readers will find more than just Amy Krouse Rosenthal's signature humor herethere's also a subtle lesson for kids who don't know when to let go of an argument. A smart, simple story that will make readers of all ages eager to take a side, Duck! Rabbit! makes it easy to agree on one thingreading it again!