WEIRD, WILD
& WACKY

Encyclopedia of Immaturity by Klutz Editors, 2007. Learn how to shrink heads, snort rubber bands, take off your thumb, break your nose, and make radio-controlled underwear!

Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich by Adam Rex, 2006. Dracula walks around with spinach in his teeth, because everyone is afraid to tell him about it, and the Phantom of the Opera can't get 'It's a Small World' out of his head.

Gallop: A Scanimation Book by Rufus Butler Seder. Children are amazed by the way the animals in the illustrations move while they turn the page.

Imagine by Norman Messenger, 2005. This book is filled with interactive puzzles, such as shape-shifting animals.

Ribbit: Flip and See Who Froggy Can Be by Bender & Bender, 2007. An ingenious flip-book with unlimited combinations.

Science Verse by Jon Scieszka, 2004. A sing-along, rhyme-along introduction to science that is guaranteed to get children engaged. My favorite is the version of Mary Had A... that refers to a parasite in her belly.

SUPERHEROES
& VILLAINS

Another Perfect Day by Ross MacDonald, 2002. What started out as another perfect day for a superhero performing heroic feats suddenly goes awry.

Atomic Ace: He's Just My Dad by Jeff Weigel, 2004. In this rhyming story told in comic book format, a boy considers his family normal, though his dad is a superhero.

Batman: The Story of the Dark Knight by Ralph Cosentino, 2008. Finally, a Picture Book about Batman that can be read aloud!

Baron Von Baddie and the Ice Ray Incident! by George McClements, 2008. An evil genius becomes bored without the challenge of his nemesis, the superhero.

Bertie Was a Watchdog by Rick Walton, 2002. A dog as small as a watch outsmarts an overconfident robber.

Captain Pajamas: Defender of the Universe by Bruce Whatley, 2000. In the middle of the night, Brian transforms himself into Captain Pajamas, Defender of the Universe, to save his older sister Jessie from attacking aliens.

Chickens to the Rescue! by John Himmelman, 2006. Six days a week the chickens help the Greenstalk family and their animals recover from mishaps that occur on the farm, but they need one day to rest.

Dogzilla by Dav Pilkey, 1993. A monstrous mutt terrorizes the residents of Mousopolis.

He Saves the Day! by Marsha Hayes, 2002. In plane or race car, on the high seas, in a jungle or before a castle, a brave and daring champion saves the day, but sometimes he needs help.

How I Became Champion of the Universe by Kenny Harrison, 2002. A pint-sized wrestling fan is surprised to become the new champion of the universe after he uses his secret weapon.

Just Another Morning by Linda Ashman, 2004. A little boy imagines that the everyday objects around him are fantastic creatures as he goes about his day.

Kapow! by George O'Connor, 2004. A boy and his friend pretend they are superheroes. Children might find this book a little confusing, because the protagonists are depicted as adult superheroes on every other page, and then they go back to being kids again.

Loretta: Ace Pinky Scout by Keith Graves, 2002. An unrelenting perfectionist, is devastated when she fails to earn the Golden Marshmallow Badge, but her grandmother's picture gives her a new perspective on things.

Max by Bob Graham, 2000. The son of superheroes is a late bloomer when it comes to flying, until he is inspired by the plight of a falling baby bird.

Mighty Max by Harriet Ziefert, 2008. Despite discouragement from grownups, Max is determined to be the superhero he was born to be!

Phooey! by Marc Rosenthal, 2007. No superheroes in this book, although with all the accidents, the townspeople sorely need one! However, the comic book style appeals to children.

SuperHero ABC by Bob McLeod, 2006. Silly superheroes such as Goo Girl and The Volcano represent the letters of the alphabet from A to Z.

Superhero Max by Lawrence David, 2002. A second-grade boy has trouble fitting in at his new school, until he wears his Captain Crusader costume.

Supermoo by Babette Cole, 1992. A bovine superhero crusades against the evil spreaders of filth and pollution.