Janell Cannon

You are flying safely curled against your mother, deep in the night sky. Suddenly, a fierce owl attacks, and you tumble headfirst into a leafy nest filled with baby birds. This is exactly what happens to Stellaluna, a tiny fruit bat who suddenly has to learn how to live like a bird. Instead of hanging upside down and eating sweet fruit, she must learn to sleep standing up and swallow juicy bugs. As you turn the pages, you will follow Stellaluna as she tries her best to fit in with her feathery new family. Even though she feels entirely out of place, she discovers that friends can come in all shapes and sizes. This beautifully illustrated story shows how we can care for one another even when we are wonderfully different.

Being small in a giant forest is tough, especially when you have a twisted wing and just want to create beautiful sculptures. Crickwing is a lonely cockroach who is tired of being picked on by lizards, toads, and other large bullies. Frustrated and looking to even the score, he decides to play mean tricks on creatures even smaller than himself: the busy, hard-working leafcutter ants. But you quickly learn that making enemies of the fierce leafcutter queen is a terrible mistake. Just when Crickwing faces serious trouble for his pranks, a terrifying swarm of army ants marches into the area, threatening everyone in the colony. Suddenly, the tiny leafcutters need a miracle. You will root for this unlikely hero as he realizes that his unique artistic talents might be exactly what the forest needs. Watch how a creative idea can save the day and turn a bullied bug into a brave protector.

You probably know exactly what it feels like to want to run, jump, and play forever without slowing down. Verdi is a bright yellow baby python who loves zooming through the tropical jungle faster than anyone else. When he looks at the older, giant green pythons, he thinks they are terribly slow, lazy, and boring. He promises himself that he will never, ever turn green and lose his exciting speed. Follow along as this energetic little snake tries everything in his power to keep his yellow skin. He stretches, he scrubs, and he flings himself through the trees in dangerous aerial tricks just to stay young. But after a high-flying leap goes wrong, you will see Verdi discover a surprising truth about growing older. He learns that changing colors does not mean you have to lose your adventurous spirit, proving that you can still be yourself no matter how much you grow.

Deep in the wild, secret creatures known as fuzzheads live quietly away from human eyes. But Trupp is far too curious to stay hidden forever. He wants to see exactly how humans live, so he leaves his secluded home and steps into our noisy, bustling world. Because he looks nothing like an ordinary animal, he has to wear a clever disguise just to walk safely down the street without drawing a crowd. When you follow Trupp into the city, you see the human world through his fresh, wide eyes. It is confusing, crowded, and sometimes very strange. Along the way, he crosses paths with a lonely human who truly sees him for who he is. Together, you will explore a touching story about understanding outsiders, offering kindness to strangers, and finding friendship in the most unexpected places.

Trau is in terrible danger, and time is running out. When a mysterious poison leaves his mentor gravely ill, Little Yau knows he must do the unthinkable. He and his fellow fuzzheads must leave the safety of their hidden home and journey into the terrifying, unknown world of humans. To blend in, these furry creatures strap on clumsy shoes and pull on human clothes, embarking on a daring rescue mission. They are searching for a rare herb that holds the only cure for Trau. But navigating the loud human world is no easy task. Little Yau will have to push past his deepest fears and rely on his loyal friends to find the medicine before it is too late. This beautifully illustrated adventure takes you on a thrilling quest about bravery, loyalty, and the incredible lengths we will go to for the ones we love.

Imagine walking through the bright African savanna and having the other animals make fun of the way you look. Pinduli is a young striped hyena who loves her big ears, fuzzy mane, and striped coat until a dog, a lion, and a zebra toss cruel insults her way. Their unkind words hurt her feelings deeply, making her want to hide away and change everything about herself just to fit in. But when Pinduli accidentally covers herself in pale dust, she looks completely unrecognizable. Suddenly, the very creatures who bullied her are terrified of this strange, ghostly animal. You will see Pinduli use this accidental disguise to play a brilliant trick, teaching the mean-spirited animals a powerful lesson about the damage their harsh words can do. Join her on a journey that reveals how understanding and a little bit of cleverness can turn bullies into friends and bring true harmony back to the savanna.