Author & Illustrator Profile
Anna Grossnickle Hines
23 Books
Anna Grossnickle Hines is an acclaimed author and illustrator of numerous beloved picture books for young children. Her original works, such as 'Daddy Makes the Best Spaghetti' and 'Big Like Me', often focus on gentle, relatable family experiences. In addition to creating her own titles, she has contributed to popular franchises by writing modern adaptations and adventures for the 'Curious George' series.
A sleepover at Grandma’s house sounds like pure fun for Lassen and her cousins. Grandma likes kids, and the cousins are ready for games, noise, and excitement. But even a loving grandma has limits, and a busy night can test everyone’s patience.
Grandma Gets Grumpy is a realistic family picture book about learning that grown-ups have feelings too. The story keeps its humor and warmth while showing children that fun, respect, and consideration all belong together.
This is a good choice for readers who enjoy grandparent stories, cousin gatherings, and everyday family situations where children begin to understand boundaries, moods, and kindness.
6-8 Years
32 Pages
Dig, scoop, lift, dump—the sandbox becomes a construction site when one young child imagines being a backhoe. Soon he is not just playing with trucks; he is becoming them, using his whole body to act out the jobs each machine can do.
I Am a Backhoe turns vehicle play into energetic pretend play. The simple language and action-filled scenes make it easy for readers to join in, naming machines and copying their movements.
Bright and lively, this picture book is a strong pick for children who love construction vehicles, sand play, and stories that celebrate the power of imagination in everyday outdoor fun.
6-8 Years
40 Pages
A year can be seen in pieces: a patch of snow, a burst of spring, summer brightness, autumn change. In Pieces, Anna Grossnickle Hines pairs poems with photographs of her own quilts, creating a stitched and spoken journey through the seasons.
Each poem notices a moment from the natural world, while the quilt art turns color, pattern, and texture into another way of reading the year. The result is both a poetry collection and a celebration of handmade visual art.
Quiet, observant, and beautifully crafted, this book invites readers to look closely at seasonal change and to see how words and fabric can work together to make meaning.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
36 Pages
Donnie’s Gramma uses a wheelchair, but their walks can still go anywhere. Today they choose the seashore, and imagination carries them to salty air, warm sand, animal tracks, shells, waves, and a castle built by the sea.
Gramma’s Walk is a tender picture book about love, imagination, and shared experience. The story presents Gramma’s wheelchair with natural acceptance, focusing instead on the rich bond between grandparent and child and the vivid world they create together.
Warm and sensory, this book is a meaningful choice for readers exploring disability representation, multigenerational family relationships, and the way pretend journeys can feel wonderfully real.
6-8 Years
40 Pages
Rain is not just something to watch from the window. To one eager child, it is something to feel, smell, hear, and even taste. In Taste the Raindrops, a child longs to step outside and experience the rainy world up close, even when Mother is busy and not quite ready to join in.
The story captures the small wonder of weather through a child’s senses. Puddles, drops, and fresh air become an invitation to slow down and notice what rain can do.
Simple and sensory, this picture book is a lovely fit for young readers who enjoy weather stories, parent-child moments, and everyday discoveries in nature.
6-8 Years
23 Pages
Peace can be quiet, brave, personal, shared, close to home, or wide enough to include the world. In Peaceful Pieces, Anna Grossnickle Hines explores many meanings of peace through poems paired with her handmade quilt art.
The collection moves from inner calm to family and community, then outward toward a larger hope for understanding and care. The quilts add color, pattern, and depth, giving each poem a visual form that invites slow looking as well as thoughtful reading.
Reflective and accessible, this book offers young readers a gentle but meaningful way to think about kindness, conflict, responsibility, and the choices people make to build peace.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
45 Pages
A big brother has plans for his tiny new sister. When she grows, he will show her snow, bouncing, funny faces, birthday candles, and all the small wonders he has already begun to know.
Big Like Me is a loving picture book about welcoming a baby sibling and feeling proud of being the older child. The brother’s voice is warm and confident, but still childlike, as he imagines becoming a guide to the world just ahead of his sister.
Tender and simple, this story is a good choice for families with a new baby, children adjusting to siblinghood, and readers who enjoy gentle family books about growing up together.
6-8 Years
32 Pages
Rumble. Thumble. Boom. When thunder crashes outside, being brave is not as easy as it sounds. A small child and dog listen to the storm grow louder and look for the safest, coziest place they can find.
Rumble Thumble Boom! turns a nighttime thunderstorm into a familiar childhood moment full of sound, worry, and comfort. The story gently follows the child’s fear without making it too big, showing how closeness and reassurance can help when the weather feels overwhelming.
With a rhythmic title and a snug family setting, this picture book is a comforting pick for children who are nervous about storms or enjoy cozy bedtime stories.
6-8 Years
32 Pages
Emily can be anything for a little while: an animal, a creature, a mystery for Mother to guess. Each pretend shape gives her a new way to play, but underneath every disguise, she is still Emily.
It’s Just Me, Emily is a gentle make-believe story about a child and mother sharing a guessing game. The pleasure comes from imagination, movement, and the warm attention between parent and child.
Simple and affectionate, this picture book is a sweet match for young readers who enjoy pretending, acting things out, and being seen by someone who loves them. It celebrates creativity while keeping the emotional center close to home.
6-8 Years
32 Pages
A gigantic roar, a swishing tail, a baby dinosaur cracking out of its shell—this is pretend play at full power. In I Am a Tyrannosaurus, a young child becomes one dinosaur after another, using movement, sound, and imagination to bring each prehistoric creature to life.
Each playful scene invites you to guess, act, and notice what makes every dinosaur different. Then the page turns and the imagined dinosaur appears, giving the game a satisfying surprise.
With spare language and bright, energetic illustrations, this picture book is a joyful choice for young dinosaur fans who love to stomp, roar, hatch, and pretend.
6-8 Years
42 Pages
Winter glows in many ways: moonlight on cold nights, a hidden flashlight under the covers, candles, holiday lights, and the shimmering wonder of the aurora borealis. Winter Lights gathers poems and handmade quilt art to celebrate the brightness found in the darkest season of the year.
Each poem catches a different kind of light, from quiet natural beauty to joyful celebrations such as Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, Santa Lucia, and Chinese New Year. The quilted illustrations add texture, color, and warmth, turning each page into a stitched piece of winter.
This thoughtful poetry collection invites readers to notice how light can comfort, surprise, and connect people across traditions.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
32 Pages
Buddy and his mother have everything ready for a wonderful picnic—until the weather decides to join in. Rain threatens to spoil their carefully planned outing, but the day is not over just because the sky changes.
The Greatest Picnic in the World is a warm picture book about expectation, disappointment, and finding a way to enjoy time together even when plans go sideways. Young readers can recognize the frustration of a sudden change while watching Buddy and his mother make room for a different kind of fun.
Simple, family-centered, and gently cheerful, this story is a good fit for children who enjoy everyday adventures, rainy-day problem solving, and cozy parent-child moments.
6-8 Years
32 Pages
Joe is last in line on the class walk to the park, but being at the back gives him a view no one else seems to notice. While the others hurry along, Joe slows down enough to see the small, surprising details around him.
What Joe Saw celebrates curiosity, observation, and the quiet rewards of paying attention. Young readers follow Joe’s patient gaze as an ordinary walk becomes full of discoveries that faster feet might miss.
Gentle and thoughtful, this picture book works especially well for children who love nature walks, school stories, and books that remind readers there is more to see when you take your time.
6-8 Years
40 Pages
Beth remembers the daddy who went away. Her younger sibling does not remember him in the same way. Now their mother is marrying Gary, and the family is changing into something new.
When We Married Gary tells the story of a second marriage through a child’s eyes, with room for memory, adjustment, and welcome. The book does not rush past Beth’s feelings; it recognizes that a new parent figure can bring both questions and comfort.
Honest and reassuring, this picture book is a thoughtful choice for children reading about blended families, stepparents, and the many ways a family can grow while still honoring what came before.
6-8 Years
36 Pages
Sophie does not want to join Charlotte’s new club, but saying no is not simple when Charlotte has a way of pushing people around. Then Sophie’s best friend is pulled into the group’s rules and pressure, and a private secret becomes painfully unsafe.
Tell Me Your Best Thing is a realistic school story about friendship, bullying, trust, and the complicated power of belonging. Through Sophie’s experience, readers see how a club that looks fun on the outside can become hurtful when someone uses it to control others.
Honest and emotionally grounded, this book is well suited to children ready for stories about peer pressure, loyalty, and learning what real friendship should feel like.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
132 Pages
Albert knows Grandma’s voice from the phone. He knows the gifts she sends, the rhymes they share, and the happy feeling of hearing from someone far away. But when Grandma finally arrives in person, excitement turns into sudden shyness.
My Grandma is Coming to Town gently captures a feeling many children know: someone can be loved and familiar, yet still feel new face-to-face. Through nursery rhymes, play, and patient warmth, Albert begins to bridge the distance between phone calls and a real visit.
Cheerful illustrations and a tender family story make this picture book a comforting read about grandparents, long-distance love, and the small steps it can take to feel close.
6-8 Years
24 Pages
A little mouse has found a whole houseful of shoes—and each pair makes her feel like someone new. Daddy’s shoes are big and clompy. Mommy’s shoes click and clap. Brother’s and Baby’s shoes bring their own surprises too.
Whose Shoes? turns a simple family game into a playful guessing adventure. Young readers can follow along as Mouse tries on pair after pair, discovering how shoes can tell a story about the people who wear them.
With fold-out surprises and lively illustrations, this interactive picture book is especially fun for children who enjoy pretend play, family stories, and books that invite them to look closely and join in.
6-8 Years
24 Pages
A new big bed can feel exciting and enormous at the same time. The little girl in My Own Big Bed is proud of her brand-new place to sleep, but nighttime brings questions: What if she falls out? What if she feels lonely? What if the dark seems too big?
With calm honesty, the story follows a familiar childhood step toward independence. The girl thinks through her worries while her parents offer warmth, comfort, and a safe bedtime routine.
Gentle and reassuring, this picture book is a cozy read for children facing new sleeping arrangements, bedtime jitters, or the brave feeling of doing something grown-up for the first time.
6-8 Years
34 Pages
Corey’s dad makes excellent spaghetti, but dinner is only part of the fun. At home, Daddy can be silly, playful, and wonderfully close—dressing up, joking around, and turning ordinary moments into something Corey will remember.
Daddy Makes the Best Spaghetti is a warm family picture book about the easy laughter and affection between a child and father. Its everyday scenes feel familiar: food, play, bedtime, and the small routines that make a home feel safe and loved.
With simple text and a gentle sense of humor, this story is a comforting read for children who enjoy realistic family stories and playful parent-child bonds.
6-8 Years
32 Pages
Sound the alarm and slide down the pole! When George joins Mrs. Gray's class for an exciting field trip to the local fire station, he is absolutely fascinated by the giant red trucks and shiny gear. But standing still and listening to the tour guide is nearly impossible for a monkey this curious. Sneaking away from the group, George begins to explore the station on his own. Before he realizes what is happening, the loud emergency alarm rings out, and he finds himself accidentally riding along to the scene of a real fire! Surrounded by brave firefighters and rushing water hoses, George has to figure out a way to safely stay out of the way. Surprisingly, he discovers a very special way to lend a helping hand to a frightened little girl. This thrilling, action-packed rescue story highlights the bravery of firefighters while delivering George's signature, well-meaning mischief.
6-8 Years
24 Pages
Grab your peanuts and get ready to cheer! George is spending the day at a massive baseball stadium to watch a thrilling game. The sun is shining, the crowds are roaring, and there are so many fascinating things to look at. From the busy dugout to the towering grandstands, a giant ballpark is the ultimate playground for a monkey who loves to explore. But paying attention to the actual game proves to be quite difficult when there is so much going on behind the scenes. Before the final inning arrives, George's wandering eyes lead him into a hilarious, high-energy adventure all over the stadium. Whether he is accidentally helping the team or causing a silly distraction for the fans, George guarantees this will be a game you will never forget. Step up to the plate and join the fun as one little monkey turns a regular day at the ballpark into a grand slam of laughter.
6-8 Years
24 Pages
A Flip-the-Flap Book
A flowery hat, a space hat, a tea-party hat—this little mouse has a hat for every kind of make-believe. Which Hat Is That? invites readers to lift the flaps and discover what playful role each hat belongs to.
The guessing-game structure keeps every page lively, while the rhyming text and bright pictures make it easy for young readers to follow along. Each hat opens a new pretend world, from everyday fun to big imaginative leaps.
Designed for hands-on reading, this flip-the-flap picture book is a cheerful choice for children who like interactive books, dress-up games, and stories that turn ordinary objects into invitations to play.
6-8 Years
36 Pages
George loves visiting the science museum. When he discovers the museum is hosting a special Green Day all about recycling and caring for the environment, he cannot wait to jump in and do his part. But as you probably know, when a little monkey gets a bit too eager to help, things can quickly spiral into a giant, messy adventure. George starts gathering things from all over town to recycle, but not everything he grabs is actually ready to be thrown away! Before long, he finds himself in a rather sticky situation. Can George figure out how to fix his mistake and still help the museum? With a little teamwork and a lot of community spirit, everyone pitches in to plant trees and save the day. This fun story shows you how small choices can make a huge difference for our planet, giving you great ideas for conserving energy and recycling in your own neighborhood.
6-8 Years
32 Pages
