Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale by Mo Willems
Using a refreshingly cool combination of original illustrations and black-and-white photographs of Brooklyn, New York, this 2005 Caldecott Honor Book tells an all-too-familiar tale about what happens when Daddy's in charge and things go terribly, hilariously wrong.
($12.79, www.bn.com)

Monday the Bullfrog by Mathew Van Fleet
This cute, interactive book features a hungry bullfrog puppet who, when slipped onto a tiny hand, can open wide for his next meal. But what will it be? Offering possibilities for every day of the week, this fun,funky book teaches concepts about colors, textures, critters and time. It’s so much fun, your kids will beg you to read it again and again. ($14.39, www.bn.com)

The Peace Book by Todd Parr
Explaining an abstract concept like peace is made easy with this neon-hued book from celebrated author Todd Parr. The concept is brought to life with explanations like "Peace is keeping the water blue for all the fish.” Also included is a picture of two girls, one in funky bell bottoms, the other in a traditional burqa with the caption, “Peace is wearing different clothes.” So as to inject a little of his trademark silliness, Parr also says that peace is “having enough pizza in the world for everyone”—we second that! ($15.99, www.bn.com)

Rap a Tap Tap: Here's Bojangles: Think of That! By Leo and Diane Dillon
This book for young children, an Honor Book for the 2003 Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award, tells the life story of ground-breaking African-American tap dancer Bill “Bojangles” Robinson, one of the most popular entertainers of the 1920s and '30s. People said he “talked with his feet,” and in this book’s graceful, graphic paintings of old New York, he dances from page to page to the tune of a toe-tapping rhyme. ($15.95,www.bn.com)

The Story of My Feelings by Laurie Berkner
Fans of award-winning children's recording artist Laurie Berkner’s music will love this story, which teaches kids to accept all their different feelings. A bonus: the book includes a CD featuring the song that inspired it. ($10.39, www.bn.com)

On the Night You Were Born by Nancy Tillman
You’ll love integrating his beautiful, sweet book into your bedtime ritual. This story weaves rich illustrations and comforting language to bring to life the joy parents feel about the birth of a child. Geese fly home to celebrate, polar bears dance and the world comes alive with thanksgiving. Sound familiar? ($11.86, www.bn.com)

Tractor by DK Publishing
Your truck-obsessed little one will love this book’s scenes of tractors at work plowing, planting, mowing, collecting, baling, and more—it's ready for hours of imaginative play on the floor or in a sandbox. A tip from the trenches: pop this board book into your diaper bag. Because it's shaped like a tractor—complete with four heavily treaded sturdy plastic tires and a Velcro snap to fasten the book shut—it double as a book and a toy, providing a great distraction when you’re out to dinner. ($6.99, www.bn.com)

What’s Wrong, Little Pookie? by Sandra Boynton
Beloved author Sandra Boynton creates another humorous board book that won’t disappoint those who adore her cartoon animal characters and silly rhymes. Her latest installment is about a mama pig who can't figure out why her son is upset. But never fear, there's happiness on the way —doesn’t mama always make things right? ($5.99, www.bn.com)