A picture book divided into very short chapters, Hooray for Amanda & Her Alligator! is another home run from Mo Willems, the man who brought us the ongoing Pigeon saga, and the Elephant and Piggie series. Overflowing with cleverness, heart, and humor (plus a few tips on how--and how not to--tell jokes, and surprise your friends), Amanda and her Alligator is a wonderful friendship story, and the perfect antidote for "girly girl" pink-a-princess books; in fact, I think most boys at our Storytimes find the Alligator pretty darn cool.

Recommended by Mr. Steve