ManaReads :: Picture Books
Big stories, big pictures. From rollicking to sweet to sublime, for sharing or solo, our extensive, hand-picked Picture Book section has the best of it all!
A Ball for Daisy
In his new, wordless picture book, A Ball for Daisy, Chris Raschka brings us the touching story of a frisky dog with a very special toy. Through his amazing watercolor illustrations, Raschka evokes the universal feelings experienced when we lose something important to us, and when we find a new friend! Allow your child to tell you the story in their own words, and this is sure to become your family's new favorite!… read more »
A Sick Day for Amos McGee
Amos McGee gets up early every morning, excited to get to his job at the zoo. While at the zoo, he is able to spend time with all of his friends--the tortoise he runs races with, the owl he reads to, and many others. One day, Amos is sick and can't go to work. Instead, his animal friends make a visit to his house to keep him company. This book is beautifully illustrated and will delight both kids and adults.… read more »
Always
A dog will protect his castle, or home, for the ones he loves.....always. This sweet story about the friendship and loyalty between a girl and her dog will touch your heart. This would be a great book to share with someone you love for Valentine's Day!… read more »
Blueberries for Sal
The adventures of a little girl and a baby bear while hunting for blueberries with their mothers one bright summer day. All the color and flavor of the sea and pine-covered Maine countryside. A Caldecott Honor Book… read more »
Bumble-Ardy
In this highly anticipated picture book, Sendak once again explores the exuberance of young children and the unshakable love between parent (in this case, an aunt) and child.… read more »
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom - hardcover
A told B, and B told C, I'll meet you at the top of the coconut tree. In this lively alphabet rhyme, all the letters of the alphabet race each other up the cocunut tree. Will there be enough room? Oh, no - Chicka Chicka Boom! Boom! The well-known authors of Barn Dance and Knots on a Counting Rope have created a rhythmic alphabet chant that rolls along on waves of fun. Lois Ehlert's rainbow of bright, bold, cheerful colors makes the merry parade of letters unforgettable.… read more »
Corduroy
Corduroy has been on the department store shelf for a long time. Yet as soon as Lisa sees him, she knows that he's the bear she's always wanted. Her mother thinks he's a little shopworn- he's even missing a button! Still, Corduroy knows that with a bit of work he can tidy himself up and be just the bear for Lisa. And where better to start than with a quick search through the department store for a new button! … read more »
Crafty Chloe
Chloe is always creating and embellishing things. She struggles to find the perfect gift for her friend’s birthday, and when another girl purchases the doll that she had her eye on, she gets to work on some accessories for the doll. Her home-made dress comes in handy, as a mishap takes place at the party. Crafty Chloe ends up saving the day, and makes a new friend in the process! This book has so many elements that need to be reinforced for children, especially girls: creative problem-solv… read more »
Darth Vader: A 3-D Reconstruction Manual
Available exclusively at blue manatee until October 1st! Discover what lies inside Darth Vader layer by layer!… read more »
Edwina, The Dinosaur Who Didn't Know She Was Extinct
Everyone in town knows Edwina. She is the dinosaur who plays with the kids. She is the dinosaur who helps little old ladies cross the street. And best of all, she bakes yummy chocolate-chip cookies. Everyone loves Edwina... except Reginald Von Hoobie-Doobie. Reginald knows dinosaurs are extinct and it ready to prove it. But will anyone listen? And if they do, what will happen to Edwina? … read more »
Extra Yarn
Extra Yarn is about a girl named Annabelle who lives in a very dull, colorless town. She finds a box of brightly-colored yarn, so she knits herself a sweater. She has more yarn, so she knits for everyone and everything including the trees and a truck, until her whole city is covered in bright knitted goodness. A villainous archduke offers to buy the box, but Annabelle refuses. He steals it, but finds it contains no yarn at all, and with the help of just a bit more magic, it finds its w… read more »
Harold and the Purple Crayon - hardcover
One evening Harold decided to go for a walk in the moonlight. But there wasn't any moon, and Harold needed a moon for a walk in the moonlight. Fortunately, he had brought his purple crayon. So he drew a moon. He also needed something to walk on. So he drew a path... And thus begins one of the most imaginative and enchanting adventures in all of children's books. The creative concept behind this beloved story has intrigued children and kept them absorbed for generations, as page by page unfolds t… read more »
Hooray for Amanda and her Alligator!
6½ stories about 2 surprising friends. Having a stuffed alligator for a best friend can be surprising. Sometimes Amanda surprises her alligator with books. Sometimes Alligator surprises Amanda by eating them. But what happens when Amanda brings home a special—and not entirely welcome—surprise? The result might be unexpected indeed. Beloved author-illustrator Mo Willems has created a funny and tender portrait of friendship that readers of any age will love.… read more »
Knuffle Bunny
Trixie, Daddy, and Knuffle Bunny take a trip to the neighborhood Laundromat. But the exciting adventure takes a dramatic turn when Trixie realizes somebunny was left behind - Using a combination of muted black-and-white photographs and expressive illustrations, this stunning book tells a brilliantly true-to-life tale about what happens when Daddy's in charge and things go terribly, hilariously wrong. A Caldecott Honor Book!… read more »
Knuffle Bunny Free
Knuffle Bunny is back! Trixie is growing up, but she still needs her Knuffle Bunny, especially when she goes to visit her "Oma" and "Opa" in Holland. When she realizes Knuffle Bunny has been left on the plane, Trixie's vacation could be ruined, or maybe not . . .… read more »
Madeline
Set in picturesque Paris, this tale of a brave little girl's trip to the hospital is as appealing today as it was in 1940. The combination of spirited heroine, timelessly appealing art, cheerful humor, and rhythmic text makes "Madeline" a perennial favorite with children of all ages. … read more »
Miss Nelson Is Missing! - hardcover
The children in Miss Nelson's class go beyond misbehaving; they are downright terrible! Near her wits' end, Miss Nelson thinks up a brilliant plan. The next day the kids have a substitute--the nasty Viola Swamp--who loads the boys and girls with homework and never gives them a story hour. By the time Miss Nelson finally returns, the children are so grateful they behave well. But now Viola Swamp is missing....… read more »
Mr. Brown Can Moo, Can You? (Hardcover)
There isn't a sound Mr. Brown can't do, from a hippo's gum chewing to a goldfish's kiss. The noisemakers are graphically illustrated and the "sound effects" are printed in big lettering.… read more »
My Teacher
In My Teacher, author and illustrator James Ransome beautifully describes the reasons why dedicated teachers continue to work so hard for their students. The teacher in this book inspires her students through writing, music, and giving, and tells her current students about the successes of her past students. This would be a perfect end-of-year gift for a favorite educator in your or your child's life. … read more »
Otis - hardcover
On the farm, Otis is best of friends with the little calf, who lives in the next barn stall over. But when Otis is replaced with the big yellow tractor, he is cast away behind the barn . . . until the little calf gets stuck in Mud Pond. It's Otis to the rescue! Loren Long has crafted an unforgettable story celebrating the power of friendship and perseverance.… read more »
Otis and the Tornado
Otis, the friendly tractor, is leading a rousing game of "follow the leader" with his farmyard friends. All of the animals play together, except for the bull, who scares everyone away with his snorting and stomping. Suddenly, the sky turns dark and the winds pick up, and a tornado forms. Otis bravely leads the animals to safety, but a cry is heard from far in the distance- from the bull! Otis doesn't think twice about helping the large, scared animal, and heads to the pen as fast as his wheels c… read more »
Slow Down for Manatees
This is a book about the gentle creatures who are the namesakes of our store! In this story, a manatee gets badly injured by a boat and is taken to an aquarium to recover, just like the manatees at the zoo. While in the aquarium, the manatee gives birth to a calf and longs to return to the coastal water. There is no better place to read a book about manatees than blue manatee children's bookstore!… read more »
Stuck
Oliver Jeffers' newest picture book tells the tale of Floyd, and the hopeless day he finds himself retrieving his stuck kite from a tree. In his fateful position (that which we have all found ourselves in at one point or another) Floyd has the brilliant idea to fish it out by tossing up his favorite shoe. And that's when the trouble really began. Floyd's persistence and inventiveness unravel into hilarity as everything from a blue whale to a milkman and even the kitchen sink gets flung up (and e… read more »
The Birthday Box
What’s better than getting a brand-new toy as a birthday gift? Playing with the box it came in! Climb in for a flight across the ocean, a jaunt on a sailing ship, some sledding down a slippery slope, and, of course, a brief stint as a robot. Good thing the toy dog that came inside the box is happy to come along for the ride! The inimitable Leslie Patricelli draws from the well of parental wit and wisdom for her very first picture book adventure, starring everyone’s favorite baby char… read more »
