This Way Little Badger by Phil McMylor illustrated by Cliff Wright

"As the sun goes down and night draw in, Little Badger goes out into the wood for the very first time."

He is not alone. His big sister Belle is with him but somehow they get separated and now Little Badger is lost. He keeps hearing voices calling - 'Hurry home, Little Badger!'. But he has no idea which way to go. He meets an owl, a rabbit, a magpie, and a mouse. Then he finds himself trapped in a deep hole. Luckily he remembers something important his sister told him:

"A badger's claws are made for digging."

I know we don't have badgers here in Australia but I do enjoy books about forest animals and the illustrations in this heartwarming book are fabulous. 

About Cliff Wright:

In 1989 he published his first work in the UK and USA, a children's book called When the World Sleeps, written and illustrated by himself and which was runner-up in the Mother Goose Award for best debut.  Between 1990 to 2008 he produced a further nine titles, including the drawing manual, The Magic of Drawing and the Little Bear series of children’s books. As an illustrator, he has worked on volumes by authors such as Kenneth Grahame for Ladybird's edition of The Wind in the Willows and Gerald Durrell. In the two-year period 1998-1999 he designed the covers of the original British editions of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets and Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, published by Bloomsbury.

This book was published in 1997 but I found an almost mint condition copy at a recent charity book sale. This would be a terrific book to share with a very young child along side one of my all time favourite books about fear of the dark:

Bothered by Bugs by Emily Gravett

If your class are talking about the balance of nature - the role of every tiny creature in an ecosystem - this book is simply perfect. 

Publisher blurb: Pete the Badger is choosing a delicious recipe from his new fruit cookbook when his peace is interrupted by a teeny tiny fly. The fly becomes a swarm and soon all the animals are being bothered by bugs and insects of all kinds . . . before helping Pete to rid the forest of every single one. Disaster! Now nobody's around to clean up the poo, and come autumn, there's not a berry or a cherry to be found. But the lesson is learned, the bugs are released, and order is restored to the forest once again.

Infused with humour, this superb picture book carries an important message about the natural world. Wonderful to read aloud, the witty, rhyming text provides rhythm and pace. Children will adore exploring the exquisitely detailed illustrations, particularly a sumptuous picnic on the final pages, which is crammed with delectable cakes, tarts, and summer puddings. Book Trust

Here is one of the irresistible illustrations:

Here are two another books by Emily Gravett featuring the same woodland animals:

The topic of eliminating one part of the natural food chain and how this can be catastrophic is beautifully explained in this picture book for young children (but I would also be happy to share Bothered by Bugs with an older group of students in Grades 3 and 4. And with your senior classes do make sure you explore this book:

Sparrow Girl

Have you ever felt so overwhelmed by all the books that you have not yet discovered? I feel like this every time I visit the fabulously well stocked library where I volunteer every week. Even if I had several lifetimes I am sure I could never discover every treasure held by this library. The Teacher-Librarian was very aware of this book by the famous author/illustrator Emily Gravett book and she shared it with me because it has been short listed for the 2026 UKLA Book Awards. It really is a very good idea to keep your eye on as many international children's book awards as you can from UK, USA, New Zealand, and Canada. I am so happy to have discovered Bothered by Bugs. Add this book to your library wish list today!

Here is a partial list of other books written and illustrated by Emily Gravett - you should try to add as many of these as you can afford to your school or local library:

• Wolves (2005)
• Orange Pear Apple Bear (2006)
• Meerkat Mail (2006)
• Little Mouse's Big Book of Fears (2007)
• Monkey and Me (2007)
• The Odd Egg (2008)
• Spells (2008)
• Dogs (2009)
• The Rabbit Problem (2009)
• Blue Chameleon (2010)
• Wolf Won't Bite! (2011)
• Again! (2011)
• Matilda's Cat (2 August 2012)[12]
• Little Mouse's Big Book of Beasts (2013)
• Bear and Hare: Go Fishing (2014)
• Bear and Hare: Snow! (2014)
• Bear and Hare: Where's Bear? (2015)
• Bear and Hare: Mine! (2016)
• Tidy (2016)
• Old Hat (2017)
• Cyril and Pat (2018)
• Meerkat Christmas (2019)
• Too Much Stuff (2020)
• 10 Cats (2022)
• 10 Dogs (2023)
• Bothered by Bugs (2024)
• Bear's Nap (2025)

Bear by Natalia Shaloshvili

"Bear thinks. I love being a bear. I love my cookie. I love my book. I love my balloon. I love siting on my bench, all by myself."

But what will Bear do when other animals arrive wanting to share his bench seat, wanting to have a bite of his cookie, take a look at his book and even ask for his balloon? Finally, it all gets too much, and Bear lets out a loud roar. The animals all flee but then Natalia Shaloshvili gives her readers one more scene where perhaps there is a way for Bear to feel better but now poor Duck has to give away his cookie! You and your young reading companion will now want to talk about what might happen next. 

Holding in your feelings can have unintended consequences. Kirkus

There is a fine line between a book that is written to 'teach a child a lesson' - heavy handed versions of this can be labelled didactic - and books that explore an aspect of life that might be familiar to a young child which shows familiar feelings and reactions.

Bear is a book that is filled with big, big feelings and it all feels so real watching the way Bear reacts to others. We are privy to the narrative in his head as he navigates situations with his friends. AND his facial reactions are perfect.

While Bear's words say one thing, his expression and the clever use of font say another, giving the reader the opportunity to consider his body language and speculate on what he is really thinking, offering yet more lessons in how to "read the room", particularly if the adult sharing the book begins a conversation about these sorts of non-verbal cues and clues. Read Plus

Let’s talk about those illustrations—because wow. They’re gorgeous. Natalia Shaloshvili brings Bear’s world to life with a whimsical, textured art style that feels both magical and totally unique. Each page is a little work of art, with rich colours and soft details that invite young readers (and their grown-ups!) to pause and explore. Mummy is reading Books

I highly recommend you look for Bear and add it to your Primary School or preschool library collection. 

Bookseller blurb: A hilarious and heartwarming picture book about sharing, big feelings, and learning how to speak up! Packed with vibrant illustrations and laugh-out-loud moments, Bear is a delightful story that little readers will want to revisit again and again. Perfect for bedtime, story time, or any time! Bear is ready for the perfect day - blue skies, a cosy bench, his favourite book, a delicious cookie, and a bright balloon. Bliss! But just as he settles in, Fox wants a spot on the bench. Then Wolf asks for a bite of cookie. Rabbit wants a turn with the book. And Elephant? Well, he has his eyes on that balloon...Before Bear knows it, his peaceful day has turned into a chaotic whirlwind of sharing, and he's about to explode! AAAAAARGH! From the brilliant mind of author-illustrator Natalia Shaloshvili, Bear is a laugh-out-loud, beautifully illustrated story about learning to say what you really mean before your emotions take over.

Natalia Shaloshvili began her creative career as a fashion and editorial illustrator, working with a number of international magazines and creative agencies, including Grazia, Women's Health, and Gala. Later, she found her true passion in children's books and paintings. Her original work can be found in private galleries and homes around the world. She lives in London, England, with her family. Find her on Instagram as @nataly_owl. See inside Bear here.

Here are other books by Natalia Shaloshvili. I will be heading off to my library to hunt for these:

Companion books:

Five Bears You could also look at Otto The Top Dog

Something's wrong

Norton and the borrowing bear

Two for me, one for you

Good for you, good for me

Hogbert by Briony May Smith

You might like to begin with my Meet the Illustrator post where I introduce Briony May Smith. Her art is so appealing and surely you cannot resist the sweet image of Hogbert on the cover of this latest book.

When you pick up Hogbert twist and turn the cover. It is scattered with gold. Then, when you begin reading this book with your young reading companion you will encounter a truly delightful word - snufflebugs!

Here is a word list (not for a lesson) just to delight you: guzzled, snuffled, snorts and snuffles, let's hop to it, nattered, rumbling and grumbling, fiddlesticks, drizzle, and aroma.

This story is filled with references to fairy tales (some are very subtle). Hopefully all of these will be very familiar to your child or preschool group - Little Red Riding Hood, Snow White, Hansel and Gretel and The Frog Prince.

Here is a detailed interview with the author filled with art from this story and photographs of her forest adventures.

Publisher blurb: When Mommy Boar sends her little snufflebugs to explore the forest for the first time, she cautions them to stick together. After all, the Big Bad Wolf could be near! But Hogbert’s keen nose has other ideas, and after following a trail too far, he finds himself trembling alone in fear. What’s that rustling in the leaves? Just a little red squirrel on her way to visit her sick granny! What’s that growl coming through the trees? Just a snoring white doe who took a bite of an apple that made her sleepy! With each temporarily scary encounter, Hogbert finds that the world is a less frightening place, and that the same sense of smell that led him into trouble may just lead them all out of it again.

The skilled depiction of the sylvan setting includes lovely flowers, towering trees, and constantly shifting light and shadow. This low-key adventure is a pleasant diversion that effectively capitalizes on the appeal of timeless tales. Kirkus

The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest by Aubrey Hartman illustrated by Marcin Minor

When winds blow

Through Deadwood east

The undead monster waits to feast

On little bones

And braids

And toes

But don't you scream

Or its hunger grows!

While I did read this book fairly quickly, over a couple of days, it took me a little while to get used to the use of a girl's name - Clare for a male character - the undead fox.

What does undead mean? Well, when a creature dies it usually just heads off to the afterlife but there are some creatures that need help to find the right door or realm. This guiding or, as it is called here, the Ushering, is the job of the undead - in this case Clare the fox but there have been many others before him - Brickbane a fox; Eddifoot a racoon; Po an elk and Felix a moth. There are four destinations:

"Travel north from here and you'll find the realm of Peace ... for those who found joy in rest. Head east and you encounter the realm of Pleasure ... best suited to those who sought fun about all else. Directly west is Progress ... for those who loved work, service and effort. And finally travel south ... and one enters the realm of Pain."

Clare has been sending the souls who arrive at his cottage in Deadwood Forest to the 'right' door for over four years. He enjoys his work and loves tending to his extensive mushroom garden but deep in his heart he is lonely and also frightened because Brickbane told him, on the night of his death, that he was destined for Pain. And not only that a prophecy song is circulating:

"On All Hallows Eve, Deadwood will bring mayhem to Fernlight. And before the moon sets, one in Deadwood will vanish forever."

Then there is new arrival. It is a badger named Gingersnipes. Astute readers will realise something is wrong. Gingersnipes does not arrive in the usual way by knocking on Clare's door. When Clare sends Gingersnipes away to his assigned realm "he did not wait for the crackling sound of her departure".  This is a big mistake.

Hopefully now you have lots of unanswered questions. How did Clare die? Why did Gingersnipes arrive at this time? What does do the songs of All Hallows Eve mean? Who is the little girl with the red shoes? Can the message and advice from Hesterfowl be trusted? And most important of all what on earth is a braid?  (Of course, dear reader you know the answer to this final question but it is a mystery to Clare).

There is one very violent scene near the end of this book so I am going to say this is a book for mature readers aged 10+. 

All of this plot sounds every 'heavy' but there are some sweet touches of humour in this story and you are sure to enjoy meeting the rats at the dump named Nine and Two. The names of the mushrooms that Clare collects from the forest are also delightful. And I loved the way Clare always said 'travel true' as he sent lost souls off to their assigned realm. 

Here is a description of Clare's cottage:

"Clare, for example, had strung the ceiling with rows and rows of twine. The walls were lined with shelves crammed with jars of all shapes and colours, gathered from Deadwood Dump and filled with dried fungi. In the firelight the vessels glinted and glowed, splashing the hollow in jewelled hues."

Here is a line that made me smile - it is Gingersnipes speaking:

"I have a moose-sized bone to pick with you. Four times you sent me into that forest. And four times the coloured lights led me back here. Is this some sort of game? A test? Because I'm tired of it, fox!"

And later Gingersnipes says: "You're a tough nut to crack, Clare, and frankly I am not a squirrel!"

There is an interesting theme in this book about thirst - this is something I need to think a little more about. Being undead Clare does not need food or drink, but he makes special tea for all his visitors and so it seems important and very strange that once Gingersnipes arrives, and Clare's world shifts, he seems to be desperately thirsty all the time. 

Here is a description of Hesterfowl the grouse - "She wore a cloak of moss. A collar of bones encircled her short neck, some poor dead animal's rib cage fanning up and around her head. The feathers surrounding her eyes were smeared with berry pulp and groomed into sharp points." (I need to make special mention of the amazing illustrations in this book AND question why his name is not on the cover or title page. You can see his art here on Instagram). Marcin Minor lives in Poland.

Image source Instagram

I think it was the cover that first caught my attention. Checking some details I see the hardcover of this book arrived here in Australia in late February 2025 then, as I already mentioned I was given a generous book voucher for one of book chain stores here in Sydney - so when I saw they had the paperback which was released in April this book was an obvious first purchase.

SPOILER ALERT - Bookseller blurb: Clare is the undead fox of Deadwood Forest. Here, leaves grow in a perpetual state of fall: not quite dead, but not quite alive...just like Clare. Long ago, he was struck by a car, and, hovering between life and death, he was given the choice to either cross into the Afterlife or become an Usher of wandering souls. Clare chose the latter: stepping into a solitary life of helping souls meet their destiny. Clare's quiet and predictable days are met with upheaval when a badger soul named Gingersnipes (arrives). Despite Clare's efforts to usher her into the Afterlife, the badger is unable to find her way out of Deadwood. This is unprecedented. Baffling. A disturbing mystery which threatens the delicate balance of the living and the dead. Clare seeks the help of Hesterfowl--the visionary grouse who recently foretold of turmoil in Deadwood. But Hesterfowl divulges a shocking revelation about the badger that leaves Clare devastated, outraged, and determined to do anything to change their fate.

Read some young reader reviews - very insightful.

Heartbreaking, marvelously funny, and generously redemptive. Kirkus Star review

"I really love Gingersnaps" "A timeless book". Colby Sharp Newbery prediction.

US author Aubrey Hartman has written two books. Check out her webpage.  

Companion books:

Good Dog

Loteria

The Life and Time of Lonny Quicke

Magrit

A Happy Place by Britta Teckentrup

"A little star shines brightly through the bedroom window. It shines down on a sleepless mind, spinning with restless thoughts. Follow me, whispers the star, 
and I will help you to find a happy place."

This book begs to be read aloud with words like tippy-toed squirrel, bushy-tailed fox, long-eared hare and starry-eyed stoats. Perfect for a preschool group or a young reading companion aged 4+.

In a few months I will be talking to a small group of local Teacher-Librarians. One of the things I want to share is the importance of sharing the BEST picture books from around the world both for their stories but even more for the way picture books give children of all ages (from youngest up to young adult) an experience of some of the best art in the world.

Nighttime is one of Teckentrup’s specialties, and this gently soothing tale is no exception; it’s sure to have little ones on their way to the sweetest of dreams in no time. Dreamlike, quiet, delightful. Kirkus

A Happy Place is another triumph by Britta Teckentrup and her artwork provides a perfect backdrop to the text. It is calm and comforting, full of nature and little details that can be pored over and explored. Just Imagine

Hopefully you have one or two books in your school library illustrated by Britta Teckentrup. Her art is simply incredible. A Happy Place has flaps and die-cut pages so I was amazed to discover it is not too expensive in paperback [9781838916596]. Pop the name Britta Teckentrup into my side bar or click the label on this post to see more of her books.

Something's Wrong by Jory John illustrated by Erin Kraan

Subtitle: A Bear, a Hare and Some Underwear

On the title page we see Bear waking up to the sound of his alarm clock. He feels that something is wrong.

"Let's see ... I ate my breakfast. I wrote in my journal. I watered my plant. I took my bath. I tried on the gift from grandma. And I combed my fur. Hmmm. So why do I still feel like I'm forgetting something?"

The delight here is that readers, and the other forest animals, can see the problem even though Bear cannot. Yes, Bear still has on his underpants. But no one seems able to tell Bear the truth. That is until Bear meets Jeff. 

"Oh boy. Should I tell him? Yes? You really think he can handle it? Why am I even asking you? Who are you? All right. Welp. Here we go ... ' Deep Breath."

Jeff is the best of friends. He turns a potentially terrible and utterly embarrassing situation into something affirming and warm-hearted. 

The book is also a clever primer on handling embarrassment and how it can sometimes be dealt with by simply changing the perspective of what’s happening. This underwear affair is wise, witty, and just brief enough. Kirkus Star review

This book is so funny. Your library group or young reading companion will be rolling around on the floor with laughter BUT sadly here in Australia this book is priced way beyond any library or home book shelf at over AUS$45. My hardcover copy was published in 2021 - perhaps a paperback edition will be produced. I do hope so. See inside on the illustrator web page. 

Publisher blurb: Jeff the bear has definitely forgotten something. He ate his breakfast, he watered his plant, he combed his fur . . . what could it be? Why does he feel so oddly off? So he asks his friend Anders the rabbit what could possibly be wrong. It couldn't have anything to do with the fact that he's wearing underwear . . . over his fur . . . could it? Another read-out-loud, laugh-out-loud picture book from bestselling and beloved author Jory John, paired with rising star illustrator Erin Balzer, about that horrible nagging feeling that it just might not be your day—but you know you have a friend to support you no matter what.

You can see other terrific books by Jory John on his web page. Here is the stand-alone companion book:

Anders does not seem like himself. He and his friend Jeff are headed out for a picnic, but no matter how much Anders insists that he’s feeling just fine, Jeff gets the sense that his best friend isn’t being totally honest. Should he check in on Anders, or give him space? Should he help him out, or just be by his side? How can he be a good friend if he doesn’t know what his friend might need?

My friend from Kinderbookswitheverything has a blog post about Underwear Day and this one too. And here is her Pinterest - what a fun mini theme for your Preschool or Kindergarten group. Here's a sample of her collection.

Don't feed the Bear by Kathleen Doherty illustrated by Chip Wass

The setting here is a national park. Campers are having issues with the local bears who eat any food that they leave out on picnic tables - silly tourists! 

Time for action by the ranger. He erects a sign - DON'T FEED THE BEAR. I guess he did not realise that 1. Bears can read and 2. Bears can write.

Bear retaliates with his own sign - DON'T FEED THE RANGER.

And so the war of words begins. Bear purchases some new merchandise - a tshirt that reads "I am not a bear" and a matching hat "not a bear". The Ranger is not fooled so he adds a footnote to his sign DON'T FEED THE BEAR (no matter what he says).

There is power in that word don't - what happens if you cross it out? FEED THE RANGER, FEED THE BEAR (no matter what). Bear consults his dictionary and adds to his sign feed the ranger rotten eggs and slimy spinach. Of course the Ranger just makes more signs - hey you! Go ahead feed the bear wormy apples and moldy muffins.

None of this is working. Is there a different way to approach this problem. The solution will surprise and delight you. Oh and then you will want to make some smores - marshmallows and chocolate between graham crackers. Here is a recipe to use in a kitchen if you don't have a handy camp fire.

Image Source: Coles Australia supermarket

Here is the website for Kathleen Doherty. I am happy to see this book from 2018 is still available and the hard cover edition is a really good price. And here is the even cheaper paperback.

Chip Wass is an award-winning artist who designs characters and illustrations for Disney, Cartoon Network, The New York Times, ESPN, and Wendy’s. His previous books include Monster Knows Patterns, and Monster Knows Numbers (Picture Window Books).

Violet and Jobie in the Wild by Lynne Rae Perkins

A marvelous heroic journey in miniature. Kirkus Star review

Violet and Jobie are enjoying a good life as house mice. They are not pets. They live in a human home and enjoy delicious food treats and television viewing from their bookshelf seat. They especially love to watch nature programs. One day they see some delicious cheese and peanut butter, a double treat, has been left in a box. There is something holding the cheese and the peanut butter. Violet and Jobie use this to play a game - the snapping game. Using a pole (you can see in the illustration that this is a pencil) they jump on their pole and snap! Now they can feast on the treats, but little do they know the humans are about to find them. Yes, this is a mouse trap. The humans are surprised to find the mice are alive in the box. Luckily for Violet and Jobie the mother and son decide to take this pair back to the wild. Violet and Jobie know nothing about living in the wild. It is fairly easy to find food but what about all the danger - predators seem to be everywhere. Oh, and they will need somewhere safe to live.

This is a perfect story for readers aged 8+. It contains small black and white illustrations and has 33 short chapters with a large print size. My paperback copy cost AUS$20. One very interesting part of this story comes right at the end. Yes, it is a happy ending, but it is a very different one as Violet and Jobie will now move on and live separate lives.  Here are some brief discussion ideas if you read this book to a class.

The fast-paced plot keeps this gentle survival story moving. Horn Book

Populated with enough mice to give most grownups nightmares, Violet and Jobie in the Wild is a sweet and engaging coming-of-age tale for middle graders. I love how Jobie observes and appreciates the character of Iris, a kind and patient girl mouse he happens to meet, making him want to connect with her. Through Violet, the reader experiences the way that a trusted mentor can open up new joys and share wisdom. A Book and a Hug

When I saw the name Lynne Rae Perkins, I immediately thought of this book which I previously read and loved:

Companion book:

Word of Mouse

Ruby the Christmas Donkey by Mirabel Cecil illustrated by Christina Gascoigne

"The little animals were usually fast asleep now, but they could not rest while their old friend Ruby was so unhappy. They decided that since she could not make a warm winter coat for herself, they would make one for her."

This is a deeply poignant story about an old donkey who spends her summers giving rides to children at the beach but now it is winter. It is bitterly cold and usually Ruby and the other donkey named Scarlett are able to grow a warmer coat as they spend winter in a farm paddock but this year Ruby just feels too old to grow her coat. The wild animals are deeply concerned and so they weave Ruby a beautiful coat from various forest materials.

When the neighborhood children come to select donkey for their Nativity play they see Ruby in her magical coat. She looks perfect for the play and so she is led away to be the star of the show with the promise of a happy but not specified happy ending. 

Ruby's friends think her as precious as the gem she's named after in this deft tale of generosity, compassion and love. An aging donkey no longer able to grow a warm winter coat, Ruby faces her last days in icy misery. But the donkey's woodland pals literally give of themselves to weave Ruby a warm, colorful coat. To boot, her newly stylish appearance earns her a starring role in the Christmas pageant. Chipper animals rendered in soft, earth-toned watercolors, brighten the stark snowy landscape. Publisher's Weekly

Here is the hardcover edition:

This book is from 1980 and so it is long out of print. I picked up a copy at a charity book sale in 2019 for just AUS$1. I have seen a new first edition copy of Ruby the Christmas Donkey is for sale for US$65. I haven't been able to find out very much about the illustrator Christina Gascoigne except that she and Mirabel Cecil were neighbors in Norfolk UK. Mirabel Cecil died aged 80 in 2024.  Here is another of their books: 

Here in Australia it is the end of the school year and many school libraries take the opportunity to 'weed' or cull their book collections. Of course, this is necessary, but I would hope that the staff especially the teacher-librarians involved in this process might take the time to read the picture books they think need culling. A tiny insignificant book like this could easily be culled but that should not happen. This is a sweetly emotional story about kindness, empathy and Christmas with soft colour pencil illustrations. I do hope you can find a copy in your local or school library and while it might be too late this year perhaps you can share it next Christmas.

Bear Came Along by Richard T Morris illustrated by LeUyen Pham

This story says: Take a chance. Hop on board. Work together. Trust each other. 

Share the adventure! Author note from Richard T Morris

Illustrator note: "While painting this book I spent a lot of time thinking about why people become divided from one another and forget that they all live on the same earth. It takes a small thing, like animals in a forest falling into a river, to realise this. We sink or swim together. And sometime we take a tumble and things turn out all right."

Publisher blurb: Once there was a river flowing through a forest. The river didn't know it was capable of adventures until a big bear came along. But adventures aren't any fun by yourself, and so enters Froggy, Turtles, Beaver, Racoons, and Duck.  These very different animals take off downstream, but they didn't know they needed one another until thankfully, the river came along. This hilarious picture book and heartfelt message celebrates the joy and fun that's in store when you embark together on a ride of a lifetime.

This book begs to be read aloud to very young children who I am sure will join in with the repeated buzz word "until". Then you could read this book at a different time to a group of older students who might like to discuss difference and inclusion. Here are some teaching ideas. 

A succession of forest creatures—and even the river itself—learn from one another and validate their relationships with both one another and the wider world. ... There are several hilarious double-page spreads, including one from the animals’ collective perspective, showing solely the various feet on the tree-trunk–cum-raft at the waterfall’s edge, and one requiring a 90-degree turn, showing the plummeting animals as they reach for one another—some looking worried and others, like Duck and Beaver, obviously enjoying the sudden drop. To quote one particularly joyous double-page spread, “Oh, what a ride!” Kirkus Star review

LeUyen Pham is the illustrator of the Princess in Black children's book series. she was awarded a Caldecott Honor for her illustrations in the book Bear Came Along. Here is a video of LeUyen Pham reading Bear Came Along. AND she begins by sharing her wonderful end papers! 

I previously talked about this book:

The Bear who wasn't there

One Snowy Night by Nick Butterworth

"One winter's night it was so cold it began to snow. ... He made himself some hot cocoa and got ready for bed. Suddenly, Percy heard a tapping sound. There was somebody at the door."

On the doorstep Percy, the Park Keeper, finds a very cold and miserable squirrel. Naturally Percy invites him to come inside. Just as they settle down, though, there is another knock at the door. 

Very young children respond well to patterns in stories. I am sure you have anticipated both the pattern here and the dilemma as more and more of the park animals arrive to shelter with Percy. 

"The animals pushed and shoved and rolled around the bed, but there was just not enough room for all of them."

Luckily there is one more visitor - the mole emerges from under the floor - but I bet you can't guess how he 'solves' the problem.

One Snowy Night was first published in 1989. My copy from a recent charity book sale is a 2019 reprint. Here are some other books by Nick Butterworth about Percy. I think there are more than 30 altogether including board books, activity books, individual picture books and bind-up versions. In this video Nick Butterworth reads After the Storm: