My favorite books that go on an adventure

Why am I passionate about this?

As an author/illustrator of 26 books for children and a full-time teacher of 3 year old’s in a nursery school. I read 1-2 books to a classroom of little critics every day. I’m also a lover of adventure although most of my adventures take place in my mind, the library or museum! As a storyteller, I love seeing the adventures books can take young readers on. 


I wrote...

Road Trip! a Whiskers Hollow Adventure

By Steve Light,

Book cover of Road Trip! a Whiskers Hollow Adventure

What is my book about?

When Bear’s old truck needs a new headlight, there’s just one thing to do: organize a road trip to find a new one. And a road trip wouldn’t be complete without friends! Bear brings along Rabbit, who wants assurances that there will be snacks; timid, cautious Mouse; and ever-positive Donkey. After a day of adventure and misadventure, will the four friends find what they need? Head over to Whiskers Hollow—the whimsically detailed new world from Steve Light—and hop in with Bear and friends for a fun adventure to Elephant’s Old Junk Tree. 

I am very proud of this book and the characters represented in this story. I used animals and did not use any pronouns in this book hoping that any child can relate to the characters. 

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The books I picked & why

Book cover of The Wheels on the Bus

Steve Light Why did I love this book?

As a teacher of 3 year old’s in a nursery school, this is a classroom favorite. Most kids know the song already and here is a small adventure they have gone on – riding the bus. The illustrations are stellar with lots of little stories told only in the illustrations (the box of kittens!) If you put this out in the classroom, get two copies. Sadly the pop-ups don’t survive the love of the students! I keep one pristine in the cabinet to read to the class.

By Paul O. Zelinsky,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Wheels on the Bus as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

In this novelty book of a favourite children's song, the music of the song is also included at the end.


Book cover of We're Going on a Bear Hunt

Steve Light Why did I love this book?

A Classic! Beautiful illustrations with text that just sings with delightful sounds. This is a fun book to act out. It is quite the adventure. Mud, snow, dark forests, and a bear! And children get to be brave in a safe way. I enjoy growing grass seeds, making mud, and even gathering snow to bring back into the classroom all in relation to this book.

By Michael Rosen, Helen Oxenbury (illustrator),

Why should I read it?

6 authors picked We're Going on a Bear Hunt as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 3, 4, 5, and 6.

What is this book about?

Gorgeous gift edition of the classic join in story by Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury. Shake up a snowstorm with this perfect gift for brave hunters and bear-lovers everywhere!

We're going on a bear hunt. We're going to catch a big one. Will you come too? For over a quarter of a century, readers have been swishy-swashying and splash-sploshing through this award-winning favourite. This new gift hardback edition includes a superb snow scene on the cover to add fun and festive flurries to your favourite family adventure story. Follow and join in the family's excitement as they wade through the…


Book cover of Pezzettino

Steve Light Why did I love this book?

A little piece wonders if he belongs to one of the bigger pieces. His adventure of self-discovery leads him to the island of Wham! With abstract ideas and characters like one-who- runs, strong-one, and swimming-one, children usually identify with the characters, especially Pezzettino being little. I often hear children “playing” this story during recess after I read it to my class.

By Leo Lionni,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Pezzettino as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 4, 5, 6, and 7.

What is this book about?

A classic fable about the search for identity, from Caldecott Honor winning picture book creator Leo Lionni.

Pezzettino lives in a world in which everyone is big and does daring and wonderful things. But he is small, just a “little piece,” which is the meaning of pezzettino in Italian. “I must be a piece of somebody. I must belong to someone else,” he thinks. How Pezzettino learns that he belongs to no one but himself is the joyous and satisfying conclusion to this beautiful mosaic style picture book.


Book cover of Mr. Gumpy's Outing

Steve Light Why did I love this book?

Everyone wants to join Mr. Gumpy on his boat! Children, goats, pigs, chickens! What an adventure! I love the odd word choices as a chance to learn new words like ‘muck about” and “squabble” as well as teaching the difference between the goat “bleating” not bleeding! (As a teacher, I feel qualified to go there.) So fun, kids love acting this out this one also. And we always have a tea party at the end, just like in the book.

By John Burningham,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Mr. Gumpy's Outing as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 4, 5, 6, and 7.

What is this book about?

One day Mr Gumpy decides to take a trip along the river in his boat but the children, the rabbit, the cat, the pig and lots more friends decide to join him. Everyone's having a lovely time until the animals start kicking, bleating, hopping and flapping and the boat starts to rock.


Book cover of Journey

Steve Light Why did I love this book?

A wordless adventure to a make-believe world. A true masterpiece of illustration. I love having children “read” the pictures in this one. Flying ships, castles, and a magic crayon. Everything you need for an adventure! As a kid who was always drawing (I still draw every day) I love the idea of my drawings coming to life!

By Aaron Becker,

Why should I read it?

6 authors picked Journey as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 4, 5, 6, and 7.

What is this book about?

Be swept away on an elaborate flight of fancy in this Caldecott award-winning, wondrously illustrated picture book about self-determination and unexpected friendship.

The winner of the prestigious Caldecott Honor, and described by the New York Times as 'a masterwork', Aaron Becker's stunning, wordless picture book debut about self-determination and unexpected friendship follows a little girl who draws a magic door on her bedroom wall. Through it she escapes into a world where wonder, adventure and danger abound. Red marker pen in hand, she creates a boat, a balloon and a flying carpet which carry her on a spectacular journey ...…


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Book cover of This Animal Body

Meredith Walters

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What is my book about?

Neuroscience PhD student Frankie Conner has finally gotten her life together—she’s determined to discover the cause of her depression and find a cure for herself and everyone like her. But the first day of her program, she meets a group of talking animals who have an urgent message they refuse to share. And while the animals may not have Frankie’s exalted human brain, they know things she doesn’t, like what happened before she was adopted.

To prove she’s sane, Frankie investigates her forgotten past and conducts clandestine experiments. But just when she uncovers the truth, she has to make an impossible choice: betray the animals she’s fallen in love with—or give up her last chance at success and everything she thought she knew.

By Meredith Walters,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked This Animal Body as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Frankie Conner, first-year graduate student at UC Berkeley, is finally getting her life together. After multiple failures and several false starts, she's found her calling: become a neuroscientist, discover the cause of her depression and anxiety, and hopefully find a cure for herself and everyone like her.

But her first day of the program, Frankie meets a mysterious group of talking animals who claim to have an urgent message for her. The problem is, they're not willing to share it. Not yet. Not until she's ready.

While Frankie's new friends may not have her highly evolved, state-of-the-art, exalted human brain,…


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