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INSIDE THE TREEHOUSE

Gary’s Bookshelf

Make yourself at home. Pick a book from the shelf to see what Gary likes about it.

A colored pencil illustration of four stacked books by Sharon Benari Bounik
A blue reading chair beside a sunlit window and a wooden bookshelf in Gary’s treehouse

A NOTE FROM GARY

The Rabbit Listened

Cori Doerrfeld

What it’s about

Taylor has had a hard day. The animals arrive with plenty of ideas about what to do, and Rabbit comes to sit close by.

What I liked

I know the feeling of trying on one idea after another when I’m sad. Rabbit gives Taylor the time I’d want a friend to give me.

I’d read it with

Someone who’s had a disappointing day, or a friend who’s wondering how to help.

The part I went back to

When Rabbit settles in next to Taylor. I like to leave a little quiet on that page when I read it aloud.

About this book (opens in a new tab)

A NOTE FROM GARY

The Color Monster

Anna Llenas

What it’s about

The Color Monster wakes up with a jumble of feelings. A friend helps him untangle them by giving each feeling a color.

What I liked

I usually reach for a hat when I’m figuring out how I feel. This book made me wonder which colors I’d put on my hat rack, especially on days when I feel two things at once.

I’d read it with

Anyone who likes to draw, or anyone who could use a color for a feeling they can’t quite name.

The part I went back to

Seeing how different the feelings look when they have their own space. Afterward, I wanted to make a page full of my own colors.

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A NOTE FROM GARY

A Sick Day for Amos McGee

Philip C. Stead · Illustrated by Erin E. Stead

What it’s about

Amos makes time for his friends at the zoo every day. When he stays home sick, the animals decide it’s their turn to visit him.

What I liked

Every friend has a little way of making Amos feel better. As an owl, I was especially pleased to see that reading aloud counts as looking after someone.

I’d read it with

A friend who’s home sick, or anyone who likes a quiet story about showing up for somebody.

The part I went back to

When the animals turn up at Amos’s house. I love the idea of opening the door and finding that your friends came all that way for you.

About this book (opens in a new tab)

A NOTE FROM GARY

Once I Was a Dinosaur

Sharon Benari Bounik and Leo Forest Bounik · Illustrated by Noam Venturero

What it’s about

A child follows a string of strange clues: enormous feet, sharp claws, and a tail that won’t keep still. The clues lead out of the bedroom and into a very surprising night.

What I liked

Every clue made me smile. I kept trying to solve the mystery before the child did.

I’d read it with

Dinosaur lovers, bedtime detectives, and anyone who enjoys a story with a surprise tucked into it.

The part I went back to

Following the clues all the way to the reflection in the water. I thought I’d worked everything out by then. I was wrong.

One more thing

Leo was five when he came up with the story that inspired this book. That made me want to ask a little reader what they’d dream up next.

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