Though everyone has times where they want to do things on their own, teamwork is what helps get big things accomplished. Teams can take shape on soccer fields and in swimming pools, but they can also appear in a classroom or on a playground. Working together utilizes the strengths of everyone in the group in order to reach a common goal. It is not about being the best; rather, it is about helping one another and finding a shared purpose. The books in this list are selected for readers ages 4-7 and showcase both humans and animals helping each other in a variety of situations. Hopefully, these stories will help inspire young readers to become team players in their own lives.
Contributed by: Mary Lanni

	Duck is Stuck By: Zoubida Mouhssin Illustrated by: Pascale Moutte-Baur When he falls asleep while on the lake and wakes up stuck in ice, Duck needs the help of other animals to get loose.
	Duncan the Story Dragon By: Amanda Driscoll Duncan the Dragon loves to read, but he keeps accidentally lighting his book on fire, leading him to try to find a friend to read to him so he can get to the end of his story.
	The Little Guys By: Vera Brosgol As they head off to find breakfast, the mighty Little Guys conquer all obstacles in their path through teamwork, but when they amass more than they need, their fellow forest creatures worry about what happens if no one can stop the Little Guys.
	Melia and Jo By: Billy Aronson and Jennifer Oxley Melia is scientific and loves to create things in her backyard laboratory, but something is missing. Her inventions just aren’t quite right. Enter Jo, her new friend with an artistic spirit. When you add the arts to the sciences, something magical happens!
	Mighty, Mighty Construction Site By: Sherri Duskey Rinker Illustrated by: Tom Lichtenheld Told in rhyming text, Excavator, Bulldozer, Crane Truck, Dump Truck, and Cement Mixer will all need to work together as they tackle their biggest job yet—a massive building.
	Pedro’s Big Goal By: Fran Manushkin Illustrated by: Tammie Lyon Pedro would love to be the goalie in the team’s first game, but another boy is bigger—so, all his friends come over to help him practice before the tryout.
	Splashdance By: Liz Starin Ursula, a bear, and Ricardo, a human, are preparing for the water ballet competition. But a new regulation at the community pool—no bears—leaves Ursula cut from the contest. Luckily, she encounters a group of undaunted animal swimmers at a local pond, and Ursula and her new team figure out a way to participate in the competition and make sure everyone is welcome at the pool once and for all.
	Stone Soup By: Jon J. Muth Three wise monks trick a poor, frightened community into finding happiness by teaching them the magic of generosity.
	Swimmy By: Leo Lionni When a big tuna attacks his school of fish, Swimmy goes out on his own and discovers the wonders of the sea. While there, he finds a new school, and he helps them find a way to venture out and stand up to the bigger fish.
	Up the Creek By: Nicholas Oldland When a bear, a moose, and a beaver go on a canoe trip, they have all sorts of disagreements, until they find themselves stranded up the creek and decide that working together is the only way to make it home safely.
	What a Team! By: Brigitte Luciani and Eve Tharlet Badger brothers Grub and Bristle want to build a boat, but when everyone decides to help, all they’ve built is a big argument. The only way to decide whose idea is best is a race down the river. Will that prove one of them right, or will teamwork win the day?
	When Pencil Met Eraser By: Karen Kilpatrick and Luis O. Ramos, Jr. Illustrated by: Germán Blanco Pencil loves to draw and isn’t happy when he meets Eraser. Eraser soon convinces Pencil that he’s the one who can fix things when Pencil makes a mistake, and Pencil finally agrees that they make a good team together.

Stories are entertaining to read, especially when they feature characters who are out of this world! Whether they actually live on another planet or they are simply not typically part of the common landscape, these creatures inspire imagination and joy. While mythical, the characters in these stories have found a way into the hearts of readers around the world; their familiar plights and behaviors make these characters endearing and provide a novel backdrop against which recognizable stories can be told. Children aged 4-7 will enjoy reading these books to themselves or hearing them read aloud.
Contributed by: Mary Lanni

	Again! By: Emily Gravett At bedtime, Cedric the dragon wants his mother to read his favorite book again, and again, and again.
	Alien Alby By: Kaye Umansky Illustrated by: Sophie Rohrbach When Alby the alien and his pet Squee play in the swampy backyard against Alby’s parents’ wishes, Squee is forced to sleep outside without Alby.
	Astro the Alien Visits Desert Animals By: Emily Sohn Astro the Alien and his friends Ben and Eva visit and learn about desert animals, including lizards, birds, and spiders. Includes reading activities and a word list.
	Baby Dragon, Baby Dragon! By: Melissa Marr Illustrated by: Lena Podesta A dauntless lass and her feisty dragon friend have a fun-filled day exploring the kingdom together.
	Dear Yeti By: James Kwan Told through a series of notes, two boys go on a hike hoping to find Yeti but run into trouble along the way.
	Even Aliens Need Snacks By: Matthew McElligott Creating snacks that make most humans queasy, a young chef finds a new clientele–aliens.
	Fergal and the Bad Temper By: Robert Starling Fergal the dragon has trouble controlling his temper, but after one really fiery day, his mom shows him a trick on how to cool down.
	Have you Seen my Dragon? By: Steve Light In the heart of the city, among the taxis and towers, a small boy travels uptown and down, searching for his friend. Readers will certainly spot the glorious beast; plus an array of big-city icons they can count. Is the dragon taking the crosstown bus, or breathing his fiery breath below a busy street? Maybe he took a taxi to the zoo or is playing with the dogs in the park.
	I’m a Little Alien!: Poems for Little Stars By: James Carter Illustrated by: Mique Moriuchi Presents a collection of humorous poems about space, aliens, mermaids, and robots.
	I’m a Unicorn By: Mallory Loehr Illustrated by: Joey Chou A magical Little Golden Book for little unicorn lovers! I am moonlight white. I have a magical horn. I look a lot like a horse, of course. . . So begins this charming Little Golden Book that introduces the magical unicorn to the littlest readers! In this sweet story, gorgeously illustrated by Disney artist Joey Chou, a unicorn tells the readers all about herself (“My horn can make water clean or heal a hurt”) and her magical life (“I frolic in the forest, I prance in the fields”). Sure to delight little ones who love the magic of fairy tales and beautiful creatures!
	Mermaids Fast Asleep By: Robin Riding Illustrated by: Zoe Persico Silver mermaids with golden hair go to sleep in the sea, counting fish instead of sheep.
	Not Quite Narwhal By: Jessie Sima Born deep in the ocean, Kelp is not like the other narwhals, and one day, when he spies a creature on land that looks like him, he learns why.