Happy Valley Library Storywalk Books

Since Spring 2024, the HV Library has put picture books on display in Happy Valley Park, following a winding trail from the All-Abilities Playground at the park's southern end. Each book on this list had its moment in the sun (and rain) for one month, delighting walkers, strollers, dog-walkers, and whoever else wandered by to read the story.

Updated May 21, 2026
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Every Monday Mabel
Awan, Jashar
Paper Book
A Caldecott Honor Book Five starred reviews! "An arm-pumping, truck-horn toot to each person reveling in their own 'garbage.'" --BCCB (starred review) From the creator of I'm Going to Build a Snowman comes a "enthusiastic,...
Amara's farm
Brown-Wood, JaNay
Paper Book
Amara searches for pumpkins on her farm in this vibrant exploration of gardening and healthy eating, from the Where in the Garden? series. Amara is hosting a potluck for friends on her farm, and she needs help finding her pumpkins to serve a tasty dish. What do we know about...
Maisy learns to swim
Cousins, Lucy.
Paper Book
Maisy ventures into the water in a story sure to make a splash with young children who are learning to swim. Today Maisy is going swimming for the first time, and she is a little nervous. Good thing Eddie and Tallulah are coming, too. Eddie is a natural, but Maisy and Tallulah...
Beneath
Doerrfeld, Cori
Paper Book
In this stunning story from New York Times bestselling creator Cori Doerrfeld, a child and their grandfather take a walk in the woods and discover more about themselves. Finn is in a horrible mood and doesn't want to talk about it. After some persuading, though, they...
Bear wants to sing
Fagan, Cary
Paper Book
A bear finds a ukulele in the woods. It makes a nice sound - PLINK! - and inspires him to write his own song. His friend Mouse would love to hear it. But Bear isn't the only animal in the forest to find musical inspiration that day, and Snake, Crow and Tortoise keep taking his turn to perform. When...
Fungi grow
Gianferrari, Maria
Paper Book
Discover when, how, where, and why fungi grow in this poetic and illuminating nonfiction picture book in the vein of When the Sky Glows and Animal Architects. Above ground, below ground, all around, fungi grow. They root and fruit and twist and twine everywhere on...
Berry song
Goade, Michaela
Paper Book
A Caldecott Honor Book! An Indie Bestseller! Caldecott Medalist Michaela Goade's first self-authored picture book is a gorgeous celebration of the land she knows well and the powerful wisdom of elders. On...
A friend for Eddy
Kim Ha, Ann
Paper Book
When Eddy the goldfish takes a leap of faith to be closer to his new friends, his perspective of the world widens in unexpected ways. A funny story about building empathy and making connections, for fans of LeUyen Pham, Dan Santat, Laura Vaccaro Seeger, and Michael Hall. Eddy...
I want my hat back
Klassen, J.
Paper Book
A #1 New York Times bestseller! A New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Book of 2011! A picture-book delight by a rising talent tells a cumulative tale with a mischievous twist. The bear's hat is gone, and he wants it back. Patiently...
100 mighty dragons all named Broccoli
LaRochelle, David
Paper Book
"A nonstop dragon party . . . Irresistible." -Publishers Weekly This wacky counting adventure by Geisel Award-winning author David LaRochelle is a hilarious ode to dragons and math, with pitch-perfect art by Lian Cho. High on a mountain live 100 mighty dragons...
Go and get with Rex
LaRochelle, David
Paper Book
The Geisel Award-winning creators of See the Cat channel their comic sensibility into a rousing alphabetical exercise in thinking outside the box. Jack, Jill, and Rex are excited to play a game of Go and Get! The rules are simple: on the count of three, each player must...
A day for sandcastles
Lawson, JonArno
Paper Book
A dazzling wordless picture book celebrates creative problem-solving, teamwork, and the sun-splashed wonder of a day at the beach. The creators of the acclaimed Over the Shop evoke a perfect summer beach day--and themes of creativity, cooperation, flexibility, and...
A big mooncake for Little Star
Lin, Grace
Paper Book
A gorgeous picture book that tells a whimsical origin story of the phases of the moon, from award-winning, bestselling author-illustrator Grace Lin Pat, pat, pat... Little Star's soft feet tiptoed to the Big Mooncake. Little Star loves the delicious...
Touch the sky
Lucianovic, Stephanie V. W.
Paper Book
Praise for Touch the Sky by Stephanie V. W. Lucianovic, illustrated by Chris Park: Booklist Editor's Choice A Kirkus Best Picture Book NPR Best Books of the Year Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Books Evanston Public Library 101 Great Books for Kids ...
Noodles on a bicycle
Maclear, Kyo
Paper Book
A vibrant historical picture book about Tokyo's bicycle food deliverers, or demae, who balanced towering trays of steaming hot noodles on their shoulders while navigating crowded city streets. A CALDECOTT HONOR BOOK . A Charlotte Zolotow Honor Book . A BOOKPAGE, KIRKUS REVIEWS,<...
Climbing the volcano : a journey in haiku
Manley, Curtis
Paper Book
Through haiku, a young boy narrates his family's invigorating hike to the peak of Oregon's South Sister volcano. For centuries, haiku has offered meditation on the grace and majesty of nature. In Climbing the Volcano, old meets new as a young protagonist uses the poetic...
Every little thing
Marley, Cedella.
Paper Book
Bob Marley's songs are known the world over for their powerful message of love, peace, and harmony. Now a whole new generation can discover one of his most joyous songs in this reassuring picture book adaptation written by his daughter Cedella and exuberantly illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton....
Bathe the cat
McGinty, Alice B.
Paper Book
It's cleaning day, but the family cat will do anything to avoid getting a bath. So instead of mopping the floor or feeding the fish, the family is soon busy rocking the rug, vacuuming the lawn, and sweeping the dishes. Bouncy rhyme carries the story headlong into the growing hilarity, until...
The only way to make bread
Quintero, Cristina
Paper Book
What's the only way to make bread? You might use white flour in your bread, or whole wheat flour or corn flour. You might use water or milk, maybe an egg or two. You'll use a handful of this, a dash of that, a bit of this and a splash of that. Some dough will rise, some dough will bubble. Sometimes...
My papi has a motorcycle
Quintero, Isabel
Paper Book
A celebration of the love between a father and daughter, and of a vibrant immigrant neighborhood, by an award-winning author and illustrator duo. A Kirkus Reviews Best Picture Book of the Century When Daisy Ramona zooms around her neighborhood with her...
School's first day of school
Rex, Adam
Paper Book
"An essential purchase that is simultaneously funny, frank, and soothing. A perfect first day read-aloud."― School Library Journal, starred review A heartwarming and clever first day of school tale, from New York Times bestsellers Adam Rex (The Legend...
Creepy carrots!
Reynolds, Aaron
Paper Book
In this Caldecott Honor-winning, New York Times bestselling picture book, The Twilight Zone comes to the carrot patch as a rabbit fears his favorite treats are out to get him. Jasper Rabbit loves carrots--especially Crackenhopper Field carrots. He eats them on...
If you run out of words
Sala, Felicita
Paper Book
In If You Run Out of Words, an imaginative bedtime adventure from award-winning artist Felicita Sala, a father reassures his daughter of the fantastical lengths he'd go to in order to show his love What happens if you run out of words? Will you have any...
Dear treefrog
Sidman, Joyce
Paper Book
Capturing the joy of finding a kindred spirit, this stunning picture book by Newbery Honor-winning poet Joyce Sidman tells the story of a lonely girl moving into a new home and the little treefrog that helps her connect to the beautiful world around her. Perfect for fans of A...
Cranky, crabby crow (saves the world)
Tabor, Corey R.
Paper Book
Kirkus Best Book * School Library Journal Best Book * Chicago Public Library Best Book * Children's Book Review Best Book * ALA Notable Book * A CCBC Choice * Kids Favorite Winner "Storytelling at its most brilliant--and whimsical." --...
Watercress
Wang, Andrea
Paper Book
Caldecott Medal Winner Newbery Honor Book APALA Award Winner A story about the power of sharing memories--including the painful ones--and the way our heritage stays with and shapes us, even when we don't see it. While driving through Ohio in an old...
Summer is here
Watson, Renée
Paper Book
Celebrate iconic childhood joys in this love letter to summer featuring bright, sun-drenched art, from New York Times bestselling and award-winning creators Renée Watson and Bea Jackson. Summer is here! No dark clouds in the sky, it's a perfect day for...
Mushroom rain
Zimmermann, Laura K.
Paper Book
What can smell like bubble gum, glow neon green at night, be poisonous and yet still eaten by humans, and even help create rain? The answer is mushrooms! From their hidden networks underground to the fruiting body above, mushrooms can do incredible things. But don't call them plants--mushrooms are...

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