Alvin Tresselt

First published in 1959, The Smallest Elephant in the World, written by Alvin Tresselt and illustrated by Milton Glaser, is a witty, sweet, and funny tale of friendship and the search for home. Mocked throughout the jungles of India due to his small size, the smallest elephant in the world—no bigger than a house cat—has decided enough is enough. After all, if he’s no bigger than a house cat, then a house must be where he belongs! After a long journey in the hold of a ship, this smallest elephant in the world finds himself a home with a nice little boy inside. But he must disguise himself as a cat to satisfy the boy's mother, and disaster strikes when he is confronted with his first mouse... Little does he know that the perfect home is waiting for him, in a circus where differences are celebrated, not scorned. The Smallest Elephant in the World is a fun book about an elephant who learns to accept his unique qualities as he seeks to find a place where he fits in. This children's book will teach kids all about belonging, friendship, and acceptance.

By Caldecott Medal winners Alvin Tresselt and Roger Duvoisin, The Frog in the Well is the charming tale of a brave frog who beats his fears and explores the world Once upon a time there was a frog who lived at the bottom of a well. The well was the frog's whole world, until the day the well ran dry and the bugs began to disappear. What was happening to the world, the frog wondered, and what could he do? The hungry frog decided he must hop to the top of the well to see what he could of the end of the world. Conquering his fear, he peered out, and what did he see? Trees, flowers, meadows, marshes, and all kinds of end-of-the-world creatures Entranced, the little frog ventured forth to find out more about the world outside his own. Based on a classic Chinese fable, and written and illustrated by the Caldecott-winning Alvin Tresselt and Roger Duvoisin, The Frog in the Well is a charming tale of one brave frog and his journey into wisdom.

Award-winning author Alvin Tresselt's classic story about the cycle of life is beautifully illustrated and an excellent resource for families. The Gift of the Tree reveals the role of an ancient oak tree in the cycle of nature as it dies and returns to the earth, providing nourishment for new life all around it. Originally published in 1972 under the title The Dead Tree, this story about the cycle of nature has never been more timely. Henri Sorensen's exquisite paintings for this reillustrated edition capture all the beauty and power of the tree's transformations. As School Library Journal commented: "The interdependence of plant and animal life is clearly evident, including both those that seek its shelter and those that hasten the decaying process to prepare the soil for new life. The original text stands the test of time, reaching its audience with power and emotion as it directs attention to the forces of nature at work."

* An ALA Notable Book * Horn Book Fanfare * Award-winning author Alvin Tresselt retells the traditional Ukrainian folktale in his most popular children's book, The Mitten. Deep in the woods on the coldest day of winter a little boy drops his mitten. And that lost mitten stretches and stretches--and stretches--to provide shelter for many woodland creatures. Originally published in 1964 and adapted from E. Rachev's version of the Ukrainian folktale, Yaroslava's distinctly charming illustrations and Alvin Tresselt's detailed text are as timeless and universal as the story itself.

* Caldecott Medal Winner * ALA Notable Book * The classic Caldecott Medal-winning picture book about a neighborhood transformed by a delightful snowfall, from the legendary picture book duo Alvin Tresselt and Roger Duvoisin. When the first flakes fell from the grey sky, the postman and the farmer and the policeman and his wife scurried about doing all the practical things grown-ups do when a snowstorm comes. But the children laughed and danced, and caught the lacy snowflakes on their tongues. All the wonder and delight a child feels in a snowfall is caught in the pages of this book--the frost ferns on the windowsill, the snowman in the yard and the mystery and magic of a new white world. Roger Duvoisin's pictures in soft blue half-tones with brilliant splashes of yellow and red emphasize the happiness and humor as well as the poetic quality of the text. First published in 1947, this classic picture book won the 1948 Caldecott Medal and was the first of eighteen picture book collaborations by Alvin Tresselt and Roger Duvoisin.

* Caldecott Honor Book * ALA Notable Book * New York Times Best Illustrated Book * Children romp and play throughout a heavy fog in a Cape Cod seaside village in this classic Caldecott Honor Book, from legendary picture book duo Alvin Tresselt and Roger Duvoisin. The worst fog in twenty years rolls in and clouds the seaside village. For three days, the adults wait impatiently for the fog to lift. But the children love the mysterious fog--playing hide-and-seek, making scrapbooks, and toasting marshmallows. Roger Duvoisin's watercolors bring brightness to each foggy scene, complementing the text's celebration of childhood rainy beach vacation days. First published in 1965, Hide and Seek Fog is one of eighteen timeless collaborations by this legendary duo.

* Caldecott Medal Winner * ALA Notable Book * The classic Caldecott Medal-winning picture book about a neighborhood transformed by a delightful snowfall, from the legendary picture book duo Alvin Tresselt and Roger Duvoisin. When the first flakes fell from the grey sky, the postman and the farmer and the policeman and his wife scurried about doing all the practical things grown-ups do when a snowstorm comes. But the children laughed and danced, and caught the lacy snowflakes on their tongues. All the wonder and delight a child feels in a snowfall is caught in the pages of this book--the frost ferns on the windowsill, the snowman in the yard and the mystery and magic of a new white world. Roger Duvoisin's pictures in soft blue half-tones with brilliant splashes of yellow and red emphasize the happiness and humor as well as the poetic quality of the text. First published in 1947, this classic picture book won the 1948 Caldecott Medal and was the first of eighteen picture book collaborations by Alvin Tresselt and Roger Duvoisin.