Book Finder

Children will delight in this fantastic tale of a young girl’s vacation in the Smoky Mountains. Wandering from her tent late one summer’s night, Sara finds an invitation she just can’t resist! She watches the grand ball from safely behind a tree until suddenly she is discovered.

Take a tour of Yellowstone National Park, from the wolves, elk, bears, and mountain goats that live there today to the supervolcano that erupted thousands of years ago. The poetic text takes us to the root of it all ― the “sleeping giant” of magma responsible for the Yellowstone landscape ― and the evocative paintings capture the awe of natural forces at work in our nation’s oldest national park. The addendum, “More About Yellowstone and Its Volcano,” a glossary defining geological terms, such as mud pots, steam vents, geysers, magma, and lava, and a map further aid children’s understanding of supervolcanoes.

Winner of the 1947 Caldecott Medal, this beautifully moving story centers around a little island in the midst of the wide ocean, and the curious kitten who comes to visit. As the seasons pass, the island and the creatures who call it home witness an ever-changing array of sights, smells, and sounds — proving that, no matter how small, we are all an important part of the world. Inspired by the author’s summer visits to Acadia National Park.

Lyrical prose and warm watercolor illustrations bring a “certain part of the country called Appalachia” alive for young readers. Two award-winning artists, forever touched by their experiences growing up in this unique landscape, have teamed to create a quietly powerful and beautifully crafted portrait of life in a timeless place. Appalachia is where you’ll find Shenandoah National Park and the Blue Ridge Mountains. Cynthia Rylant grew up in this area with her grandparents.

From tiny seed to world’s largest tree, the giant sequoia is a living wonder of nature. This ancient and tremendous species grows naturally only on the western slopes of California’s Sierra Nevada. Each sequoia begins life as a seed no larger than an oatmeal flake — yet can grow as tall as three blue whales stacked chin to tale. The oldest sequoias have lived as long as forty human lifetimes. The largest are so enormous, twenty children holding hands can’t wrap their arms around the trunks! In evocative text and vibrant paintings, The Sequoia Lives On reveals all of this fascinating information and more. An extensive author’s note completes the portrait for young readers, inviting them to become the next generation of protectors for this amazing tree.

The Florida Everglades are made up of nine different ecosystems supporting an astonishing variety of wildlife ― panthers, manatees, snails, frogs, and a rainbow of bird species. But for years, the Everglades were threatened. They needed a voice to speak up for them. Marjory Stoneman Douglas became that voice. Her book “A River of Grass” helped the world see the irreplaceable beauty and value of the Everglades. Marjory’s activism led to the creation of a national park and dedicated conservation efforts, and throughout her long life she inspired countless people to use their voices to make a difference.

Rivers wind through earth, cutting down and eroding the soil for millions of years, creating a cavity in the ground 277 miles long, 18 miles wide, and more than a mile deep known as the Grand Canyon. Home to an astonishing variety of plants and animals that have lived and evolved within its walls for millennia, the Grand Canyon is much more than just a hole in the ground. Follow a father and daughter as they make their way through the cavernous wonder, discovering life both present and past. Weave in and out of time as perfectly placed die cuts show you that a fossil today was a creature much long ago, perhaps in a completely different environment. Complete with a spectacular double gatefold, an intricate map and extensive back matter.

A lavishly illustrated story about a lion cub and a girl who must open a portal for the spirits, based on Chinese folklore. Jin is a Stone Lion — one of the guardians of the Old City Gate who is charged to watch over humans and protect the Sacred Sphere. But when Jin’s perfect kick accidentally knocks the Sacred Sphere out through the gate, he has no choice but to run after it, tumbling out of the realm he calls home and into the human world as the gate closes behind him. Stuck outside the gate, Jin must find help from unlikely allies, including a girl who can hear a mysterious voice and a worm who claims he is a dragon. Together, they must find the sphere and return it to the world beyond the gate…or risk losing everything.

A story told in two voices: siblings 12-year-old Josie and her older, disabled brother Abe each have dreams and aspirations. Based on the author’s experience growing up with a comparably challenged brother.

What’s the difference between a country and a continent? And what about a wormhole and a black hole? What’s the difference between an alligator and a crocodile? In space, on earth, in food, even in history many things are similar but are in fact quite different. Explore 150 pairs here through facts and illustration.  

Celebrate nature in poems by different writers and accompanied by colorful illustrations. Informational sidebars flank each poem, offering scientific context for readers, and recommended resources and a glossary are also included. 

A special group of kids are recruited to a man a space station. Tensions rise when they begin to lose altitude. Can quick thinking save them? This fast-paced adventure in graphic format is written by a real-life astronaut.

An oversized format supports dramatic, appealing, and realistic illustrations and information about a range of creatures. Backmatter includes a glossary and index.

The Entrada apartment building was home to newcomers and longtime residents alike. How the residents old and young adjust, develop friendships, and grow, are seamlessly told as one tale though written by various authors.

The misfit detectives are again called into action to solve the mysterious but limited earthquake problem. This newest adventure first introduced the kids in A Royal Conundrum.

Ava, Medusa’s relative, and other so-called monster descendants return to the Acccademia del Forte where they thwart a plot by the Olympians. This decidedly feminist plays with traditional Greek myths in this engaging standalone second book in the Myth of Monsters series.

The author recalls 7th grade and the difficulty he had because of his size in this believable, ultimately empowering graphic memoir.

This weird, wacky, and downright fun and informative look at how disparate things connect is a worthy addition to the FACTopia series.

A fascinating examination of manned spaceflight and the power of image — the astonishing photograph taken during the Apollo 8 mission. Sure to inform and generate talk between adults and young people.

Bugs — the catchall phrase that describe myriad creepy crawlers — are introduced here along with an argument to appreciate what they do for our planet and develop empathy for them in conversational text and handsome illustration.

Abby is trapped at home with her four  younger siblings as they all suffer from the chickenpox. Based on the author’s experience, she shares the experience that she endured with her siblings with verve and humor. 

Told through crisp narration and dramatic illustration, this true story of the Hudson River cleanup is riveting. Additional backmatter is included.

Losing her sight while in college in her Puerto Rican home did not stop Wanda’s passion for the stars nor for learning. In accessible narrative and lush illustration, Wanda’s life and work come into focus. Also available in Spanish: Wanda oye las estrellas.

When a boy accidentally breaks a vase that holds unique words, his father doesn’t scold but helps him make something new and beautiful. Stunning illustrations evoke the Japanese setting and the beautiful philosophy of the value in words and kindness.