Book Finder

For Rosa and her family, Emancipation means education and schooling. The child’s narration accompanied by richly hued illustrations, reveals the strength in community and the power of learning in the face of adversity and opposition in a post-Civil War South.

Bishop guides you from important early works for African American children such as W.E.B. DuBois’ The Brownies Book, to the 1969 publication of John Steptoe’s Stevie — the breakthrough modern African American picture book — to recent young adult fiction such as Christopher Paul Curtis’ popular Bud Not Buddy, winner of both the Coretta Scott King Author Award and the Newbery Medal. All along, her energetic chronicle brings to life the crucial figures who have contributed to the rise of African American children’s literature and delves deep into the plot, characters, and themes of their most popular and teachable works. The result is an unparalleled treasury of ideas and information for teaching with African American children’s literature.

This seminal work identifies and addresses key issues that have become touchstones in the study of African-American children’s literature. It provides classroom teachers, librarians, and teacher educators in the field of children’s literature with information to build stronger multicultural collections for libraries and classroom study. The first chapter of the work places contemporary realistic fiction about Afro-Americans in a sociocultural and historical context, while the second chapter discusses the “social conscience” books that are written primarily to help whites know the condition of blacks in the United States. The third chapter reviews “melting pot” books that were written for both blacks and whites on the assumption that both groups need to be informed that nonwhite children are exactly like other American children — except for their skin color. The fourth chapter examines “culturally conscious” books that were written for Afro-American readers and that attempt to reflect both the uniqueness and the universal humaneness of the African-American experience from the perspective of an African-American child or family. The fifth chapter presents a brief overview of the work of five African-American writers who have made significant contributions to children’s fiction since 1965, and the final chapter summarizes the current status of children’s fiction about African Americans and suggests some areas yet to be covered in fictional works.

This book tells the greatest space robot adventure of all time through the eyes — and heart — of Steven Squyres, professor of astronomy at Cornell University and lead scientist on the mission. This suspenseful page-turner captures the hair-raising human emotions felt during the adventures with two tough rovers.

The perilous, adrenaline-fueled, life-saving work of an international volcano crisis team and the sleeping giants they study, from Colombia to the Philippines, from Chile to Indonesia.

Why the once-planet Pluto was demoted to a lesser planetary status is explained in readable text and engaging illustrations.

Max and his soil scientist parents live in a marsh where Max discovers mud’s special properties. He gains super powers to put things right — including a way to effectively deal with a bully.

Her mom takes the crayons away when Liza uses the wall as her canvas, but she discovers a world of color anyway.

Young people see a need and work to better their world in this upbeat chronicle of youthful activists.

The life of Wolfgang’s older sister, Maria Anna, follows the form of a piano sonata which combines with evocative illustration to portray the 18th century musicians and their music.

Move over Tom Edison! This intriguing look at Tesla’s importance in early use of electricity is well documented and handsomely illustrated first look at an important scientist and inventor.

Can you do what toucan can? Maybe toucan can do what you can. Join toucan and a host of round-eyed animals, both well and less-known, as they cavort, dance, stomp, romp, hop, and more across the pages. Vivacious illustrations and animated language encourage active participation in this joyful book.

Moose wants to be an astronaut but the film is entitled “This is a Moose.” Even Moose’s lacrosse-playing grandma and doctor giraffe buddy can’t convince the filmmaker to change his role. That is, until Moose is launched into outer space. Cartoons and sophisticated asides make this goofy, offbeat tale outrageously funny with a touch of filmmaking vocabulary included.

Geoffrey is tall and clumsy and downright awkward. He slips and slides, scaring the meerkats. At the watering hole, his splashing and sploshing only makes mud, not friends. But his height comes in handy to help a troop of monkeys. Lively language and textured illustrations present a humorous tale of self-acceptance and developing friendship.

Lily wanted a dog but instead gets a tiny, fluffy kitty. Could that small feline cause all of the trouble and mess in Lily’s house? Lily thinks so, telling the poor thing that it’s a “naughty kitty!” But readers realize from the first end pages what Lily doesn’t see. Hilarious action in comic illustration let readers stay ahead of Lily and her ultimately lionized kitty.

Exciting things happen when Nanny X comes to care for 8- year-old Jake, his 10-year-old sister Alison, their not-quite 2-year-old baby sister, and dog Yeti. The slapstick action of bad-guy-plots foiled by Nanny X and her many spy gadgets (she’s really a member of the Nanny Action Patrol) — with a bit of help from the children — is told by Jake and Alison in alternating chapters.

What’s a puppy to do when everyone is too busy, too lazy, too boring, or too mean to play? Find a new friend — a large green monster reading in the park — of course! Even the grumpiest monster is no match for the friendly little puppy’s persistent overtures and game-playing. Cartoon illustrations on open pages and short sentences present a jolly, unique friendship.

“Goodness! Gracious! Yikes!” exclaim a timid group of carpenter ants as they peer out of holes made by one brave insect, viewing a rainbow of color. What they discover instead of an ant-eating, ketchup-carrying, orange aardvark with pack of green geckos will delight young readers as they see the vivid colors through die cuts and bold shapes in this satisfying, humorous tale.

It all started with a little brown bird that tired of making and hearing the same old sounds: caw, coo, chirp, peep. Instead, it said “Froodle sproodle!” which came as an unwelcome shock to the crow, cardinal and dove. But the small brown bird’s continued wordplay inspired the others — even the crow. Simple, bold illustrations and varied type present a comical tale of individuality and lots of potential for wordplay.

Much to his horror, Charlie is assigned to perform as the Nice Gnome in “The Sorcerer’s Castle,” his 4th grade class play. Even though he perfected the laugh of the Evil Sorcerer, as the Gnome, Charlie saves the day — and the performance — in this laugh-out-loud funny story. Told through Charlie’s narration, readers will surely see themselves in these likeable characters.

Benjamin Franklin was always curious and thinking outside of the box, even as a boy. Youthful swimming (during a time when swimming was considered unhealthy) led Ben to invent paddles to be more fish-like. One episode from the life of a “smart, stubborn, sensible son of a soap-maker” is presented in humorous, detailed illustrations and lively language.

A blue alien arrives on a farm, “Blip, stop! Zot, wazzzzdot?” he wonders. Young readers will readily recognize the silhouette of a pig but will exclaim with the alien when the page turns. Lively illustrations and clipped language leaps and jumps across the pages as the exploration continues.

In the cadence of Clement Moore’s holiday poem, a Latino family celebrates Christmas Eve. They make tamales with masa, play games (including a piñata) and more until the children are in bed and everyone is wished Feliz Navidad! A glossary of Spanish words concludes this cheerfully illustrated fiesta.

There’s a troublemaker making trouble for a boy and his sister, but it isn’t a naughty child. Rather, it’s a furry masked bandit — a raccoon — that snitches stuffed toys and even a blanket until the culprit is discovered. Strong lines of the idyllic setting are just right to hide the real thief on many pages.