Book Finder

When a boa constrictor arrives as a gift from her son, the old woman enjoys his company. She soon learns, though, that Crictor is more than just an unusual pet. From helping her teach her students the alphabet to capturing unscrupulous burglars, Crictor’s special talents earn him the friendship and thanks of the entire town.

Meet kids in Cuba as they work, play, and go to school. They live in cities and in the country, similar to other children around the world. A straightforward text is expanded by the crisp, varied photographs.

When Zoe and her family move to the Nebraska prairie, it is the isolation and sameness of the landscape that depresses her mother most. A simple clump of dandelions planted on the roof of their sod house, however, provides color and hope.

When his grandfather arrives from Mexico, Francisco helps him find work as a gardener even though he is really a carpenter. When they mistakenly pull all the plants but leave the weeds, Abuelo, upset at Francisco’s lie, refuses to accept payment until the job is done correctly.

Lively green dinosaurs with human attributes provide useful information in this guide to wellness. The illustrations that accompany the engaging text create an understanding of overall physical and mental health.

Time-traveling siblings, Jack and Annie, are celebrating their 20th anniversary in print. Join them on their first fantastic Magic Tree House adventure to the time of dinosaurs. The occasion is celebrated with new illustrations, updated dino info, and a letter from the author.

Do you think things would be better if you were in charge? Duck thinks he can do a better job than Farmer Brown, but once in power he soon tires of the duties and responsibilities of leadership. So he decides maybe he’s better off writing his autobiography – which he does on a typewriter that clever readers will recognize from another book by this talented team.

Make a thumbprint, add a few lines, and voila! you get an instant cartoon! This easy-to-follow book helps even the youngest make fascinating, funny creatures.

Caren and her family prepare for the festival of San Juan de Dios in Tultepec, a Mexican town noted for its fireworks. Full color photographs and lively text capture many aspects of this exciting tradition.

Full color photographs and informative text introduce four Hispanic holidays that are celebrated in the United States, including the Day of the Dead and Las Posadas. Each celebration is photographed in a different U.S. city.

Fox thinks of himself as extremely clever – will anyone be able to outfox him? Ink, pencil, and watercolor illustrations accompany the text of these sprightly, humorous, and appealing tales.

Imagine traveling to Egypt with the well known and much loved teacher, Ms. Frizzle. Well, the kids join the Friz on a trip to Egypt finding them enmeshed in the goings-on of ancient Egypt — including mummification and building the pyramids. The intermingling of lively text and adroit illustration are well placed in the oversize format.

The Georges most prominent in early America — England’s George III and America’s George Washington — had much in common even though their politics put them on opposite sides of the issue of independence as well as the Atlantic. Serious information about the men, their struggles, and the times in which they lived is conveyed in an engaging format and light touch that tells of the birth of the United States.

Third grade Gabi speaks Spanish at home and English at school and sometimes “Spanglish” everywhere. Spanish and English combine naturally in Gabi’s narration as the irrepressible, likable girl befriends a kindergartner who has moved from Nicaragua and as she controls her temper when teased by a classmate.

Children from various backgrounds and cultures appear in these early 20th century photographs, linked by an original poem that celebrates the joy of family and childhood. The format is reminiscent of an old-fashioned photo album while the emotions conveyed are very contemporary.

No one would want to meet a greedy cat like this! A very hungry and especially greedy cat eats a series of animals and people — “Gobble, gobble, slip, slop” — until clever crabs help them all find a way out. A quite contrite cat promises never to be greedy again in this lively and handsomely illustrated retelling of a traditional tale.

Three little dragons in a far-off cave are having a hard time falling asleep. It’s the Good Knight to the rescue, with glasses of water, bedtime stories and songs, and goodnight kisses to lull the beasts to sleep.

Harry, a soft plush elephant, is ready for bed, but he just can’t sleep! He reads and wiggles and worries, but sleep won’t come. But once Harry is reassured by his friends, Lulu and Ted, the plush toys are all able to cozily snuggle down for a good night’s sleep.

The youngster prepares for sleep, bidding goodnight to the room and all objects in it, including the moon and the old lady who whispers “hush.” Sleep comes softly in this cozy classic.

Fingers creeping, creeping or snowflakes falling delight young children – especially when told in rhyme and dramatized with a caring adult. Familiar and less familiar ditties with directions for hand movement are presented in engaging illustration as well as rhymes.

George Ancona’s colorful photographs capture the spirit, movement, and form of basic finger spelling used by the deaf and often learned by hearing children as well.

Exuberant language and jaunty illustrations seem to jump off the pages to celebrate “girlpie” hair, soft and billowy. With encouraging individuality, these girls love and accept themselves just the way they are.

Readers learn of Mexican migrant workers’ difficult lives in this photo-documentary. Despite backbreaking labor in poor conditions, the workers take pride in what they do and struggle to help their families get ahead.