Book Finder

Young readers are called to action, because it is possible that “You can be a King” in small everyday ways. Brief, recognizable scenes and sophisticated ideas are realistically interspersed with simpler, child-like classroom goings-on to bring the concept closer to familiar experiences. The result is a lyrical book just right to launch discussions.

The story of the original Jamaican Bobsled Team is about having the courage to pursue your dreams, perseverance, and defining success in your own terms. The 4-man team competed at the 1988 Winter Olympic Games in Calgary, Canada — and although they didn’t win a medal, they won the heart of the entire world. The author, who wrote the story in poetry form, was a member of the team.

Callie Cat loves to ice skate. When the Honeybrook Ice Rink announces a contest, everyone thinks it could be Callie’s big chance! She wants to win the big prize … doesn’t she?

An a-to-z introduction to ice hockey and some highlights from its history. For example, “U is for Team USA-/Who, to everyone’s surprise,/at Lake Placid won Olympic Gold/before a nation filled with pride.” The use of Canadian spelling is a tribute to the origins of the game. Bold acrylic paintings depict professional players, as well as youngsters at play.

The winter sports season is here, and the Aldens are excited about all the snow activities — especially snowboarding. But soon they find themselves in the middle of a mystery surrounding a star athlete and a stolen snowboard.

In an ice-hockey match unrivalled in prehistory, this is the tale of the Meat-Eaters taking on the Veggiesaurs. By sorting teams into carnivores and herbivores the author sneaks in a science lesson in this amusing pairing of sport and prehistoric beasts.

Max and Marla are best friends. And aspiring Olympians! With their eyes on the prize, they know exactly what it’ll take to reach sledding success: preparation, practice and perseverance.

What would you be willing to do for a Winter Olympics gold medal? This story celebrates winter, following your dreams, and staying true to who you are. Meet Snowman Paul, who is energetic and playful — a snowman with big dreams who’s not afraid to be different.

Published in anticipation of the 2014 games in Sochi, Russia, this book includes Winter Olympics’ history, events, symbols, and controversies, as well as a chapter on the Winter Paralympics. Full-color action photos are accompanied by facts on the Olympics and Olympic athletes of the past. Back matter includes a table of top medal-winning countries, a world map, and a selective list of relevant websites.

An introduction to all 15 sport disciplines for the Winter Olympics as well as some of the top Team USA athletes. The book includes a history of the Winter Olympics with fun facts and trivia, as well as a Medal Tracker to keep track of the gold, silver, and bronze medals that Team USA brings home.

A collection of fast-paced poetry follows a cast of spirited pachyderms as they compete for gold in a variety of Olympic sports, such as diving, triathlon, hammer throw, and figure skating.

Each kindness makes the world a little better. This quiet picture book is about small actions that can hurt, and an honest look at bullying and forgiveness.

The story of one family’s journey north during the Great Migration starts with a little girl in South Carolina who finds a rope under a tree one summer. She has no idea the rope will become part of her family’s history.

Discover what it’s like to grow up in South Korea. “Annyeonghaseyo! My name is Min-jun, and I’m a kid just like you living in South Korea. South Korea is a country filled with amazing cities and cutting-edge technology. Have you ever wondered what South Korea is like? Come along with me to find out!” Learn about the history, geography and culture of South Korea in this book, part of the “Living in …” series and filled with illustrations.

In this photographic alphabet, the author introduces young readers to some of the customs, religion and culture, both ancient and modern, that make up this high-profile country. Focusing on both city and country life – from Arirang to Lacquerware to Taekwondo – this is a celebration of Korea in all its colourful diversity.

As a kid, Lonnie fiddled around with toy rockets and more. But all of his tinkering led to a career in engineering, working at NASA and inventing the Super Soaker! His life is engagingly presented in text and illustration.

Eric Carle’s favorite color is yellow, William Low’s is brown, while Uri Shulevitz likes all colors. A veritable who’s who of illustrators answer the question posed in the book’s title accompanied by an original illustration, sure to spark discussion and a quest to find more books by the illustrators’ books.

John’s mother thought cooking was more important than beauty in this gently humorous riff on a traditional tale. Here, John finds perfection in a batch of perfectly prepared black-eyed peas. A tasty looking recipe concludes this colorfully illustrated tale told with a distinctively Southern flavor.

As an artist lays out tools needed to paint, she seeks inspiration from the masters. Along the way, well-known paintings from the National Gallery of Art are presented grouped by genre. Readers can examine each then read more about them on concluding pages, as the artist does “what [she] really love[s].”

What can you do with a pencil? Create lines that skate across a page with a single figure in a red hat and mittens. When lines become too chaotic, an eraser smooths them and a new skater is introduced. Just imagine what happens when more lively but delicate lines, skaters, and erasures come together in the last pages of this inventive book.

Lila’s inventive play doesn’t stop as she and her mother prepare to visit Lila’s grandfather, depicted on alternating pages. What is seen as a table on one page becomes Lila fighting a fearsome sea monster on the next. Lively language and animated illustrations depict Lila’s adventures  soon joined by her granddad!

Creativity, wonder and more all starts with an open book, “a little gift from me to you.” It grows beyond walls, into the whole, wide world. Child-like watercolors accompany the text, inviting readers to celebrate the joys of imagination.

Lines drawn by two boys connect and so do the boys in joyful play. An accidental tug-of-war, however, causes a rift until a smile and additional creativity bring them together again. Though wordless, watercolor illustrations speak volumes and are certain to ignite storytelling.

Leland was an imaginative, tenacious kid who grew up to play professional football, gain post graduate degrees in science, and then become an astronaut on the international space station. He tells his own story in this inspirational, accessible memoir enhanced by numerous photographs.