Book Finder

As swamp residents move, water ripples and the creatures munch, gulp, swallow, and more. Short, rhythmic sentences and simple but realistic illustrations present a wetlands food chain. A brief endnote describes the environment and “balance of nature.” The language in this informational picture book reads well aloud, likely to engage  listeners.

Lulu and her cousin, Mellie find a bag on their doorstep with a large marigold-colored cat in it. How will the children and Lulu’s grandmother resolve the problem of an abandoned and wary cat? Their dilemma and the story’s resolution are recognizable and appealing. Though the latest installment of a series, this reads as a stand-alone.

A dot of “dirt (and everything in it)” is a meal for the earthworm seen in a stylized, double page illustration. Four pages open with gatefolds to show the giant squid which is the sperm whale’s feast. Actual sizes of what animals eat are dramatically presented with additional information on the last spread.

When Old MacDonald tires of cutting his large suburban lawn, he gets a goat and then a very smart little red hen. When compost and manure are added — and in spite of neighbors’ concerns — MacDonald has a thriving farm to everyone’s delight! This lively, rhyming tale with its exaggerated illustrations just may inspire suburban and perhaps urban gardening.

The travels of an independent black cat parallel that of a family of four. Both start and end in Rome but intersect as they visit landmarks in other European cities. Lyrical text and delicate, detailed illustrations evoke the wonder of travel. The trip concludes with brief information about the places visited; end pages include a rough map of the travel.

The sounds familiar animals make (such as squeak, meow, oink) are each presented in a simple sentence. The letters used in the onomatopoeic sound are embedded in a strong graphic image of the animal. Colors of the image and animal sound correspond, placed on an uncluttered white page. Some jump out, others require careful examination; all are clever.

Sharp eyes are needed to see most of the well-camouflaged creatures in the Costa Rican rainforest presented in stunning, realistic illustrations. A simple, repeated sentence lets emerging readers know what (e.g., bird, snake) to look for in each double page spread. The animals are specifically identified on the final page.

As a young, sickly child, “Teedie” Roosevelt dreamed of becoming an adventurer like in the books he gobbled up. Lush, expressive illustrations, well-chosen quotes, and a lucid text brings the life of the boy who grew into a remarkable man whose biggest adventure may have been that of the 26th President of the United States.

This lively look at Thomas Jefferson’s lifelong obsession with books and reading is told with verve and humor. How Jefferson’s sizeable book collection came to reside at the Library of Congress brings both the man and his time into focus. Additional information about the man and his legacy as well as additional resources conclude this brief, fact-filled, engaging book.

Sophisticated readers will appreciate the snippets of presidential history presented in a variety of poetic forms. Illustrations, reminiscent of political cartoons, range in tone from serious to silly. Additional information about the office and the individual presidents concludes this appealing and surprisingly informative collection (which includes the sitting POTUS).

The friendship between Lafayette and Washington is dramatically told for sophisticated readers in a handsome picture book format. It began while the fledgling United States fought for its independence from Britain though it continued after the war. Additional information about the two men and the time in which they lived is included.

Like her father, Mary Walker became a medical doctor. Unlike her father, however, Mary horrified people because she wanted to serve in the Union Army to help wounded soldiers as a doctor and wore pants. Mary’s story is dramatically presented in words and illustration, brought up to date in an afterward.

Florence Nightingale was the daughter of a wealthy English family who was drawn to medicine and helping others. Her name has become synonymous with nursing and care for the unfortunate. Delicate, stylized illustrations and straightforward text chronicle her life, mitigating the wars and hardships she confronted while still suggesting them. 

Ellen Prentiss “was born with saltwater in her veins” whose father taught her to sail and navigate on his trading schooner. When she married a man who also loved the sea, Ellen’s tenacity, her ability to read the sea and dare the win allowed them to sail from New York to San Francisco in 1851 in record-breaking time. A brief note about Ellen includes source notes.

Mason is quietly determined to do his best in spite of the obstacles he faces. One of the few African American students in his school, Mason wins a typing contest on a manual typewriter. The author based this quietly triumphant story on her father’s experiences growing up in the 1960s. Realistic illustrations evoke the period and the place.

Tacky and his friends are training for the Winter Games and when the competition finally arrives, the other animals are worried that Tacky’s lack of training will ruin their chance at a medal. Along with the humor, the author brings in many facets of the Olympics: training before the games, the march of the athletes into the stadium for the opening ceremonies that include the lighting of a torch.

What kind of cat would go sliding off on skis, and who’d believe it anyway? When the family accidentally leaves Henry, their sassy Siamese, behind at the ski lodge, he takes matters into his own paws in this lively adventure.

Privyet! Welcome to Russia! Come along on this ABC exploration of the people, geography, animals, plants, history, and culture of Russia. Read about diamond studded eggs, the deepest lake in the world, and other fascinating facts.

An overview of what’s involved in putting on and participating in the Olympics. Learn about the opening ceremonies, the many Olympic events in the Summer and Winter games, the medal presentations, and the Olympic village.

Stravinsky, a composer, and a dancer named Nijnsky each worked alone until they met. Their collaboration initially surprised Parisians but has become a classic. Meet the composer and choreographer who created “The Rite of Spring” in evocative, swirling text and image.

What can you see in shadows? A girl imagines she sees a crocodile and more — until the light returns with a click. Limited colors energetically depict her imagination. Her musings are reminiscent of shadow puppetry (and just may inspire creation of them, too).

What does any letter of the alphabet represent? Can you find the “embrace” in the letter E? Graphic artist Thurbly shows the action or the object created from each upper case letter from A to Z. The result is sure to inspire young artists to create while building vocabulary.

What causes the remote, or just one sock to disappear? Dr. Zooper provides the answers in his guide to the Mischevians. Young artists can add to the list of these silly critters as they laugh and share this pseudo-serious take on why things disappear.

Dots abound in lots of colors all around, everywhere and every day. Some are heavy, others are light; some are even edible. This color-filled, playful, cheery look at everyday things in which dots are seen is sure to inspire creative examinations of the world around.