Book Finder

CS Lewis’ classic Narnia series, starting with The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (opens in a new window), explores themes of loyalty, good and evil, family ties and more though for more sophisticated readers (and viewers). Similar ideas can be found in magical books made to share with younger readers.

My Father’s Dragon (opens in a new window)
by Ruth Gannett
Join Elmer Elevator as he travels to an island to save a baby dragon using quite ordinary things in unexpected ways. Awarded a Newbery Honor, this quirky, satisfying fantasy makes a fine read aloud (as do others by Ruth Gannett).

Where the Wild Things Are (opens in a new window)
by Maurice Sendak
Max’s temper gets him sent to his room where he takes a journey to the land of the Wild Things. There he regains control but wants to return to where he is loved best of all and so travels back into the night to his very own room.

It’s lonely when you move and meeting people can be really hard. But finding friends becomes easier for Opal with the help of a scruffy dog she names after the place where they meet — a Winn Dixie grocery store. Don’t miss the original book Because of Winn-Dixie (opens in a new window) by Kate DiCamillo, just right for ages 6-9 alone or aloud. And be sure to meet other memorable dogs in these books:

Henry & Mudge: The First Book (opens in a new window)
by Cynthia Rylant, illustrated by Sucie Stevenson
There are no other kids on Henry’s block so his parents agree that a dog to play with will ease Henry’s loneliness. This is the start of an unforgettable friendship between a boy and a big pooch named Mudge.

Where’s Spot? (opens in a new window)
by Eric Hill
Where’s the small spotted puppy named Spot? He’s hiding, so lift the flap and see if he can be found! Young readers will enjoy looking for Spot in this colorful, interactive, and engaging book.

Judy Moody’s little brother, Stink, helps find homes for rescued guinea pigs. Along the way Stink and his friends learn about caring for the critters as well as a bit about responsibility — with loads of laughs for readers along the way.

Three sisters — Joey, Stevie, and Alex (ages 8, 10, and 12) — each contribute to the telling through journal entries and their own narration to reveal a talented, energetic family. Journal entries in child-like writing vary the format and introduce a bubbly dimension.

When Judy struggles with math, her parents find a tutor at the local college. In typical Judy fashion, she tries to transform her world — and her friends’ world– with laugh out loud results for readers.

The family vacation to Boston not only reinforces all that Judy Moody knows about the American Revolution, it sets her off on her course of independence! Humor abounds in this adventure of the likeable 3rd grader and her family.

Sophisticated young scientists will enjoy dipping in and out of this funny but edifying compendium of science. Topics range from paleontology to astronomy with lots of ways to get involved (some requiring adult help). The comic format and brief information are appealing and sure to amaze and engage.

Clearly organized instructions provide not only the know-how but ideas on how to make prints from easily found materials. As children craft their own artwork, they may just want to reread other books which use comparable techniques (such as Eric Carle). Also in the 1 2 3 series are the equally doable I Can Sculpt! and I Can Paint!

Take a walk outdoors with the popular mouse, Maisy. Help Maisy find a duckling, a bee inside a flower, and more as young hands pull sturdy tabs to reveal the hidden treasure, guided by short text which also encourages children to look for additional related things on each double-page spread.

Full-color illustrations combine with clear instructions organized into four sections drawn from nature to present possible activities with generally easy-to-locate materials. Some activities are sophisticated, but children (with an adult) will find something to create in the great outdoors.

Dozens of how-to topics can be found in this browsable “instruction manual.” Easy-to-follow directions and helpful illustrations show you how to do things as varied as make your own lip gloss, eat with chop sticks, and juggle one-handed. The book opens with a disclaimer and reminds readers to use common sense at all times!

This book opens with a disclaimer and reminds readers to use common sense at all times — especially as boys consider doing things like skateboard “ollies,” fighting off a crocodile, or escaping quicksand. The book is fun and full of suggestions for real and absolutely outrageously undoable activities. Not just for boys!

Make a special card or gift that really stands out — or pops up, literally! Easy to follow instructions and ideas are generously illustrated to allow even the neophyte to make eye-catching pop-ups with easily found materials.

Join Danny and his friend, Ettie, as they visit the zoo on a snowy afternoon — and then on a trip to a sunny place in Africa with the elephants and aardvarks…all with the help of Danny’s yellow drawing book, of course! This imaginative, playful jaunt may inspire other armchair adventures.

Each lively rhyme or riddle about everyday things actually asks a math question; some easy, some more difficult, all playfully involving addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Humorous spins on recognizable situations are enhanced by comical illustrations.

When orphans Prosper, age 12, and Bo, age 5, run away to Venice, they find themselves in the company of a gang of teens who live in an abandoned movie theater and rob the rich to survive. A little bit of mystery, a little bit of fantasy, and a lot of the Venetian setting.

In 1950’s Appalachia, the Collins family leads a hard existence. The youngest sister, Carolina, is adrift, when her guitar-playing cousin, Tadpole, unexpectedly arrives. Tadpole’s beautiful singing and positive outlook inspire the family, but when they learn he’s on the run from an abusive uncle, they worry the uncle will come and take Tadpole away.

Hermux Tantamoq is a simple watchmaker mouse. Linka Perflinger is a daring mouse aviatrix, with a watch that needs fixing. When Hermux agrees to do the repair, he falls for Linka and gets dragged into an adventure involving mad scientists and a garish cosmetics maven mouse.

In this celebration of dads, heartwarming illustrations of baby animals and their fathers remind us of the many reasons why dads are so special.