Book Finder

For Ms. Splinter, the second grade field trip to the circus provides a chance for serious learning. Not so for inquisitive, bold Emeline who explores the circus in unforgettable ways to the delight of the other students and to her teacher’s horror. Humor abounds, and watercolor and line illustrations complement the understated, surprisingly informative text.

Carla’s book about the first Thanksgiving survives the fire that destroys her apartment. When she and her mother move in to their new building, Carla is determined to bring the residents together in a Thanksgiving no one will ever forget.

Charles Lindbergh was only 25 years old when he made his historic non-stop flight across the Atlantic Ocean. Through Burleigh’s vivid retelling and Wimmer’s bold paintings, the reader soars with Lindbergh as he follows his dream.

Have you ever dreamed of being an astronaut? Wondered what it might be like to see the sun set sixteen times in one day? Open this book and be transported on an information-packed voyage aboard the space shuttle.

Bessie Coleman grew up picking cotton in Texas, but she aimed high — soaring into history as the first African American woman aviator. Her riveting story is told in inviting, rhythmic language and engaging illustration.

Marvin thinks he sees a UFO while sleeping in his friend Nick’s backyard, but both boys have forgotten all about it when the next week a new kid shows up at school. His name? Joe Normal. His behavior? Far from normal.

The individual cars of a long freight train — each a different color — travel through the country and past cities. Building speed as it goes, colors blur until the train again slows. This seemingly simple book provides a memorable journey for young readers.

In this warm holiday story, a young Puerto Rican boy saves the life of his pet turkey on Thanksgiving with help from his close-knit New York City family and neighborhood. Spanish vocabulary is woven into the text. Spanish version available.

The Festival of Lights, or Hanukkah, celebrates the rededication of the Jewish temple after a group of ancient heroes defended their right to worship as they wished. This handsome little counting book honors the most joyful of Jewish holidays, and teaches readers how to count from one to eight in English, Hebrew, and Yiddish.

Mother duck needs help to find her mischievous missing duckling in this Caldecott Honor Book. She asks the other pond animals for help (though the missing one is never lost, only cleverly concealed in each picture).

Eight-year old Joe is about to become a big brother when he meets Mika from planet Eljo, where children hatch out of eggs and life in general is quite different from what Joe knows. The importance of questioning everything, from what’s a pancake to religious beliefs, makes this gentle story fun to read as well as eye-opening.

The author’s merry text and Sendak’s bouncing illustrations provide young readers with a host of “first” definitions that explain everything from faces to books.