Book Finder

The story of Li’l Rabbit captures the true meaning of Kwanzaa and provides a fun introduction to the holiday. Li’l Rabbit is not having a very good Kwanzaa. Granna Rabbit is sick, and so his family won’t celebrate his favorite part of Kwanzaa this year: a big feast called Karamu. Li’l Rabbit knows what to do! He’ll find Granna Rabbit a special treat for Karamu so she can celebrate anyway. He looks under a pile of logs, in the field, and in the pond and along the way meets Groundhog, Momma Field Mouse, and the frogs — but he doesn’t find anything for Granna Rabbit.

Joyous Kwanzaa! On December 26th of each year, the celebration of Kwanzaa begins. Kwanzaa is an African American and pan-African holiday that honors history, family, values, community, and culture. During this time, families gather, songs are sung, and dances and stories and poetry are performed! This festive board book helps teach even the youngest of readers about the celebration and importance of Kwanzaa.

Kwanzaa is Kayla’s favorite time of year. But this year, it looks as if a heavy snowstorm will keep her big brother, Khari, from getting home in time for the festivities! Will Khari miss the celebration completely? Or will Kayla and her brother somehow find a way to be together for Kwanzaa? A perfect introduction to Kwanzaa, this book will teach children all about the traditions and practices that make it a special winter holiday.

Little Alliah (of The Juneteenth Story) is all grown up and, along with her husband LeVaur, teaches their children Daphne and Alistair why they celebrate Kwanzaa as a family and as a community. This beautifully illustrated book shares the origins of the holiday — rooted in Africa, born in Los Angeles — giving historical and cultural context on how a joyful celebration was birthed after the Watts Rebellion and during the Civil Rights Movement. 

A joyous picture book about an intergenerational Black family cooking a delicious feast and appreciating their quality time together. When it comes to a family feast, it’s all hands on deck! Big Ma and Pops have been up early in anticipation of everyone’s arrival. Aunts, uncles, and cousins gather from all over to help prepare their big meal. Clanging pots, chopping vegetables, sharing recipes, and swiping little treats are part of the fun! After the cooking is done, all of the relatives come together to pray, eat, and enjoy their special moment as a family.

Lyrical language and artful illustrations present the life of a lotus and the resilience it represents. A lotus seed falls into the soil and drifts into a deep sleep. It awakens, unfurling tender buds and wide green leaves. Then, the flower blooms, its brilliant petals opening to the sun. And soon enough, another lotus seed falls, starting the cycle all over again… This is a book to share with children of different ages.

Travel the world through traditional stories, just right to read aloud and share with children of different ages. Featuring stories of mermaids, ocean gods, magical fish and majestic dragons, there is something for everyone in this collection of tales inspired by watery worlds.

Take a fascinating tour of some of the most amazing museums around the world. From Bilbao to Beijing, from New York to the Netherlands, explore the wonders of 13 extraordinary museums through this richly illustrated book, perfect for sharing with children of varied ages. You’ll visit the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C., the State Hermitage in St. Petersburg, the Quai Branly in Paris, and more! 

Discover the mysteries of history in this factoid-filled guessing game. Lift the flap to learn the purpose of each specific contraption. A perfect book for sharing together with curious children of different ages.

A foreword by the founder of the Humanimal Trust sets the stage for a fascinating look at what humans and animals have in common and a call for recognition of our interdependency. The large format is organized in bite-sized chunks of information and clearly illustrated, with additional resources included.

Visit the Andes Amazon with a group of scientists from Chicago’s Field Museum who work with local people to collect information about the plants and animals at specific sites. A conversational narrative and full-color photographs document the work which is realistic but optimist about environmental threats. Additional information is included.

Have you ever wondered about the world of sound? Why and how do we hear sounds, how does sound travel, and how do birds, dolphins, and humans use sounds to communicate? Discover the answers and much more in this handsome, brief, but surprisingly thorough examination of sound enhanced by expressive illustrations.
 

It starts with a question: what do Indigenous people from around the world share? The answer: the planet we all live on and a deep respect for it. Stunning portraits of individuals are overlayed with images reflecting their land and customs. This beautiful, oversized look at our world is not to be missed.

The life of a sea turtle born at the Ría Lagartos nature reserve in Mexico is dramatically presented in realistic yet expressive illustrations and carefully crafted narration. A note from the author describes her interest in wildlife and suggests tangible ways to help sea life. Additional information is also presented.
 

Stunning illustrations chronicle the growth and life of a Coho salmon from its birth on Day 1 on the Duwamish River in Washington to Days 1380–1450 when she lays eggs of her own. Additional information, including a QR code that provides more information on Coho salmon, concludes this gorgeous book.

Alma is the curator of the Museum of Shapes. It starts with a point that it is almost hard to see on the page. The point is soon joined by more and more complicated shapes that begin to combine. Geometric words and shapes are cleverly illustrated on open pages, for a fascinating introduction to the subject.

Structured like a graphic novel, sequential panels of painterly illustrations portray a family living in a home by the sea. Ultimately, the sea rises and so the family must move the house. [An author’s note in Pencil by Hye-eun Kim — an evocative tale of a pencil’s journey from tree to tool — describes how to successfully share a “silent book.”]

Mousse, the green-and-white-striped character first introduced in A Day with Mousse, decides to travel south with Barnacle, his walrus friend. Soon they are joined by another friend … is three a crowd? Original characters in lighthearted illustrations combine with an accessible tale of jealousy and friendship in this humorous and recognizable story.

Born enslaved in Maryland, Harriet Tubman became a force of nature with her determination and tenacity. Collage illustrations in a naïve style combine with poems chronologically organized by year to present a unique portrait of an icon of Black history. Resources are appended.

“Once, each speck was something else: dirt, pollen, or a bit of a living thing traveling someplace new.” Dust plumes are fascinatingly presented through lyrical language and textured illustrations. Dust plumes feed sea creatures, can weigh as much as billions of basketballs, and can be seen from space. Additional resources are included in this gorgeous book sure to engage and inspire readers.

Growing up in the segregated South had a lasting impact on young Marian. Her words punctuate high points in her life and activism, and ultimately her impactful work with the Children’s Defense Fund. Resources and additional material are included in this warmly illustrated biography.

Is it an adverb? Noun? Verb? Meaning? This new word ashimpa — discovered in an old dictionary — takes off and people start using it, but no one can quite figure out its exact meaning as it’s used everywhere for all things! Quirky illustrations will delight readers of all ages … and they just might add ashimpa or even perlimpent to their own vocabulary.

A trio of wandering, word-loving wombats travel through a rather dull forest, enlivening it with wonderful words and inspiring a young duckling. By the end of their travels, the duckling has motivated others and even created a “duck-tionary” which, of course, is included. The animated language and jaunty illustrations are sure to enthuse young wordsmiths.  

Amos McGee, the old zookeeper from A Sick Day for Amos McGee and Amos McGee Misses the Bus, looks forward to the first snowfall of the season with his animal friends from the city zoo. Together they enjoy playing in snow, ending with hot chocolate for all. The gentle story is enriched by expressive, tender illustrations — another winner from this husband-wife team.