Book Finder

Shake the shapes and what do you find? A host of triangles, squares, and more! What can you do with them? Make different things. Where can you see them? All around you! Geometric shapes in bold colors depict a cast of children finding, identifying, and playing with shapes — all to a rhythmic text.

Rabbit’s generosity sets off a chain of events that brings his kindness full circle. The lush and accessible acrylic paintings suggest the Chinese folktale upon which the retelling is based. A note at the end supports the notion of universal truth in folktales.

Who is under the umbrella or behind the laundry on the line? Is it the baby behind the ball? Just lift the flap and find the chubby-cheeked babies. Sturdy pages and everyday objects conceal the appealing youngsters in this interactive book, ideal for sharing.

Many trucks that are small have big jobs like ambulances or mail trucks. Others have different jobs like pick-ups, zambonis, and ice cream trucks. Readers who are intrigued by things that go will enjoy the full color photographs and brief explanation of the truck’s job, cleverly placed on sign-shaped backgrounds of different colors.

When brother’s hands tap, sister’s hands clap and “Itty-bitty Baby’s hands CLAP-CLAP-CLAP!” The entire family gets involved in the music and movement — until that tired baby “sleeps deep, deep, deep.” Words and pictures swirl and swoop all over the pages of this energetic, musical family jaunt.

Even a day that starts out on a sour note can become a good day after all, as four forest animals learn. A little girl who lives nearby finds the bird’s lost feather and declares for all to hear that it really is a good day! Uncluttered illustrations use strong line and gentle colors to convey the wondrous turnaround.

Hondo and Fabian, dog and cat friends, are back. Here, their days take very different looks as Fabian the cat goes outside to play with “friends” while Hondo stays in with the baby. Softly lined and hued illustrations create humor to show what really goes on with an escaped cat and a dog-chasing toddler!

Emily can do magic — but how? With words like please, thank you, hello, and more! Emily uses her magic words with friends and family alike. Uncomplicated illustrations create the magic, while the straightforward language makes the useful and pleasant point.

Bunny and mouse are friends who discover fun and mischief when the weather won’t allow them to play outdoors. But when the rain stops, “slippery drippy everything” makes mud — oh, so much fun in which to play! Simple language and expressive illustrations convey the child-like joy of play.

Beetles come in many shapes and sizes — revealed in rhyming text and luminous illustrations. Readers will enjoy the dynamic interplay of words and pictures in this lively book.

Ah, that baby in those “White shoes./High-jumping,/fast-funning,/fine-looking/shoes!” sure moves quickly when she and her mama take a walk to the park and beyond. Lively language and jaunty watercolors share the joy of the outing — for mother and child!

With the cadence, format, and appeal of the creators’ Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?, animals found in North America are introduced. From a rattlesnake to a mountain goat, children will delight in the rhythm and predictability of the text and the cadence of the illustrations.

Poetic text and handsome illustrations create gentle reminders for children of what parents find special about them. From a nose to a hand, “ordinary” is celebrated in gentle language and soft illustration.

Every month of the year is cause for celebration – from sledding to holidays. Each poem and accompanying illustration (reminiscent of Ezra Jack Keats) for each month of the year reflects a child’s joy and interests.

Caroline doesn’t see much of the name of their new street, Meadowview, as she and her family move to their new suburban neighborhood. When she saves a single flower from the lawn mower, she starts to change not only her backyard but ultimately the entire neighborhood. Soft illustrations and understated text convey story and an important concept.

Join a Latino celebration of Christmas from A to Z, enjoying the sights and symbols of the holiday. Spanish words and additional explanations conclude this energetic book with animated illustrations.

Original paintings re-energize this sea-going classic to celebrate the year of its creator’s 100th birthday. The story of the small tugboat that saves the large ocean liner when other larger tugs cannot remains as satisfying as when it was first published in 1939.

A giant squid of bright blue likes to think of himself as the “biggest thing in the ocean” – until he is forced to realize that he’s not! Cartoon-like illustrations and understated text allow the humor of the underwater tale to shine.

When Hedgehog finds Mouse covered in leaves he learns that Mouse is now afraid of their friend Snake. When Snake saves Mouse, the rumor is unwound and Mouse realizes that Snake has always been his friend. Textured illustrations and relaxed text engagingly reveal a gentle message.

Fancy Nancy (still decked out in her amazingly fancy outfits) and her family decide to get a dog. Of course, Nancy wants a posh papillon, a small and delicate canine. However, they find the perfect pup at the pound — to everyone’s delight. Fans of Fancy Nancy will delight in her newest and quite fancy adventure.

Everyone knows that rascally egg, Humpty Dumpty, but few have met the rest of his family which includes his younger sister, Dimity. Painfully shy, Dimity comes out of her shyness (her shell, so to speak!) to help her rambunctious brother. Humor abounds in both text and illustration on this take-off of the traditional rhyme.

Look! What is the large black spot on the red background? As the perspective moves farther away, it becomes clear that it is the spot on a ladybug. Several progressions start up close and move away to reveal the “hidden” subjects. A simple text accompanies each page. An endnote provides additional information about each.

From “10 horns beeping” to “2 bikes growling” a baby sleeps on. But when “… 1 bird begins to twitter,” a smiling baby awakens! City sounds and sights abound in stylized illustrations and satisfying, rhythmic language of this cumulative rhyme.

A familiar cadence builds the story of the apple pie that Papa baked for his daughter and sharing it with her, accompanied by their farm animals. The illustrations for this satisfying saga have an informal, old-fashioned appearance which builds with the rhyme.