Book Finder

From very easy to more challenging, paper airplane folding is a craft that soars! Clear instructions along with crisp photographs make these airplanes sure-fire hits to fold, fly, and decorate.

All of the supplies are provided, along with explicit directions to make a variety of pop-ups — everything from a big mouth frog to a gingerbread house. Building on the basic ideas, variations are suggested to make more pop-ups. You can write a story or make a card with this colorful paper art.

Crisp color photographs with numbered instructions and recommended ages make this extensive collection of nifty ideas for everyday and special holiday crafts useful. Older children will be able to follow the ideas independently, while adults will likely work with younger children.

Create bugs, birds, and more, starting with a pattern of your hand. Easy directions provide jumpstarts for creative activities. An open format provides the helping hand while encouraging creativity.

A bald little boy loves playing with his dog and his ball (and the bears he meets), showing a range of emotions through changing faces. Young readers are encouraged to make the same faces — and to look at their face on the last mirrored page. They’re sure to enjoy this introduction to the art of acting!

Travel back in time with a bunch of cowpokes and their cattle from Texas all the way to Kansas on the old Chisholm Trail. Cartoon-like illustration and surprisingly informative language of a traditional folksong blend laughter and learning as the tale unfolds — with or without the tune (though music is included).

Prepare for a visit to a French-speaking country as you count from one (1) to ten (10) or les nombres de un/une (1) a dix (10) in this brightly colored “first” book. Intended to build vocabulary, concrete objects or shapes accompany the word in both languages with a pronunciation guide to accompany the words introduced. Trying to learn Spanish? You’ll be interested in My First Spanish Book!

Like haiku, sijo – a little known, brief poetic form from Korea – looks at everyday activities from breakfast to the weather. Sophisticated illustrations complement the seemingly simple language to delight readers and listeners.

When Sang-Hee’s father cannot send the signal that no enemies are in sight, Sang-Hee must get the coals to light the fire on the mountaintop. Based on an actual signal system used in 19th century Korea, illustrations and fluid text create a riveting story that enlivens history. An author’s note provides more detail. Watch Park read an excerpt in our Meet the Author interview with her!

What’s better than just eating a favorite dish? Anticipating it while preparing it, of course! Rhythmic, rhyming language and playful illustrations capture the joy of making this special Korean dish — and the joy of sharing it.
Country of origin: Korea
 

Meet penguins that live in icy places and in the heat as they cuddle and huddle, swim and waddle, honk, and more. Lively language and bold, bouncy illustrations bring these appealing creatures to life for young readers, while slightly older kids and adults can get even more penguin tidbits from the Penguin Puzzler and Penguin Parade at the book’s end.

Matt and his twin sister, Bibi accompany their scientist parents to Peru where they stumble into an archaeological adventure. They ride their guanaco (a cousin to the llama), decode the patterns on the poncho, and find the mysterious lost city of Quwi! A note to adults suggests additional patterning activities.

Lily Brown loves her family and the world they share, but she also loves to paint and travel the world through her imagination. Luminous paintings depict Lily’s creative travels to the stars, the seashore, and more, before returning to her family.

Readers explore a coral reef with a snorkeling young swimmer and see what she sees as she views a tropical reef. Inviting language and crisp, full color illustrations depict coral reefs and the plants and animals that live in and around them.

Best friends Amy and Louie are inseparable and — “coo-ee!” — even have a special way to call each other. But then Amy and her family move half a world away draining the color from their world — until Louie figures out how to imaginatively communicate with Amy even though they are far, far apart. The distance that separates the children and their strong bond are powerfully conveyed in dramatic watercolors and gentle text.

Travel with Annie and Jack to the city of Edo in 17th century Japan on a Magic Tree House Merlin mission to find one of the secrets of happiness. The siblings spend an exciting day with the wise and respected teacher, Basho, using their research skills for a fast-paced, informative, and fantastic adventure.

A trip to Brazil inspired this look at a unique sport called “capoeira.” The result is a compelling journey into capoeira’s history and its popularity around the world. The book begins with students at an academy in Oakland, California. Well-placed and -paced, full-color photographs chronicle this amazing activity.

Meet Katy—a feisty ballerina-in-the-making who loves to twirl like a leaf, stretch like a flower, and float like a swan. She’s all dance, all the time—until she faces the fear of dancing in front of everyone in her new ballet class at Mr. Tutu’s School of Dance! Suddenly the once-bold Katy is overcome with a bad case of stage fright! What’s a duck to do?

Yoon narrates the difficulty she experiences when her family moves to the United States from Korea. Her struggle with the transition focuses on the moment when she must learn to write her name in English rather than in Korean, and she remains resistant to learning a new language. Her imaginative voice is child-like and plausible, augmented by inventive illustrations.

A little girl gets ready to celebrate the Lunar New Year in this gentle and stunningly illustrated book first published in South Korea. Excitement mounts as she details how she dresses for this engaging celebration with universal appeal.