Book Finder

Molly, the bookmobile librarian, finds a new batch of readers and writers when she accidentally drives into the zoo. “In a flash, every beast in the zoo was stampeding/To learn all about this new something called reading.” Lively and appealing illustrations show the fun Molly and the animals have as they build the Zoobrary. Also available in Spanish.

This fictionalized story tells of a slave who lived and worked in Colonial Williamsburg. The straightforward text and dramatic photographs bring the history of the time to life.

Wilma Rudolph not only overcame polio, she went on to become the first woman to win three Olympic gold medals in Rome in 1960. Semiabstract paintings convey her power and personality in this accessible picture book biography.

Anyone can be president, whether fat (William Howard Taft) or tiny (James Madison), relatively young (Teddy Roosevelt at 42) or old (Ronald Reagan at 69). Hobbies, sports, virtues, and vices all get a tongue-in-cheek airing in this fascinating collection of presidential trivia.

Ten-year-old James is intrigued by the K-Bones, a local gang, and considers joining. But when his six-year-old brother witnesses him vandalize a sign, he begins to have second thoughts. A tough topic is handled in a brief but effective way, sure to launch discussion.

The real and truly amazing size of animals from the sea and land are shown in a way that children can understand and appreciate. Textured collage illustrations are used to show the actual size of a gorilla’s hand, a giant squid’s eye and much more. Additional information on each animal is included in an afterward to allow reading on several levels.

Alfie takes his trusty blanket with him when he attends his first party alone, but bravely puts it down to comfort a friend who is frightened by a mask.

When the lowercase x from Charley’s alphabet disappears, the other letters set off to find him. Young readers become detectives on the quest to find the lowercase letters and will rejoice when little x finds a way to rescue his rescuers from becoming alphabet soup.

Lots of vacations include a trip to an amusement park, but how many are trips to an aMAZEment park? Find the way with Ms. McCourt and her class as they visit the Cyclone, the Enchanted Castle, the Wild West Walk, and more before heading through a series of intricately illustrated mazes that make a playful visual treat for all.

Travel with Canadian naturalist Brian Keating on a journey around the world to meet some of the animal inhabitants of the different continents. From kookaburras and kangaroos in Australia to the Arctic’s wolf population, this book’s informal, diary-like approach creates an exciting armchair expedition with photographs, facts, and more.

Two well known women sneak away from the White House for an aerial adventure in this handsomely illustrated story based on real people. Though fictionalized, readers will appreciate the common interests and similar personality traits of First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt and aviatrix Amelia Earhart.

The year Grace turned eight, her Mum and Dad took her and her siblings on a trip around Australia. The kids “missed school for the whole winter term” and Grace documented much of what she learned, where she went, and the adventures they had as they experienced the diversity of the continent. Grace’s informal voice is informative yet engaging, completed by line drawings and simple maps.

A selection of nursery rhymes and games from different countries are presented in this book in both Spanish and English. The rhymes are accompanied by gentle illustrations. Music appears with lyrics (again in both languages) at the end of this pleasing book.

Rich language and lots of farm detail are used in the saga of Babe, a unique and truly heroic pig, who works successfully as a sheep dog.

Rather than sleep, Baby wants to dance the polka, the cha cha – any and everything – exhausting the poor parents! After lots of activity, Ma and Pa finally tuck in the tuckered out baby. Rhyming text and flaps that lift on sturdy pages make a memorable book to share at bedtime and beyond.

Knock-knock. Who’s there? Lift the flap and find out in this silly, pun-filled look at school and everything from lockers to spelling bees. Comic illustrations incorporate both flaps and cut-outs to create a satisfying format.

Ever since Peter moved away (We Are Best Friends, 1982), he and his best friend Robert have kept in touch. Now that they’re together during Peter’s visit, the boys learn that while some things have changed, others, happily, have stayed the same.