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After Little Lobo and his dog, Bernabe, finish breakfast, they load their wagon to deliver to the various merchants. While they deliver the goods, they take time to watch the dancing, smell the churros, and even draw stripes on the newly made “zonkey”. Humor abounds in the graphic tour of Mexican culture complete with Spanish words. A glossary concludes this cheery introduction to a country and its language.

A young soldier narrates the story of how he met a podgy pudgy dog soon named Stubby. Stubby and Corporal Conroy soon became inseparable friends and more; Stubby was adopted into Conroy’s regiment to become a heroic soldier in his own right. This true story of World War I is illustrated in light hues with gentle lines, accompanied by a straightforward text. An afterward includes a photo of Stubby and provides a bit of additional information.

Emily Warren was a bright girl who grew into a determined, intelligent, self-taught woman. After her husband, Washington Roebling, fell ill while building the Brooklyn Bridge, it was Emily who interpreted Washington’s drawings and carried out the plans over ten years. This is a fascinating examination of the iconic Brooklyn Bridge and the people and engineering behind it, revealed in spritely illustration and accessible language.

Millions of refrigerators, TVs, schools and stoplights can be powered by the energy held in one person’s pinky finger. So why can’t you power your toys? “… because your body needs all the energy it’s got.” This unique look at the human body’s systems and the energy required to run them is presented in accessible language and darkly hued, strong illustrations.

If you travel to the sea, consider the varied animals and sea creatures that live in the world’s oceans. Glimpse some of them on the oversized pages of this informative, beautifully illustrated emporium — a diverse undersea world teaming with life. If you take that trip to the sea, you might come across seashells. Have you ever wondered why there are so many different shapes? Explore this and find out who the shells’ residents may be in Seashells: More than a Home (opens in a new window) by Melissa Stewart, realistically illustrated by Sarah Brannen.

Short, readable entries each with a date, chronicle the first year of a bluebird as told by the newly hatched narrator. Information about bluebirds’ range appears on front endpapers while a glossary is placed on back endpapers. Dramatic illustrations show the dangers faced by the young bluebirds until the following June when A. Bluebird shows off the “my beautiful chicks!”

“Letters hold magic…they open worlds.” Playful and rich, powerful, giggling, bewitching words are all presented in different typefaces, playfully illustrated to evoke their command and enchantment. Sure to intrigue, try reading this aloud for full, dynamic effect. You’ll never look at the alphabet in quite the same way!

A girl gazes out a window, staring at the nighttime sky. From early times, people like Lucretius, Teng Mu, Giordano Bruno and Christiaan Huygens believed that other worlds exist. When the young girl and her family visit a museum, she too wonders, and later continues to look out at the nighttime sky. Realistic illustrations effectively combine with the accessible, informative text.

There are forests all over the world including many National Parks in the United States. There are kelp forests, rainforests, and forests of mangrove. Each is home to unique animals, sometimes people, and occasionally forest mythology. Explore these and more as each page uncovers what may be seen when the canopy is pulled back. Concrete suggestions on protecting and preserving these environments conclude this lushly illustrated volume

There are approximately 5000 species found world over (with the exception of Antarctica), in different sizes, many shapes and in various colors. Open the pages of this lushly illustrated book to meet some of the frogs from around the world, many of which are now threatened. Handsomely crafted and presented, dip in or read cover-to-cover, these frogs will remain with readers long after the covers are closed.

A boy insists that they not leave until the whale accidentally caught in their fishing net is extricated. No words are needed as the tale is revealed in dramatic illustrations from various perspectives. The author cautions readers that this is more fable rather than a realistic portrait but effectively conveys the whale’s struggle and one child’s empathetic response to it.

You may not have heard of Edwin Binney but chances are you’ve used his invention: Crayola crayons. Binney’s determination to come up with ways for children to create and draw with non-dusty color led to the invention. His life and legacy (and even how the name Crayola was crafted) makes a memorable story. Illustrated in color and brought right up to contemporary crayon making, this is a fascinating and well documented look at one man’s continuing legacy.

The sea turtle, pufferfish, octopus and other sea creatures do what they do; crab bakes cakes. One day, however, there’s a huge splash and sunshine no longer reaches the bottom; crab bakes a cake. Fortified by cake, the sea critters turn the tide on polluters in a droll, dramatic, and effective tale told with visual elements of a graphic novel. Final resources include links to information about oceans and pollution.

Words and image combine on open pages encouraging readers to voice thirteen poems in two voices while learning about the critters introduced. Familiar animals populate each handsome, realistically illustrated page with color-coded poems (to facilitate reading together). “Nature’s Notes” are included for additional factual information about animals and their sounds.

What happens when the bees buzz off? Who will pollinate? Where could they have gone? Follow brave bugs as they work to bring the bees back. Clues and the occasional bee are hidden beneath flaps on each sturdy page. This playful story has a satisfying conclusion and is infused with information about bees and more.

Bespectacled Sweety was different from others, even other naked mole rats. Sweety’s Aunt Ruth helps her niece discover what she  most enjoys and develop the confidence to share it. An understated text and comical line and wash illustrations present an awkward but endearing group of rodents sure to dance their way into readers’ hearts and thoughts.

Not all of the residents on Deckawoo Drive were thrilled when a small piglet wound up on their street. Happily, however, this small creature found the way into the hearts of the Watsons and became the toast-eating toast of Deckawoo Drive. How Mercy Watson came to become part of the family and community is a worthy prequel to those who have read or will read the early chapter books by the same author/illustrator team. Nonetheless, t is strong, handsomely illustrated tale in its own right.

As in her other books, the author presents counting from one to ten (in numerals as well as Spanish and English words) in the context of a fiesta! Colorful illustrations and rhyming text create a dynamic book to share aloud and perhaps inspire a party!

Soon after a small pig starts a bath (“oink!”), there’s an insistent “knock, knock” on the door. Gradually, poor pig is joined by sheep (“Maa!}, cow (“Moo!”) and more. Then one-by-one all of the animals leave pig alone for a peaceful bath. The humor in this nearly wordless book is conveyed by understated line and wash illustrations sure to elicit laughs and language from readers.

Two children — one from New York City, the other from Mexico City — express concern about moving to a new place. Spritely, detailed illustrations visually convey the many similarities between the children’s interests and the places to which they are moving. Notable places in both cities (e.g., Lincoln Center, the Palacio de Belles Artes) conclude this encouraging look at similarities among people. The Spanish edition, Un nuevo hogar (opens in a new window), is also available.

Rich, active verbs challenge readers to swoop, scoop, “dip your dewlap”, and more just like the lizards of varying sizes and colors that are depicted. Text swirls throughout each attractive, informative page. Additional information about the lizards presented concludes the book, sure to inspire movement, language, and further investigation of reptiles.

Leila discovers a bit more about herself and her family during their weekly dinner with Leila’s grandmother. She discovers that the color saffron really does look good on her and that she is part of a loving family. Bold, bright illustrations capture the colors of the Middle Eastern family, glimpsing their diverse community.

Home is many things including a “little bit of green, a corner, and a chair.” And home is all that you miss when you move. But the most important thing about home is “the people gathered near.” Warm illustrations use bold shape on open pages in this lyrical presentation of one family’s moving story.

Water can be found almost everywhere and in many different forms. Clear, colorful, and well placed illustrations combine with crisp language to describe water from a tear to fog, from rain to an iceberg. This handsome introduction may inspire even the youngest reader to further explore a liquid that is often taken for granted.