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Math is all around when the Bird brothers, Woody, Willy, Wilmer, Wendell and Walter compete at games, eat hot dogs, and ride the Ferris wheel at a carnival. Comic illustrations combine with words and numerals to highlight the brothers’ alliterative tale while illuminating basic math concepts.

A boy recalls when he was “frightened by numbers” with an “allergic reaction/to multiplication  … addition … subtraction.” The narrator ultimately diminishes his fear and the creepy clown-like monster when he realizes how important and fun math can be. Richly-hued illustrations for this cautionary tale are oversized, sitting atop the rhyming text.

Zebra wants to create a traditional counting book but his buddy, Musk Ox, is not cooperating at all! Instead, Musk Ox adds and subtracts animals, much to Zebra’s chagrin but sure to delight readers while challenging their counting and visual acuity! This is a worthy and equally funny companion to A is for Musk Ox (Roaring Brook, 2012).

Math is not only all around but everyday goings-on make thinking mathematically fun. Activities of varying difficulty (wee ones, little kids, big kids) use the familiar — from dogs to ketchup — to present intriguing math questions to solve, all humorously illustrated. Answers are discreetly placed on each page with additional information for adults at the end.

The strength of Spiderman’s web wasn’t far from reality. Biologist Randy Lewis’ work proves it. A highly readable text and captivating photographs make a complicated topic, related issues, and current research understandable for sophisticated readers of all ages.

Meet a panda, moon bear, sloth bear, sun bear, and other kinds (plus a teddy bear) in simple rhyming text and gentle illustrations. Bear facts and where to find additional information conclude this easy informational picture book.

Mexico’s culture, history, and spirit are revealed through The Foods, The Fiestas, The Folk Arts, The Past, and The People. Each volume — whether focusing on food or art, ancient beginnings, or current conflicts — captures the many flavors and traditions of the land and its people.

Kenya is looking for a favorite song to share with her class. She and her father attend a Caribbean music festival in search of it — but Kenya doesn’t find it there. Instead, she creates an original song that celebrates everyone’s music! Realistic illustrations suggest Kenya’s glimpse into other cultures and her own creativity.

In the rainforest of Sumatra, a baby orangutan is born. Photographs chronicle her life with mother and the baby’s growth. At about five years old, the baby is old enough to live independently though she still occasionally sees her mother. Brief general information about orangutans concludes this accessible photo essay.

Can the advice of a paper finger puppet of Yoda on weird Dwight’s hand provide the advice needed by Tommy and other 6th graders? Tommy makes his case in this fast, funny, and first of the Origami Yoda books.

With Dwight away, things are changing at McQuarrie Middle School especially when the Fortune Wookiee (what was once known as a “cootie catcher”) appears on the scene to answer the girls’ questions. This third installment in the Origami Yoda series is sure to please.

When his nemesis makes an origami Darth Vader, chaos ensues. Dwight gets kicked out of school and sent to a school for bad broods! Humor abounds in this silly but satisfying saga that combines parody of popular figures with comedy.

There’s always something to do outside regardless of the weather. A range of activities are presented through short descriptions and photographs with notation to indicate if the activity can be done independently or if adult help is needed. Some are messy, all are doable.

Terry and Andy are friends who live in a huge tree house complete with a bowling alley, game room, laboratory, and much more all of which lead to fantastic, funny adventures. Comic cartoon illustrations vary the format which ranges from traditional to comic book.

Stink is still afraid to put his head underwater so fears he’ll remain a “polliwog”. When frogs start to appear everywhere, however, Stink learns about them, what’s really going on, and learns to swim! The latest installment about Judy Moody’s little brother is sure to please.

Dani has a happy life but as do all lives, hers is filled with ups and downs. Short, lyrical chapters and expressive black line drawings present Dani, her trepidation about starting school, finding a friend and having her move away, even revealing her mother’s death all told with warm charm.

Meet Kelsey Green, extraordinary 3rd grade reader, maybe even the best. When her school begins a reading competition, Kelsey discovers what’s most important about reading and about readers. This is the first installment in a new series, “Franklin School Friends”.

The original form of poetry (introduced in Mirror Mirror (opens in a new window)) is again used to present different perspectives on the same topic. Characters large and small — from the Emperor in a birthday suit to tiny Thumbelina — a clever form and lush illustrations bring well known characters into focus.

Friends Meera, Karl, and Gemma with a little help from the farmer solve the mystery of missing sheep and turkeys returning them to the Silver Street farm. Animal tracks and tracking plus interesting characters create a quick paced, funny, easier to read mystery.

Bramble is a stubborn mare who becomes lonely when Maggie attends school. This makes Mr. Dingle’s garden even more appealing. The resolution of the dilemma is gently humorous as are the abundant, expressive illustrations throughout this early chapter book.

Friends Bink and Gollie are very different but they have fun together — even when one of them behaves peculiarly. In three vignettes, Gollie assumes a royal role, Bink tries to get taller, and together they start a memorable collection. Comic illustrations add to the fun of the short text.

Benign-looking, cheerful creatures love playing with color as they lend red, blue, and yellow to make new colors for gray monsters. Energetic lines and lively language swirl and dance across the pages of this spirited homage to color and creativity.