Book Finder

Several colorful letters are together on a playground. Because they are different (one is too round, another comes from the wrong side of the alphabet), they learn to come together in a very satisfying way. Bold graphic design and limited text create a memorable and easy-to-digest story of acceptance.

Three animals ask the strange creature who drags a large suitcase into their midst what it contains. As he rests, they are humbled by what they learn. This accessible story, simply illustrated, is gently told and sure to evoke a range of emotions in readers — including the importance of treating newcomers with kindness.

A family of mechanical parts greets its newest member, baby Flange. Intricate illustrations and a lot of humor (especially for savvy readers) reminds us that a new child is always a happy event.

Energetic illustrations capture the cheerful and productive frenzy in a community kitchen as a diverse group comes together to prepare a meal. The tale is told in rhyming text which is enhanced by conversation bubbles from the team working together.

Children may see themselves and how they treat a favorite toy in this book. Narrated by a slightly grumpy and overly handled teddy bear named Louis, expressive illustrations and understated humor may make children think about how they treat their toys that love them, nonetheless.

A kitten’s play is temporarily halted with a bump and thump down some stairs. The comforting mother, however, makes sure all is well and soon the animated play begins again. Jaunty illustrations and alliterative language create a memorable play day.

In the young narrator’s home, “two worlds become one.” Her family is “a mix of dos cultures…”, one Spanish speaking, the other English. Together the family joyfully prepares to celebrate a birthday. Colorful, child-like illustrations and a straightforward narration present a bicultural family.

Even though these amphibian friends turned 50 this year, they’re as fresh, fun, and satisfying as when they first appeared. In this commemorative edition, information about the Caldecott Honor book author/illustrator is included, sure to delight readers new and old.

Few words are needed as a small penguin is separated from his group on an ice floe but soon delights in his changing surroundings. After traveling around the globe, the penguin returns home. Expressive illustration presents changing scenery and changing emotions.

Young Amadou’s enthusiasm for a class field trip to the zoo cannot be dampened by rules. Instead, his imaginative exploration adds color and joy for the teacher and children alike.

A tadpole, a snail, a squirrel and other creatures each ask, “who is my daddy?” The reader then must decide which of 4 choices, but another page turn pictures the adult critter with its offspring. Colorful, child-like, and slightly abstract illustrations are presented on sturdy pages.

Limited colors and simple shapes encourage young readers to see a flower, a lion, and a sun. Each two-page chapter brilliantly introduces a tale that calls on imagination and encourages reader participation.

Make getting ready for bed an adventure with familiar creatures as young children try to guess who (or what) they will find. With a lift of each sturdy flap, the hidden answers are found.

This rollicking barnyard show is filled with funny animals, a scarecrow host, and lots of lively language — just right for a joyous reading aloud. The repetition is sure to encourage participation as the silliness builds along with each rhyme.

Opening in the summer of 1847, this story follows an Ojibwe family through four seasons; it focuses on young Omakayas, who turns “eight winters old” during the course of the novel. In nearly step-by-step details, the story describes how they build a summer home out of birchbark, gather with extended family to harvest rice in the autumn, treat an attack of smallpox during the winter, and make maple syrup in the spring to stock their own larder and to sell to others.

Isaac, a Choctaw boy, tells the story of his tribe’s removal from their Mississippi homeland, and how the exodus to the American West (on the Trail of Tears) led him to become a ghost — one able to help those left behind. His traveling companions include a tough-minded teenage girl, a shape-shifting panther boy, a lovable five-year-old ghost who only wants her mom and dad to be happy, and Isaac’s talking dog, Jumper. (Book 1 in a 3-part series)

Seamlessly integrating Lakota history and oral tradition, the author (of the Brulé Lakota tribe) takes readers along for a road trip with Jimmy and his maternal grandfather as they embark on a “vision journey,” visiting famous landmarks, monuments, and landscapes integral to the life of the great warrior and leader Crazy Horse. Jimmy, a young Lakota boy, struggles with fitting in on his reservation because he does not look like the other Lakota boys; he has light hair, blue eyes, and his father is of Scottish decent. Grandpa Nyles introduces Jimmy to another Lakota who had fair hair and light skin — the famous Crazy Horse. Over the course of their trip, Grandpa Nyles recounts history and stories about the life of the Lakota hero and the events that shaped him into a powerful leader, including famous battles and standoffs against the white settlers.

The story of a girl who uncovers her family’s secrets — and finds her own Native American identity. The author, a member of the Upper Skagit tribe, handles issues surrounding identity, loss of culture, adoption, and family separation with insight. The novel looks at historical truths about how Native Americans have been treated throughout U.S. history.

When Uncle and Windy Girl and Itchy Boy attend a powwow, Windy watches the dancers in their jingle dresses and listens to the singers. She eats tasty food and joins family and friends around the campfire. Later, Windy falls asleep under the stars. Now Uncle’s stories inspire other visions in her head: a bowwow powwow, where all the dancers are dogs. This playful story is accompanied by a companion retelling in Ojibwe.

When a young girl moves from the country to a small town, she feels lonely and out of place. But soon she meets an elderly woman next door, who shares her love of arts and crafts. Can the girl navigate the changing seasons and failing health of her new friend? Cree-Métis words (defined in a small glossary) add an intimate layer of identity to the child’s narration.

One night, a beautiful show of lights fills the sky. Niigaanii explains to his younger brother, Bineshiinh that the northern lights are the spirits of the relatives who have passed on, including their beloved grandmother Nooko. The boys imagine different relatives dancing, lighting up the sky with their graceful movements. There are so many stars and so many stories that the boys spend night after night making sense of patterns and wisdom in “the forever sky.”

Rich in folklore and local culture, this graphic novel aimed at emergent readers offers a window into the world of Arctic First Nations families and legends. The two protagonists have a typical sibling dynamic as younger brother Putuguq tags along and annoys his older sister Kublu. On the way to meet a friend near the ocean, the duo run into their grandfather. He warns them to steer clear of the shoreline, lest they become victims of the Qalupalik, a nightmarish, mermaidlike creature who captures those who wander too close to the water. A map orienting readers to Putuguq and Kublu’s snow-covered village showcases an array of homes on stilts, many with snowmobiles (and sled dogs) outside.

Bilingual in English and Cree, this story of the far north follows a family of four that has a spiritual connection to the caribou of the land. One brother, Joe, plays the accordion (a kitoochigan) and sings while the other, Cody, dances. On a magical day, all of nature aligns and ten thousand caribou come when the boys call. Though the stampede is strong, Cody and Joe emerge from the experience unharmed.

Jabari is definitely ready to jump off the diving board. He’s finished his swimming lessons and passed his swim test, and he’s a great jumper, so he’s not scared at all. “Looks easy,” says Jabari, watching the other kids take their turns. But when his dad squeezes his hand, Jabari squeezes back. This simple tale about overcoming your fears captures a moment between a patient and encouraging father and a determined little boy.