Book Finder

When Emily Post’s book of etiquette enters the young narrator’s house, his mother uses it to limit her children’s behavior; that is, until the children remind their mother of her Post transgressions. Characters from Emily Post’s book (such as Mrs. Worldly) reveal that even Emily misbehaved sometimes in this playful introduction to etiquette, family, and the early 20th century.

Thomas (aka Gib) Gilbert’s aunt, Emily Dickinson, gave him a poem and a dead bee to share in school. Because no one understands it, Gib defends his aunt (who jokingly tells him to call her “uncle”) and gets into a fight. Gib learns, however, to tell the truth, “but tell it slant…” This engaging glimpse of a poet and her family is based on actual events revealed in free verse and delicate illustration.

Try as they might, Cow, Duck, Dog, and Cat just cannot come up with how to stop the baby from crying. With humor and verve, the animals’ efforts ultimately exhaust them — and a smiling baby watches them sleep. Repetition, humor, and lots of opportunity for participation are sure to delight even the youngest child.

Readers are invited to touch, smell, and play games with Paul and Judy with each turn of sturdy, tactile pages. The original “touch and feel” book has an ageless quality due to simplicity in tone, text, and illustration.

Elegant illustrations decorate this free verse retelling of the young woman whose curiosity about the contents of a forbidden jar brought trouble into the world. A large format and limited text make this sophisticated telling more accessible.

When Max invades his sister’s private space, Ruby tells him the story of what happened long ago to another too-curious character named Pandora. Wells’ retelling and humorous illustrations make the ancient Greek myth a timely tale for contemporary readers.

In this installment of friends known as the Time Warp Trio, Joe, Fred, and Sam meet key figures from ancient Greek mythology when they’re transported back to Mount Olympus. It all started during a school play about ancient Greece…

Brief retellings of Greek myths and a brief introduction to the gods and goddesses are presented in this thin, attractive volume. Though not as comprehensive as the d’Aulaires book, this is a useful beginning point.

This richly illustrated, clearly presented look at Greek mythology begins with the first children of Mother Earth, the Titans, to the end of the Greek gods and goddesses’ reign. Similarly, this husband/wife duo introduces younger readers to the mythology of the north in D’Aulaires’ Book of Norse Myths.

Just like the golden touch of King Midas of the old Greek myth, young John Midas’ greed about candy turns sweet into bitter when he magically gains the ability to turn everything he touches into chocolate. This very funny take on an old tale is a classic in its own right and makes clear the Midas moral.

The essence of Homer’s Iliad is captured by Sutcliff’s rich language combined with dramatic watercolor illustrations. The same team also presents Homer’s other well known epic tale in The Wanderings of Odysseus: The Story of the Odyssey. These retellings present the entire stories that involve the gods and goddesses and their impact on humans. They are fast-paced, sometimes grisly tales that together make fine stories for more sophisticated readers.

Why there are seasons, how trouble came into the world, and more stories about nature and human beings are eloquently retold through the stories of Pandora, Persephone, Orpheus, Pygmalion, Narcissus, and Psyche. Delicate illustrations and rich language make these myths — and the characterization of the Greek gods and goddesses — just right to read aloud to sophisticated listeners.

Bright, boldly colored illustrations depict how young animals prepare to play outdoor winter games and sports. This basic, primarily visual introduction will serve as a simple introduction to lesser and well-known outdoor activities.

Snow has a different impact on those who experience it. This lyrical celebration of snow and related activities allows readers to experience it in many ways, from seeing trees anew or getting out cavorting in it told in poetic language and evocative illustrations.

Have you ever wondered why the leopard has spots or why a spider has a big butt? This collection of six stories uses African folklore and storytelling techniques to explain natural phenomena.

This is not the Tooth Fairy of old; this tooth fairy defies old conceptions of the work, and how this spunky character gets around (actually by way of turbo-charged surfboard). Fast and funny, the Tooth Fairy here will knock down any spritely misconceptions as she tickles the funny bone.

Dr. Flossman welcomes his class of incisors, canines, etc. (appropriately for each of the typical mouth’s 32 teeth), providing actual information in a wacky, slightly abstract combination of art and story.

Junie B. worries about her loose tooth. If she’s the first in her class to lose a tooth, will she appear different, weird? It’s inevitable that Junie B.’s tooth comes out and when it does, she sets out to learn what the Tooth Fairy does with all of those teeth. The answer is, of course, addressed in Junie B.’s signature, amusing style!

Fluffy, the class pet guinea pig wants to lose a tooth to meet the tooth fairy but then learns that guinea pigs don’t lose teeth; rather they gnaw to wear them down. When he goes home with one of the kids, however, Fluffy manages to meet the Tooth Fairy after all! Light and playful, this is sure to engage newly independent readers.

Because Holly is reluctant to give up her newly fallen out tooth, she starts to correspond with the Tooth Fairy, asking questions that trouble many children (such as what happens to the teeth). The Tooth Fairy responds to all questions in this elegantly illustrated book.

DW’s plot to fool the tooth fairy doesn’t work so Arthur, her brother of tooth-losing age, assumes a magical role himself. This easier-to-read book is just right for new readers and has stickers intended to reinforce vocabulary.

In a happy but chaotic home, the bunnies had had a big day and a hard night — and Mama loved them throughout. As a tired Mama sits down at last, her dad comes in to reassure her that no matter how old children get, a parent’s love continues. Small, detailed, line and wash illustrations complement this warm, comforting story.

Young animals are fussy, messy, pouting, and more — but still each “Mama loves her” little one. Gentle rhymes reassure the young that no matter how they behave or what they look like, Mama always loves them, reinforced as the human mother embraces her young son. Warm-toned watercolors enhance the rhythmic, rhyming text.

The special place in fathers’ hearts for their children is celebrated in this warmly illustrated, wise book. Rich language describes each animal dad’s prediction of their child’s growing up until a human father is pictured embracing an infant. This is as appealing as the author/illustrator’s I Love You as Much.