Book Finder

Michael Shiner was born into slavery in Maryland but bought his freedom. He learned to read and write and thus detailed in his journal the history of Washington, DC.  Insightful and accessible, this is a well-documented and handsomely presented look at history.

An oak tree grows because an acorn falls to the ground; a bird nests in that tree, and so begins an environmental cycle. Small die-cuts in richly hued illustrations glimpse the next in the progression that accompanies a simple, straightforward text.

They live in prairies, they’re very important to the environment but these dogs wouldn’t make good pets. Meet prairie dogs in this handsomely illustrated, lively, and informative book told in a familiar cadence with music and additional resources included.

These thorough explorations of what dogs see, how and why they behave, and more is sure to engage both canine aficionados as well as young scientists. The narrative is lucid, clear and appealing. Index, additional resources, and table of content complete the package.

Experience the breadth and depth of Paul Laurence Dunbar’s poetry. From his childhood in poverty and his early promise as a poet through his struggles to find acceptance as a writer and his tumultuous romance with his wife, to his immense fame and his untimely death, Dunbar’s story is one of triumph and tragedy. But his legacy remains in his much-beloved poetry — told in both Standard English and in dialect — which continues to delight and inspire readers today.

Can thumbs really be green or feet like ice? The English language is filled with idioms, proverbs, metaphors, and similes that can be confusing. Many of them are explained here in text that provides the maxim comically illustrated. Altogether, this is fun to browse and to expand understanding of myriad sayings.

People have always been fascinated by the moon. Since Galileo, humans have walked on the moon, created stronger telescopes and more.  The historical and current examination of Earth’s closest neighbor is presented in a generously illustrated, very handsome, and comprehensible package.

Regardless of where they live, camouflage helps protect animals. Cut-paper collage and short poems introduce a variety of insects and animals that fly, swim, and live on land or in water.  Poetry is short, rhythmic, and appealing followed by additional information and further resources. 

Scientists thought the coelacanth had been extinct for about 65 million years when one was caught off the South African coast in 1938. This is a fascinating examination of “living fossils”, plants or animals that are close to their ancient relatives. Each is presented “then” and “now” in detailed, realistic paintings and readable text. Additional resources conclude this fascinating book.

Readers are invited to join a young writer “to walk on the page.” Part journal, part imaginative jaunt, the multimedia images and typeface which seems to have come from the typewriter (that is seen at the end) create a unique look at creativity and writing. 

Whether they’re fish or fungi, these creatures share the ability to create their own light or glow.  Most live in deep seas but some – like fireflies – are easily seen on land particularly at dusk. Two volumes present information about bioluminescent animals in amazing photographs and lucid text.

Why be afraid of the dark when there is so much to see? Whether it’s used to hunt, hide, find a friend, or escape an enemy, bioluminescence—the ability to glow—is a unique adaptation in nature. In this fun and fascinating nonfiction picture book, join world-renowned photographers and biologists on their close encounters with the curious creatures that make their own light.

Actual events and people from 19^th century Texas come to life in the Hale’s latest look at history. Humor and fact combine in image and word presented in comic book format. (Book 6 in Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales series)

Sometimes animal names are also verbs. See what happens when “Bats bat” or “Slugs slug” in each vivacious, double page spread. The definition of the verb is included for each pairing. Additional information (including etymology) on the animal names and verbs is appended.

“Each animal has its own special way of seeing.” Clear, close-up photographs of animals’ eyes and the question posed in the title are followed by more information about other animals. A variety of animals appear, from owls and pigeons to alligators and frogs. Information about the human eye concludes this fascinating look at ways of seeing.

What does jumping on a trampoline have to do with science? Lots, it turns out! The basic physics laws involved are presented in crisp, readable text and action-packed photographs. For readers interested in ecology, Arctic Food Chains (Pogo: Who Eats What?) by Rebecca Pettiford (Jump! 1620314274) is similarly formatted and quite interesting (with just a hint of blood in the photographs). Table of contents, index and additional resources for each title expands the use.

When a couple complains about pigeons in the park, two children in pigeon costumes come to give them the real story about pigeons. Done in an open comic book format, this easier-to-read book is sure to entertain as well as inform.

In this playful introduction to number values, readers are reminded that “Order is important in both words and numbers.” Cheerful monkeys, chefs from the Banana Café, host this exploration making place values from one to upwards of a trillion understandable and relatable. 

This brief introduction to two well-known U.S. Presidents presents similarities in their lives and presidencies on opposing pages. Illustrations are informative but cartoonish to suggest that this is a first look at these men.

A seafaring cook named Hanson Crockett Gregory is credited with inventing the sweet fried treats we know as doughnuts. Lighthearted, rounded illustrations combine with a humorous narrative to explore the fact and fiction of Hanson and his tasty innovation.

Loggerhead turtles are confused by artificial lights on the beach. A group of children work to turn them out so that turtle hatchlings can follow the moon to the sea. The story of how children became activists and can continue to contribute positively is engagingly presented.  Suggestions conclude this attractive, can-do book.

Sarah Roberts lived in Boston in 1847 but was prevented from attending school. While her family finally won the right for Sarah to go to the all-white school, the struggle for desegregation continued. This little-known story of one child’s impact on history is accessible in text and touching, realistic watercolor illustrations. Additional information is appended.

A colony of penguins, a pod of whales, a formation of rocks, and other groups of animate and inanimate things bring a lonely child to his own group. The joyful reunion creates a family. Stylized illustrations are rich with humor and liveliness, deserving of many readings.

Energetic illustrations depict a day in the life of animals on the African savanna. They lunge and trot, leap and scurry as they hunt and are hunted. The animals’ speeds are noted in a concluding note.