Book Finder

Clearly organized instructions provide not only the know-how but ideas on how to make prints from easily found materials. As children craft their own artwork, they may just want to reread other books which use comparable techniques (such as Eric Carle). Also in the 1 2 3 series are the equally doable I Can Sculpt! and I Can Paint!

Full-color illustrations combine with clear instructions organized into four sections drawn from nature to present possible activities with generally easy-to-locate materials. Some activities are sophisticated, but children (with an adult) will find something to create in the great outdoors.

Dozens of how-to topics can be found in this browsable “instruction manual.” Easy-to-follow directions and helpful illustrations show you how to do things as varied as make your own lip gloss, eat with chop sticks, and juggle one-handed. The book opens with a disclaimer and reminds readers to use common sense at all times!

This book opens with a disclaimer and reminds readers to use common sense at all times — especially as boys consider doing things like skateboard “ollies,” fighting off a crocodile, or escaping quicksand. The book is fun and full of suggestions for real and absolutely outrageously undoable activities. Not just for boys!

Make a special card or gift that really stands out — or pops up, literally! Easy to follow instructions and ideas are generously illustrated to allow even the neophyte to make eye-catching pop-ups with easily found materials.

Each lively rhyme or riddle about everyday things actually asks a math question; some easy, some more difficult, all playfully involving addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Humorous spins on recognizable situations are enhanced by comical illustrations.

Many creatures have wings: birds, bats, insects. How these amazing appendages work and how they are used are presented with brief text and stunning collage illustrations for a memorable look at flight.

Science is all around! And summer is a great time to dip into it — especially when it’s presented with such energy. Just do some “navel gazing” and get the “lowdown on lint” or find out which is more common — the “innie” or “outie.” Information and experiments are playfully presented and illustrated.

The Whydah Galley was a real, fast-moving ship that was involved in 18th century slave trade, transporting people from Africa to the Caribbean until captured by pirates. How the Whydah and her treasures were discovered by underwater archaeologists is revealed in informal text and dramatic illustrations. Additional resources are included.

Information about the symbols, emblems, and gods from Ancient Egypt is included with step-by-step instructions on how to draw them. A guide to pronunciation and where to go for more information on Egyptian antiquities is also included.

Stunning watercolors evoke the height and breadth of New York City while a dramatic text relates the true story of a now-famous feathered resident, a hawk named Pale Male. The tension between the lifestyle of Pale Male and human residents as well as the fate of Pale Male’s mates and offspring create riveting reading.

People have kept old and interesting things for a long, long time — in fact, Princess Bel-Shati Nannar in 550 BC kept her collections in what she called a museum. Read about unusual and interesting collections housed in museums in this gripping, informative, and highly readable book.

Regardless of where they are found, mazes are amazing! Visit mazes that can be found around the world in this brief, informative, and intriguing look at these mysterious labyrinths.

A nearsighted greyhound? False teeth for an elephant? Strange-but-true animal stories on bright pages (with sources noted) make fascinating and entertaining reading, definitely proving that truth is stranger than fiction!

This fun, fact-filled glimpse at the states begins with a warning that many of the facts are “wacky and outrageous” but buckle up and join the romp! (Leominster, MA, was the birthplace of the plastic lawn flamingo, for example.) Factoids combine with humorous illustrations to engage travelers on the go!

Celebrate the birthday of the United States with food and fun while learning the history and meaning behind the various festivities. Elegant, crisp color photographs are sourced as is the information provided in this examination of an all-American day.

Manatees can grow to up to 13 feet long and weigh up to 3,000 pounds. They harm no other wildlife but are often victimized by human water traffic. These gentle mammals are distant relatives of the elephant but live in warm water. Arnosky’s illustrations and straightforward text provide an introduction to these gentle giants.

The wolfsnail is no ordinary slug. This snail eats meat, and other snails are the source. Full-color photographs give a close-up look at this fascinating, slightly gross creature. Additional information including the wolfsnail’s true size concludes this informative book on an unusual subject.

A full-color, close-up framed by black and a repeated text focuses the reader’s eye. Look closely. What do you see? Turn the page to discover an ochre sea star, sea anemone, a coastal rock, and more. Brief text and crisp photographs introduce children to a different way of seeing and looking.

Moving day for animals happens when seasons change or when a threat comes close. Lushly colored, textured paintings invite readers to look closely at the animals on moving day and in their homes. A bit of additional information about the animals concludes this fascinating book.

Dogs say “bow-wow” in English, “goo-ow” in Spanish, “wah-wah” in French, and “wan-wan” in Japanese. But no matter where the cow lives, it says “moo!” Bright, bold, playful illustrations introduce how animals sound in different languages.

John’s music began when he listened to the music in his childhood. Semi-abstract illustrations vivify sound-filled poetry, together introducing a boy who would grow up to become the great John Coltrane.

Colorful, cartoon-like illustrations clearly depict signs with mealtime meaning. From “eat” to “all done” (with more in between), the simple signs can easily be shared with young children to aid communication or just for a different way of sharing.

Count people and animals doing what they do on a Caribbean island. From one to ten, the rhyming text combines with brightly colored, child-like illustrations to produce the sense of place and people.