Book Finder

The significance and impact of Dr. King and why his birthday is celebrated is presented in a handsome package. Fluid text combines with stunning illustrations done in scratchboard and paint, to make a sometimes difficult subject accessible to younger children. Also available in Spanish.

Shake the shapes and what do you find? A host of triangles, squares, and more! What can you do with them? Make different things. Where can you see them? All around you! Geometric shapes in bold colors depict a cast of children finding, identifying, and playing with shapes — all to a rhythmic text.

Many trucks that are small have big jobs like ambulances or mail trucks. Others have different jobs like pick-ups, zambonis, and ice cream trucks. Readers who are intrigued by things that go will enjoy the full color photographs and brief explanation of the truck’s job, cleverly placed on sign-shaped backgrounds of different colors.

With the cadence, format, and appeal of the creators’ Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?, animals found in North America are introduced. From a rattlesnake to a mountain goat, children will delight in the rhythm and predictability of the text and the cadence of the illustrations.

Look! What is the large black spot on the red background? As the perspective moves farther away, it becomes clear that it is the spot on a ladybug. Several progressions start up close and move away to reveal the “hidden” subjects. A simple text accompanies each page. An endnote provides additional information about each.

Residents of the New York City apartment were divided when a red-tail hawk took up residence atop their building and started a family. Based on real events, the illustrated story of the hawk nicknamed Pale Male will inform and perhaps inspire urban dwellers to look up – and share space.

A familiar game focuses the reader’s eye on fine art, ranging from Picasso to Velaszquez — with much in between. A note entitled “I spied with my little eye,” provides the name of the piece and the collection from which it comes. This is a fine way to encourage looking closely at images everywhere.

Stunningly intricate, handsomely colored paper sculptures jump out with each turn of the page. Readers of all ages will spend time on each double page spread to answer the questions posed and to admire the amazing engineering used to create this handsome book.

Though born years and miles apart, the paths of two extraordinary women would one day cross briefly. The women, who are known now as Sojourner Truth and Harriet Tubman, would come to play a significant role in securing rights for African Americans. Stylized illustrations and brief text present the people, the period, and their encounter.

The latest edition of the Young Explorers atlas uses satellite images to help focus on various parts of the world and to build an understanding of continents, countries, and natural resources. This edition also suggests links to a dedicated website to extend the learning.

Stunning illustrations, recent photographs, and current information combine to present a compelling look at the various planets (including the dwarf planet Pluto), stars, and galactic mysteries. This authoritative presentation is by a well-known specialist in the field.

Conversations with families provide insight and information into how books are created and the intergenerational impact of illustrating and writing them. From the Rockwells, the Crews/Jonas family, the Pinkneys, the Myers’, and the Hurds — talent seems to run in the family!

Read about dogs with cat icons, and then turn the book over to learn about cats – with dog icons. Informative, informal text combines with textured collage illustrations for an intriguing and edifying look at these familiar animals.

From a sharecropper family, Althea Gibson went on to become a highly skilled tennis player and to break down the game’s racial barriers. Strong, varied illustrations accompany the lucid text to present a compelling portrait of a complex woman and accomplished athlete.

When first born, this small offspring of a circus bear was small enough to fit in one hand. Brought to the Berlin Zoo, Knut the baby polar bear went on to capture the hearts and imaginations of many people around the world. His story is told through full color photographs and gentle text.

Dragons are beautiful, powerful creatures that have immense appeal to the budding artist. This book not only gives drawing advice but also background information on a wide variety of dragons.

Seemingly simple shapes and primary colors are presented to illustrate, intrigue, and introduce how design elements come together to create images. This is as engaging and illuminating as Gonyea’s earlier Book About Design.

Ancient Egypt is established before the boy king, who has fascinated so many, begins his reign. Carefully crafted illustrations evoke the time and the place in which King Tutankhamen lived and ruled in traditional two-dimensional illustrations.

Ever wonder why Thanksgiving is celebrated or how certain foods came to be traditional? This and more is explained in lively language — carefully researched — and presented in an attractive package with hands-on activities for children.

What might the first Thanksgiving been like? Visit a recreation in photographs taken at the living museum, Plymouth Plantation (Massachusetts), accompanied by an informative narration in this attractive dramatization.

Aided by an army of beachcombers, oceanographer Dr. Curtis Ebbesmeyer tracks trash in the name of science. From sneakers to hockey gloves, Curt monitors the watery fate of human-made cargo that has spilled into the ocean. The information he collects is much more than casual news; it is important scientific data that is used to understand and protect our ocean.

This spy history features cool gadgets and the stories of famous spies, as well as the fictional spies we know through movies and books.

In comic-book format, biographical and statistical information is presented about some of today’s hottest basketball stars, including Allen Iverson, Kevin Garnett, and Tim Duncan. The comic format conveys the action, while also making this series highly appealing to reluctant readers.

Ancona’s thoughtful color photographs capture the spirit, movement, and the form of basic finger spelling used by the deaf (and by hearing children) as a group of kids go on an adventure to the zoo.