Book Finder

Have you ever dreamed of being an astronaut? Wondered what it might be like to see the sun set sixteen times in one day? Open this book and be transported on an information-packed voyage aboard the space shuttle.

Bessie Coleman grew up picking cotton in Texas, but she aimed high — soaring into history as the first African American woman aviator. Her riveting story is told in inviting, rhythmic language and engaging illustration.

The Festival of Lights, or Hanukkah, celebrates the rededication of the Jewish temple after a group of ancient heroes defended their right to worship as they wished. This handsome little counting book honors the most joyful of Jewish holidays, and teaches readers how to count from one to eight in English, Hebrew, and Yiddish.

Lou Gehrig played 2130 consecutive games for the Yankees (a record that stood until Cal Ripkin many years later). His story as a baseball great is told simply and with humility, reflecting the man himself. As his health deteriorated, Gehrig gave his farewell to a filled Yankee Stadium, declaring he was indeed the “luckiest man on the face of the earth.”

This beautifully written book, illustrated by four-time Caldecott Honor recipient Jerry Pinkney, makes the story of Harriet Tubman’s childhood accessible to very young readers. As a young slave nicknamed Minty, Harriet Tubman was a feisty and stubborn girl with a dream of escape, and a rebellious spirit that often got her into trouble. Pinkney’s expressive illustrations bring every emotion to brilliant life – from troubled sorrow to spirited hope for freedom.

“When I was twelve years old, I knew what I wanted — to be an artist.” So begins this lovely picture-book portrait of American artist Georgia O’Keeffe.

Written by the children in Oklahoma City, this book captures the fear, sadness, and confusion they experienced as they heard about the 1995 bombing of the Federal Building, and the strategies they used to begin the healing process.

A portrait of a true American sports hero, Jackie Robinson, who was the first African American to play on a major league baseball team.

In 1802, when Champollion was eleven years old, he vowed to be the first person to read Egypt’s ancient hieroglyphs. He faced great challenges over the next twenty years as he searched for the elusive key to the mysterious writing.

Much has been written about the vast scientific importance of space exploration, but very little about the human side of being a member of an astronaut crew. In this book, with the help of journalist Susan Okie, Sally Ride shares the personal experience of traveling into space. America’s first woman astronaut answers questions most frequently asked about a journey through space.

Join the crew and find out how rockets, probes, telescopes, and space shuttles work! Illustrations and text introduces young readers to the amazing variety of spaceships past, present, and ready to blast off into the future.

Habari gani? What news? Synthia Saint James presents the language and origins of Kwanzaa with enticing writing and bold pictures that honor the people and colors of Africa.

Ms. Frizzle, an unflappable science teacher, drives the magical school bus into a cloud where the children shrink to the size of water droplets and follow the course of water through the city’s waterworks system.

Young stargazers learn about different star colors and brightness, how to locate major constellations, and how to make mini-planetariums by using coffee cans and flashlights.

Exploring its history, geography, climate, and culture, this unique book takes readers on the ultimate adventure of climbing Mount Everest.

Every year the narrator and his family take a trip down to Cottondale, Florida, to visit his grandmother, Bigmama. This autobiographical story recalls the joys of summer and the contrast between the author’s life in the city and Bigmama’s lush, rural home. While the illustrations suggest it was a period of segregation, this thought never overpowers the carefree summer celebration.

The basics of the events that led up to the Boston Tea Party in 1773 are revealed gradually, building through the familiar cadence of “The House That Jack Built.” Rhyming text and realistic illustrations successfully introduce the event that preceded the Revolutionary War. Small Colonial and English mice appear on each page, adding humor and a touch of information to this otherwise straightforward, clearly illustrated historical book.

Some dinosaurs have long necks, some have long tails. Some dinosaurs are large, some are quite small. All are introduced in broad, simple shapes and bright colors with a minimum of text to create a non-threatening introduction to a broadly appealing subject.

The large format of this book is perfect for the theatrical, sometimes spectacular, full color illustrations of the larger-than-life dinosaurs of yesteryear. The brief but informative text adds to the drama.

Full-color photographs on well-composed pages introduce a multicultural cast of kids. Each child expresses what he or she is thankful for — from family and friends to a pet mouse — in this handsome and useful book.

In simple text and crisp, clear color photographs, grandparents of all sizes, shapes, ages, and abilities are shown. This attractive book introduces the idea that each of us is different but still have much in common.

Martin Luther King Jr. grew up fascinated by big words. He would later go on to use these words to inspire a nation and call people to action. In this award-winning book, powerful portraits of King show how he used words, not weapons, to fight injustice.

Ever wonder why popcorn pops? When did it become a favorite food? With humor and verve in text and illustration, dePaola presents scientific and historical information about popcorn in this delectable book.

The famous civil rights activist Rosa Parks has simplified her autobiography for young readers in this Puffin Easy to Read book. She describes how she was arrested for not giving up her bus seat and shows that her personal role was part of a wider political struggle.