Book Finder

Wangari Maathai’s native Kenya was a changed land, literally blowing away because its trees and growth had been destroyed. Rather than complain, she started a reforestation effort for which she was the first African woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. Handsome illustrations combine with crisp text to tell the story of one person’s impact.

Dick King-Smith is not only a writer but a pig farmer. His deep knowledge and sincere affection for these creatures is contagious in the engaging text and illustrations. The accompanying audio includes a read along, audio of the book, and facts about pigs.

This book of miscellany is a browsers’ paradise. Using photography, illustration, and a busy layout, the authors offer information on range of subjects-love, bugs, fights, dancing, you name it.

Sophisticated young scientists will enjoy dipping in and out of this funny but edifying compendium of science. Topics range from paleontology to astronomy with lots of ways to get involved (some requiring adult help). The comic format and brief information are appealing and sure to amaze and engage.

Take a walk outdoors with the popular mouse, Maisy. Help Maisy find a duckling, a bee inside a flower, and more as young hands pull sturdy tabs to reveal the hidden treasure, guided by short text which also encourages children to look for additional related things on each double-page spread.

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.

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.

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.

As two children and their fathers explore a stream and its natural riches, a straightforward text explains how trout are made of trees — just like the bears and people who catch and eat the trout. Warmly hued, textured collages illuminate a down-to-earth, understandable story of a stream habitat.

A child imagines being like the wind: playing with hats and leaves, zooming and racing throughout the country and city until she becomes a gentle breeze. Evocative language combines with suggestive illustrations in this breezy book.

What is “…a quiet crib, …a bobbing boat, …breakfast, lunch and dinner”? An egg, of course. Many types of eggs from insects, reptiles, and even mammals, in various environments are introduced in crisp text and clear illustration in this handsome, informative book.

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.

Caroline doesn’t see much of the name of their new street, Meadowview, as she and her family move to their new suburban neighborhood. When she saves a single flower from the lawn mower, she starts to change not only her backyard but ultimately the entire neighborhood. Soft illustrations and understated text convey story and an important concept.

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.

Short rhymes provide accurate glimpses at heavenly bodies, even noting Pluto’s new status. Each poem is accompanied by colorful, evocative illustrations. Additional information about the topic of each poem concludes this handsome volume.

Lonely and isolated, Lucy and Ezra build a robot that comes alive to become the Robot King. The Robot King leads the children on a fantastic, almost surreal adventure until the children return home when they see their father. Handsome illustrations make a complicated tale become tangible and real.

Image and text combine in a unique presentation to tell the story of an orphan boy who lives between the walls of a Paris train station and repairs its clocks. Monochromatic illustrations change perspective and move in and out, and alternate with text to tell this mysterious, breathtaking, and riveting tale. Winner of the 2008 Caldecott Medal. (2008 Caldecott Medal Winner)

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.

Readers explore a coral reef with a snorkeling young swimmer and see what she sees as she views a tropical reef. Inviting language and crisp, full color illustrations depict coral reefs and the plants and animals that live in and around them.

Moon Shadow joins his father, traveling from China to San Francisco in the early 20th century. Together father and son confront harsh prejudice as well as kindness, and ultimately follow a dream to build a flying machine in this Newbery Honor novel.

This introduction to the life and work of inventor, statesman and printer Benjamin Franklin is presented in straightforward text and detailed illustrations