Book Finder

What can be more fun than playing in the snow with mom and dad? Coming home to a warm up with grandma! In his signature style, Hill’s spotted puppy in the snow is sure to surprise and satisfy the youngest child.

The entire family awaits the huge overnight snowfall predicted, dreaming of what they’ll do in it. They find a surprise when wake up, however: no snow! Realistic illustrations heighten the anticipation and make the resolution even more plausible — and understandable!

An entire snow family — including pets — has been created by textured collage illustrations in this playful celebration of winter. Seasonal facts finish up this engaging glimpse of snow — and may inspire young artists to collect and fashion their own snow images.

The conditions are just right for sledding after the snow-filled night as the two young pups find out. The lighthearted illustrations and simple text convey the joy of playing out in the snow on a cold, crisp winter day.

Each season of the year has its own special color and feeling. Summer, fall, winter, and spring are presented in rich, lyrical language accompanied by stylized illustrations that evoke something special about each.

A lyrical refrain repeats as each of the young asks its mother if it will snow tonight. No, is the answer, until one winter evening a mother answers in the affirmative. Poetic language and soft illustrations depict the changing season.

Five ducks ride on bicycles for an apple-picking adventure. The rhyming text and gentle illustrations create a playful, satisfying, everyday adventure.

Two children go outdoors to collect musical instruments for a joyful parade and are joined by friends. The children march, play, and sing to the delight of their families. Simple words in English and Spanish combine with soft illustrations for a satisfying story.

Lyrical questions and answers and textured collage illustrations introduce the Moon Bear and its seasonal habits. Additional information about this endangered animal is appended to add another dimension.

Each double page begins with a question, “Look very closely. What do you see?” and a partial photograph. A page turn provides the answer and the contextualized image as well as a bit more information about the rainforest plant or animal.

As Immi fishes through an ice hole, she finds a host of colorful objects beginning with a red bird. Each item ultimately decorates her igloo, introduces her to animal friends, and speaks to the power of imagination. At the end of the season, Immi sends her white bear into the hole; it is then found by a child on a tropical beach.

The rescue of a baby snow leopard named Leo found on a mountain in northern Pakistan is chronicled in handsome, well-captioned photographs and detailed text. The collaboration between Pakistan and the United States results in a new home for Leo and the possibility of new ways to help endangered animals.

Elsie and her father leave Boston to begin afresh after Elsie’s mother dies. Elsie takes with her a pet canary. It is Timmy Tune and a host of other animals that help Elsie turn “her house into a true prairie home.” Lyrical language and evocative watercolors tell a touching story.

A variety of animals are presented, beginning with “The Lion/[that]stands alone/on the grassy plain…” A large format supports the bold, open woodcut and watercolor illustrations and evocative poetry that will read aloud well.

Owen Jester finally captures the biggest frog in the world and names him Tooley Graham, but Owen has an even bigger secret — after hearing a crash in the night, he discovers that a two-passenger submarine that has fallen off a passing train.. What Owen and his buddies along with a know-it-all girl do with that secret creates a memorable adventure, deftly told.

Known for his close-up, full-color photographs of animals in the wild, Bishop turns his lens to a variety of lizards from around the globe. The informative, striking book demonstrates that “lizards lead lives that are full of surprises.”

Highly realistic illustrations and brief, lucid text introduce birds of prey that live in many different habitats. A glossary, additional information about the habitats depicted, and bibliography complete this informative, engaging introduction to raptors.

This look at one local farm presents a look at work on a farm raising food and animals while protecting the environment. Handsome photographs show the uniqueness of the seasons.

Fred and Belle take in a small turkey, naming him Buford. Thanks to Buford’s insect eating (and his droppings), Belle’s garden is the best around; that is, until wild turkeys join him on the small farm. Fred’s creativity humorously resolves the problem — maybe.

Earth’s recipe for the food we eat — seed, soil, and sun — are presented in crisp photographs and brief, lucid text all in a large format. Young scientists (and their adults) may be inspired to start their own seeds but observe their world more closely.

A large format is used for detailed, expressive illustrations to create a portrait of a contemporary farm. When combined with lyrical language, the changing seasons, information about planting and animals, and farm life are successfully presented.

A stick-figure boy enlivens his dreary town called Cementland when he discovers and plants a treasure. To protect it from robbers, he creates a scarecrow-like creature from various paraphernalia but winds up befriending the thieves. Hand-written text ideally complements the rich, active illustrations.

Billy has heard there is a hole in the ozone layer at the North Pole. With the help of a polar bear, he set out to try to repair the hole.

A child and her grandfather place a wooden box high in a tree near where they have seen owl pellets. As they watch from below, child and adult observe a white barn owl fly into the nest box, call for its mate, and ultimately raise its young. The engaging story is richly illustrated, enhanced by additional information provided in a different typeface.