Book Finder

Stillwater, a large panda, tells each child a story that illustrates a principle of Zen. Although the tales will captivate children, adults may recognize the philosophy imbedded in them. Delicate, handsome illustrations capture the mood and flow of the stories.

Calling the Doves is poet Juan Felipe Herrera’s story of his migrant farmworker childhood. In delightful and lyrical language, he recreates the joy of eating breakfast under the open sky, listening to Mexican songs in the little trailer house his father built, and celebrating with other families at a fiesta in the mountains. He remembers his mother singing songs and reciting poetry, and his father telling stories and calling the doves.

When Ada Ruth’s mother goes to Chicago for a much-needed job during World War II, Ada Ruth stays with her grandmother in Grandma’s rural home. Being apart is tough even though Ada Ruth knows it is in response to the war. Words and illustration combine to present a stirring portrait of longing, family, and love until mother and child are reunited.

A predictable rhyme leads from one baby animal to another until a child and his mama kiss “in the honey-sunny day, in the bright and breezy air.” The lively language uses lots of onomatopoeia and soft illustrations that are just right for sharing aloud.

Recognizable sibling relationships and associated emotions come alive in dynamic poems and realistic watercolor illustrations. As irritating as brothers and sisters can be, “…I’d rather have them, than not.”

A girl and her mom want to have a sweet treat on a hot day but cannot sit at the soda fountain simply because they are “colored.” Impressionistic paintings soften the harshness of the story of segregation in the South during a turbulent time.

The Civil War and the soldiers in Washington, D.C., infiltrated the play of Tad and Willie on the grounds of the White House. And their father still takes time to pardon one of the boy’s toy soldiers!

The voices of Abraham Lincoln’s sons, Willie and Tad, are used effectively to reveal their father as both a man and as a leader during very difficult times.

Moxy tends to put off things that she considers a chore — so writing thank you notes for Christmas presents is definitely something to avoid. Readers of all ages are likely to see themselves in this satisfying novel.

Annie’s grandfather letters to her started when she was born and continues as Annie grows. The loving relationship and Annie’s increasing maturity is chronicled in this attractive and engaging book.

Chubby cheeked babies of many hues are shown in crisp illustrations doing things that babies do. The simple words are playful and energetic, just like the children in this and others by Oxenbury such as Clap Hands and All Fall Down.

Early on, toddlers can discover princesses and like to be treated as royalty. This is definitely true for the round-faced baby who with her sparkly crown and shoes doesn’t understand why her loving parents call her silly names like cupcake. The humor is for the adults, the book is for young princesses everywhere.

A cheerful child gets ready for bed, playing and saying “Peekaboo! I see…” until at last, ready for bed, the child sees “you!” This companion to Peekaboo Morning (opens in a new window) features the same child but stands alone.

His mother loves her chick unconditionally; she can lose her temper when requests for quiet go unheeded. Little Chick realizes that even though they get mad, parents and kids always love each other. Large, comic illustrations enhance the wit of the presentation.

Lily feels like she can’t contribute to the family fund to help her sister Eubie’s college fund. When Lily finds a way to help, her joy is conveyed through handsome, realistic illustrations and Lily’s exuberant narration.

Ruby and her friend sell lemonade in order to buy matching rings. When Max’s help is rebuffed, he sells leftover Halloween candy to Grandma in time to buy the last ring. Good-natured competition and lots of humor make this another Max and Ruby winner.

Annabelle and her friend, Tiffany — both dolls come to life — soon learn that running way for any reason is full of pitfalls. The dolls’ third adventure (The Doll People (opens in a new window) and The Meanest Doll in the World (opens in a new window)) is illustrated cinematically by a Caldecott Medalist.

Fourth grader Donovan (introduced in Donovan’s Word Jar (opens in a new window)) learns to cope with the change in his favorite uncle (who lost both legs in the war), with having difficulty in school, and more — all’s possible with the help of his supportive and involved family.

Poems piece together the story of the quilters of Gee’s Bend in Wilcox County, Alabama. Though over a hundred years old, the art of quilting is alive and is now accessible through poetry and vivid illustration.

Joshua Tucker’s best friend on the family farm is Semolina, a sassy and talkative chicken — at least with Joshua. A sneaky, hungry red fox puts Semolina at risk in more than one way in this satisfyingly old-fashioned story dotted with black/white illustrations.

When Colton Wescott sees this sign for the Pony Express, he thinks he has the solution to his problems. He’s stuck with his ma and two younger sisters on the wrong side of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, with no way to get across. They were on the wagon train heading to California when Pa accidentally shot Colton and then galloped away. Ma is sick, and Colton needs money to pay the doctor. He’d make good money as a Pony rider. he also needs to get to California to deliver freedom papers to Ma’s sister, a runaway slave. The Pony Express could get him there too…

A young child imagines the day when he will be as old as his grandfather and share what his grandfather enjoys now. The tender relationship clearly reflects a young child’s viewpoint.

From the opening lines to its satisfying conclusion, readers are introduced to babies from many cultures. Though each child is different, each has some things in common — “ten little fingers & ten little toes.” The rhyming text and repeated phrase make this a wonderful book to share with children of many ages.