Book Finder

Bright illustrations and simple words depict what young children are likely to encounter on a trip to the beach. From playthings to sea creatures, this sturdy book is ideal to share with the very young with or without a trip to the sea.

As the sun rose, an egg was ready to hatch but whose chick was it? “Whose egg is this?” quacks, chirps and honks each different bird. But the swan knows who the little gray cygnet belongs to; it’s her much loved hatchling! Children will empathize with the simply told, realistically illustrated tale.

While a family with a baby enjoys a picnic, forest animal babies and their families engage in comparable activities. Lighthearted illustrations show parallel human and animal family scenes with a rhythmic text for added fun.

Ellie was promised a puppy of her own before she turned 9 years old. But that was before her great aunt had to give up her dog, who Ellie’s parents take in. Though Ellie is reluctant to accept Preston as her dog — he’s not the puppy she’d wanted — he turns out to be a good friend and her dog after all in this warm novel about friendship and acceptance.

Baby animals are shown here in transport! Rich language and expressive illustrations give an engaging and informative look at how animals move. Some animals stand up right away while others need time to grow — just like young humans.

Dreams are for the day and the night. Children dream for themselves as well as their community and their world. Short poems, richly imagined and vibrantly illustrated appear in English and Spanish and are firmly rooted in a child’s experience.

This book is about a ten-year-old Dominican boy, Miguel, who recently moved to a small town in Vermont after his mother and father separated. Throughout the story Miguel demonstrates mixed feeling about his parents’ separation, about starting a new life in a small town away from New York City where his father lives, and about welcoming a flamboyant aunt, “Tía Lola,” who only speaks Spanish.

The artist recalls growing up in south Texas in this celebration of family and cultural traditions presented in vivid paintings and short prose in Spanish and English. Garza’s pride in her Mexican-American heritage is evident and celebrated in this handsome book.

A lovable Rottweiler named Carl has everthing under control while Mom steps out on an errand. Or does he?

Jenna wants to dance in the powwow as her grandmother and other women in her family have. But she wonders: will she have enough jingles to make her dress sing? Traditional and contemporary activities come together in this appealing, clearly illustrated story of a modern girl and her background, based on the author’s Muscogee (Creek) heritage.

Three short stories present three adventures shared by Rafi and Rosi, young tree frogs who live in Puerto Rico. Rosi knows that her older brother is magic; not only can he find things in the sand, he can also make the sea shine! But it is Rosi’s magic that finds Rafi’s lost pet hermit crab. Cheery, colorful illustrations enhance the humor of this engaging duo.

A family expresses the universal joy in the arrival of a new baby. Luminous language and illustrations introduce baby to the many small pleasures all around us, from sand between toes to sticky peanut butter. Parents and grandparents can share this story with children to recall their arrival into the family.

From one shopping cart to ten helping hands, the family shops, cooks, and then together shares a festive meal. Rhyming text and crisp illustrations show a warm extended family that brings joy to everyday activities.

Nancy loves being fancy and shares her enthusiasm with her family who all dress up and go out for pizza — fancy, of course! Nancy’s bubbly narration is matched by expressive illustrations that convey the affectionate and unique family, and their support for each other.

Ella Sarah is a young child with a mind of her own, especially when she’s dressing for her own tea party. Despite gentle prods from her family, Ella Sarah selects her favorite, slightly outrageous outfit. Illustrated in bold form, expressive line, and opaque colors with minimal text, this story is sure to delight headstrong heroines everywhere.

Cynthia’s old dollhouse is relegated to a dismal corner of the nursery once she receives her new Tidy Castle as a birthday present. Could a little help from a fairy queen save Racketty-Packetty House and its inhabitants from the fate of most old dolls and their out-of-date houses? Burnett’s classic has been newly illustrated in sepia-toned illustrations that capture the tale’s old world charm and timeless quality.

Owen’s singing, banjo-playing Granny goes out “to cross one river, one mountain, and a desert” just to see her bluegrass-loving grandbaby. Lilting, rhythmic language and evocative illustrations carry the reader all the way to the musical reunion of Granny and Owen.

When Tanya’s much loved grandmother becomes ill, Tanya inspires the entire family to help her finish the quilt — and the family history it reveals. This warm story is lovingly told with sensitive, beautiful watercolor illustrations.

Koko was an extraordinary real-life great ape who learned hand signs to communicate with her teacher (and the author of this book). For her birthday, Koko wanted a cat. Full-color photographs emphasize not only the size difference between Koko and her kitten, but the affection and trust they shared. This sensitive and revealing glimpse at animal communication is sure to win over animal lovers of all ages.

Warm illustrations of babies in action are paired with rhyming text in this small, sturdy book. Babies may see themselves in the pages, and the simple language may encourage them to act out the rhymes too!

Bidemmi is a budding artist and a careful observer of the world around her. As she weaves together stories and drawings of the people in her neighborhood, she ties the tales together through cherries — buying them, sharing them, and enjoying them. Learn how Bidemmi uses cherries to create her vision for the future in this brightly colored and softly crafted book that understands and speaks to young children.

Ruby Lu is an exuberant second grader who takes her responsibility to help her cousin transition from China to his new school in America. Unfortunately, it lands both children in summer school where Ruby remains daunted by a long book. The humor lies in the ordinary of a likeable, effusive child who just happens to be Chinese American.

In rhymes that are meant to be shared aloud, Annie and her brother, Alfie, share the everyday pleasures of childhood presented in playful language and true-to-life illustrations. The siblings joyfully make a huge difference to each other and their family in everyday activities.

It’s time for Carnival! Three short stories in this Easy Reader present the adventures shared by Rafi and Rosi, charming and mischievous young tree frogs who are brother and sister, and live in Puerto Rico. The stories include young Rosi dressing up in “Queen for a Day,” as well as Rafi’s “magical” periscope, used to watch the Carnival parade. Children and adults alike will enjoy the amusing experiences of these two siblings, as well as the cheerful and colorful illustrations. Spanish version also available.