Book Finder

Step by step instructions on how the read — and enjoy — a book are presented in lively illustrations and an encouraging narrative. A messy-coifed boy and his dog show the process all the way to THE END, and “if it was a really good story … start all over again.”

Two toddlers and their mothers spend a day at the beach. The children share activities that involve a seagull, a sandcastle, a crab, and a wave — until the moms dry them off and pack the kids and the car up. Loose pastel illustrations capture the airiness and adventure in the day’s simple pleasures.

It’s summer! A family of five (plus dog) pack up their van and head to the beach, unpack and begin their first day of vacation. Watercolors depict the exuberant family and are a fine complement to the staccato, rhyming text.

From morning to bedtime, cuddly animals echo young children, their feelings and appearance. Rhythmic language and soft, textured illustration add to the fun and verve of the day.

Peekaboo! Lift the paws and what do you see? Boldly colored, textured, cuddly animals giving — and getting — soft kisses to the reader. Ideal for sharing one-on-one, this predictable, repetitious, and interactive book has become a modern classic.

Katy and her baby brother Olly go out and about through four seasons beginning with spring when “The birds are busy/And so am I.” Realistically rumpled children engage in recognizable activities are presented in short poems and the artist’s signature illustrations for a charming collection that celebrates childhood and the seasons.

Every day, young children and their families can celebrate familiar things and activities in this sturdy, handsome, and appealing collection of 30 poems. Each short piece by a range of poets is about food, family, firsts, play and bedtime, creating a memorable collection just right for the youngest listener.

A blue alien arrives on a farm, “Blip, stop! Zot, wazzzzdot?” he wonders. Young readers will readily recognize the silhouette of a pig but will exclaim with the alien when the page turns. Lively illustrations and clipped language leaps and jumps across the pages as the exploration continues.

Blip, a round red creature on open pages, has one goal: to get to the bar with numbers on it — but he needs the readers’ help. Count down from five to one as the book is shaken and tilted to get to the surprise at the end — a new (very purple) friend.

“Outside, snow falls silently on the house. Inside a boy has nothing to do.” That is, until he bundles up and creates an entire world in the snow. The soft lines and changing colors beautifully illustrate the magic of imagination in a wintry world.

To begin the family frolic, the bald, comically illustrated but appealing baby asserts, “I am NOT ticklish!” Father and child are joined by mom and pets until it’s time to start again. The same baby and family explore bodily noises in Toot (opens in a new window) (Candlewick).

Rhythmic language and colorful cartoon-like illustrations show children engaged in a variety of activities that create happiness. From “the city zoo/zooming planes/chugging trains” to “garbagemen/a good friend/peekaboo” children and their adults will see themselves in this joy-filled book that is sure to be shared aloud.

Join a diverse group of young children through winter, spring, summer and autumn in simple rhyming text and play-filled, mixed media illustrations. Rhyming words evoke the sound of each season that will read well aloud.

What causes the remote, or just one sock to disappear? Dr. Zooper provides the answers in his guide to the Mischevians. Young artists can add to the list of these silly critters as they laugh and share this pseudo-serious take on why things disappear.

Dots abound in lots of colors all around, everywhere and every day. Some are heavy, others are light; some are even edible. This color-filled, playful, cheery look at everyday things in which dots are seen is sure to inspire creative examinations of the world around.

There are faces all around. They can be seen in everyday things, like a chair. And they can be made from fruits and vegetables, tools and what is found in the garden. When imaginations are let loose, there are all kinds of faces to see and to make! Cheerful collages made from different materials are sure to inspire creativity and making faces.

Chubby-cheeked toddlers come in colorful carriers with their families to stand, crawl and more in a parade of babies! Sweet, diverse children celebrate the day and its activities in simple words and soft, appealing illustration.

Little T is afraid to go to the zoo. To convince her that it’ll be just fine, both parents and older sister try to identify the cause of the fear. Miming an animal that starts with an “A” begins their creative afternoon. A very funny and satisfying ending is revealed only in the delightful illustration.

There are things to do indoors and outside. But the inside goes outside and the reverse with cutouts on pages in this attractive wordless book. Simple lines and flat colors are appealing on brown paper, and encourage careful — and multiple — examinations.

The frumpy Frazzle family is very forgetful. They forget most things including pants and umbrellas — until Aunt Rosemary comes to help them out. Watercolor illustrations appear slapdash but complement the laugh-filled, list-filled telling for a satisfying saga.

Jesse wants a book from the floating library/bookstore that visits his town. Though he has worked and saved money, Jesse wonders if it will be sufficient. Art evokes the story’s 19th century setting, inspired by an article about early barges from the author’s hometown.

They can be observed anywhere; in fact, “You don’t have to go anywhere fancy to watch birds!” The informative, informal and playful guide encourages close observation and identification as well as tips for recording and finding out more about these ubiquitous creatures.

It’s hard to resist babies and baby toes which are “a hundred times sweeter than one could suppose.” A sweet, rhyming homage to babies, families, and a lifetime of affection is presented here with textured, softly colored illustrations.

An imaginative child shares her pleasure in old clothing, repurposing them and finding joy in imagining the history, mystery surrounding them. Soft, expressive illustrations accompany the lively rhythmic, rhyming text.