Book Finder

Children will delight in this fantastic tale of a young girl’s vacation in the Smoky Mountains. Wandering from her tent late one summer’s night, Sara finds an invitation she just can’t resist! She watches the grand ball from safely behind a tree until suddenly she is discovered.

Take a tour of Yellowstone National Park, from the wolves, elk, bears, and mountain goats that live there today to the supervolcano that erupted thousands of years ago. The poetic text takes us to the root of it all ― the “sleeping giant” of magma responsible for the Yellowstone landscape ― and the evocative paintings capture the awe of natural forces at work in our nation’s oldest national park. The addendum, “More About Yellowstone and Its Volcano,” a glossary defining geological terms, such as mud pots, steam vents, geysers, magma, and lava, and a map further aid children’s understanding of supervolcanoes.

Winner of the 1947 Caldecott Medal, this beautifully moving story centers around a little island in the midst of the wide ocean, and the curious kitten who comes to visit. As the seasons pass, the island and the creatures who call it home witness an ever-changing array of sights, smells, and sounds — proving that, no matter how small, we are all an important part of the world. Inspired by the author’s summer visits to Acadia National Park.

Lyrical prose and warm watercolor illustrations bring a “certain part of the country called Appalachia” alive for young readers. Two award-winning artists, forever touched by their experiences growing up in this unique landscape, have teamed to create a quietly powerful and beautifully crafted portrait of life in a timeless place. Appalachia is where you’ll find Shenandoah National Park and the Blue Ridge Mountains. Cynthia Rylant grew up in this area with her grandparents.

From tiny seed to world’s largest tree, the giant sequoia is a living wonder of nature. This ancient and tremendous species grows naturally only on the western slopes of California’s Sierra Nevada. Each sequoia begins life as a seed no larger than an oatmeal flake — yet can grow as tall as three blue whales stacked chin to tale. The oldest sequoias have lived as long as forty human lifetimes. The largest are so enormous, twenty children holding hands can’t wrap their arms around the trunks! In evocative text and vibrant paintings, The Sequoia Lives On reveals all of this fascinating information and more. An extensive author’s note completes the portrait for young readers, inviting them to become the next generation of protectors for this amazing tree.

The Florida Everglades are made up of nine different ecosystems supporting an astonishing variety of wildlife ― panthers, manatees, snails, frogs, and a rainbow of bird species. But for years, the Everglades were threatened. They needed a voice to speak up for them. Marjory Stoneman Douglas became that voice. Her book “A River of Grass” helped the world see the irreplaceable beauty and value of the Everglades. Marjory’s activism led to the creation of a national park and dedicated conservation efforts, and throughout her long life she inspired countless people to use their voices to make a difference.

Rivers wind through earth, cutting down and eroding the soil for millions of years, creating a cavity in the ground 277 miles long, 18 miles wide, and more than a mile deep known as the Grand Canyon. Home to an astonishing variety of plants and animals that have lived and evolved within its walls for millennia, the Grand Canyon is much more than just a hole in the ground. Follow a father and daughter as they make their way through the cavernous wonder, discovering life both present and past. Weave in and out of time as perfectly placed die cuts show you that a fossil today was a creature much long ago, perhaps in a completely different environment. Complete with a spectacular double gatefold, an intricate map and extensive back matter.

What’s the difference between a country and a continent? And what about a wormhole and a black hole? What’s the difference between an alligator and a crocodile? In space, on earth, in food, even in history many things are similar but are in fact quite different. Explore 150 pairs here through facts and illustration.  

Celebrate nature in poems by different writers and accompanied by colorful illustrations. Informational sidebars flank each poem, offering scientific context for readers, and recommended resources and a glossary are also included. 

An oversized format supports dramatic, appealing, and realistic illustrations and information about a range of creatures. Backmatter includes a glossary and index.

This weird, wacky, and downright fun and informative look at how disparate things connect is a worthy addition to the FACTopia series.

Bugs — the catchall phrase that describe myriad creepy crawlers — are introduced here along with an argument to appreciate what they do for our planet and develop empathy for them in conversational text and handsome illustration.

Told through crisp narration and dramatic illustration, this true story of the Hudson River cleanup is riveting. Additional backmatter is included.

Actual information about sailing under less-than-perfect conditions combine with a humorous story in this newest Scout survival situation. Other titles in the series: Survival Scout: Lost in the Mountains and Survival Scout: Tsunami.

Readers will discover brief facts about plants all around as a jay hawk searches for food. When small flaps on each page are lifted, additional tidbits will be found. The same format is used when readers search for Whose Baby Is This? as a mother goose looks for her young.  

Follow a raindrop as it falls into the Mekong River on its journey to the ocean. Along its way, it sustains plants, animals, and people, presented here in crisp text and informative illustrations.

An apple seed begins this distinctive look at the interrelatedness of all things. Bold illustration and die-cuts enhance the drama.

Since the day that Ano was born, her heart has been connected to her home. But, this adventurous child has a lot to learn! When Ano begins to dance hula — a storytelling dance form that carries the knowledge, history, and folklore of the Hawaiian people — Ano comes to understand the true meaning of aloha. In this exciting adventure, you’ll encounter mighty canoes crashing over ocean waves, regal hawks soaring high above the clouds, and brilliant lizards jumping nimbly through forest trees! Most importantly, you’ll meet a courageous young girl named Ano who learns, grows, and comes to love her island home with all her heart. The beautiful poetry — weaving its way through every page — artfully blends 25 Hawaiian words into the English prose and provides a thoughtful exploration of the meaning of aloha in relation to the land, the people, and the lore. 

After a natural death, a whale provides continued life for numerous sea and land creatures for many years. Follow one 90-year-old whale in its environment and after its life has ended, through accessible language and highly informative illustrations in this stunning book.

A dandelion on the playground grows and grows, captivating children who appreciate its beauty. Not so the adults who rip the flower from the ground, dismaying the students. But dandelions are resilient and so are children in this oversized, slightly subversive tale.

Follow an arctic tern as it grows from egg to migrating bird. In another book from the same Start Small, Think Big series, Little Brown Nut (opens in a new window), watch a small nut grow into a huge tree with a little help from the agoutis. Each book unfolds in text and illustration that can be shared at different levels. Both titles include a large, informative foldout. 

The countdown to the change in season begins with one red fox “stalking winter” to 12 excited children “happily meeting spring.” Bold scratchboard illustrations evoke the frozen Alaskan landscape, inspired by the author’s time in Fairbanks.

A lonely child saves his beloved woods in this magical, highly imaginative tale. Follow the unfolding tale told entirely through gorgeous illustrations.

Become a keen nature observer: an observologist! Cartoon-like illustrations and open text resemble a journal, inviting readers to look closely at the small things around them.