Holiday Buying Guide 2016

A colony of penguins, a pod of whales, a formation of rocks, and other groups of animate and inanimate things bring a lonely child to his own group. The joyful reunion creates a family. Stylized illustrations are rich with humor and liveliness, deserving of many readings.

What do animals do in winter? In simple language and color photographs, animal habits are examined. New readers will find the introduction in this series accessible and may use it as a springboard to explore topics in greater depth. Other subjects in the Bullfrog Books series include machines at work, as in the book Diggers (opens in a new window) by Cari Meister.

Duck likes to assume different roles (he meows or quacks on different days), frustrating his friend Cat. This simple picture book uses conversation bubbles, comical illustrations, and broad humor sure to delight young readers.

Charles’ brother and sister told him there was no such thing, but the little boy and his sled set out to find the wish tree. In this sensitive story, a boy’s conviction and kindness are rewarded in kind. Illustrations in muted color accompany the text.

Who did what? What did they do? Where did they do it? A question is asked on each horizontal page; the answer is on the next page – but a keen eye is needed to figure it out by looking carefully at a line-up of suspects. The characters are comical in recognizable situations. (Happily, a key to the right answers appears at the very end.)

The unicorn that Lucy got for 25 cents isn’t the special Sparkle she had envisioned. This unicorn resembles s a speckled goat plus he’s got fleas and is quite naughty. Lucy considers returning Sparkle but discovers that she loves him in spite of his peculiarities. Line illustrations are detailed adding humor and movement to the satisfying story.

When Yoshio opens his door, the sounds of Tokyo surround him. Where would he find silence? Not at home or in school or in the forest. No, Yoshio finds silence “between and underneath every sound.” Detailed illustrations show the contemporary Japanese city with the use of color punctuating the child’s discovery.

Niño is back and is hard to defeat – except when the horrible little girls don’t play by the rules! Almost surreal illustrations add humor and surprise as they roll across the pages to a cozy conclusion. Spanish and English are used throughout for a vivacious romp.

After a busy night in the neighborhood, Mr. Pip, the cat, tries to find a quiet place to sleep. That’s easier said than done! Vacuum cleaners, canoodlers and more make noises that keep the poor feline awake! Stylized illustrations in rich colors and lots of alliterative language create an irresistible tale.

Marta is a little girl who is learning that it’s all in how you look at things! To a roaring lion, “Marta is tranouila. Quiet. Very quiet.” But “To a rabbit, Marta is ruidosa! Loud. Very loud.” Opposites are presented in simple English and Spanish complemented by charming illustrations in a muted palette.   

Madeline Finn likes many things but reading aloud is not one of them. That is until she meets a big white dog named Bonnie at the library. Reading to Bonnie helps Madeline to read aloud capably in front of her classroom. Soft pastel illustrations depict a timid reader and a patient dog and how the mild canine boosts Madeline’s confidence and gives her a surprise.

Look over the ledge with the child watching other kids play far below. What does she see? When they look up and see her, she is joins them below with the promise of friendship. Aerial views and limited text make this visual experience memorable, especially when we see the child who watched from above; her wheelchair does not impede her at all.

When the little penguins see snowflakes, they wonder how many? There are many! They dress for the weather and go play in the snow, tired and content when it’s time for bed. Bold forms of round-headed, dark penguins that play in the snow stand out until they recede in the night of their own room. This is a charming, whimsical, wintery tale.

Join a mother and her children on an imaginative journey to places where bears ride bicycles and wear scarves, lions read books, and buses are fish that fly through the clouds. Highly detailed, inventive black and white illustrations with splashes of red move the journey along until the very satisfying conclusion.

Bruce the bear and parent to four young geese returns from his migration trip ready to rest at home. He’s not ready, however, for his den to turn into Hotel Bruce, filled with animals of all types and stripes. Equally funny as the first book, Mother Bruce (opens in a new window), this is sure to delight adults and children.

When Sophie was born, her neighbor made Sophie a hat. Now that Sophie is big, she makes pom-poms for Mrs. Goldman’s hats. Sophie then makes a very special hat for Mrs. Goldman especially for when they walk the dog, Fifi. Instructions for hat-making are included at the end of this charming story of friendship.

Children familiar with traditional rhymes will enjoy these take-offs, while those who don’t know them will enjoy the sound of the poetry read aloud. Humorous illustrations echo the tone of the poetry in this playful collection. 

Dramatic illustrations and an equally dramatic narration combine to present the giant squid. Just as quickly as the squid emerges from its dark world to feed, it is gone. The stunning images and rich language move this intriguing book quickly, swimmingly along.

Lonely Hedgehog builds a boat to look for the elusive friend ship. As Hedgehog travels, other animals fill the boat. A wise elephant teaches Hedgehog and the others that friendship was on board all the time. Stylized illustrations in muted colors expressively convey the humor of the gentle story.

A young child hears something outside — “pit; pit; pit against the window.” It’s the first snow! She dons her clothes and goes out to play. In a dreamlike sequence, she and other children make multiple snowmen before the girl returns to her own backyard. Touches of red are added to variations of black, white and grey for a sweet portrait of a first snowfall.

A passing seagull gives a polar bear a rainbow in a letter written by a faraway girl. When the polar bear continues to feel sad, he joins up with the girl and together they travel the world seeing colors all around. The duo is welcomed home by the colors of the aurora borealis and the warmth of friendship from the other animals. 

Meet Juan García Esquivel whose contributions to music can still be heard. From his early days in Mexico, Juan experimented to find just the right sounds for his music. Additional information and a photograph of Juan are included at the end of this lively picture book biography done in Tonatiuh’s signature style. 

Julia is a professional dancer; Emma is a young girl taking ballet lessons. Their training and performances parallel until the two meet backstage for a hug after Julia performs on stage. Ballet lovers of all ages will enjoy the detailed illustrations and portraits of two dancers.

Lyrical rhymes and gorgeous color photographs capture the magic of winter. The combination of image and word also explores the water cycle and animals in the winter. This handsome book is a worthy companion to the author’s Raindrops Roll (opens in a new window).

Scratchboard illustrations accompany an invocation, a poem that invites something to happen. Here a girl wants the world to slow down just a bit so her pilot mother doesn’t have to leave. What happens before morning? A huge snowfall slows everything down. Dark lines and rich shapes of a winter cityscape unfold along with the poem, leaving room for the reader to imagine. 

When a couple complains about pigeons in the park, two children in pigeon costumes come to give them the real story about pigeons. Done in an open comic book format, this easier-to-read book is sure to entertain as well as inform.

The story of a small dog, the girl who loves her, and the girl’s struggling father come together in four acts. Brief text and detailed, black/white illustrations that appear as though in a spotlight effectively convey the daily intersections of these lives. Touching, dramatic, and gently humorous, Lucy — as the dog comes to be known — steals the show!

The best thing to calm Ansel down was the outdoors. The story of how a fidgety boy would evolve into a celebrated nature photographer is told in textured collages and lively text. Additional information about Adams and several of his iconic photographs conclude this engaging book.

Winter is a season of questions and of waiting. How do animals live during the cold winter? How do snowflakes form? What is it we wait for in the winter? But all the waiting and wondering come to an end and “wonderful winter makes way for … spectacular spring.” Photographs and an informal text plus a few activities just right for the season make this a cozy book. 

Imagine flying between countries in a hot air balloon. What would you take? What would you leave behind when it becomes too dangerous to hold onto everything? Might you discard even your clothing? Join the English Dr. John Jeffries and his French pilot, Jean-Pierre Blanchard, for just such a trip. Humor and hijinks make their unforgettable trip positively joyful. 

While visiting relatives in Beirut, the 2006 war begins between Hezbollah and Israel. Luli and his family are displaced by the constant month-long bombings, unable to return to their home. When they do, their house is in ruins and Luli’s cats are missing. Lucy the Fat and Lucy the Skinny find their way back, but there is comfort only in the memory of Lucy Lucy. Though a story of war, this personal and hopeful story will resonate with young readers.

As a cat walked through the world, “with its whiskers, ears, and paws…” a child, a mouse, a dog, and others see the cat — each from its own unique perspective. The mouse sees all claws and teeth, the worm sees echoes in the ground, and so on. The repeating refrain combines with original and stunning illustrations to create a book to examine multiple times.

This fictionalized account of how young Louis Braille lost his eyesight is told through his voice. It is realistic but with lighter touches as well as insight into what inspired him to invent a way for blind people to read. Illustrations augment the information and tone to engage and enlighten readers. 

As a child, John Lewis always practiced his deep religious convictions, even with his much loved chickens. Based on the childhood of the Civil Rights exemplar and U.S. Congressman, this story of faith and intelligence comes to life in dramatic, light-filled watercolors and poetic text.

Ezra Jack Keats may be best known as the creator of the 1963 Caldecott Medal winning The Snowy Day (opens in a new window) which featured a little brown boy named Peter. In lyrical language, Keats’ life and inspirations are revealed complemented by lush collage and acrylic illustrations that evoke Keats’ work. Embedded on selected pages are images of the real Peter and paintings by Keats. An author’s note completes the biographical homage to Keats and his legacy.

Piper Green lives off the coast of Maine on Peek-a-Boo Island. Could it be the fairy tree that grows in her front yard that brings her the pony? This latest story about Piper and her life on the island is as satisfying as the others in the cheery series, but can be read as a stand-alone.

A dour little penguin has problems. He doesn’t like snow (it’s too bright). He can’t fly. And he’s hungry. A wise walrus reminds him of the beauty all around … but does this appease the penguin? Understated humor in simple, textured illustrations and the penguin’s narration create a sophisticated and very funny book.

In 1918, a young woman named Alice Paul and the National Women’s Party convinced President Woodrow Wilson to support women’s right to vote. Still, women would not get the vote for two more years! Alice’s story is told for younger readers in translucent watercolors and a lighthearted narrative. Additional sources are included.

Factual information about weather and the water cycle is included in this comic graphic novel. Welcome to the Mad Scientist Academy, where slapstick humor and fast-paced action come together in a silly but engaging romp.

“The old City Zoo was falling apart.”  So Red Panda and his friend, Hippo, get jobs among humans. Hippo excels at all of his work as Hippopotamister, but he finds he’s happiest when he can be himself! This graphic novel is fresh and funny and sure to engage young readers.

Leonard Nimoy’s friend, an author and poet, presents a biography of the Star Trek hero for young readers. Young Leonard, known as Lenny, aspired to become an actor. His father, however, told him that actors starve; musicians will always eat. Illustrated with simple lines and limited color, the straightforward text concludes with an author’s note and a photo of the writer and his friend.  

Lots of different types of “vores” lived during the Mesozoic era: insectivores, piscivores, even dinovores. The names suggest what each type of creature ate in this informal look at the different types of eating habits. Cartoon illustrations make this an informative, entertaining first look at the period and its inhabitants.

Spectacular, realistic illustrations accompany a chatty and surprisingly nonthreatening description of deadly creatures from around the globe. Which is the deadliest? Is it the toxin-changing geographic cone snail or could it be a short-tailed shrew that delivers venom through grooved teeth? Readers of all ages will be fascinated by this book from the same team that gave us The Most Amazing Creature in the Sea (opens in a new window).

She’s a coyote looking to feed her cubs as she travels across a recognizable landscape: a golf course and suburban houses. As the sun rises, before she heads back to feed her cubs, she looks up to see a child watching her from the safety of his bedroom. Luminous illustrations from varied perspectives heighten the drama of the coyote’s journey.

In this Space Explorers series, topics of interest to younger readers are introduced in clear color photographs and accessible, logically presented text. “Activities and Tools” to extend each subject are included in an index, along with suggestions for finding additional information.

In this Green Planet series, topics of interest to younger readers are introduced in clear color photographs and accessible, logically presented text. “Activities and Tools” to extend each subject are included as is an index and where to go for additional information.

Soledad and Ming have migrated to Louisiana from the Philippines. Their father has returned to their homeland leaving the girls with Vea, the girls’ unhappy, mean-spirited stepmother. As their world expands and fact and fantasy collide, the real world, friendships, and understanding also expand.

Hopper’s new school, Stately Academy, is more creepy than scholarly as the 12-year-old girl soon learns. But with her new friends, they discover the school’s secrets and address them through computer coding. The adventures of this multicultural cast of kids continue in Paths and Portals (opens in a new window) as the series goes on.  

Inge Maria leaves her beloved Copenhagen to live with Dizzy, her seemingly stern grandmother. But Inge Maria brings mischief, laughter, and warmth to Bornholm, her new island home. The tale unfolds through Inge Maria’s naïve and good-natured voice.

Times are tough for Beans and his family in Key West during the Great Depression. Can Beans and his friends trust the New Dealers who say that they have come to Florida to make their small, poor town a tourist destination? Bean’s saga is both humorous and poignant in his satisfying story.

The Greek muse, Polyhmnia, invites readers into a story of the gods of Olympus focusing on the flawed hero, Apollo. Dramatic sequential art and rich language are used in this retelling of Apollo’s successes and failures. Back matter completes this attractive and compelling addition to the series.

11-year-old Genie and his soon-to-be-14-year-old brother, Ernie, travel from their home in Brooklyn to spend the summer in rural Virginia with their grandparents. The boys are in for lots of surprises; they learn that their grandfather is blind, that there is no Internet, and more. Characters are distinct and vividly depicted as Genie narrates his satisfying story.

Archer has been in two weddings. He looks back on the first one — a disaster for the then six-year-old boy. At least Archer met Lynette Stanley, starting a friendship that has stuck. Now in 6th grade, Archer confronts bullies and what it means to be a man as he matures. Quirky characters combine with poignant and laugh-out-loud scenes in this memorable and ultimately touching novel.

Charlie writes to his older brother, Joe, who is a soldier during World War II. Though Cleveland, Ohio, feels like a long way from the war, there are things in common. Action and activities on both sides of the Atlantic are revealed through the brothers’ letters and provide an accessible introduction.

Zomorod Yousefzadeh prefers to be called “Cindy” (as in one of the Brady Bunch). She lives with her Iranian-born family in California where her father works. Their life, however, changes when a group of Iranian students take over the U.S. Embassy in Tehran. The issues of the 1970s come into sharp focus (and are surprisingly timely) through Cindy’s often funny, sometimes insightful, always plausible narration. 

There is just no pleasing all of the ancient Greek gods. When Jason gathers 50 men on a quest to find the Golden Fleece and regain his throne, he does so with the help of Medea … but not without consequences. An accessible retelling in a large format with detailed illustrations makes an exhilarating version of an old myth.

Pete Seeger lived a long life sharing his music and his convictions about equality with literally millions of people all over the world. He is presented here in well-researched, clearly documented and understandable language punctuated with photographs. Seeger’s life presents a glimpse at the history of the United States, ranging from Civil Rights to workers’ rights. 

“For three and a half years, I was in love with someone the size of a hot dog bun [named Iris].  She was a rat.” Literally, a rodent. Part memoir, part science, this look at life with a pet domesticated rat, their habits and more are presented in chatty text. From the charming cover to the informative text, even the most skeptical reader will recognize the humble rat’s worth (and character). 

Reena, her younger brother Luke and their parents leave New York City behind for a new life in Maine. The first summer in their new home, the siblings are asked to help old Mrs. Falala and her animals. Both the old lady and each of her four-legged charges have distinct personalities with unanticipated results for the children and parents. Humor and more serious topics unfold in gentle verse in an open format.

Illustrations in blues and grays combine with words to flow across the pages of this handsome look into the music and life of an American artist. Fully researched and creatively presented, this is a brief glimpse at the life and contributions of a musical great. Additional resources and an author’s note may inspire further exploration of the man.

Obeyda becomes a bacha posh (a girl who assumes the role of a boy) named Obeyd when she and her family leave Kabul to be nearer to family in the country. As bacha bosh, Obeyd has much more freedom and is sure to bring luck to the family since her policeman father could no longer support his family after he lost a leg in a car bombing. This story of contemporary Afghanistan is compelling and illuminating.

A little known history of the Aztec Eagles, the Mexican Expeditionary Air Force created during World War II, is presented in photographs and crisp text. It is also the story of Sargent Ángel Bocanegra del Castillo, who made certain that a school was built in his hometown in Mexico. This is a unique and well-presented bit of history sure to inspire and inform.

Handsome illustrations accompany English writer E. Nesbit’s (Edith Nesbit Bland) dramatic retellings of seven plays by William Shakespeare. While the narratives introduce the plays, they read aloud well as sophisticated short stories. Additional information about Shakespeare and the times in which he lived is included. 

Charlotte, the spider, wrote of her porcine friend Wilber, “SOME PIG”. The life of the creator of Charlotte’s Web (opens in a new window), E.B. White, is presented in a enthralling format featuring watercolor and collage illustrations. The readable text makes this handsome, authorized biography of White — who was truly “SOME WRITER” — worth examining again and again.

When he was born, he had a face that even his mother had trouble loving. But Hoge eventually came home, survived multiple operations, and gained a strong sense of self.  This is a touching, true story told by the Australian who has gone on to lead a successful and full life. It is told with humor, pathos, and an appreciation of what is truly important.

Look closely: you may see goethite, limonite, fluorite … they can be quite beautiful and each has an interesting story to tell. But what differentiates minerals and rocks? Why explore them? What are the tools of a rock hunter? This accessible and attractive pocket-sized handbook will appeal, regardless of wherever rocks are explored.

Darkus finds friends, adventure, and surprises once his widowed father disappears from a closed museum room filled with beetles. The author delightfully narrates the engaging science fiction/fantasy/realistic tale just right for slightly older listeners.

The Chicken Squad is back, here for another funny mystery just right for younger listeners.

Meet Clementine, a 3^rd grader with enough energy to land her into trouble with great frequency. Her everyday adventures continue in other books.

Ghost wants to be the fastest sprinter on his elite middle school track team, but his past is slowing him down.

Younger children will enjoy the latest adventure of the mask wearing, monster fighting princess who attempts to take a restful vacation.

Children of all ages will enjoy the story of Pinmei and her quest to find her grandmother, the storyteller. Inspired by Chinese folklore, this stand-alone tale is a companion to the author’s Where the Mountain Meets the Moon and Starry River of the Sky.