Book Finder

Around the world there are ancient “time capsules” waiting to be rediscovered. They come in the form of “ancient rock paintings, drawings, and etching.” Ancient cave art is presented in dramatic illustrations and an informative text peppered with questions. Extensive back matter concludes this riveting glimpse at human’s ancestors.

The true and truly amazing tale of how Yoshi, a rescued loggerhead turtle, found his way back to his home territory many years after being rehabilitated and housed in an aquarium. Illustrations evoke the water world in which Yoshi was found, lived, and traveled. A final word and a photograph of Yoshi conclude this handsome and engaging look at a phenomenon of nature.

Enjoy the feel of what swimming in a pool, a lake, and the ocean through beautifully rendered watercolors and lyrical text. Endpapers show a girl starting at one end of a swimming pool until she reaches the other side show on the final endpapers. In between, share the water with a range of swimmers of many ages, sizes, and hues.

Young Rubin lives in Bolivia where he is intrigued by his town’s small orchestra. When he tries to play the violin, however, the sounds create laughter. Undaunted, however, Rubin practices (with a growing audience of yowling cats) until he masters the music. Lighthearted illustrations complement this joy filled tale of music, perseverance, and felines.

Though he enjoys music and company, Walter, a crocodile, is painfully shy and prefers staying just below the surface. Until one day, he finds his voice to help his friend turtle from being tossed around by big birds. Expressive illustrations, almost translucent, evoke Walter’s watery world and the joy in finding one’s voice.

Rain and more rain on a gray and dreary day as a child walks their dog. A found yellow umbrella scatters in the wind — but the next day, when the child and pet are again walking, they find a field of yellow umbrellas that they share to create sunshine. Black and white line cartoon illustrations punctuated by yellow accompany the staccato text, ideal for reading aloud.

A large rotund creature (an owl?) awaits a visitor. The arrival of a thin salamander-like visitor toting a shopping cart offers the big guy a cake, a bouquet of flowers, and a wrapped box, each of which are consumed in one gulp. When the gift giver is picked up — gasp! — surprisingly, he is given a big smooch and a cup of peppermint tea. Few words are needed in this quirky, unique, and very funny tale of friendship.

A child reading in the branches of a large tree opens this handsome family story. But before that can, Nell, now a grandmother, planted a seed. Textured illustrations and lyrical text go back in time to present the growing tree, starting with a seed, and the close-knit family that continues to grow.

Meet Frank, a small alien from Xob. Frank is small, square, and green just like all of those from Xob. Frank is astonished when he visits Earth and finds such differences in the small creatures. Readers will enjoy what Frank learns and takes back to Xob in staccato text and simple but expressive illustrations that appear to be watercolor on textured paper.

Sophisticated readers will enjoy this poetic exploration of light. Luminous illustrations show light’s variations in both the familiar and abstract as a child awakens to first light, and later views stars — after all, “light speaks.” Back matter includes brief information about light and related light topics.  

Becca loved spending time with her grandmother, watching her do everything from dancing in the garden to painting a canvas to attending a powwow. Becca wanted to be just like her grandma — and basketball-playing grandma wanted to be just like Becca! The warm relationship between grandmother and granddaughter is set in an indigenous context but is universally appealing.

What would your world look like if you were as small as a bean? Find out from the perspective of Jumper, a small spider that is both prey and hunter. Lush, realistic watercolor illustrations accompanied by engaging and informative text. Fascinating back matter and additional resources conclude this handsome volume.

A variety of big-eyed animals peek out from their abode and declare where they live. From nest to tree dwellers, from burrows to farms, each animal announces their home — concluding with young children cozily ensconced in their beds. This jaunty book is sure to engage and (sort of) inform about animal homes.

Mike, like everyone else, has their own flock of sheep to count if having trouble falling asleep. But one particularly tough night for sleeping, Four refused to follow sheep One, Two and Three.  Sly humor in a totally implausible story accompanied by comical cartoon illustrations on large pages create an unforgettable nighttime tale. Simultaneously available in Spanish: El rebaño.

When Auntie Fatma, a young narrator’s great aunt, visits from Egypt she brings with her sounds, tastes, and smells of Cairo. Though saddened when the visit is over, Fatma reminds the girl that those who drink from the Nile will always return. Colorful illustrations combine with alliteration and onomatopoeia to bring Cairo and its traditions alive.

Watch, wonder, and look around much like a cat does. Discover new things all around as you learn a bit about feline behavior. Humans, young and old, can learn from animal attributes, as was shown in Being a Dog: A Tail of Mindfulness. Playful collage illustrations and gentle narration conclude with additional cat information. 

Spanish and English are both used to tell the story of a girl and her family making apple treats, following their tree from flower to fruit. Told in a familiar cadence, the poem embeds Spanish words seamlessly to accompany jaunty illustrations. A glossary of Spanish words used and an easy recipe for applesauce are included.

There are big things and small things in the world. Some, like children, are in the middle. Young children are encouraged to think about their place in the world through lyrical language and elegantly simple illustrations in this exploration of the world.

Take a brief tour of Chinatown and its sites including a New Year’s dragon, presented in realistic illustrations accompanied by single words in both English and Chinese (both transliterated with pronunciation).

There are many ways to get to the library: bike, bus, even boat. Enjoy the parade of creatures, all colorful wood sculptures from an artist in Oaxaca, Mexico, on their way there. The vibrant critters appear twice from different angles on double page spreads with English on one side, Spanish on the other.

Experience each season with graceful haikus and soft illustrations with colors that reflect the changes. Lift the flap and see the small animals as they, too, experience summer, fall, winter, and spring. 

Cat fanciers of all ages will recognize the funny feline behavior in this vivacious rhyming jaunt. Broad shapes create kitties of various stripes and colors all with big round eyes add humor and verve until it’s bedtime (or not — if you’re a naughty kitten).

There are many reasons why animals form a line ranging from protection to efficient flying.  In an informative rhyming narrative accompanied by crisp illustrations with additional information at the end, readers discover why (and how) animals form lines.

Leo and his mother meet Yu and her mom for a summer day of play in the park, which ends with a picnic. In another picture book by the same author (this one illustrated in a similar style by Rosalind Beardshaw), Lola’s Nana-Bibi Comes to Visit (opens in a new window), Lola and her parents prepare for a visit from Lola’s grandmother. Together the family shares everyday pleasures from cooking to hair braiding. Leo and Lola remind us that there is joy in commonplace activities.