Book Finder

From morning to nighttime, a small kitten explores a farm. At the end of the day, a tired young cat returns home to rest, sleep, and dream. A simple, rhythmic staccato text and textured collage illustrations are used to convey the pleasure in everyday adventures.

A little girl asks about her mother’s activities, from feeding and sheering the sheep to knitting a warm sweater. Patterned, rhythmic language with gentle rhymes and winning illustrations provide a satisfying glimpse of farm life and a warm mother/daughter relationship.

Fathers often have special names for their children. Each nickname is a fitting one, giving a hint as to what characterizes the young one and his parent. The human dad calls his child Doodlebug, while a snail’s father calls it “Goo-and-Go.” Soft illustrations convey affection and playfulness between parents and children.

Andy Shane has only two goals. One was to have the best decorated bike in the Home Sweet Home parade and the other is to be a hero. Both seem unlikely — but when the unexpected happens, ordinary boys become heroes. Andy and his friends are likeable and the action believable in this easier to read novel.

Though related, crocodiles and alligators are not the same. Learn the similarities and differences between these ancient reptiles as well as their habitats and history. With characteristic thoroughness, Gibbons presents these fascinating creatures through clear illustrations and informative text.

Three concept books have been combined in a newly formatted and highly appealing wordless board book featuring Lionni’s signature mice. Readers are sure to find lots to talk about, from colors to counting to mice embracing letters of the alphabet as they examine the uncluttered, child-sized, durable, and appealing pages.

In this heartwarming story, Farah is trying to get used to a new country and language. She knows what’s happening around her, but without the words to say what she’s thinking in English, she feels alienated from her classmates. A trip to the apple orchard helps her begin to bridge those gaps, however, and she realizes that “Laughs sound the same as at home.” As she practices her first “outside-myself word,” she knows that she will be able to say more in time. Beautiful watercolor illustrations bring Farah, her classmates, and the apple orchard to life.

Amelia Bedelia is back! This time she is keeping everyone at the library on their toes. Between knitting book “jackets,” hiding from the scary thesaurus, and stealing the bookmobile, no one — especially the librarian — knows what will happen next. Will Amelia Bedelia’s good intentions save the day?

Stella Louella has lost her library book on the day it’s due! She embarks on a hilarious neighborhood search that all library-goers can relate to in order to find her book before the library closes. Readers will enjoy the engaging illustrations and eagerly turn the pages to see how it all turns out.

Sam is a library mouse, and he lives in the wall behind the children’s reference section. One night, he decides to try writing his own story, and it’s a big hit! Soon everyone at the library is wondering who the mystery writer is. What Sam plans next will surprise and delight readers of all ages. Daniel Kirk provides lifelike illustrations to accompany his heartwarming story.

“There’s nothing you can’t learn to do when you have books.” Eve Bunting’s characters take this lesson to heart when they learn that their library will be closing. From painting the roof to speaking wisely to grumpy beavers, they learn everything they need to know to save the library. Lovely and bright illustrations will appeal to young readers.

High in the Appalachian hills, a woman comes every two weeks on horseback to deliver books to Cal’s family. Cal has no interest in reading, but he wonders what could possibly make her long treks in the snow and wind worthwhile? Young readers will discover a moving introduction to the story and courage of Kentucky’s Pack Horse Librarians.

Have you ever gotten your library book by way of a camel, elephant, solar-powered truck, or boat? This book offers a fascinating introduction to the many kinds of libraries around the world and includes numerous photos. Readers will come away with an appreciation of just how special libraries are to people no matter their background, as well as of their own neighborhood library branch!

When a lion comes into the library, no one is sure what to do. After all, there aren’t any rules about lions in the library — especially one with a loud roar! Everyone is about to learn, however, just how helpful a library lion can be. Lovely, warm illustrations bring this enchanting story to life. Also available in Spanish.

Storytime is just the thing / to rest a play-exhausted wing. It’s bat night at the library, and the bats have come to read their favorite stories in this clever story told in rhyme. From reading the classics to splashing in the drinking fountain, the bats will leave you wondering what really happens after dark in the library! Also available in Spanish.

Though the first U.S. Census didn’t start until 1790, the Forest Lake Elementary School elementary children put on a play that lays the historical foundation for it. The kids (sporting shapes of the original 13 states) dramatize the problems faced after the American Revolution which were resolved by the 1787 Constitutional Convention. This entertaining look at the county’s start is sure to engage and inspire further research.

A child wonders just how many are in her pond. But it takes a keen eye and good counting skills to keep up with that number. Some inhabitants stay in plain view while others go in and out of the water — a process similar to counting the residents of the United States!