Book Finder

When Nita discovers a book entitled So You Want to Be a Wizard? at her local library, she enters another dimension where she successfully defeats the forces of evil. The series continues in Deep Wizardry, High Wizardry, and A Wizard Abroad. A powerfully involving story about two lonely kids who are inadvertently caught up in the never-ending battle between good and evil.

Being stuck in between a busy older sister and a cute baby sister makes Zack feel out of place. Then he discovers being in the middle isn’t so bad after all. Lighthearted illustrations extend the recognizable situations described in the breezy text.

On the last page of the Caldecott-winning book Jumanji, young Danny Budwing is seen running after his brother, Walter, with a game tucked under his arm. Twenty years later, Chris Van Allsburg is ready to reveal what happens when Danny and Walter roll the dice. This time, the children face the challenges of space, time, and dimension as they read the new game cards. They journey to the planet Zathura and as ringed planets and spaceships swirl past the windows, the boys find their way to teamwork and even affection.

When Zigby the Zebra receives a tent from his aunt Zandra, he and his friends decide to camp out in the deepest, darkest part of the jungle. When they’re frightened, cold, and hungry, they gladly accept Ella the Elephant’s offer to come home and have dinner. Zigby then finishes his campout in the safety of his own backyard. Bold color and strong line add humor to this recognizable story.

The first in a series of autobiographical chapter books about Tomie dePaola’s early years, this story focuses on his family’s move from their apartment in Meriden, Connecticut, to the now famous address, 26 Fairmount Avenue. This Newbery Honor book is sprinkled with humorous sketches, and is ideal for reading aloud and for the sharing of family stories.

The robust pig first introduced in I Like Me (Viking, 1990) and her friends celebrate an alphabet soup of positive qualities and behaviors. They are awesome and brave, use imagination, and occasionally yawn as a bedtime reminder.

In this picture book full of majestic paintings, a young boy reveals his favorite places around the family farm. When his baby sister is born, he shares with her the wonders of their surroundings.

There’s a saying that “slow but steady wins the race.” In this richly illustrated book, the saying is recast as a Tibetan tale about a boy and his reliable yak and an impatient rider on a speedy horse, both on their way to the holy city of Lhasa.

I, Amber Brown, have a lot to worry about. This third-grader faces ex-best friends, homework, and school pictures with ingenuity and determination. Featuring Paula Danziger’s trademark wit and insight, the Amber Brown books explore common and often difficult issues for kids with amazing sensitivity and humor.

Look how different we are and see how much we are the same! Readers will surely see themselves in the pages of this book, which is full of color photographs of children’s faces. The rhyming text and images celebrate the tapestry of cultures, religions, and physical appearances of children throughout the United States.

Elections are anything but dull, and participation is very important in a democracy. Just consider what it must be like in places where citizens can’t vote! This playful introduction to presidential elections provides a brief history of voting in the U.S. (including the “chad story”) and encourages young people to get involved.

Where and how the Olympics began is explored in this factual companion to Hour of the Olympics (in the Magic Tree House fantasy series in which siblings Annie and Jack time travel). The informational book stands alone or can augment the novel (for 6-9 year olds) as they explore the origins of the Olympics.

What has six legs, is very strong, always busy, and probably lives in your neighborhood? The ant, of course! Find out more about this small insect, then try your hand at some ant-related projects. Clear photographs and readable text in this attractive book will start your ant-venture. (For an ant’s eye view of the insect world in photographs, take a look at In Front of the Ant: Walking with Beetles and Other Insects by Ryuichi Kuwahara).

In Arthur’s Nose, first grader Arthur decides that he doesn’t like his nose. He goes to the rhinologist to change it, but ultimately decides, to the relief of his friends and family, “I’m just not me without my nose!”

Would Pal ever eat Arthur’s homework? After Arthur tells his teacher that his dog ate his homework, he’s told to report to the principal’s office the next morning. But first Arthur must make it through a night of peculiar dreams! Children’s concerns and fears are captured in the pickle Arthur finds himself in.

Before Arthur was a television series, he was the star of his own series of books. Children of all ages enjoy Arthur’s everyday adventures at school, home, and camp. Younger children will enjoy picture books about the young aardvark, while a series of early chapter books are just right for the newly independent reader.

José lives in a diverse neighborhood where he’s just as likely to hear Spanish, English, or Chinese. The appealing photographs in this book document José’s life at home, at school, and on the streets of his colorful barrio in San Francisco, a city that is a dynamic mosaic of different cultures. Available in a Spanish.

Left alone to graze, Borreguita outsmarts the fierce coyote who thinks the small lamb would be a tasty lunch. This tale from Ayutla, Mexico, is retold with sly humor and illustrated with dramatic, full color illustrations.

When Mama announces that the relatives are coming and starts the flurry of preparations, Baby Bubba and his dog, Beau take refuge down in the mud hole. Big Bubba finds them, washes them and dresses Baby Bubba in a brand new stiff sailor suit. When Cousin Arlene, wearing a frilly dress, and her yippy little dog, Bitsy, arrive, the foursome find paradise in the mud hole. Comic illustrations add to the understated text for a satisfying, funny, and recognizable family story with a decidedly Texas twinkle.

Bold color and broad shapes show the details of Sam’s car and how he takes care of it before he drives to his job and goes off, driving a bus!

Share the five days of Carnaval revelry — beginning with the lengthy preparations in Olinda, a northeastern Brazilian city. The book features stunning photographs and crisp text, handsomely formatted.

Visit Guadalajara, Mexico and live for a day in the life of a Mexican horseman during the celebration known as el día del charro. In this photo-essay, Ancona discusses the training necessary to become a charro or a charra.