Book Finder

Can you be tricked into seeing something that’s not really there? Your eyes can be deceived more easily than you think. If you don’t agree, take a hard look at these full color photographs, then read how you were mislead! The creator of this tricky book is also the creator of the popular I Spy series.

What are presidents made of? These collage portraits take this question quite literally. Theodore Roosevelt is made of “endless energy,” created with wire and a light bulb, while Ronald Reagan’s picture uses the jellybeans he was so fond of. This unusual book concludes with an official portrait of all the presidents and their dates in office.

Folktales collected in the 1930s have been adapted, retold, and freshly illustrated for contemporary readers. Find out why dogs hate cats, why waves wear whitecaps, and more. This clever collection is ideal for sharing aloud.

More than anything, first grader Jim wants to read. Even though his teacher is reassuring, Jim is impatient. But then, one day it happens — Jim reads! Adults and children alike will appreciate the subtle message of different learning rates and styles in this gentle story.

Oh, how Peter wished he could whistle to call his dog, Willie. Try as he might, he just couldn’t seem to make the sound come out — until one day he could! The simple description of a child’s yearning is told in natural language and charming collage illustrations.

Though Herb enjoys reading, he doesn’t appreciate how important it is to treat books with care. Then he falls asleep and finds himself in a book of fairy tales that he has changed. Readers who are familiar with the standard tales will delight in this fresh, funny, and fractured book.

Rabbit cannot go into her own house for fear of the ferocious-sounding animal inside. Told as a play with masked actors, this cumulative tale gradually unfolds to a surprising and very satisfying conclusion.

Molly, the bookmobile librarian, finds a new batch of readers and writers when she accidentally drives into the zoo. “In a flash, every beast in the zoo was stampeding/To learn all about this new something called reading.” Lively and appealing illustrations show the fun Molly and the animals have as they build the Zoobrary. Also available in Spanish.

This fictionalized story tells of a slave who lived and worked in Colonial Williamsburg. The straightforward text and dramatic photographs bring the history of the time to life.

Wilma Rudolph not only overcame polio, she went on to become the first woman to win three Olympic gold medals in Rome in 1960. Semiabstract paintings convey her power and personality in this accessible picture book biography.

Anyone can be president, whether fat (William Howard Taft) or tiny (James Madison), relatively young (Teddy Roosevelt at 42) or old (Ronald Reagan at 69). Hobbies, sports, virtues, and vices all get a tongue-in-cheek airing in this fascinating collection of presidential trivia.

Ten-year-old James is intrigued by the K-Bones, a local gang, and considers joining. But when his six-year-old brother witnesses him vandalize a sign, he begins to have second thoughts. A tough topic is handled in a brief but effective way, sure to launch discussion.

The real and truly amazing size of animals from the sea and land are shown in a way that children can understand and appreciate. Textured collage illustrations are used to show the actual size of a gorilla’s hand, a giant squid’s eye and much more. Additional information on each animal is included in an afterward to allow reading on several levels.

Alfie takes his trusty blanket with him when he attends his first party alone, but bravely puts it down to comfort a friend who is frightened by a mask.

When the lowercase x from Charley’s alphabet disappears, the other letters set off to find him. Young readers become detectives on the quest to find the lowercase letters and will rejoice when little x finds a way to rescue his rescuers from becoming alphabet soup.

Lots of vacations include a trip to an amusement park, but how many are trips to an aMAZEment park? Find the way with Ms. McCourt and her class as they visit the Cyclone, the Enchanted Castle, the Wild West Walk, and more before heading through a series of intricately illustrated mazes that make a playful visual treat for all.

Travel with Canadian naturalist Brian Keating on a journey around the world to meet some of the animal inhabitants of the different continents. From kookaburras and kangaroos in Australia to the Arctic’s wolf population, this book’s informal, diary-like approach creates an exciting armchair expedition with photographs, facts, and more.

Two well known women sneak away from the White House for an aerial adventure in this handsomely illustrated story based on real people. Though fictionalized, readers will appreciate the common interests and similar personality traits of First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt and aviatrix Amelia Earhart.

Amelia Bedelia takes her orders quite literally. She wonders why she’s asked to dust the furniture when it really should be “undusted,” or why it’s important to find the proper clothes to “dress the chicken.” Readers will chuckle as they figure out the correct way for the bumbling maid to carry out her work.