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Young people see a need and work to better their world in this upbeat chronicle of youthful activists.

The life of Wolfgang’s older sister, Maria Anna, follows the form of a piano sonata which combines with evocative illustration to portray the 18th century musicians and their music.

Move over Tom Edison! This intriguing look at Tesla’s importance in early use of electricity is well documented and handsomely illustrated first look at an important scientist and inventor.

Can you do what toucan can? Maybe toucan can do what you can. Join toucan and a host of round-eyed animals, both well and less-known, as they cavort, dance, stomp, romp, hop, and more across the pages. Vivacious illustrations and animated language encourage active participation in this joyful book.

Moose wants to be an astronaut but the film is entitled “This is a Moose.” Even Moose’s lacrosse-playing grandma and doctor giraffe buddy can’t convince the filmmaker to change his role. That is, until Moose is launched into outer space. Cartoons and sophisticated asides make this goofy, offbeat tale outrageously funny with a touch of filmmaking vocabulary included.

Geoffrey is tall and clumsy and downright awkward. He slips and slides, scaring the meerkats. At the watering hole, his splashing and sploshing only makes mud, not friends. But his height comes in handy to help a troop of monkeys. Lively language and textured illustrations present a humorous tale of self-acceptance and developing friendship.

Lily wanted a dog but instead gets a tiny, fluffy kitty. Could that small feline cause all of the trouble and mess in Lily’s house? Lily thinks so, telling the poor thing that it’s a “naughty kitty!” But readers realize from the first end pages what Lily doesn’t see. Hilarious action in comic illustration let readers stay ahead of Lily and her ultimately lionized kitty.

Exciting things happen when Nanny X comes to care for 8- year-old Jake, his 10-year-old sister Alison, their not-quite 2-year-old baby sister, and dog Yeti. The slapstick action of bad-guy-plots foiled by Nanny X and her many spy gadgets (she’s really a member of the Nanny Action Patrol) — with a bit of help from the children — is told by Jake and Alison in alternating chapters.

What’s a puppy to do when everyone is too busy, too lazy, too boring, or too mean to play? Find a new friend — a large green monster reading in the park — of course! Even the grumpiest monster is no match for the friendly little puppy’s persistent overtures and game-playing. Cartoon illustrations on open pages and short sentences present a jolly, unique friendship.

“Goodness! Gracious! Yikes!” exclaim a timid group of carpenter ants as they peer out of holes made by one brave insect, viewing a rainbow of color. What they discover instead of an ant-eating, ketchup-carrying, orange aardvark with pack of green geckos will delight young readers as they see the vivid colors through die cuts and bold shapes in this satisfying, humorous tale.

It all started with a little brown bird that tired of making and hearing the same old sounds: caw, coo, chirp, peep. Instead, it said “Froodle sproodle!” which came as an unwelcome shock to the crow, cardinal and dove. But the small brown bird’s continued wordplay inspired the others — even the crow. Simple, bold illustrations and varied type present a comical tale of individuality and lots of potential for wordplay.

Much to his horror, Charlie is assigned to perform as the Nice Gnome in “The Sorcerer’s Castle,” his 4th grade class play. Even though he perfected the laugh of the Evil Sorcerer, as the Gnome, Charlie saves the day — and the performance — in this laugh-out-loud funny story. Told through Charlie’s narration, readers will surely see themselves in these likeable characters.

Benjamin Franklin was always curious and thinking outside of the box, even as a boy. Youthful swimming (during a time when swimming was considered unhealthy) led Ben to invent paddles to be more fish-like. One episode from the life of a “smart, stubborn, sensible son of a soap-maker” is presented in humorous, detailed illustrations and lively language.

A blue alien arrives on a farm, “Blip, stop! Zot, wazzzzdot?” he wonders. Young readers will readily recognize the silhouette of a pig but will exclaim with the alien when the page turns. Lively illustrations and clipped language leaps and jumps across the pages as the exploration continues.

In the cadence of Clement Moore’s holiday poem, a Latino family celebrates Christmas Eve. They make tamales with masa, play games (including a piñata) and more until the children are in bed and everyone is wished Feliz Navidad! A glossary of Spanish words concludes this cheerfully illustrated fiesta.

There’s a troublemaker making trouble for a boy and his sister, but it isn’t a naughty child. Rather, it’s a furry masked bandit — a raccoon — that snitches stuffed toys and even a blanket until the culprit is discovered. Strong lines of the idyllic setting are just right to hide the real thief on many pages.

When Peter’s mom asks other birds to tell him to come home for dinner, the message takes on each bird’s special interest, from sports to firefighting. The variety of birds, all simply but effectively illustrated, sits on a telephone wire in this playful riff of a familiar game.

Blip, a round red creature on open pages, has one goal: to get to the bar with numbers on it — but he needs the readers’ help. Count down from five to one as the book is shaken and tilted to get to the surprise at the end — a new (very purple) friend.

Stella loves her silver starliner — a mobile home — until she’s teased about living in a trailer. When other kids think her home is gorgeous, Stella comes to appreciate what they see and feels pride, actually like a “squillionaire!” Signature illustrations effectively convey Stella’s rollercoaster emotions and the ultimate comfort of friends, family and home.

Mandy loves to dance and so does her cat, Rupert, although he practices only when Mandy is asleep. Mandy discovers Rupert’s secret one night and the feline dance stops entirely — until Mandy comes up with an idea. Characteristic line and wash combine with the straightforward text for an engaging and imaginative tale.

“Outside, snow falls silently on the house. Inside a boy has nothing to do.” That is, until he bundles up and creates an entire world in the snow. The soft lines and changing colors beautifully illustrate the magic of imagination in a wintry world.

Samuel Drew takes his dog-on-wheels toy with him to the London Zoo where unbeknownst to Samuel, four young possums follow the pull-dog. But before returning to the zoo via balloon, the possums join Samuel for a picnic. Delicate, detailed illustrations and a rhyming text create a story and a city worth examining.

Can a big pig and a small bug be friends? At first it seems impossible, but then the duo finds that they can happily share some activities. The silly story is comically illustrated and told in a straight narrative to augment the humor.

Even though the green-spotted snake wanders into the wrong pit — an orchestra pit — he takes the time to explore, noting that the tuba is roomy and the trombone is quite long. Rib-tickling illustrations reveal a different tale until the small snake returns to the right pit.