Book Finder

Lilly is sick and tired of hearing about the wonders of Julius, her new baby brother. Because she wants him to go back to where he came from, Lilly spends a lot of time in the “uncooperative chair.” But when a cousin criticizes Julius, Lilly learns just how protective a big sister can feel. Deceptively simple line and wash illustrations show the intense emotions of Lilly and her mouse family.

While their parents are out, Judy and Peter play a board game called Jumanji. The remarkable game creates a threatening, animal-filled jungle in their suburban house until at last the game is complete. Highly realistic illustrations juxtapose the familiar with the unexpected in this book that won the Caldecott Medal.

What’s an old woman to do when a skeleton comes to visit? Keep him waiting, of course, while busy doing things from 1 to 10, culminating in a festive birthday celebration. Lively language and illustrations make this original tale memorable.

Jubilant illustrations show how a father supports his son as he grows into a man and eventually becomes a father himself. The text is from Will Smith’s popular song of the same name, and is distinguished by luminous, full-color paintings that make the words sing.

Katie is afraid of swimming and the creatures that may lurk in the pool. But with the help of an astute swimming teacher, Katie learns to swim across the pool. She and her parents are so proud, and now Katie can’t wait to go to her friends’ birthday party – at the pool! Children will readily see themselves in the lighthearted illustrations.

Knights, their weapons, and their tournaments continue to fascinate children. In this clear presentation, readers will learn about what it took to become a knight, the times in which they lived, what weapons they used, and much more. Additional stories and information encourage further reading.

Knock, Knock! “Who’s There?” “Olive” “Olive Who?” “Olive you so much!” Only ten knock-knock jokes are in this gentle and pun-filled book, subtitled “My First Book of Knock-Knock Jokes.” Sturdy and colorful and designed for preschoolers, the set up for each joke is on one page and the answer is beneath the flap on the other. Youngsters will soon be telling these jokes on their own.

This picture book biography introduces Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, one of Mexico’s most beloved scholars and poets. At the age of three, Juana promised her sister’s teacher that she was “quiet like a turtle” so that she could stay at the school and learn to read. Later, Juana would become a nun and produce poetry that is still learned by children in Mexico today. Handsome, detailed paintings evoke Mexican folk art and tell the story of Juana’s life.

What could it be? This fun book uses die-cuts to focus the viewers’ eye on an extremely small section of a full-color photograph. Readers will be surprised as they turn the pages to discover what looked strange up close is really something familiar.

Thirteen poems rejoice in Latina women, their diversity, and their roles. This short, illustrated collection celebrates Spanish-speaking countries as well as bilingualism in the United States. Illustrations swirl across each page, combining computer generated and traditional art with energetic results.

At school Jack just doesn’t understand poetry or why he has to learn to write it. In free verse, as the words start out simple yet clear, we hear this reluctance to look for deeper meaning and his lack of confidence in writing anything that will be seen by others. But slowly, as he reaches deeper, Jack finds his voice – full of warmth, love, sadness, and loss.

When her father takes her older brother and sister camping, Lucille, the youngest of the three pigs in her family, has to stay home with her mother. Though she is angry at first, she and her mom have a living room campout that winds up being just as much fun as the big kids’!

Recommended by Noel – I love this book for its beautiful art, elegant prose, and of course, the plucky and adorable Madeline. With just a few words, Bemelmans manages to make Madeline and Miss Clavel come to life. It’s also a wonderful book for young armchair travellers, giving them a taste of Paris.

Readers explore adjectives through this book’s absorbing, rhyming text and handsome, full-page illustrations. The author/illustrator introduces other parts of speech in equally appealing books such as Merry-Go-Round: A Book About Nouns and Fantastic! Wow! And Unreal! A Book About Interjections and Conjunctions.

After becoming ill from eating too many tarts, Princess Lenore is certain that only possessing the moon will cure her. However, none of the king’s lofty advisors can figure out how to capture it. Only when the court jester consults the princess herself is the solution found. Soft illustrations decorate this timeless fable.

It’s market day, and everyone’s going to the town square. But this is no ordinary market — it’s a veritable feast of folk art from around the world, assembled with Lois Ehlert’s impeccable eye for color and design.

The narrator’s curse begins when she is told by her math teacher that math is all around. And so it is — including every part of this very funny book as it examines math and its functions. Text and illustration are seamlessly one allowing the book to be appreciated on several levels.

The son of superhero parents, Max is frustrated when even his cape and encouragement from his parents aren’t enough to help him learn to fly. But everything changes on the day he saves ababy bird and discovers that he, too, is a hero. Gently lined and colored illustrations depict slightlyfrumpy, appealing, characters in this engaging andencouraging tale.

No matter how hard Ruby tries to get her baby brother to say the names of the objects around him, Max will only say “Bang!” One day, however, Ruby gets a big surprise from Max’s first real word. Understated humor and bright, bold illustrations appeal to children and their adults.

Like another English boy, Charlie discovers his unique mysterious abilities and goes off to Bloor’s Academy, a school for specially gifted students. Twists and turns, exceptional magical skills, and remarkable characters make this an adventure not to miss.