Book Finder

Scientists thought the coelacanth had been extinct for about 65 million years when one was caught off the South African coast in 1938. This is a fascinating examination of “living fossils”, plants or animals that are close to their ancient relatives. Each is presented “then” and “now” in detailed, realistic paintings and readable text. Additional resources conclude this fascinating book.

Soledad and Ming have migrated to Louisiana from the Philippines. Their father has returned to their homeland leaving the girls with Vea, the girls’ unhappy, mean-spirited stepmother. As their world expands and fact and fantasy collide, the real world, friendships, and understanding also expand.

Readers are invited to join a young writer “to walk on the page.” Part journal, part imaginative jaunt, the multimedia images and typeface which seems to have come from the typewriter (that is seen at the end) create a unique look at creativity and writing. 

Buck Anderson’s friend, David, has moved; now Buck has no one to share his underground explorations or his everyday troubles including being bullied for his stutter. How Buck overcomes his problems and has a cave named in his honor is told in a tense, fast narration.  

Whether they’re fish or fungi, these creatures share the ability to create their own light or glow.  Most live in deep seas but some – like fireflies – are easily seen on land particularly at dusk. Two volumes present information about bioluminescent animals in amazing photographs and lucid text.

Why be afraid of the dark when there is so much to see? Whether it’s used to hunt, hide, find a friend, or escape an enemy, bioluminescence—the ability to glow—is a unique adaptation in nature. In this fun and fascinating nonfiction picture book, join world-renowned photographers and biologists on their close encounters with the curious creatures that make their own light.

The four Fletcher boys (each from a different background; each adopted) and their two fathers vacation in New England. Together the boys and their neighbors, the Galindo girls, help solve the mystery of the closed lighthouse in this fast-paced novel with recognizable events and personalities. The characters in this stand-alone book were first introduced in The Misadventures of the Family Fletcher.

Fans of Roald Dahl will enjoy spending time with young Alfie as he overcomes tough times and the new – and truly evil – dentist who’s come to town. Over-the-top humor and a fast pace are complemented by prolific black/white line drawings in this witty, satirical novel. In the audio version of this book, the author and cast bring the riotous characters to life.

Actual events and people from 19^th century Texas come to life in the Hale’s latest look at history. Humor and fact combine in image and word presented in comic book format. (Book 6 in Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales series)

He was known for his eccentricities and for being the winningest NY Yankees’ manager. Meet Casey Stengel who played an acceptable game of baseball but had “even greater skills at being a goofball.” His life makes a good story, told in an informal, chatty style and caricature-like illustrations sure to appeal even to non-baseball fans!

Sometimes animal names are also verbs. See what happens when “Bats bat” or “Slugs slug” in each vivacious, double page spread. The definition of the verb is included for each pairing. Additional information (including etymology) on the animal names and verbs is appended.

“Each animal has its own special way of seeing.” Clear, close-up photographs of animals’ eyes and the question posed in the title are followed by more information about other animals. A variety of animals appear, from owls and pigeons to alligators and frogs. Information about the human eye concludes this fascinating look at ways of seeing.

A pudgy brown and white dog looks everywhere for a treat — from granny’s bedroom to the baby’s crib. Nothing … until the girls offer a special treat to the greedy canine. Cartoon illustrations and the word “treat” in different fonts in a comic book format move the slapstick humor along to a satisfying conclusion.

What does jumping on a trampoline have to do with science? Lots, it turns out! The basic physics laws involved are presented in crisp, readable text and action-packed photographs. For readers interested in ecology, Arctic Food Chains (Pogo: Who Eats What?) by Rebecca Pettiford (Jump! 1620314274) is similarly formatted and quite interesting (with just a hint of blood in the photographs). Table of contents, index and additional resources for each title expands the use.

He is named after his father and is known as Little Thunder. But Little Thunder wants his name to reflect something special about him, what he does or who he is. Together with his dad, the perfect name is found. Vibrant illustrations and engaging narration present a recognizable concern.

When Piggie decides to thank everyone that has ever appeared in a book with him and Gerald, he forgets someone very important – Gerald! But Gerald reminds Piggie that one more thank you is needed. Fans of Elephant and Piggie will delight in what is supposed to be the final book.

The narrator is a rule-follower; his sister Jenny is a rule breaker. When Jenny breaks a rule, her brother must break a few in order to save her from the unique and quite humorous monsters she released. The outrageous tale is told and illustrated with verve and wit.

When a couple complains about pigeons in the park, two children in pigeon costumes come to give them the real story about pigeons. Done in an open comic book format, this easier-to-read book is sure to entertain as well as inform.

In this playful introduction to number values, readers are reminded that “Order is important in both words and numbers.” Cheerful monkeys, chefs from the Banana Café, host this exploration making place values from one to upwards of a trillion understandable and relatable. 

Mei Mei and her grandfather do tai chi together in Gong Gong’s backyard. Gong Gong even tries to learn a bit of yoga with Mei Mei. The warm relationship between adult and child is evident in expressive, sometimes humorous illustration and playful text. A guide to basic tai chi and yoga moves concludes the book.

This brief introduction to two well-known U.S. Presidents presents similarities in their lives and presidencies on opposing pages. Illustrations are informative but cartoonish to suggest that this is a first look at these men.

A seafaring cook named Hanson Crockett Gregory is credited with inventing the sweet fried treats we know as doughnuts. Lighthearted, rounded illustrations combine with a humorous narrative to explore the fact and fiction of Hanson and his tasty innovation.

Marvin, James’ beetle friend, goes collecting (finding useful things for their cupboard home) when he must get his human friend to help his injured uncle. Even though Marvin is a beetle, his emotions are as human as James’ in this well paced, generously illustrated and thoroughly engaging novel.

Not only did Edith Houghton play baseball in 1912, she played when she was only 10 years old!  As an adult, Edith became a baseball scout, looking for other baseball talent. Her little-known story is well told and handsomely illustrated.