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When feathers and buttons (and more) come together in school they just may make something quite special: an amazing, creative picture! Rhythmic language, playful collage and a host of inanimate but animated characters make a picture on a double foldout to conclude this inventive tale. It may just inspire additional handiwork by young artists!

Millions of years ago, huge, hungry prehistoric ‘dinotrux’ ruled the world. A terrible storm caused some dinotrux to seek better weather. Those that shed their “misbehaving ways” over the millennia are still on the job today. This imaginative take on trucks and dinosaurs is sure to make readers young and old view subjects anew while making them laugh out loud.

Did you know that slugs have “3,000 teeth and 4 noses” or that in “elephants sometimes make purr-like sounds when content”? These and other factoids are presented in a highly designed format just right to amaze and to pique curiosity. An index allows easy access to the brief information.

Lively language and energetic illustrations create a memorable portrait of a woman who was to become known as Sojourner Truth. She was “Big. Black. Beautiful. True.” Just like her name. Further information and photographs of Sojourner Truth completes this dynamic, fictionalized biography.

This lighthearted look at the many sources of energy provides an introduction to physical and environmental science, informing while entertaining. Illustrations combine factual graphics and cartoon-like characters. Additional information about energy concludes this playful look at a serious topic.

A child with great potential was born in Florida in 1923 to the “Tiger Family in the powerful Snake Clan,” part of the Seminole Tribe. She listened to the history of her people and made it herself as the first female tribal leader. Evocative illustrations and additional information complete this unusual biography.

Animals and people wise and foolish are presented in these tales retold. Their origins, from a range of Spanish-speaking countries including Argentina, Cuba, Puerto Rico, and Spain, are retold and handsomely illustrated — just right for reading aloud.

Meet a sea anemone, sea urchin, a sculpin and other inhabitants of a tide pool through poems (in each creature’s voice) and an informative paragraph (in a different typeface). Cartoon-like illustrations complete the engaging animal introductions while additional information is provided.

Flat, cartoon-like, slyly humorous and slightly irreverent illustrations provide literal meanings for old sayings from A to Z. The fun comes in figuring out where these truisms may be used and what others may fill an alphabet. This is an engaging way to play with language and its meaning.

Everyone knows that there are two sides to every story. Read a cleverly illustrated poem one way for one side; read the same poem in reverse and learn the other. Well known fairy tales are presented through reversible poems sure to intrigue sophisticated readers of all ages. Each book comes with a CD, so pop it in and follow along!

Two different environments, two different authors, one goal achieved: to bring alive the process of studying and documenting a fascinating mammal and insect. Both books use the same basic format and text features, stunning photographs, and an informal voice to great effect. This is a series not to be missed. See also: Face to Face with Butterflies (opens in a new window)

Enjoy short, lively, and varied poems for different occasions and from Monday (“…Washday,/sloshday…”) to Friday which is “…fishday in out town/Fat-fish, flat-fish/Cod- and cat-fish…” Line drawings on richly hued pages make an attractive and engaging collection to be read cover-to-cover or to dipped into for a special treat.

Chester, the chubby but charming feline, wants to create his own masterpiece. But a writer/illustrator named Melanie Watts continues to thwart his creative efforts by hiding the tools of his trade. The competition between Watts and Chester results in a humorous book that appears to have been written and reworked with sticky notes and red marker.

Arthur John Johnson became known as Black Jack, the world’s first black heavyweight champion and one of the best known boxers of the 20th century. Readers meet him through a rhythmic text and bold illustrations that present a clever, hardworking, and confident man. The book is published just in time to commemorate the anniversary of historic fight, July 4, 1910.

What if two seals play with a beached ball but a third seal isn’t invited to join them? What happens if the other two seals play in the water but the third one doesn’t? But in the third “what if” scenario, things turn out well for all! This seemingly simple saga is sure to require multiple readings — and generate lots of discussion.

Geraldine is a princess, a fairy princess with a crown and lots of sparkle. Her life as a fairy princess is filled with ballet (where she sparkles a lot), school, and with friends. Muted illustrations and an innocent narration combine to present a loving family whose child is indeed a very fairy princess.

Lyrical text and handsome illustrations combine to present information about pandas and their habitat. A bit of additional information is included on each page and at the end of the book.

Turtle and Tiger became friends only after they argued and fought over who saw one Spring flower first. When they both wind up in a field of flowers, they realize how silly they have been and together they return to their pond. This original tale is told in a storyteller’s cadence complemented by rich, textured illustrations.

Every day, Amos McGee goes to his job at the City Zoo where he’s attentive to each of his animal friends’ special needs. One day, however, Amos doesn’t feel well and must miss work and so his friends visit to take care of him. Gentle, expressive illustrations expand this touching tale. (2011 Caldecott Medal Winner)

The small, scaly pangolin may be an unusual animal, but children are likely to empathize with the way he is fearful of new and different things. He rolls into a ball — and finds another pangolin ball peeking at him. An author’s note provides a bit of information about real pangolins and where to find out more about them.

As a little girl helps her mother in their garden, she imagines a fantastic garden of her own in which all of the rabbits are made of chocolate and the jelly beans grow. Strong line and rich colors combine with the child-like musings for a satisfying story.