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Wangari Maathai’s native Kenya was a changed land, literally blowing away because its trees and growth had been destroyed. Rather than complain, she started a reforestation effort for which she was the first African woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. Handsome illustrations combine with crisp text to tell the story of one person’s impact.

Bold color and geometric shapes create portraits of creatures from caterpillars to monkeys to accompany short ditties. The result is a lively look at a range of animals. Some short verse is reminiscent of Ogden Nash (“RAT/Leave/a rat/where/it’s at.”)

George, the curious monkey, and the man with the yellow hat are featured in this carefully constructed, appealing picture dictionary. Illustrations done in Rey’s style illuminate words from A to Z and additional features in this attractive introductory dictionary.

Self-taught artist Clementine Hunter used paint and canvas to record life in the rural south. Her work was first hung on a clothesline, much later in galleries. This attractive picture book biography concludes with an author’s note and actual images by Hunter.

Piggie and his elephant friend, Gerald, are back this time to play outdoors in rain and in sun. Their unlikely friendship is patient, gently humorous, and reflective of friendship — regardless of age or species!

Dick King-Smith is not only a writer but a pig farmer. His deep knowledge and sincere affection for these creatures is contagious in the engaging text and illustrations. The accompanying audio includes a read along, audio of the book, and facts about pigs.

Children around the world make wishes. Information about what makes a wish come true follows a short poem. Each tradition is placed on a double-page spread accompanied by jewel-toned illustrations.

Dazzling illustrations combine with lyrical language to emulate a creation myth. Set in the Himalayan Mountains, this original tale dramatically explains why the sun and moon wax and wane and of friendship between a girl and the Snow Leopard.

Not all pirates did their dirty work on the sea and not all of them were men. The stories in history and lore of the Sea Queens are presented in an evocative format with bold illustrations, separating fact from fiction.

Alexander Calder — Sandy — had a vivid imagination and a fascination with the circus; his sketches of the circus became 3-dimensional. Vivid illustrations combine with an informal text to introduce a man whose art continues to inspire and intrigue.

Dramatic illustrations depict a range of possible sabertooth cats, likely relatives to the cats that live today in the wild and in people’s homes. How information about these extinct animals has come to light is clearly presented and is sure to pique curiosity.

Annabelle and her friend, Tiffany — both dolls come to life — soon learn that running way for any reason is full of pitfalls. The dolls’ third adventure (The Doll People (opens in a new window) and The Meanest Doll in the World (opens in a new window)) is illustrated cinematically by a Caldecott Medalist.

One of Carl Sandburg’s original, quintessentially American tales for children (from Rootabaga Stories) explains why it’s just not a good idea to kick a slipper at the moon. This illustrated telling will hold young listeners as they hear rich language best read aloud.

Poems piece together the story of the quilters of Gee’s Bend in Wilcox County, Alabama. Though over a hundred years old, the art of quilting is alive and is now accessible through poetry and vivid illustration.

These groaners play with words, like: “What member of the royal family can you find in your school? The prince-ipal!” Each silly riddle is accompanied by cartoonish illustrations to explain or just add to the humor.

They come in many sizes with different diets — but all sharks are covered with ‘denticles’ as a protective armor and are fascinating sea creatures! Full color photographs and crisp text briefly introduce them with suggested websites for additional information.

This fact and fun-filled look at female contributions to the American Revolution provides a serious but lighthearted introduction to a range of known and unknown women. Affable illustrations include thought and speech bubbles.

This large land animal is introduced through crisp, easy-to-follow text and realistic illustrations. Information presented will satisfy casual readers and is likely to inspire further reading.

The letters of the alphabet come alive through the use of paper engineering including pop-ups, reflective pages and more. The result is a stunning, interactive, and sophisticated book.

The ghost of George Washington introduces Sara to other presidential ghosts.

The life and times of Eleanor Roosevelt are presented chronologically as though one is examining a scrapbook. Much like the approach the author uses for other historical figures, this look at Eleanor is almost intimate, certainly thorough, and compelling.

Of four kittens, only one is really excited about the possibility of snow but inspires the others to enjoy it when it finally comes. Bold line and simple form combine with straightforward text to create a captivating kittens’ world.