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In ancient times there lived a prince named Lugalbanda, the youngest and weakest of seven sons. He never expected to achieve greatness, but he discovers his true strength when he is called upon to save his brothers and bring peace to his land. Jewel-toned illustrations make the ancient epic accessible and appealing to modern readers.

Ever wonder why some people’s eyes look red in a photograph or why egg whites can literally be whipped into shape? The Exploratorium has the answers! This hands-on museum is in San Francisco, California, but its discoveries are now available in the form of a book. With some curiosity, a bit of experimentation, and some insight from museum folk, you can explore this museum from your own home. This intriguing book can inspire curious minds of all ages.

Why did the chicken cross the road? He could be running from approaching zombie chickens or just joining a bunch of buddies for a picnic. Different illustrators use various techniques to provide a (mostly) visual answer to the time-worn question with lots of laughs along the way!

Koko was an extraordinary real-life great ape who learned hand signs to communicate with her teacher (and the author of this book). For her birthday, Koko wanted a cat. Full-color photographs emphasize not only the size difference between Koko and her kitten, but the affection and trust they shared. This sensitive and revealing glimpse at animal communication is sure to win over animal lovers of all ages.

The early life of Mexican muralist Diego Rivera is presented in simple, yet revealing language in both Spanish and English. Accompanied by richly colored illustrations, this book is reminiscent of the folk art and themes in Rivera’s work.

Split pages are used for matching games between the covers of four books, each dealing with a different concept (colors, shapes, numbers and words) that matches with a familiar object on the bottom. Carle’s books, with his signature style of illustration, have been newly formatted and presented in a boxed set.

When it starts to rain, Rover is pleased that other animals join him in his doghouse. That is, until a skunk finds his way there — and everyone exits! When the storm is over, Rover enjoys a bone and the solitude of his doghouse. Expressive illustrations and animated, rhythmic language make for a satisfying story.

Warm illustrations of babies in action are paired with rhyming text in this small, sturdy book. Babies may see themselves in the pages, and the simple language may encourage them to act out the rhymes too!

When the wizard asks the little dragons to take care of his cats, they work hard to follow the instructions he left behind. They take the cats swimming, put them in a cupboard, and then take them camping — all because, as the Good Knight discovers, the small dragons have not quite mastered reading! Alliterative language and lighthearted illustrations make this a delightful tale of humorous misinterpretations.

When an industrious red hen finds seeds, the other animals refuse to help her plant them. But when the little red hen finally bakes the bread from the wheat she has grown, the others are all eager to eat it! Luminous, realistic, highly-detailed watercolors breathe freshness into this traditional tale.

When is a gorilla like Curious George? When he (and a parade of animals) follow the zookeeper home at bedtime — and snuggles in with the zookeeper’s wife with very fast and funny results.

Introduce children to the five senses in this delightfully offbeat book, with a flop-eared bunny as your guide. Snappy, rhythmic language and expressive, jaunty illustrations create a book ideal for sharing.

Bidemmi is a budding artist and a careful observer of the world around her. As she weaves together stories and drawings of the people in her neighborhood, she ties the tales together through cherries — buying them, sharing them, and enjoying them. Learn how Bidemmi uses cherries to create her vision for the future in this brightly colored and softly crafted book that understands and speaks to young children.

Lift the flap and black turns to white at the start of this unusual and sophisticated book of opposites. Bold colors and carefully crafted die-cuts reveal a series of unexpected opposites. Readers are sure to delight in the surprise of each page turn.

Children are invited to travel the globe using current maps, informative pictures, and text inserts. National Geographic’s engaging format and suggested activities encourage adults and children to explore the world together, and bring faraway places a little closer to home.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was not only a famous composer and a musical genius; his father turned him into a child sensation! Limited language but rich, detailed, and varied illustrations introduce the essence of the boy and his music.

Molly wants to return to Russia, but her mother reminds her that the Cossacks have burned the synagogues. There is no going back. The endless teasing of her classmates makes home feel even farther away. But when Molly’s mother makes a pilgrim for Thanksgiving, Molly recognizes the similarities to her own journey and gains acceptance and admiration from her classmates. This story is based on an experience from the author’s family.

The laughs begin even before a third grader’s science project – Super Slime – gets out, and things quickly get out of hand! Goopy, frumpy, and slightly gross illustrations accompany the rhyming text, and is sure to cause laughter as the school is almost consumed.

Experience the explosion of color and movement of jazz as you pulsate with its beat in a vibrant series of poems and paintings. This father-and-son team explores a variety of jazz forms in an unforgettable book.

In 2008, the first Odyssey Award (opens in a new window) for distinguished children’s/young adult audiobook was presented to this read-along title. This package brings together the illustrations of the book with the featured Jazz music.

Ruby Lu is an exuberant second grader who takes her responsibility to help her cousin transition from China to his new school in America. Unfortunately, it lands both children in summer school where Ruby remains daunted by a long book. The humor lies in the ordinary of a likeable, effusive child who just happens to be Chinese American.

Blackbeard’s story is “a tale to billow a pirate’s sail!” Told here in a series of poems, including brief bits of factual information and dramatic images, this is a book that will capture the imagination of any pirate enthusiast. An author’s note provides additional information, a timeline and sources for what we know about this fierce pirate.

Once, long ago, a young man named John Chapman traveled the United States. Not only did he like being with his own thoughts, he liked apples and so helped plant apple trees wherever he traveled gaining a nickname and planting seeds for an orchard of stories. Johnny Appleseed comes alive in simple but expressive illustrations showing how one person can change the look of a country.

In rhymes that are meant to be shared aloud, Annie and her brother, Alfie, share the everyday pleasures of childhood presented in playful language and true-to-life illustrations. The siblings joyfully make a huge difference to each other and their family in everyday activities.

To escape the coming conflict, young Soo leaves North Korea without her mother. Though her mother plans to join Soo and her father, the Korean War begins and Soo has only memories of her mother’s bravery. Darkly hued illustrations combine with the lyrical narrative in this story based on the authors’ own family.