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The science behind sound and vision is presented in accessible illustration and straightforward text. The language used includes sophisticated terms (e.g., cochlea, vibration) which will likely familiarize younger children and their adults with the science vocabulary. You may also enjoy Baby Loves the Five Senses: Sight (opens in a new window).

The places where animals live are specifically named and presented in illustration. Turn the page and the animal is placed in a very human setting (e.g., otters’ resting place is a “couch”) to allow children to glimpse the dual meaning of (generally) familiar words.

Why does the Pigeon have to go to school? He already knows everything! And what if he doesn’t like it? What if the teacher doesn’t like him? What if he learns TOO MUCH!?!

From the first time she saw a shark in an aquarium, Eugenie was enthralled. Instead of frightening and ferocious eating machines, she saw sleek, graceful fish gliding through the water. After she became a scientist — an unexpected career path for a woman in the 1940s — she began taking research dives and training sharks, earning her the nickname “The Shark Lady.”

As he’s done with each other season (e.g., Awesome Autumn (opens in a new window)), the author introduces recognizable features of summer. Brief information is followed by activities that seem most appropriate during warmer months such as making swirly freezer pops. Crisp photographs and limited text make this a breezy summer read.

The story of one Lepidoptera as it evolved in England is a story of  “change and adaptation, of survival and hope…[that] starts with a little moth.” Lyrical narration is accompanied by stunning but simple illustration in dark, dramatic hues and bold forms that chronicle the evolution of the Peppered Moth. A brief afterward discusses basic ideas of natural selection.

The narrator assures and informs the unnamed child depicted that once she dons her swimsuit, the swimming lesson will be fine. Humorous illustrations express the concern and joy of the first splash into the pool with an adult swimmer and other children all around. Children may see themselves or perhaps feel that they know things that the book’s character doesn’t.  

Lottie won’t join the other swimmers in her class. She knows that there’s a shark there to eat only her; that is, until a large, gentle walrus named Walter appears. With Walter’s help, Lottie overcomes her fear and joins her mom and brother for the Saturday pool party. Soft watercolors illustrate Lottie and her imaginary friend, allowing her to overcome her fear of water.

As Jamie builds on the beach she hums; the ocean swishes. Passersby ask her various questions, which she only vaguely answers. Another artist, a painter, sets up nearby but asks no questions. In companionable silence they continue until they show each other and readers their creations. Brief, poetic text combines with lush, evocative paintings that celebrate a beautiful summer day and the creative process.

Flora draws imaginative adventures in her tree house; her older brother Will acts them out. When Will sees Flora’s depictions of his quests they find shared play is even more fun. Childlike illustrations complement and extend the siblings outdoor and highly inventive undertakings, bringing the tree house and imagination to life.

Hamilton Squidlegger is fearless! Well, almost. During the day he can best all the frackensnappers, skelecragons, and bracklesneeds in the swamp, but at night he quakes in terror. Will his father be able to help Hamilton remain fearless in his own mud all night?

Captain Alfred is sailing home with new ducks for his farm when his little boat is caught in an unexpected and mighty storm. Everything aboard the ship is flung to the far reaches of the sea, including the very special and beautiful duck egg he had nestled safely inside his fiddle case. But perhaps all is not lost: the little duckling stumbles out of his shell and discovers Captain Alfred’s fiddle, floating not too far away in the waves. And when the duckling embraces the instrument with all his heart, what happens next is pure magic.

Harriet just wants to play her cello alone. But when she accidentally knocks the lonely Moon from his heavenly perch, she learns to share her cello-playing with him. Both find friendship in this delicately illustrated, whimsical tale that presents a Moon and one friend with particular personalities.

Just in time for the 50^th anniversary of the Apollo Moon landing, the author/illustrator’s spectacular, dramatic but readable look at the mission has been updated and expanded. Additional art has been added to the new portions including a look at the people who worked behind the scenes to make it happen. Additional information about Apollo’s return is also here.

In this striking volume, readers will encounter the Moon in both fact and fiction. Moon myths from various cultures are presented, the impact of the Moon on plant and animal behavior, a brief examination of the first Apollo landing, even a reflection on what the future of Moon exploration may do and more are presented briefly in well organized, clearly noted and stunningly illustrated sections. A glossary of people and terms are included.

What could be more fun than going to a birthday party by rocket? Celebrating your birthday on the Moon, of course! That’s just is explored in this playfully illustrated look at the moon, bouncily contrasting it an Earth party. The views of Earth would be stunning making up for the fact that everyone would have to wear space suits. Information is presented in boxes throughout this fanciful journey.

A boy looking out his bedroom window into the night sky begins, “The Moon is out tonight. In the morning, three brave men will climb into a giant rocket … and fly to the Moon.” It’s the Apollo 11 mission which inspires the child for a lifetime. Dramatic, highly realistic illustrations present the narrator’s life on earth interwoven with images and information about the Apollo Moon landing and return. An author’s note reveals that he grew up to build small rockets and an airplane. Fun facts, a glossary, and additional resources are included.

Spare, poetic text and luminous, realistic illustrations chronicle the Apollo missions. Comprehensive back matter with photographs adds depth to the presentation. The author, a trained engineer, also presented Countdown: 2979 Days to the Moon (opens in a new window) illustrated by Thomas Gonzalez for readers 9 to 12. The subtitle of this memorable book is the time it took from President John F. Kennedy’s challenge to Neil Armstrong’s first step on the Moon.

Short poems in various forms will inform and engage as they swirl across the pages of this attractive, lively volume. Large pages support the colorful, mixed media illustrations that encourage readers to read about heavenly bodies while gaining tidbits of information, inspiration, and imagination

Alan Bean was not the first but the fourth man to walk on the Moon. However, he was the first astronaut to create paintings inspired by what he saw on and from the Moon. The highly readable, handsomely illustrated look at the Apollo 12 astronaut includes information gleaned from interviews with him as well as back matter (biographical information, a timeline and bibliography). This is a unique look at the moon and its impact on one artist/astronaut, sure to inspire others.

What did President Franklin D. Roosevelt have in common with the notorious gangster, Al Capone? It just might have been a car; specifically a bulletproof Cadillac with a V-8 engine. How these men diverged is presented anecdotally with a touch of speculation but in a highly engaging, readable style. Scratchboard illustrations and concluding back matter includes a timeline, additional resources and a few photographs.

Tornadoes are complex weather phenomena that can be highly destructive. Follow scientist and storm-chaser, Robin Tanamachi, as she researches the genesis of tornadoes and tornadic behavior. Dramatic photographs show not only storm clouds but the aftermath. Charts and other graphics help explain more technical aspects of tornadoes.

When things come to an end by various means (natural or induced such as roadkill), they decompose. Young readers may just revel in the gleeful grossness in well researched narrative and lighthearted illustrations. A glossary and bibliography conclude this enlightening but entertaining informational book.