Book Finder

Yumi and Grandma really wanted to see each other. As Yumi travels by bus toward Grandma, Grandma travels by train to visit Yumi. Back and forth they go until they accidentally but happily meet in the middle. Humor abounds in the simple illustrations and gentle narration in an elongated format that highlights Yumi and Grandma’s treks back and forth.

Say hello to a dazzling array of animals presented in intriguing groupings. Starting with “Hello Hello/Black and White” all the way to “…Roars,/Peeps, Chirps/and Chants/Hello Song,/and Hello Dance…” the bouncy, rhyming text and animated illustrations is sure to engage. A final note about the animals’ status and a key to who readers have greeted conclude the book.

Even goldfish can use a vacation as three children learned. They let their fish, Barracuda, Patch, and Fiss, — as well as many other kids’ fish — vacation in a fountain built by the architect of Grand Central Station!  At the end of the summer, the goldfish returned to their homes and children. The “perfectly true made-up story” is based on actual events in NY City,

Beaver doesn’t think about his neighbors downstream while he’s building his dam. Frog bravely tries to make Beaver understand but Beaver just doesn’t listen. Only when disaster strikes do all of the animals figure out how to make homes for everyone. Gentle wisdom and cartoon illustrations tell a satisfying story.

Two dudes, a platypus and a beaver, paddle out to ride a wave but see a threatening fin nearby. Is the huge shark a threat or a friend waiting to be made? This wacky, almost wordless tale is told in large spreads and smaller panels of expressive characters complemented by the equally expressive typeface of the few words used. Get it, dude!?

A child visits his grandfather but has trouble communicating; they literally don’t speak the other’s language. That is until they find another way to share thoughts and feelings through art. As each of them expresses himself creating unique superheroes, two generations are drawn together. Universal emotions are placed in a specific but nonetheless moving context.

If you don’t blink, you don’t have to turn the page; you therefore don’t have to go to bed. Each time a blink occurs, however, the closer the end gets in this humorous, participatory book with a big-eyed owl as a guide (who, by the way, is asleep by book’s end).

Lucy always wanted a dog but Bear becomes a bit of a problem. In addition to sleeping for months, he is messy and eats endless bowls of porridge. When Bear runs away, both he and Lucy find out that friendship overcomes most things. Readers will immediately recognize the mistaken identity seen only in the simple illustrations and enhanced in humorous dialog.

Family life is busy for the young narrator until after dinner when he and his dad share the Magic Hour. As day wanes but before being tucked in, father and child take a magical neighborhood walk enjoying small pleasures along the way. Gentle text and handsome illustrations combine to reveal one family’s loving and lovely tradition.

Handsomely illustrated, shapes both simple (square, rectangle) and complex (cone, hexagon) are introduced as found in a range of art and architecture, faith, and practices in Muslim countries. A concluding note by the author broadly explains Islam and the range of countries from which her inspiration was drawn.

A small, gray elephant has a bad back itch. Can anyone help him? The alligator is a bit scary, the sloth is too slow, and meerkats are too tickly. Relief comes for elephant but maybe not so much for the hedgehog. Simple comic strip-like illustrations and dialog in various sizes are rib-tickling.

When a boy misses his bus, he hollers, “Bus! Stop!”  What follows is an imaginative series of other buses that appear as a Conestoga wagon, a boat and even one that floats. The horizontal format and blocky illustrations focus on the boy’s travel travails – and the start of another’s bus problems as he finally boards a bus.

Alma Sofia Esperanza Jose Pura Candela thought her name was too long. That is until her dad shares the history behind it. Alma discovers pride in the strong relatives after whom she is named. The limited colors used in the drawings provide a look back and a look forward as Alma grows to recognize the strength in her name.

Young children will recognize the bedtime ritual shared by two siblings from cleaning up to taking a bath, from reading to snuggling with a lovey, Soft illustrations complement the brief text on sturdy pages.

Signs of summer pop up with each page turn and are briefly described, sure to delight adult and child alike. Bright color and engaging text encourage involvement with all things summer. While not terribly fragile, young hands may need a reminder to handle with care.

It’s a happy day for Ducky Duckling as it plays in the rain, hugs bugs, and more. Simple sentences and lots of quacking combine with colorful, naïve illustrations that will encourage engagement as well as delight young listeners.

A small yellow chick in need of a playmate spies small puppy. The eager pup is more than happy to frolic but what do a pip and a pup share in common? Though wordless, their story of friendship emerges through gentle, expressive illustrations just right for slightly older toddlers.

Pete the Cat is marching with his look-alikes from one to ten, each adding an instrument to the cheerful conclusion. The riff on a familiar rhyme (“Ants go marching”) may inspire others as listeners or readers enjoy the humor.

Two tall giraffes greet an ostrich trying asking the bird how it feels. Ultimately, they all decide that they’re quite pleased to have found new friendships and are thrilled to share a fiesta. Expressive illustrations and the bilingual text depict the joy of the experience.

Who has feet like these? Turn the page to find out! Crisp photographs of animals with different feet are briefly described (e.g., webbed, scaly, even happy) ask then answer the question, introducing animals and one way to identify them.

A mother duck and 5 ducklings waddle onto a bridge. And one by one, the ducklings fall (or perhaps dive) into the water below. What’s a mother duck to do? She joins them, of course. Simple illustrations extend the fun of the repeating narrative.

A black bird explores the outdoors, seeing many colors. Simple text is accompanied by brilliant, textured illustrations for a glimpse into what one bird may observe in a day.

One small animal making music with a pot and wooden spoon inspires other to join in the musical fun. Cartoon illustrations repeat the process until pages are filled with the youngsters and their sounds. Activities change when a grownup comes in with a colorful treat.

Young children are truly amazing as they dance through the pages of this rollicking book. Line and wash illustrations show a wide range of children dancing and playing. This title and Amazing Me! Music! create a harmonious pair.