Book Finder

Look at some of the amazing animals found near or in the ocean in colorful, sometimes sparkly illustration. Lift the flap; touch the texture to find out a bit more about them in this sturdy, appealing, and informative, surprisingly sophisticated book.

Meet a grand old woman who lives in a shoe with lots and lots of children. She also makes stew for the diverse cast of kids (and animals), mends their clothes, and fixes broken furniture! A well-known rhyme becomes new again in bright illustration and fresh verse.

Join the train as it begins its rhythmic, rhyming counting expedition. It starts with one engine and a happy bear and ending with the caboose with 10 windows and a “goodnight!” wish. Colors are presented in the same format in Steam Train, Dream Train Colors.

Crisp color photographs of living creatures not only encourages counting from 1 to 10 but introduces a range of animals. Find a similar use of photographs in Colors (opens in a new window), another title in the series.

A satisfied cat presents both the inside and outside of its house as well as a human companion. The author/illustrator uses his signature flat, bright illustrations and straightforward language.   

A helpful but slightly confused cement truck mixes a cake and icing before blending cement and finally helping the other trucks clean up.  Bold forms and bright colors add humor to the gentle tale.

Superheroes in brightly colored uniforms are used to introduce young children to colors.  The green Hulk wears “purple pants” while Captain America sports “white stars.” 

Familiar things easily found are presented in a small size using high contrast pictures to engage the youngest child.  Illustrations are stylized but recognizable (e.g., sun, moon) in black, white, and a touch of red.

What do you get when a crocodile is crossed with a hippopotamus?  A crocopotamus, of course!  Split images on sturdy pages encourage the creation of new and imaginative creatures.

Watch the bright hot rod “brrrroommm” and the taxi “skreeeek!” across the elongated pages of this sturdy board book.  The lively sounds present an animated cacophony of vehicles that go! 

Small hands can trace shapes of young animals while discovering other tidbits about them. Simple, bright forms on sturdy pages with related words make this an engaging, multisensory experience.  Also in the series, similarly presented and equally appealing, is Homes (opens in a new window).

Itty Bitty is a very, very tiny dog. But when he finds an enormous bone, he goes straight to work, gnawing out doors and windows and hollowing out the entire inside. When his work is done, however, his cavernous house still feels incomplete. Where can he find some itty-bitty things that will make this bone a home?

A donkey announces excitedly, “I yam a donkey!” Unfortunately the donkey’s audience happens to be a yam, and one who is particular about sloppy pronunciation and poor grammar. An escalating series of misunderstandings leaves the yam furious and the clueless donkey bewildered by the yam’s growing (and amusing) frustration.

The famous toy actor, Sock Monkey, has been nominated for an Oswald Award. But to attend the ceremony, he must do something terrifying — he must take a bath. Luckily, his three best pals — Miss Bunn, Froggie, and Blue Pig — know just what to do to help Sock Monkey become fresh and clean … and maybe win his very own Oswald!

A child can be as quiet as a cricket, as small as an ant or as big as a whale on the path from toddler to childhood. Lyrical metaphors and realistic illustrations combine for a celebration of the sometimes contradictory process of growing up.   

Young readers share short, humorous escapades with Piggy Pie Po, a large-eared porcine hero. Lively illustrations and vivacious, rhyming illustration make this an adventure to share more than once.

Little pigs play on pudgy fingers in this inventive and playful illustrated rhyme. Young children and adults are sure to enjoy reading and re-reading the book and slow down to examine the colorful paintings.

Sleepers, both human and four-legged, pile atop of each other in this clever cumulative rhyme. Rich illustrations evoke the evening setting and provide humorous personalities to the drowsy granny and her companions.

A small mouse tries to protect its lovely strawberry from a big hungry – but always “off stage” – bear. The narrative directly addresses readers, complemented by colorful illustrations of a charismatic mouse with large ears and an expressive face.

A mother warns her seven children not to open the door in her absence, but alas, the children are duped by a tricky witch named Heckedy Peg. Their mother’s wisdom, however, cleverly saves the day. Told in the cadence of a folktale, this richly illustrated tale makes a fine read aloud.

While others in his court have tried, only the young page is able to dislodge King Bidgood from his bubbly bathtub. Rich illustration (which won a Caldecott Honor) and a rhyming text depict an elegant Elizabethan period in this rib-tickling tale. 

Residents of the napping house are anything but sleepy; in fact, the full moon shining brightly is making them restless! With rich, rhyming language and playful paintings, this cumulative tale is a worthy companion to the creators’ early (and quite opposite book), The Napping House. 

From sending invitations to preparing party games, the queen makes certain that all is just perfect for an upcoming birthday party. Whose birthday is it? Her daughter’s! Bouncy illustrations and a relaxed text are sure to inspire party planners everywhere.

Short poems and gentle illustrations present seasons almost as a journal. Each entry captures natural beauty and emotions that often accompany them. For example the March 13 entry: “politely/but tired of mittens/I asked winter to please tell the snow/thank you very much, but no”.