The charming black and white pup, Rocket, and other familiar characters from the author are back for an alliterative excursion through the alphabet. Each letter gets its own double page spread on which the letter is highlighted.
R Is for Rocket: An ABC Book
Visit some of London’s landmarks as the palace guards chase down the queen’s hat that the wind blew off her head. Royal head and hat are reunited after the jaunt shared on open pages that use strong line and dashes of color for a regal read.
The Queen’s Hat
As a hurricane approaches, animals and their behavior before a storm are described using the cadence of the familiar rhyme, “Over in the Meadow,” Handsome, realistic illustration evoke the mood of the weather and its impact.
Over in the Wetlands: A Hurricane-on-the-Bayou Story
Bob is a very talented pup who lives with the young narrator and his family. Bob, however, is not a showoff, demonstrating his talent for his family only. The understated, easy-to-read text and lightly colored cartoon line drawings emphasize the humor of Bob’s humility and his family’s affection for him.
My Dog, Bob
Mia must share her room with Abuela but she and her grandmother can’t even speak the same language! How they grow comfortable with each other and learn to communicate – even without language – is affectionately conveyed through Mia’s narration and gentle, warm illustrations.
Mango, Abuela, and Me
Two mice visit each other: the country dweller visits his urban cousin followed by the urban mouse going country after which each decides their own home is best. Handsome illustrations and contemporary language distinguish this retelling of a traditional fable.
Mousetropolis
An economy of words and animated line drawings with a dash of red combines to tell the story of a bear that loses a scarf but finds companionship. Two words describe the satisfying action on each page: Lost. Found
Lost. Found.
Every day holds something for which children and adults can be grateful. This becomes clear in this small book which features dePaola’s signature illustrations in a light colors combined with straightforward, simple language.
Look and Be Grateful
A dozen original lullabies by the author of Good Night Moon are presented here for the first time. Each sweet piece has been newly illustrated by a well-known illustrator in distinctive styles, ranging from Melissa Sweet to Sean Qualls. A CD is included.
Goodnight Songs
Highly realistic portraits for familiar animals from one to 10 are presented with a tidbit of information about where and how they live. But this is more than a simple (and gorgeous) counting book. Each animal is either endangered or threatened; additional information at the end brings readers up to date with each animal’s status.
Counting Lions: Portraits from the Wild
A girl takes the bus alone for the first time to visit her grandmother though she’s really not traveling along. A cast of animals accompany her on the journey presented in the girl’s narration and expressive illustrations presented in a long format reminiscent of the shape of a bus.
The Bus Ride
The tall format holds surprises for readers in this sophisticated, engaging book of opposites. Indeed there is a big bear and a small chair but there is also a big penguin and a little iceberg and other even less likely juxtapositions. Illustrations use limited but strong color and bold lines with a unique result.
Big Bear, Little Chair
A bear finds his way to the city where a sandwich is left unattended. Does the bear eat it before returning to the forest – or could it be someone else? Careful examination of the illustrations makes one wonder in this charming narration with slyly humorous and elucidating illustrations.
Bear Ate Your Sandwich
Only one in a large, good-humored cast of cartoon human and animal characters enacts the answers to questions posed such as “Who didn’t get enough sleep?” and ”Who ate all the jam?” Careful examination is needed but sure to result in chuckles and lots of re-readings
Who Done It?
Playing with words is fun in this spirited combination of word and image as both hold the answer to the questions asked. For example, the double page spread on which “Who bought the apple?” is asked, the arm of an ape can be seen. The letters in the answer are in a different color as well for the more text-oriented in this fresh and fun book.
Where’s the Baboon?
History is made up of moments. Twenty-eight moments revealed in poetry, well-known quotes, and more and rich, swirling illustration are presented – one for each of the days in Black History Month. This creative presentation, however, amply demonstrates that African American history is worth sharing all year.
28 Days: Moments in Black History that Changed the World
Troy Andrews grew up in a New Orleans family of musicians so it’s not surprising that he, too, grew up playing the trombone and singing. His lively narration is rhythmic, sprinkled with colloquialism and enhanced by collage and paint illustrations.
Trombone Shorty
What and how many creatures make their home in one almendro tree? Count the animals and insects that reside in one single Latin American rainforest tree in lush illustrations and straightforward text.
Tree of Wonder: The Many Marvelous Lives of a Rainforest Tree
Sona’s grandparents travel to America from India for the wedding of Sona’s sister. The Hindu wedding traditions are followed including the game in which the younger sibling hides the groom’s shoes. Richly hued illustrations depict the activities and the fun of a family celebration.
Sona and the Wedding Game
Sharks have not five but six senses —; all used to help them survive and even thrive. “Electroreception” is the sixth sense that allows sharks to detect electric fields emitted by other animals. This introduction to sharks is effectively illustrated with collage and will likely inform as well as dispel shark myths.
Sharks Have Six Senses
A young frog has trouble sleeping as there are strange noises all around. His father hears them, too, and so they seek out the source of the noises before finally sleeping. The recognizable story is gently told accompanied by illustrations that evoke the nighttime pond.
Scritch Scratch Scraww Plop
Stunning photographs accompanied by lyrical text describe rain and its effects in a rainforest and on people. This handsome book can be read as poetry, examined for its photography, and/or used as an introduction to the water cycle and weather.
Raindrops Roll
Baseball was very popular in 1900 but it was played mostly by boys. In a small state in a small town in New England, however, a girl named Lizzie was going to change that. Lizzie’s natural skill at the sport was evident early on and she (with the support of her family) stuck with it to become the Queen of Baseball. Buoyant illustrations and readable text combine to present an upbeat story of this early female athlete.
Queen of the Diamond
A cat, now a mummy, explores the pyramid in search of his much-loved owner, they young queen, Hatshepsut. Stylized illustrations effectively present ancient Egypt, its hieroglyphics, and the affection between a pet and its owner. Back matter introduces mummies as well as to the period and place in which they were used.