Animals, like people, have faces. And faces have amazing features; for example, a panda’s furry face keeps it warm, a ladybug’s antennae smells, and large ears help bats hear. Explore these and other senses in crisp text and lots of photographs in an attractive, accessible format. A code for a supplemental digital book is included to continue the exploration.
Animal Faces
Lyrical language and handsome, realistic watercolors present water in its many forms, from liquid to snow. Water is also in things like mud and even apples. Additional information about the processes seen and further readings concludes this striking and informative look at water.
Water Is Water
Even when it’s too early to plant, there’s a lot going on underground. When a grandmother and her grandchild do plant, they tend the garden until it’s harvested and even then there’s a great deal of activity down in the dirt. Richly colored illustrations show both on top and underneath the garden.
Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt
Two toddlers and their mothers spend a day at the beach. The children share activities that involve a seagull, a sandcastle, a crab, and a wave — until the moms dry them off and pack the kids and the car up. Loose pastel illustrations capture the airiness and adventure in the day’s simple pleasures.
Uh-Oh!
Many animals on land and in the water, familiar and exotic, have spots — seen here through brief, poetic language and carefully crafted illustrations: “Spots with purpose, spots with flair. Spotted creatures everywhere!” Additional information about the animals and where they live concludes this handsome informational book.
Spectacular Spots
Some creatures that live in oceans have skeletons, others don’t. Meet a colorful variety of them in this exploration of sea animals from jellies to clown fish in this playful but informative introduction. A chart of “sea facts” concludes this book that can be read with or without the extra information presented in a different typeface on each double-page spread.
Sea Bones
Red is misunderstood. He’s a red crayon with a label that says blue so he can’t draw a strawberry or even a stoplight. But when Red learns that he’s really blue, well, he regains his self-confidence. Child-like drawings combine with precise collages for a memorable and humorous take on expectations, labels, and self-confidence.
Red: A Crayon’s Story
From fish to produce, the detailed maps and a list of things to find on each double page spread, demystify how the produce sold at a farmers market gets there. Sophisticated children will be able to follow the maps; younger children will look for specific objects in this attractive book that requires keen sight and much examination.
Market Maze
A slightly grumpy CJ asks his grandma why they have to take a bus across town every Sunday after church. Her answers are playful, wise, and effective; CJ admits he’s glad they came to see their friends at the soup kitchen where they serve. Bright, stylized illustrations and rich, well-paced language presents a warm relationship and a diverse urban locale. (2016 Newbery Medal Winner)
Last Stop on Market Street
Hudson, a small dog, narrates his travels from Paris by train to Provence with his human mom. Although a tourist, Hudson tries jobs done by local dogs but finds the magic of Provence in his ability to paint portraits of the canines. Impressionistic paintings glimpse the French countryside and its goings-on.
Hudson in Provence
Travel through time, imagination, literature, and more for a unique look at “home” in any number of richly imagined ways. Stylized illustration and text present homes that are tall, short, messy, clean, real, or fantastic. The detailed illustrations are sure to get readers thinking about homes of all types and what they can represent.
Home
Hippos are indeed huge. They can also be dangerous as they’re fast and have razor-sharp teeth. An informal narrative and dramatic illustrations combine with factual information in this engaging and fascinating look at a very big creature.
Hippos Are Huge!
A boy learns from his art teacher at the Metropolitan Museum of Art that “anything can be in an art exhibit” when it tells a story, is unique, makes the viewer feel good, and more — making his grandmother the ideal subject for a painting! Cartoon illustrations combine with reproductions of actual work from the Met for an intriguing introduction to museums and art.
Grandma in Blue with Red Hat
Some kids are adopted, others live with one parent, other children live with two moms or two dads; still others live with a mom and dad. Lots of different families are celebrated through a simple text and full-color photographs.
Families
A family tours Israel and its sights, learning the multiple meanings of “shalom.” Illustrations create a sense of place and combine with brief evocative language in this travelogue. Additional information about sites visited concludes this sweet look at Israel.
Everybody Says Shalom
What makes a bird different from other animals that also have a beak, wings, and lay eggs? It is feathers, of course — bright or dull, on birds tall or small. Easy text and realistic illustrations show familiar and less well known birds in this appealing and informative book.
A Bird Is a Bird
Follow a honeybee as it travels to a prairie in bloom to gather nectar and return to let other bees know of the place. Bold collages of honeybees from varied perspectives present the environment and hive. Additional information about the honeybee dance concludes this compelling look at a fascinating process.
Bee Dance
It’s summer! A family of five (plus dog) pack up their van and head to the beach, unpack and begin their first day of vacation. Watercolors depict the exuberant family and are a fine complement to the staccato, rhyming text.
Beach House
This ode to building a house from the ground up features six kinds of craftsmen and the 24 tools they use, accurately labeled. The answer to each inquiring refrain is revealed under a gatefold, seven in all, engaging the reader in an informative guessing game.
Whose Tools?
Although the booming storm frightens Bear, the cub tries different things by himself and with his parents, until the weather passes. Reassuringly, each kiss, snuggle, or song lets him feel better.
Stormy Night
From planting to harvesting, Stanley grows wheat on a large farm. Cartoon illustrations of the charming hamster-as-farmer present a straightforward, simplified look at typical activities.
Stanley the Farmer
Spot explores familiar shapes that can be seen in a child’s everyday life — a book is square, for example. Shapes and objects are presented in easy language and a signature-style of illustration.
Spot’s Favorite Shapes
Die-cuts in concentric circles on sturdy boards are used to focus on a small sand crab’s beach. Small fingers can animate the crab with a finger puppet that is affixed to the book.
On My Beach
“Chirp!” says a big-eyed bird; “Slurp!” responds the anteater. Animals both familiar and more exotic greet each other with one rhyming sound on opposite sides of each colorful spread.