Book Finder

Molly told Olive a secret which Olive promised not to tell anyone. Secrets have a way of bubbling out though and so Molly’s secret comes back to her. This familiar dilemma is humorously presented with cartoon illustrations and short text with an unexpected conclusion.

Ribbit-oops! Frog falls into a deep hole, followed by other animals who try to help. Oh, no! Stalked by a hungry tiger, saved by a gentle elephant the drama of the story is enhanced by richly hued illustrations and lots of playful patterns of sounds and language sure to be repeated.

As midnight strikes, he appears: “Hand over hand, the ninja climbed and clambered.” Just as the ninja reaches his target, he’s caught by his mother with ice cream and spoon in hand!  Textured collage illustrations and spare language dramatically evoke a satisfying nighttime mystery

When a downcast magpie is given a single marble by a mouse, it starts its accumulation of many more things until its nest crashes to the ground. Magpie and mouse determine that more isn’t necessarily best. Their tale is told with few words but lush, detailed, and expressive illustrations.

An entrepreneurial sister and her brother decide to make and sell lemonade on a snowy winter day. It’s a chance for Pauline to help John-John learn about money, have a bit of fun, and meet some neighbors. Playful language and quirky illustrations turn a dull day into an adventure.

A polar bear journeys from one exotic setting to another winding up with a friend looking at the stars. The bear’s expedition is revealed without words, using soft-lined, expressive, whimsical illustrations.

Readers are invited into the ocean to see some of its colorful inhabitants from A to Z. Arresting, textured collage illustrations enhance the rhyming couplets that move through the alphabet. Additional brief information about each creature concludes this attractive and informative book.

The arrogant wolf’s self-confidence is bolstered by his encounters with family characters from fairy tales, until he meets a small dragon whose father has taught the tiny lizard a very impressive skill. Comic illustrations and understated text create a very funny and satisfying tale.

The author turns the familiar tale around in this funny take-off. Here, Goldilocks goes to the home of three dinosaurs who would like nothing more than a chocolate-filled little girl. Goldi and the dinos take away very different lessons — all to the delight of well-read children!

Annabelle finds a box with colorful yarn from which she makes sweater for all, adding color and life to a dull landscape. The box is empty when stolen by a greedy man but is yarn-filled when it returns to Annabelle. Textured pictures and understated text on open pages tell an engaging yarn.

Join the parade and count from one to ten in Spanish and in English. Numbers and a one-sentence description of the ceramic figures in regional dress from Oaxaca, Mexico are presented in both languages, punctuated by lively folk art figures.

There’s a lot going on around the farm from sun-up to sundown. It’s described here with onomatopoeic sounds, jaunty rhymes, and illustrations reminiscent of times past.  Children are sure to join in and laugh with the sprightly telling.

The oversized book opens with white on black outlines of a part of a bird. Lift them up to find a full-color illustration of the bird with brief information about it followed by flaps of feathers, eggs that pop up into a bird, and other interactive devices to keep readers engaged.

Birds communicate by the sounds they make and the way they act. Playful illustrations and text combine to present a range of birds and their behavior not only is a visual treat but is sure to enliven everyday observation of our feathered neighbors.

Bear wants to share his story though his friends are preoccupied with winter preparation. When they gather again at winter’s end, Bear’s friends remind him of his story. Tender text and gentle illustrations by the Caldecott-medal winning husband & wife team is sure to engage.

Readers are encouraged to tell the story of a brave farm girl who provides food to someone who has escaped in this sophisticated, expressive, wordless book. Inspired by family stories, the author allows adults to fill in the historical detail while children recognize the story’s power.

The story of Zamba, an orphaned lion is dramatically told in highly realistic watercolors and a vibrant narrative. Named for his native Zambia, Zamba’s gentle nature made his a film star but he became a hero rescuing animals from a flood. This touching tale is based on an actual lion.

John Chapman, better known as Johnny Appleseed, changed his world “seed by seed, deed by deed” as this handsome book encourages readers to do. Children are encouraged to celebrate Johnny Appleseed’s anniversary every autumn by planting seeds literally and figuratively.

Vivid paintings by San artists, an artists’ project of Botswana, accompany an original story about the ostrich that finds his voice and changes the veld. Lyrical language will read aloud well and evokes a strong sense of place.

With the help of a little bit of magic, Mr. Renny’s paintings come to life, literally. But when his friend Rose wants a painting, how will the floppy-eared canine artist reverse the charm? A touch of traditional tales is sure to delight adult sensibilities but the book is sure to charm children.

The author recounts her family’s move by train from Oklahoma to California, the “land of milk and honey.”  Evocative language and luxurious illustration create a warm recollection from a child’s perspective.

An observant girl shares her observations and appreciation of ducks as she and her mother walk and watch. Information appears on open pages that sport informal illustrations and lively language for a memorable look at these feathered delights.

Jangles is the fish of legendary proportion. He’s evaded everything from special lures to dynamite from fishermen on Big Lake. The narrator shares his father’s story about Jangles, realistically illustrated in deeply hued colors for a fish tale of gigantic proportion.

Lydia tires of her electronic devices while her parents and brother are enmeshed in theirs. A small leaf beckons the girl outdoors, propelling her into an imaginative outdoor adventure. Sure to start conversations among plugged-in family members, this genial fantasy is playful and light.