Book Finder

What does the baby get for his birthday? A big, brown box - just right to stand on to become taller, to hug, and to hold a dog named Oscar. Oscar and the narrator use the box for imaginative adventures and inventive play - and to sit in to eat birthday cake! Bright, boldly outlined illustrations and a simple text communicate the joy of creative play.

A dapper brown bear named Henry and his friend decide to visit another town. As Henry hikes, he leisurely soaks in the flora and fauna as he meets a number of his contemporaries (and a sly way to introduce historical figures such as Mrs. Alcott, Mr. Emerson, and Mr. Hawthorne). His friend, however, misses these as he takes the train. Other books about Henry are also inspired by Thoreau and provide a brief introduction to his life and beliefs.

Louisa May Alcott briefly worked as a nurse during the Civil War before becoming ill herself. In this Magic Tree House fantasy, Jack and Annie travel back to the Civil War, meeting Clara Barton and help nurse the soldiers wounded in battle.

Move over Mother Goose! These cheerfully illustrated ditties not only take off from the earlier rhymes, but add a decidedly contemporary feel with likely appeal especially for truck and grit lovers. The rhymes can be shared aloud or even read aloud with more traditional offerings.

While parents may be miffed when young dinosaurs test limits, they are always reassured of their parents’ cunfailing love. Told in rhyme, this latest addition to the series by this talented writer/artist team is sure to please young children as they cuddle with their parents.

A teddy bear and a small dog share a great friendship in these three satisfying short tales. Young listeners and new readers will appreciate the gentle humor and vivid, boldly outlined illustrations in this latest Dog and Bear installment.

Polo’s adventure begins as his others do: leaving home for an imaginative journey. Here, the small dog sails away in his boat but gets frozen in ice. He gets help from a new friend whose fiery breath allows them to sail off together. Words are not needed in this enjoyable tale.

A bath made Farley, a hairy (and very pleasing) pooch, hungry and so before his owner could slip his collar back on, Farley is off following delicious smells. Although Farley becomes disoriented, he finds his way home and even helps a lost child along the way. Comic strip fans will recognize the characters, though this tale stands alone.

Even though there’s a special day called Children’s Day/Book Day, children and books can be celebrated everyday and in any place as is demonstrated in this vibrant book. Energetic illustrations show a wide range of children and animals playing, reading, and just plain having fun with each other and with books.

Friendships come in all sizes and shapes — even among animals of different kinds. Here crisp photographs and a straightforward text chronicle the unusual friendship between a retired circus elephant named Tarra and a stray dog, Bella, who appeared at the elephant sanctuary in Tennessee. Fans of Owen and Mzee are sure to enjoy this story.

In a companion to A Chair for My Mother, young Rosa awaits the birth of her baby cousin in the now slightly frayed chair so lovingly purchased long ago. When the baby is born, Rosa introduces him to the much-loved chair and its history in this sincere and warmly told and illustrated family story.

Are dust bunnies real? In this silly book they are, and Ed, Ned, Ted, and Bob speak in rhyme all the time! Large illustrations and conversation bubbles show which dust bunny is speaking — that is, until the cleaning tools come out. The broad humor makes for an appealing, easy-to-read tale.

Nate, boy detective, and his dog Sludge work to solve the mystery of missing pages. Called in by the head of a book club, the young detective uses his powers of observation and various clues to solve the latest whodunit in the Nate series.

Buzz and his pet fly, Fly Guy, like to play hide and seek but Fly Guy’s favorite place to hide is the dump. Will Buzz and Fly Guy ever be reunited in a place that’s filled with flies? The outrageous illustrations add to the humor of a bug-eyed Fly Guy and his bug-eyed buddy.

Max Spaniel is a dog on a mission: to track down the dinosaur in his backyard. Find it he does, but it is as imaginative (and nonthreatening) as the dinosaur hunter himself. Limited vocabulary combines with very funny illustrations for a comic and satisfying story.

Inspired by his book for adults, the photographer uses striking full color photographs to introduce animals, tidbits of animal information, as well as the alphabet. From A to Z, readers are encouraged to guess and learn in this intriguing and sophisticated book.

The lesser known animals in this book have something in common: they are all marsupials with particular habitats, habits, and traits. The amazing animals are presented in crisp, full color illustrations and a highly readable narration from this award-winning photographer and science writer.

Sandy Koufax’s early career with the Brooklyn Dodgers was not terribly memorable. But by 1961, the team had moved to Los Angeles and Koufax had perfected his pitch. His amazing story his told through the voice of an unnamed teammate and illustrated with stylized, stunning illustrations.

Dyamonde, a bright, articulate and confident 3rd grader, is entering the library’s poetry contest to win the prize money. Then Dyamonde and her friend, Free, learn that their new friend, Damaris, who is also the best poet in their class, lives in a homeless shelter. The duo of friends turns into a trio — who take a different look at what wealth really means.

Jake (aka the Pain) and his older sister Abigail (the Great One) are back, each sharing one of their experiences, alternating perspectives and voices from one chapter to the next. Each vignette is plausible, recognizable, and often humorous. Cartoon-like illustrations enhance the characterization and their wit.

The timid 2nd grader is back, this time fearful of an upcoming camping trip with his father. Alvin’s siblings try to help him but actually create a different sort of disaster. Readers will enjoy laughing along with these memorable characters.

When the good Italian witch, Strega Nona carefully adds a touch of magic to her well-tended garden it grows beautifully. Her bumbling assistant, Big Anthony, is not as careful with near-disastrous results. A creative solution to the overabundance winds up helping many — but will Big Anthony ever learn?

Scaredy Squirrel is afraid of the dark; for in it lives a host of creepy creatures that may invade his dreams. His list of things to do fail, of course, as does thriving without sleep — but our hero’s tale is amusingly told in words and boldly lined, comic illustrations.

In this latest installment of the ever-popular Magic Tree House series, Jack and Annie go to New Orleans on All Saint’s Day in 1915 to find a young musician named Louis Armstrong. Music, mystery, and ghosts combine for another riveting quest for the sibling adventurers.