Book Finder

On a snowy winter morning, Sam and his mom bake cakes to surprise their friends in the neighborhood. Sam delivers them all by himself — with a little encouragement from Mrs. Bear as she waits in their pick-up truck. Their morning adventure ends back home with a cake and a cup of hot cocoa for both Mrs. Bear and Sam. This reassuring story is told in gentle, engaging language supported by appealing illustrations that evoke the frosty weather.

When Nita discovers a book entitled So You Want to Be a Wizard? at her local library, she enters another dimension where she successfully defeats the forces of evil. The series continues in Deep Wizardry, High Wizardry, and A Wizard Abroad. A powerfully involving story about two lonely kids who are inadvertently caught up in the never-ending battle between good and evil.

The first in a series of autobiographical chapter books about Tomie dePaola’s early years, this story focuses on his family’s move from their apartment in Meriden, Connecticut, to the now famous address, 26 Fairmount Avenue. This Newbery Honor book is sprinkled with humorous sketches, and is ideal for reading aloud and for the sharing of family stories.

I, Amber Brown, have a lot to worry about. This third-grader faces ex-best friends, homework, and school pictures with ingenuity and determination. Featuring Paula Danziger’s trademark wit and insight, the Amber Brown books explore common and often difficult issues for kids with amazing sensitivity and humor.

Where and how the Olympics began is explored in this factual companion to Hour of the Olympics (in the Magic Tree House fantasy series in which siblings Annie and Jack time travel). The informational book stands alone or can augment the novel (for 6-9 year olds) as they explore the origins of the Olympics.

In Arthur’s Nose, first grader Arthur decides that he doesn’t like his nose. He goes to the rhinologist to change it, but ultimately decides, to the relief of his friends and family, “I’m just not me without my nose!”

Chet Gecko is a sassy, wisecracking fourth-grade detective. Along with Natalie Attired, his mockingbird sidekick, he solves the many mysteries that plague Emerson Hicky Elementary. Each pun-filled novel introduces new silliness to this Sam Spade-esque series.

Commander Toad and the crew of the Star Warts are back, this time to confront villainous space pirates. As in other Commander Toad books, puns and silliness are complemented by humorous illustrations.

Sort-of-serious illustrations are perfect for this comical parody of familiar science fiction films. The brave commander of the Star Warts spacecraft is a Toad who saves his ship from the dangers of a watery planet and its resident monster, Deep Wader.

Time-traveling siblings, Jack and Annie, are celebrating their 20th anniversary in print. Join them on their first fantastic Magic Tree House adventure to the time of dinosaurs. The occasion is celebrated with new illustrations, updated dino info, and a letter from the author.

Make a thumbprint, add a few lines, and voila! you get an instant cartoon! This easy-to-follow book helps even the youngest make fascinating, funny creatures.

Fox thinks of himself as extremely clever – will anyone be able to outfox him? Ink, pencil, and watercolor illustrations accompany the text of these sprightly, humorous, and appealing tales.

Imagine traveling to Egypt with the well known and much loved teacher, Ms. Frizzle. Well, the kids join the Friz on a trip to Egypt finding them enmeshed in the goings-on of ancient Egypt — including mummification and building the pyramids. The intermingling of lively text and adroit illustration are well placed in the oversize format.

Third grade Gabi speaks Spanish at home and English at school and sometimes “Spanglish” everywhere. Spanish and English combine naturally in Gabi’s narration as the irrepressible, likable girl befriends a kindergartner who has moved from Nicaragua and as she controls her temper when teased by a classmate.

Annie and Jack travel back in time to the first Olympic games to retrieve a lost story, in this Magic Tree House story. There they learn a lot about what girls were — and were not — permitted to do in Ancient Greece.

Short rhyming text contrasts with illustrations of huge dinosaurs who are ailing with sniffles and coughs. Of course, the dinosaurs (with their names tucked into each page) are being helped by a caring but seemingly small adult in this companion to How Do Dinosaurs Say Good Night?

Ten sleepy dinosaurs get ready for bed in this celebration of funny, endearing, and naughty bedtime behavior. Young children will laugh out loud as they recognize themselves in this larger than life silliness.

Arthur and the other kids in Mr. Ratburn’s class take a field trip to a Middle Ages fair where there’s competitions and games from the period. Arthur and the others vie with students from another school to uphold their honor in this longer chapter book, which is just as satisfying as the Arthur picture books.

Arthur’s little sister, Dora Winifred (better known as D.W.) can hardly wait until she can write her entire name to get her very own library card. Once she does, however, D.W. worries so much about possibly damaging the book she borrowed that she cannot enjoy it. Arthur helps her understand that she can use and enjoy library books safely. Also available in Spanish.

Little Rat really doesn’t want to start the lessons her parents have arranged; she’s afraid of sailing! But with the help of an amiable instructor, Little Rat overcomes her fear and learns not only to sail, but to enjoy it as well.

The irrepressible Gabi is tired of speaking two languages and feels like she’s messing up both. But what can she do if she is only allowed to speak Spanish at home? Gabi comes up with a solution that will make readers chuckle and recognize some of their own thinking in Gabi’s reasoning.

Nate the Great has been delighting beginning readers for 30 years. The quirky characters and simple, clever storylines are a big hit with kids – all of whom love to solve each mystery alongside the most popular sleuth in the business.

The entire town is scammed by the new Perfect Pup Institute but not Martha. She discovers that the partners who run it are using the RoboRover Brain Stopper and saves the day (and the dogs). As all of the Martha tales, this is told and illustrated with lots of humor and verve.

Ramona, now starting 4th grade, gets a teacher who is a stickler for proper spelling. Ramona is propelled into writing a letter when she finds an error in an advertisement — all with the verve and humor readers expect of Ramona.