Book Finder

Bear and Moose, two dogs who don’t look like their names, are adopted from a shelter by a woman named Cathy. The dogs soon find a lost and lonely kitten named Tiger. This sweetly told and gently illustrated story with a very happy ending is the beginning of a new series just right for young animal lovers.

The squirrels Norma, and Belly are back and are just as hungry, tenacious, and funny as they were in the other books about them (which started with Donut Feed the Squirrels (opens in a new window)). They try to invade a fortune cookie factory, all dressed as ninjas. A simple comic format and limited text combine to make this a hit with beginning readers.

It takes a good teacher to really see an insecure child. Ms. Kern sees Lila Greer so well that Lila grows into the amazing teacher of kids like Rosie Revere, Ada Twist, and Sophia Valdez. Like other books in the series, is fun to read aloud and is illustrated in Roberts’ characteristically detailed (and fashion-conscious) style.

In their seventh adventure, the detective team is informed by the Coast Gourd that a captain was found but without his ship. Will the InvestiGators be able to solve their latest mystery on the high sea or will they will be all tied up (or is it tide up …)? Read in order or as a standalone, this silly, pun-filled installment is sure to delight.

The silly fun that started in The First Cat in Space Ate Pizza returns in this latest book. Soup has poisoned the Moon Queen. Can she — and the universe — be saved before it’s too late? Soup of Doom can be read alone or as a sequel (and be prepared for another madcap adventure!)   

A day in the life of residents of a sizeable apartment begins when a large clock on its front reads 6. It’s morning. Though some people are already at work, most start at 7. Readers will enjoy following activities throughout the day as only the time, sky, and activities change. Detailed papercut illustrations are unique and engaging.

A girl and her mother find and adopt a lone polar bear cub. Together they thrive until the bear is no longer a cub, who leaves the humans to find his own community. One day, the bear returns with his mother. This adaptation of an Inuit tale is simply and touchingly illustrated. 

A mother introduces her child to his rich bicultural heritage through dragons. Distinctive illustrations and lyrical language contrast the fierce dragons hidden in deep, dark forests of the West, and the water-dwelling, free-flying dragons of the East. The mother reminds the boy that, “Both journeys are yours to take. Both worlds are yours to discover.”

When snow starts falling, the perfectly normal animals on Farmer Pumpernickel’s farm start acting strangely; they catch snowflakes on their tongues! Eventually, even the farmer himself gets with the rhythm. Rhyming text accompanied by comical illustrations will make a joyful read aloud.

A girl thinks everyone else in her family is smarter and more talented that she is. The girl thinks she messes up whatever she touches, even her grandmother’s nesting dolls. Her wise grandmother helps her understand that not all family members have the same gifts or look alike, but each is an important part of the same family. The author explores her own Gullah Geechee background in this touching and universal story.

One single red apple hangs on a tree. One by one, animals see it and greedily declare it “Mine!” Only a nonplussed possum willing to share it with the apple’s resident worm winds up with the prize. Alliterative, animated, onomatopoeic language is paired with strong lines and color for a jaunty, delightful book to read aloud.

Micah knows that his new sister Lily is a Martian. His fears are confirmed by his cousin Maxwell and doubly so when Lily goes to school with Micah for show-and-tell! Humor abounds in this out-of-this-world sibling story.

Together Gift and Box were a package on the way to a child from her grandmother. “Gift’s purpose was to delight. Box’s purpose was to protect.” They both arrived safely, and brought joy to the young Sofia! Imaginative illustrations on what appears to be cardboard depict packages’ long journey in an amusing, reassuring way.

Doris, a performing horse, steps out of her comfort zone to find out what is twinkling beyond. She feels the “moonness” and soon is joined by a brown pony and together they dance off. Swirling illustrations combine with limited text that whirls across the pages in this joyful celebration.

Will JoJo ever be able to dance the national dance of the Philippines as easily as his grandmother? As he watches and practices, he begins to learn how to let the rhythm move through him and he dances the tininkling! Warm illustrations complement the lively text, evoking the sense of movement and joy.

Will the runaway pea become a snack for one of the animals it rolls by? Illustrations call to mind folk art in this rollicking translation from the French. The tale is likely to hold up to multiple readings and may inspire young gardeners!

Marta is una niña, an ordinary girl, who is sometimes big when compared to a bug; sometimes small next to an elephant. The charming child is presented in a sturdy format with words in both English and Spanish.  

Young Leo and his dad enjoy a day exploring nature, observing small creatures, and looking at trees and animals. Realistic illustrations and simple language enhance the shared joy.

Parents welcome their new little one, examining the baby’s face and describing its features in Spanish. Cozy illustrations and the welcoming narration conclude with a glossary (just in case it’s not clear from the images!).

A small dog and tiny cat are best of friends, playing all day, until one day Tao is hurt. George misses Tao very much until the friends are reunited, one with a bandage and gentler play. Simple but evocative illustrations complement the effective, brief narrative.

Tired of the same Old MacDonald’s farm? Add donuts and a greedy crocodile alongside a take-charge rooster and it’s a new tune! Silliness is the word (and picture) on this farm as children will sing along with the rousing E-I-E-I-O!

One toddler thinks she can get dressed all by herself but winds up needing her sister’s help. In Muy verde! / Too Green!, another child is reluctant to try a new green soup but once he does, he wants more! Both attractive board books capture familiar experiences through cheerful, expressive illustrations and short text. Both books are available in bilingual (Spanish/English) editions.

Alma, first introduced in Alma and How She Got Her Name, is back! She plays with her cousins, snuggles with her mother, and more as she names her relatives. In Alma Head to Toe / Alma de pies a cabeza, she introduces all of her from her head to her soft heart. Both engaging books are in Spanish and English, sure to charm even the youngest reader.

Fefa struggles with words. She has word blindness, or dyslexia, and the doctor says she will never read or write. Every time she tries, the letters jumble and spill off the page, leaping away like bullfrogs. How will she ever understand them? But her mother has an idea. She gives Fefa a blank book filled with clean white pages. “Think of it as a garden,” she says. Soon Fefa starts to sprinkle words across the pages of her wild book. She lets her words sprout like seedlings, shaky at first, then growing stronger and surer with each new day. And when her family is threatened, it is what Fefa has learned from her wild book that saves them.