“Think you know cute?” Think again if you haven’t met a quokka, pom-pom crab, or a minute leaf chameleon. Actual photographs of a range of critters are presented with solid information with a light touch added. Additional information and glossary are included.
Cute as an Axolotl
The animals introduced here are not large and famous. Instead they are animals too small, too peculiar, or even too smelly to command much positive attention. But they are fascinating, presented here in lighthearted but accurate image and brief text.
Pipsqueaks, Slowpokes, and Stinkers: Celebrating Animal Underdogs
The young narrator tells his dog’s veterinarian that his interest in becoming a vet may not be possible because his allergy to cats. Happily, there are many different kinds of veterinary practices as the boy and readers learn in this easy to read, informative book.
I Want to Be a Veterinarian
Whose footprints are those? Even if you don’t know, turn the page to find out or who likes to play in water and more. Animals and insects — and even a young child — have footprints that provide clues and a touch of information. Realistic illustrations add fun and fact.
Step by Step
Fire fighters, police offices, medical staff and others are all rapid responders. Here, each introduces their special emergency vehicle. Lift the flap on sturdy pages for additional information about what it does. A similar format introduces all types of working boats in Whose Boat? (opens in a new window) by Toni Buzzeo, illustrated by Tom Froese.
Rapid Responders (Finn’s Fun Trucks)
With the turn of a page, the description and illustration of the back end turn into the animal’s front along with its name to finish the sentence, “I am…” Translucent illustrations on open pages create an informative, playful guessing game.
Heads and Tails
Hatmaker, wife, mother, pioneer, and activist, Esther Morris was instrumental in getting the vote for women in Wyoming, the first state to pass such a law. Whether brewing tea or learning to sew, from an early age Esther adamantly states, I could do that! — the mantra of her life.
I Could Do That! Esther Morris Gets Women the Vote
Eleanor Roosevelt’s 1932 book on citizenship for young people now revised and updated for a contemporary audience. Beginning with government workers like firefighters and garbage collectors, and moving up through local government to the national stage, this book explains that the people in government work for the voter.
When You Grow Up to Vote: How Our Government Works for You
Powerful free verse and vivid mixed-media illustrations tell the true story of the American effort to land the first man on the Moon in this well-researched picture book.
Countdown: 2979 Days to the Moon
A comic-book-style picture book takes you on a scientific journey side-by-side with Pluto, who speaks with other museum inhabitants — such as a dinosaur, a germ, and the Earth — and learns what exactly scientists are interested in.
Pluto Is Peeved: An Ex-Planet Searches for Answers
Colorful, scientifically accurate illustration is paired with understandable, energetic text in this introduction to the diversity and fundamentals of frogs. Back matter includes information on frog disappearances and conservation efforts.
A Frog’s Life
Early morning and a ruffle of feathers, a shadow gliding through the backyard. High above your house Father Hawk circles, sharp eyes searching for prey. A father red-tailed hawk hunts prey for his family in a suburban neighborhood in this thrilling nonfiction picture book.
Hawk Rising
After a whirlwind tour of how eyes work, children will lift the flaps to find out how animals as different as dogs, owls, and chameleons see the same scene.
Eye Spy: Wild Ways Animals See the World
As a Galápagueña, Valentina spends her days observing the natural world around her. This bilingual story was inspired by the childhood of Valentina Cruz, whose family was one of the first permanent inhabitants of the Galápagos. Valentina is now a biologist and naturalist guide who has dedicated her life to the conservation of the islands.
Galápagos Girl / Galapagueña
Join a young boy and his father on a daring journey from Mexico to Texas to find a new life. Theyll need all the resilience and courage they can muster to safely cross the border (la frontera) and to make a home for themselves in a new land. Based on co-author Alva’s own experience as a young boy. Back matter includes information on immigration, a history of the U.S. and Mexican border, and photos of Alva’s family and hometown.
La Frontera: El viaje con papá / My Journey with Papa
A festive and colorful celebration of the Mexican and Latin American holiday. The rhyming narrative introduces the traditions practiced during El Día de los Muertos or the Day of the Dead, from the sugary, skull-shaped candies (calaveras) and altars built in remembrance of the dearly departed to decorating tombstones and picnics at the cemetery. Spanish words are sprinkled throughout.
Día de los Muertos
Almost 10 years before Brown vs. Board of Education, Sylvia Mendez and her parents helped end school segregation in California. An American citizen of Mexican and Puerto Rican heritage who spoke and wrote perfect English, Mendez was denied enrollment to a “Whites only” school. Her parents took action by organizing the Hispanic community and filing a successful lawsuit in federal court.
Separate Is Never Equal: Sylvia Mendez and Her Family’s Fight for Desegregation
Featuring charming visuals and lively, often lyrical prose, this picture book introduces Mexican artist Frida Kahlo, interweaving biographical details while highlighting her special relationships with pets. Folk-art style illustrations vividly evoke the Mexican environment.
Frida Kahlo and Her Animalitos
The story of Amalia Hernández, dancer and founder of El Ballet Folklórico de México. It is a celebration of Hernández’s life and of the rich history of dance in Mexico.
Danza!: Amalia Hernández and Mexico’s Folkloric Ballet
Striking images, models and illustrations offer a unique view of catastrophic weather conditions allowing readers to see into the eye of a cyclone, witness hailstones the size of tennis balls, and learn how a gentle mountain stream can become a raging surge within a few minutes.
DK Eyewitness Books: Hurricane & Tornado
In each spread of this bold and humorous picture book, children can examine their place in the world around them through detailed and engaging maps that are drawn from a child’s perspective.
My Map Book
Sharks often get a bad reputation from movies and television but they’re crucial to a healthy ocean. Find out more about these amazing creatures in this dramatic, engaging comic book that is well-researched and well-documented. If things technical and mechanical things are of greater interest, then try Science Comics: Robots and Drones: Past, Present, and Future (opens in a new window) by Mairghread Scott, illustrated by Jacob Chabot.
Science Comics: Sharks: Nature’s Perfect Hunter
“Rodents are a diverse group.” They range from the pygmy jerboa to the sizable capybara, the largest rodent in the world. Rodents have been made into pets, culinary delicacies, lab animals and more. A range of rodents are presented in realistic, life-size illustrations and informative but accessible text. Additional resources conclude this fascinating look at often maligned mammals.
Rodent Rascals
Rescue couldn’t make it as a guide dog, but he was ideal as a service dog. When Jessica lost both legs, the dog named Rescue rescued Jessica in many ways. Though the tone and illustrations of the book are appropriate for younger readers, the seriousness of the event that caused Jessica to lose both legs is quite sophisticated. It is explained in an afterward.