Book Finder

Who did what? What did they do? Where did they do it? A question is asked on each horizontal page; the answer is on the next page – but a keen eye is needed to figure it out by looking carefully at a line-up of suspects. The characters are comical in recognizable situations. (Happily, a key to the right answers appears at the very end.)

Each page turn reveals a particular part of the city. From shoes in which people walk around to a good story at the bookstore, readers can look closely at a vibrant city. Sturdy pages and vivid colors are sure to engage young readers.

Feel the raised letters; see where they fit in on the opposing page. Enjoy the bold images as you go through the alphabet accompanied by boldly colored objects that start with each letter. Sophisticated children will be the most receptive and likely to enjoy this thick, sturdy volume.

Some people don’t wear any shoes at all. Other people wear special shoes for their work. Take a close look to see if you can identify who wears those shoes! A sturdy board book format, clear photographs, and simple text introduce the notion of special footwear.

What do animals do in winter? In simple language and color photographs, animal habits are examined. New readers will find the introduction in this series accessible and may use it as a springboard to explore topics in greater depth. Other subjects in the Bullfrog Books series include machines at work, as in the book Diggers (opens in a new window) by Cari Meister.

The best thing to calm Ansel down was the outdoors. The story of how a fidgety boy would evolve into a celebrated nature photographer is told in textured collages and lively text. Additional information about Adams and several of his iconic photographs conclude this engaging book.

Who was Sara Rector and how did she become wealthy? More intriguing, what happened to this young African American woman who was part of the “Creek [Indian] freedmen”? How the author stumbled on Sarah’s story is included in this spellbinding presentation of an early America and real-life mysteries. 

She was born free in New York City during slavery and turmoil in the United States and went on to graduate from an all-white high school. Maritcha Lyon’s story is drawn from her memoir, augmented by primary source material to bring a girl and the time in which she lived into focus for contemporary readers.

The history of African Americans is also the history of the United States. How the history and culture of once enslaved people came to sit proudly on the National Mall in the nation’s capital is told in word and image for a riveting portrait of a particular place and a country’s history.

What led up to Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation? Who were the abolitionists and what was their influence? Primary source material and a crisp narrative combine to present a fascinating look at the events leading up to the Proclamation and the period in which it was created.

How young Cassius Clay came to be a world class boxer known as Muhammed Ali is revealed in accessible language and handsome, semi-abstract illustrations. This volume also includes resources and notes.

Michael Shiner was born into slavery in Maryland but bought his freedom. He learned to read and write and thus detailed in his journal the history of Washington, DC.  Insightful and accessible, this is a well-documented and handsomely presented look at history.

An oak tree grows because an acorn falls to the ground; a bird nests in that tree, and so begins an environmental cycle. Small die-cuts in richly hued illustrations glimpse the next in the progression that accompanies a simple, straightforward text.

They live in prairies, they’re very important to the environment but these dogs wouldn’t make good pets. Meet prairie dogs in this handsomely illustrated, lively, and informative book told in a familiar cadence with music and additional resources included.

These thorough explorations of what dogs see, how and why they behave, and more is sure to engage both canine aficionados as well as young scientists. The narrative is lucid, clear and appealing. Index, additional resources, and table of content complete the package.

Experience the breadth and depth of Paul Laurence Dunbar’s poetry. From his childhood in poverty and his early promise as a poet through his struggles to find acceptance as a writer and his tumultuous romance with his wife, to his immense fame and his untimely death, Dunbar’s story is one of triumph and tragedy. But his legacy remains in his much-beloved poetry — told in both Standard English and in dialect — which continues to delight and inspire readers today.

Can thumbs really be green or feet like ice? The English language is filled with idioms, proverbs, metaphors, and similes that can be confusing. Many of them are explained here in text that provides the maxim comically illustrated. Altogether, this is fun to browse and to expand understanding of myriad sayings.

People have always been fascinated by the moon. Since Galileo, humans have walked on the moon, created stronger telescopes and more.  The historical and current examination of Earth’s closest neighbor is presented in a generously illustrated, very handsome, and comprehensible package.

Regardless of where they live, camouflage helps protect animals. Cut-paper collage and short poems introduce a variety of insects and animals that fly, swim, and live on land or in water.  Poetry is short, rhythmic, and appealing followed by additional information and further resources. 

Scientists thought the coelacanth had been extinct for about 65 million years when one was caught off the South African coast in 1938. This is a fascinating examination of “living fossils”, plants or animals that are close to their ancient relatives. Each is presented “then” and “now” in detailed, realistic paintings and readable text. Additional resources conclude this fascinating book.

Readers are invited to join a young writer “to walk on the page.” Part journal, part imaginative jaunt, the multimedia images and typeface which seems to have come from the typewriter (that is seen at the end) create a unique look at creativity and writing. 

Whether they’re fish or fungi, these creatures share the ability to create their own light or glow.  Most live in deep seas but some – like fireflies – are easily seen on land particularly at dusk. Two volumes present information about bioluminescent animals in amazing photographs and lucid text.

Why be afraid of the dark when there is so much to see? Whether it’s used to hunt, hide, find a friend, or escape an enemy, bioluminescence—the ability to glow—is a unique adaptation in nature. In this fun and fascinating nonfiction picture book, join world-renowned photographers and biologists on their close encounters with the curious creatures that make their own light.

Actual events and people from 19^th century Texas come to life in the Hale’s latest look at history. Humor and fact combine in image and word presented in comic book format. (Book 6 in Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales series)