![It's Raining](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/0823429245.jpg?itok=kOAMBskp)
Water is essential for all life on earth. In the author’s signature style, the water cycle, clouds, and more are introduced. Straightforward language and characteristic illustrations include maps, cautions, and additional tidbits of information about rain and related topics.
It’s Raining
![The Food Parade: Healthy Eating with Nutritious Food Groups](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/0805091769.jpg?itok=fRUWFtPE)
The mayor of Food Town introduces each of the five groups: grains, vegetables, fruit, protein, and dairy. Each personified group parades through town with its relatives. Humorous illustrations of foods with personality, all labeled, are used with an understated text to present palatable nutrition information. A bit more easily digestible information ends the book.
The Food Parade: Healthy Eating with Nutritious Food Groups
![Clouds](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/0064452204.jpg?itok=LEDm0_Eu)
Fog is the only type of cloud that is close enough to feel; all other clouds can only be seen. Folk art and crisp text brings different types of clouds into focus for budding scientists. Cloud facts and directions for making a cloud in a jar conclude this informative and engaging introduction to clouds, weather, and observation.
Clouds
![Beneath the Sun](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/1561457337.jpg?itok=9V54eWCp)
While children cavort through a sprinkler on a suburban lawn, animals thrive or survive in other habitats (desert, field, wetland, and seaside). The same sun has a different effect in different places on all living creatures presented in a clear text and handsome, realistic, detailed illustrations.
Beneath the Sun
![Locomotive](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/1416994157.jpg?itok=UVrnNvNV)
They met in the middle, the workers who built the railway across the United States. The narration speaks directly to readers which follows two unnamed children journey to California. Combined with richly detailed illustration, this dramatic, informative journey is the winner of the 2014 Caldecott Medal. (2014 Caldecott Medal Winner)
Locomotive
![Swamp Chomp](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/0823424073.jpg?itok=7lTH2aK9)
As swamp residents move, water ripples and the creatures munch, gulp, swallow, and more. Short, rhythmic sentences and simple but realistic illustrations present a wetlands food chain. A brief endnote describes the environment and “balance of nature.” The language in this informational picture book reads well aloud, likely to engage listeners.
Swamp Chomp
![Just One Bite: 11 Animals and Their Bites at Life Size!](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/0811864731.jpg?itok=FVhr3OCz)
A dot of “dirt (and everything in it)” is a meal for the earthworm seen in a stylized, double page illustration. Four pages open with gatefolds to show the giant squid which is the sperm whale’s feast. Actual sizes of what animals eat are dramatically presented with additional information on the last spread.
Just One Bite: 11 Animals and Their Bites at Life Size!
![Can You See Me?](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/0823429407.jpg?itok=jMwfPnpm)
Sharp eyes are needed to see most of the well-camouflaged creatures in the Costa Rican rainforest presented in stunning, realistic illustrations. A simple, repeated sentence lets emerging readers know what (e.g., bird, snake) to look for in each double page spread. The animals are specifically identified on the final page.
Can You See Me?
![To Dare Mighty Things](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/142312488X.jpg?itok=r8RMA4JG)
As a young, sickly child, “Teedie” Roosevelt dreamed of becoming an adventurer like in the books he gobbled up. Lush, expressive illustrations, well-chosen quotes, and a lucid text brings the life of the boy who grew into a remarkable man whose biggest adventure may have been that of the 26th President of the United States.
To Dare Mighty Things
![Rutherford B., Who Was He? Poems About Our Presidents](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/1423171004.jpg?itok=FRFk1LJF)
Sophisticated readers will appreciate the snippets of presidential history presented in a variety of poetic forms. Illustrations, reminiscent of political cartoons, range in tone from serious to silly. Additional information about the office and the individual presidents concludes this appealing and surprisingly informative collection (which includes the sitting POTUS).
Rutherford B., Who Was He? Poems About Our Presidents
![Revolutionary Friends: General George Washington and the Marquis de Lafayette](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/159078880X_1.jpg?itok=g5ttlZZT)
The friendship between Lafayette and Washington is dramatically told for sophisticated readers in a handsome picture book format. It began while the fledgling United States fought for its independence from Britain though it continued after the war. Additional information about the two men and the time in which they lived is included.
Revolutionary Friends: General George Washington and the Marquis de Lafayette
![Russia ABCs: A Book About the People and Places of Russia](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/1404803602.jpg?itok=twwYUWKy)
Privyet! Welcome to Russia! Come along on this ABC exploration of the people, geography, animals, plants, history, and culture of Russia. Read about diamond studded eggs, the deepest lake in the world, and other fascinating facts.
Russia ABCs: A Book About the People and Places of Russia
![Olympics](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/0670865222.jpg?itok=D-XkNs59)
An overview of what’s involved in putting on and participating in the Olympics. Learn about the opening ceremonies, the many Olympic events in the Summer and Winter games, the medal presentations, and the Olympic village.
Olympics
![When Stravinsky Met Nijinsky](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/0547907257.jpg?itok=x9McsNu4)
Stravinsky, a composer, and a dancer named Nijnsky each worked alone until they met. Their collaboration initially surprised Parisians but has become a classic. Meet the composer and choreographer who created “The Rite of Spring” in evocative, swirling text and image.
When Stravinsky Met Nijinsky
![Paul Thurbly’s Alphabet](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/0763655651.jpg?itok=9afrPNRv)
What does any letter of the alphabet represent? Can you find the “embrace” in the letter E? Graphic artist Thurbly shows the action or the object created from each upper case letter from A to Z. The result is sure to inspire young artists to create while building vocabulary.
Paul Thurbly’s Alphabet
![Lots of Dots](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/0811877159.jpg?itok=Ge8PT0aK)
Dots abound in lots of colors all around, everywhere and every day. Some are heavy, others are light; some are even edible. This color-filled, playful, cheery look at everyday things in which dots are seen is sure to inspire creative examinations of the world around.
Lots of Dots
![The Beatles Were Fab (and They Were Funny)](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/054750991X.jpg?itok=agEAP_1-)
A group of young men from Liverpool changed the world of music and they enjoyed a good laugh — often on themselves. The Fab Four and their humor are presented in appealing stylized illustrations and a lighthearted narrative well suited to the material presented.
The Beatles Were Fab (and They Were Funny)
![Diggers Go](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/1452118647.jpg?itok=NLFM8fV0)
What sound does an excavator or a forklift make? Each makes its own noise, presented here in bold, dramatic typefaces dynamically shown on sturdy horizontal pages. Children can be encouraged to repeat sounds made by the variety of equipment — likely to delight construction aficionados.
Diggers Go
![Things That Float and Things That Don't](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/0823428621.jpg?itok=IVWbdP-f)
Discover why boats — even filled with people — can float, but a small pebble sinks in water. Easy experiments and lucid explanations are presented with cartoon-like illustrations to bring concepts like density and displacement into focus for readers of all ages.
Things That Float and Things That Don’t
![Tap the Magic Tree](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/0062274457.jpg?itok=A3oAsR9i)
Is the magic in the book or with the reader as they are asked to tap the brown tree? A green leaf appears and then when rubbed, pink blossoms emerge. A rhythmic text encourages participation to see seasonal changes in the sturdy tree from winter’s end to spring birds nesting.
Tap the Magic Tree
![Let's Make Faces](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/141691532X.jpg?itok=sjshvsBv)
There are faces all around. They can be seen in everyday things, like a chair. And they can be made from fruits and vegetables, tools and what is found in the garden. When imaginations are let loose, there are all kinds of faces to see and to make! Cheerful collages made from different materials are sure to inspire creativity and making faces.
Let’s Make Faces
![The Tree Lady](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/1442414022.jpg?itok=_fWKw85L)
Katherine Olivia Sessions grew up in Northern California’s woods where she did things that most other 19th century girls didn’t do: get dirty, study science and complete college. Kate grew up to become known as “Mother of [San Diego’s] Balboa Park.” Stylized illustrations and text present this unique woman and her scientific accomplishments.
The Tree Lady
![Parrots Over Puerto Rico](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/1620140047.jpg?itok=kzFA6xtE)
How colorful parrots that have lived on the island of Puerto Rico for “millions of years” almost disappeared but can again be seen today makes an exciting saga. Enjoy the richly colored collage cutouts illustrate alone or read the informative text which details the history of parrots and their island home.
Parrots Over Puerto Rico
![101 Animal Babies](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/0545563216.jpg?itok=orgmqbE0)
All animal babies are appealing. It’s hard to avoid an “awe” or two when dipping into this collection of factoids and photographs that present lots of babies of all types. The taste of information is sure to inspire readers to find out more about the furred, feathered and even cold-blooded babies.