Book Finder

A young Aztec girl tells her little brother how their parents create beautiful painted manuscripts, or codices. She explains to him how paper is made from local plants and how the long paper is folded into a book. Her parents and others paint the codices to tell the story of their people’s way of life, documenting their history, science, tributes, and sacred rituals. Duncan Tonatiuh’s lyrical prose and beloved illustration style, inspired by the pre-Columbian codices, tell the story of how — contrary to the historical narrative that European colonizers bestowed “civilization” and knowledge to the Americas — the Aztec and their neighbors in the Valley of Mexico painted books and records long before Columbus arrived, and continued doing so among their Nahua-speaking descendants for generations after the Spanish Conquest.

Short poems are generously illustrated in a large, inviting, and diverse collection of poetry— and as the title indicates, there is at least one for each day! To build on daily poems, try some of the ideas in Poetry Prompts: All Sorts of Ways to Start a Poem from Joseph Coelho (opens in a new window).

You’re invited to a party for the late and ever-great poet of the Harlem Renaissance, Langston Hughes, held at the Schomburg Library in New York and attended by Maya Angelou and Amiri Baraka. Inspired by a photograph, the author’s lively rhythmic language combines with illustrations made of handmade stamps for a party to enjoy again and again.

Ever wonder how a teenager named Peter Parker became a superhero? It started in the imagination of a comic aficionado named Steve Ditko who changed the perception of how a superhero should look. A brief but lively look at the man and his creation of the Marvel hero is presented in staccato language and comic book style art.

Birds are everywhere — even the most urban neighborhood is a good place to look for birds and study their habits. This journal includes questions to prompt thinking and provides pages to write down observations, paste in photos, or add drawings. Also in the series: Nature Log Kids: A Kid’s Journal to Record Their Nature Experiences. 

This book celebrates the magic of discovering your very own poetry in the world around you. “Begin / with a question / like an acorn / waiting for spring.” Written as a step-by-step guide, and using language including “first,” “next,” and “then,” the authors teach the art of poetry. Readers are prompted to first ask a question, and then to “listen to the grass, the flowers, the trees — anything that’s friends with the sun” to create imagery for their poetry. The book teaches poetry by tasking students with exploring nature, questions, and ideas in unique ways. 

Born Chloe Ardelia Wofford in Ohio, Toni Morrison grew up listening to her family tell myths, legends, and stories from the Bible. She loved hearing the music and power of the words. After an early childhood of soaking up tales from those around her, it was no surprise Toni grew into a voracious reader. When it came time for her to write her own stories, she knew she wanted to write about her people — Black people — and she began working on what would become an acclaimed and trailblazing body of work. Back matter includes further reading on Toni Morrison’s life and work.

Ethel Payne always had an ear for stories. Seeking truth, justice, and equality, Ethel followed stories from her school newspaper in Chicago to Japan during World War II. It even led her to the White House briefing room, where she broke barriers as the only black female journalist. Ethel wasn’t afraid to ask the tough questions of presidents, elected officials, or anyone else in charge, earning her the title, “First Lady of the Black Press.”

Maya Angelou was the first Black poet and the first woman to recite poetry at a Presidential Inauguration. Her life is introduced in free verse and realistic collage to evoke the poet and her work. A timeline and notes from the award-winning author and illustrator conclude this memorable portrait. 

Illustration and words paint a portrait of the natural world and a child’s connection to it, until “There is a poem/In the cradle of my Soul/Rocking me.” It continues until the narrator writes, telling her own story.

Ida B. Wells was an educator, journalist, feminist, businesswoman, newspaper owner, public speaker, suffragist, civil rights activist, and women’s club leader. She was a founder of the NAACP, the National Association of Colored Women’s Clubs, the Alpha Suffrage Club, and the Negro Fellowship League. She wrote, spoke, and traveled, challenging the racist and sexist norms of her time.

Owl just wants some peace and quiet to read his books — alone. But when the forest youngsters ruffle his feathers, he enlists the local bookshop owner to send him handpicked books to help cope with the chaos and the mess. It’s not long before Owl discovers Squirrel and learns that just as important as solitude are companionship and community. Told entirely in letters, this charming picture book celebrates books and bookshops, letter writing, and love.

After a wonderful party, birthday girl Grace sits down to thank her friends and family for all their kind gifts. But she doesn’t stop there — as she writes, Grace realizes there are so many things to be grateful for! So she thanks her teacher for helping her learn to write. She thanks her dog for his cheerful wagging tail. She even thanks the sky for being perfectly, beautifully blue.

A funny hilariously illustrated example of persuasive writing. Young Alex takes to writing letters in an attempt to persuade his mom that he’s ready to have an iguana as his pet. And Mom isn’t falling for it… Fortunately, in addition to being persuasive, Alex is persistent. 

Written by a vocab virtuoso, this book is sure to add oomph to even the most blasé reader. A host of less often used words are presented with their meaning, a pronunciation guide, and roots all formatted to engage and entertain. 

The author first “met” Zora Neale Hurston in college intrigued by a friend’s delight in Hurston’s stories. With equal delight, Hurston’s life and “storycatching” comes to life through an informal telling echoed in animated illustrations worth multiple examinations.

Gina Filomena’s imagination is freed when she meets her new language arts teacher and a mysterious neighbor boy name Antonio. The power of creativity, writing, and friendship are touchingly presented in this short, introspective novel by a Newbery medalist.

Emily Dickinson came to understand the world through what she could see and through words which she communicated through poetry. Lyrical language infused with Emily’s poems combines with translucent illustrations to reflect her world. Backmatter completes this handsome, informative package.

Though her family didn’t have much when she was a child in Chicago (growing up during the Great Depression), Gwendolyn Brooks was surrounded by poetry and a loving family. This beautifully illustrated book is an affectionate look at the life of a girl who grew up to be the first Black person to win the Pulitzer Prize. Additional resources for further reading are included.

The life of Aesop, a Greek enslaved person who wove memorable stories, begins this handsome volume followed by well-known and lesser-known fables. Mixed media illustrations are expressive, creating a sense of time and place while retaining universality. An afterword by the author expands on what is known (and not known) about Aesop.

Louisa May Alcott is best known for penning Little Women, but few are aware of the experience that influenced her writing most — her time as a nurse during the Civil War. Caring for soldiers’ wounds and writing letters home for them inspired a new realism in her work, including Little Women, which was one of the first novels to be set during the Civil War.

The life of Marguerite Johnson, better known as Maya Angelou, vividly comes to life in free verse and swirling images. Young Maya found solace in language, the rhythm of words during her difficult childhood in “the seesaw of the South,” and fast-paced St. Louis. She became a performer, a poet, and a highly respected novelist. A forward by her grandson encourages discussion as the book is shared. Photographs accompany a timeline of Maya’s life which concludes this sophisticated book.

Her mother disappeared when Matilda “Tilly” Pages was just a baby. Since then she has lived with her grandparents in their London bookstore, Pages & Co. At the start of the midterm break, Tilly discovers a special talent: she is a bookwanderer which allows her to meet characters from her favorite books like Anne (of Green Gables) and Alice (in Wonderland). In this riveting, well-told tale, other characters from classics come alive. The conclusion is satisfying while pointing to forthcoming stories.

Like the life of Margaret Wise Brown, this is not a typical biography of an author. “Margaret Wise Brown lived for 42 years. This book is 42 pages long.” And while nobody’s entire life can fit in 42 pages, the important things can. In a conversational narration, key elements of Brown’s life and contributions are highlighted, illustrated in gently line and soft colors. Altogether, this is a fitting tribute to a singular author.