Book Finder

Wrap-around stories are used to present fascinating information in an inviting, accessible, and authoritative way. This title from the Science Comics series provides information about commonplace creatures now at risk. Another book, World War II: Fight on the Home Front (opens in a new window) (from the History Comics series), provides a look at the impact of the last century’s war on those not engaged on the frontline.  

Are the creatures in this lighthearted look at dangerous animals out to get humans or are they just doing what they need to survive and thrive? Common names as well as Latin names are presented alongside a humorous illustration and an invented name for the critter’s survival mechanism. 

An expert presents information about how plants can combat some of the world’s biggest problems. Colorful illustrations and solid text features (including a glossary) create a hopeful look at combating climate change.

The moving story of the Anishinaabe woman who became louder when water — the source of life — was being ignored, is revealed in lyrical language and bold illustrations. A forward by Autumn Peltier, begins this powerful plea for continued action.

On its long migration to Antarctica, an Arctic tern sees whales, geese, and more on its journey. Luminous illustrations show what the tern sees from above sometimes in panels, sometimes on full-page spreads. Backmatter provides a bit of information about the animals seen on the tern’s journey.

A boy, his dog, and elephant set out to find Dinosaur in the big city. One must be very observant! Readers will quickly see Dinosaur on every page long before the boy does. The gentle watercolor illustrations are filled with humorous details of ubiquitous dinos and onlookers surprised to see an elephant with the boy and his dog. This is a clever follow-up to Barrow’s equally engaging, Have You Seen Elephant? (opens in a new window).

A young scientist explains to a caterpillar what it will be when it grows out of this stage of its life. With clear illustrations, accessible language, and lots of humor, science comes to life in the hands of the creator who wrote the informative and equally engaging The Real Poop on Pigeons and Snails Are Just My Speed.

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.

Following each rhyming clues is the animal that inspired various inventions such as snowshoes and water fins. More familiar inventions are followed by lift-the-flaps to intrigue or confound more sophisticated readers.

From purple lupines in Olympia (Washington) to pink “bleeding tooth fungus” in Maine’s Acadia National Park there are other vivid colors from nature that can be found in ten of the nation’s most visited national parks.  

Budding backyard scientists can start exploring their world with this stunning introduction to these flowery show-stoppers — from seeds to roots to blooms. Learning how flowers grow gives kids beautiful building blocks of science and inquiry.

Meet seeds that pop, hop, creep, and explode in this vividly illustrated introduction to the simplest concepts of botany. Learn about the many ways that seeds get from here to there, engaging children’s curiosity with strong action verbs. Clear photographs with fact-packed captions provide supporting details, explaining the role of seed features and functions in creating new generations of plants. Concludes with an illustrated glossary and back matter featuring more resources.

How many people actually know where chocolate comes from? How it’s made? Or that monkeys do their part to help this delicious sweet exist? Kids will learn that chocolate comes from cocoa beans, which grow on cocoa trees in tropical rain forests. But those trees couldn’t survive without the help of a menagerie of rain forest critters: a pollen-sucking midge, an aphid-munching anole lizard, brain-eating coffin fly maggots — they all pitch in to help the cocoa tree survive. Two wise-cracking bookworms appear on every page, adding humor and further commentary, making this book accessible to readers of different ages and reading levels.

In Manu National Park in Peru, an amazing fourteen different species of monkeys live together. That’s more than in any other rainforest in the world! How can they coexist so well? Find out in this lyrical, rhyming picture book that explores each monkey’s habits, diet, and home, illustrating how this delicate ecosystem and its creatures live together in harmony. From howler monkeys to spider monkeys to night monkeys, young readers will love getting to know these incredible primates and seeing the amazing ways they share their forest.

With the soothing rhythm of a bedtime story and the scientific wonder of a nature documentary, comes a celebration of the moon and all the creatures who rely on its light to find their way home. Under the glow of a shimmering moon, creatures great and small creep out of their dens, using its light to hunt, fend off predators, build their nests or build families. As the moon changes phases these animals adapt their behavior to match its waxing and waning — while human animals look on in wonder.

A children’s story that teaches about respect for nature, animals and culture. After a Tlingit mother gives her son a dried piece of salmon with mold on the end, he flings it away in disgust, committing a taboo. This offends the Salmon People, who sweep him into the water and into their world, where the name him Shanyaak’utlaax or Salmon Boy. It comes from an ancient Tlingit story that was edited by Johnny Marks, Hans Chester, David Katzeek, and Nora and Richard Dauenhauer. Illustrated by Tlingit artist Michaela Goade.This book is part of the award-winning Baby Raven Reads, a Sealaska Heritage program for Alaska Native families with children up to age 5 that promotes language development and school readiness. Winner of the 2018 American Indian Youth Literature Best Picture Book Award.

A portrait of some of the world’s most incredible trees, seen through the eyes of a landscaper who loves them — and his granddaughter who is beginning to understand why. Brimming with exuberance and color, this ode to trees of the world — and the vast knowledge of landscapers and gardeners — offers a feast for the eyes. Back matter includes an author’s note, glossary, and further information on the featured trees. This book is also available in Spanish: Verde Fresco (opens in a new window).

Harjo thinks of “a poem as a pocket or an envelope that can hold dreams, thoughts or anything else …”  Her sophisticated poem calls on us to “Remember the sky that you were born under,/know each of the star’s stories.” It is presented in lushly illustrated picture book format to reflect the indigenous stories from which they derive, calling on all to remember.

Though a whale dies and sinks to the ocean floor, it creates life that is sustained for another 50 years. Illustrations evoke the deep water while introducing the various creatures that come to feed on the carcass over time. Additional information adds depth to the riveting exploration.

Lush illustration in an accessible format demonstrates the wonder of plants. From how they breathe (and help other organisms breathe) to how they cooperate with other creatures, and more is included. A table of contents and glossary (though no additional resources) conclude the brief, attractive, and informative presentation.   

A special bond grew between Lawrence Anthony and the matriarch of the elephant herd he rescued as he patiently helped the elephants after relocating them to the Thula Thula Reserve. Even after Anthony’s death, the elephants remember him. This touching, true story is handsomely illustrated with soft, realistic acrylic painting. Informative back matter and additional resources are included.

Nature has inspired countless designs from the umbrella to space saving and naturally cooled buildings. Short poetry (Japanese tanka) accompanies a handsome illustration of the object that inspired the human invention shown in a photograph on the opposing page. Additional information is carefully presented at the end as are additional resources.

Poetry, photography, and information combine to present a range of fascinating creatures. Though rhymes can feel a bit forced, the combination is a unique introduction to a range of bees, bugs, and other things that crawl and skitter. By the same creative team: Bugs: Exploring the World of Crawly Critters.

The true and truly amazing tale of how Yoshi, a rescued loggerhead turtle, found his way back to his home territory many years after being rehabilitated and housed in an aquarium. Illustrations evoke the water world in which Yoshi was found, lived, and traveled. A final word and a photograph of Yoshi conclude this handsome and engaging look at a phenomenon of nature.