Book Finder

A cat and dog live together and are awakened at the same time. Their distinct personalities shine through in line drawings and limited text on open pages that follow them through the day. Sometimes the pair cooperate, other times they are distinctly different, but always likeable.

Momo, a black and white border collie, explores the great outdoors with a young canine friend named Boo. Crisp photographs on sturdy, well-designed pages make this seek-and-find book and adventure as well as an opportunity to talk about what young readers are viewing.

Kenny is a whirlwind of everyday activities. Children will recognize what Kenny does in four vignettes — from getting up to getting dressed to getting ready for bed with lots in-between.  Swirling black lines and touches of color on open pages present an active boy in a warm family.

A kitten’s play is temporarily halted with a bump and thump down some stairs. The comforting mother, however, makes sure all is well and soon the animated play begins again. Jaunty illustrations and alliterative language create a memorable play day.

Photographs of infants on their tummies are accompanied by a brief and reassuring, gently rhyming text. This lively board book unfolds accordion-style and can be placed upright — tummy-time babies will lift their heads to see the beautiful, diverse faces surrounding them.

Jabari is definitely ready to jump off the diving board. He’s finished his swimming lessons and passed his swim test, and he’s a great jumper, so he’s not scared at all. “Looks easy,” says Jabari, watching the other kids take their turns. But when his dad squeezes his hand, Jabari squeezes back. This simple tale about overcoming your fears captures a moment between a patient and encouraging father and a determined little boy.

A mother and daughter look forward to their special Saturday routine together every single week. But this Saturday, one thing after another goes wrong. The up-and-down journey that reminds them of what’s best about Saturdays: precious time together.

Fox and Rabbit, unlikely friends with very different personalities, visit a fair, go to the beach, start a garden, and more in five stories. Charming and gently humorous, this is the first in a new, engaging graphic novel series.

As the day begins, “All is quiet. Or is it?” If you listen closely, the sounds of the day emerge. From dawn darkness, the day gradually lightens in the subtle illustrations that depict city and country, inviting readers to “fill the world with your song.”

From the window in his favela, the narrator shares what he sees: neighbors working, playing, the changing weather, and more. Based on the author’s experience growing up in Brazil, everyday experiences are illustrated in a colorful, naïve, folk style. 

It’s dark in the lighthouse home; everything is quiet, until it is not! Everyone in the large, extended family gets into the silliness — even the dog — until everyone falls asleep. Lively rhythmic language combines with energetic illustrations for a fun book to read and share.

Twins Erin and Ellis are good at many things, especially looking for trouble. They look everywhere and finally find their cat, Trouble! The surprise ending creates a minor mystery as the children creatively search for Trouble through simple illustrations and a straightforward text.

With a spin of a sturdy wheel, familiar words in different languages appear in a die-cut window atop each photograph. Babies and older people say “hello” and “goodbye” with 18 other commonplace words in-between.

Join the narrator’s rhyming examination of his house, including things one doesn’t always see. For instance, in the room where the family bakes, “we sing into spoons and get covered in cake!” Each room holds special pleasure. A double gatefold opens up an entire block of houses, concluding “… our house is something like yours!”

From a lap to sit on to “this earth we ride on…” people and animals are grateful for the everyday things they see and experience. Idealized illustrations complement the text to focus on simple, commonplace pleasures.

Frog, kitten, dog, grasshopper, and other critters (well, maybe not the snail) jump with each upward turn of durable pages. “BOING” configures differently for everyone airborne until a girl exclaims “I jump” accompanied by an extended “B-oi-oi-oi-oing!” This playful book is sure to delight young readers.

The narrator assures and informs the unnamed child depicted that once she dons her swimsuit, the swimming lesson will be fine. Humorous illustrations express the concern and joy of the first splash into the pool with an adult swimmer and other children all around. Children may see themselves or perhaps feel that they know things that the book’s character doesn’t.  

As Jamie builds on the beach she hums; the ocean swishes. Passersby ask her various questions, which she only vaguely answers. Another artist, a painter, sets up nearby but asks no questions. In companionable silence they continue until they show each other and readers their creations. Brief, poetic text combines with lush, evocative paintings that celebrate a beautiful summer day and the creative process.

Flora draws imaginative adventures in her tree house; her older brother Will acts them out. When Will sees Flora’s depictions of his quests they find shared play is even more fun. Childlike illustrations complement and extend the siblings outdoor and highly inventive undertakings, bringing the tree house and imagination to life.

Summer brings hot weather and cooling activities. From lemonade and watermelon, to outdoor play and thunderstorms, summer is presented in full color photographs and lyrical language. Witness children of different ages experience the warmth and pleasure of summer in all of its glory.

Rashin’s story of her first trip to a beach in her new New York home is juxtaposed with her experiences in the Caspian Sea while living in Iran. She misses much from her former home; but she discovers a new flavor ice cream and a friend with whom to have fun without the Islamic beach guards who kept male and female beachgoers separate. Vivid illustration and straightforward narration reveal the author’s own story. 

Basic signs of two seasons (see also Autumn Babies (opens in a new window)) are presented in brightly colored illustrations and staccato rhymes. The small size and sturdy pages are just right to introduce the youngest children to seasonal emblems.

Listen! From wakeup to bedtime, there are sounds all around: “soft and gentle,/loud and clear,/oh so many sound/to hear!” Likely sounds that may be heard in familiar places while doing familiar things are presented in lively language and bright, semiabstract illustration.