Book Finder

Three high-energy children and their dog begin a hike in the woods by running. They stop along the way to enjoy thimbleberries, observe a deer, and more. One of the girls keeps a journal of things she’s observed. Wren’s journal is shown after the three children return home as the sun sets. Simple illustrations convey they joy of an outdoor hike and what the kids have seen along the way.

Aaron Lansky always remembered his grandmother’s immigration story when she was forced to give up her candlesticks and her Yiddish book. Aaron also loved books. An informal narration and darkly hued illustrations (which the illustrator notes pay homage to Marc Chagall) introduce a fascinating man whose work continues in the Yiddish Book Center. Additional information concludes this attractive and informative biography.

A sterling storyteller and wonderful writer with a word-spinning pen turn Captain Rottingbones and his word-pilfering pirates into fantabulous farmers. Lush language and humorous illustrations capture the zany story which demands to be shared aloud. This is a fitting homage to this creative team’s friend (author and storyteller Margaret Mahy) and may lead readers to find additional tales.

Have you ever thought about telling your own story, whether it be true or imagined? Are you interested in writing, drawing, or both? With guidance from bestselling graphic novelist Raina Telgemeier herself, brainstorm ideas, make lists, paste in personal photos, and use your imagination to create your own stories. For additional inspiration, special behind-the-scenes information from Telgemeier’s own comics-making adventures is featured inside.

Jess runs Sunnyside Stables where Chloe is going to spend a week learning how to jump a horse. But will she be able to learn anything with the horse named Cookie?  Not only does Chloe learn to trust and enjoy Cookie, she learns a great deal about herself and her expectations. Like others in the Pony Camp series, this is told as though written in Chloe’s diary. Line illustrations are sprinkled throughout.

Polly and her magic book, Spell (first introduced in Polly and the Magic Book (opens in a new window)) are back for another magical adventure. What Polly writes in Spell comes true, just not always as she intended. Magical, madcap adventure follows in this generously illustrated and engaging second book about Polly and the power of writing.

A picture book biography of Jane Austen, one of the most beloved writers of all time. Young Jane was a bit quiet and shy, but she observed people and loved to read. She devoured everything in her father’s massive library and before long, she began creating her own stories — and went on to invent an entirely new kind of novel.

Meet a young Zora Neale Huston through the eyes of her best friend Carrie Brown. They are in the African American town of Eatonville, Florida, in 1903. Two time periods converge when the Westin of 1855 results in an old mystery solved and a town saved in this fast-paced novel.

When Langston and his father move from Alabama to Chicago, he discovers the poet after whom his mother named him. And unlike the segregated library back home, he can freely use the library. Set during the Great Migration, the boy’s emotions, successes, and challenges remain contemporary. 

Polly is a list-maker, a word lover, and soon to be a big sister again. When she gets a magic book that not only writes back but makes things become real, well, she finds that magic can be unexpected. This is an engaging early chapter book and the first in a new series.

Lyrical prose (in Spanish and English) and vivid mixed media illustrations describe one woman’s journey to a new country, the difficulties, and the power of libraries to transform: “We are stories. We are two languages. We are lucha…We are hope.” In a concluding piece, the author/illustrator describes her story and provides a list of the influential books she read during this period of her life. The gorgeous book is also available in a Spanish edition, Soñadores (opens in a new window).

This handsomely illustrated collection of accessible poems invites young and old alike to, “read, let’s write, let’s explore galore!”  Whether enjoying the magic in a library or an imaginary canyon, a variety of poems celebrate the sheer pleasure of words and writing to create “bookjoy, wordjoy”!

A gentle fantasy in which a cat is transformed into a human who assists a reporter uncover interesting stories.

Former U.S. Poet Laureate Herrara leads readers on a poetic journey to encourage writing. Brief biographical sketches of the poet are interspersed as are a variety of black and white illustrations. Aspiring poets are sure to be inspired by this creative mixture which uses made-up words from Lewis Carroll’s “Jabberwocky.” 

An engaging look at the many contributions of Frederick Douglass — including his work as a publisher, a diplomat to Haiti, a bank president, and a prolific writer. Chockful of quotes, excerpts from Douglass’s writing, and images that capture the atmosphere of the times.

Jinnee lives by the seaside and is quite magical. Using her magic, for her sons she created little house in a big city, a very special train, a steam shovel that saves the day, and more. The fictionalized biography of author/illustrator Jinnee, better known as Virginia Lee Burton, is presented to bring her work into focus. This is sure to introduce a new generation to books such as The Little House, Choo Choo, and Mike Mulligan and his Steam Shovel.

A vivid imagination helped Miguel Cervantes to grow beyond a tough childhood and to create a cultural icon: Don Quixote. Luminous illustrations and rich poetry follow young Miguel to adulthood where his creativity triumphs. A note about Cervantes from the author and illustrator conclude this stunning book.

It was good to be a kid in 1954. There were nickel doughnuts and one-cent lollipops. At the same time though, learning to read was just plain boring. That is until Dr. Seuss came up with an idea! Straight narration and Seussian rhyme combine with both realistic and imaginative illustrations to present the story of how entertaining leveled books began.

In school, Little Plane practices his writing but he finds the loopity loops really tough. He doesn’t give up though and continues to try — until at last, he completes his words! Children will see themselves in the tenacious, child-like airplane with expressive eyes. Brightly colored, digitally created illustrations add to the simple text.

It all begins when Alexander H. Gory Jr. passes around a notebook in which he reveals a tantalizing secret: he has proof that their teacher, Mrs. Penrose, is a vampire. Soon the entire class is speculating and adding their opinions to the notebook until … it lands in Mrs. Penrose’s hands. It turns out that Mrs. Penrose has been keeping a secret: she is expecting a baby. But since the notebook is encouraging her students to write and improving their spelling and grammar, Mrs. Penrose allows it to continue circulating. The notebook becomes a terrific place for jokes, poems, stories and the correspondence between the students and their favorite author. 

John Ronald loved horses and dragons and words, even invented words. But war changed John Ronald. After serving during World War I, while teaching at Oxford University, John Ronald began to imagine again. His story about Bilbo Baggins became The Hobbit. The handsomely illustrated book concludes with a list of Tolkien’s writing about dragons as well as a bibliography. 

“A poem is a small but powerful thing…” Alexander writes in his preface, which is followed by a range of original poems that celebrate, echo, and sometimes emulate a range of well-known poets. Each poem is illustrated by vibrant images on each double page spread. A brief sketch about each eminent poet concludes this attractive volume. 

An introduction brings the Harlem Renaissance into focus, followed by a description of a particular form of poetry. Original “Golden Shovel” poetry by Grimes is interspersed with poetry by poets of the period including Langston Hughes, Jean Toomer, and Countee Cullen. Full-color art by a range of contemporary African American illustrators is interspersed in this small, handsome book. Additional information about the poets and artists concludes this unique collection.

Charlotte, the spider, wrote of her porcine friend Wilber, “SOME PIG”. The life of the creator of Charlotte’s Web (opens in a new window), E.B. White, is presented in a enthralling format featuring watercolor and collage illustrations. The readable text makes this handsome, authorized biography of White — who was truly “SOME WRITER” — worth examining again and again.