Book Finder

Celebrate the wonders of books and what they hold in this collection of poems written by well-known children’s poets. Semiabstract illustrations provide an imaginative look at those “…befriended again & again/by a well-loved book./…a wealth/we never lose.”

Though first written in the 19^th century, Robert Louis Stevenson’s poems still resonate with contemporary readers of all ages. Newly illustrated with a nod to earlier editions, gently hued and highly detailed illustrations add a fresh look to a classic collection.

Stunning yet accurate illustrations accompany a gently rhyming, rhythmic text to introduce the behavior of a variety of birds. Brief information about the birds shown encourages young readers to want to learn more about these handsome creatures.

While on their outing, baby always responds “moo” when asked by mom and dad what animals say. Slightly older children will see the humor in the predictable pattern and lighthearted illustrations — until baby gets it right when he sees a black and white cow!

Poems introduce sea creatures and their habitats using different poetic forms (e.g., concrete, for two voices). Factual information is provided with each poem. This small, attractive collection concludes with where to find out more and a brief explanation of the poetic forms.

Silly poems introduce real animals from around the world. The lively language and accompanying comic illustrations help place animals — from the agoutis to the yak — on a map and concludes with a “menagerie of facts” — sure to delight readers of all ages!

A lively, brief, rhyming look at various inventions and the people who created them weaves together with the author’s speculation about what might have been behind the brainchild. Fact and fancy combine to motivate a new generation of inventors!

The train’s illustrious past combines with realistic illustrations to successfully present a reverent homage and history. The rhyming text is from an original song. Additional resources to learn more about trains and their history concludes this handsome book.

Take flight with a bit of imagination and a varied collection of poems. Handsome illustrations enhance the short poems presented to encourage flying with or without wings.

A tollbooth appears in bored Milo’s room beginning an adventure that has delighted readers since it was first published in 1961. Clever wordplay and double entendre has made this a book that can be read again and again with delight and discovery.

Baby and parents share a full day from the time the baby awakens until bedtime — with recognizable activities along the way. Lively, rhythmic language and bright illustrations appear on sturdy pages.

Humorous illustration and color-coded, rhyming text present retellings of familiar fables that include the morals (though with a light touch). Newly independent readers will have fun reading the short, snappy text with a second reader as they enjoy the cheery visuals.

The townspeople are flummoxed when a new store mysteriously appears. But Benny Penny examines its mysterious stock — from the flying toaster to a walking teapot. Surreal illustrations correspond with the story revealed rebus-style, with words and pictures. The truly fantastic tale is told in complete words at the end.

Two small piggies leave their sleeping mom in the pumpkin patch for a barnyard romp — over and under, behind, and into — until they wind up back to where they started for a snooze. Comic illustrations and text combine to present a playful porcine gambol.

For every action, there really is a consequence as this lively, rhyming tale demonstrates. The young narrator well understands it when she warns others not to slam the door! Chaos reigns temporarily on the family farm but is likely to begin again.

No matter if Sherman is hiking, skating, taking a walk on a rainy day, or visiting grandma, he has just the right footwear. Readers are invited to choose along with the boy as his faithful dog watches. Simple illustrations use bright color and a clear layout help younger readers focus on the activity and the appropriate choice.

Happy puppies,/scrappy puppies … each one needs a name … and ideal names from A to Z are presented in 26 descriptive poems. Aspen is the color of leaves in fall, Melody likes to sing, and Zipper loves to run, zipping everywhere. These poems are wonderful to read aloud to one child or a whole group.

The four seasons come full circle beginning with melting snow and Spring planting, and concluding with cozy, indoor evenings on a snowy Winter night in these rhyming snapshots. Young children will appreciate the recognizable activities and may begin to more closely notice the changes in the weather and activities.

Flat, cartoon-like, slyly humorous and slightly irreverent illustrations provide literal meanings for old sayings from A to Z. The fun comes in figuring out where these truisms may be used and what others may fill an alphabet. This is an engaging way to play with language and its meaning.

Everyone knows that there are two sides to every story. Read a cleverly illustrated poem one way for one side; read the same poem in reverse and learn the other. Well known fairy tales are presented through reversible poems sure to intrigue sophisticated readers of all ages. Each book comes with a CD, so pop it in and follow along!

Both traditional and original nursery rhymes featuring animals are presented in this attractively illustrated collection. An introduction is likely to inspire adults and lays a foundation for sharing the rhymes in one or the other language.

Cat the Cat asks Bee the Bee and other flying animals if they can fly then cheers them on as they do what comes naturally. When Rhino the Rhino goes up in a plane, all of the playground friends join him! Strong, simple forms enhance the deadpan humor in this new and series about the endlessly friendly feline.
See also: Cat the Cat, Who Is That? (opens in a new window)

A mutt tells reveals a “doggy allegory” and how he went from “the saddest and the baddest” to being a hip hop dog. Jazzy language swirls around and with fresh, loose art to create a sense of music in many forms. While rappers may just call it ‘freestyle,’ this zippy book is howling good fun.

Amelia Bedelia is back! This time she is keeping everyone at the library on their toes. Between knitting book “jackets,” hiding from the scary thesaurus, and stealing the bookmobile, no one — especially the librarian — knows what will happen next. Will Amelia Bedelia’s good intentions save the day?