Iditarod racers often run in families of humans and the dogs that run. The grueling, exciting race is introduced in clearly labeled photographs and crisp text just right for dipping in and out of for a glimpse at the brave animals and people who run it.
Mush! Sled Dogs of the Iditarod
While Mama Duck and her five ducklings left their pond for a trip to town, the ducklings fall into trouble. With help from the townspeople, the Duck family is reunited in this handsomely illustrated, touching story based on an actual event.
Lucky Ducklings
Starting in space, an alien family bids adieu to their offspring (they look a lot like octopuses) who then head for earth landing in the ocean. When read the other way, he journeys home. The vertical format and strong design create a sophisticated literary and visual jaunt.
A Long Way Away: A Two-Way Story
Benjamin Bear is full of ideas, not all of them good. Each of Benjamin’s bright ideas are presented on one page as a short comic strip and present a problem to solve or a puzzle to explore, sure to encourage discussion as well as chortles.
Benjamin Bear in Bright Ideas!
Dawson has been collecting and reusing everything ever since he was a baby but he must rescue the world from his robotic creation, the Vacu-Maniac! Recycling is gently imbedded in Dawson’s outrageous adventure detailed in intricate (and labeled) illustrations.
Awesome Dawson
Basic geometry is introduced in this story about children who accompany their parents on a trip to Egypt. A word wall of geometric shapes and terms would enhance a math study.
Mummy Math: An Adventure in Geometry
Separated from the colony, readers join two adventurous ants and see the world from a very different perspective.
Two Bad Ants
A rubber duck is among the bathtub toys washed overboard and into the ocean. After a long journey, the duck narrator is found by a child. Inspired by actual events and vividly illustrated with textured paper cut images.
Ducky
Zephyr’s imagination takes off when her family is too busy to play or watch her fly her model plane do spectacular feats. Through a hidden door, Zephyr finds friends, flying ships, returning home in time for breakfast. Comfortable, old-fashioned illustrations complement the telling.
Zephyr Takes Flight
The narrator, a very small fish, snitches a much larger fish’s hat and hides out where he thinks no one can see him. The wordless conclusion is humorous and satisfying in this stylized, expressively illustrated book sure to generate conversations among readers. (2013 Caldecott Medal Winner)
This Is Not My Hat
Oliver is a curious child with lots of questions and a penchant for exploration. During quiet time at home, Oliver builds a contraption to find out if there’s a monster in the tub drain. His imaginative jaunt is presented with droll, naïve drawings, filled with Oliver’s child-like ideas.
Oliver
As midnight strikes, he appears: “Hand over hand, the ninja climbed and clambered.” Just as the ninja reaches his target, he’s caught by his mother with ice cream and spoon in hand! Textured collage illustrations and spare language dramatically evoke a satisfying nighttime mystery
Nighttime Ninja
A polar bear journeys from one exotic setting to another winding up with a friend looking at the stars. The bear’s expedition is revealed without words, using soft-lined, expressive, whimsical illustrations.
The Island
When Quincy leaves her tour of the White House, she sees a tall man standing over the Gettysburg Address. Quincy shares jokes with the ghost and helps him realize that the states are indeed united. The tall, pale ghost of Abe Lincoln can now rest easy.
Abe Lincoln’s Dream
In this latest installment about a boy named Buzz and his pet fly, Fly Guy, takes readers on a slapstick journey that gives new meaning to the old joke about the fly in the soup. Bug-eyed characters and absurd situations with easy language propel readers to the silly, satisfying end.
There’s a Fly Guy in My Soup
Could the ears and tail be the frightening fox that Jilli was just reading about? When her dog, Fiercely, takes off is he chasing the fox? Jilli and her friend Jim venture out into the snow to find out in this gently mysterious wintery tale.
The Sneaky Snow Fox
As a young shoeshine boy tries to return the red scarf that floats down to him, he meets a host of people from different backgrounds. He finally locates the rightful owner of the scarf and winds up with a happy surprise. Illustrations in comic book style move the satisfying story quickly.
Laundry Day
Rendi, a self-centered, unhappy boy runs away from home and winds up in a sad town. Storytelling, however, instigated by a mysterious newcomer allows Rendi to mature and help the villagers. The rich narrative incorporates tales inspired by Chinese tales in this worthy companion to Where the Mountain meets the Moon (opens in a new window).
Starry River of the Sky
Herman Melville’s classic tale of the great white whale and the sea captain who sought him has been recast and simplified. The rhyming ballad is reminiscent of a sea chantey, capturing essential plot elements. Lush illustrations lighten the tone for young, contemporary readers.
Moby Dick: Chasing the Great White Whale
J.J. Tully, retired search-&-rescue dog, continues to protect a flock of chickens. But trouble is afoot! Is there a connection between the attractive new canine next door and the villain who is after the chicks? Will J.J. figure it out in time? Readers will laugh as they solve the mystery.
The Legend of Diamond Lil: A J.J. Tully Mystery
DePaola uses humor and verve to retell the traditional Irish tale of how Ireland’s Fin M’coul – with the help of his wife – outwits an even bigger giant and creates the topography of Ireland. Characteristic illustrations add to the outsized fun.
Fin M’coul: The Giant of Knockmany Hill
How 33 Chilean miners were rescued from a copper mine dominated the media in 2010. It is recounted here using primary sources, scientific explanations, and a riveting narrative.
Trapped: How the World Rescued 33 Miners from 2,000 Feet Below the Chilean Desert
The world was changed forever in 1492. The impact of explorers and exploration is examined and placed in a broader context with complete documentation and resources noted.
The World Made New: Why the Age of Exploration Happened and How It Changed the World
Chavela loves chomping chicle — chewing gum and blowing bubbles. One day, while out with her abuelita, she finds a mysterious kind of gum she has never seen before. She pops it in her mouth and blows a giant bubble that lifts her up into the air and carries her on a magical journey. Candy-colored paintings illustrate this fantastical story with an ecological twist. An afterword provides information on natural chewing gum, the rainforest, and sustainable farming, as well as music to a traditional Latin American folksong.