Since he forgets to distribute the lists for the neighborhood picnic, Oscar must launch into action. He shops, sets the table and whips up the food — in a most unusual way — for the best picnic ever! Colorful illustrations add imaginative detail and visual interest as well as a subtle nudge for exercise.
Super Oscar
Mexico’s culture, history, and spirit are revealed through The Foods, The Fiestas, The Folk Arts, The Past, and The People. Each volume — whether focusing on food or art, ancient beginnings, or current conflicts — captures the many flavors and traditions of the land and its people.
Viva Mexico!
Kenya is looking for a favorite song to share with her class. She and her father attend a Caribbean music festival in search of it — but Kenya doesn’t find it there. Instead, she creates an original song that celebrates everyone’s music! Realistic illustrations suggest Kenya’s glimpse into other cultures and her own creativity.
Kenya’s Song
Ivy lives on a Nevada ranch with her parents. During the summer of 1949, with her best friend gone, Ivy’s gentle ways and affinity for animals leads to unexpected adventures and a job with a veterinarian, causing Ivy to dream of one day becoming one.
Ivy Takes Charge
In the early 20th century, Clara Lemlick and her family immigrated to the United in search of a better life. The tough garment work in New York City didn’t deter Clara who persevered and helped better life for both women and men workers. A simple text combines with mixed media illustrations for a glimpse into early activism and unions.
Brave Girl: Clara and the Shirtwaist Makers’ Strike of 1909
Anne Sullivan arrived at the Keller home in 1887, writing letters to a friend about how she worked with a deaf and blind girl named Helen. Anne’s words combine with a straightforward narration and gentle illustrations to provide deeper insight into how Helen Keller grew into a brilliant woman.
Annie and Helen
Volcanoes erupt on land and in the sea and are found all around the world. Eruptions are both “creative and destructive” but all start with “gooey rock called magma.” Volcano facts are combined with specific locations and striking, textured collages for an absorbing introduction to a fascinating natural phenomenon.
Volcano Rising
Tai Shan and his father fly kites from “the tippy-top of our triangle roof” where they are free like the kites. Tai Shan’s is small, nimble, and red while Baba’s is a strong, large blue kite. The widow and his son are separated during China’s Cultural Revolution though are ultimately reunited. A difficult period is touchingly presented while remaining child-friendly.
Red Kite, Blue Kite
In the rainforest of Sumatra, a baby orangutan is born. Photographs chronicle her life with mother and the baby’s growth. At about five years old, the baby is old enough to live independently though she still occasionally sees her mother. Brief general information about orangutans concludes this accessible photo essay.
Orangutan
Most kids like something chocolate-y, right? But there wouldn’t be chocolate without cocoa beans that come from cocoa pods that rely on insects and other creatures in rainforests — even monkeys! A brief but engaging look at this interconnected habitat is realistically illustrated with informative but humorous asides by bookworms to encourage each page turn.
No Monkeys, No Chocolate
An old woman left her small village to visit her daughter and granddaughter, telling three hungry predators to wait to eat her until she is plumped up on her way back. How the women outwit the bear, fox and tiger is satisfyingly told and handsomely illustrated in saturated color illustrations in this Indian folktale that the author recalls from her childhood.
Grandma and the Great Gourd: A Bengali Folktale
Inspired by an actual artist, Wu Daozi’s brush created images that seemed to come alive. Travel to ancient China to meet Daozi as he grows from a boy into a muralist for the Emperor. When the mural is finished, legend says that Daozi walks into the paradise he painted. Brief text combines with brush and watercolor illustrations for a memorable look at a legendary Chinese painter.
Brush of the Gods
Underwear Salesman
Take Two!: A Celebration of Twins
National Geographic Book of Animal Poetry
Please Bury Me in the Library
Last Laughs: Animal Epitaphs
The watermelon seed that skitters across the page becomes a concrete poem and is just one of the funny poetic forms in this collection. The humor in each short poem (from riddles to haiku) is heightened by comic black/white illustrations.
If You Were a Chocolate Mustache
Heroes and She-roes: Poems of Amazing and Everyday Heroes
Face Bug
Well-known poems are recast as puzzlers that can only be solved by using math. From easy to difficult, math and poems are sure to delight both mathematicians and poetry lovers.
Edgar Allan Poe’s Pie: Math Puzzlers in Classic Poems
This unapologetically goofy picture book reveals that the legendary ride to town (and the whole macaroni thing) was all suggested by Mr. Doodle’s overeager pony. A historical note ends this colorful, comical take on a nonsensical old song.
Crankee Doodle
Stonewall Hinkleman’s parents are Civil War buffs who reenact its battles, insisting that Stonewall (named for Stonewall Jackson, of course) accompany them. When Stonewall Hinkleman finds has traveled back in time to a real battle, he must work to save history!
Stonewall Hinkleman and the Battle of Bull Run
Can the advice of a paper finger puppet of Yoda on weird Dwight’s hand provide the advice needed by Tommy and other 6th graders? Tommy makes his case in this fast, funny, and first of the Origami Yoda books.