Book Finder

Rescue couldn’t make it as a guide dog, but he was ideal as a service dog. When Jessica lost both legs, the dog named Rescue rescued Jessica in many ways. Though the tone and illustrations of the book are appropriate for younger readers, the seriousness of the event that caused Jessica to lose both legs is quite sophisticated. It is explained in an afterward.

Francis strives to make the best shoes possible, even from material that is hard to acquire. When his friend doesn’t return with one such item, Francis goes on a jungle trek to find him. Along the way, he comes across actual animal residents. Photographs are incorporated into comics as is a bit of factual information for a rollicking good adventure.

Bixby Alexander Tam, aka Bat, is back. He was first introduced in A Boy Called Bat (opens in a new window) where Bat first met Thor, a baby skunk rescued by Bat’s veterinarian mom. Now Thor is big enough to be released, but Bat wants to keep him…even taking Thor to his sister’s play. The result is predictable but as gently humorous and engaging as this tale of Bat.

Celeste, the small mouse that accompanied John James Audubon’s apprentice, on an earlier adventure (A Nest for Celeste (opens in a new window)) is now separated from Joseph. Happily, she finds a new companion, an earnest young man named Abe Lincoln. This quiet fantasy is generously illustrated with expressive pencil drawings.

Hippos are denser than water and so sink in water. Plus, they can’t actually swim but push off to “sail through the water like otters.” Interesting factoids about these huge land animals are presented in cartoon illustrations complete with funny asides in conversation bubbles. Further resources are included at the end. The author approaches a furry animal in the same way in The Truth about Bears (opens in a new window).

Peter and Ernesto are friends but are very different: Peter is a homebody while Ernesto wants to explore. So travel he does making the friends’ reunion all the better when it comes. The comic book format with simple illustrations is just right to depict the sloths’ friendship with both humor and sincerity.

Joan was not like other girls her age. Rather than parties and such, Joan preferred to visit the Natural History Museum to talk to the curator about reptiles and even her own crocodile. In this fascinating look at an early scientist, readers will meet a unique, perhaps eccentric woman (and her komodo dragon) whose work can be appreciated today.

What would happen if the “S” in the word moose comes loose? And the “E” breaks free? Follow the madcap sequence as the cow, goat and other animals share their ideas. Comical line drawings and wacky scenes play with words for laugh-out-loud silliness.

Meet bowhead whales in this slim but fact-filled volume. Dramatic illustrations add detail and drama beginning on endpages. This brief, accessible introduction may inspire further examination of these fascinating sea mammals.

Who is Baby Monkey? Well, he’s a baby and a monkey but one with a job: he’s a Private Eye! Readers will solve the mysteries with Baby Monkey as they carefully examine signature monochromatic sketches interspersed with narrative. The format is wholly original as is the humor and art. (For the less keen-eyed, a key to the visuals is included.)

Nora announces that she and her toy giraffe Jeff are bored. Reluctantly, she takes her grandmother’s advice and soon discovers a Tiger with whom to explore grandma’s lush, jungle-like garden. Richly colored and well told, this is a tale of the power of imagination and play.

A colorful line-up of simply shaped animals opens this book. Sharp-eyes will see the one that is hiding, angry, sleeping, and more on each double page spread. Some are sure to recall “Who’s Who?” on the black pages with only eyes showing. An answer key is provided for the impatient or less observant.

Say hello to a dazzling array of animals presented in intriguing groupings. Starting with “Hello Hello/Black and White” all the way to “…Roars,/Peeps, Chirps/and Chants/Hello Song,/and Hello Dance…” the bouncy, rhyming text and animated illustrations is sure to engage. A final note about the animals’ status and a key to who readers have greeted conclude the book.

Even goldfish can use a vacation as three children learned. They let their fish, Barracuda, Patch, and Fiss, — as well as many other kids’ fish — vacation in a fountain built by the architect of Grand Central Station!  At the end of the summer, the goldfish returned to their homes and children. The “perfectly true made-up story” is based on actual events in NY City,

Two dudes, a platypus and a beaver, paddle out to ride a wave but see a threatening fin nearby. Is the huge shark a threat or a friend waiting to be made? This wacky, almost wordless tale is told in large spreads and smaller panels of expressive characters complemented by the equally expressive typeface of the few words used. Get it, dude!?

Lucy always wanted a dog but Bear becomes a bit of a problem. In addition to sleeping for months, he is messy and eats endless bowls of porridge. When Bear runs away, both he and Lucy find out that friendship overcomes most things. Readers will immediately recognize the mistaken identity seen only in the simple illustrations and enhanced in humorous dialog.

A small, gray elephant has a bad back itch. Can anyone help him? The alligator is a bit scary, the sloth is too slow, and meerkats are too tickly. Relief comes for elephant but maybe not so much for the hedgehog. Simple comic strip-like illustrations and dialog in various sizes are rib-tickling.

Where’s the dog? Lift the flap to find out! Small hands are able to play the game lifting the flaps with less worry as the flaps made from soft but durable felt in this brightly colored title, one of a series.

It’s a happy day for Ducky Duckling as it plays in the rain, hugs bugs, and more. Simple sentences and lots of quacking combine with colorful, naïve illustrations that will encourage engagement as well as delight young listeners.

A small yellow chick in need of a playmate spies small puppy. The eager pup is more than happy to frolic but what do a pip and a pup share in common? Though wordless, their story of friendship emerges through gentle, expressive illustrations just right for slightly older toddlers.

Pete the Cat is marching with his look-alikes from one to ten, each adding an instrument to the cheerful conclusion. The riff on a familiar rhyme (“Ants go marching”) may inspire others as listeners or readers enjoy the humor.

Two tall giraffes greet an ostrich trying asking the bird how it feels. Ultimately, they all decide that they’re quite pleased to have found new friendships and are thrilled to share a fiesta. Expressive illustrations and the bilingual text depict the joy of the experience.

Who has feet like these? Turn the page to find out! Crisp photographs of animals with different feet are briefly described (e.g., webbed, scaly, even happy) ask then answer the question, introducing animals and one way to identify them.