Book Finder

“Nine-year-old América Soliz is an undocumented immigrant of Mexican-Indian heritage living in the violence-ravaged Pilsen barrio of Chicago. Feeling unwelcome in her new country, she yearns to return to her native Oaxaca. Then one day, a Puerto Rican poet visits America’s ESL class and tells the students that ‘There’s poetry in everyone…and poets belong to the whole world.’ Soon, America begins to express herself through poetry, eventually coming to realize that as a poet, she is a citizen of the world with a bright future ahead of her.” — School Library Journal

Meet Clara, a little girl who is very, very grumpy. Mami is tired of Clara’s grumpy face, so she sends her daughter to the curandera — or healer — down the hall. The curandera knows just what Clara needs — to help her neighbors! Readers will cheer for Clara as she learns to focus on others rather than herself in this charming story.

In this 3rd book about Pacy, she and her family plan to go to Taiwan to celebrate her grandmother’s birthday.

Bella tells readers all about her grumpy day which starts early. Families with grumpy children (as well others who witness one) will see the humor seen in Bella’s bad behavior, her bedtime apology, and the cheerful next day in the simple, expressive illustrations and honest narration.

Henkes’ first easy reader introduces Penny and her mouse family in two appealing chapters. Penny must wait to share her original song until after dinner. When she does, not only do her parents join in, the babies respond in a surprising way. Henkes’ signature illustrations expressively complement the well-paced narrative.

Pigeon (of Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! (opens in a new window) fame) is back. Here, he’s irritated that a very polite duckling gets a cookie by simply asking! Could good manners really matter? Understated humor abounds in both minimal text and characteristic illustration.

An unlikely friendship develops between a small, basket-weaving mouse named Celeste and the young apprentice to the great naturalist, Audubon. They meet when Joseph accompanies Audubon to New Orleans to paint the birds of Louisiana. Evocative pencil drawings add information as well as emotion in this unique, attractive, sometimes sad, but always riveting blend of fact and fantasy.

All mama bears must sometimes be separated from their cubs if only for a while, Little Bear’s mother tells him. But her love is constant and whenever a kiss is needed, Mama and her cub can take one out of a special box. Soft, expressive illustrations convey their sharing and love. A storyteller’s note may inspire others to make their won Kiss Boxes.

Chris’s life is complicated. At school, he’s been selected to lead a project on sports teams with Indian names. At home, where his father is battling alcoholism on the Penacook reservation, the Indians are divided about building a casino. It would destroy the beautiful island Chris thinks of as his own. What can one sixth-grade boy can do in the midst of so many challenges?

Children and their parents are always connected by love — even when they are apart — shown in this gentle book by sparkly “love waves” sent from parent to child to parent.

Gossie, a small yellow gosling thinks she has lost her favorite red books until she sees them on her friend’s feet. This small board book is presented in Spanish and English.

Gerald the elephant feels left out when his buddy, Piggie, celebrates Pig Day. All ends well as Piggie reaffirms his friendship with in this addition to an ever popular series.

Aspen Colorado Kim Chee Lee finds a cure for her writer’s block in a unique pottery class. Child-like illustrations and text are presented in calendar-like orientation.

Even though Squish and his pals are one-cell amoebas, children will recognize themselves in the frenetic adventures of bullies and saving the world from evil.

Ellray, a small third grader, has trouble not responding to Jared, the class bully. If Ellray can stay out of trouble though, his dad has promised a trip to Disneyland!

Clementine is afraid that she’s in trouble but instead finds out that a new baby is on the way when the family meeting is called.

How a small white dog with black ears loses his orange ball to another hound but finds friendship instead comes to life through the author/illustrator’s signature illustrations. (2012 Caldecott Medal Winner)

When they arrive at school, Shi-shi-etko reminds Shinchi, her six-year-old brother, that they can only use their English names and that they can’t speak to each other. For Shinchi, life becomes an endless cycle of church mass, school, and work, punctuated by skimpy meals. He finds solace at the river, clutching a tiny cedar canoe, a gift from his father, and dreaming of the day when the salmon return to the river — a sign that it’s almost time to return home.

Shi-shi-etko has just four days until she will have to leave her family and everything she knows to attend one of Canada’s Indian residential schools. She spends her last precious days at home treasuring and appreciating the beauty of her world — the dancing sunlight, the tall grass, each shiny rock, the tadpoles in the creek, her grandfather’s paddle song. LaFave’s richly hued illustrations complement Campbell’s gently moving and poetic account of a child who finds solace around her, even though she is on the verge of great loss.

Danny Bigtree’s family has moved to a new city, and Danny can’t seem to fit in. He’s homesick for the Mohawk reservation, and the kids in his class tease him about being an Indian — the thing that makes Danny most proud. Can Danny, drawing on his Mohawk heritage, find the courage to stand up for himself?

Inspired by the idea of being thankful for all that you have, An Awesome Book of Thanks! is a lively, free-form illustrated poem of “thanks.” Kids will delight in the fresh, imaginative illustrations that include a walk through a world of magical unicorns, robotic dinosaurs, and all of life’s simple moments, great and small.

An Awesome Book! is a book about the power of dreams. The joyful prose and vibrant illustrations jump from the page. A perfect read aloud, this book can inspire adults and kids to “dream big” together.

Product description: Why was I adopted? What was it like where I was born? How did you find me? Children have many questions about adoption. With a perceptive text and dynamic photographs of adopted children and their families, the creators of this book demystify adoption for young children and celebrate the joy that comes with adding to a family.

After her husband’s death, an old woman finds friendship when she rents an older cat via the Internet. A charming and quirky take on the sensitive subjects of bereavement and care of the elderly.