Book Finder

Dani has a happy life but as do all lives, hers is filled with ups and downs. Short, lyrical chapters and expressive black line drawings present Dani, her trepidation about starting school, finding a friend and having her move away, even revealing her mother’s death all told with warm charm.

The exclamation mark knew he was different from the moment he arrived. When he conversed with the question mark, however, a world of possibilities opened up! Seeing punctuation in action has never been more fun than with these emotive punctuation marks as characters!

Friends Bink and Gollie are very different but they have fun together — even when one of them behaves peculiarly. In three vignettes, Gollie assumes a royal role, Bink tries to get taller, and together they start a memorable collection. Comic illustrations add to the fun of the short text.

The four easy readers, modern classics, are effectively read by their author and sprinkled with music and sound effects.

Soft illustrations and brief, patterned language suggest a special pleasure from January to December, just right for sharing. After all, each month of the year is a “time for fun with new friends!”

A girl finds a book with a red cover on a winter day that transports her to a sunny beach. The idea of getting lost in a book (figuratively and magically) is presented wordlessly; only illustrations are used. The story can be told or written any number of ways according to the writer’s interpretation of the story.

Familiar subjects are presented in short poems by a range of writers. These easier-to read works are just right to encourage careful listening.

Young readers will understand what Owl doesn’t in each of five short chapters. The episodic tales and lighthearted illustrations are sure to engage newly independent readers.

“A forced pen-pal exchange turns into an opportunity for real communication between Illinois sixth-grader Abby Carson and Sadeed Bayat, the best English-language student in his Afghan village. When Abby’s first letter arrives in Bahar-Lan, 11-year-old Sadeed is asked by the elders to compose his sister Amira’s reply; it isn’t proper for a boy and girl to correspond with one another. But soon Sadeed can’t resist telling Abby that it is he who has been writing to her. The third-person narrative alternates points of view, allowing for inclusion of intriguing details of both lives.” — School Library Journal

Dickens’s England comes to life from the perspective of an alley cat.

Molly told Olive a secret which Olive promised not to tell anyone. Secrets have a way of bubbling out though and so Molly’s secret comes back to her. This familiar dilemma is humorously presented with cartoon illustrations and short text with an unexpected conclusion.

Ribbit-oops! Frog falls into a deep hole, followed by other animals who try to help. Oh, no! Stalked by a hungry tiger, saved by a gentle elephant the drama of the story is enhanced by richly hued illustrations and lots of playful patterns of sounds and language sure to be repeated.

Bear wants to share his story though his friends are preoccupied with winter preparation. When they gather again at winter’s end, Bear’s friends remind him of his story. Tender text and gentle illustrations by the Caldecott-medal winning husband & wife team is sure to engage.

Readers are encouraged to tell the story of a brave farm girl who provides food to someone who has escaped in this sophisticated, expressive, wordless book. Inspired by family stories, the author allows adults to fill in the historical detail while children recognize the story’s power.

Vivid paintings by San artists, an artists’ project of Botswana, accompany an original story about the ostrich that finds his voice and changes the veld. Lyrical language will read aloud well and evokes a strong sense of place.

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.

Elephant and Piggie gather everything they might possibly need when they decide to go for a drive. They have every possible thing except…the car! Humor abounds as the dynamic duo prepare and then adapt their travel plans.

A fox lives near the old house where Tilly and her parents have moved far from friends and the familiar. She follows the fox one night into a secret, moonlit garden where she finds friendship. Rich language, a calm pace, and a suggestion of magic create a memorable story.

Toad, Mole, Rat and Badger are back in this sequel to Kenneth Grahame’s 1908 Wind in the Willows. Though several new characters are introduced, the lush language evokes the original saga and may lead readers to revisit the original.

Splat, a likeable, fuzzy cat is grateful for many things, especially his friend Seymour. To show him, Splat makes more than a card; he makes a thank you book! Expressive, textured illustrations on open backgrounds show Splat’s range of emotions as he thinks about his buddy.

“Telling of her childhood in Cuba, Ada begins with an introduction to her homeland followed by 11 episodes about her family and her community. One story tells of her grandfather Modesto’s courage and loyalty in the face of the death of his beloved wife and the simultaneous collapse of the Cuban economy. Another tells of her great-grandmother Mina, who continued to make rag dolls for the village children even after she had lost her sight. And a third tale tells of a Japanese street vendor who sold ice cream for a living, but gave generous samples to children who could not afford to pay.” — School Library Journal

Grouch, Grump, and two-headed little Gloom ‘n’ Doom — three crabby monsters — tried to create the “biggest, baddest monster EVER!” When the huge monster comes alive his first words are “Dank you!” causing the cantankerous little monsters to succumb to his kind ways. Cartoon line and wash illustrations and understated text present a pleasing monster saga.