J.J. Tully, a retired search and rescue dog, takes on the task of finding two lost chicks that their mother fears were kidnapped. Not only does J.J. solve the mystery, he finds unexpected friends. There’s plenty of adult humor in J.J.’s narration, but lots of laughs for newly independent readers, too.
The Trouble with Chickens
Only one ‘unsatisfactory’ tarnishes Stink’s report card: physical education. Smaller children will empathize with Judy Moody’s little brother as he tries to find a sport that he likes and can excel in — which just might be thumb-wrestling! The series continues with verve and good humor.
Stink and the Ultimate Thumb-Wrestling Smackdown
The mystery of why a Pacific seabird nests inland has only recently been solved. Lyrical language and evocative illustrations with additional information inset on each page brings the modern scientific thriller to light. Additional resources conclude this handsome volume.
Seabird in the Forest: The Mystery of the Marbled Murrelet
Striking photographs combine with readable text to provide an introduction to polar bears. Text appears in two fonts, allowing readers access to more information and enhancing its use with different ages and interests. Additional material about the animals and further resources conclude the book.
Polar Bears
For a quick tour of Orlando and a glimpse at the state of Florida, a fast tour in photographs and information snippets may be just right. A brief overview of the high points of the city and state, some of its famous inhabitants, and more are provided. This is one of a series that may pique curiosity about states and some of their better-known cities.
Orlando, FL: Cool Stuff Every Kid Should Know
Animal buddies at the boardinghouse for animals do their best to make the new guest comfortable while on a vacation. But what is this chicken up to? And can the other animals prevent an awful occurrence? Lively language and likeable critters create an engaging novel.
Magic at the Bed and Biscuit
Zach has always wanted a dog but when his parents bring home Larry, a funny seriously mixed breed, he’s not so sure. But there’s something special about this mutt, making Zach decide that Larry has a magical tail. Zach’s narration rings true in this fetching early chapter book.
Labracadabra
What will 2nd grade Keena do to keep her best friend from finding out what she’s written in her private journal? Identifiable issues and emotions are plausibly resolved in this readable novel when the class meanie finds Keena’s diary and insists Keena do as she demands — or else!
Keena Ford and the Secret Journal Mix-up
Want something to do that may spark creativity? Try making inkblots to see what and how you see! Sophisticated children will find this highly illustrated, step-by-step, how-to book of creating, seeing, and imaginatively using inkblots engrossing.
Inkblot: Drip, Splat, and Squish Your Way to Creativity
One never knows until they try something — much like a small yellow fledgling that is afraid to leave the nest. Lyrical language and textured, stylized collage illustrations combine for a surprisingly sophisticated push toward flying independently.
If I Never Forever Endeavor
Some of them worked; others didn’t but all were based in the folk and academic traditions of the times. With wit and insight, historical medical remedies from around the world are introduced as is the science behind them. Additional resources end this amusingly illustrated book.
I Feel Better with a Frog in My Throat: History’s Strangest Cures
If you thought that haiku was a staid poetic form, then you haven’t come across this collection! Boys and all things boy are presented for each of the four seasons. Sprinkled throughout are humorous line drawings that extend the light tone.
Guyku: A Year of Haiku for Boys
Daisy Dawson, an imaginative child, is excited once school is out because she and her parents will spend the summer at the beach. There, she finds, enjoys, and helps new friends — human and animal. Sprightly illustrations bring Daisy’s character and her summer adventures to life.
Daisy Dawson at the Beach
Four siblings decide to make strawberry jam for Father’s Day — but the strawberries keep disappearing from the garden. In order to make the planned present for their dads, the kids must identify the fruit snatcher! The mild mystery is just right for newly independent readers.
Calendar Mysteries: June Jam
Stunning, full color, close-up photographs of birds combined with evocative poems in different forms present memorable portraits of birds. Factual material about each feathered creature is inserted on every double-page spread to complete the picture.
Birds of a Feather
While children in one part of the world doze, wash, or pick fruit, readers can lift a flap to see others singing, climbing a tree, or sleeping. Carefully formatted illustrations and brief text introduce maps, time zones, and different cultures with varying levels of complexity.
While You Are Sleeping
A sly walrus evades the zookeeper, all the while hiding in plain sight: at a lunch counter, in a window display, and many equally obvious (and silly) places. After taking a swimming prize, the walrus returns to the zoo. Flat forms augment the understated comedy of this wordless tale.
Where’s Walrus?
“Things were quiet on the Tuckers’ farm…” but really took off once a peacock came to live with them. The chickens become jealous and so trade places with the peacock with very funny results. Cartoon illustrations add humor and charm to the understated, appealing text.
Three Hens and a Peacock
Stylized illustrations place readers in the 1920s and 1930s, a time when baseball was played on the streets, listened to on radio, and enjoyed in stadiums. A rhythmic text introduces some of the period’s heroes while capturing its spirit.
This Is the Game
From Monday through Sunday, Silly Lilly tries on a new role each day — from vampire to teacher, ending the week as candy taster. Simplified comic book panels are sure to help new readers comprehend the story as they make meaning from word and image.
Silly Lilly in What Will I Be Today
When Bad Bart who was the “biggest, burliest pirate this side of the Atlantic” meets Mean Mo, “maddest, mightiest pirate this side of the Pacific,” an unwinnable competition ensues that ends in romance. The rollicking pirate adventures are told with verve and humor.
Pirate vs. Pirate: The Terrific Tale of a Big, Blustery Maritime Match
At the start, the square was perfect and red but things change and so does the square. In a series of images accompanied by playful language, the red square changes into different forms and colors, challenging the reader to think literally outside of the box — that perhaps change isn’t such a bad thing after all.
Perfect Square
Tom rides his new red bike to his friend’s house but the bike disappears when he knocks at Sam’s door. Sam has taken it for a spin, much to Tom’s irritation. Expressive illustrations and minimal text depict the friendship, chagrin, and ultimate resolution in a satisfying saga.
New Red Bike!
Having a wildly imaginative big sister is great — except when she goes off with a friend. Comic illustrations combine with a child-like narration to reveal the ups and downs of being the youngest of a sibling pair. Readers are sure to recognize the emotions in this inventive tale.