Book Finder

The small squirrel rescued from a super vacuum cleaner by 10-year old Flora emerges hairless but with new superpowers. Newly named Ulysses, the squirrel cracks Flora’s protective cynicism as she copes with her parents’ separation. Humor and pathos combine in text and illustration in this humorous, memorable and poignant novel. (2014 Newbery Medal Winner)

Nine-year old Anna is a worrywart. In fact, she is one of two in a Safety Club prepared for any kind of disaster. Disaster preparedness did not include leaving Colorado for Kansas with her minister father, experiencing a tornado and more. Anna’s voice is authentic as are her questions that include religious concerns and God’s will.

His father assures Billy that his second grade year will be a fine year in spite of a bumpy start. Readers will recognize themselves and everyday adventures as they share Billy’s familiar likes and concerns, friendships and family.

Melonhead, now in 5th grade, and his best friend want to earn money. So when Melonhead has a BOB — short for Brainflash of Brilliance — the We-Fix-It Company is born, starting the adventure and fun. The latest Melonhead book stands alone and is sure to engage young readers.

Annie, a preschooler, and her caring older brother Simon share everyday activities in four adventures in each of the brief chapters. Together Simon and Annie explore nature, Annie nurses Simon’s sneeze, learn a bit about cats and dogs, and solve the mystery of the missing chestnuts. Line drawings depict the warm sibling relationship.

Alvin Ho, a fearful but appealing boy, has a new set of worries. His mom is going to have a baby — and Alvin has all of the symptoms! To add to his worries, his dad is away helping earthquake victims in Haiti. The happy resolution includes the arrival of Alvin’s new baby sister and his dad is return home.

Poor Maggie struggles to master her chopsticks — it seems nearly everyone around the dinner table has something to say about the “right” way to hold them! But when Father reminds her not to worry about everyone else, Maggie finally gets a grip on an important lesson.

A handsome necklace symbolizes the connection between generations of women in this realistically illustrated story. The story like the necklace is handed down from one generation to the next and was inspired by her roots.

Everyday activities and family members can be laughable especially when presented in short, light verse. Add to the mixture comic illustrations and the thin, liberally illustrated collection of humorous poetry is ready for independent reading or for sharing aloud.

Trixie TEN tires of her noisy nine siblings, from pink, sneezy Wanda ONE to Nathaniel NINE who likes to roar like a lion and so longs for a quiet place. Characters, created from fingerprints and lines, are sure to engage children and may inspire aspiring illustrators.

A tiger roars out of the boy’s alphabet soup for a lively, well-illustrated adventure until his sister agrees to read to him. One wonders, however, if the tiger disappears entirely. This is Imaginative, quirky and well-told story, lushly illustrated.

The children are distressed that it’s raining while visiting their grandfather. But Grandpa has the children don rain gear to “find colors for garden stew.” Vegetables collected, the family makes and eats a delicious stew. Joy-filled illustrations accompany the rhythmic text.

The frumpy Frazzle family is very forgetful. They forget most things including pants and umbrellas — until Aunt Rosemary comes to help them out. Watercolor illustrations appear slapdash but complement the laugh-filled, list-filled telling for a satisfying saga.

Chu, a young panda, could hold his havoc-causing sneeze while at the library and even while dining but not at the circus. Expressive illustrations and few words are needed to highlight the chaos, its humorous results, and Chu’s continued warm place in his family.

The oldest child narrates the family’s move from the city to build their own house on farm land. How the family works together planning and building while living in a tiny trailer pays homage to the author’s parents who are introduced in photographs and a note at the end.

Whether in the den or a log, in the water or lodge, young animals are kept safe and sound by their parents. Soft illustrations and a gently rhyming text present a comforting tale.

A warm portrait of universal parental love begins on a beach when a boy asks his mother, “How far do you love me?” Lyrical responses combine with stunning double page illustrations in places around the globe until the boy is tucked into bed with his response: “I love you to the moon!” A world map and the query in each language conclude this tender book.

In this springtime tale, a young girl and her father plant a flower box together.

In this ode to country living, Rylant shares a glimpse into one family’s life.

A homeless boy and his dad make their home in a busy airport.

When a boy learns about palindromes, he begins to see them everywhere. The humorous tale introduces words and phrases that are the same when spelled — and pronounced — forward or backward. Palindrome riddles are presented in Too Hot to Hoot: Funny Palindrome Riddles by Marvin Terban (Sandpiper). Both books have strong visual clues.

When Penny picks up a marble near her neighbor’s home, she begins to imagine that it really belongs to Mrs. Goodwin. In short chapters with Henkes’ signature illustrations, the young mouse successfully works through her guilt to a very satisfying conclusion.

When Clementine Brown gets and a first-aid kit for her birthday, she takes her medical role quite seriously. Nothing is too small for Clementine to handle including helping her little brother. Open illustrations and simple text celebrate recognizable, imaginative play.

Journey around the globe to learn some of the affectionate names children are called. The terms appear in English and the native language (with pronunciation provided) accompanied by charming illustrations that suggest cultural diversity.