Book Finder

An empty yellow house that a girl passes is both spooky and intriguing — and a place where the extraordinary may happen. One day, she enters the garden while her mother is distracted and encounters amazing things. Delicate illustrations complement this gentle fantasy.

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.

What will 2^nd 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!

“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.

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.

The narrator (always within her mother’s sight) independently picks berries for jam. When she encounters a bee she remembers to stand still until it leaves. The same encounter is told again from the bee’s perspective for a satisfying story told in rhyme with expressive illustrations.

Clink is a robot that used to be state of the art; now he’s outdated and missing parts. Nobody wants Clink until he meets Milton, a boy who brings out the best in Clink and gives him a new home. The satisfying story is illustrated with full color illustrations.

Norris was a wise bear who appreciated that “plorringes were the best fruit of all.” A mouse and raccoon also admired, and wanted the tasty treat — and so wise Norris shared it with them. Relaxed watercolors and simple language effectively convey the pain of waiting and the joy of friendship.

This engaging story of how one community comes together to save their home is told in English and in Tagalog. Bright illustrations help move the story of successful resistance along while conveying a bit of Filipino history and culture.
Country of origin: Philippines
 

When 8-year old Emily is orphaned she heads west to find her kindly Aunt Hilda. Emily’s rip-roaring adventure involves a dastardly uncle, a huge fortune, and a good friend. Each chapter ends with a cliffhanger sure to keep even the most reluctant reader reading!

From the sun that wakens him to the cricket that serenades him to sleep, a young boy gives thanks for the many kinds of friends who help him throughout the day. Pat Mora’s reflection on gratitude is filled with kindness and humor, brought to life by John Parra’s heartwarming illustrations. Pat concludes the book with an author’s note about the things she for which she feels grateful. Bilingual text.

Though one is very tall and the other quite short, Jake and Jacomo find they have much in common and find friendship in spite of classmates’ teasing. Though no longer in print, this recognizable, realistic story may be available used or at libraries.

Shy Lili is so soft spoken she has been marked absent and has a tough time standing up for herself — especially when partnered with bold Cassidy. Lili finds her voice, however, when just in time to help the class pet from disaster. Well told and gently illustrated, all readers are likely to empathize with the well-drawn characters.

Kirsten’s parents are fighting and her best friend has suddenly joined the popular crowd. Walker is the only black student at his new private school and his single mom watches over him like a hawk. What happens when Kirsten’s and Walker’s worlds collide?

Unlikely animals work together to the benefit of both as do more usual pairings such as dogs and people. How and why these relationships work is detailed in brief text and handsome collage illustration.

Lester explains the basics about the moon and space travel to Little Nye before they take off on their lively imaginary journey. Sturdy pages support uncluttered illustrations and simple text in this appealing, surprisingly informative book.

As a boy sleeps, his toys come to life and take a ride in his bedroom. Other toys join the father and son dolls but return to the proper shelf before sunrise. Told in a rhyming cadence, this colorfully illustrated tale is sure to satisfy young readers.

The little owl searches for his mother when separated from her, but his descriptions aren’t very clear. At last, a concerned squirrel helps reunite baby and mother. Muted colors and broad shapes are used in this appealing story.

Through a series of mishaps, Little Lorikeet’s perfect strawberry is lost and the little bird has no gift for her grandmother. When all attempts to retrieve it are futile, Lorikeet and her friends make something that lasts much longer: a storybook for Grandma.

On his first day in the country, City Dog not only runs off-leash but befriends a frog. Dog and frog play through summer and remember their fun in autumn, but frog leaves in winter. Life’s cyclical nature is shown in dramatic watercolors and frank text for a moving tale.

Snake asks to play catch with elephant and Piggie but gets beaned by the ball as he has no arms with which to catch it. The friends come up with a creative solution for them all to play catch. Cartoon illustrations are as clear as the speech bubbles in this funny addition to the series.

Bink and Gollie are as different as possible in appearance, likes, and styles. In spite of their dissimilar approaches, the girls remain the best of friends in what may be the first of a fresh new series.

Babymouse is back, this time to win the contest for selling the most cupcakes in support of a new school library. As in others of the satisfying, humorous series, Babymouse’s imagined scenarios are shown in pink.

While looking for gold, four French boys accidentally discovered what was to be considered the best preserved and most famous prehistoric art. How the Lascaux cave was found is presented here in rich watercolors and stimulating text. The author’s note provides additional information as well as a photograph of the discoverers.