When a boy can’t sleep, he and his father drive out to the country, away from the city lights. There they try to count the stars. Lush paintings show the warmth of the evening and the loving relationship between father and son.
How Many Stars in the Sky?
Well-chosen information about these ancient and ever-interesting predators is presented in an easily accessible format. Text is clearly written and accompanied by dramatic illustrations to depict different kinds of sharks and their habits.
Hungry, Hungry Sharks
When the winter settles on Saranac Lake in New York state, the community comes together to prepare for the winter carnival. A ten-year old girl narrates this fictionalized account of the annual two-week celebration that she and her father help plan and her uncle (as well as other prisoners from a nearby correctional facility) help build. Highly realistic, full-color watercolors depict the excitement and activity, which is further explained in an endnote.
Ice Palace
Enter a world inhabited by the “slithy tove” and other unique beings and wonder, what exactly is the Jabberwock any ways? A new generation can decide for themselves in this handsome and not too scary version of Lewis Carroll’s offbeat, dreamy, imaginary world.
Jabberwocky
When Ossie, Jamaica’s older brother, goes out to play, Jamaica follows. Ossie tells Jamaica that she’s a tag-along. But Jamaica soon meets another friend and together they turn the tables on her brother. Realistic watercolors convey the children’s emotions.
Jamaica Tag-Along
Lilly is sick and tired of hearing about the wonders of Julius, her new baby brother. Because she wants him to go back to where he came from, Lilly spends a lot of time in the “uncooperative chair.” But when a cousin criticizes Julius, Lilly learns just how protective a big sister can feel. Deceptively simple line and wash illustrations show the intense emotions of Lilly and her mouse family.
Julius, Baby of the World
While their parents are out, Judy and Peter play a board game called Jumanji. The remarkable game creates a threatening, animal-filled jungle in their suburban house until at last the game is complete. Highly realistic illustrations juxtapose the familiar with the unexpected in this book that won the Caldecott Medal.
Jumanji
What’s an old woman to do when a skeleton comes to visit? Keep him waiting, of course, while busy doing things from 1 to 10, culminating in a festive birthday celebration. Lively language and illustrations make this original tale memorable.
Just a Minute: A Trickster Tale & Counting Book
Jubilant illustrations show how a father supports his son as he grows into a man and eventually becomes a father himself. The text is from Will Smith’s popular song of the same name, and is distinguished by luminous, full-color paintings that make the words sing.
Just the Two of Us
Katie is afraid of swimming and the creatures that may lurk in the pool. But with the help of an astute swimming teacher, Katie learns to swim across the pool. She and her parents are so proud, and now Katie can’t wait to go to her friends’ birthday party – at the pool! Children will readily see themselves in the lighthearted illustrations.
Katie Catz Makes a Splash
Knights, their weapons, and their tournaments continue to fascinate children. In this clear presentation, readers will learn about what it took to become a knight, the times in which they lived, what weapons they used, and much more. Additional stories and information encourage further reading.
Knights in Shining Armor
Knock, Knock! “Who’s There?” “Olive” “Olive Who?” “Olive you so much!” Only ten knock-knock jokes are in this gentle and pun-filled book, subtitled “My First Book of Knock-Knock Jokes.” Sturdy and colorful and designed for preschoolers, the set up for each joke is on one page and the answer is beneath the flap on the other. Youngsters will soon be telling these jokes on their own.
Knock, Knock! Who’s There?
This picture book biography introduces Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, one of Mexico’s most beloved scholars and poets. At the age of three, Juana promised her sister’s teacher that she was “quiet like a turtle” so that she could stay at the school and learn to read. Later, Juana would become a nun and produce poetry that is still learned by children in Mexico today. Handsome, detailed paintings evoke Mexican folk art and tell the story of Juana’s life.
A Library for Juana
Listen to the Desert/Oye al desierto
Listen to the Rain
What could it be? This fun book uses die-cuts to focus the viewers’ eye on an extremely small section of a full-color photograph. Readers will be surprised as they turn the pages to discover what looked strange up close is really something familiar.
Look Book
Thirteen poems rejoice in Latina women, their diversity, and their roles. This short, illustrated collection celebrates Spanish-speaking countries as well as bilingualism in the United States. Illustrations swirl across each page, combining computer generated and traditional art with energetic results.
Love to Mamá: A Tribute to Mothers
At school Jack just doesn’t understand poetry or why he has to learn to write it. In free verse, as the words start out simple yet clear, we hear this reluctance to look for deeper meaning and his lack of confidence in writing anything that will be seen by others. But slowly, as he reaches deeper, Jack finds his voice – full of warmth, love, sadness, and loss.
Love That Dog
When her father takes her older brother and sister camping, Lucille, the youngest of the three pigs in her family, has to stay home with her mother. Though she is angry at first, she and her mom have a living room campout that winds up being just as much fun as the big kids’!
Lucille Camps In
Recommended by Noel – I love this book for its beautiful art, elegant prose, and of course, the plucky and adorable Madeline. With just a few words, Bemelmans manages to make Madeline and Miss Clavel come to life. It’s also a wonderful book for young armchair travellers, giving them a taste of Paris.
Madeline’s Rescue
Readers explore adjectives through this book’s absorbing, rhyming text and handsome, full-page illustrations. The author/illustrator introduces other parts of speech in equally appealing books such as Merry-Go-Round: A Book About Nouns and Fantastic! Wow! And Unreal! A Book About Interjections and Conjunctions.
Many Luscious Lollipops: A Book About Adjectives
After becoming ill from eating too many tarts, Princess Lenore is certain that only possessing the moon will cure her. However, none of the king’s lofty advisors can figure out how to capture it. Only when the court jester consults the princess herself is the solution found. Soft illustrations decorate this timeless fable.
Many Moons
Maria Paints the Hills
It’s market day, and everyone’s going to the town square. But this is no ordinary market — it’s a veritable feast of folk art from around the world, assembled with Lois Ehlert’s impeccable eye for color and design.