Book Finder

The year Grace turned eight, her Mum and Dad took her and her siblings on a trip around Australia. The kids “missed school for the whole winter term” and Grace documented much of what she learned, where she went, and the adventures they had as they experienced the diversity of the continent. Grace’s informal voice is informative yet engaging, completed by line drawings and simple maps.

A selection of nursery rhymes and games from different countries are presented in this book in both Spanish and English. The rhymes are accompanied by gentle illustrations. Music appears with lyrics (again in both languages) at the end of this pleasing book.

Rich language and lots of farm detail are used in the saga of Babe, a unique and truly heroic pig, who works successfully as a sheep dog.

Rather than sleep, Baby wants to dance the polka, the cha cha – any and everything – exhausting the poor parents! After lots of activity, Ma and Pa finally tuck in the tuckered out baby. Rhyming text and flaps that lift on sturdy pages make a memorable book to share at bedtime and beyond.

Knock-knock. Who’s there? Lift the flap and find out in this silly, pun-filled look at school and everything from lockers to spelling bees. Comic illustrations incorporate both flaps and cut-outs to create a satisfying format.

Naomi and her younger brother Owen have lived with their grandmother in a small trailer for many years, ever since they were abandoned by their mother. When Mom Terri Lynn suddenly returns, does she really have the kids’ best interests at heart?

Ever since Peter moved away (We Are Best Friends, 1982), he and his best friend Robert have kept in touch. Now that they’re together during Peter’s visit, the boys learn that while some things have changed, others, happily, have stayed the same.

Rich paintings in limited colors convey the power of a people and a piece of their history. Done in the cadence of the Blues, this unique and powerful picture book inspired by the uniquely African American music and related experience is for older readers.

Even though they talk by phone every Sunday, Grace has felt an “Aimee-shaped hole in her life” ever since her best friend moved away. But that’s only one of the changes Grace deals with in this engaging novel. Grace and her friends were first introduced in Starring Grace (2000).

When Ruby sends out invitations to a party, Max sends out his own which are delivered to Grandma. Children are encouraged to participate by lifting the flaps in this sturdy, colorful book. They’ll try to figure out the meaning of Max’s messages and may even be inspired to write their own letters in this latest Max and Ruby jaunt.

Easy rhymes hint at what can be found in jam-packed, full color photographs of the things that kids collect. Look closely and you too can solve the hidden mysteries on each double page spread.

As mysterious things happen in and around their Chicago school, Petra and Calder use their knowledge of the painter Vermeer, their intuition, and their problem solving skills to retrieve a stolen painting. The book’s Illustrations contain clues that are revealed only upon close (and multiple) examinations. This quirky mystery is sure to please fans of E.L. Konigsburg’s From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler.

Chester and Wilson are like peas in a pod. Not only do they do everything together; they do most things in the same way. Then, a new mouse moves in to the neighborhood and things will never be the same! Lilly (Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse, 1996) is irrepressible and energetic, as Chester and Wilson soon happily find out.

From one to one hundred, the numbers (differentiated by their vibrant colors) go up – and ultimately down – the apple tree in this lively and worthy counting companion to Chicka Chicka ABC. The role of zero (0) creates tension (“Will there be a place for me?”) and finally a celebration!

A grandmother tells her granddaughter the history of baskets, going all the way back to Africa. The circular history of a people and of families is suggested in gentle text and evocative watercolors.

In this Newbery Medal-winning novel, Crispin is falsely accused of murder and must flee his medieval town to save his life. But, just as he’s leaving, he learns from the village priest that his parents’ origins — and fates — might be more mysterious than he ever imagined… (2003 Newbery Medal Winner)

When Danitra leaves the city for a summer with her family in the country, she and best friend Zuri write to each other about their days. The free verse and softly hued, realistic illustrations convey the warmth of both summer and the girls’ friendship.

“No, David,” wails his mother, as David reaches for the cookie jar. “No! No! No!” as he makes a swamp out of the bathroom. “Come back here, David!” as he runs naked down the street. David is an energetic little rascal who is constantly getting into trouble.