Book Finder

Animal sculptures on carefully composed pages with the color words provide a fine introduction to colors, color words in Spanish and English, and Mexican folk art.

Putting yourself into the center of a book can be done literally. Black/white illustrations, minimal text, and a large hole encourage active participation in this unique book.

Writing begins with a young child’s ability to see and hear letters and sounds. In a large, sturdy format, letters, numbers, and colors are introduced using full-color photographs and crisp graphics — just right to share with the youngest child.

Cut-outs on sturdy pages present a range of objects seen at the beach. Made for the youngest child to recognize, each clearly presented object — ranging from pail and shovel to sun and starfish — is punctuated with glittery paper for a particularly sunny appearance.

An adult accompanied by a mouse encourages a group of children to shout out what they know: numbers 1 to 10, letters, colors, animals, and things that move — and once again with the small mouse. Lively, full color illustrations add verve to the participatory text.

An eye peering through a hole and a die-cut on the next page provides a twist on an old game to introduce a range of animals, a notable characteristic, and a specific color associated with each. The participatory format and handsome illustrations will engage children for many readings.

Each season of the year has its own special color and feeling. Summer, fall, winter, and spring are presented in rich, lyrical language accompanied by stylized illustrations that evoke something special about each.

Four board books are included in a well-built cardboard case with a handle. Each concept is clearly, briefly presented in minimal text and cheery illustration, just right for young hands or for sharing.

Crisply lined and clearly placed illustrations of different fruits are arranged by color on sturdy pages. Embedded in illustrations on each double-page spread is a textured part that suggests how the fruit feels when touched.

Straightforward language and boldly colored illustrations of geometric shapes combine to present an overview of color mixing and the color wheel for young artists. Not only is the book attractive, it is also informative and engaging and just may inspire artistic exploration.

After his bath, a young boy, clean but without clothes, must get dressed. Each garment he seeks is hidden on playful, action-packed double page spreads until the boy — and his friends — are dressed to go outside. Child-like activities and imaginative play are sure to remind readers of all ages that play requires only a bit of inventiveness.

Three concept books have been combined in a newly formatted and highly appealing wordless board book featuring Lionni’s signature mice. Readers are sure to find lots to talk about, from colors to counting to mice embracing letters of the alphabet as they examine the uncluttered, child-sized, durable, and appealing pages.

Crisp, color photographs of people and places from around the world are used to introduce and explore color. For example, readers will see orange in hair, a robot’s eyes, and tangerines and are then asked to look around to find orange in their environment. Expressive text adds to the wonder of the images. Photo credits are included.

A young owl decides to stay awake during the day and discovers a range of colors, from pink dawn to yellow sun to blue sky. But the small owl decides that the nighttime stars are the most beautiful of all. A color wheel is included and displays the same vibrant colors used throughout the story.

Informal text and photographs of multi-hued animal subjects explain the reasons for their coloring.

Lyrical language and textured collages poetically convey the wonder of patterns and shapes in moths, birds, and other creatures. A brief note concludes this handsome volume.

A girl tells readers about the birds she sees around her, describing size and color in spare, almost lyrical language. Richly colored paintings accompany the text to enhance and build the concepts presented in the narrative.

Fish of every size, color, and disposition are shown in engaging illustrations and an animated rhyme, sure to please the youngest listener all the way to the satisfying conclusion with a “kiss, kiss, kiss,” for Little Fish and Mom.

When Farmer Gray went on vacation, Blue Goose and his friends decided to paint their black and white barnyard for a happy surprise. With the help of his friends, Blue Goose mixes paints to introduce both primary and secondary colors in this clever barnyard tale.

A familiar game focuses the reader’s eye on fine art, ranging from Picasso to Velaszquez — with much in between. A note entitled “I spied with my little eye,” provides the name of the piece and the collection from which it comes. This is a fine way to encourage looking closely at images everywhere.

Stunningly intricate, handsomely colored paper sculptures jump out with each turn of the page. Readers of all ages will spend time on each double page spread to answer the questions posed and to admire the amazing engineering used to create this handsome book.

In this simple escapade, two young mice — Mouse and Minka — play in colorful fall leaves. Because the adventurers are small, focus remains on the earth-toned leaves for a simple, but satisfying time.

Prepare for a visit to a French-speaking country as you count from one (1) to ten (10) or les nombres de un/une (1) a dix (10) in this brightly colored “first” book. Intended to build vocabulary, concrete objects or shapes accompany the word in both languages with a pronunciation guide to accompany the words introduced. Trying to learn Spanish? You’ll be interested in My First Spanish Book!

Matt and his twin sister, Bibi accompany their scientist parents to Peru where they stumble into an archaeological adventure. They ride their guanaco (a cousin to the llama), decode the patterns on the poncho, and find the mysterious lost city of Quwi! A note to adults suggests additional patterning activities.