Book Finder

“Well-loved illustrator Bryan’s pictures and recollections tell of his lifelong devotion to making and sharing art. His Antiguan-born parents sang, kept birds and sheltered orphans; they showed him how to resist convention and survive defeat. Drawing every day, as a soldier during WWII he kept his art supplies in his gas mask…Bryan honed his skills, overcame racism and discouragement, and thrived throughout 20th-century tumult. While the text forms a single narrative thread, the busy pages are laid out scrapbook-style on bright, overlapping rectangles of color, old family photos next to artwork next to call-outs of Bryan’s words in large type.” — Publisher’s Weekly

“A forced pen-pal exchange turns into an opportunity for real communication between Illinois sixth-grader Abby Carson and Sadeed Bayat, the best English-language student in his Afghan village. When Abby’s first letter arrives in Bahar-Lan, 11-year-old Sadeed is asked by the elders to compose his sister Amira’s reply; it isn’t proper for a boy and girl to correspond with one another. But soon Sadeed can’t resist telling Abby that it is he who has been writing to her. The third-person narrative alternates points of view, allowing for inclusion of intriguing details of both lives.” — School Library Journal

The author recounts her family’s move by train from Oklahoma to California, the “land of milk and honey.”  Evocative language and luxurious illustration create a warm recollection from a child’s perspective.

Words are everywhere and so, too, are poems; that is, if you know how to look. Those included in this small, illustrated anthology have been compiled from words in likely and unlikely locations to present a range of topics, sure to inspire young readers to find poems of their own.

Readers are introduced to activities and journaling in the style of Greg Heffley’s journal. Even those not familiar with the exploits of the comical journalist will enjoy filling in the pages of this book.

A medic writes his son about his time in Europe in 1918 during the First World War. The man tells his son that he wanted to wait until he could also say he was coming home. Understated text combines with black/white line drawings for a sophisticated, evocative, and touching glimpse of war, sure to generate conversation between readers.

“Telling of her childhood in Cuba, Ada begins with an introduction to her homeland followed by 11 episodes about her family and her community. One story tells of her grandfather Modesto’s courage and loyalty in the face of the death of his beloved wife and the simultaneous collapse of the Cuban economy. Another tells of her great-grandmother Mina, who continued to make rag dolls for the village children even after she had lost her sight. And a third tale tells of a Japanese street vendor who sold ice cream for a living, but gave generous samples to children who could not afford to pay.” — School Library Journal

“Nine-year-old América Soliz is an undocumented immigrant of Mexican-Indian heritage living in the violence-ravaged Pilsen barrio of Chicago. Feeling unwelcome in her new country, she yearns to return to her native Oaxaca. Then one day, a Puerto Rican poet visits America’s ESL class and tells the students that ‘There’s poetry in everyone…and poets belong to the whole world.’ Soon, America begins to express herself through poetry, eventually coming to realize that as a poet, she is a citizen of the world with a bright future ahead of her.” — School Library Journal

Rocket, the small dog (How Rocket Learned to Read (opens in a new window)), loves words and wants to use them in a story. His teacher — a patient yellow bird — helps Rocket write. Not only does Rocket write (and revise) a story, he finds a friend. Concrete strategies for successful writing are presented with a light and always appealing touch.

Upper and lowercase letters worry that Mr. Wright’s students no longer know when to use capitalization! A student letter to the principal about Teacher Appreciation Day is all wrong, prompting the small letters to send an SOS (Save Our Sentences). The kids (and readers) learn when to capitalize and a bit of letter history in this bright, humorous classroom tale.

The author introduces himself as the author, the book’s illustrator, and the main character, Chloe, as the book opens. The conflict between author and illustrator has a significant impact on Chloe’s book adventure in this funny, sophisticated presentation. As the author and illustrator pop in and out, style of illustration and text is varied for maximum effect.

Sophisticated readers will appreciate the themes of the poems presented in this large, attractively illustrated collection of poems. In varied forms, each poem celebrates books and reading and the pleasure it brings even to “The End/…an invitation back/to the beginning.”

Emily’s dog, Carlos, accompanied her almost everywhere, “decorating her clothes with dog hair” even when she wrote. Rich narrative sprinkled with quotes from Emily Dickinson’s poetry and letters combines with expressive watercolors for a unique portrait of the poet. Additional information and sources complete this handsome book.

A young Frederick Douglass narrates this handsome, moving, and authentic story of his early life as a slave, his desire to learn, and plans to escape slavery. The child who grew up to be an abolitionist, memorable writer, and orator knew that words — reading — would set him free.

Seven stories published only before in magazines have been put together in a fresh volume introduced by a Seuss scholar and sure to delight the doctor’s fans.

Neftali always loved nature and words. This fondness allowed Neftali — better known as Pablo Neruda — to create poetry in a “voice [that] was heard across nations and ocean.” Rich language and lush illustrations that incorporate words in Spanish and English are sure to enthuse young writers while introducing this Nobel-winning poet.

Emma Lazarus, a prolific and skilled poet, only once wrote a poem on request. It is the one for which she is best known: the poem is mounted on the base of the Statue of Liberty. Emma’s story is sprinkled with her writing, complemented by expressive illustrations.

Molly, a mouse, and her friends come up with just the right gift for Turtle’s birthday: an illustrated book about the four seasons. Lightly lined illustrations complement this gentle story of friendship, seasons, and celebrations.

Miss Doover introduces her students to the art of composing thank you notes, though Jack must revise and expand his letter several times. In the process, he comes to appreciate his teacher’s patience. Humorous illustrations and naive sentiments make a recognizable story.

Brother Theophane is unlike the other monks in the mountains of Mourne (Ireland). While most brothers scribe only in browns, Theophane adds color from nature to the manuscripts. Jewel-like illustration combines with rhyming text to celebrate history and individuality.

Mark Twain’s daughter, Susy, writes a journal to set the record straight about her famous writer father. Cleverly formatted as a book within a book, illustrations, journal, and narration (in Susy’s voice) present a readable, engaging, and documented look at the writer and his family.

Ever-faithful Emma thinks her human is being kidnapped by Loretta and e-mails ‘Ask Queenie’ for advice — just as Loretta’s dog, Hank, does. Droll illustrations are presented in comic book style and are sure to delight readers, even if they haven’t read Letters from a Desperate Dog (opens in a new window).

Erin loves dinosaurs and so describes all the fun they’ll have in a letter inviting a tyrannosaurus to her birthday party. The broad humor of the huge dinosaur playing party games and similar activities conveyed in comic illustration and understated text is sure to create giggles galore.

J.M. Barrie was always a storyteller. Here his life and selections from his work — including Peter Pan — are presented in a handsomely illustrated and formatted book. Sources consulted as well as a selection of Barrie’s work are included.