Book Finder

As she continued to grow (and grow), Ella Kate’s parents told her to stand straight. This gave Ella Kate the confidence to do and see things that other 19th century women could only dream of, including owning a special house to accommodate her gigantic size. Ella Kate narrates this fictionalized look at her life and travels, and her parents’ unfailing loyalty.

Join the parents of a bald little baby as she (or is it he?) plays imaginatively in the bathtub and grows out of diapers (opens in a new window) in two charmingly simple board books. Each is sure to engage both adults and children as they grow.

Children everywhere — including the young rainforest animals — tire of eating the same thing. Happily, the animal parents in this lively book come up with a tasty and creative solution in this colorful, rhyming story that sprinkles Spanish throughout.

Short and round, Gunner Smith didn’t look like a football player but he practiced hard enough to make third-string quarterback on his town’s Pee Wee team. Gunner gets his chance to use his arm in the championship game in this bright tale with a surprise ending.

Fourth grader Calvin Coconut is back for another adventure. Calvin’s new dog, Streak — who has extreme halitosis — and his science “discovery” project intersect before Calvin’s mom makes him return Streak to the shelter. Calvin is a recognizable character in plausible situations.

A large format is used to present a variety of nighttime poems by a variety of poets, neatly organized in three sections: “Going to Sleep,” “Sweet Dreams,” and “In the Night.” Gentle, whimsical illustrations enhance the mood of each poem that will be appreciated especially when shared aloud.

Mommy tries all the typical tricks to resist her daughter’s attempts to get her into bed. Though the pleas are familiar (“five more minutes?”), the lighthearted illustrations show the mother engaging in the behaviors and the child’s patient response. Once Mommy is in bed, the girl starts the same routine with Daddy in this appealing book.

This look at one local farm presents a look at work on a farm raising food and animals while protecting the environment. Handsome photographs show the uniqueness of the seasons.

All scientific inquiry begins with a question, something at which Jack is quite adept. He wonders why crackers have holes, why feet stink, why hair doesn’t hurt when cut — and more. Child-like simplicity and expressive illustrations create a satisfying story that can be read on many levels — sure to generate even more inquisitiveness about children’s everyday experiences.

Enjoy short, lively, and varied poems for different occasions and from Monday (“…Washday,/sloshday…”) to Friday which is “…fishday in out town/Fat-fish, flat-fish/Cod- and cat-fish…” Line drawings on richly hued pages make an attractive and engaging collection to be read cover-to-cover or to dipped into for a special treat.

Every day, Amos McGee goes to his job at the City Zoo where he’s attentive to each of his animal friends’ special needs. One day, however, Amos doesn’t feel well and must miss work and so his friends visit to take care of him. Gentle, expressive illustrations expand this touching tale. (2011 Caldecott Medal Winner)

No matter how much her mother fusses or how long it gets, Ella Kazoo will not brush her hair! That is until her hair starts to take over — literally. The conclusion is both simple and satisfying as Ella Kazoo’s tresses are trimmed. Comic illustrations and a rhyming text make a lighthearted tale.

What does the U.S. Census count? Among other things it counts families! Each is different but they are also alike in many ways. A variety of families and their pets are introduced in boldly colored, child-like illustrations and lighthearted glimpse at different kinds of families who all celebrate, laugh, and love.

This is not the Tooth Fairy of old; this tooth fairy defies old conceptions of the work, and how this spunky character gets around (actually by way of turbo-charged surfboard). Fast and funny, the Tooth Fairy here will knock down any spritely misconceptions as she tickles the funny bone.

Who has teeth? Everyone from people to the zebra! And so opens this book of questions and answers designed to engage and provide readers with information revealed in lively rhythm and rhyme with Seussian humor. (LeSieg is Geisel spelled backwards, Dr. Seuss’ real name.) Cartoon-like illustrations complement the lightheartedness of the book.

Dr. Flossman welcomes his class of incisors, canines, etc. (appropriately for each of the typical mouth’s 32 teeth), providing actual information in a wacky, slightly abstract combination of art and story.

Junie B. worries about her loose tooth. If she’s the first in her class to lose a tooth, will she appear different, weird? It’s inevitable that Junie B.’s tooth comes out and when it does, she sets out to learn what the Tooth Fairy does with all of those teeth. The answer is, of course, addressed in Junie B.’s signature, amusing style!

Babies don’t have teeth as they don’t need them yet. But as children grow, teeth grow in and then fall out to be replaced by adult teeth. This informative, appealing, and easy science book is just right to answer early questions about teeth and dental hygiene — and may encourage even more questions.

Fluffy, the class pet guinea pig wants to lose a tooth to meet the tooth fairy but then learns that guinea pigs don’t lose teeth; rather they gnaw to wear them down. When he goes home with one of the kids, however, Fluffy manages to meet the Tooth Fairy after all! Light and playful, this is sure to engage newly independent readers.

Because Holly is reluctant to give up her newly fallen out tooth, she starts to correspond with the Tooth Fairy, asking questions that trouble many children (such as what happens to the teeth). The Tooth Fairy responds to all questions in this elegantly illustrated book.

DW’s plot to fool the tooth fairy doesn’t work so Arthur, her brother of tooth-losing age, assumes a magical role himself. This easier-to-read book is just right for new readers and has stickers intended to reinforce vocabulary.

Louisa May Alcott briefly worked as a nurse during the Civil War before becoming ill herself. In this Magic Tree House fantasy, Jack and Annie travel back to the Civil War, meeting Clara Barton and help nurse the soldiers wounded in battle.

The little mouse struggles to get dressed to go out to the barn with efforts that children will readily recognize just as they will appreciate the humor in mother mouse’s reminder that mice don’t wear clothing! Simple illustrations in graphic novel-like format for the very young make a pleasing package.

A feast for the eye as well as the ear, this collection is just right for sharing. The poetry and rhymes include work by known poets as well as by children. Different sections are sure to appeal to different interests and tastes but all are imaginative. A note for adults helps demystify sharing poetry with children.