Book Finder

Two stories of two boys on different continents are told almost wordlessly; their tales are both dissimilar and similar, and unknowingly intersect. One boy and his family live in Australia, the other in Morocco (North Africa). Each story is told in textured collage illustrations presented literally side by side.

No matter if Sherman is hiking, skating, taking a walk on a rainy day, or visiting grandma, he has just the right footwear. Readers are invited to choose along with the boy as his faithful dog watches. Simple illustrations use bright color and a clear layout help younger readers focus on the activity and the appropriate choice.

When the people of Johannesburg go to bed, the animals of Kruger National Park begin to stir. Simple text and evocative watercolors bring the city and the national reserve to life and will inspire young children to think about what is happening in the natural world while they are sleeping.

The four seasons come full circle beginning with melting snow and Spring planting, and concluding with cozy, indoor evenings on a snowy Winter night in these rhyming snapshots. Young children will appreciate the recognizable activities and may begin to more closely notice the changes in the weather and activities.

Her classmates laugh when Margo becomes the sun with her new yellow birthday tutu worn as a headdress. That is, until her friend, Pearl, comes to the rescue, recognizing the playful potential and dons her pink tutu similarly. Fanciful, engaging illustrations capture the child’s world, enhancing this recognizable story.

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.

An elephant finds an intriguing red thingamabob but neither he nor his friends can figure out what it does — until it begins to rain. Children will recognize the red thing immediately and are sure to delight in the animals’ process of discovery and invention. Textured illustration with gentle lines brings this engaging, imaginative tale alive.

A cub is bored, claiming there’s nothing to do. Together with an adult bear, they are awakened by a jumping cub, go on a walk, find a stick, and share an imaginative adventure until they return home for a cozy welcome. Spare text and simple line drawings on creamy paper make this fresh jaunt, and a book to be shared more than once.

When is a brown box not a box? When it’s being used by a small rabbit as a racecar, a mountain, or a burning building being rescued by the fire fighter, of course! Straightforward illustrations and minimal language convey the power of imagination and play in this contemporary classic.

Geraldine is a princess, a fairy princess with a crown and lots of sparkle. Her life as a fairy princess is filled with ballet (where she sparkles a lot), school, and with friends. Muted illustrations and an innocent narration combine to present a loving family whose child is indeed a very fairy princess.

Fathers often have special names for their children. Each nickname is a fitting one, giving a hint as to what characterizes the young one and his parent. The human dad calls his child Doodlebug, while a snail’s father calls it “Goo-and-Go.” Soft illustrations convey affection and playfulness between parents and children.

Readers are invited to touch, smell, and play games with Paul and Judy with each turn of sturdy, tactile pages. The original “touch and feel” book has an ageless quality due to simplicity in tone, text, and illustration.

Each sturdy page begins with “peek-a-boo” in words and a die-cut page that folds over to reveal the hidden object. Clues are included before the flap opens and provide lots to point to and talk about with young children in this rhyming, playful, and colorful board book.

The round little dog has a colorful ball but no one to play with; all of the farm animals have excuses. Dog is forlorn until a pair of human hands picks up the ball — and fun can start. Simple language in an easy rhyme combines with colorful, gentle illustrations for a satisfying story.

Miranda’s day at the beach with her mother is filled with the normal activities, from building castles in the sand to placing a crab in it. The child is disappointed when the day comes to an end but is reassured by her mother that more special days will follow. The joy of sharing a day at the beach is a pleasure all year long.

Sam’s clear, boyish voice becomes clear from the first poem and as he and his family take to the car traveling toward an ocean vacation. Sam is all boy — reflected in his candid observations, his often humorous actions, and black/white illustrations.

Gerald the elephant can throw a ball a long distance but to his surprise, Piggie delights in just throwing the ball no distance at all. Willem’s signature humor and cartoon style using dialogue balloons reminds readers that Piggie and Gerald have a great deal to share.

Every day children around the world awake to begin their days having breakfast, going to school, coming home to families. A poetic text combines with photographs from myriad countries to visually highlight the richness of the world and its people.

Chubby, rounded children in bright colors whish and swish, shake and bang in this sturdy board book with its built-in rattle. The rattle adds to the playfulness, though the language alone will get the young children moving.

When their mother tells them their day of play is about to end, two ducklings run away — “pit-a-pat” — until it starts to rain. Gentle illustrations depict the appealing toy duck family.

A young raccoon seeks attention from her ever-patient mother. She wants to be held then put down throughout their day together, until the youngster whispers “good night.” Soft illustrations in warm hues show their cozy world and affectionate relationship.

All children know a lot of things like when “I look in a mirror/what I see is me” and that they will continue to grow and learn. Poetic, child-like realizations combine with strong, uncluttered graphics to affirm and maybe even instruct.

Sophisticated readers will appreciate the sly humor and wordplay in the “kissin’ cousin of haiku.” Senyru focuses on everyday activities (e.g., “Freedom vanishes, as the babysitter arrives… kids are tied in nots”) complemented here by comic illustrations.

From mailbox to homes, the process of handling mail is introduced in Gibbons’ signature style illustrations and crisp text in this brief but informative book.