Book Finder

Maggie’s stutter complicates her relationship with her father who wants to send her for “treatment.” Instead, Maggie will spend some time with her grandfather near Wildoak forest where she comes across a snow leopard abandoned by a wealthy Londoner. It is there she finds self-acceptance and a way to communicate for herself and the animal. Inspired by an era when exotic animals could be purchased from a London department store, this moving novel is unforgettable.    

Dip in or start at the beginning to follow the trail to amazing, unique, and always intriguing tidbits of information about a world of animals. Silly and often laughable illustrations open the format for an open and appealing book.

Though a whale dies and sinks to the ocean floor, it creates life that is sustained for another 50 years. Illustrations evoke the deep water while introducing the various creatures that come to feed on the carcass over time. Additional information adds depth to the riveting exploration.

Plum, a peacock, and other animals from the Athensville Zoo are excited and a bit nervous about going on a school visit. Unfortunately, a blizzard upsets the plans, and the peacock and others are stuck in the school until Plum figures out a way to get them out. Short chapters in this standalone companion to Leave it to Plum! is heavily illustrated and sure to tickle readers

Evergreen is a timid young squirrel who is frightened to take soup to ailing Granny Oak. But as Evergreen confronts and overcomes each obstacle, her confidence grows. Line and wash illustrations by a Caldecott medalist and short chapters are humorous but with more serious themes of kindness and bravery.

Doggo and Pupper try to help their housemate, cat, adjust to the new bed. But change isn’t easy and “finding cozy” can be tough, too. Each generously illustrated short chapter provides a glimpse into this trio’s friendship and relatable experiences — and a chuckle or so. Although this is the third book in the Doggo and Pupper series, it stands alone and is just as engaging as the first books.

Nature has inspired countless designs from the umbrella to space saving and naturally cooled buildings. Short poetry (Japanese tanka) accompanies a handsome illustration of the object that inspired the human invention shown in a photograph on the opposing page. Additional information is carefully presented at the end as are additional resources.

The true and truly amazing tale of how Yoshi, a rescued loggerhead turtle, found his way back to his home territory many years after being rehabilitated and housed in an aquarium. Illustrations evoke the water world in which Yoshi was found, lived, and traveled. A final word and a photograph of Yoshi conclude this handsome and engaging look at a phenomenon of nature.

A variety of big-eyed animals peek out from their abode and declare where they live. From nest to tree dwellers, from burrows to farms, each animal announces their home — concluding with young children cozily ensconced in their beds. This jaunty book is sure to engage and (sort of) inform about animal homes.

Watch, wonder, and look around much like a cat does. Discover new things all around as you learn a bit about feline behavior. Humans, young and old, can learn from animal attributes, as was shown in Being a Dog: A Tail of Mindfulness. Playful collage illustrations and gentle narration conclude with additional cat information. 

Cat fanciers of all ages will recognize the funny feline behavior in this vivacious rhyming jaunt. Broad shapes create kitties of various stripes and colors all with big round eyes add humor and verve until it’s bedtime (or not — if you’re a naughty kitten).

There are many reasons why animals form a line ranging from protection to efficient flying.  In an informative rhyming narrative accompanied by crisp illustrations with additional information at the end, readers discover why (and how) animals form lines.

A kind crocodile roars to help animals from a small mouse to a huge rhino when they’re chased by a fierce enemy. They in turn help it when the croc is threatened the critters come together to help it. Humorous, textured illustrations on horizontal pages highlight the croc’s tale.

A bright frog face with big googly eyes invites young readers in to witness its transformation from egg to tadpole to full grown frog. Die-cuts are used throughout to enhance the simple drama of the frog’s growth. 

A duck loses track of other ducks when it leaves the pond. Readers follow duck’s search in simple line drawings and brief language on open, small pages. Duck? No duck … until the happy reunion!

Crinkleroot shares the excitement and rewards of birdwatching, in a beginner’s guide that offers tips on identifying more than fifty birds and includes facts about bird anatomy, behavior, life cycles, and more.

Since 2031, Aviary Wonders Inc. has offered bird lovers a unique opportunity: Assemble your own bird from stunningly beautiful and carefully hand-crafted parts. The birds can even be taught to fly and to sing! This slyly satirical crafter’s delight is offered as the perfect antidote to extinction of birds in the wild. Illustrated with oil paintings and filled with laugh-aloud asides as well as sobering facts about extinct species, this mock catalog is a clever send-up of contemporary sales spin and a thought-provoking look into an all-too-possible future.

A gentle, poetic good-night book, with diverse parents and children — plus 16 different, slightly anthropomorphic animals- — settling down to sleep. The book that shows the ways different types of animals sleep, depicting Chinese golden monkeys, deer, sea otters, elephants, hummingbirds, and other creatures.

A chill is in the air and Bear knows it is time for her winter nap. But first, she must tell Snail. And Snail must tell Skunk. And Skunk must tell Turtle. Each animal who tries to put off going to sleep just a little longer sees, smells, hears, or tastes the signs of the impending season. Finally, Ladybug rushes off to tell Bear — already asleep in her cave — the exciting news. A warm-hearted story about animals of the forest settling down for their winter nap. But, like children who must go to bed for the night, they each find a way to put it off just a little bit longer.

Learn about various nocturnal animals and their nighttime activities, including the opossum, brown bat, and tree frog.

The story of a little dormouse and his frantic search for a safe place to hibernate.

This book provides a good introduction to basic science concepts like photosynthesis, gravity, and the sun’s effect on weather in an easy-to-understand format. Science vocabulary such as “nuclear fusion,” “electromagnetic energy,” “photosphere,” are explained in both text and illustrations. The book includes 10 comic-strip-style panels of “Did You Know?” interesting facts.

Birds are everywhere — even the most urban neighborhood is a good place to look for birds and study their habits. This journal includes questions to prompt thinking and provides pages to write down observations, paste in photos, or add drawings. Also in the series: Nature Log Kids: A Kid’s Journal to Record Their Nature Experiences. 

A young girl explores Arizona’s Sonoran Desert, recording her thoughts, scientific facts, questions, and experiences in a nature journal decorated by her paintings of the native plants and animals. This book is a great way to introduce kids to scientific journals and the importance of close observation.