Books

FROM SARAH:

Wordy Birdy returns in this sequel—equally as funny as the first! A perfect read-aloud.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Wordy Birdy and her pals are back, in a hilarious new story with a truly ridiculous villain—from beloved author Tammi Sauer.Wordy Birdy and her pals are heading on a camping trip, and our favorite chatty bird is all ready for a big night under the stars.

FROM SARAH:

A funny, delightful book that perfectly shows dramatic irony. I loved it.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

A foolish knight is certain that his side of the wall is the safe side in this clever, amusingly meta picture book by the acclaimed creator of It's Only StanleyThere's a wall in the middle of the book, and our hero--a young knight--is sure that the wall protects his side of the book from the dangers on the other side..

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

In this bright picture book, nonfiction master Gail Gibbons tells you everything you need to know about this holiday. You'll learn the story of Patrick's life, legends about the saint, and the history of the holiday.

From shamrocks to shillelaghs, Gail Gibbons' signature combination of accessible text and clear, colorful illustrations creates a perfect introduction to a fun holiday.  A perfect introduction to the customs surrounding the holiday-- parades, special meals, and of course wearing lots of green.

FROM SARAH:

A simple, delightful, look at the country we all love to read aloud about in March!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

On the heels of the runaway bestsellers This is New York and This is Paris, Universe is pleased to reissue another title from M. Sasek's beloved and nostalgic children's travel series.

FROM SARAH:

The story of St. Patrick for the youngest set.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

From the author of Strega Nona comes the story of the shepherd who heard the voice of God and converted the Irish people, now in a special format just right for the youngest readers.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

A picture book biography about Troy Andrews, aka Trombone Shorty, a name he earned from toting around a trombone twice as long as he was high. A testament to the power of music and the ability to follow your dreams. A delight for all ages!

FROM SARAH:

An “impossible” math problem is no problem for Sophie! This beautifully told biography, paired with Barbara McClintock’s intricate illustrations, is a tribute to the power of perseverance and the truth inside each one of us that we can do hard things.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

The true story of eighteenth-century mathematician Sophie Germain, who solved the unsolvable to achieve her dream.When her parents took away her candles to keep their young daughter from studying math...nothing stopped Sophie.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Before Jacques Cousteau became an internationally known oceanographer and champion of the seas, he was a curious little boy. In this lovely biography, poetic text and gorgeous paintings combine to create a portrait of Jacques Cousteau that is as magical as it is inspiring.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

When Robert Frost was a child, his family thought he would grow up to be a baseball player. Instead, he became a poet. His life on a farm in New Hampshire inspired him to write "poetry that talked," and today he is famous for his vivid descriptions of the rural life he loved so much.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

William "Doc" Key had a special way with animals. Growing up an enslaved child in Tennessee, Doc was sent to plantations around the state to care for sick and wounded animals. When the Civil War ended and Doc was freed, he began to dream of breeding a winning racehorse.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Her mother was bedridden and her father was rarely home. Mary did not go to school. She served as housekeeper, handyman, nursemaid, and servant, for years. In 1893 Mary traveled to West Africa and proceeded to embark on an astonishing journey of discovery.

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 

An inspiring picture-book biography of Louis Braille—a blind boy so determined to read that he invented his own alphabet.

FROM SARAH: 

The compelling picture book biography of Louis Braille. My own 7 year-old asked me to read this one again and again. Discover the story of a boy who loses his sight and finds a gift for the world.

FROM SARAH

A marvelous picture book biography about shy Peter Mark Roget, who loved words and loved order ... and changed the world with his own combination of the two! Excellent – especially for older kids.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Peter took his love for words and turned it to organizing ideas and finding exactly the right word to express just what he thought. His lists grew and grew, eventually turning into one of the most important reference books of all time.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

The year is 1960, and six-year-old Ruby Bridges and her family have recently moved from Mississippi to New Orleans in search of a better life. When a judge orders Ruby to attend first grade at William Frantz Elementary, an all-white school, Ruby must face angry mobs of parents who refuse to send their children to school with her.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Charlotte, James, and baby John have promised to be on their very best behavior for when George Washington comes to have his portrait painted by their father, Gilbert Stuart. But, it seems like every time George Washington comes to visit, Charlotte has to write another apology letter, even when they try to follow George Washington’s Rules of Good Behavior.

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 

In honor of the 75th anniversary of the 1940 Caldecott Medal award this edition reintroduces readers young and old to America's most beloved President through exquisite illustrations made from the original lithographic proofs the authors created in 1939.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

A life of the Genoese weaver's son who sought to prove the world is round, telling how he studied map-making in Portugal, waited long years for financial and material support from Isabella of Spain, and finally made four voyages to the New World.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

In this charming and lavishly illustrated edition, Leif is a sturdy, adventurous Viking boy who crosses uncharted seas to arrive at “a beautiful land with forests of strange trees growing all the way down to the shores.” Leif wrestles with polar bear cubs, watches the fierce Norse gods race in the glow of the Northern Lights, and becomes a strong and courageous hunter.

FROM SARAH:

What do you know about Fibonacci's life? If you're anything like me, your answer is, "very little." This book will fix that, while also allowing for a rather lovely read-aloud at the same time.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

As a young boy in medieval Italy, Leonardo Fibonacci thought about numbers day and night. He was such a daydreamer that people called him a blockhead.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Florence Nightingale revolutionized the world of medicine by emphasizing cleanliness, food that was hot and nutritious, and organization in hospitals. What began as an attempt to make army hospitals safer and more effective became a lifelong mission, and remains relevant today.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Ellen Prentiss's papa said she was born with saltwater in her veins, so he gave her sailing lessons and taught her how to navigate. As soon as she met a man who loved sailing like she did, she married him.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Give me your tired,  your poorYour huddled masses yearning to breathe free...Who wrote these words?  And why? In 1883, Emma Lazarus, deeply moved by an influx of immigrants from Eastern Europe, wrote a sonnet that was to give voice to the Statue of Liberty.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Follow Julia Child—chef, author, and television personality—from her childhood in Pasadena, California, to her life as a spy in WWII, to the cooking classes she took in Paris, to the publication of Mastering the Art of French Cooking, to the funny moments of being a chef on TV.

FROM SARAH:

A fascinating look at one of the world’s most eccentric mathematicians. LeUyen Pham’s richly detailed illustrations weave mathematical ideas into every page, capturing Paul Erdős’s brilliance and childlike joy.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Most people think of mathematicians as solitary, working away in isolation. And, it's true, many of them do. But Paul Erdos never followed the usual path. At the age of four, he could ask you when you were born and then calculate the number of seconds you had been alive in his head.

FROM SARAH:

I adore this picture book biography about E.B. White, the author of some childhood favorites, including The Trumpet of the Swan, Charlotte's Web, and Stuart Little.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

A lyrical biography of E. B. White, beloved author of Charlotte's Web and Stuart Little, written by Barbara Herkert and illustrated by Caldecott honoree Lauren Castillo. When young Elwyn White lay in bed as a sickly child, a bold house mouse befriended him.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Unearth the true story of green-thumbed pioneer and activist Kate Sessions, who helped San Diego grow from a dry desert town into a lush, leafy city known for its gorgeous parks and gardens.Katherine Olivia Sessions never thought she’d live in a place without trees.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

A gorgeous and inspiring picture book biography of Jane Austen, one of the most beloved writers of all time, from award-winning author Deborah Hopkinson.It is a truth universally acknowledged that Jane Austen is one of our greatest writers.But before that, she was just an ordinary girl.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

When fourteen-year-old William Kamkwamba's Malawi village was hit by a drought, everyone's crops began to fail. Without enough money for food, let alone school, William spent his days in the library . . . and figured out how to bring electricity to his village. Persevering against the odds, William built a functioning windmill out of junkyard scraps, and thus became the local hero who harnessed the wind.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Ella Kate Ewing was born in 1872. She started out small, but she just kept on growing. Soon she was too tall for her desk at school, too tall for her bed at home, too tall to fit anywhere. Ella Kate was a real-life giant, but she refused to hide herself away. Instead, she used her unusual height to achieve her equally large dreams.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

This is the first picture book biography of Dr. Seuss, written especially for his young fans who want to know what made him tick. The animals in the zoo that his father ran and his fondness for drawing them, the injustices he suffered as the child of German immigrants, and his inherent sense of humor all fed into the imagination of this boy.

FROM SARAH:

A tribute to all of the kids who love to ask, "why?", this fascinating picture book biography brings to life the story of a man who never stopped asking questions.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

This colorfully illustrated biography of the Greek philosopher and scientist Eratosthenes, who compiled the first geography book and accurately measured the globe's circumference, is just right for budding mathematicians, scientists, historians, and librarians!

FROM SARAH:

The rollicking picture book biography about a pioneer in children's books: John Newbery himself. While most children's books in the 18th century contained lessons and rules, John Newbery imagined them overflowing with entertaining stories, science, and games. Nancy Carpenter's (hilarious) illustrations make reading this book pure delight.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

The rollicking picture book biography about a pioneer in children's books: John Newbery himself. While most children's books in the 18th century contained lessons and rules, John Newbery imagined them overflowing with entertaining stories, science, and games. Nancy Carpenter's (hilarious) illustrations make reading this book pure delight.

FROM SARAH:

This picture book biography is a perfect example of why older kids should keep reading picture books! The history, art, and depth in this story are hard to beat. Worth owning for your permanent collection.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

A great example of how picture books are not just for little kids! This gorgeous award-winning book tells the true story of Winnie-the-Pooh, the world's most famous bear.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Caroline Herschel (1750–1848) was not only one of the greatest astronomers who ever lived but also the first woman to be paid for her scientific work. Born the youngest daughter of a poor family in Hanover, Germany, she was scarred from smallpox, stunted from typhus and used by her parents as a scullery maid. But when her favorite brother, William, left for England, he took her with him. The siblings shared a passion for stars, and together they built the greatest telescope of their age, working tirelessly on star charts.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

When young Temple was diagnosed with autism, no one expected her to talk, let alone become one of the most powerful voices in modern science. Yet, the determined visual thinker did just that. A true story your kids and teens will be inspired by.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Through artful prose and beautiful illustrations, Donna Jo Napoli and Kadir Nelson tell the true story of Wangari Muta Maathai, known as "Mama Miti," who in 1977 founded the Green Belt Movement, an African grassroots organization that has empowered many people to mobilize and combat deforestation, soil erosion, and environmental degradation.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Ella Fitzgerald began her life as a singer on the stage of the Apollo Theater when she was just seventeen years old. Her rich voice and vocal innovations brought her fame and a remarkable career than spanned half a century and won her generations of fans around the world.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

President Theodore Roosevelt is known as the man with a plan, the rough rider. His figure stands tall in American history; his legacy stretching him to larger-than-life proportions. But before his rise to fame, he was just Teedie, a boy with ambitious dreams to change the world, and the conviction to see his stupendous imaginings brought to fruition.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Everyone in Folly Cove knows Virginia Lee as “Jinnee.” With her magical wands she can draw whatever she imagines, but for her sons Aris and Michael, she draws the most wonderful characters of all: BIG MACHINES with friendly names like Mary Anne, Maybelle, and Katy. Her marvelous magical wands can make anything move—even a cheerful Little House.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Every inventor has to start somewhere, and one of the greatest innovators in our history was no exception. Ben Franklin developed his first invention while doing what he loved best: swimming! Ben's Big Splash is the story of Franklin's first invention, his journey through the scientific method, and the surprising successes that result when you're willing to make mistakes.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Bill Monroe loved many things: playing music, his big family, and his home in the bluegrass state of Kentucky. Even though his eyes were crossed and didn't work right, Bill's ears worked hard, picking out all sorts of sounds around his treasured home: rushing streams, wailing winds, and sundown jamborees with his family.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Vasya Kandinsky was a proper little boy: he studied math and history, he practiced the piano, he sat up straight and was perfectly polite. And when his family sent him to art classes, they expected him to paint pretty houses and flowers--like a proper artist.

FROM SARAH:

My favorite genre of all is picture book biography, and one of my all-time favorite pb biographers? Barb Rosenstock. I think you'll know why when you hear her on RAR episode #151: It's a Story... So What? This story is one of my favorites about Vincent Van Gogh. Gorgeously illustrated by the incomparable Mary GrandPré.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Vincent van Gogh often found himself unable to sleep and wandered under starlit skies. Those nighttime experiences provided the inspiration for many of his paintings, including his most famous, The Starry Night. Van Gogh sold only one painting in his lifetime--but he continued to pursue his unique vision, and ultimately became one of the most beloved artists of all time.

FROM SARAH:

As soon as Thomas Jefferson learned to read, he found his passion: books, books, and more books! This unique take on Jefferson's massive book collection has something to appeal to all ages. My daughter Clara asked me to read this one every night for several weeks in a row. Come listen to Barbara Rosenstock on her Author Access replay in RAR Premium!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

FROM SARAH:

Barb Rosenstock has quickly become one of my favorite picture book authors, and in this true tale, she introduces us to two brave men who journeyed to the deepest depths of the ocean. Your kids can meet author Barb Rosenstock at her Author Access video replay in RAR Premium.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

On June 6, 1930, engineer Otis Barton and explorer Will Beebe dove into the ocean inside a hollow metal ball of their own invention called the Bathysphere.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

In the summer of 1941, Yankee center fielder Joe DiMaggio and his favorite bat, Betsy Ann, begin the longest hitting streak in baseball history. But when Betsy Ann goes missing, will DiMaggio keep hitting?

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

In a tiny log cabin a boy listened with delight to the storytelling of his ma and pa. He traced letters in sand, snow, and dust. He borrowed books and walked miles to bring them back. When he grew up, he became the sixteenth president of the United States. His name was Abraham Lincoln.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Profiles the childhood dreams and realities of the first Asian American to win an Olympic gold medal, achieved in the 10-meter platform diving event in 1948.

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 

With short, exciting chapters, reflections for family devotions, and advice for making Lent a meaningful experience, Amon’s Adventure will help families discover anew the spiritual power of the resurrection story.

FROM SARAH:

Z is for . . . moose? Indeed! I bet your whole crew will laugh through the whole alphabet in this one!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Caldecott Medalist Paul O. Zelinsky illustrates Kelly Bingham's outrageously funny, critically acclaimed, and boundary-breaking story about a moose, a zebra, and the alphabet! Zebra wants to put on a show as simple as ABC, but Zebra's friend Moose has other (unexpected and hilarious) ideas!

By day, the library lions Patience and Fortitude guard the iconic New York Public Library. But when the sun goes down, and the library closes, their work is done, and it is time for fun. This debut wordless picture book brings the reader along on a late-night subway trip to the wild and wonderful Co...

FROM SARAH:

This book is an absolute delight, start to finish!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

One rainy day in the city, an eager little boy exclaims, “Rain!” Across town a grumpy man grumbles, “Rain.” In this endearing picture book, a rainy-day cityscape comes to life in vibrant, cut-paper-style artwork.

FROM SARAH:

Especially good for very young kids, this book is a celebration of how rain feels on bare feet! A joy to read aloud.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

A very young boy in a yellow slicker enjoys playing in the rain.

FROM SARAH:

What is worm weather? Ask your kids, I bet they'll know! Get the boots out and ready for puddle jumping after you read aloud this delightful book.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Drip,drop,skip and hop.Splish, splash,sidewalk dash!It's worm weather! Join in the rainy-day fun, as kids splash through the puddles, affecting another weather enthusiast, a nearby worm.

FROM SARAH:

A beautiful picture book, lyrically written, that gets up close and personal with a farming family and their springtime weather.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Discover the joys of a wild rainstorm in this poetic picture book, illustrated by a Caldecott Medalist.

FROM SARAH:

A childhood classic. Have a colorful fruit salad while you read this one together!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Young children will enjoy learning about colors and flowers with this new edition of one of Lois Ehlert's most popular titles in a brand-new format.

FROM SARAH:

A sweet story, perfect for reading aloud in spring.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Green grass is wide and fresh and clean for a family to play in, and brown dirt is perfect for digging a garden. But when gray buildings start to rise up and a whole city builds, can there be any room for green space?

FROM SARAH:

This one is out of print, but worth tracking down, if you can find it! Your kids just might look at swallows the same way again.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Song of the Swallows, which won the Caldecott Medal when it was first published in 1948, was written and illustrated by Leo Politi, one of Los Angeles’ most beloved artists.It tells the famous story of the yearly return of the swallows to the Mission San Juan Capistrano through the eyes of a small child...