Books

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

As a little girl, Teresa Carreño loved to let her hands dance across the beautiful keys of the piano. If she felt sad, music cheered her up, and when she was happy, the piano helped her share that joy. Soon she was writing her own songs and performing in grand cathedrals.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Over the last forty years, Aaron Lansky has jumped into dumpsters, rummaged around musty basements, and crawled through cramped attics. He did all of this in pursuit of a particular kind of treasure, and he's found plenty. Lansky's treasure was any book written Yiddish, the language of generations of European Jews.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

A little-known but fascinating and larger-than-life character, Mary Fields is one of the unsung, trailblazing African American women who helped settle the American West. A former slave, Fields became the first African American woman stagecoach driver in 1895, when, in her 60s, she beat out all the cowboys applying for the job by being the fastest to hitch a team of six horses.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Here’s the true story of an inventor who so loved nature’s vibrant colors that he found a way to bring the outside world to children – in a bright green box for only a nickel! With experimentation, and a special knack for listening, Edwin Binney and his dynamic team at Crayola created one of the world’s most enduring, best-loved childhood toys – empowering children to dream in COLOR!

FROM SARAH:

Gyo Fujikawa's art paved the way for publishing, and continues to inspire today. This is a riveting, exquisite picture book biography with something for the whole family.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Growing up in California, Gyo Fujikawa always knew that she wanted to be an artist. She was raised among strong women, including her mother and teachers, who encouraged her to fight for what she believed in. During World War II, Gyo’s family was forced to abandon everything and was taken to an internment camp in Arkansas.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

From the time she was a young girl, Anna Comstock was fascinated by the natural world. She loved exploring outdoors, examining wildlife and learning nature's secrets. From watching the teamwork of marching ants to following the constellations in the sky, Anna observed it all. And her interest only increased as she grew older and went to college at Cornell University. There she continued her studies, pushing back against those social conventions that implied science was a man's pursuit. Eventually Anna became known as a nature expert, pioneering a movement to encourage schools to conduct science and nature classes for children outdoors, thereby increasing students' interest in nature. In following her passion, this remarkable woman blazed a trail for female scientists today.

FROM SARAH:

A stunning walk through the life of J.R. Tolkien, this picture-book biography is filled with secret languages and hairy-toed hobbits. The lively illustrations make this a great pick for young listeners, but head’s up that it does contain the loss of a parent. 

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

A captivating picture book biography of a boy who imagined a world full of dragons and grew up to be beloved author J. R. R. Tolkien.John Ronald loved dragons. He liked to imagine dragons when he was alone, and with his friends, and especially when life got hard or sad. After his mother died and he ...

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

"Spare, poetic words sit as lightly as snowflakes."--Wall Street Journal"An enchanting glimpse of a dancer whose name has come to be synonymous with her most famous role."--School Library Journal, starred reviewOne night, young Anna's mother takes her to the ballet, and everything is changed. So beg...

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

While the rest of her classmates were making pastries in cooking classes, Mary Nohl was making art—anything she fancied out of anything she could find. Inspiration struck Mary even when she wasn’t looking for it. Mary used common objects to make uncommon art. And one day, her garden was a galler...

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Discover the amazing true story of Maria Mitchell, America’s first professional female astronomer. Every evening, from the time she was a child, Maria Mitchell stood on her rooftop with her telescope and swept the sky. And then one night she saw something unusual—a comet no one had ever seen before...

FROM SARAH:

Oh gosh, I laughed so hard the first time I read this! A comic delight, and charming.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

The New York Times bestselling Cat is back just in time for Valentine’s Day—but he’s not interested in giving a valentine to any old dog.

This is Lola Dutch, a delightfully creative girl who loves her friends SO much. When they're having a bad day, Lola knows just what to do to make each of them feel better: She sews cozy pajamas for Gator, constructs the perfect reading nook for Crane, and takes Pig to the park!Lola loves showing her fr...

FROM SARAH:

A sweet book that your library likely has. I love Holly Hobbie's illustrations.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

The creator of the Toot & Puddle series brings us Elmore--the warmhearted porcupine sure to steal the hearts of a new generation of Holly Hobbie fans!.

Motivated by a birthday gift, a 72-year-old woman begins to paint.

**Description from Amazon: How The Book of Common Prayer became one of the most influential works in the English languageWhile many of us are familiar with such famous words as, "Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here. . ." or "Ashes to ashes, dust to dust," we may not know that they originated with The Book of Common ...

**Description from Amazon: The White Witch, Aslan, fauns and talking beasts, centaurs and epic battles between good and evil -- all these have become a part of our collective imagination through the classic volumes of The Chronicles of Narnia. Over the past half century, children everywhere have escaped into this world and de...

**Description from Amazon: The book Jonathan Franzen dubbed the "ur-text of postwar fiction" and the "first great cultural critique, which, even if Heller and Pynchon hadn't read it while composing Catch-22 and V, managed to anticipate the spirit of both" The Recognitions is a masterwork about art and forgery, and the increas...

**Description from Amazon: At the dawn of the nineteenth century, two very different magicians emerge to change England's history. In the year 1806, with the Napoleonic Wars raging on land and sea, most people believe magic to be long dead in England-until the reclusive Mr Norrell reveals his powers, and becomes a celebrity o...

FROM SARAH:

Hysterically funny and heartwarming, this story of friendship, loss, hope, and heart is one of the best books my family has ever read aloud. Especially wonderful for mixed age groups. Also fantastic on audio (Audible | LibroFM).

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Lena is Trille’s best friend, even if she is a girl. And there is never an ordinary day when you’ve got a best friend like Lena.

FROM SARAH:

All of the books in this series by Torben Kuhlmann are a feast for the eyes. In this story, two unlikely friends build a vessel capable of taking them to the bottom of the ocean to find a missing treasure.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

When two unlikely friends build a vessel capable of taking them to the bottom of the ocean find a missing treasure—the truth turns out to be far more amazing.

FROM SARAH:

One of my favorites by Jan Brett. This heartwarming tale tells the story of Mei Mei and her happy hens. But one of the hens, Daisy, is not always so happy....

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Mei Mei has the six happiest hens in China. She gives them treats and fresh hay baths, and when she calls to them-gu gu gu gu gu!-they all run to her as fast as they can. But one of the hens, Daisy, is not always so happy. The other hens pick on Daisy and push her off the perch every night, knowing that she is too small to stand up to them. Then one day Daisy accidentally drifts out onto the river in a basket and must quickly learn how to survive. When Daisy finds her way home, this plucky little hen is no longer afraid.

FROM SARAH:

Another must-read from Maria Parr. A modern Pippi Longstocking . . . but maybe even more delightful, if that's possible! My crew loved this book. Wonderful on audio (Audible | LibroFM).

Please note for tenderhearted readers: death of a pet.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Speed and self-confidence, that’s Astrid’s motto. Nicknamed “the little thunderbolt,” she loves to spend her days racing down the hillside on her sled, singing loudly as she goes. She just wishes there were other children to share her hair-raising adventures with. But Astrid’s world is about to be turned upside down by two startling arrivals to the village.

**Description from Amazon: You may think you know how this book was made, but you don't. Sure, the author wrote many drafts, and the illustrator took a long time creating the art, but then what? How'd it get into your hands? Well, open the cover and read through these pages to find out. Just beware of the pirates and angry ti...

**Description from Amazon: A blue whale is longer than thirty dogs lined up nose to tail. Its tongue weighs as much as four hundred cats. Blue whales make terrible pets....Just ask Billy Twitters.

**Description from Amazon: A thrilling, hilarious fully-illustrated spy adventure series, from the esteemed New York Times bestselling and multi-award-winning author Mac Barnett!A New York Times bestsellerAn Amazon Best Book of 2018Before Mac Barnett was an author, he was a kid.And while he was a kid, he was a spy.Not just an...

**Description from Amazon: A New York Times Best Illustrated Book of 2015You would like being friends with Leo. He likes to draw, he makes delicious snacks, and most people can't even see him. Because Leo is also a ghost. When a new family moves into his home and Leo's efforts to welcome them are misunderstood, Leo decides it...

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

When a woeful mouse is swallowed by a wolf, he quickly learns he is not alone: a duck has already set up digs, and, boy, has that duck got it figured out! Turns out it’s pretty nice in there, with delicious food and elegant table settings, courtesy of the wolf’s unchecked gluttony. And there’s something even better: no more fear of being eaten by a wolf! In fact, life is pretty good, until a hunter shows up. . . . With a nod to traditional fables and a wink to the reader, the award-winning Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen offer a tale of cooperation and creative cuisine that is sure to go down easy.

**Description from Amazon: From New York Times bestselling author Mac Barnett and Geisel Award-winning illustrator Greg Pizzoli, an uproarious early reader series about a mischievous rabbit, a cranky old lady, and a lovable dog.The Lady and Rex have a baseball game against the Big City Brats. Jack is not allowed to swing the ...

**Description from Amazon: From New York Times bestselling author Mac Barnett and Geisel Award-winning illustrator Greg Pizzoli, an uproarious early reader series about a mischievous rabbit, a cranky old lady, and a lovable dog.Jack and the Lady take the train West to visit a dude ranch. One night, there's a bank robbery next...

**Description from Amazon: A daring dog takes a whirlwind tour of Rome in search of freedom in new picture book from beloved storyteller Mac Barnett and masterful illustrator Claire Keane   Paolo the dachshund is trapped. Though he lives in Rome, a city filled with history and adventure, he is confined to a hair salon. Paolo...

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Poor Queen Victoria! She loves to swim, but can’t quite figure out how to get to the water without her devoted subjects glimpsing her swimming suit. This quirky true tale about the longest reigning monarch in British history is as fun as it is authentic. Excellent for all ages.

FROM SARAH:

My now-21yo art student names this one the best book of her childhood. Set in 19th century France, this is a story of a bold girl, a fearful man, and a friendship forged during hard times. Beautiful. Worth owning!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

One day, a mysterious stranger arrives at the boardinghouse where Mirette lives with her mother, and her life is never the same. This remains my teenage daughter Allison's very favorite picture book.

FROM SARAH:

In this captivating wordless picture book, Mitsumasa Anno invites readers to explore numbers through the changing seasons in a small village. This one is perfect for preschoolers and early mathematicians who are just beginning to understand number sense, but the beautiful illustrations make it a great pick for readers of all ages.

Anno’s Counting Book

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Every child is a natural mathematician, according to Mitsumasa Anno. Children are constantly comparing and classifying things and events they observe around them. As they try to bring sense and order into what they observe, they are actually performing basic mathematical feats.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

"Superbly demonstrating the conception of factorials in mathematics, the text and pictures combine to present a lesson in a palatable form as well as the pleasure of looking at pictures that only Mitsumasa Anno could invent." — Publishers Weekly"

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

A gift from a wizard makes Jack's fortune grow by ones and twos, then threes and fours, then faster and faster, challenging you to keep track of his riches.

FROM SARAH:

Who else can relate to this adorable picture book? It’s a perfect read‑aloud for encouraging kids to see math not as something to fear, but as something to explore, investigate, and *maybe* even love.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Children's Choice Award winner Bethany Barton applies her signature humor to the scariest subject of all: math! Do multiplication tables give you hives? Do you break out in a sweat when you see more than a few numbers hanging out together?

FROM SARAH:

I'm no math fan (I mean, this isn't the Math Revival for a reason!) but a good book can make just about anything more enjoyable. Pick up a copy at your local library or bookshop to bring a little more laughter into your math lessons.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Kids will exercise their early math skills with this bestselling picture book--now available in Scholastic Bookshelf!

FROM SARAH:

With its playful storytelling and vivid illustrations, this hilarious book proves that multiplication isn’t just useful—it’s dangerous in the wrong hands. Expect giggles, wild math mishaps, and a villain who really needs a new hobby!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

It's been 10 years since the queen defeated Rumpelstiltskin and now he's back to collect his payment from years before. He causes a stir in the kingdom by making mischief with his multiplying stick and threatens to do far worse if the debt is not repaid.  It's up to Peter, the young prince, to take possession of the Rumpelstiltskin’s magical multiplying stick and learn how to use it—and multiply both whole numbers and fractions-- in order to restore peace to the kingdom.

FROM SARAH:

Lively illustrations and a hilarious narrator make learning math skills feel like pure fun. This one is sure to make your littlest mathematicians count their giggles.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Telling a story about pigeons should be simple. But what's a narrator to do when the number of feathered friends is constantly changing? Can our intrepid storyteller use math facts to keep up with the unstable quantities. . . or is this pigeon-centric tale doomed?

FROM SARAH:

You all know I love a good rhyming picture book. Billions of Bricks is a sweet introduction to counting, making it ideal for your littlest crew members, and quite delectable to read aloud.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Two, four, six. Look at all the bricks! Grab a hard hat and all your tools, and get ready for a construction adventure in counting! This clever, rhyming picture book leads readers through a day in the life of a construction crew building with bricks.

FROM SARAH:

A story full of energy, pattern recognition, and delightful silliness, this hilarious book just might have you and your people wandering around looking for “evens” in your own home.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

In this delightful, rhythmic sequel to One Odd Day, the young boy awakens to find that it is another strange day now everything is even, and his mother has two heads! This time, a school field trip to the zoo is dealt with in an odd, but even-handed manner. And, like its predecessor, children will s...

FROM SARAH:

Don’t miss the “Creative Minds” section at the back of this adorable book! It’s packed with odd-number facts, counting activities, and interactive challenges that add even more whimsy to this delightful read-aloud.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

One Odd Day is a humorous, rhythmic, read-aloud story about a boy who awakens to find that everything around him is odd. His shirt has three sleeves and his dog has five legs. . . Things are no better at school either. Will his odd day end when he goes to bed that night?

FROM SARAH:

When you need a good laugh, this book is just the thing. (Your kids will think it's funny, too! 😆)

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

The penguins are back, in a new format and with a fresh new cover! The family in 365 Penguins finds a penguin mysteriously delivered to their door every day for a year. At first they’re cute, but with every passing day, the penguins pile up—along with the family’s problems.

FROM SARAH:

What does infinity mean to you? This story turns a huge mathematical idea into something warm, personal, and beautifully visual. It’s perfect for sparking conversations about numbers, imagination, and the infinite possibilities of a curious mind.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

When I looked up, I shivered. How many stars were in the sky? A million? A billion? Maybe the number was as big as infinity. I started to feel very, very small. How could I even think about something as big as infinity? Uma can't help feeling small when she peers up at the night sky.

FROM SARAH:

A plate of cookies, a hungry crowd, and one very busy doorbell make this story a classic you’ll want to read over and over. Who knew division could be so delicious?

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Ma has made a dozen delicious cookies. It should be plenty for her two children. But then the doorbell rings - and rings and rings and rings.

FROM SARAH:

A winter day, two unstoppable kids, and a business plan that makes absolutely zero sense make this hilarious book a frosty, fizzy adventure you'll want to join in on, too.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

A beautifully restrained tribute to trust and tenderness shared by siblings; an entrepreneurship how-to that celebrates the thrill of the marketplace without shying away from its cold realities; and a parable about persistence. --Publishers Weekly

FROM SARAH:

I love the simple illustrations in this charming retelling of a Chinese folktale all about how doubling can be delightful…occasionally disastrous.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:
When old Mr. Haktak digs up a curious brass pot in his garden, he has no idea what use it can be. On his way home, Mr. Haktak decides to carry his coin purse in the mysterious pot. But when Mrs. Haktak's hairpin accidentally slips into the pot and she reaches in to retrieve it, the magic of the pot is revealed. Not only are there two hairpins inside, but there are also two purses!

FROM SARAH:

Perhaps “fairness” isn’t always simple, but it can be fun to explore. This lively picture book is perfect for sparking conversations about what makes things the same, different, or just right.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Mouse and her friends want to play tug-of-war, but they'll need to use some everyday math to figure out how to make teams that are equal. As Mouse looks at various solutions she is not sure what it means to be equal. Nothing works until Mouse starts to think about it mathematically and divides the teams based on weight. Wonderful illustrations capture Mouse and her animal friends from whiskers to tails as they work to measure and equalize their teams based on size, weight, and effort.

FROM SARAH:

This adorable picture book uses fractions to show that generosity doesn’t need to be grand to be great.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

When Ant receives a special invitation to dine with Lion, she is ready to be on her best behavior. During dessert, the other guests do not mind their manners, and by the time the dessert cake reaches Ant, barely a crumb is left for her to share with the King!

FROM SARAH:

*Must* you open a pumpkin, dig your fingers into the goo and count the seeds? No, but it sure does make this book even more fun! It’s the perfect math mystery for all your fall shenanigans.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Mr. Tiffin and his students explore skip counting and estimation in a fun pumpkin-themed classroom experiment! This book makes a wonderful read-aloud companion to any math or science curriculum, and it's a fun way to reinforce counting skills at home.

FROM SARAH:

With a spark of curiosity, a splash of determination, and a whole lot of mathematical moxie, this inspiring story brings Raye Montague’s real‑life brilliance to life. This is a great one for anyone who needs to be reminded that they can do hard things.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

After touring a German submarine in the early 1940s, young Raye set her sights on becoming an engineer. Little did she know sexism and racial inequality would challenge that dream every step of the way, even keeping her greatest career accomplishment a secret for decades.

FROM SARAH:

This one is so fun! Every short story is followed by three mathematical questions, scaffolded for “wee ones” up to big kids. It’s a “one and done” math lesson with giggles served on the side.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Bedtime Math wants to change all that. Inside this book, families will find fun, mischief-making math problems to tackle―math that isn't just kid-friendly, but actually kid-appealing. With over 100 math riddles on topics from jalapeños and submarines to roller coasters and flamingos, this book bursts with math that looks nothing like school.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Chuan and Jing Jing use their mathematical skills to ensure that the warlord wakes up on time. They are traveling to the emperor's palace, and they can only sleep for four hours before resuming their journey in order to arrive as the emperor's gates open.

FROM SARAH:

A playful story full of math mischief that’s perfect for anyone who loves patterns, problem‑solving, and triumphant underdogs (or should I say, underbugs?).

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

When the queen of her bugs demands that her army march in even lines, Private Joe divides the marchers into more and more lines so that he will not be left out of the parade.

FROM SARAH:

Another treasure from Elinor J. Pinczes! A great pick for those of us who know what it feels like to be in a hurry when we’re hungry.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

One hundred hungry ants march off single file to sample a picnic, but when the going gets too slow, they divide into two rows of fifty, then four rows of twenty . . . until they take so long that the picnic is gone!

FROM SARAH:

This charming story is a sun‑splashed celebration of math that invites readers to play with numbers, invent crazy combinations, and see how many feet they can find in the world around them.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

If one is a snail and two is a person, we must be counting by feet! Just follow the sign to the beach, where a bunch of fun-loving crabs, lounging dogs, gleeful insects, and bewildered-looking snails obligingly offer their feet for counting in a number of silly, surprising combinations -- from one to one hundred!

FROM SARAH:

A “Reading Rainbow” treasure! With the help of Marvelosissimo the Mathematical Magician, kids explore what a million looks like, how big a billion really is, and why a trillion is downright astonishing.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Mathematician David M. Schwartz and illustrator Steven Kellog join forces to knock complex numbers down to size, with some help from Mavelossissimo the Mathematical Magician. It's a math class you'll never forget.

FROM SARAH:

Our favorite Mathematical Magician is back in this follow-up story to How Much is a Million. With lively comparisons, silly examples, and big, bold numbers, this book turns abstract ideas into concrete, real-world concepts they use in everyday life.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:
There are millions of things to measure . . . and almost as many ways to measure them!

FROM SARAH:

This story is a hilarious, fast‑paced romp through a day full of mathematical thinking, packed with clever puzzles and the delightful chaos of seeing the world through “math‑colored glasses.” By the end, your readers will discover that math isn’t a curse at all—it’s a superpower hiding in plain sight.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Did you ever wake up to one of those days where everything is a problem? You have 10 things to do, but only 30 minutes until your bus leaves. Is there enough time? You have 3 shirts and 2 pairs of pants. Can you make 1 good outfit? Then you start to wonder: Why does everything have to be such a problem?