Art & Max
By David Wiesner
Clarion Books
$17.99, ages 5–8 (grades K–3)
A three-time winner of the prestigious Caldecott medal, David Wiesner is one of the best-loved and most highly acclaimed picture book creators in the world. With Art & Max, depicting the misadventures of two lizard friends, Wiesner looks at the nature of art and spins it into a joyful journey of imagination. A simple story, but one with great depth.
S is for Scientists: A Discovery Alphabet
By Larry Verstraete; illustrated by David Geister
Sleeping Bear Press
$16.95, ages 6–10
Award-winning author Larry Verstraete shares his interest in all things scientific by explaining the fascinating ways some of the most curious discoveries have been made. Don’t let the title fool you into thinking this is a simple book. With thoughtful explanations, Verstraete digs deep into zoology, arctic exploration — even the experiments involving Pavlov and his dog.
Number One Kid
By Patricia Reilly Giff; illustrations by Alasdair Bright
Random House
$12.99, ages 6–9
Two-time Newbery Honor-winning author Patricia Reilly Giff has penned a new series of chapter books, Zigzag Kids, and in the first book, Number One Kid, Mitchell McCabe is the new kid in school, and is nervous about making friends, fitting in, and figuring out what he is good at. With the help of those in the after school center, he begins to realize his talents, make friends, and discover just why his grandma gave him an “I’m #1” t-shirt. Illustrations are inviting and book size just right for small hands.
Whole-y Cow! Fractions are Fun
By Taryn Souders; illustrated by Tatjana Mai-Wyss
Sleeping Bear Press
$15.95, ages 6–10
A visual, colorful, and fun way to introduce fractions, Whole-y Cow! helps dispel the myth that math is dull, unimaginative, and inaccessible. Presented in poem format and loaded with visual clues, readers are asked to answer which fraction is illustrated in the cow’s antics, starting with halves and progressing to thirds. How moo-velous!
