Children / Young Adult Book Lists

Small, soft flakes fall quietly from above. It's snowing! People like to sled and ski in it, but what exactly is snow? How does it form? While it is believed that no two snowflakes look exactly alike, most have either six sides or six points. included in this crystal clear introduction to one of winter's wonders is information about different types of snowstorms, regions where snow falls, and how to prepare when a snowstorm approaches.

In this bestselling modern classic, a young boy's lost mitten leads to a charming snowy adventure. Jan Brett's beautiful retelling makes a perfect holiday gift. When Nicki drops his white mitten in the snow, he goes on without realizing that it is missing. One by one, woodland animals find it and crawl in; first, a curious mole, then a rabbit, a badger and others, each one larger than the last. Finally, a big brown bear is followed in by a tiny brown mouse and what happens next makes for a wonderfully funny climax. As the story of the animals in the mitten unfolds, the reader can see Nicki in the borders of each page, walking through the woods unaware of what is going on. In her distinctive style, Jan Brett brings the animals to life with warmth and humor, and her illustrations are full of visual delights and details faithful to the Ukrainian tradition from which the story comes. Jan Brett is also the creator of such wintery classics as The Hat, The Snowy Nap, Three Snowy Bears, The Animal's Santa, and The Night Before Christmas. This book is also available in Spanish, as El mitón.

"What is snow?" Araba, a Ghanaian child, asks her Canadian pen pal. The response unfolds as a letter in poetry, rich in lyricism and in what author Sheree Fitch would call "lipslipperiness." Janet Wilson's glowing pastel illustrations revel in all the sensory experiences, the color, associated with the cold white stuff. Through the asking and the telling, two children reach halfway around the world and touch one another.

Over the snow, the world is hushed and white. But under the snow exists a secret kingdom of squirrels and snow hares, bears and bullfrogs, and many other animals that live through the winter safe and warm, awake and busy, under the snow. Discover the wonder and activity that lies beneath winter's snowy landscape in this magical book.

Celebrating 30 years of the beloved classic Owl Moon from renowned children's book author Jane Yolen and Caldecott Medal-winning illustrator John Schoenherr! Late one winter night a little girl and her father go owling. The trees stand still as statues and the world is silent as a dream. Whoo-whoo-whoo, the father calls to the mysterious nighttime bird. But there is no answer. Wordlessly the two companions walk along, for when you go owling you don't need words. You don't need anything but hope. Sometimes there isn't an owl, but sometimes there is. Distinguished author Jane Yolen has created a gentle, poetic story that lovingly depicts the special companionship of a young child and her father as well as humankind's close relatiohship to the natural world. Wonderfully complemented by John Schoenherr's soft, exquisite watercolor illustrations, this is a verbal and visual treasure, perfect for reading alound and sharing at bedtime.

As young readers journey into the natural world, they will discover that numbers, patterns, shapes -- and much more! -- can be found in everyday plants and animals. What if animals and plants knew math, just like us? Would snowflakes all fall from the same height in the sky? Would otters spread themselves evenly across lakes? Would groundhogs be aware of the date? In Sizing Up Winter, the third title in the Math in Nature series, nature comes to life to help children grasp concepts of time and measurement.

The magic and wonder of winter's first snowfall is perfectly captured in Ezra Jack Keat's Caldecott Medal-winning picture book. This celebrated classic has been shared by generations of readers and listeners, a must-have for every child's bookshelf and a perfect gift for the holiday season. New York Public Library's #1 book on the list of "Top Check Outs of All Time" In 1962, a little boy named Peter put on his snowsuit and stepped out of his house and into the hearts of millions of readers. Universal in its appeal, this story beautifully depicts a child's wonder at a new world, and the hope of capturing and keeping that wonder forever. The quiet fun and sweetness of Peter's small adventures in the deep, deep snow is perfect for reading together on a cozy winter day. Ezra Jack Keats was alsothe creator of such classics as Goggles, A Letter to Amy, Pet Show!, Peter's Chair, and A Whistle for Willie. (This book is also available in Spanish, as Un dia de nieve.) Praise for The Snowy Day- "Keats made Peter's world so inviting that it beckons us. Perhaps the busyness of daily life in the 21st century makes us appreciate Peter even more-a kid who has the luxury of a whole day to just be outside, surrounded by snow that's begging to be enjoyed." -The Atlantic "Ezra Jack Keats's classic The Snowy Day, winner of the 1963 Caldecott Medal, pays homage to the wonder and pure pleasure a child experiences when the world is blanketed in snow."-Publisher's Weekly

Is it a school day? Is it pizza day? Is it a snow day? Jasmine wants it all! Neat! Neat! Snowy feet! Snowy feet can't be beat! Wintertime is fun! There's a big blizzard blowing in, but that's not going to stop Jasmine from going to school - it's just a little snow, and it's pizza day, after all! But as soon as she sets out the snow starts to come down faster and faster until she finds herself frozen stiff, with just her hat poking out of a snowdrift. Rescue comes in the form of the school custodian, who stomps out on snowshoes, yanks her out, pulls her inside and figures out how to get her thawed. But on the way to her class they notice that the school is empty - the principal has declared a snow day! Which is always great news . . . but how is Jasmine going to get her pizza?

In Sorting through Spring, the second title in the best-selling Math in Nature series, nature comes to life to help children in Grades K to 2 learn concepts of patterning, sorting, data management, and probability As young readers journey into the natural world, they will discover that numbers, patterns, shapes -- and much more! -- can be found by observing everyday plants and animals.What if animals and plants knew math, just like us? Would flowers bloom in patterns? Would raindrops fall in rhythm? Would birds balance evenly on branches? In Sorting through Spring, the second title in the Math in Nature series, nature comes to life to help children in Grades K to 2 learn concepts of patterning, sorting, data management, and probability. This interactive, poetic, and artful picture book series is a non-intimidating and enticing way to introduce math to kids -- they will laugh, use their imaginations, and learn through activities inspired by the books. Free downloadable teacher's guide, lesson plan, and activities available at www.OwlkidsBooks.com

Award-winning author/illustrator Denise Fleming gives young readers a frog's eye view of life in a pond throughout the seasons in the Caldecott Honor Book, In the Small, Small Pond. A child explores the wonders of the natural world in this rhyming, beautiful bright colored picture storybook about the lives of small animals and insects living around a freshwater pond.

As young readers journey into the natural world, they will discover that numbers, patterns, shapes -- and much more! -- can be found in everyday plants and animals. What if animals and plants knew math, just like us? Would spiders draw pictures in their webs? Would narwhals sort blocks of ice by shape? Would insects know what's above and what's below? In Shaping Up Summer, the final title in the Math in Nature series, nature comes to life to help children grasp concepts of geometry, symmetry, and spatial sense. This interactive, poetic, and artful picture book series is an enticing way to introduce math to kids -- they will laugh, use their imaginations, and learn through activities inspired by the books. Teacher's guide, lesson plan, and activities available at OwlkidsBooks.com/ResourcesActivities/TeacherGuides