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A boy is about to present a school project featuring senior citizen interviews when a true senior citizen — a 4.4-billion-year-old rock stuck on his shoe -— speaks up to be heard. First-person narration and lively cartoon artwork combine to introduce geology basics including Earth's layers, how rocks are formed, tectonic plates, transformative forces of nature, types of rocks, the rock cycle (they can change types!), and more. Concepts are clearly explained, as are scientific terms. This engaging overview ends with additional facts and an easy pop quiz. Ages 4 - 9 Geology; Rocks; Earth; Transformations |
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Told in a first-person narrative from the moon's perspective, this handsome picture book blends poetic text, luminous artwork, and scientific facts to introduce the phases of the moon and how they affect Earth's wildlife. For example, when a new moon leaves the African Savanah mostly dark, prey animals such as zebras stay close to their herd for protection, while predators such as lions use their natural night vision to hunt and feed their young. A full moon causes white-browed sparrow weavers to sing and hunt before dawn and coral in the Great Barrier Reef to spawn. More information about moon phases is included at the end of the book. Do some moon gazing and make connections to the natural world. Ages 5 - 10 Moon; Animals; Nature; Outdoor Exploration |
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The Weedy Garden: A Happy Habitat for Wild Friendsby Margaret Renkl; illustrated by Billy Renkl Welcome to a full-bloom backyard garden, where native species of plants, animals, and insects abound! The poetic text invites youngsters to learn about each featured species and to find them out in the large, lush-hued illustrations. Carrying grains of pollen from blossom to blossom, a bumblebee is "a seed-maker dusted with magic...a flower-farmer dressed in gold." A hungry squirrel searches for an acorn that was hidden away last fall. (Readers will see it nestled under some brown leaves.) A goldfinch plays hide-and-seek "among the black-eyed Susans, gold matched to gold, black matched to black." A beautiful blend of fact and imagination, this book is a wonderful launchpad for outdoor explorations. Ages 4 - 9 Nature; Wildlife; Backyards; Observation; Outdoor Exploration
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Easy-to-comprehend text and colorful illustrations introduce the life cycle of a dandelion as a seed floats in the wind, nestles its taproot into the ground, sprouts leaves, and flowers — and then forms seed to start the process again. Scientific language is smoothly incorporated into the book, and the growth process is clearly introduced. Kids also learn about the humble dandelion's role as food for other animals (including pollinators and humans). A "Meadow I-Spy" at the end encourages readers to look back through the illustrations to find particular species. Ages 4 - 8 Seeds and Flowers; Nature; Outdoor Exploration |
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Tiny Hiker by Natasha Zimmers; illustrated by Jaimie MacGibbon A smiling youngster carefully loads her backpack and sets off with her family on a trip through a dense forest, over a log bridge, and up steep inclines before eventually arriving at a beachside campsite. Rhythmical text and lush artwork depict the child’s challenges (falling and skinning her knee) and triumphs (exploring everything in sight from tiny slugs to trees too big to hug). This exuberant tale inspires a love of nature and outdoor exploration. Ages 4 – 8 Hiking; Outdoor Exploration; Nature; Adventures |
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Enchanting artwork and gentle rhymes describes a day on a farm nestled in the woods. In the early morning, three deer slip through a gap in the surrounding stone wall to "nibble and nudge" flowers in the garden. As the hours pass, other wild animals visit, including a group of rabbits, sun-seeking lizards, cooing doves, and finally bats that "dip and glide" as a child is tucked into bed. Also depicting the farm family's activities, the artwork is filled with delightful details and almost-hidden animals; children will enjoy revisiting the pages again and again. A treat at bedtime or any time. Ages 4 - 8 Nature; Wild Animals; Farms; Bedtime; Stories in Rhyme |
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A busy penguin wearing a miner's helmet digs below the ground, occasionally popping up to visit other penguins busy with their jobs. Featuring repetitive vocabulary, the text will give new readers confidence, as a "gardener gardens in the garden," a "farmer farms on the farm," a "builder builds the building," and more! The tunneler's purpose is revealed at the end of the book (he's distributing invites to a party), and the colorful artwork provides plenty of clues. Silly humor, simple text, and visual details will keep readers persevering — and smiling — until the end! Ages 4 - 7 Beginning Readers; Humor; Penguins |
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Pete the Parrot is content to live alone on a tiny tropical island. When a turtle floats up on a tree branch and asks to stay, Pete thinks it over, smiles, and says, "Okay." Soon, other new friends arrive until a storm rolls in and the critters must pull together to stay safe. Short text with rhyming and repeating words, appealing animal characters, and bright artwork make this book perfect for practicing reading skills. Ages 4 - 7 Beginning Readers; Humor; Friendship; Animals |
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An enthusiastic elephant can’t wait to try out her new tent! However, her hurried attempts at setting it up continually land her beneath a garbled mess of fabric. Her frustration grows until she finally listens to her bird buddy’s suggestion of following the directions. Perfect for both beginning readers and sharing aloud, this engaging story combines short sentences, descriptive cartoon illustrations, and plenty of child appeal! Look for the first book about this upbeat elephant, Elena Rides. Ages 4 – 7 Beginning Readers; Humor; Camping: Elephants |
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This charming adventure stars the proprietors of the Mouse and Spoon, three mice who mix a hearty dose of affection into their tasty baked goods. When a tired father owl requests Pillow Tarts to help settle his three newly hatched owlets who refuse to sleep, the bakers get to work. Simple vocabulary and warm-hued illustrations filled with details will support beginning readers who are ready for slightly longer sentences and more a complex plot. Follow up with other installments of the "Mouse and Spoon" series. Ages 5 - 8 Beginning Readers; Bakers; Animals; Friendship |
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Though they are very different, Worm and Earl are best friends and life's ups and downs are always better when they are experienced together. In this collection of three very brief stories, the two do some tidying up, figure out whether or not a lucky penny is actually lucky, and try to stay awake for sunrise. Emergent readers ready for longer books will appreciate the entertaining artwork filled with context clues along with the gentle humor and themes of friendship. Look for more adventures starring Earl and Worm. Ages 5 - 8 Beginning Readers; Friendship |
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Magdalena (Maggie) Fishbone expects the worst when she is kicked out of her orphanage and placed in The Midwatch Institute. However, as soon as she passes through the very dreary and austere-looking vestibule, she is in for a surprise! Nestled behind closed doors is an amazing school that instructs girls on technology, language, spy craft, disguises, and other subject matter that will come in useful for solving mysteries and fighting crime. Finding friends and mentors, Maggie dives right into a dangerous kidnapping case that will require all of her newly honed abilities. Fast-paced adventure, interesting characters, an intriguing early-20th-century setting (with just a touch of magic), and detailed black-and-white sketches make this book a standout. Ages 8 - 13 Mysteries; Adventures; Heroines; Orphans; Courage |
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Olivetti, a typewriter who has been recently replaced by a computer, breaks the only rule of his "kind" and types messages back to introverted 12-year-old Ernest. After accumulating family memories for years, Olivetti believes he can help find Ernest's mom, who has mysteriously gone missing. A unique book that balances humor with heartfelt themes. Ages 10 - 14 Friendship; Family Dynamics; Sick Parent; Magical Realism; Investigations |
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With her family in danger of losing their house, seventh-grader Sarah joins her best friends (and fellow puzzle experts) West and Hannah in a suspenseful hunt for the treasure hidden behind the riddles, codes, and escape rooms of an abandoned funhouse. Ages 11 - 14 Mystery; Friendship, Escape Rooms; Puzzles; Adventure; Accepting Hardships/Overcoming Adversity |
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Pikes Peak Library District
P.O. Box 1579, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80901
(719) 531-6333https://ppld.org/ |
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