Exploring Top Books of Shelfari

"We are the ship; all else the sea."--Rube Foster, founder of the Negro National League The story of Negro League baseball is the story of gifted athletes and determined owners; of racial discrimination and international sportsmanship; of fortunes won and lost; of triumphs and defeats on and off the field. It is a perfect mirror for the social and political history of black America in the first half of the... (more)

Wabi Sabi

by Mark Reibstein

Wabi Sabi, a little cat in Kyoto , Japan , had never thought much about her name until friends visiting from another land asked her owner what it meant. At last, the master Says, "That's hard to explain." And That is all she says. This unsatisfying answer sets Wabi Sabi on a journey to uncover the meaning of her name, and on the way discovers what wabi sabi is: a Japanese philosophy of seeing... (more)

The House in the Night

by Susan Marie Swanson

A spare, patterned text and glowing pictures explore the origins of light that make a house a home in this bedtime book for young children. Naming nighttime things that are both comforting and intriguing to preschoolers—a key, a bed, the moon—this timeless book illuminates a reassuring order to the universe.

Buster Goes to Cowboy Camp

by Denise Fleming

Brown Shoes is going on vacation. Betty is staying with Mrs. Pink Slippers, but Mrs. Pink Slippers does not like dogs. So Buster will be going to . . . Cowboy Camp! Buster is nervous at first, but when he sees all the fun things to do at camp, he begins to change his mind. By the end of camp, Buster is ready to let out a great big YEE-HAW, PARDNERS! Denise Fleming’s signature style of pulp painting brings her... (more)

Adele & Simon in America

by Barbara McClintock

Adèle and her younger brother, Simon, have just arrived in New York City to visit their Aunt Cécile and prepare for a grand train trip around America. “ Please try not to lose anything on our trip,” Adèle tells her brother with a sigh. But how can Simon remember to keep an eye on his belongings when there are so many wonderful distractions and astounding sights to take in? The endearing team from Adèle &... (more)

Buffalo Music

by Tracey E. Fern

When Molly first settled in Palo Duro Canyon in Texas in the late 1800s, millions of buffalo roamed the land. Molly lived and worked to their music. She stirred the fire to the huff-huff of buffalo breath clouding the chill dawn, swept the dugout to the thunder of hooves. Then different sounds filled the air—the boom and blast of rifles. Before long, the buffalo were gone. But Molly, as stubborn as the buffalo... (more)

Old Bear

by Kevin Henkes

Snug and warm, curled and furry, Old Bear sleeps. Red, orange, and brown leaves fly through the air, and it is snowing hard. Old Bear doesn't notice. Old Bear is dreaming about being a cub again. He is dreaming about the beauty of the world. He is dreaming of everything he loves about the forest that is his home. Turn the page and you will see!

The Day Leo Said I Hate You!

by Robie H. Harris

In a reassuring manner, Robie H. Harris and Molly Bang portray what happens when a little boy feels SO frustrated and SO mad at a parent who has said NO all day long. In this family book about what it feels like to say--and hear--those other three words, Harris and Bang delicately navigate the most profound bonds between a parent and a child.

1, 2, Buckle My Shoe

by Anna Grossnickle Hines

Take cloth and buttons and thread. Add a classic nursery rhyme and a counting game. Stitch them together and what do you have? A patchwork of numbers and fun! With bold and beautiful quilted illustrations, author-illustrator Anna Grossnickle Hines has created a read-aloud that's sure to become a cozy household favorite.

Building Manhattan

by Laura Vila

A picture book for city lovers everywhere! Vibrant illustrations and a spare text come together in this striking picture book to tell the story of the building of Manhattan. There was a time when the city was little more than an undeveloped island. But as the small patch of land shifted from Native American to Dutch to English to American hands, it was built, layer on top of layer, into the bustling metropolis it... (more)

One Boy

by Laura Vaccaro Seeger

A CLASSIC IN THE MAKING FROM THE 2008 CALDECOTT HONOR WINNER ONE BOY is a perfect example of why Kirkus Reviews calls Laura Vaccaro Seeger the “emerging master of the concept book”—a die-cut book exploring counting and words-withinwords, and the power of art and imagination. At the start, readers see a sad boy surrounded by empty, lonely chairs. At his feet is a bag with paint brushes peeking out. The text... (more)

Hank Finds Inspiration

by Craig Frazier

Kindergarten-Grade 2—Hank, the polite and friendly snake from Stanley Mows the Lawn (Chronicle, 2005), reappears in a simple tale of what lifts the spirit and touches the heart. As Stanley, his human friend, bemoans the fact that his yard is flat and boring and Hank wishes he could touch the clouds, both head off on their own, motivated to find inspiration by traveling to the city. A coffee shop, a library, a... (more)

Christopher Counting

by Valeri Gorbachev

Christopher loves counting. The fish in his aquarium, the petals on flowers, the toys in his toy box—Christopher Rabbit counts them all! He loves counting so much, he tries to count everything—even the stars in the sky! And the good-night kisses his sweet mother wants to share. Valeri Gorbachev, with his enchanting illustrations, brings life and charm to this picture book that shows children the joy and adventure... (more)

A Kitten Tale

by Eric Rohmann

Once there were four kittens who had never seen snow. The first three kittens are wary—snow is cold, it’s wet, it covers everything. As the seasons pass and winter begins to loom, the three skittish kittens worry. But the fourth kitten is getting excited. Snow will cover everything! “I can’t wait!”

Silent Music (Neal Porter Books)

by James Rumford

WHEN BOMBS BEGIN TO FALL, Ali drowns out the sould of war with a pen. Like other children living in Baghdad, Ali loves soccer, music and dancing, but most of all, he loves the ancient art of calligraphy. When bombs begin to fall on his city, Ali turns to his pen, writing sweeping and gliding words to the silent music that drowns out the war all around him. Gorgeously illustrated with collage, pencil and charcoal... (more)

A Couple of Boys Have the Best Week Ever

A Couple of Boys Have the Best Week Ever

by Marla Frazee

When James and Eamon go to a week of Nature Camp and stay at Eamon's grandparents' house, it turns out that their free time spent staying inside, eating waffles, and playing video games is way more interesting than nature. But sometimes things work out best when they don't go exactly as planned. In this moving and hilarious celebration of young boys, childhood friendships, and the power of the... (more)

How I Learned Geography

by Uri Shulevitz

A 2009 Caldecott Honor Book Having fled from war in their troubled homeland, a boy and his family are living in poverty in a strange country. Food is scarce, so when the boy’s father brings home a map instead of bread for supper, at first the boy is furious. But when the map is hung on the wall, it floods their cheerless room with color. As the boy studies its every detail, he is transported to exotic places... (more)

Madam President

by Lane Smith

A little girl imagines what her day would be like if she were Madam President. There would be executive orders to give, babies to kiss, tuna casseroles to veto (or VETO!)...and so much more! Not to mention that recess would definitely require more security. With deadpan wit and hilarious illustrations, best-selling picture book creator Lane Smith introduces readers to an unforgettable new character.

Hello, Day!

by Anita Lobel

What will baby's first word be? Hello? Sun? Dog? Cat? Cow? Owl? Spend a day in the country with Anita Lobel's friendly animals. Meow. Woof. Moo! Whoo! Baby will be talking in no time!

Jumpy Jack & Googily

by Meg Rosoff

Meet Jumpy Jack, a very nervous snail who’s afraid of monsters, and Googily, who is a—well, who is a very good friend, indeed. Wherever they go, Googily kindly checks high and low just to make sure there are no scary monsters about. But as every child knows, monsters come in many shapes and sizes. Some are even blue with hairy eyebrows and pointy teeth. Here is a universal story of friendship and fear of the... (more)

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The Story of Negro League Baseball

by Kadir Nelson