Unspoken: A Story From the Underground Railroad by Henry Cole

Unspoken: A Story From the Underground Railroad by Henry Cole is a most gorgeous book.  I gave it to my nephew, Douglas, who just turned seven years old.  The most unusual thing about this book is that it's a storybook with no words.  Douglas can now read, but even if he couldn't, this book could still convey the story clearly though the amazing artwork.  Luminous and fine pencil drawings are visually quiet, but succinct in their storytelling.    On a small farm in Civil War Era Virginia, someone incredibly brave is hiding in the barn.  You can guess from the title who it might be, but don't worry, this little history lesson is suitable for small children.   I also like the way the young girl does the right thing, even against the implied wishes of powerful men.  A happy enough ending is perfect for introducing children to literature in a way that shows them one must sometimes use a little bit of their own imagination.   Ages 4-8

 

The Beetle Book by Steve Jenkins

I bought this book for my nephew Douglas' upcoming birthday.  This is a cool book for a kid who likes science and nature, or just fun facts.  The author-illustrated artwork is colorful and kind of amazing, with torn-and-cut-paper collages of each different type of beetle.   Kids will learn that one out of every four living things on this planet is a beetle, and why beetles are so interesting.    The fun facts come across in simple and direct language, and even the scientific anatomy of a beetle is easy to understand.  Silhouettes throughout the book are life size, but it's really the colorful pictures that capture the imagination.  As the jacket says, there are beetles that stink, beetles that bite, beetles that walk on water, and squeak and glow, and many more!  Ages 4-8

Stellaluna by Janell Cannon

If you're looking for a kid's book that teaches good, important lessons in a non-obvious way, the classic Stellaluna by Janell Cannon is one great option.  Yes, it's about friendship and adaptation, but just as importantly, it also teaches compassion for those who are different from us, for those who are often misunderstood.  Bats are becoming more and more endangered, and they're unfairly stereotyped and associated with things like a fear of the dark, and vampires.  In fact, a single bat can eat between 2000 and 6000 mosquitoes in a single night, they re-seed forests and rainforests, and are the only flying mammal on earth.  The artwork is gorgeous, there are funny moments for children, and we all learn that we're more alike than we are different.