Unexpectedly poetic, this nonfiction book about the charming and elusive sea horse is filled with facts, biology, and behavior. But the most engaging part may be the illustrations, made with block prints and inks, of sea horses hiding among plants, dancing in a courtship ritual with their lifelong mates, birthing their offspring and growing to adults.
LIST PRICE: $16.99 OUR PRICE: $6.50
Interpreting actual hieroglyphics from the scroll known as the Story-Cycle of King Petubast, this book describes an expedition by Prince Pedikhons of Egypt into Assyria and the land of the Amazons. There he meets Queen Serpot, and the two warriors are each sure the other is weaker and will run away. Instead, they come to admire each other's ferocious bravery, and fall in love. Tamara Bower's book is superbly illustrated in a flat style reminiscent of ancient Egyptian art and provides author's notes, footnotes, and a reading list.
LIST PRICE: $17.99 OUR PRICE: $7.00
One chilly night in 1839, young Hallie makes a startling discovery: two runaway slaves, Susan and Margaret, are taking refuge at Katy and Levi Coffin's home, a stop on the Underground Railroad. Later, slave catchers are ready to break down the door, and ask if Hallie knows anything. She must choose between protecting her own family or helping the two strangers she's just met. Based on historical events and illustrated in a collaged painting style, this book suggests the determination of the runaways and the courageous risks taken by the abolitionists and everyday people who helped them.
LIST PRICE: $17.95 OUR PRICE: $5.00
The song "God Bless the Child" was first performed by Billie Holiday in 1939 and remains one of her enduring masterpieces. In this picture book interpretation of the song for readers of all ages, multiple Caldecott Honor and Coretta Scott King Award winner Jerry Pinkney has created images of a family moving from the rural South to the urban North during the Great Migration of the early 20th century. Many of the two-page spreads are wordless, featuring a single large illustration in Pinkney's warm, superbly detailed watercolors.
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In a time before the creation of the seasons, says this Native American tale, there was only winter, snow, cold, and night. Human beings and animals were more alike than unlike, and could still speak each other's language. They had heard of another land where there was light and warmth, where summer was never ending, and so one day they set out searching for it. Superbly illustrated in a scratchy drawing style of inks and watercolor washes, this creation story tells how they found the land of summer, and negotiated with the people there to share the seasons.
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Setting his rollicking yarn to the tune of the old song "The Erie Canal," folklorist Eric Kimmel here imagines the adventures of a swarthy crew of pirates on the canal—and how they were cleverly defeated by the stalwart Captain Flynn and his old tow mule Frank. "In Buffalo they shouted, / Captain Flynn has saved the day! / So they toasted our crew with a bumper or two, / and Frank got a bale of hay. / Old Frank got a bale of hay." Andrew Glass illustrates the tale in knobby watercolored cartoons.
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Unimpressed with the run-of-the-mill noblemen's sons to be found in her father's kingdom, Princess Kathleen announces she will only wed the man who can win a leprechaun's pot of gold in a single day. Many try, and of course many fail, but when a minstrel named Tom spies the fair Kathleen, he vows to win the contest. Full of Irish good humor, Teresa Bateman's story is illustrated with paintings of energetic, childlike exuberance.
LIST PRICE: $16.95 OUR PRICE: $6.50
Don't forget that some books in "Older Readers" might also appeal to younger readers, so be sure to also check that section.