The Lost House By B. B. CroninBest for: Ages 3-8
Seek and find books are not difficult to find—ironic, isn’t it? However, I recently read what I can describe only as a diamond among the cubic zirconia. The Lost House is much more than a seek and find book. It’s an illustrative tour de force. Grandad has promised to take his two grandchildren (all anthropomorphic bulldogs) to the park. Before they can leave, Grandad needs to find a few things: socks, glasses, pocket watch, umbrella and even his teeth. Do you think they’ll ever find everything? Maybe you can help. Be aware, each room and everything in it appears in one bold color. The rooms are packed full of whimsy, eccentricity and household items. The Lost House is beautifully crafted and so visually engaging even older children will want to help find the lost items.
What’s good: Incredibly detailed illustrations that appeal to both young and old. What’s bad: The palette of room colors can be a little jarring at times. The Alphabet from the Sky By Benedikt Groß & Joey Lee Best for: Ages 5-8
Ever look out the window of a plane to see the landscape below? Ever play the alphabet game? Now you can do both in this single book. Using satellite imagery, the geographer and designer duo of Benedikt Groß & Joey Lee find “accidental letters” in the landscapes across the United States. From holding ponds to highways, from suburbs to fields, the locations and formations will fascinate children. Each image spread includes an inset with the town’s location pinpointed on a map and map coordinates. This book began as an MIT project and Kickstarter campaign. Now it’s a picture book that is perfect for the classroom.
What’s good: It encourages children to look at things from new angles. What’s bad: Probably more intriguing to adults. Serafina and the Twisted Staff By Robert Beatty Best for: Ages 9-14
Set a few weeks after Serafina’s encounter with the black cloak, this new adventure takes place on the grounds of Biltmore Estate, as the Vanderbilt family prepares to host guests from around the world for the coming holidays. Don’t worry if you didn’t read the first adventure. This tales stands on its own. In the first installment, Beatty begins blending the history of Biltmore with the magic and lore of the surrounding Smoky Mountains. He deepens the connection in this tale and furthers Serafina’s and Braeden Vanderbilt’s character development while introducing several new, intriguing and sometimes frightening individuals. The action is fast-paced and eerie. The new villain is more powerful than the last. Will our scrappy heroine, Serafina, be able to fight him? Fans of the first book will not be disappointed by this follow-up. As a matter of fact, fans will be eager for a third installation.
What’s good: Magic, history, mountain lore and edge-of-your-seat mystery. What’s bad: Some imagery and characters may be too dark and frightening for younger readers.