Inspired in part by his own childhood, this gorgeous picture book from Jim LaMarche, the beloved illustrator of A Story for Bear and The Elves and the Shoemaker, tells the story of one stubborn boy’s unexpectedly wonderful summer on the river.
This is an imagination-sparking story about appreciating the simple, natural joys of the world and the people in it, and about discovering and exploring one’s own talents. School Library Journal proclaimed, “This dazzling picture book is an artistic triumph.” The author’s note describes the similarities between his own life and the life of his protagonist.
Nicky is convinced that his summer with his grandmother in the Wisconsin woods is going to be the worst summer ever. She cooks food that he doesn’t like, there’s an art studio where her living room should be, and he’s expected to do chores—including fishing, the most boring chore ever.
But one afternoon, while Nicky is trying to catch their dinner, a raft drifts down the river towards him. The raft has a calming magic about it, affecting both Nicky and the wildlife of the river and woods. Through the raft and the adventures it brings him on, Nicky finds new common ground with his grandmother, a fellow river rat, who encourages him to explore his newfound talent for art.

The Raft

Children's Books

LaMarche, Jim

Animals

Harpercollins

Literature & Fiction

Demco Media

Turtleback Books

"Like the wacky crew of the ship in Carryl's classic nonsense poem, readers will `cheerily put to sea' in this captivating picture book....LaMarche's gleeful illustrations capture the spirit of this rollicking read-aloud....Pure magic."--Publishers Weekly

The Walloping Window-Blind

Humor

A flock of birds was moving toward me along the river, hovering over something floating on the water. It drifted downstream, closer and closer, until finally it bumped up against the dock. Though it was covered with leaves and branches, now I could tell that it was a raft. I reached down and pushed some of the leaves aside. Beneath them was a drawing of a rabbit. It looked like those ancient cave paintings I'd seen in books--just outlines, but wild and fast and free.   Nicky isn't one bit happy about spending the summer with his grandma in the Wisconsin woods, but them the raft appears and changes everything. As Nicky explores, the raft works a subtle magic, opening up the wonders all around him--the animals of river and woods, his grandmother's humor and wisdom, and his own special talent as an artist."Best Books 2000 (School Library Journal)" and Children's Books 2000-NY Public Lib.

Grandmother's Pigeon

Passenger pigeon hatchlings, thought to be extinct, are discovered in Grandmother's room after she departs on a voyage to Greenland

Science & Math

Erdich, Louise

ERDRICH, LOUISE

Technology

Hyperion

Daniel was tired of being little. Mouse! They'd been calling him that since he was born. He hadn't used to mind it, even liked it once, but not anymore. He poked at some crackers on the table. "Someday I'll be so strong," he mumbled. "Someday . . ." 
And then it happened. Something so strange, Daniel wasn't sure he could believe his eyes. One little cracker trembled for a second, then lifted up off the table. Not much. Not even an inch. Then, just as suddenly, it dropped right back down. Daniel blinked. Had that really happened? How? Had he done it? 
Up is the story of an ordinary boy with an extraordinary talent, a talent no one knows about but him. Can Mouse really lift things off the ground? Or is it enough that he believes he can? Once again Jim LaMarche has mixed the magical with the everyday to create a book that stretches our imaginations and our dreams.

Chronicle Books+

Anna looked all around her. The sky was getting dark. "I think we should go home now, Molly." But which way was home?In three heartwarming stories, celebrated illustrator Jim LaMarche lovingly depicts tales of being lost, being found, finding home, and, most important, the dogs who help us find our way. One lost dog is rescued, another pup leads a frightened child home, and a fractured family finds a fresh start through the love of a dog. Featuring exquisite artwork, this joyful, touching collection will be cherished by anyone who has ever loved a dog.

Lost and Found: Three Stories

A family is troubled by Daddy's unemployment.

My Daddy Don't Go to Work

Nolan, Madeena Spray

CarolRhoda Books

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by LaMarche, Jim. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by LaMarche, Jim

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by LaMarche, Jim. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

The Raft

The Raft

The Raft

The Walloping Window-Blind

The Raft

The Raft

Grandmother's Pigeon

Up

Lost and Found: Three Stories

My Daddy Don't Go to Work