On the eastern plains of Taiwan, a young girl and her mother pick wild greens before a rainstorm drenches them and their garden. When she goes to pull at the roots of a spiky, stalky weed, she learns that the plant is not what it seems. A lyrical story that shows young readers how to appreciate the bounty of nature and the beauty of identity. Chinese and Pinyin translations are included in pages and backmatter features additional information on the indigenous Amis people of Taiwan. An Own Voices, Own Stories award winner and Junior Library Guild Selection.
One little bunny spends a merry day with a special loved one, baking, wrapping, playing, and preparing for Christmas. When family and friends arrive it's time for carols and hot cocoa around the fire. This sweet, cozy story reminds readers that the joy in the holiday season is being with the ones we love.
Each season has its own qualities that set it apart. Winter, with its stark-white crust of snow, turns even a mundane scene into a sparkling fairyland. Spring, along with her many shades of green, brings a promise of new beginnings. Summer gifts us with long, lazy days of endless blue skies and the scent of freshly mown grass. But fall has a magic, a secret, all its own. It offers a kaleidoscope of textures, smells, and colors. But what's behind those glorious colors we see among the treetops and upon the leaf-covered ground? Are leaves more than what they seem? Through engaging text and charming artwork, young readers are invited to explore how and why leaves change color. And perhaps, after fall's secret is revealed, we learn something about ourselves and our own distinct beauty. Back matter delves into the science behind photosynthesis.
The morning before Diez y Seis de Septiembre, Gloria's Papa wakes up with laryngitis. A disaster! The festivities cannot start without a loud grito to kick the party off--and a Hernandez has always yelled the grito for as long as anyone can remember. When Gloria offers her own grito--and Papa backs her up--the mayor has to agree. But what has she done?! How will she find the courage to yell the grito with the heart it needs? Gloria needs some help from her community and her Papa to find her voice.
During a light rain, a child dozes on a sandy ocean-side beach, snuggling in her mother's arms. But while the sand beneath her is soft and still, there's a whirlwind of activity in the sea next to her. The waves roll back and forth to shore, while beneath them a busy underwater world is teeming with life. As the girl sleeps, she dreams of participating in that world. Through lyrical text, award-winning science writer Suzanne Slade (June Almeida, Virus Detective! The Woman Who Discovered the First Human Coronavirus) takes young readers on an exploration of our oceans and the many creatures and ecosystems found there, from migrating whales to elusive eels to the colorful coral reefs. Back matter includes science facts, as well as a reminder of why we need to be good stewards of the world's oceans. This companion title to The Universe and You illustrates once again that our natural world is full of wonders just waiting to be explored.
There once was a little red chair. Languishing in an antique shop window, the little chair longed to be part of a family. One day a little girl named Mia knew it was just the right chair for her. So Mia and her mother take the little chair home. With new red upholstery and its brightly polished wheels, the little red chair becomes the perfect companion for Mia. She snuggles in it on cold winter nights. She daydreams in it on bright sunny days. And it's the perfect throne for Mia on her birthday. But as Mia gets older, she spends less and less time with the little red chair. She's busy with school and friends and other things. One day, it's time for Mia to leave for a new life. Eventually, the little red chair is packed up and moved to a corner in the attic. Please don't leave me, the little chair says. But no one comes. Seasons come and go; years and years pass by. Will anyone rescue the little red chair?
Lola's family has an apple orchard and every year they sell hundreds of apple pies for customers' Thanksgiving tables. It's always a big job; so this year Lola is going to cook Thanksgiving dinner on her own to help out. She has a plan and a list. But Mom and Dad need her help making all the pies too. Lola's list keeps getting left behind and Thanksgiving arrives without crossing off a single thing. Luckily, aunts and uncles and cousins arrive ready to help the family prepare a Thanksgiving feast! Just…no apple pie, please! Includes an apple pie recipe.
A hangry bear goes on a rampage through a local fair--pushing friends aside, roaring, and generally doing all the nasty things we do when we're hungry. Finally, sweet Shrew identifies the problem and Hare conjures up a quick snack. Satisfied, and a little ashamed, Bear apologizes and insists on fixing the damage he's caused. Until Shrew gets a bit hangry herself… A funny, rhyming romp that introduces readers to phonics and decodable text.
Tomorrow is moving day and one little girl worries about moving so far, far away from her Aaji and Ajoba. But Aaji gifts her with a handmade kurta. A kurta with two big pockets for holding all the small things that will remind the girl of her grandparents--from the mogra flowers in Aaji's hair to Ajoba's diya. Then the girl has an even better idea and helps Aaji make two more kurtas with pockets she can fill to remind her grandparents of her too. When finally they are on other sides of a big ocean, they put on their kurtas--and do not feel so far, far away from one another. This touching story about worry and loving reassurance is part of our Own Voices, Own Stories collection.
Zoey loves poutine with its French fries, gravy, and squeaky squeaky cheese curds. It's her favourite dish to make with her father. And it's their annual tradition to make it for their shared July 1 birthday. Zoey is excited. Tomorrow is her fifth birthday! It's also a holiday in Canada. This year, family members--grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins--from across Canada are coming to celebrate Zoey's birthday. But as a surprise to Zoey, everyone is bringing their own special poutine dish. Back matter includes information about the history of this classic dish, as well as a recipe.
When you go into nature, just look around you. You'll learn to move slowly and let go, to be flexible and soft while staying strong, and to revel in your uniqueness while working with those around you. This gentle introduction to mindfulness and meditation encourages children to take cues from the creatures and sights around them, giving readers tools to manage worry and big feelings.
Some days are easy! The sky is sunny, and it feels like the whole world is your oyster. Everything goes according to plan, and we know what to expect. Other days are tough! There might be raindrops or skinned knees. Things don't go our way and we feel overwhelmed. But that is the up-and-down rollercoaster ride we call life. And everyone experiences it. The most important thing to remember is "No matter your day, tomorrow's brand new!" What a difference a day can make! An important message to keep in mind.
One child's year is punctuated by the life cycle of the swallows roosting in the eaves of the shed. She watches as they build nests and teach their young to snap up bugs, zipping through the air in loop-the-loops. Winter comes and she imagines their journey south, towards warmer, longer days. And when the swallows return? She greets them open armed as friends. This is a joyful celebration of seasons and life cycles, a lyrical ode to the wonders of nature around us. Back matter includes STEM content on swallows, their life cycle, and migration paths.
Sara can't wait for Eid, the Muslim holiday celebrating the end of Ramadan. It's a wonderful holiday with festive decorations, special foods, and family and friends getting together. But Eid won't begin until the crescent moon is spotted.
Lucy is Sam's best hen. She takes good care of the baby chicks and makes sure all the chickens in the flock have a place to roost. Everyone loves Lucy. Especially Sam. Lucy and Sam do the chores together, go fishing--and Lucy always waits for Sam's bus after school. When Lucy starts to limp, the vet lets Sam know that Lucy is getting old and the best thing to do is give her lots of extra love. Which is just what Sam does. This tender story tells readers of love, loss, and appreciating the friends we have while they're with us.
Junia is a mule. But she's not just any mule. She's a mule with an important job. Every morning she carries her Book Woman up and down the rugged hills and surrounding woodlands near the Kentucky town of Troublesome Creek. Book Woman is a Pack Horse librarian. She and Junia deliver free books and reading material to the people living in the hills and woods. It's not easy work. Every month they ride hundreds of miles to make their deliveries. They've traveled through sunshine, rain, and snow, up twisting, turning paths where no car or wagon could ever go. But Junia can--steady, sure-footed, bighearted Junia. The library patrons are counting on Book Woman's visits, and Book Woman is counting on Junia. And Junia won't ever let her friend down. Junia, the beloved, spunky mule from the bestselling The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek series, comes to vivid life for young readers in this picture book tribute to Kentucky's Great Depression Pack Horse Library Project.
Izzy's new neighbor is a bit of a grump--though they are both botanically inclined. When the neighbor discovers unwanted flowers--again and again--in his precious rose garden, he bids Izzy to take them away. Izzy does--and uses the blooms to brighten someone else's day. Before long, the town is bursting with Izzy's flowers. The grumpy neighbor doesn't see the fuss. "They're JUST FLOWERS!" he yells. "Just flowers" that brought joy and color to everyone in town. Can Izzy finally get that neighbor to accept the bloom of friendship?
Amaya was born on a winter night—and every experience and memory helps to build her identity. She is a little bit of Mama, whose family is far away in India, and a little bit of Papa, whose mother immigrated from China for a new life. She is a little bit of the salty ocean and a little bit of the rolling storm. A little bit of the stars in the sky, and a little bit of so many other things. When Amaya’s new sibling arrives, she knows just what to say about who she is, and what her sister will become. With stunning, whimsical art, this lyrical book asks readers to celebrate their own uniqueness—and that of others.
"Jojo, come dance!" Lola calls, inviting him to leap between the clapping and slapping bamboo poles and dance the tinikling with her. Whirling, twirling, and singing in Tagalog, Jojo tries but trips. Lola dances between the two poles easily, the same way she dances between their American and Filipino cultures--Jojo knows that dance! And finally, spinning and hopping to the rhythm of his life, he's dancing the tinikling! Part of the Own Voices, Own Stories Collection.
Tuchi longs to join in and play with the school's mariachi band, but it's the 1970s and in her community, mariachi is only for the boys. Still she hopes--and wishes on Señora Luna. When Tuchi stumbles across her nana's guitarrón, Nana teaches her to play in secret. The music rumbles inside Tuchi like desert thunder. Will Tuchi be ready for the big audition? And will Señora Luna help Tuchi make her wish come true?
What do you want to be when you grow up? Do you reach for the stars? Do you value teamwork and shoot for the moon? Are you out of this world? You want to be an astronaut! It's a tough job but learn from a real-life astronaut what it takes to achieve that goal--and what you can do right now to help prepare for blast off!
"Who am I?" a young girl asks her mom as she snuggles close. "You are the fire that burns and the eagle that soars. You are the oak tree and the wild rose," says momma. Written from an Indigenous perspective, Who Am I? tells the story of how we are all connected to our ancestors, our past and future, and the Earth--and how it is everyone's duty to fend off darkness, connect to the past, offer safety and shelter, and color the world with beauty. An Own Voices, Own Stories Grand Prize winner.
It's a snowy winter's night in the city. The bedroom lights are off and it's time to settle down to sleep. But wait! What's that? Strange and scary sounds are coming from the streets outside. What can be making these sounds? Are monsters coming? Don't worry! All will soon be revealed. These monsters aren't here to frighten. They are here to help. Through rhyming text and atmospheric artwork, young readers can first imagine what might be making these mysterious sounds. Then a turn of the page identifies the actual "monsters"--vehicles and equipment like snowplows and garbage trucks--that help keep a city running smoothly. And now that all is well, it's time to go to bed! This clever concept is based on a bedtime ritual the author used with her own grandchildren to assuage their nighttime fears.
Everyone's family is unique--and good! From sprawling extended families and close-knit units to adopted and chosen families, A Family Like Ours celebrates all those important connections we build over the years. Regardless of what yours looks like, family is a place for support, safety, growth, and inspiration. What is special, surprising, or sensational about your family?
With a little Yiddish and a lot of humor mixed in, this bubbly read-aloud picture book about holiday foods and traditions emphasizes the joy of the Jewish experience. Rhyming text takes readers through Jewish holidays, including Tu B'Shevat, Purim, and Chanukah, and their related special dishes. Colorful artwork brings the mouthwatering foods to the page and the table. But no matter how delicious the foods look, do not eat this book! Back matter includes a glossary describing each holiday, along with easy, kid-friendly recipes for the featured dishes, kitchen-tested by the author and her family.
