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Peter did not want to give up his things from babyhood, especially his old blue chair. When he recognizes that he has outgrown his once favorite chair, he helps his father paint it for his new sister. This modern classic is illustrated in textured collage and unaffected text.

Lizzie loves telling stories to everyone but is upstaged when a baby arrives. She learns, however, that the baby actually provides inspiration for her most inventive tales he’s away for a time. Comic illustrations enhance the drama and humor of the recognizable story.

Since Martha’s favorite word is “mine,” sharing with her baby brother seems to be out of the question. That is, until Edwin and her parents help her see that together is sometimes better. Humorous illustrations of the otter family and straightforward text create an appealing family story.

Even the most helpful older sibling wants to be the baby again — sometimes. Gentle repetition and gently, rounded illustrations present the ways the older child helps with the baby — with the patient mother in the picture.

An older sibling details what she can do that her new brother can’t (like sitting forward in the car) but, she acknowledges, babies are really good at other things (like hugging). Children will recognize the everyday activities and the in the text and funny illustration.

Households are changed when a new baby arrives — especially when the addition assumes the position of boss! Readers will recognize the humor in the exaggerated role of one family’s latest addition revealed in understated language and comic illustrations.

This introduction to the Chinese New Year from National Geographic is filled with colorful photos from China and beyond, as well as informative descriptions of different New Year traditions and activities. Whether they are reading about Shanghai, Brazil, or San Francisco, readers will enjoy learning how the festivities are celebrated around the world!

There is a garbage-filled, vacant lot on the street where Marcy lives. Instead of growing flowers in coffee cans like they usually do each spring, she and her friend Miss Rosa decide to plant a garden there. Their enthusiasm and energy spread and everyone in the neighborhood joins together to create an urban oasis. (From School Library Journal)

Miss Rumphius leaves the world more beautiful with an unusual legacy. This gentle story can relate to not only the language arts, but to dreams, legacies, and the environment.

This is the true story of a brave six-year-old child who found the strength to walk through protesters and enter a whites-only school in New Orleans in 1960. The sepia watercolors capture the warmth of Ruby’s family and community.

Garang is eight years old when war comes to his village in southern Sudan. He soon joins the thousands of other boys who must flee their country by walking hundreds of miles to Ethiopia and then Kenya. Along the way, the boys care for each other and help each other survive the hardships of famine, drought, and war. Based on the true stories of the Lost Boys of Sudan, Mary Williams and R. Gregory Christie have brought a powerful and unforgettable story to young readers.

The workers at the village garage are busy all year long! They’re busy from spring clean up to fall leaf collection, keeping their town safe and clean. Cartoon-like illustrations highlight the informative, engaging text.

Sophisticated readers will learn a great deal about trains and how they work in straightforward text and color photographs. Suggested experiments bring concepts into focus but are best done by older children or with an adult

From the time Leo was small, he was a trucker. To broaden his interests, Leo’s mother gets him Lola the cat but Leo and Lola find they have more in common than first thought. Humorous illustrations and a well told tale make an enjoyable and droll story.

Lester explains the basics about the moon and space travel to Little Nye before they take off on their lively imaginary journey. Sturdy pages support uncluttered illustrations and simple text in this appealing, surprisingly informative book.

Young Miles prepares his toy car for the ride to school when he discovers that his horn is broken. It will be fixed after school with his friend and fellow car enthusiast, Otto. Descriptive text is complemented by simple illustrations in this appealing story.

The train’s illustrious past combines with realistic illustrations to successfully present a reverent homage and history. The rhyming text is from an original song. Additional resources to learn more about trains and their history concludes this handsome book.

Trucks of all kinds that do many kinds of work are introduced in four rhyming, alliterative, onomatopoeic lines on sturdy pages. Playful language is enhanced by comic, color saturated illustrations featuring child-drivers and trucks with personalities.

As a boy sleeps, his toys come to life and take a ride in his bedroom. Other toys join the father and son dolls but return to the proper shelf before sunrise. Told in a rhyming cadence, this colorfully illustrated tale is sure to satisfy young readers.