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When they find their mother gone from the nest, three owlets worry that their mother won’t return, but of course she does. Stunning illustrations combine with repeating text for a reassuring story.

Both Pink, the son of black slaves, and Say, a poor, white boy, fought in the Union army during the Civil War. Only Say survives the Andersonville Prison to tell of their remarkable friendship and how Pink saved Say and taught him how to read. This poignant story, complemented by Patricia Polacco’s signature illustrations, is based on a story from the author’s family.

Ever wonder why popcorn pops? When did it become a favorite food? With humor and verve in text and illustration, dePaola presents scientific and historical information about popcorn in this delectable book.

Easy-to-read books for beginning readers often amount to dreary drivel: not in this case. In a paean to chicken soup, hot tea and one feline-tolerant dog, friendship turns out to be the best medicine of all.

A little lion cub cannot understand why no one, from 1 red monkey to 8 brown gazelles, wants to play with him. His roar is not frightening to the 9 yellow lion cubs he meets, however, and the ROAR of 10 playful lions sends all the animals stampeding away! The rhythmic text with the repeated “roar” encourages participation as children follow the energetic, gently humorous illustrations and explore animal habitats as well as numbers and colors.

The famous civil rights activist Rosa Parks has simplified her autobiography for young readers in this Puffin Easy to Read book. She describes how she was arrested for not giving up her bus seat and shows that her personal role was part of a wider political struggle.

How could anybody ever stand up to a larger-than-life husband like Davy Crockett? Once readers meet Sally Ann Thunder Ann Whirlwind, they’ll understand and long remember this extraordinary companion to the other legendary Crockett. Kellogg’s exaggerated illustrations are a riotously funny complement to this tall tale.

Something special about each season is shared in rhyming text and bright, bold yet simple illustrations on sturdy pages. The lines that open this short book end it in reverse: “Sing of seasons as we grow,/Mud, sand, leaves, snow.”

Crisp illustrations fold out to illustrate the way Sam’s garden grows. Simply told in a familiar cadence, this cumulative tale may inspire young children to grow a garden while exploring their environment.

Although Kwanzaa commemorates an ancient African harvest ritual, it is a relatively new holiday in North America. Seven Candles for Kwanzaa comfortably explains the origins, language, and daily themes of this warm and festive seven-day holiday.

A contemporary child delights in observing his shadow is depicted by crisp line and wash paintings in this accessible picture book of a classic poem.

Illustrations by nine Caldecott Medal artists are as varied in style and tone as the poems in this handsome, themed, and well-organized collection of poetry.

Slowly, slowly, slowly… that’s how the sloth lives. He hangs upside-down from the branch of a tree, night and day, in the sun and in the rain, while the other animals of the rain forest rush past him. “Why are you so slow? Why are you so quiet? Why are you so lazy?” the others ask the sloth. And, after a long, long, long time, the sloth finally tells them!