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Hillary was born into a traditional family but one that felt their daughter should have the same opportunities as their sons. Though Hillary married and had a daughter, she also went on to law school and far beyond. This is a handsomely illustrated, respectful glimpse of the life of a woman who has gained a place in history. 

An unlikely friendship developed between a white woman, Susan B. Anthony, and Frederick Douglass, a man born into slavery. Both were opposed to slavery and both recognized its similarity to women’s rights. A readable, well documented text and realistic illustrations present the engaging story of their friendship and their accomplishments.

Women could not attend college, enter politics or vote when the United States was established. Over time, however, because of the work started by many women like Elizabeth Cady Stanton and her friend, Lucretia Mott, contemporary women can vote, work and more. Vivid language and dramatic illustrations present the early trailblazers and their work. Additional information concludes this slim but informative volume.

Before she married Martin Luther King, Coretta Scott was known for her beautiful singing voice – and for her willingness to stand up for what was right. This installment of the series is similar in appearance and appeal as women from different historical times and places share the series title in common; each were “Women Who Broke the Rules.”

Underground Railroad “conductor” Harriet Tubman and Susan B. Anthony, a staunch proponent of women’s suffrage, lived during the same period in US history and actually met several times. Grimes richly imagines what they might have talked about at these meetings, contextualizing the period’s history and major events. Illustrations use strong lines and bold color to provide more than visual interest but also suggesting the strength of two remarkable women.

The author of The Tale of Peter Rabbit (among other children’s classics) comes into focus as an eager young artist who borrows a guinea pig as a subject. Left unattended, however, the curious animal meets an untimely end. Based on Potter’s journals, young readers will enjoy a fascinating introduction to an author/artist in lively illustration and lucid narrative. An endnote includes photos of Beatrix as well as additional information.

When a jazz-loving rooster sets his sights on winning a barnyard talent show, he realizes he can’t do it as a solo act. He’s up against the talents of Mules Davis’s cool duo and Ella Finchgerald’s singing group. Acoustic Rooster calls on friends like pianist Duck Ellington, singer Bee Holiday, and percussionist piggy Pepe Ernesto Cruz. Together, the foursome makes beautiful music as they rock the barnyard. And while they may not win first prize, Acoustic Rooster realizes he has the world’s best jazz band and that’s all that matters.

Bro and Dude, two frog friends, have differing ideas about what makes for a fun day at the beach. Dude, dressed in swim trunks, surfboard in hand, is totally ready to catch some waves. Bro, meanwhile, has his head buried in a book (Moby Dick) and wants to keep reading. Despite his claim that “books are boring,” Dude finds himself increasingly interested in the story about a man looking for a whale. A joyful and humor-filled ode to the magic of imagination and reading.

The book takes readers through homes, classrooms, e-book publishers, research labs, and the app marketplace to show how educators and parents can help children grow into strong, passionate readers using media of all kinds — print, digital, and everything in between. Tap, Click, Read includes an analysis of the exploding app marketplace and provides useful information on new review sites and valuable curation tools. It shows what to avoid and what to demand in today’s apps and e-books — as well as what to seek in community preschools, elementary schools and libraries. Peppered with the latest research from fields as diverse as neuroscience and behavioral economics and richly documented examples of best practices from schools and early childhood programs around the country, the book will show you how to: promote the adult-child interactions that help kids grow into strong readers; learn how to use digital media to build a foundation for reading and success; and discover new tools that open up avenues for creativity, critical thinking, and knowledge-building that today’s children need

Advocating a new approach to screen time, Guernsey focuses on infants to five-year-olds and goes beyond the headlines to explore what exactly is “educational” about educational media. She examines how play and language development are affected by background and foreground television and how to choose videos that are age-appropriate. She explains how to avoid the hype of “brain stimulation” and focus instead on social relationships and the building blocks of language and literacy. Along the way, Guernsey highlights independent research on shows ranging from Dora the Explorer to Dragon Tales, and distills some surprising new findings in the field of child development. Parents, teachers, and psychologists will be relieved to learn positive approaches to using videos with young children and will be empowered to make their own informed choices.

The traditional nursery rhyme is turned into an imagination nighttime journey enjoyed by a baby who goes from the familiar treetop to a soft sheep to a boat (with lots in-between) until baby is back with mother, “…where you belong.” Deeply hued, stylized illustrations complement the cozy rhyme sure to please young listeners.

What do these 17 animals — from tarantulas to blobfish to seahorse and with lots in between — share in common? Each one is pink! An amazing array of pink animals is presented in image and text to inform, intrigue, and inspire. Additional information is included.

Readers may never look at a science fair in the same way after reading this alphabetical introduction to one school’s effort. From “Anti-matter” to “Zero gravity” (and of course, an animated z for zucchini) real and imagined inventions (differentiated in an endnote) and science concepts are presented. Cartoon illustrations and speech bubbles are used in this silly romp. 

What is your family like? Is your big brother as big and respected or your little brother “flighty and a dreamer”? How would you describe your cousins or even your best friend? The narrator characterizes each member of her “Wild Family” in descriptive language that is accompanied by a bold, energetic illustration which includes an animal that meets the description.

Lots of eggs all “Round and spotted/polka-dotted” are in the pond. Readers will soon see tadpoles “Wiggle tails!/Squiggle tales!” emerge in this light, rhyming journey from egg to frog. Delightful wordplay combines with comic illustrations, many on pages that open to double the size, sure to engage young readers or listeners.

Why would it be cancelled? What villain has added the red scribble to the picture book stage? With tongue in cheek, the author presents another humorous look at the life and interactions of crayons, this time riffing on old horror movies. Bold crayon characters (and scribbles) appear on open pages with varied typeface.

Silly rhymes abound as a cat informs a frog that it must sit on a log, a hare on a chair, goats on coats, cows on plows, etc. All’s well until a dog —of course — sits on the frog! Comic illustrations accompany the lively language to enhance the spirited wordplay.

What do circles and die-cuts on a red page have to do with apples? Find out with a page turn to see apples followed by other shapes, bright colors, and cut-outs for a surprising, delightful, and highly imaginative jaunt in a simple yet surprisingly sophisticated presentation.

The movement of the train rocked me like a lullaby. I closed my eyes to the dusty countryside and imagined the sign I’d seen only in Gideon’s stories: Manifest—A Town with a rich past and a bright future. Abilene Tucker feels abandoned. Her father has put her on a train, sending her off to live with an old friend for the summer while he works a railroad job. Armed only with a few possessions and her list of universals, Abilene jumps off the train in Manifest, Kansas, aiming to learn about the boy her father once was. (2011 Newbery Medal Winner)

Bod is an unusual boy who inhabits an unusual place—he’s the only living resident of a graveyard. Raised from infancy by the ghosts, werewolves, and other cemetery denizens, Bod has learned the antiquated customs of his guardians’ time as well as their ghostly teachings—such as the ability to Fade so mere mortals cannot see him. (2009 Newbery Medal Winner)

Maidens, monks, and millers’ sons — in these pages, readers will meet them all. With a deep appreciation for the period and a grand affection for both characters and audience, Laura Amy Schlitz creates 22 riveting portraits and linguistic gems equally suited to silent reading or performance. (2008 Newbery Medal Winner)

Thomas Jefferson’s many activities and interests took root in a new country and remain evident in contemporary America. They are celebrated in a breezy but informative text and charming, stylized illustrations in a muted palette that help bring the time, the person and his undertakings into focus. 

Her mother was a laundress but Anna was inspired by dance and music she saw in the Russian theater. A lyrical text is complemented by evocative illustrations to evoke the spirit of the life, work and travels of prima ballerina, Anna Pavlova. Even her death is subtly presented in both word and image for a stirring introduction to an amazing artist

Julia “Butterfly” Hill was born much later than Luna, a thousand year old redwood tree. But her bravery and tenacity saved Luna and the forest from destruction by living in the tree for about two years. This unusual story of activism is told from the perspective of both Butterfly and Luna accompanied by gentle, eye-catching, and informative illustrations.