There’s only one president at a time. And they could come from anywhere. “When George Washington became the first president of the United States, there were nine future presidents alive.” This unique approach to U.S. Presidents is illustrated to highlight chronology but is sure to encourage all that the next president could currently be “listening, learning, and getting ready to lead.”
The Next President: The Unexpected Beginnings and Unwritten Future of America’s Presidents
Magical mayhem begins when Emily goes in search of her parents, finding instead an alternate London. Today’s London is in danger from the “other” London, and protected by an enchantment in which both parents play a part. This is a funny, fast, and accessible fantasy.
The Midnight Hour
Lots of things happen all over the world every day. Have you ever considered what one small second of time can hold? What would happen in a minute? An hour? Colorful, bold graphic illustrations punctuate the statistics cited with sources noted at the end. The eye-popping numbers and images are sure to ignite wonder if not curiosity.
Every Second: 100 Lightning Strikes, 8,000 Scoops of Ice Cream, 200,000 Text Messages, 1 Million Gallons of Cow Burps … and Other Incredible Things That Happen Each Second Around the World
Donte and his brother are biracial; their mother is Black, their father is white. They attend the same wealthy suburban school but have very different experiences there. Donte is dark-skinned but his brother appears white. How Donte gains a sense of sense of self and beats the bully at his own game is compelling and timely.
Black Brother, Black Brother
A mother and daughter look forward to their special Saturday routine together every single week. But this Saturday, one thing after another goes wrong. The up-and-down journey that reminds them of what’s best about Saturdays: precious time together.
Saturday
A boy is not happy about moving but while exploring his new home, he finds a large roll top desk. There he discovers imaginative, surprising stories. The Argentinian author/illustrator has created a memorable fantasy juxtaposing the real world and extraordinary adventures held in the found journal. Surreal illustrations are presented in sequential art, calling to mind a graphic novel.
When You Look Up
The prophecy has come true: the black snake has come to terrorize the community. It hurts the source of life, water. This call to action is presented by in word and image by an author and illustrator, Ojibwe and Tlingit/Haida respectively, based on the Dakota Pipeline access protest in Standing Rock reservation. Lush, flowing illustrations and a narration by a young Native girl make a compelling case for protection, encouraging readers to sign a water protector pledge.
We Are Water Protectors
Emily Dickinson came to understand the world through what she could see and through words which she communicated through poetry. Lyrical language infused with Emily’s poems combines with translucent illustrations to reflect her world. Backmatter completes this handsome, informative package.
On Wings of Words: The Extraordinary Life of Emily Dickinson
There are two sides to everything, including animals. Creatures like black cats, vampire bats, Tasmanian devils, and a host of other animals often have bad reputations — but there is another side! Explore both in an an open format with humorous illustrations. A glossary is included.
The Not Bad Animals
Can rescue dog, McTavish, help his Peachy family with vacation plans? His human family needs his guidance and patience — again. Whether revisiting the Peachys (Good Dog, McTavish (opens in a new window)) or meeting them for the first time, this charming, recognizable family is sure to charm readers of all ages.
McTavish Goes Wild
Mango and Brash right the wrongs created by “crime, corruption, and confusion.” They are the InvestiGators, with an emphasis on gators, for Mango and Brash are alligators. Fast-paced and slightly goofy, this clever tale is sure to delight graphic novel and mystery aficionados alike.
InvestiGators
Can Iggy Peck use his architectural prowess to help Ada Twist’s Aunt Bernice from losing the house she inherited? Iggy, Ada, and the other Questioneers come together to solve the mystery of the missing antiques and acquire a bit of history along the way in this latest story in the Questioneers series.
Iggy Peck and the Mysterious Mansion
Not everyone aspires to be a champion rock climber like Ashima. Her skill and passion grow with practice and study. The athlete’s story is likely to provide inspiration for all those who aim for greatness in any field. Color illustrations capture the climber’s determination.
How to Solve a Problem: The Rise (and Fall) of a Rock Climbing Champion
Fox and Rabbit, unlikely friends with very different personalities, visit a fair, go to the beach, start a garden, and more in five stories. Charming and gently humorous, this is the first in a new, engaging graphic novel series.
Fox & Rabbit
Though her family didn’t have much when she was a child in Chicago (growing up during the Great Depression), Gwendolyn Brooks was surrounded by poetry and a loving family. This beautifully illustrated book is an affectionate look at the life of a girl who grew up to be the first Black person to win the Pulitzer Prize. Additional resources for further reading are included.
Exquisite: The Poetry and Life of Gwendolyn Brooks
The life of Aesop, a Greek enslaved person who wove memorable stories, begins this handsome volume followed by well-known and lesser-known fables. Mixed media illustrations are expressive, creating a sense of time and place while retaining universality. An afterword by the author expands on what is known (and not known) about Aesop.
The Fabled Life of Aesop
Is the object that Brain finds an eyeball or is it an egg, as Chick says? Can Chick — or anyone — convince him otherwise? Silliness abounds in image and word in this graphic novel by the creator of Newbery Honor winning El Deafo (opens in a new window).
Chick and Brain: Egg or Eyeball?
Philip Freelon’s dream became reality when his team was commissioned to design the National Museum of African American History and Culture which opened in the nation’s capital in 2016. Beginning with his childhood, this realistically illustrated biography provides an afterword by the architect and additional resources.
Dream Builder: The Story of Architect Philip Freelon
Earth is presented as a large brown-skinned girl who awakens “from a winter nap” listens to farmers tapping the earth and birds singing. She guides a baby zebra, tends prairies, and more until she sleeps, “To fly up again in the warm bright sun of spring!” Clever use of flaps and die-cuts hold surprises and delights in the richly colored, dynamic illustrations and lyrical language, creating a stunning appreciation of Earth.
My Friend Earth
As the day begins, “All is quiet. Or is it?” If you listen closely, the sounds of the day emerge. From dawn darkness, the day gradually lightens in the subtle illustrations that depict city and country, inviting readers to “fill the world with your song.”
What Sound Is Morning?
Readers know from the title page that the dog will not give up the spotlight. The dog is really a scruffy mutt who creates chaos and lots laughter as it peeks onto pages with other animals. Expressive animals appear on uncluttered colored backgrounds until the surprise conclusion.
This Is a Dog
While visiting the beach, the narrator declares that she will build a sandcastle — one with turrets and more. Build she does, which attracts royal visitors who become disenchanted with their sandy food. Imagination reigns in the detailed illustrations, until a wave allows the girl to begin anew.
Sandcastle
Lenny is an artist who plans to compose a symphony. His mind is blank until he listens to sounds around him. As the sun rises, Lenny returns home full of notes, music, and life. Lightly lined illustrations and lots of lively language present the music of Paris.
The Music of Life
A girl and her family visit their little blue cottage by the bay every summer as she grows. Lyrical language and gentle illustrations expressively depict time passing until the girl, now grown, returns with her own family, implicitly diverse and intergenerational.