![Let Me Finish!](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/148472173X.jpg?itok=MHcuLcxW)
The sheer bliss of settling into a good book without being interrupted by spoilers! A boy is so excited and filled with anticipation to read a good book, yet each time he begins a new one, lively animals share their favorite parts and ruin the story for him. From birds to bears to giraffes, everyone has an opinion they want to share with him about the book he is reading.
Let Me Finish!
![Lift](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/1368036929.jpg?itok=8AgSANUY)
Iris loves to push the elevator buttons in her apartment building, except when it’s time to share the fun with her baby brother. That is, until the sudden appearance of a mysterious new button that opens up imaginary places where she can escape and explore on her own.
Lift
![Room for Everyone](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/153443139X.jpg?itok=E6Ptijos)
A young boy on a crowded bus (dala dala) discovers that, after some wiggles and giggles, there’s room for everyone in this lighthearted rhyming picture book set in Zanzibar.
Room for Everyone
![Yours in Books](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/1951836200.jpg?itok=V1qFaARi)
Owl just wants some peace and quiet to read his books — alone. But when the forest youngsters ruffle his feathers, he enlists the local bookshop owner to send him handpicked books to help cope with the chaos and the mess. It’s not long before Owl discovers Squirrel and learns that just as important as solitude are companionship and community. Told entirely in letters, this charming picture book celebrates books and bookshops, letter writing, and love.
Yours in Books
![The Thank You Letter](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/0823442500.jpg?itok=CHZzVc3w)
After a wonderful party, birthday girl Grace sits down to thank her friends and family for all their kind gifts. But she doesn’t stop there — as she writes, Grace realizes there are so many things to be grateful for! So she thanks her teacher for helping her learn to write. She thanks her dog for his cheerful wagging tail. She even thanks the sky for being perfectly, beautifully blue.
The Thank You Letter
![I Wanna Iguana](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/0399237178.jpg?itok=8OiHtJHh)
A funny hilariously illustrated example of persuasive writing. Young Alex takes to writing letters in an attempt to persuade his mom that he’s ready to have an iguana as his pet. And Mom isn’t falling for it… Fortunately, in addition to being persuasive, Alex is persistent.
I Wanna Iguana
![The 12 Days of Christmas](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/0399250735.jpg?itok=3w5mvmfw)
Set in Africa, this beautiful rendition of the classic Christmas carol has a unique twist: colorful icons illustrate the various gifts repeated in each verse of this cumulative song, creating a rebus-style text that gives young children a fun way to follow along and chime in with the lyrics. Detailed collage illustrations, comprised of colorful kente cloth and cut paper, feature tribal drummers and dancers, traditional clothing and native wildlife.
The 12 Days of Christmas
![Ben and Emma’s Big Hit](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/0593204115.jpg?itok=6N9kKPU3)
Ben loves baseball. He loves the lines of diamond-shaped field and the dome of the pitcher’s mound. What Ben doesn’t like is reading. Ben has dyslexia, which means letters and sounds get jumbled up in his brain, and then the words don’t make sense. But when Ben starts looking at reading like he looks at baseball, he realizes that if he keeps trying, he can overcome any obstacle that comes his way. In this empowering story by California Governor Gavin Newsom, inspired by his own childhood diagnosis of dyslexia, readers will learn that kids with the determination to try (and try again) can do big things.
Ben and Emma’s Big Hit
![Sister Corita’s Words and Shapes](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/1534496017.jpg?itok=KB-U6LDf)
A picture book biography of Sister Corita, a nun, educator, and activist who became a celebrated pop artist while creating works meant to inspire good in others. Through her art, she called for an end to the Vietnam War and advocated for women’s rights, civil rights, and tolerance and love in a time of social upheaval. Her legacy as a teacher, activist, and artist with great creativity, compassion, and perseverance will inspire young readers.
Sister Corita’s Words and Shapes
![We Can: Portraits of Power](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/0374389667.jpg?itok=GhRRmH3B)
A teenaged artist who was deaf until he was six years old shares his story and how the lives of well-known figures have inspired him, including the painting of Vice President Kamala Harris. Tyler’s inspirations come from many people, each presented here with a commentary from the artist about the subject and their impact on him.
We Can: Portraits of Power
![The People Remember](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/0062915649.jpg?itok=QTDvLIYQ)
Art and lyrical language weave together a history of African Americans from the time when they were taken from their homeland to the Black Lives Matter movement. The history is intertwined with principles of Kwanzaa which was first celebrated in 1966. This handsome book is meant to be shared.
The People Remember
![Shapes and Patterns in Nature](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/8000061252.jpg?itok=YGUZnsz8)
Look closely. Notice the recurring shapes that create patterns that abound in nature. Senses are sure to be heightened when examining the highly realistic illustrations accompanied by minimal text in this attractive oversized volume just right to inspire.
Shapes and Patterns in Nature
![Playing at the Border: A Story of Yo-Yo Ma](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/0062994549.jpg?itok=pTpQaniT)
Music is the intersection of cultures as this hopeful story of cellist Yo-Yo Ma reminds readers. He played Bach’s cello suites for people in two countries near the Rio Grande River, “a boundary dividing two countries that used to be one.” Sweeping illustration and lyrical text are completed by an afterward and additional information about the actual event.
Playing at the Border: A Story of Yo-Yo Ma
![Pigskins to Paintbrushes: The Story of Football-Playing Artist Ernie Barnes](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/1419749439.jpg?itok=dAd3-E2t)
Ernie always had an interest in art but that was not a good thing when he was a kid. He grew up to become a professional football player, but a career-ending injury opened the door to art. Ernie’s story is sure to inspire young readers that more than one career is possible. Complete backmatter includes additional information including a bibliography and where to see Ernie’s artwork.
Pigskins to Paintbrushes: The Story of Football-Playing Artist Ernie Barnes
![Niki Nakayama: A Chef’s Tale in 13 Bites](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/0374313873.jpg?itok=4oe-s_vL)
Readers are invited to “Come. Sit. Taste…” a female chef’s determination to succeed. Chef Niki became known for the fusion of Japanese and American foods bringing a unique flavor to America. A brief discussion of kuyashii (defeated feeling) and kaiseki (a traditional Japanese feast) plus a Wonton Pizza recipe concludes this fascinating book.
Niki Nakayama: A Chef’s Tale in 13 Bites
![One Moment in Time](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/0711263531.jpg?itok=9AMsg2c-)
When Javier is having breakfast at 7 a.m. in Mexico, it’s 8 a.m. in New York City and Kayla is getting her backpack ready for school. Meet kids from around the world and find out what they’re doing one hour at a time. This brief look at different places, times, and cultures is expressively illustrated punctuated with visual and textual detail.
One Moment in Time
![Gizmos, Gadgets, And Guitars: The Story of Leo Fender](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/1250251869.jpg?itok=ErW2CrzI)
Even as a kid, Leo was a tinkerer, always interested in fixing and inventing things. And although he wasn’t a musician, he built the first electric guitar! Illustrations capture the joy as well as the difficulties Leo confronted as he grew from a farm boy into a lauded inventor. Backmatter completes this absorbing book.
Gizmos, Gadgets, And Guitars: The Story of Leo Fender
![Child of the Flower-Song People: Luz Jimenez, Daughter of the Nahua](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/1419740202.jpg?itok=mtlVb974)
Luz Jimenez would not forget her Nahua culture even after the Mexican Revolution. When she and her family resettled in Mexico City, Luz became a resource for artists and scholars as an Indigenous voice. Illustrated in Tonatiuh’s signature traditional style, the straightforward narrative is enhanced by complete backmatter.
Child of the Flower-Song People: Luz Jimenez, Daughter of the Nahua
![Wishes](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/1338305891.jpg?itok=yyS1Hv5I)
Lyrical text describes wishes as a family leaves its homeland in search of a better life. The boat wishes it was bigger, the home wishes it was closer, and the young narrator wishes they didn’t have to wish any more. Detailed illustrations in a muted palette evoke both the difficulty and hope of the journey.
Wishes
![Terrific!](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/0063025183.jpg?itok=NOJodstz)
Five friends — owl, mandrill, anteater, turtle, and badger — try to decide what is terrific. When snake decides it is eating together, well, the other four must save themselves. Highly detailed, textured illustrations, and text reminiscent of a folktale create a tense but satisfying story of cooperation and friendship.
Terrific!
![My Magic Wand: Growing with the Seasons](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/1643790854.jpg?itok=tqXnrx_E)
Join a young child as she shares her magic wand — a pencil. Short poems celebrate the pleasures of a year of family, celebrations, and everyday experiences. Mixed-media illustrations complement the bright tone. A note by the author reminds readers that not all poems rhyme and will likely encourage writing.
My Magic Wand: Growing with the Seasons
![Looking for a Jumbie](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/006297081X.jpg?itok=n4RLDXV-)
Naya’s mom says jumbies aren’t real but on a night with a full moon, the little girl goes out to find one. Instead, she meets other creatures straight from Caribbean folklore. Rich colors and not-too-scary characters combine with an engaging narration ideal for sharing aloud.
Looking for a Jumbie
![The Littlest Yak](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/1682632822.jpg?itok=hOeWzFJb)
Gertie is the smallest yak who attempts to achieve bigness and learns size is not just on the outside. Only Gertie with her small stature can save a yak in danger in this droll, rhyming tale. While the story isn’t new, humorous hat-wearing yaks with large expressive eyes add freshness and fun.
The Littlest Yak
![""](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/2024-05/inside-cat_0.jpg?itok=nVypOQCk)
Just when a big-eyed indoor cat thinks it knows all that it sees through various windows, it steps outside to discover a very different world. Illustrations in various media and staccato text are used to create a rich real and imagined world, perfect for multiple readings and close examination.