![Chester Keene Cracks the Code](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/chester-keene-cracks-the-code.jpeg?itok=YNbsV0UG)
Chester likes his routines, but his new friend is the complete opposite. Nonetheless, the pair work together to solve the riddle behind the mysterious notes that Chester thinks are from his father — all while dealing with a bully and trying to prevent his mother from worrying. Likeable characters and an engaging mystery fill this satisfying novel.
Chester Keene Cracks the Code
![Attack of the Black Rectangles](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/attack-of-black-rectangles.jpeg?itok=CdiiDkEc)
When Mac opens his copy of a book by Jane Yolen, he discovers that there are words that have been blacked out with a permanent marker. When he and his friends set out to find out what and who don’t want them to read these words, it begins a journey of true self-discovery and activism. Based on actual events experienced by the author’s son, this remarkable novel is sure to generate important discussion.
Attack of the Black Rectangles
![The Sea in the Way](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/sea-in-the-way.jpeg?itok=Z-JbmUuh)
Badger and Bear are separated by the salty, wet sea. Being apart is hard, until Badger looks more closely and sees all the beauty — and all the connections to Bear — around her. Delicately textured watercolors add depth to the unusual look at friends separated by time and distance.
The Sea in the Way
![Pizza My Heart](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/pizza-my-heart.jpeg?itok=bGni2kDE)
When squirrels Norma and Belly grow tired of acorns, they decide to try pizza from the new shop in town. As with their other food adventures (Donut Feed the Squirrels (opens in a new window) and Apple of My Pie (opens in a new window)), success is always questionable. Jaunty illustrations in a lively, easy graphic format make each escapade a tasty treat.
Pizza My Heart
![My Life Begins!](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/my-life-begins.jpeg?itok=xzEbubxc)
Instead of a puppy, Jacob was stuck with the three baby sisters. The impact of triplets on the 9-year-old, his friends, and his family is told in spare but elegant language for a relatable and engaging novel. Black and white sketches appear throughout.
My Life Begins!
![Magnolia Flower](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/magnolia-flower.jpg?itok=brlvyEtj)
Bentley met and married Swift Deer. One had escaped slavery, the other had escaped the Trail of Tears. Together they had a beautiful daughter named Magnolia who fell in love with a man, John, that her father did not approve of, so Magnolia and John fled Florida to be together. Rich illustrations add depth to the capable retelling of the Hurston short story, now made accessible to younger audiences.
Magnolia Flower
![The Little House of Hope](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/little-house-of-hope.jpg?itok=yERsbfE7)
When Esperanza and her family are forced to leave Cuba, they work hard to make a home for themselves and others who also had to flee to the U.S. The artist’s signature illustrations further enliven the warm family saga.
The Little House of Hope
![The Last Rainbow Bird](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/last-rainbow-bird.jpeg?itok=EtGa8AZ2)
Jo and Alex go on an adventure to find a mate for the last Rainbow Bird, meeting other birds of varying sizes along the way. Colorful and jaunty illustrations chronicle their fantastic journey with its satisfying and hopeful conclusion.
The Last Rainbow Bird
![Forever Truffle](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/forever-truffle.jpg?itok=0OstxmbI)
Truffle has fluffy reddish hair, a loving family, an interest in music, and a heart that loves a girl named after Nina Simone. In lighthearted illustrations, speech bubbles, and narration, his life comes into focus. Lively and childlike, Truffle and his world are sure to make readers’ hearts sing.
Forever Truffle
![Alte Zachen / Old Things](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/alte-zachen.jpg?itok=9FhrPp6J)
Bubbe Rosa complains about everything. Her grandson, Benjy, remains gentle and patient with her as they shop and walk about the city. Gradually, Bubbe recalls being Jewish in Nazi Germany and other memories, both sweet and tough. This touching tale is presented in graphic format in grayscale illustrations.
Alte Zachen / Old Things
![Who Will Kiss the Crocodile?](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/who-will-kiss-the-crocodile.jpeg?itok=0cw6yykt)
Sleeping Beauty isn’t just cursed to sleep until she’s awakened by a kiss, she’s turned into a sleeping crocodile in this funny riff on the familiar tale. Comic, colorful illustrations propel the action in this traditional tale turn on its head.
Who Will Kiss the Crocodile?
![Upside Down](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/upside-down.jpeg?itok=vnWB9_j5)
A small bear wonders why one plant isn’t flowering, but he takes excellent care of it nonetheless. Little does he know what is going on underneath the ground: a group of rabbits are feasting on the growing carrot! Readers will appreciate the dual narratives, one by the above-ground gardener, the other a visual narrative of rabbits’ activities.
Upside Down
![This Story Is Not About a Kitten](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/this-story-is-not-about-a-kitten.jpeg?itok=dPyKnGjJ)
How a small black-and-white kitten brings a community together is told through gentle illustration and a gently rhyming, cumulative text. Richly-hued illustrations depict a diverse neighborhood whose residents come together to help a small kitten. The satisfying book is sure to make a heartwarming read aloud.
This Story Is Not About a Kitten
![The Secret of the Plátano](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/secret-of-the-platano.jpg?itok=lLSB7hGN)
Richly-colored illustrations depict a lush Caribbean countryside as a grandmother and her grandson dance and sway to the secret of the plátanos, complemented by rhythmic language. Both author and illustrator draw upon their Dominican heritage to evoke a strong sense of place. Also available in Spanish, El secreto del plátanos (opens in a new window).
The Secret of the Plátano
![Maybe You Might](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/maybe-you-might.jpg?itok=gdohOFFG)
Can one small child with one small seed and a big wish change the world? Maybe they can. Lush, delicate illustrations and a gently rhyming text depict a child as a seed is planted in an arid environment, and from that seed grows more plants with seeds. “They say you can’t change the world…/But help things grow, you never know…/…maybe you might.”
Maybe You Might
![Knight Owl](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/the-knight-owl.jpg?itok=TywePHSi)
A small big-eyed owl longs to become a real knight. His chance comes when knights keep disappearing and the gallant owl learns that he’s quite good at the night watch. Dressed in armor, he not only stops the loss of knights, but befriends the party responsible for it. Humor abounds in the expressive illustration and understated text in this tale of a clever, quick-thinking owl.
Knight Owl
![I Forgive Alex](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/i-forgive-alex.jpeg?itok=WeMNyF6i)
Expressive ink and watercolor illustrations detail the story of a playground mishap. Alex tosses a ball that accidentally knocks another child’s artwork into a puddle. Other kids pick up on that child’s unhappiness and give Alex the cold shoulder until the child whose artwork got wet asks Alex to play ball again. Suggestions for readers conclude this engaging and relatable book.
I Forgive Alex
![Gold](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/gold.jpeg?itok=Zdil-5h4)
What do you think when you see three bears and a little girl? You’ll question what you think in this visual tale told in highly-detailed, black-and-white illustrations with gold highlights. Though it has the feel of a familiar tale, this fresh reimagining will surely lead to greater discussion.
Gold
![Blue Baboon Finds Her Tune](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/blue-baboon-finds-her-tune.jpeg?itok=HePB46bK)
Vibrant illustrations and brief, rhyming, staccato text tells the tale of a blue baboon who plays the bassoon out of tune. She is unappreciated until a green baboon who croons out of tune joins her on a dune — and together, they make a great tune!
Blue Baboon Finds Her Tune
![The Best Kind of Mooncake](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/best-kind-of-mooncake.jpg?itok=t9a0zW-P)
The young narrator thinks her life in Hong Kong in the alley of Tai Yuen Street is boring — until a stranger down-on-his luck helps her realize that she is indeed quite lucky. Readers will appreciate the gentle reminder that kindness is contagious, when after the girl gives the man her special mooncake, the entire community steps up to help the man.
The Best Kind of Mooncake
![Albie on His Way](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/albie-on-his-way.jpeg?itok=o8SMnlgv)
The king sends Albie to deliver a message to a neighboring castle, but Albie is delayed along the way as he helps others and falls in love. Meanwhile, life at the castle goes on. Albie and the king’s tales are told in twin narratives: Albie’s with text and humorous illustration; the king’s below in an illustrated wordless banner. Stories merge again for a satisfying conclusion.
Albie on His Way
![So Much Snow](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/so-much-snow.jpg?itok=-pMd5J4p)
On Monday, a small mouse notices a fluffy snowflake and wonders how high it will go. On successive days of the week, snow accumulates, covering animals one-by-one. Lyrical language creates a rhythmic pattern accompanied by softly-hued illustrations — first covering, then uncovering them — as the snow melts.
So Much Snow
![Kimchi, Kimchi Every Day](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/kimchi-kimchi-everyday.jpg?itok=K4YDReV0)
A Korean child declares, “I eat kimchi every day. I like kimchi every way!” in this lively look at the various ways kimchi is eaten each day of the week. Appealing illustrations and rich, descriptive language are rounded out by more information about kimchi.
Kimchi, Kimchi Every Day
![If You Believe in Me](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/if-you-believe-in-me.jpg?itok=JBgmvcWG)
A small bear knows it can do almost anything — from cartwheels to swimming — “when you say/you believe in me.” Wells’ signature illustrations and a warm, easy rhyming narrative present an affirming book on the relationship between a child and their adult.