Musa ventures out alone for the first time to collect firewood, where a loud noise and the dark forest frighten him. A squirrel and a cow calm the panicky boy who returns home safely without any wood — but with a good story to tell. Highly stylized folk art effectively conveys Musa’s emotions in a fast-paced story and introducing a tradition of central India.
Alone in the Forest
Can the advice of a paper finger puppet of Yoda on weird Dwight’s hand provide the advice needed by Tommy and other 6th graders? Tommy makes his case in this fast, funny, and first of the Origami Yoda books.
The Strange Case of Origami Yoda
With Dwight away, things are changing at McQuarrie Middle School especially when the Fortune Wookiee (what was once known as a “cootie catcher”) appears on the scene to answer the girls’ questions. This third installment in the Origami Yoda series is sure to please.
The Secret of the Fortune Wookiee: An Origami Yoda Book
When Olvina gets invited to the Tenth Annual Bird Convention in Hawaii, she decides it’s high time to overcome her fear of flying. But on the day of her big plane trip, Olvina’s tummy is filled with butterflies and she has second thoughts. After all, chickens aren’t supposed to fly. Or are they? This tender and funny story is for children who love to fly as well as those who have not yet had the experience.
Olvina Flies
Olvina Swims
Jamie’s day goes from a “purple kind of mood/Cold-plum eating…” to a gray and yellow and finally back to plum. The use of colors to describe moods associated with familiar family goings-on is enhanced by stylized illustrations and lively, lyrical language.
My Cold Plum Lemon Pie Bluesy Mood
Dani has a happy life but as do all lives, hers is filled with ups and downs. Short, lyrical chapters and expressive black line drawings present Dani, her trepidation about starting school, finding a friend and having her move away, even revealing her mother’s death all told with warm charm.
My Happy Life
The exclamation mark knew he was different from the moment he arrived. When he conversed with the question mark, however, a world of possibilities opened up! Seeing punctuation in action has never been more fun than with these emotive punctuation marks as characters!
Exclamation Mark
An unseen narrator asks a terrified rabbit to depict the not-so-big-bad wolf on a chalkboard. When it arrives, rabbit is no longer frightened but hugged by a child in a wolf suit. The rabbit’s reactions create humor as tension builds to a satisfying conclusion in simple illustrations.
Rabbit and the Not-So-Big-Bad Wolf
A child travels to visit her grandmother, “practically on the other side of the world” on a lime green train with orange doors. The scenes from urban to rural to imagined are depicted in delicate black and white line drawings narrated by a confident, perceptive child.
Line 135
The animals of Sunny Acres farm try to befriend its newest arrival, but goat remains grumpy until he discovers a beautiful dandelion. They remain by goat as he grieves the flower’s loss and are revived when yellow dots appear on the hillside. Lush illustrations enhance the tale.
Grumpy Goat
Lazlo is afraid of the dark but gets unexpected help from The Dark when his nightlight goes out. Illustrations enhance the tension as Lazlo slices through inky night to overcome his fear and find a replacement bulb. And the dark isn’t so frightening any longer.
The Dark
Anna Hibiscus and her life in contemporary Africa come to life occasionally using authentic-sounding accents to create a strong sense of place.
Hooray for Anna Hibiscus
A warm portrait of universal parental love begins on a beach when a boy asks his mother, “How far do you love me?” Lyrical responses combine with stunning double page illustrations in places around the globe until the boy is tucked into bed with his response: “I love you to the moon!” A world map and the query in each language conclude this tender book.
How Far Do You Love Me?
Gerald, the giraffe, is told by the other jungle animals that he can’t dance. Of course, they’re proven wrong as Gerald does his thing in this rhyming tale. This book may also inspire alliterative use of language.
Giraffes Can’t Dance
A homeless boy and his dad make their home in a busy airport.
Fly Away Home
Familiar subjects are presented in short poems by a range of writers. These easier-to read works are just right to encourage careful listening.
Hamsters, Shells, and Spelling Bees: School Poems
When the humans are away, a toy soldier named A-One becomes demanding, calling the other toys names. When they begin playing with the sounds and letters of the words, insults become silly to make everyone smile and reform. In addition to playing with the sound of words, this humorously illustrated book just may start a discussion of bullying and behavior.
I’m Number One
When Penny picks up a marble near her neighbor’s home, she begins to imagine that it really belongs to Mrs. Goodwin. In short chapters with Henkes’ signature illustrations, the young mouse successfully works through her guilt to a very satisfying conclusion.
Penny and her Marble
Ten-year old Spoon is afraid that he will forget his grandmother without something tangible to hold on to. Can Spoon share his sense of loss and his selfish action with his grandfather? Sophisticated readers and adults will have rich discussions around this book.
Sun and Spoon
A celebration of Pullman porters is the focus of this new picture-book edition of Langston Hughes’ classic poem. The collage spreads, blending oil paintings and cut paper, begin with an image of a speeding train before moving on to large portraits of African American porters serving white passengers aboard a luxury train. When the passengers leave, the porters gather left-behind items — newspapers, blues and jazz albums — and toss them from the train. Carried by the wind, the words and music fall into the hands of African Americans across the country. Winner of the 2013 Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award. [From Booklist]
I, Too, Am America
Young Nasreen has not spoken a word to anyone since her parents disappeared. In despair, her grandmother risks everything to enroll Nasreen in a secret school for girls. Will a devoted teacher, a new friend, and the worlds she discovers in books be enough to draw Nasreen out of her shell of sadness? Based on a true story from Afghanistan, this inspiring book will touch readers deeply as it affirms both the life-changing power of education and the healing power of love.
Nasreen’s Secret School: A True Story from Afghanistan
Lillian, Tilly, and William J. start their energetic adventure when “They choose a spot. They spot some ewes.” The homophones and silliness continue until the exhausted cats relax with a good book. Boldly shaped, colorful illustrations illuminate the animated, rhythmic language.
Cat Tale
Zephyr’s imagination takes off when her family is too busy to play or watch her fly her model plane do spectacular feats. Through a hidden door, Zephyr finds friends, flying ships, returning home in time for breakfast. Comfortable, old-fashioned illustrations complement the telling.