Massachusetts may be best known as the place where Pilgrims landed on Plymouth Rock. This New England state was also home to the Alcott who made their permanent home in the Orchard House (opens in a new window) family in Concord, Massachusetts.
Massachusetts
As an Inuit mother and her child paddle home in their boat, they notice other animal mothers and their children preparing for sleep. Attractive, stylized illustrations evoke the Arctic setting as mothers and their young prepare to rest.
Ocean’s Child
Even though there’s a special day called Children’s Day/Book Day, children and books can be celebrated everyday and in any place as is demonstrated in this vibrant book. Energetic illustrations show a wide range of children and animals playing, reading, and just plain having fun with each other and with books.
Book Fiesta!
Nubs was the leader of a pack of wild dogs in Iraq but became part of a human pack when he met Marine Major Brian Dennis. The story of this amazing friendship is all the more remarkable as it happened in a war zone. It is documented in photographs and a lucid text that comes to a very satisfying conclusion.
Nubs: The True Story of a Mutt, a Marine and a Miracle
Formerly enslaved in the 19th century, Bass Reeves escaped Texas and lived with Indians. It was in Indian Territory that he gained the skills he most needed when he became a lawman, known for his talent and integrity. Lively language and stylized illustrations provide a memorable portrait of this real western hero.
Bad News for Outlaws: The Remarkable Life of Bass Reeves, Deputy US Marshall
Anna May Wong grew up in San Francisco in the 1920s, working diligently in her family’s laundromat but secretly daydreaming of becoming a movie star. When she set out to realize her dream, she soon discovered the lack of opportunity in Hollywood for Asian American actors. After traveling in Europe and China, Anna May ultimately decided to portray only roles she felt presented a positive image of Asians, leading the way for the many actors who followed in her footsteps.
Shining Star: The Anna May Wong Story
This fictionalized story of Kojo, a boy from Ghana, who changes his world with a small loan and one hen, is based on a real person. Kwabena Darko lives in West Africa and started a system of micro-loans in villages that would not otherwise have access. Additional resources and sources for further information allow readers to find out more.
One Hen: How One Small Loan Made a Big Difference
Written in verse, this is a Pura Belpré Award-winning portrait of Juan Francisco Manzano, the poet who was born a slave in Cuba in 1797. Margarita Engle explores Manzano’s poetic interpretations of his world and what freedom really means in a slave society.
The Poet Slave of Cuba: A Biography of Juan Francisco Manzano
Rhymes, games, and more are presented with richly colored illustrations evoke the traditions of Puerto Rico and the universality of a child’s activities and interests. Spanish verses are woven throughout the text.
Shake It, Morena! And Other Folktales from Puerto Rico
When Carmen Teresa receives a blank journal on New Year’s Day, she begins filling it with tales and memories from her loved ones. Finding that food is the common thread, the journal becomes a cookbook of stories, infused with Latin American flavor. Gentle lessons are conveyed along the way in this lovely book. Available in Spanish and English versions.
Salsa Stories
This lush collection of twelve traditional Latin American tales brings the history and culture of thirteen countries into a vivid new perspective. Readers will have a unique glimpse of the early indigenous cultures, and of the literature that later blossomed with the blending of the Spanish and Native cultures.
Golden Tales: Myths, Legends, and Folktales from Latin America
When the good Italian witch, Strega Nona carefully adds a touch of magic to her well-tended garden it grows beautifully. Her bumbling assistant, Big Anthony, is not as careful with near-disastrous results. A creative solution to the overabundance winds up helping many — but will Big Anthony ever learn?
Strega Nona’s Harvest
Luca is lonely and tired of spending his summer working in his parents’ café; that is, until he has an amazing adventure in the canals of Venice on the back of a dolphin. Playful line and wash illustrations add joy to the imaginative adventure.
There’s a Dolphin in the Grand Canal
Tom Moran dreamed of seeing the western United States, painting places that were unknown to most. He was allowed to join a team of geologists heading to “the Yellowstone,” the year before it became a national park. Read about what early explorers saw and how they recorded it in picture book biography.
Yellowstone Moran: Painting the American West
The Grand Canyon is a national park established in the early 20th century. At the bottom of the canyon is the remote village of Supai, accessible only by helicopter, horse, or mule. Join Anthony the Postman as he delivers the mail to his hometown on the Havasupai Indian Reservation, leading a mule train down the steep, striking canyon.
Mule Train Mail
The precocious young resident of New York’s Plaza Hotel is on her way to visit Paris in this installment of Eloise’s adventures. Join Eloise as she prepares then travels to Paris for a special holiday brought to life in detailed illustrations and sophisticated language sure to tickle readers of all ages. Look for the movie version which came out in 2010.
Eloise in Paris
The story of a Russian family’s emigration to the United States parallels the travel from Paris of Bartholdi’s statue of Lady Liberty. Both tell moving sagas and intersect in a unique way. poignant illustrations make this a memorable presentation.
Naming Liberty
If all of the 300 million people were simply one village of 100 people, its diversity is easier to understand. That’s just what the author has done to make the complex make-up of the U.S. residents (in terms of languages spoken, ages, and more). Colorful illustrations accompany the understandable text. Additional resources complete the book. If the World Were a Village: A Book About the World’s People (opens in a new window), also by Smith, looks at the inhabitants of the world as a village to allow its diversity to become more understandable for adults and children.
If America Were a Village: A Book About the People of the United States
Based on a well-known almanac, these portable, colorful cards will engage children as they play with the riddles, games, and more presented on sturdy cards. An answer card is included for challenged adults.
The World Almanac for Kids Puzzler Deck: Kindergarten Skills!
A boy and his father share the wonder of a visit to the sites of New York City, from the Empire State Building ending with a taxi ride to Grand Central (and a postcard to the reader) with lots in between. Energetic illustrations complement the informative text.
A Walk in New York
Down, down, down…now off we go! begins a journey on city subways from Washington DC to Moscow and more. This short, fantastic, colorfully illustrated trip ends with a brief description of the real transit systems described.
Subway Ride
Every day children around the world awake to begin their days having breakfast, going to school, coming home to families. A poetic text combines with photographs from myriad countries to visually highlight the richness of the world and its people.
One World, One Day
Get to know Texas from A to Z in this attractive and informative book (continuing the author’s A to Z looks at cities). Short poems introduce one aspect of the state with lots of factual nuggets sprinkled on each vibrantly illustrated page.
Heart of Texas: A Lone Star ABC
One day when Sally and her friends are playing, they notice that her dog and cat are missing. The children use map skills to explore their neighborhood and beyond to locate Sally’s pets. Information and fun combine in this easy informational book.