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Though Tommy’s family values and respects his artwork, the budding artist’s school doesn’t always seem to appreciate it. That is until a special teacher encourages Tommy to follow his own interests. The tone of dePaola’s signature art is reserved here but ideally suited to this autobiographical picture book. Those who follow their own passions and persevere (or want to) will find this book affirming.

Set in the 1950s, this book by Mildred Taylor is frank in its portrayal of racism. Lois and Wilma are proud when their father buys a brand new gold Cadillac. Only their mother won’t ride in it. On a trip from their home in Ohio to Mississippi, there are no admiring glances only suspicion directed toward the black man driving such a fancy car. For the first time, Lois knows what it’s like to feel scared because of her skin color.

One warm Wednesday morning, the sun winked through Wombat’s window and woke her up. “What a wonderful day to wander the world,” she thought. What if Wombat woke one Wednesday with wanderlust? What if she wrangled her wander-worthy companions – Weasel and Woodchuck – to wend their way through the world with her? What if the world, the woods, and its wicked things wrestled with their wishes for wild adventure? But what if these wily wanderers used their wits to ward off worries and all the world’s wild creatures? Why, then it would be a most wonderful day to wander the world.

Six-year-old Ruby Bridges became the first African American to integrate an elementary school. Her memories of that year, when so much hatred was directed at her, makes for a powerful memoir. A 1999 Parents’ Choice Gold Award Winner.

A girl and her grandmother prepare to visit the girl’s father by packing a big lunch then boarding a bus. The joyful reunion takes place in a prison, emphasizing the love between a father and his daughter. Notes from both the author and illustrator complete this book.

Nocturnal animals wake up as everyone else goes to sleep. Illustrations show their nighttime activities illuminated by moonlight while the gently rhyming text creates a soothing rhythm. Filled with movement, all of which starts with wake-up kisses, this is a comfortable and comforting story to be shared at bedtime.

After being badly scarred by smallpox, Ursula isolates herself in the family stagecoach stop in Whistle, Montana. An unlikely friendship with a cook at the station brings the old Ursula back as she leads the preparations for Chinese New Year in the small town, which is even more isolated than usual by a blizzard. This riveting book explores difficult themes in an accessible way.

Life isn’t easy for sisters Amber and Essie. Their mother works long hours; their father’s in prison; there’s generally little to eat. But there is joy in their creative play, neighbor friendships, and mutual love and support, which shines through difficulties. In poems and pictures that are never overtly sentimental, Williams eloquently and intimately reveals the sisters’ distinct personalities and their story.

Emma is thrilled that her family is adopting a 4-year old boy. She soon learns, though, that being an older sister isn’t what she thought it would be at all. Gradually, Emma and Max start to feel like siblings as each child begins to adapt to their family’s new configuration. Expressive, simply drawn illustrations extend the smooth text.

Harley is loner who just can’t seem to getalong with the other llamas. But a shepherd who needs to protect his flock from coyotes sees something else inHarley. Harley not only befriends the sheep, he becomes a loveable animal hero in this short but informative and captivating book.

When a boy can’t sleep, he and his father drive out to the country, away from the city lights. There they try to count the stars. Lush paintings show the warmth of the evening and the loving relationship between father and son.

When Ossie, Jamaica’s older brother, goes out to play, Jamaica follows. Ossie tells Jamaica that she’s a tag-along. But Jamaica soon meets another friend and together they turn the tables on her brother. Realistic watercolors convey the children’s emotions.

Katie is afraid of swimming and the creatures that may lurk in the pool. But with the help of an astute swimming teacher, Katie learns to swim across the pool. She and her parents are so proud, and now Katie can’t wait to go to her friends’ birthday party – at the pool! Children will readily see themselves in the lighthearted illustrations.

The son of superhero parents, Max is frustrated when even his cape and encouragement from his parents aren’t enough to help him learn to fly. But everything changes on the day he saves ababy bird and discovers that he, too, is a hero. Gently lined and colored illustrations depict slightlyfrumpy, appealing, characters in this engaging andencouraging tale.

Sheila Rae taunts Louise with her peppermint stick, not wanting to share it, and uses her experience to trick her sibling. Louise eventually gets some of the candy, and Sheila Rae gets her comeuppance in a very satisfying ending. Children of all ages will see themselves in these characters, first introduced in Sheila Rae, the Brave (Greenwillow, 1987).

Clara is born into slavery but learns an important skill when she becomes a seamstress. Her quilting ability allows Clara to put together directions to escape north to freedom when she overhears a conversation about a route to Canada.

A small, ill-tempered insect will not say “Good morning” or “Thank you” to anyone. But, as the day progresses, she becomes a nicer, happier, better-behaved bug. The use of die-cut pages in this vividly illustrated book enhances the sense of movement in a memorable fashion.

Now that Juan’s mother has left him with his grandmother, he shines shoes to earn a living. More than anything else, though, 7-year old Juan wants to learn to read and go to school. Guatemala comes alive through the daily lives of Juan and his grandmother and the detailed black/white illustrations.

Stella and her brothers speak Spanish at home but English at school. Being different is both scary and exciting. Stella learns this when she prepares for the school’s celebration of May Day. She finds a way to honor her Mexican background by wearing a special skirt that is both alike yet different from the other girls’. Stella, like many children, can take pride in being part of two cultures. (In English sprinkled with Spanish).

This lighthearted approach to a young child’s changing feelings is told with a rhyming cadence and equally appealing, cartoon-like illustrations. The gentle levity of the style allows children andadults to put words to the feelings that they recognizein themselves.

On a snowy winter morning, Sam and his mom bake cakes to surprise their friends in the neighborhood. Sam delivers them all by himself — with a little encouragement from Mrs. Bear as she waits in their pick-up truck. Their morning adventure ends back home with a cake and a cup of hot cocoa for both Mrs. Bear and Sam. This reassuring story is told in gentle, engaging language supported by appealing illustrations that evoke the frosty weather.

Being stuck in between a busy older sister and a cute baby sister makes Zack feel out of place. Then he discovers being in the middle isn’t so bad after all. Lighthearted illustrations extend the recognizable situations described in the breezy text.

The robust pig first introduced in I Like Me (Viking, 1990) and her friends celebrate an alphabet soup of positive qualities and behaviors. They are awesome and brave, use imagination, and occasionally yawn as a bedtime reminder.

In this picture book full of majestic paintings, a young boy reveals his favorite places around the family farm. When his baby sister is born, he shares with her the wonders of their surroundings.