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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.

An accident puts an end to Jordan’s basketball playing but after she finds wounded white elephant, things change. Jordan names him Marshmallow and helps her discover a new sport. The lush Indonesian setting comes alive in charismatic, sprightly illustrations.

A small shell-less slug wants a shell like a snail. The slug and a kindhearted snail share an adventure and find friendship in this early graphic novel just right for newly independent readers. Humorous art of comical critters populates the pages for a lighthearted look at camaraderie.

Hedgehog Taylor wants to fly despite his skunk friend, Sydney’s trepidation about it. This funny, warm tale of friendship is generously illustrated with complementary illustrations that augment the tone. Young readers may have met the duo in their other adventure, Sydney and Taylor Explore the Whole Wide World (opens in a new window).

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. 

Haylee wishes on a falling star for a friend and finds one when she catches Comet. Together Comet, a yellow coma shaped celestial being, and Haylee make a Friend Ship to celebrate. Simple shapes in comic book format depict the warmth of their unique but recognizable friendship in short chapters.  

With her favorite hat atop her head, Dominiguita visits the library to borrow The Three Musketeers. Thus begins the latest adventure of the Cuban American girl and her imaginative friends in this standalone book in the Dominguita series. Other titles include Knight of the Cape (opens in a new window) and Captain Dom’s Treasure (opens in a new window).

Things are changing at the start of second grade for Audrey Locke. Her best friend Diego seems to have found other friends and to make matters worse, another Audrey is joining the class. Kids will recognize the minor crises in this recognizable, appealing, and generously illustrated story.

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. 

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. 

Cartoon illustrations that use strong line and vivid color combine with a rhythmic text to present ways that encourage good choices. The diverse cast of characters engage in familiar activities which confirms the power of an individual. The book concludes with two kids holding hands saying, “I will join with you to make this a better world for everyone.”

Many languages and cultures are used in a poetic journey around the world, each affirming that people welcome others. Warm watercolors show diverse people in a variety of settings. An afterword and pronunciation guide conclude this gentle, encouraging book.

No words are needed in this quiet but handsomely illustrated story of the impact of one simple kindness as a girl searches for her lost dog. Quiet but captivating sequential art is reminiscent of a graphic novel and sure to resonate with careful readers.

Bear is all things to the child as she grows until Bear is put in a chest. However, Bear is not forgotten but is loved again by another child. Expressive illustrations and short text combine for a touching tale of one much treasured teddy over time even into the next generation.

One fine day, two friends — a rabbit and a frog — set out to explore their small town, interacting with a host of animal companions along the way. Each step of their journey gives them something more to be thankful for, including their mittens and scarves, the rain and snow, their family members, and the food on their table. A Thanksgiving story that encourages acts of kindness all year round.

It’s the fourth Thursday of November, and the members of Fright Club are cooking up something spooky … a Thanksgiving feast! But when Vlad’s family arrives unexpectedly, they put their own spin on each of the dishes. Can this monster-filled family come together to save their feast and celebrate what the holiday is truly about?

On a glorious fall day, three woodland friends enjoy a bike ride followed by a trip to a bountiful farmer’s market. Described in gently rhyming prose, the friends indulge in more traditional activities including picking apples and making pie, playing in leaf piles, and harvesting the garden. The bountiful harvest inspires them to plan a meal together.

This is the true story of a touching gift bestowed on the United States by a tribe of Maasai Warriors in the wake of the September 11th attacks. Accompanied by richly hued illustrations, this story of generosity and compassion crosses boundaries, nations, and cultures.

Marisol has a vivid imagination. She names most things, including a backyard tree which she is afraid to climb. Illustrated by the author, Kelly makes Marisol and her family and friends come to life in a quiet but engaging story in which readers will see themselves as well as common concerns, and overcoming fear.

JoJo is concerned that her best school friend isn’t any more plus she’s concerned about her best home friend, her cat Mimi. This first in a new series stars 7-year-old JoJo, an Ojibwe girl who lives on a fictional reservation with her family.  It’s fresh, relatable, and not to be missed.

As Billy blew out the candles on his birthday cake, an ambulance rushes down the street. Could his wish for some excitement have caused a dear neighbor friend to become ill? Billy and his family, first introduced in The Year of Billy Miller (opens in a new window) return in this quiet, touching, and relatable standalone volume. 

Can a solitary alligator and an extroverted and nosey bird become friends? Ally doesn’t think so since Beak will not take no for an answer! The friendship will likely endure as this is the first in a humorous new early graphic novel series.

Jeff and Anders, a bear and a hare, are the best of friends. Anders figures out how to save Jeff embarrassment and even start a new forest fashion trend. Laugh-out-loud illustrations and text make for a truly unique yet instructive way to be a supportive friend.

A cat and dog live together and are awakened at the same time. Their distinct personalities shine through in line drawings and limited text on open pages that follow them through the day. Sometimes the pair cooperate, other times they are distinctly different, but always likeable.