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A slightly grumpy CJ asks his grandma why they have to take a bus across town every Sunday after church. Her answers are playful, wise, and effective; CJ admits he’s glad they came to see their friends at the soup kitchen where they serve. Bright, stylized illustrations and rich, well-paced language presents a warm relationship and a diverse urban locale. (2016 Newbery Medal Winner)

Travel through time, imagination, literature, and more for a unique look at “home” in any number of richly imagined ways. Stylized illustration and text present homes that are tall, short, messy, clean, real, or fantastic. The detailed illustrations are sure to get readers thinking about homes of all types and what they can represent.

Ahmed must carry his secret with him as he does his chores throughout the bustling, colorful streets of Cairo. Later in the day with his family all around him, Ahmed shares his wonderful secret: he can write his name in Arabic. Mild tension will keep children guessing what it is that Ahmed carries with him and detailed realistic watercolors are sure to inspire discussion.

A new baby creates lots of excitement and all the animals want to kiss the baby duckling! Black pages with bold white lines depict the animals with splashes of color to highlight the joy and a repeating text makes this just right to encourage young children.

The diversity of the United States is celebrated in this collection of poems accompanied by handsome, realistic watercolors.

Huntsville, Alabama, home to the Marshall Space Center, was desegregated nonviolently during the 1960s. The people there nurtured the seeds planted by Martin Luther King, Jr. and others as they worked for equality. Realistic watercolors are expressive, effectively evoking the period and people.

Lonnie travels back in time to meet many of the artists, writers, and musicians of the Harlem Renaissance. During this rich time, African American culture was reinvigorated. Illustrations are boldly colored acrylic paintings, and additional information is included at the end.

Young people see a need and work to better their world in this upbeat chronicle of youthful activists.

When a boy’s dragon goes missing in New York City, he goes out in search of it. Readers can explore the city sights while counting from one dragon to 20 lanterns. Illustrations use black line to create texture with color to define the objects counted.

On a sunny summer day long ago, a boy planted an acorn. From that grew an oak tree that survived for more than two centuries until it was felled by lightning. Simple but lush illustrations depict the evolution of the world surrounding the oak and how it remained useful in the “furniture, firewood and mulch.” And soon, another oak begins to grow.

From morning to nighttime, there’s a lot going on in town, on a farm and at the port, each populated by animals that are stand-ins for people. Readers will discover many things on each large, colorful double page spread as the day passes in each locale. A clock and brief text on each page provides clues as to what to hunt for in this book reminiscent of Richard Scarry.

Most elephant seals live in the ocean but one prefers the Avon River in Christchurch, New Zealand. Though the townspeople try to relocate Elizabeth, the huge seal finds her way back three times to the delight of many, especially a boy named Michael. Based on a true story, this well-told fictionalized account is expressively illustrated.

Joe drives his car to his bus where he picks up five dogs and five cats, then drops some off to continue their travel by boat, plane, and train. Boldly colored illustrations and broad shapes much like the author used in My Car (opens in a new window) are sure to appeal.

Lalla wants a malafa, but gets it only when she discovers what it means. Set “deep in the Sahara,” the culture is evoked by handsome illustrations including the beautiful, textured malafas worn by the women in Lalla’s family. The author’s note reveals that the setting is Mauritania in West Africa which also details malafa use in Mauritanian culture.

One shaggy dog sniffs at the edge of a rain puddle, and then “glub, glub, glub … he sinks out of sight.” The same fate happens to 2 cats, 3 squirrels and on to 12; then everyone reappears in reverse order until all’s again well … for the time being, that is. Silliness abounds in whimsical language and jaunty illustrations with lots to see and count.

He is known by different names by each of the people who feed him, but Regis winds up bringing isolated individuals together to make a real neighborhood. Soft wash illustrations and recognizable characters — including Regis, the well-fed cat — comes together in a gratifying conclusion.

Little Bear’s thoughts of honey start his quest alone while Papa Bear hibernates. The chase begins when Papa Bear awakens with a start, and continues through myriad, highly detailed scenes on oversized pages. Lively language and lots to examine lead to the happy, honey-filled reunion of father and son.

Nine-year old Anna is a worrywart. In fact, she is one of two in a Safety Club prepared for any kind of disaster. Disaster preparedness did not include leaving Colorado for Kansas with her minister father, experiencing a tornado and more. Anna’s voice is authentic as are her questions that include religious concerns and God’s will.

Since he forgets to distribute the lists for the neighborhood picnic, Oscar must launch into action. He shops, sets the table and whips up the food — in a most unusual way — for the best picnic ever! Colorful illustrations add imaginative detail and visual interest as well as a subtle nudge for exercise.

In this springtime tale, a young girl and her father plant a flower box together.

Annabelle finds a box with colorful yarn from which she makes sweater for all, adding color and life to a dull landscape. The box is empty when stolen by a greedy man but is yarn-filled when it returns to Annabelle. Textured pictures and understated text on open pages tell an engaging yarn.

Readers are encouraged to tell the story of a brave farm girl who provides food to someone who has escaped in this sophisticated, expressive, wordless book. Inspired by family stories, the author allows adults to fill in the historical detail while children recognize the story’s power.

An observant girl shares her observations and appreciation of ducks as she and her mother walk and watch. Information appears on open pages that sport informal illustrations and lively language for a memorable look at these feathered delights.

As a young shoeshine boy tries to return the red scarf that floats down to him, he meets a host of people from different backgrounds. He finally locates the rightful owner of the scarf and winds up with a happy surprise. Illustrations in comic book style move the satisfying story quickly.