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Who among the animals can take on Lion and his nasty behavior? Though other, much larger animals try, it is a clever but small rabbit that deflates Lion’s large ego. Rabbit has a secret revealed only at his departure. Echoes of familiar tales are evident but updated in simple, witty and amusing illustration and language.

Kito wants to be just like his papa, the king and protector of the African plain in this richly colored and dramatically illustrated story. Young Kito imitates his father’s every action in the pride of lions, including an unsuccessful hunt. The warmth and mutual affection between father and son is easily recognized.

When a new teacher mispronounced Yuriko’s name and kids laugh at the picture Yuriko shared in her kimono, Yuriko wants to change her name. Her father handles her unhappiness calmly and wisely. The story is autobiographical, incorporating a photograph of the real Yuriko as a young child and as a lovely young adult in a kimono.

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.

The small green dragon’s evening ritual includes a bedtime story which he demands AGAIN until the parent finally is tuckered out. Red with fury, the small dragon’s final AGAIN burns through the back of the book (a die-cut). Parents and children are sure to recognize the humor and see familiar behavior in this funny tale.

A boy’s game with his father begins each morning with, “KNOCK KNOCK.” Then one morning, the father is no longer there but he shares his dreams for his son through a letter. Based on the author’s separation from his father, sadness and hope radiate from the pages of this affecting story.

Rosa lives with her family and Blanca lives by herself in homes near their much-loved mother. They share their abundant gardens with much-loved Mama until Mama has too much! Told in Spanish and English, the story of a close-knit, devoted family has the cadence and appearance of a traditional tale.

Ling and Ting, (first introduced in Ling and Ting, Not Exactly the Same (opens in a new window)), share many things including their birthday. After all, they’re twins! Their special day — from gifts to wishes — is celebrated in six short chapters in which they help each other in many ways.

His father assures Billy that his second grade year will be a fine year in spite of a bumpy start. Readers will recognize themselves and everyday adventures as they share Billy’s familiar likes and concerns, friendships and family.

Amar’e is a good athlete and a good kid. But a group of bullies want to keep Amar’e off their home court. How Amar’e resolves the problem (told in first person) creates a fast-paced basketball story to launch a new series by an NBA All-Star.

Melonhead, now in 5th grade, and his best friend want to earn money. So when Melonhead has a BOB — short for Brainflash of Brilliance — the We-Fix-It Company is born, starting the adventure and fun. The latest Melonhead book stands alone and is sure to engage young readers.

Lulu and her family, along with their dog Sam, rent a house by the sea for their family vacation. There they meet a stray mutt, the “dog from the sea” who becomes a hero to kite-flying Lulu and her cousin, Mellie. Eventually, the stray finds friendship and a home.

As a child, he was a late talker but as he grew up, Albert Einstein never stopped asking questions. The man whose ideas and questions changed the world is presented in engaging, child-like illustrations and easy but surprisingly informative text.

A handsome necklace symbolizes the connection between generations of women in this realistically illustrated story. The story like the necklace is handed down from one generation to the next and was inspired by her roots.

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.

Taylor loves her tutu so much she wears it every day and everywhere — that is until she trades it in for pink bunny slippers. Sprightly illustrations and text present a familiar family occurrence.

Clementine is looking forward to the school field trip to Plimoth Plantation and other signs of spring her family’s Annual Spring Walk Through Boston Common. But things don’t always go the way the lively 3rd grader anticipates in the latest story about likeable, energetic Clementine.

In this ode to country living, Rylant shares a glimpse into one family’s life.

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.

When Clementine Brown gets and a first-aid kit for her birthday, she takes her medical role quite seriously. Nothing is too small for Clementine to handle including helping her little brother. Open illustrations and simple text celebrate recognizable, imaginative play.

“Well-loved illustrator Bryan’s pictures and recollections tell of his lifelong devotion to making and sharing art. His Antiguan-born parents sang, kept birds and sheltered orphans; they showed him how to resist convention and survive defeat. Drawing every day, as a soldier during WWII he kept his art supplies in his gas mask…Bryan honed his skills, overcame racism and discouragement, and thrived throughout 20th-century tumult. While the text forms a single narrative thread, the busy pages are laid out scrapbook-style on bright, overlapping rectangles of color, old family photos next to artwork next to call-outs of Bryan’s words in large type.” — Publisher’s Weekly

A former slave and sharecropper Bill Traylor moved to the city after his wife’s death. Though he stored up memories of farm life and family, Traylor only began creating art in his 80s when he was homeless. Another artist, Charles Shannon, championed Traylor’s work. Traylor is now considered among the most significant of self-taught folk artists.

The simple, plain text tells of the close relationship between Tommy and his namesake grandfather, Tom. They read the comics together, act out poems, make up stories, and play practical jokes.

An imaginative child shares her pleasure in old clothing, repurposing them and finding joy in imagining the history, mystery surrounding them. Soft, expressive illustrations accompany the lively rhythmic, rhyming text.