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Feared by the townsfolk, only young Sam understands outlaw Dirk Yeller’s “itchin’ and twitchin.’” And Sam has the cure: a visit to the local library where Dirk finds adventure — and love. Animated, twangy language and caricature-like illustrations make a memorable tall tale.

This engaging story of how one community comes together to save their home is told in English and in Tagalog. Bright illustrations help move the story of successful resistance along while conveying a bit of Filipino history and culture.
Country of origin: Philippines
 

There is a garbage-filled, vacant lot on the street where Marcy lives. Instead of growing flowers in coffee cans like they usually do each spring, she and her friend Miss Rosa decide to plant a garden there. Their enthusiasm and energy spread and everyone in the neighborhood joins together to create an urban oasis. (From School Library Journal)

Miss Rumphius leaves the world more beautiful with an unusual legacy. This gentle story can relate to not only the language arts, but to dreams, legacies, and the environment.

The workers at the village garage are busy all year long! They’re busy from spring clean up to fall leaf collection, keeping their town safe and clean. Cartoon-like illustrations highlight the informative, engaging text.

Young Miles prepares his toy car for the ride to school when he discovers that his horn is broken. It will be fixed after school with his friend and fellow car enthusiast, Otto. Descriptive text is complemented by simple illustrations in this appealing story.

Edward, a curious young dog and aspiring firefighter, visits the firehouse with his friend, Judy. Edward and Judy practice with the fire fighting Dalmatians in this gentle, satisfying, humorous look at firefighters.

A dreary winter cityscape is transformed by a boy and a snowfall. Luminous watercolors present this magical winter tale, here with a CD read by Sean Schemmel.

Children everywhere — including the young rainforest animals — tire of eating the same thing. Happily, the animal parents in this lively book come up with a tasty and creative solution in this colorful, rhyming story that sprinkles Spanish throughout.

Madlenka dreams of being a soccer star in this third book about the city-dwelling girl. She leaves home in her soccer togs playing imaginary games until she’s joined by one friend and then a team full of children. A note about soccer history concludes the book.

The rescue of a baby snow leopard named Leo found on a mountain in northern Pakistan is chronicled in handsome, well-captioned photographs and detailed text. The collaboration between Pakistan and the United States results in a new home for Leo and the possibility of new ways to help endangered animals.

Elsie and her father leave Boston to begin afresh after Elsie’s mother dies. Elsie takes with her a pet canary. It is Timmy Tune and a host of other animals that help Elsie turn “her house into a true prairie home.” Lyrical language and evocative watercolors tell a touching story.

The townspeople are flummoxed when a new store mysteriously appears. But Benny Penny examines its mysterious stock — from the flying toaster to a walking teapot. Surreal illustrations correspond with the story revealed rebus-style, with words and pictures. The truly fantastic tale is told in complete words at the end.

In a neighborhood of flower gardens, a Chinese-American girl and her mother plant what the child considers to be ugly vegetables. The ugly vegetables, however, become attractive and help build community when made into a delicious soup! A recipe is included.

This look at one local farm presents a look at work on a farm raising food and animals while protecting the environment. Handsome photographs show the uniqueness of the seasons.

Mama, Carmelita, and their dog Manny greet people in their diverse neighborhood as they walk to see Abuela Rosa. Everyone says “hello” but in their own language — ranging from Italian and French to Hebrew and Arabic to slang American greetings. It is Manny’s “woof,” however, that is universal. Textured illustrations make Carmelita’s community familiar and accessible.

There were always discoveries to be made in their grandmother’s attic; and Gee always had a story to go along with it. On this visit, the cousins find an autographed baseball that leads to a story about the Negro Baseball League and its stars, Josh Gibson and Satchel Paige. Exciting, predictable, and well-paced, this is sure to appeal to children.

Stella Louella has lost her library book on the day it’s due! She embarks on a hilarious neighborhood search that all library-goers can relate to in order to find her book before the library closes. Readers will enjoy the engaging illustrations and eagerly turn the pages to see how it all turns out.

“There’s nothing you can’t learn to do when you have books.” Eve Bunting’s characters take this lesson to heart when they learn that their library will be closing. From painting the roof to speaking wisely to grumpy beavers, they learn everything they need to know to save the library. Lovely and bright illustrations will appeal to young readers.

Have you ever gotten your library book by way of a camel, elephant, solar-powered truck, or boat? This book offers a fascinating introduction to the many kinds of libraries around the world and includes numerous photos. Readers will come away with an appreciation of just how special libraries are to people no matter their background, as well as of their own neighborhood library branch!

As seasons and years pass, a sturdy little house that witnesses her bucolic rural setting evolve into a bustling city The beautiful little house became lonely and dilapidated until someone notices her and returns the house to the country. This appealing Caldecott Medalist can be enjoyed on several levels, including a comment on the urbanization of America.

A boy named Jeremy defines himself in the context of his world. The animated narrator begins by looking in the mirror and seeing a boy, and then adds brother, son, artist, writer, and more as he interacts with his family and community. The lively poem concludes with a look at a very young author and illustrator and a short list of how they self-define.

From A to Z, the 26 lowercase letters rowdily get ready for bed. Told in verse and illustrated with slightly eccentric but appealing mixed-media illustrations the letters bounce and cavort until the uppercase “parent” letters put their kids to bed.

How many kinds of lights will you see as you and your mother go out on a warm evening? Rich illustration and sparse text allow readers to explore lights all around them ranging from streetlight to starlight in this handsome, cozy book.