Best of
2nd-Grade

2022

Powwow Day


Traci Sorell - 2022
    Will she ever dance again?River wants so badly to dance at powwow day as she does every year. In this uplifting and contemporary picture book perfect for beginning readers, follow River's journey from feeling isolated after an illness to learning the healing power of community.Additional information explains the history and functions of powwows, which are commonplace across the United States and Canada and are open to both Native Americans and non-Native visitors. Author Traci Sorell is a member of the Cherokee Nation, and illustrator Madelyn Goodnight is a member of the Chickasaw Nation.

Apple and Magnolia


Laura Gehl - 2022
    Includes an author's note that further explores how trees communicate.Britta visits her two favorite trees, Apple and Magnolia, every day. Though she can't explain it, she's sure they are best friends! Then one day, Magnolia's branches start to droop. Is there anything Britta-or Apple-can do to help? After all, unusual friendships can be the most powerful of all.With a lyrical story and vibrant art, Apple and Magnolia unveils the extraordinary connections between trees and the wondrous bonds between all living things. The book includes an author's note offering facts about how trees communicate with one another. A downloadable discussion guide with more information will be available February 2022 at flyawaybooks.com/resources.

Ablaze with Color: A Story of Painter Alma Thomas


Jeanne Walker Harvey - 2022
    Told from the point of view of young Alma Thomas, readers can follow along as she grows into her discovery of the life-changing power of art.As a child in Georgia, Alma Thomas loved to spend time outside, soaking up the colors around her. And her parents filled their home with color and creativity despite the racial injustices they faced. After the family moved to Washington DC, Alma shared her passion for art by teaching children. When she was almost seventy years old, she focused on her own artwork, inspired by nature and space travel.In this celebration of art and the power of imagination, Jeanne Walker Harvey and Loveis Wise tell the incredible true story of Alma Thomas, the first Black woman to have a solo exhibition at the Whitney Museum in New York City and to have her work chosen for the White House collection. With her bold and vibrant abstract paintings, Alma set the world ablaze with color.Ablaze with Color includes extensive backmatter with photos, an author's and illustrator's note, a timeline, and a list of sources and resources, which will be a great tool for parents, educators, and librarians. Perfect for Women's History Month and Black History Month units alongside such favorites as Malala's Magic Pencil, Hidden Figures, and Mae Among the Stars.

When I'm With You


Pat Zietlow Miller - 2022
    The people who understand us and make us happier than anyone else in the world. After all, no matter how much time passes or how many miles tug us apart, there is no one quite like a best friend. From New York Times bestselling creators Pat Zietlow Miller and Eliza Wheeler, this jubilant celebration of friendship and the adventures of childhood will make your heart sing.

I Don't Have a Cat


Contessa Hileman - 2022
    He repeats throughout the story that he doesn't have a cat. Instead of a cat, he says he has a food critic, a homework helper, and a paper shredder. In the end we discover the cat is a lost cat that he's hoping to keep. But will his parents let him keep it?

What Do You See?: A Conversation in Pictures


Barney Saltzberg - 2022
    He drew pictures on her photographs of things he saw and sent them back to her.Real-life friends Barney Saltzberg and Jamie Lee Curtis share their fun, funny, and imaginative creations, encouraging readers to find their own unique perspectives lurking in puddles and noodles, fruit and flowers. This project was born out of a school visit where Jamie complimented Barney's creativity, lamenting her own inability to draw . . . and Barney countered that everyone is creative in their own way. They joined forces to create a book that is sure to inspire kids of all ages.

The Daily Bark: The Puppy Problem


Laura James - 2022
    Certainly not FLOWERS. Or BEES. And he couldn't have even imagined MUD. Luckily he's got Jilly, the wolfhound next door, to show him around. But Jilly has a problem. Her puppies are going to be adopted by new owners who live far away -- she'll never see them again! Gizmo has got a nose for a story, and a great idea to help Jilly. What if the dogs of Puddle started a newspaper to get the word out and keep these pups closer to home? Stop the presses!Perfect for fans of The Secret Life of Pets, this is the first book in a charming and humorous new chapter book series -- featuring full-color illustrations -- about the things dogs get up to when their humans aren't looking.

All from a Walnut


Ammi-Joan Paquette - 2022
       “I planted my little tree in good brown soil, so it would grow strong here forever.” “In this house? In this yard?” “Shall we go see?”     Step by step, Grandpa teaches Emilia how to cultivate her own seed. But as her little nut grows, Grandpa begins to slow down—until one sad day, Emilia has to say goodbye. Emilia’s sapling looks as droopy as she feels . . . but she knows just what to do. From acclaimed author and illustrator Ammi-Joan Paquette and Felicita Sala, this tender story is a poignant reminder that the best things grow with time—and that even when they are no longer here, the ones we love are always a part of us.

Skater Baby


Jack Noel - 2022
    While her mom isn't looking, the baby crawls away and finds a skateboard. As Skater Baby goes on a fun-filled joyride through the park, she continues to pass one distracted, unsuspecting adult after another and snags something new from each of them (like an umbrella, a clown's nose, and even an unsupervised dog). While her haul steadily grows, so does the crowd of adults who are chasing after. But no one seems to be able to catch the daredevil tyke. And wait, is Skater Baby heading for the huge, scary Mega Ramp?

Happy Sloth Day!


April Pulley Sayre - 2022
    Young readers will also learn about some of the other creatures that share this interconnected and fragile tropical forest ecosystem. With gorgeous photographs, a text that’s perfect for reading aloud, info-packed side bars, and detailed end matter, this book will captivate sloth enthusiasts of all ages!

Emile and the Field


Kevin Young - 2022
    With stunning illustrations and a charming text, this beautiful story celebrates a child's relationship with nature. There was a boynamed Emilewho fellin love with a field.It was wideand blue--and if you could haveseen itso would've you.Emile loves the field close to his home--in spring, summer, and fall, when it gives him bees and flowers, blossoms and leaves. But not as much in winter, when he has to share his beautiful, changeable, ever-present field with other children...and their sleds. This relatable and lyrical ode to one boy's love for his neighborhood field celebrates how spending time in nature allows children to dream, to imagine...and even to share.

No Nibbling!


Beth Ferry - 2022
    Kang comes a tale filled with fantastic word play that will have kids laughing and insisting, "No nibbling!"One warm spring day, Derwood the goat planted a garden and patiently tended it as it grew. On that very same day, he noticed a dandelion puff--it was too early in the season, but Derwood was taking no chances. Growing a garden is risky business, after all. But as Derwood inspected the dandelion, he realized it wasn't a weed. It was a bunny! With Tabitha, a precocious bunny who is very interested in all the tasty vegetables, hopping on the scene, what ensues is a pun-filled tale that will leave you saying, "No nibbling!"

When the Sakura Bloom


Narisa Togo - 2022
    When the Sakura Bloom by Nariso Togo sheds light on the cultural significance of cherry blossom season in Japan, and an insight into the unique mindset of its people.

In Our Garden


Pat Zietlow Miller - 2022
    More than anything she misses the garden where her family used to grow food. Then one day she has an idea—the school has a fine flat roof, perfect for a garden. Soon her teacher and classmates are on board, but it takes more than ideas to build a garden. It takes supplies and hard work; it takes a lot of learning; and it takes a whole school—a whole community—coming together to help. And of course, it also takes a lot of waiting. But as Millie's teacher Miss Mirales says, “Be patient. Good things take time.”From building the beds and planting the seeds to the first glorious harvest, here's the story of a garden—and a girl—in bloom, and what it takes for a new place to finally feel like home.