Twins


Mike Ciccotello - 2019
    Being a twin is great! Sometimes our friends can't tell us apart.A boy and his twin do everything together--leapfrog and piggyback rides, dancing and disagreeing, and everything in between! Their relationship has its ups and downs, but in the end, it's great knowing there's someone in their world who is just like them. This charming picture book is a sweet and silly celebration of twinhood--whether you look alike or not!

The Flower Girl Wore Celery


Meryl G. Gordon - 2016
    However, nothing is quite as she expected it to be, from the ring bearer whom she expected to be a bear, to her celery-colored dress, which she expected to be covered in real celery, to the wedding's two brides.

Once Upon a Time


Niki Daly - 2003
    She tells Sarie wonderful stories and she and Sarie start to read together. Niki Daly's story will encourage any child who shares Sarie's reluctance to read.

Salsa: Un poema para cocinar / A Cooking Poem


Jorge Argueta - 2015
    A young boy and his sister gather the ingredients and grind them up in a molcajete, just like their ancestors used to do, singing and dancing all the while.The children imagine that their ingredients are different parts of an orchestra — the tomatoes are bongos and kettledrums, the onion, a maraca, the cloves of garlic, trumpets and the cilantro, the conductor. They chop and then grind these ingredients in the molcajete, along with red chili peppers for the “hotness” that is so delicious, finally adding a squeeze of lime and a sprinkle of salt. When they are finished, their mother warms tortillas and their father lays out plates, as the whole family, including the cat and dog, dance salsa in mouth-watering anticipation.Winner of the International Latino Book Award for Guacamole, Jorge Argueta has once again written a recipe-poem that families will delight in.Each book in the cooking poem series features a talented illustrator from the Latino world. In Salsa the text is complemented by the rich, earthy illustrations of Duncan Tonatiuh, winner of the Pura Belpré Award. His interest in honoring the art of the past in contemporary contexts is evident in these wonderful illustrations, which evoke the pre-Columbian Mixtec codex.

The Matatu


Eric Walters - 2012
    But today, for his fifth birthday, he climbs aboard one with his grandfather. As the matatu pulls away from the market, the village dogs chase after them. When Kioko asks his grandfather why the dogs always bark and chase after matatus, his grandfather tells him an entertaining tale about a dog, a goat and a sheep. Set in East Africa, The Matatu is a colorful story filled with many unexpected turns and twists along the way.

Grandmother's Dreamcatcher


Becky Ray McCain - 1998
    Will it work? Instructions for making a dreamcatcher appear at the end of the book. Full color.

Penny and the Magic Puffballs


Alonda Williams - 2013
    She wondered why her friends had long straight hair and she did not. Feeling different made her feel sad. Penny’s mom assures Penny that her hair is perfect and just because it is different it doesn’t mean bad. She decides to style Penny’s hair in Puffballs . Penny soon discovers that wonderful magical things happen when she wears her puffballs. Through a series of whimsical adventures, the story reinforces the message of self-acceptance and celebrates diversity. The author’s goals is to help instill a sense of pride in young girls who may feel singled out because of their hair. Join Penny on her magical adventures and watch as she discovers the power of her magic puffballs.

The House on Dirty-Third Street


Jo S. Kittinger - 2012
    Longing for their former neighborhood and friends, and overwhelmed by the repairs their new house needs, they finally realize they can't do everything alone - the only way to make things better is to ask for help. They both learn that when you reach out to the community, people answer with kindness. As the house gets rebuilt, so does their sense of belonging.Stunning illustrations from Thomas Gonzalez, New York Times best-selling illustrator of 14 Cows for America, give the backdrop to Jo Kittinger's inspiring story that reveals how communities are created--or recreated--when people work together. The House On Dirty-Third Street will touch the heart of anyone who has faced starting over in difficult circumstances.

Lorraine: The Girl Who Sang the Storm Away


Ketch Secor - 2018
    With Pa Paw's harmonica and Lorraine's pennywhistle, the pair can face just about anything. But when a fearsome storm rolls in and their instruments are nowhere to be found, can Lorraine find the music inside herself to get them through?

The Boy Who Cried Fabulous


Lesléa Newman - 2004
    Can you blame him? Through his eyes the world is a wonder not to be rushed by. But his parents have an entirely different view, and they expect Roger to see things the way they do. Paired with vibrant illustrations, this cheerful tale will have children rejoicing along with Roger at all the fabulous things that await him when he steps outside.   • Marvelous read-aloud!   • Destined to appeal to a diverse audience.

The Agent With a Bone to Pick


D.R. Tara - 2014
    After finding him on the road and adopting him, his parents give him a life that most dogs could only imagine, riding with Mummy on her scooter and playing cricket with Daddy. In Story 1, Jack spies on Mummy as she shops in a mall. In doing so, he foils the efforts of a robber who tried to steal Mummy’s purse. His efforts result in an invitation to join the police force as a special agent. In Story 2, Jack goes undercover to solve a case of looting in the neighbourhood. In story 3 Jack finds a great friend in Scoobie, and the two friends spend quality time playing together.

The Great Dinosaur Race


Lily Lexington - 2012
    Join them as they race through forests, tracks, over flips and more. Each brother believes they have the best dinosaur, who will win?The story ends with a great lesson about teamwork and being able to get along that all parents will love.- Beautiful illustrations with many amusing scenes.- Rhyming lines help engage your child and sustain interest.- Your child will be enthralled and love to read this story over and over.

Muhammad


Demi - 2003
     Born in Mecca in the year 570, Muhammad grew into a sensitive and thoughtful man who believed deeply in the worship of one true god. In his fortieth year, Muhammad experienced a revelation from the angel Gabriel that he, Muhammad, was the messenger of God. Over the next twenty-three years, he received many such revelations, all of which were written down by scribes at the time of revelation to become the Koran, the sacred scripture of Islam, a religion that is practiced by nearly one-quarter of the world's population and holds as its most sacred tenet that there is no god but God. Through a clear text and stunning illustrations based upon those of traditional Islamic expression, the award-winning artist Demi here introduces the remarkable life of the Prophet Muhammad for young readers.

Cherries and Cherry Pits


Vera B. Williams - 1986
    When she starts to draw, her imagination takes off. Enter her world, look at her pictures, and watch her stories grow and grow—just like the forest of cherry trees she imagines right on her own block.

Kumak's Fish: A Tall Tale from the Far North


Michael Bania - 2004
    "Ahhh, spring," says Kumak to his family. "The days are long, the nights are short, and the ice is still hard. Good day for fish." Eager to give Uncle Aglu's amazing hooking stick a try, Kumak packs up his family and heads out to go ice fishing. "Good day for fish!" they all agree. Hapless Kumac is the only one in his family without fish until the tug at the other end of his line incites a mighty battle. A clever ending reveals that the whale-sized fish that Kumak imagined was actually a line of small fish in tug o' war position. Kumak reigns, and there's plenty for everybody. Authentic details throughout the playful art and text, as well as endnotes on Inupiat fishing, provide young readers with a fascinating window into another culture in this follow up to KUMAK'S HOUSE a 2003 Children's Book Council Notable Trade Book in Social Studies.