He dedicated this book to his children, even if his daughter is a little skittish on the subject since a flock of pigeons descended on the family during a visit to London’s Trafalgar Square. He says he considered painting the pictures here on roofing material (because pigeons flock to roofs) but settled instead for painting on a pigeon-blue Fabriano paper, the kind used by Picasso.

    When Romare boarded that same train, he watched out the window as the world whizzed by. Later he captured those scenes in a famous painting, Watching the Good Trains Go By. Using that painting as inspiration and creating a text influenced by the jazz that Bearden loved, Jeanne Walker Harvey describes the patchwork of daily southern life that Romare saw out the train’s window and the story of his arrival in shimmering New York City. Artists and critics today praise Bearden’s collages for their visual metaphors honoring his past, African American culture, and the human experience. Elizabeth Zunon’s illustrations of painted scenes blended with collage are a stirring tribute to a remarkable artist.My Hands Sing the Blues is the recipient of the 2012 IRA Childrens and Young Adults Book Award-Primary Non-Fiction, as well as the gold winner of a Moonbeam Children’s Book Award in the category of Picture Book-All Ages.

    She listens and nods but doesn’t speak. It’s hard being the new kid in school, especially when you’re from another country and don’t know the language. Then, on a field trip to an apple orchard, Farah discovers there are lots of things that sound the same as they did at home, from dogs crunching their food to the ripple of friendly laughter. As she helps the class make apple cider, Farah connects with the other students and begins to feel that she belongs.Ted Lewin’s gorgeous sun-drenched paintings and Eve Bunting’s sensitive text immediately put the reader into another child’s shoes in this timely story of a young Muslim immigrant.

    The nonfiction photo book explores weird and wonderful sea creatures, from the chocolate chip sea star to the pineapplefish.

    This irresistible cookbook presents 60 appealing recipes kids will beg to make themselves, in fun and charming illustrations they will love. Bursting with color, humor, cute animal characters, and cool facts (Did you know your brain actually shrinks when you’re dehydrated? Drink water, quick!), Help Yourself empowers children to take charge of their own nutrition — for now and for life!Recipes include:fun-to-munch hand-held snacks like Life Boatsbright fruit-flavored drinks like Tickled Pinkthe always-popular things on toast like Leprechaun Trackssalads they will actually eat like Tiger Stripescozy small meals like Tomato Tornadoand sweets like chocolatey Disappearing Dots, because everybody likes candy!Excerpt from the Intro: Since the day you were born, someone has been making you food and serving you meals (that’s the life!). But wait a minute...what’s that on the end of your arm? Why, it’s a hand! And it turns out you need little more than your own two hands and a few ingredients to help yourself to healthy foods...and help the world, while you’re at it! Because from the tip of your nose to the tip of an iceberg, the food we eat affects our bodies, our environment, and even strangers on the other side of the planet. It's amazing but true.

    Sam's class is knitting socks for soldiers and Sam is a terrible knitter. Keiko is a good knitter, but some kids at school don't want anything to do with her because the Japanese have bombed Pearl Harbor and her family is Japanese American. When Keiko's family is forced to move to a camp for Japanese Americans, can Sam find a way to demonstrate his friendship?-- "Journal"

    All three are new to their American elementary school, and each has trouble speaking, writing, and sharing ideas in English. Through self-determination and with encouragement from their peers and teachers, the students learn to feel confident and comfortable in their new school without losing a sense of their home country, language, and identity. Young readers from all backgrounds will appreciate this touching story about the assimilation of three immigrant students in a supportive school community. Anne Sibley O'Brien is one of the founders of I'm Your Neighbor, an organization that promotes children's literature featuring "new arrival" cultures. As the rate of immigration to the United States increases, topics related to immigration are increasingly more important in the classroom and home. I'm New Here demonstrates how our global community can work together and build a home for all.

    They settle down on her big, old story blanket and listen to her imaginative tales.One day, Babba Zarrah notices that Nikolai needs new socks, but she has no yarn. "Every question has an answer," Babba Zarrah tells herself, "I just have to find it." So after the children leave, she unravels part of her story blanket and knits him some nice warm socks.As villagers start receiving mysterious gifts to keep them warm, the story blanket gets smaller and smaller until the children have nothing to sit on at story time. When the villagers finally discover Babba Zarrah's secret, they decide to give her a surprise of her own.This heartwarming story from Ferida Wolff and Harriet May Savitz is a wonderful read-aloud experience, rich with themes of community, sharing, generosity, and kindness--with a touch of upcycling. Paired with Elena Odriozola's folk-tinged illustrations, this tale is one to read while cuddled up with the ones you love.Awards: Best Children's Books of the Year ―Bank Street College of EducationParents' Choice Silver Honor ―Parents' Choice Foundation

    With a great deal of courage and motivation, he turns Noah into a petting zoo, and by doing so, he helps his friend Noah to be saved.The story demonstrates to children how to crusade for what they believe in; to be more environmental friendly; to help one's fellow man; what true friendship is; and of course, to like and to play with all of the adorable animals in the story. Your kids will enjoy amazing paintings of a house full of all sorts of animals (dogs, cats, monkeys, turtles, giraffes, cows, horses and many more) and a very cute yellow tractor. Your kids will learn how to be more:• Social and friendly• Self-motivated• Environmental friendlyThe story is with simple rhyming text for children ages 3-8.

    It has been sung by people fighting for their rights all over the world. Florence's husband Sam was a coal miner in Kentucky. Many of the coal mines were owned by big companies, who kept wages low and spent as little money on safety as possible. Miners lived in company houses on company land and were paid in scrip, good only at the company store. The company owned the miners sure as sunrise.That's why they had to have a union. Miners went on strike until they could get better pay, safer working conditions, and health care. The company hired thugs to attack union organizers like Sam Reece.George Ella Lyon tells this hair-raising story through the eyes of one of Florence's daughters, a dry-witted, pig-tailed gal whose vantage point is from under the bed with her six brothers and sisters. The thugs' bullets hit the thin doors and windows of the company house and the kids lying low wonder whether they're going to make it out of this alive; wonder exactly if this strike will make their lives better or end them, but their mother keeps scribbling and singing. "We need a song," she tells her kids. That's not at all what they think they need. Graphic novelist Christopher Cardinale brings Florence's triumphant story to life in true rip-roaring union style.Selected as an IRA Notable Book for a Global Society and a 2012 Skipping Stones Honor Book.

    She's bored. She can't concentrate. And she really doesn't like math. Diana visits the doctor after her mother receives a call from a concerned school teacher, but the family doctor finds nothing amiss. It's only when Diana hears the soft musical notes filling the psychologist's office that her body begins swaying rhythmically and the correct diagnosis can be made: Diana is a dancer! This wonderfully illustrated picture book debut showcases Luciano Lozano's modern yet timeless style, making for a story that readers will want to return to again and again. Elements of diversity woven throughout the story send subtle yet powerful messages of inclusivity and body positivity to young readers. While Diana Dances is sure to resonate with budding dancers, its wonderful tribute to the need for self-expression, the power of movement, and the importance of self-esteem is universal. Diana's joy at finding her creative outlet is infectious, making Lozano's fearless heroine a sure-to-be favorite with children. The verdict is in: Diana is delightful!

    As Maya grows, her blanket becomes worn and frayed, so with Grandma's help, Maya makes it into a dress. Over time the dress is made into a skirt, a shawl, a scarf, a hair ribbon, and finally, a bookmark. Each item has special, magical, meaning for Maya; it animates her adventures, protects her, or helps her in some way. But when Maya loses her bookmark, she preserves her memories by creating a book about her adventures and love of these items. When Maya grows up, she shares her book Maya's Blanket / La manta de Maya with her own little daughter while snuggled under her own special blanket.Inspired by the traditional Yiddish folk song "Hob Ikh Mir a Mantl" ("I Had a Little Coat"), this delightful bilingual picture book puts a child-focused, Latino spin on the tale of an item that is made into smaller and smaller items. Maya's Blanket / La manta de Maya charmingly brings to life this celebration creativity, recycling, and enduring family love.

    Celebrated author Monique Gray Smith has written many books on the topics of resilience and reconciliation and communicates an important message through carefully chosen words for readers of all ages. Beautifully illustrated by artist Nicole Neidhardt, this book encourages children to be kind to others and to themselves.

    Mari is getting ready to make a sign with crayon as the streets below her fill up with people. "What are we making, Mama?" she asks. "A message for the world," Mama says. "How will the whole world hear?" Mari wonders. "They'll hear," says Mama, "because love is powerful." Inspired by a girl who participated in the January 2017 Women's March in New York City, Heather Dean Brewer's simple and uplifting story, delightfully illustrated by LeUyen Pham, is a reminder of what young people can do to promote change and equality at a time when our country is divided by politics, race, gender, and religion.

    Did you know that the fishing cat has partially webbed paws for catching fish? Or that pumas can leap over 15 feet into trees? There are roughly 38 species of cats today, each one superbly adapted to their environment - whether that be in the rainforest or the desert!