Darth Vader and Son


Jeffrey Brown - 2012
    Celebrated artist Jeffrey Brown's delightful illustrations give classic Star Wars moments a fresh twist, presenting the trials and joys of parenting through the lens of a galaxy far, far away. Life lessons include lightsaber batting practice, using the Force to raid the cookie jar, Take Your Child to Work Day on the Death Star ("Er, he looks just like you, Lord Vader!"), and the special bond shared between any father and son.

I Love My Colorful Nails


Alicia Acosta - 2019
    His father and those around him paint their nails to stand against Ben's bullies, encouraging him to be himself, despite what others think. This picture book touches on emotions, being yourself, and peaceful solutions to negative confrontation.

Violet the Pilot


Steve Breen - 2008
    And by eight she's building elaborate flying machines from scratch, mind-boggling contraptions such as the Tubbubbler, the Bicycopter, and the Wing-a-ma-jig. The kids at school tease her, but they have no idea what she's capable of. Maybe she could earn their respect by winning the blue ribbon in the upcoming Air Show. Or maybe something even better will happen, something involving her best ever invention, a Boy Scout troop in peril, and even the mayor himself! A classic underdog story full of humor and sweetness and retro pizzazz, Violet the Pilot is both endearing and adorable. It'll fly right into your heart.

Jamie Is Jamie: A Book About Being Yourself and Playing Your Way


Afsaneh Moradian - 2018
    . . is Jamie a boy or a girl? Some toys are just for girls and others are just for boys, aren’t they? Not according to Jamie! This bookchallenges gender stereotypes, shows readers that playing is fundamental to learning, and reinforces the idea that all chil­dren need the freedom to play unencumbered. A special section for teachers, parents, and care­givers provides tips on how to make children’s playtime learning time.

The Deep & Dark Blue


Niki Smith - 2020
    Desperation and chance lead them to the Communion of Blue, an order of magical women who spin the threads of reality to their will.As the twins learn more about the Communion, and themselves, they begin to hatch a plan to avenge their family and retake their royal home.While Hawke wants to return to his old life, Grayce struggles to keep the threads of her new life from unraveling, and realizes she wants to stay in the one place that will allow her to finally live as a girl.

Jack (Not Jackie)


Erica Silverman - 2018
    But as Jackie grows, she doesn't want to play those games. She wants to play with mud and be a super bug! Jackie also doesn't like dresses or her long hair, and she would rather be called Jack.Readers will love this sweet story about change and acceptance.

The Berenstain Bears Shoot the Rapids


Stan Berenstain - 1984
    When they try to earn their canoeing merit badge, they bring life vests, maps, and plenty of supplies. But there’s one bear who always forgets to put safety first—and his name is Papa! Papa says he knows the river like the back of his paw, but he’s not very good at staying out of trouble. He stands up in the boat, ignores his map, and falls asleep right before the rapids hit. And when the river turns to white water, the Berenstain Bears just hope they’ll each make it back in one piece.This is a fixed-format ebook, which preserves the design and layout of the original print book.

Hug Me


Simona Ciraolo - 2014
    Cactuses can be quite prickly sometimes you know . . . and so can Felipe. But he'll be darned if this one pointy issue will hold him back, so one day Felipe sets off on his own to find a friend and just maybe, that long awaited hug.In her debut picture book, Simona Ciraola creates an endearing tale of friendship, beautifully illustrated with buoyant wit and the perfect story to share.

Dear Boy,


Paris Rosenthal - 2019
    Anything else means no.Dear Boy, if you need one more reminder to pursue your dreams, then here it is: pursue your dreams!Dear Boy, always trust magic.Dear Boy, is a celebration of boys everywhere. It teaches boys to be kind, to be bold, and to never shy away from their feelings. This book delves into the life lessons we all hope to teach the strong (yet gentle) boys in our lives. For the first time, father and daughter of the late Amy Krouse Rosenthal team up together to create an ageless and timeless picture book with stunningly imaginative pictures by Holly Hatam.

Mad About Madeline: The Complete Tales


Ludwig Bemelmans - 1939
    This collection brings together all six of the Madeline books in one volume. Every well-loved word and picture is here, plus an introduction by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Anna Quindlen, an essay by Ludwig Bemelmans on how he created Madeline, and working sketches of Madeline, as well as photos of the Bemelmans family. This landmark volume will be treasured by the entire family.

Journey


Aaron Becker - 2013
    Red marker in hand, she creates a boat, a balloon, and a flying carpet that carry her on a spectacular journey toward an uncertain destiny. When she is captured by a sinister emperor, only an act of tremendous courage and kindness can set her free. Can it also lead her home and to her heart’s desire? With supple line, luminous color, and nimble flights of fancy, author-illustrator Aaron Becker launches an ordinary child on an extraordinary journey toward her greatest and most exciting adventure of all.

Pssst!


Adam Rex - 2007
    But there’s something different about this zoo. These animals want things. Unusual things. What will they do with them?    Laughs, jokes, and surprises abound in this graphic picture book about a feisty, all-too-helpful little girl and her role in aiding and abetting zoo-animal shenanigans. Adam Rex once again reveals the hilarious hidden life of creatures we thought we knew well.

Girls Are Best


Sandi Toksvig - 2008
    But that doesn't mean they weren't there. And it doesn't mean that they didn't achieve great things, come up with wonderful inventions or win battles!Lots of people have heard of Joan of Arc, Boadicea and Florence Nightingale, but . . . Did you know that there were actually female Gladiators - Gladiatrices? Or that Nimkasi was the Sumerian Goddess of Beer? Or that it was Mary Jacob Phelps who invented the bra?In this book, Sandi Toksvig shows that His-tory is actually Her-story. Though they're often ignored or overlooked, they have changed the world. There's no question about it . . . Girls are best!

Charlie the Choo-Choo


Beryl Evans - 2016
    From celebrated author Beryl Evans and illustrator Ned Dameron comes a story about friendship, loyalty, and hard work.Beryl Evans is the pseudonym adopted by Stephen King for this picture book, 'Charlie the Choo-Choo'.

She Made a Monster: How Mary Shelley Created Frankenstein


Lynn Fulton - 2018
    She longed to follow the path her own mother, Mary Wollstonecraft, had started down, but young Mary Shelley had yet to be inspired.As the night wore on, Mary grew more anxious. The next day was the deadline that her friend, the poet Lord Byron, had set for writing the best ghost story. After much talk of science and the secrets of life, Mary had gone to bed exhausted and frustrated that nothing she could think of was scary enough. But as she drifted off to sleep, she dreamed of a man that was not a man. He was a monster.This fascinating story gives readers insight into the tale behind one of the world's most celebrated novels and the creation of an indelible figure that is recognizable to readers of all ages.