Johnny Appleseed: The Legend and the Truth


Jane Yolen - 2008
    But the true story of Johnny Appleseed, or John Chapman, is even greater than the legend. In deft and lyrical prose, Jane Yolen tells the whole story of an individual who forever changed the landscape of America.Breathtaking paintings by award-winning artist Jim Burke illuminate the historical detail of this man's life while capturing all the magic and mystery of his legend.

Jimmy the Joey: The True Story of an Amazing Koala Rescue


Susan Kelly - 2013
    Readers will marvel at Jimmy's new life at Koala Hospital, being raised by loving human caregivers and interacting with other koalas healing from injury. The book also introduces young readers to the need for conservational awareness: Through Jimmy's life story readers will come to understand the many obstacles koalas and other species face today.

Our White House: Looking In, Looking Out


National Children's Book & Literacy Alliance - 2008
    Starting with a 1792 call for designers to plan a presidential mansion and continuing through the present day, OUR WHITE HOUSE takes in everything from the amusing antics of presidents' children and pets to the drama of the White House ablaze and the specter of war; from the role of immigrants, African Americans, and Native Americans to the thoughts and actions of many presidents themselves. These highly engaging writings and illustrations, expressing varied viewpoints and interwoven with key historical events, are a vital resource for family sharing and classroom use — and a stirring reminder that the story of the White House is the story of every American.

Clay Boy


Mirra Ginsburg - 1993
    Vibrant paintings invigorate this retelling of a Russian folktale.

The Egyptian News


Scott Steedman - 1997
    Covering ancient civilizations in the form of a daily newspaper written at the time, this innovative and acclaimed News series presents historical nonfiction in a unique, kid-friendly format. As accessible as your morning paper, THE EGYPTIAN NEWS gives young readers the unforgettable sense of actually being members of an ancient civilization.

A Single Pebble: A Story of the Silk Road


Bonnie Christensen - 2013
    The pebble passes from his hand all the way to the Republic of Venice, the end of the Silk Road, where a boy cherishes it and sees the value of this gift from a girl at the end of the road. A Neal Porter Book

Hey, Charleston!


Anne Rockwell - 2013
    In 1891, Reverend Daniel Joseph Jenkins opened his orphanage in Charleston, South Carolina. He soon had hundreds of children and needed a way to support them. Jenkins asked townspeople to donate old band instruments, some of which had last played in the hands of Confederate soldiers in the Civil War. He found teachers to show the kids how to play. Soon the orphanage had a band. And what a band it was.The Jenkins Orphanage Band caused a sensation on the streets of Charleston. People called the band's style of music ""rag," a rhythm inspired by the African-American people who lived on the South Carolina and Georgia coast. The children performed as far away as Paris and London, and they earned enough money to support the orphanage that still exists today.

Crêpes by Suzette‎


Monica Wellington - 2004
    Suzette, the crepe maker, sells her delicacies in one of the most beautiful cities in the world. As she goes from place to place, readers are treated to a variety of Parisian scenes and a series of customers inspired by figures in famous French paintings. Wellington's mixed-media collages, combining photographs with her signature bright and simple shapes, are dazzling. A crepe recipe is included. As delicious as Suzette's crepes, this book will captivate children--and their parents--who will want to make the trip to Paris themselves.

Three French Hens: A Holiday Tale


Margie Palatini - 2005
    . . . Colette, Poulette, and Fifi end up delivered not to Philippe Renard, but to Phil Fox from the Bronx. Phil can't believe his luck-he hasn't had a square meal in weeks, and here's a free lunch right on his doorstep! But his plans to dine on the delectable fowl are foiled as the French hens work their Christmas magic on him, proving that the spirit of the holidays can bring the most unlikely folks together.

Never Say a Mean Word Again: A Tale from Medieval Spain


Jacqueline Jules - 2014
    The most important advisor in the royal court, he was considered the wisest man in the kingdom. He was also Samuel s father. Make sure Hamza never says a mean word to you again, he had ordered Samuel. What should Samuel do? He couldn t disobey his father. But how would he make sure that Hamza never insulted him again? Perhaps train a monkey to hold Hamza s lips closed, or give him some lemon juice to make his mouth pucker? Inspired by a powerful legend of conflict resolution in Muslim Spain, Never Say a Mean Word Again is the compelling story of a boy who is given permission to punish an enemy. What will he do?"

Rocks: Hard, Soft, Smooth, and Rough


Natalie M. Rosinsky - 2002
    Some rocks are actually minerals, and you can even find fossils in some types of rocks. Complete with activities and experiments, this nonfiction science book is perfect for introducing children to geology.

What We Wear


Maya Ajmera - 2012
    Captions suggest context for the images; “Dressing up means celebrating who we are... and what we believe,” reads one. A smiling child from Papua New Guinea wears a feathered crown and necklace, while two children from Ethiopia are adorned with decorative beads and shells. Another spread shows children from Japan, the United Kingdom, the U.S., and Malawi dressed in sports uniforms. Although the book doesn’t include any specific information or details about the apparel featured, end pages suggest ways for readers to discover more about clothing worn around the world, both in the past and in the present. Ages 4–7.

Emu


Claire Saxby - 2014
    In the open eucalyptus forest of Australia, an emu as tall as a human settles down on his nest to warm and protect the eggs left by his mate. When they hatch, the chicks will be ten times bigger than domestic chicken hatchlings and covered in chocolate-and-cream stripes to provide camouflage in the grasslands. This unusual family sticks together until the hatchlings grow up, facing dangers that include eagles and dingoes. Ornithologically inclined youngsters will delight in this visually striking chronicle full of fun emu facts.

The Frog Princess


J. Patrick Lewis - 1994
    When it came time for them to marry, the tsar called the princes to his side and said: "String your bows with the strength of ten men, and shoot an arrow as far as you can into the heart of Russia. Whoever finds your arrow shall be your pride."

The Queen of France


Tim Wadham - 2011
    Soon the Queen of France emerges to survey her domain, disapproving of Rose’s mother’s thorny gardening choices and asking Rose’s father where the Royal Physician may be found. The odd thing is, when Rose returns to look for the Queen of France, she’s nowhere to be seen. And when the imperious queen comes back, she’s curious to know what Rose’s parents would think if she traded places with their little girl? With charming illustrations by Kady MacDonald Denton and a humorous tale by Tim Wadham, here is a sweet homage to the easy affection between parents and an imaginative child.