Book picks similar to
A Flood of Kindness by Ellen Leventhal


picture-books
picture-book
pb
abi-1st-grade

Elevator Bird


Sarah Williamson - 2020
    He helps the staff get where they need to go, and always has an encouraging word. Elevator Bird makes everyone's day brighter.So when he confesses to his friend Mousie that he's always longed for a room with a view, Mousie springs into action. All his friends at the Hotel hatch a marvelous plan to make sure Elevator Bird has the nest he deserves.Sarah Williamson spins a charming tale of friends working together to make a dream come true.

Paper Mice


Megan Wagner Lloyd - 2019
    They are given names: Della and Ralph. Each alone, they explore their new house in the dark. Della dashes up the stairs; Ralph skitters through the dining room. There is so much to see and so much to discover! But a big, dark house can be scary for those so small, until they find…each other. Beautiful, cut-paper illustrations bring to life this lyrical story of adventure and friendship.

Wolf in the Snow


Matthew Cordell - 2017
    A wolf cub is lost, too. How will they find their way home?Paintings rich with feeling tell this satisfying story of friendship and trust. Here is a book set on a wintry night that will spark imaginations and warm hearts, from Matthew Cordell, author of Trouble Gum and Another Brother.

Abigail


Catherine Rayner - 2013
    One day, she tries to count the spots on her friend Ladybug, but the little bug scurries away. Abigail tries to count Zebra's stripes and Cheetah's spots, but her friends just won't stand still! After several more unsuccessful attempts, Abigail begins to wonder if there's anything at all that she can count. Then, she has an idea.

If You Had Your Birthday Party on the Moon


Joyce Lapin - 2019
    With each discovery, kids learn the science behind the surprise, explained in terms they’ll understand. Complete with sidebars and a glossary, this entertaining adventure is perfect for sharing at home and at school.

Shelter


Céline Claire - 2017
    All the animal families, safe in their homes, are worried. They wonder, “What are they doing there? What do they want?” So, as the pair knocks at the door of one home after another asking for shelter, all the animals turn them away, leaving them to fend for themselves. But then an accident suddenly forces the fox family out into the snow and the wind, and the foxes find they must ask these outsiders for help. Will they find it in their hearts to give it?Céline Claire's heartwarming picture book story delivers a timeless and timely message about the importance of kindness and generosity. With simple and evocative language, it explores how even small gestures can make a big difference to the strangers or outsiders in a community. Artist Qin Leng uses a warm, soft palette in her ink and watercolor illustrations creating a charming and inviting visual narrative that is perfect for young children. This book provides a wonderful opportunity for discussions about being welcoming and helping others in need, including how children can put this into practice by reaching out to the “new kid” or the one who seems different. It also works well for character education lessons on kindness, caring and empathy.

Scarlet's Tale


Audrey Vernick - 2021
    Two eyes. One nose. Ten fingers. Ten toes. Also: one long, fluffy, fuzzy, furry tail. That was a surprise.Born a bit different than expected, Scarlet has always embraced her uniqueness. When she starts preschool, though, she finds it can be a little scary to stand out from the crowd. But with the help of some new friends, Scarlet's infectious enthusiasm has everyone celebrating what makes her special!

A Walk in the Forest


Maria Dek - 2015
    Build a shelter and play hide-and-seek. Pretend the woods are a jungle, or shout out loud to stir up the birds! The forest comes alive in all its mysterious glory in Maria Dek's charming watercolor images and poetic text.

Zombelina


Kristyn Crow - 2013
    She moonwalks with mummies and boogies with bats. She spins like a specter and glides like a ghost and loves to dance for her family the most. When Zombelina enrolls in a ballet class for real girls, her dancing gives everyone the chills! But when her first recital brings on a case of stage fright, her zombie moans and ghoulish groans scare her audience away. Only her devoted family's cheers, in their special spooky way, help Zombelina dance the ballet debut of her dreams.Introducing the most adorable zombie to ever grace the dance floor, Kristyn Crow's pitch-perfect rhyme and Molly Idle's charmingly spook-tacular illustrations will make every reader want to sway and sashay in their own zombie trance.

Hogwash!


Karma Wilson - 2011
    Pigs love dirt - so go away!"Farmer's stubborn pigs refuse to be hogwashed, and no matter what he tries, poor Farmer cannot trick them into getting clean! But when several failed attempts leave him stuck in the mud, our determined farmer realizes his hogs may have been on to something all along... sometimes a mud bath is even better! New York Times best-selling author Karma Wilson's clever rhyming verse will engage parents and kids alike as Jim McMullan's illustrations bring to life these delightfully mischievous pigs with a penchant for all things muddy!

First Garden: The White House Garden and How It Grew


Robbin Gourley - 2011
    This book tells the story of Mrs. Obama’s garden, as well as the story of the White House grounds, the other gardens (including Eleanor Roosevelt’s Victory Garden in World War II) that came before, the White House children who have played there, and the teamwork, involving local children as well as the Obama family and White House staff, that led to the garden now flourishing on the South Lawn. This is a lighthearted, entertaining, and lavishly illustrated introduction to an inspiring and much-publicized project. Includes recipes.

Dirt Cheap


Mark Hoffmann - 2020
    All she knows is that she wants a new soccer ball that costs $24.95. The fastest way to that $24.95 is going into sales, but what to sell?All her belongings? Not much of a market for those.Birdie needs something that she has in abundance and that everyone needs. So when she sees everyone in her neighborhood working on their yards, she realizes she's hit pay dirt. Literally!Soon Birdie is raking in the dough, with profits of all varieties: quarters, dimes, nickels, pennies, even dollar bills! Now she can buy that soccer ball, but does her business plan have any holes?

Sunday Rain


Rosie J. Pova - 2021
    He spends his days with his fictional friends, immersed in a book. When an inviting Sunday rain gathers the local kids to play in the puddles, Elliott longs to join in, but he's too shy to go outside. Soon, Elliott discovers that new friendships are like a new book--you just have to plunge into the adventure.

Chicken Talk


Patricia MacLachlan - 2019
    The family can hardly believe it. What will the chickens possibly say next!?With beautiful watercolor illustrations from New York Times bestseller Jarrett J. Krosoczka and heartwarming text by Newbery Medal-winning author Patricia MacLachlan, Chicken Talk is the perfect book to chuckle over, whether you live in the city or the country.Gather your family around for a delightful tale of surprise, chaos, and barnyard fun in Chicken Talk!

Penny & Jelly: The School Show


Maria Gianferrari - 2015
    Despite her desire to knock everyone's socks off, Penny's having a tough time deciding on what talent she might have. With a little help from her dog, Jelly, Penny tries out various talents—from dancing to unicycling, fashion designing to snake charming—with disastrous results. That is, until she realizes that she and Jelly have a talent to share that's unlike any other. Readers of Pinkalicious and Ladybug Girl will swoon over the talent of Penny & Jelly.