Pam Muñoz Ryan

Two well known women sneak away from the White House for an aerial adventure in this handsomely illustrated story based on real people. Though fictionalized, readers will appreciate the common interests and similar personality traits of First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt and aviatrix Amelia Earhart.

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Eleven-year-old Naomi and her younger brother live contentedly with their great grandmother until their alcoholic mother suddenly reappears with her new boyfriend to regain custody of the children. Naomi, Owen, and their great grandmother set out on a quest to locate their biological father, an artist in Oaxaca, Mexico. This satisfying novel is sophisticated, heartbreaking, and captivating.

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Naomi and her younger brother Owen have been raised in a California trailer park by their grandmother. When their mother reappears, Naomi is both starstruck but also wary, and she soon learns that her mother and her boyfriend only want to take her with them so they will get more welfare money. This book is an honest portrayal of lower class struggles and life as a Mexican-American.

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Instead of celebrating her 13th birthday in her prosperous Mexican home as she expected, Esperanza must adjust to the murder of her father, the loss of her house and wealth, and her new life as a farm worker in California. This readable coming-of-age novel is based on the life of the author's grandmother.

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A child narrates her visit to the ocean, inviting readers to explore it with her. She experiences the sea with all of her senses through realistic illustrations and lyrical language in this gently rhyming tale.

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As Rosa Maria prepares for the family celebration of her granddaughter’s birthday, she gets unexpected help from the mice who live in the house. Spanish words are integrated into the joyful text and reflected in the energetic, vibrant illustrations.

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Celebrate imaginative play with the mellow rhymes and soft illustrations of this engaging festival of fun. When you just use your imagination, stuffed animals come to life, mud becomes cake, and juice is tea with a fairy queen.

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Charlotte Parkhurst could do almost anything with horses. Once out of the orphanage, Charlotte masquerades successfully as a man named Charley, and in spite of huge obstacles is able to drive a stagecoach and work with horses. Based on a real person, Charley also became the first woman to cast her vote in the state of California.

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A catchy rhyme and colorful crayons provide an animated introduction to counting from one to twenty-four by twos. The count continues in even numbers then again using odd numbers.

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Read this book aloud to young readers to teach them about the United States flag, its history, and meaning. The short verse, historical tidbits, and realistic illustrations result in a brief, moving, and patriotic look at this American symbol.

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Marian Anderson was an extraordinary contralto whose talent was celebrated in Europe long before she was recognized in her native United States. Anderson's focus, musical talent, and the difficult times in which she lived are captured in a dramatic picture book biography.

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