Books by Theme
Friends & Family
Each family has a unique history and cast of characters — a combination of personalities, colors, shapes, and sizes. A collection of favorite books is a bit like like a family: each book has its own "voice" and personality that you enjoy spending time with again and again. In this collection of stories old and new, families of all kinds celebrate special days, ordinary days, and each other.
A Mother for Choco
Choco is a little yellow bird who lives all alone. When Choco decides that he wants a mother, he has trouble finding one who looks just like him. Finally, just as he has given up hope, he meets Mrs. Bear. Not only does Mrs. Bear hug him and kiss him, she takes him home to her family. A delightful story about finding family in wonderful (and unexpected) places. Also available in Spanish.
Black Is Brown Is Tan
Rhythmic language and luminous paintings show the joy of this warm and loving family as they rejoice in their differences.
Daddy and Me
The young narrator helps Daddy by finding the tools and materials for a special project. Sturdy pages with flaps encourage participation and make a game of sharing the book.
Families
Regardless of where they live or what they look like, all families have much in common. They all cook, eat, play, and celebrate together as seen in engaging photographs and described through crisp text.
Family Pictures
The artist recalls growing up in south Texas in this celebration of family and cultural traditions presented in vivid paintings and short prose in Spanish and English. Garza's pride in her Mexican-American heritage is evident and celebrated in this handsome book.
Full, Full, Full of Love
Young Jay Jay helps his loving and much loved grandmother prepare for a big family dinner. Warm, welcoming illustrations spice up this rhythmical ode to the joys of family and food.
Here We Go Round
Seven-year old Roberta is sent to her grandparents' home in North Carolina when her pregnant mother is put on bed rest. This sensitive story captures an earlier time and the honest emotion of a childhood fears and joys.
I Love My Daddy Because...
In this celebration of dads, heartwarming illustrations of baby animals and their fathers remind us of the many reasons why dads are so special.
Owl Babies
When they find their mother gone from the nest, three owlets worry that their mother won't return, but of course she does. Stunning illustrations combine with repeating text for a reassuring story.
Rattletrap Car
Poppa worries that the family's old car won't make it, but the children convince him otherwise and so begins the summer outing — a real celebration of family and fun and even the old family car!
Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes
From the opening lines to its satisfying conclusion, readers are introduced to babies from many cultures. Though each child is different, each has some things in common — "ten little fingers & ten little toes." The rhyming text and repeated phrase make this a wonderful book to share with children of many ages.
The Hello, Goodbye Window
The window at Nanna and Poppy's house looks like a regular window, but it's really a doorway to the child's world and a celebration of the special bond between grandparents and grandchildren. Celebrate family with this 2006 Caldecott Medal-winning book.
When I Am Old with You
A young child imagines the day when he will be as old as his grandfather and share what his grandfather enjoys now. The tender relationship clearly reflects a young child’s viewpoint.
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