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A group of friends tell each other how they are alike and how they differ. The one thing that is always the same, however, is that, “I just like you! Yes I do!”  Gentle, detailed watercolors illustrate the gathering and activities of a motley group of animals.

As the season changes, farm animals make their home and find warmth in the barn where a calf is born. Handsome, realistic illustrations in the artist’s signature style depict the animals in a cozy barn with an attentive farmer.

Jaunty words swirl and whirl along with vivacious illustrations across the pages as readers watch a little girl named Lollipop dance and play. Her parents and even her pets are tired as Lollipop ultimately slows down for bed, “Dreaming hip-hop!” 

Young energetic animals play, picnic and cavort until it’s time to go home and get ready for bed. Lively language swirls among the humorously illustrated Australian animals that are identified by name on the final spread (almost a visual glossary).

Why is it a good day for ducks? “Rain is falling…Drip drop, drip drop…” A boy and a girl put on their rain gear to splash around and watch ducks play in puddles. Gentle watercolors illustrate the alliterative, repeating text to capture the fun of a rainy day.

From first cry to first meal all the way to the first birthday, there are many firsts when a baby is born. Share the fun in the brief, rhyming text and illustrations depicting diverse, slightly frumpy and totally real families.

Hatmaker, wife, mother, pioneer, and activist, Esther Morris was instrumental in getting the vote for women in Wyoming, the first state to pass such a law. Whether brewing tea or learning to sew, from an early age Esther adamantly states, I could do that! — the mantra of her life.

Powerful free verse and vivid mixed-media illustrations tell the true story of the American effort to land the first man on the Moon in this well-researched picture book.

Colorful, scientifically accurate illustration is paired with understandable, energetic text in this introduction to the diversity and fundamentals of frogs. Back matter includes information on frog disappearances and conservation efforts.

Early morning and a ruffle of feathers, a shadow gliding through the backyard. High above your house Father Hawk circles, sharp eyes searching for prey. A father red-tailed hawk hunts prey for his family in a suburban neighborhood in this thrilling nonfiction picture book.

After a whirlwind tour of how eyes work, children will lift the flaps to find out how animals as different as dogs, owls, and chameleons see the same scene.

As a Galápagueña, Valentina spends her days observing the natural world around her. This bilingual story was inspired by the childhood of Valentina Cruz, whose family was one of the first permanent inhabitants of the Galápagos. Valentina is now a biologist and naturalist guide who has dedicated her life to the conservation of the islands.

Join a young boy and his father on a daring journey from Mexico to Texas to find a new life. Theyll need all the resilience and courage they can muster to safely cross the border (la frontera) and to make a home for themselves in a new land. Based on co-author Alva’s own experience as a young boy. Back matter includes information on immigration, a history of the U.S. and Mexican border, and photos of Alva’s family and hometown.

A festive and colorful celebration of the Mexican and Latin American holiday. The rhyming narrative introduces the traditions practiced during El Día de los Muertos or the Day of the Dead, from the sugary, skull-shaped candies (calaveras) and altars built in remembrance of the dearly departed to decorating tombstones and picnics at the cemetery. Spanish words are sprinkled throughout.

Almost 10 years before Brown vs. Board of Education, Sylvia Mendez and her parents helped end school segregation in California. An American citizen of Mexican and Puerto Rican heritage who spoke and wrote perfect English, Mendez was denied enrollment to a “Whites only” school. Her parents took action by organizing the Hispanic community and filing a successful lawsuit in federal court.

Featuring charming visuals and lively, often lyrical prose, this picture book introduces Mexican artist Frida Kahlo, interweaving biographical details while highlighting her special relationships with pets. Folk-art style illustrations vividly evoke the Mexican environment.

The story of Amalia Hernández, dancer and founder of El Ballet Folklórico de México. It is a celebration of Hernández’s life and of the rich history of dance in Mexico.

Lucía zips through the playground in her cape just like the boys, but when they tell her “girls can’t be superheroes,” suddenly she doesn’t feel so mighty. That’s when her beloved abuela reveals a dazzling secret: Lucía comes from a family of luchadoras, the bold and valiant women of the Mexican lucha libre tradition.

El príncipe knows this girl is the one for him, but, as usual, his mother doesn’t agree. The queen has a secret test in mind to see if this girl is really a princesa, but the prince might just have a sneaky plan, too. Readers will be enchanted by this Latino twist on the classic story, with bilingual text and vibrant art inspired by the culture of Peru.

Lyrical prose (in Spanish and English) and vivid mixed media illustrations describe one woman’s journey to a new country, the difficulties, and the power of libraries to transform: “We are stories. We are two languages. We are lucha…We are hope.” In a concluding piece, the author/illustrator describes her story and provides a list of the influential books she read during this period of her life. The gorgeous book is also available in a Spanish edition, Soñadores (opens in a new window).

Told from the perspective of a boy who witnesses the sky growing ominously purple and rushes to evacuate with his family, Hurricane! is set in Puerto Rico and based on a childhood experience of the author’s. The family huddles together in a shelter while the winds howl. They and their neighbors take solace from gently singing “Silent Night” while waiting out the storm.

Kissimmee Pete, the cracker cow hunter, is back for another wild adventure. After rounding up a herd of cattle to send to Cuba, Pete and his trusty dog Mud load the herd onto a steamship and watch the ship leave the dock. But only seconds later, there’s trouble in store for Pete. A hurricane has blown in, and it’s up to the larger than-life cow hunter to save his cattle and stop the storm before it’s too late.

When a storm is raging, David and George are glad to be inside the house, snug and safe. In this spectacular picture book by Caldecott Honor recipient David Wisener, a fallen tree becomes the threshold to the limitless voyage of the imagination, which David and George share as only true friends — and brothers — can.

Carolyn is a regular girl who likes regular things. The only difference is that she uses a wheelchair. Yes, Carolyn can do whatever other kids can but sometimes not in the same way. The upbeat cartoon-like illustrations depict typical classroom activities and discussion starters for adults to use with children.