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A small dwarf rabbit named Mishka helps an Afghan family who have been relocated to the Netherlands find home and a sense of permanence. Based on Elman’s experience, this touching family story is enhanced by delicate, textured illustrations.

Magnolia thought that her summer would be boring until she meets Iris Lam, new to the city. Together, Iris and Magnolia venture to reunite lost socks with their owners. Along the way, they meet fascinating, quirky people in this charming, humorous novel illustrated with black-and-white line drawings.

Isabel Beane is a quiet girl who lives with five siblings in a home with hubbub, hullabaloo, and “too muchness.” At school, Isabel feels anxious in class when a new girl behaves unkindly. Find out how Isabel learns to speak up for herself in this accessibly told novel. Resources about autism and anxiety are included.

Sissy’s younger brother nicknamed Chooch (Cherokee for boy or son) is more trouble than help until he helps Sissy feel better after she has a meltdown. Illustrations capture a specific culture in this universal family story. Backmatter provides additional information about the art and language.

Reluctantly, a child dons itchy winter clothes to accompany her mother to see ice sculptures being created. While there, she loses her beloved toy horse. Magic occurs when they return that evening to see the ice figures at night and the narrator’s horse is found. 

Goat and Bunny form a friendship when they discover they both enjoy the same coffee. As the friends do many things together but differently, they know that “it is okay.” Whimsical, detailed illustrations complement the well-told tale.

Hank is not only a silly goose, but he’s also rude and downright obnoxious, making his friends miserable. Until they don’t want to deal with him anymore. Lonely Hank becomes a more considerate goose who changes his ways (or does he?) in this slyly funny tale.

Eddy is lonely as he swims — until one day not one, but two friends appear just outside of the fishbowl. The friends’ identity is revealed when Eddy excitedly jumps out the bowl. Tension is high until a true friendship becomes evident. 

A lonely child saves his beloved woods in this magical, highly imaginative tale. Follow the unfolding tale told entirely through gorgeous illustrations.

Evocative illustrations and lyrical language follow a young Cherokee child as she cheerfully moves from an urban area to a home where there’s “room to run.” 

Bear loses his round red glasses and thinks he may have left them at his friend Giraffe’s house. On the walk over, Bear sees an elephant, a crocodile, a flamingo, a deer, and even a spotted snake that turns out to be Giraffe. Bear’s glasses are perched on his head, as Giraffe and readers realize. Understated humor is presented in bold shapes and language.

Even as a chip, the robot knew he was different which was a problem until he stumbled upon an art museum where he found his passion. Wry humor and a bit of wisdom are conveyed in illustration and understated text.

After a busy day, animal families snuggle up just like children and their parents in this cozy illustrated and gently rhyming board book.

Leo and Dad go out to meet Nana G for lunch at a restaurant. Leo’s toy seahorse joins them, giving young children something extra to see on each page.

A bear and cub share special moments throughout the day, beginning as the sun rises and continuing until a nighttime snuggle. 

Five children dressed as dinosaurs stomp, thump, and march their way across the pages, leaving one at a time until there are none. 

A young Aztec girl tells her little brother how their parents create beautiful painted manuscripts, or codices. She explains to him how paper is made from local plants and how the long paper is folded into a book. Her parents and others paint the codices to tell the story of their people’s way of life, documenting their history, science, tributes, and sacred rituals. Duncan Tonatiuh’s lyrical prose and beloved illustration style, inspired by the pre-Columbian codices, tell the story of how — contrary to the historical narrative that European colonizers bestowed “civilization” and knowledge to the Americas — the Aztec and their neighbors in the Valley of Mexico painted books and records long before Columbus arrived, and continued doing so among their Nahua-speaking descendants for generations after the Spanish Conquest.

Long ago, the gods of Mesoamerica set out to create humans. They tried many times during each sun, or age. When all their attempts failed and the gods grew tired, only one did not give up: Quetzalcóatl — the Feathered Serpent. To continue, he first had to retrieve the sacred bones of creation guarded by Mictlantecuhtli, lord of the underworld. Gathering his staff, shield, cloak, and shell ornament for good luck, Feathered Serpent embarked on the dangerous quest to create humankind

Today two majestic volcanoes — Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl — stand overlooking Mexico City. They have been admired and revered for countless generations and have formed the basis of many origin and creation myths. Izta was the most beautiful princess in the land, and suitors traveled from far and wide to woo her. Even though she was the daughter of the emperor, Izta had no desire to marry a man of wealth and power. Instead, she fell in love with Popoca, a brave warrior who fought in her father’s army — and a man who did not offer her riches but a promise to stay by her side forever. The integration of Nahuatl words (defined with a pronunciation guide in the glossary) into the narrative provides a rich opportunity to introduce and explore another facet of ancient Aztec culture. Take your child on an adventure back in time to a land of color and beauty.

Teen sports reporter Susan Carol is competing as a swimmer at her first-ever Olympic games. It’s the opportunity of a lifetime, and her best friend Stevie is both amazed and envious. Usually they cover sporting events together, now he’s covering her. But Stevie can’t shake the feeling that something’s not right. Everyone wants a piece of Susan Carol’s success — agents, sponsors, the media. Just how far will they go to ensure that America’s newest Olympic darling wins gold?
 

Boomer the Pig has been training hard for the Animal Olympics, so when he loses his first race, he shrugs it off and cheerfully moves on. One event after another, Boomer keeps losing, and the frustration begins to get to him. But even after coming in last in every sport, there’s no getting this Olympig down. This encouraging and funny story is for every kid who’s ever been told “you can’t win ‘em all.”

The annual Fun Run is coming up at Brookside Elementary! The students will all run laps around the carpool lane, and Miles Lewis wants to be one of the top five runners. Even though he zooms through sprints, he runs out of gas for long distance, so he creates a nutrition and exercise regimen to boost his endurance. But on the big day, he witnesses one kid struggling to keep going. Should Miles keep pressing for his personal best, or should he lend support to help a friend? In the end, Miles must decide what winning really means to him.

Unbeknownst to his family, Theo wants to become a police officer unlike the rest of his family who are, well, thieves. Each family member is described and depicted throughout in exaggerated illustrations equal to the over-the-top humor in this readable, slightly irreverent novel.

Can a road trip to odd places, with a bit of adventure and a touch of friendship help Pia heal from the loss of her brother and her family problems? This poignant story told in graphic format is visually delightful, both sad and humorous.