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Mike’s Korean grandmother is still adjusting to her move to the U.S. While Mike helps her learn English, she helps the family, which owns a food cart, beat stiff competition. The family once did a good business serving pizza, bagels, and hot dogs on a busy corner, but now two other carts serving similar fare have moved in. Mike’s idea — to serve delicious Korean specialties that only Grandma knows how to make — saves the business and also helps Grandma feel at home. — Booklist

Henkes’ first easy reader introduces Penny and her mouse family in two appealing chapters. Penny must wait to share her original song until after dinner. When she does, not only do her parents join in, the babies respond in a surprising way. Henkes’ signature illustrations expressively complement the well-paced narrative.

Moms and dads often do the same things in different ways but one thing they share in common, they both love their children “the exact same way.” Lighthearted illustrations and a predictable narrative depict the lively, affectionate relationship between a young child and her parents.

One day the little Bunny, called honey by his mother, is separated from her while playing in the woods. They reunion comes when he hears her call for ‘Bunny, my honey!’ All’s well that ends well in this comforting, attractive book by the illustrator of Guess How Much I Love You.

In this rhyming celebration of doubles, twin animals live on farms, in jungles; they race and play and make noise — sometimes to the comical chagrin of others around them seen in expressive, droll illustrations. Readers may recognize the rhythmic pattern of “Over in the Meadow” with a fresh twist.

All mama bears must sometimes be separated from their cubs if only for a while, Little Bear’s mother tells him. But her love is constant and whenever a kiss is needed, Mama and her cub can take one out of a special box. Soft, expressive illustrations convey their sharing and love. A storyteller’s note may inspire others to make their won Kiss Boxes.

Belle goes with her talented grandmother on a singing tour during a time of racial segregation in the south in the 1950s. Grandmama decides to continue performing up north “where things were a little easier for black people.” Realistic watercolors help define the setting.

This humorous and heartwarming novel takes place during the summer of 1962, when narrator Jack Gantos turns 12 and has been “grounded for life” by his parents. He takes on a summer job writing obituaries filled with stories about the people who founded his Utopian town, Norvelt. Gantos expertly mixes truth and fiction in this book. For mature readers 9-12 and teens. (2012 Newbery Medal Winner)

The Great Depression changed everything for 11-year-old Oscar and his widowed dad. Oscar’s prized model trains are sold, his dad leaves Illinois to find work in California, and Oscar begins an adventure through time and places after he jumps onto a model train.

The narrator recalls his first Christmas in Japan and why his mother decorated a tree with a thousand paper cranes as she relives her holidays in California. Based on a family story, Say’s illustrations evoke a holiday in two cultures.

A baby shares everyday activities and lots of love with parents and extended family in this reassuring, rhyming story just right for bedtime.

Children and their parents are always connected by love — even when they are apart — shown in this gentle book by sparkly “love waves” sent from parent to child to parent.

As they share everyday activities, Grandma calls the narrator lots of loving names using rhythmic, rhyming language – just like familiar animals and their young.

Ever-popular tellings of familiar folktales have become modern classics and are again available, just right to share with younger children.

Young Chirchir is anxious to help her family at the various jobs but learns to share her special talent. Folk art and lyrical language enhance this tale set in rural Kenya.

Aspen Colorado Kim Chee Lee finds a cure for her writer’s block in a unique pottery class. Child-like illustrations and text are presented in calendar-like orientation.

The narrator describes her family’s immigration from Cuba to New York City based on her own family’s story and illustrated by her husband for a striking memoir.

Melonhead and his friend Sam go undercover thinking that they have identified a notorious fugitive sought by the FBI in this contemporary and funny adventure.

How can Jessica be a good big sister when Emma is so often not a well-behaved younger one? Sisters of all ages and sizes will see themselves in both poems and illustrations.

Clementine is afraid that she’s in trouble but instead finds out that a new baby is on the way when the family meeting is called.

“Let’s go for a walk,” Fran tells her granddaughter, Marissa, “I have a story to tell you.” Here, at a family reunion, Marissa visits the Tlingit community of Kake for the first time, meets her many relatives, and learns some of the stories and traditions of the Eagle and Raven clans. — Oyate (We Are Still Here: Native Americans Today)

In this powerful family saga, author Tim Tingle tells the story of his family’s move from Oklahoma Choctaw country to Pasadena, TX. Spanning 50 years, the book describes the problems encountered by his Choctaw grandmother — from her orphan days at an Indian boarding school to hardships encountered in her new home on the Gulf Coast.

Sitting on his mother’s lap, a young Inuit boy cheerfully gathers his belongings until he, some toys, his puppy, and a blanket are all crowded together in the rocking chair. When his baby sister cries, the boy claims there is no room for her, but Mother proves him wrong, and the threesome settle comfortably in the chair. Soft illustrations depict a cozy scene and a loving family. (The Horn Book)

Product description: Why was I adopted? What was it like where I was born? How did you find me? Children have many questions about adoption. With a perceptive text and dynamic photographs of adopted children and their families, the creators of this book demystify adoption for young children and celebrate the joy that comes with adding to a family.