
The son of superhero parents, Max is frustrated when even his cape and encouragement from his parents aren’t enough to help him learn to fly. But everything changes on the day he saves ababy bird and discovers that he, too, is a hero. Gently lined and colored illustrations depict slightlyfrumpy, appealing, characters in this engaging andencouraging tale.
Max

Sheila Rae taunts Louise with her peppermint stick, not wanting to share it, and uses her experience to trick her sibling. Louise eventually gets some of the candy, and Sheila Rae gets her comeuppance in a very satisfying ending. Children of all ages will see themselves in these characters, first introduced in Sheila Rae, the Brave (Greenwillow, 1987).
Sheila Rae’s Peppermint Stick

Clara is born into slavery but learns an important skill when she becomes a seamstress. Her quilting ability allows Clara to put together directions to escape north to freedom when she overhears a conversation about a route to Canada.
Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt

A small, ill-tempered insect will not say “Good morning” or “Thank you” to anyone. But, as the day progresses, she becomes a nicer, happier, better-behaved bug. The use of die-cut pages in this vividly illustrated book enhances the sense of movement in a memorable fashion.
The Grouchy Ladybug

Now that Juan’s mother has left him with his grandmother, he shines shoes to earn a living. More than anything else, though, 7-year old Juan wants to learn to read and go to school. Guatemala comes alive through the daily lives of Juan and his grandmother and the detailed black/white illustrations.
The Most Beautiful Place in the World

Stella and her brothers speak Spanish at home but English at school. Being different is both scary and exciting. Stella learns this when she prepares for the school’s celebration of May Day. She finds a way to honor her Mexican background by wearing a special skirt that is both alike yet different from the other girls’. Stella, like many children, can take pride in being part of two cultures. (In English sprinkled with Spanish).
The Rainbow Tulip

This lighthearted approach to a young child’s changing feelings is told with a rhyming cadence and equally appealing, cartoon-like illustrations. The gentle levity of the style allows children andadults to put words to the feelings that they recognizein themselves.
Today I Feel Silly and Other Moods That Make My Day

On a snowy winter morning, Sam and his mom bake cakes to surprise their friends in the neighborhood. Sam delivers them all by himself — with a little encouragement from Mrs. Bear as she waits in their pick-up truck. Their morning adventure ends back home with a cake and a cup of hot cocoa for both Mrs. Bear and Sam. This reassuring story is told in gentle, engaging language supported by appealing illustrations that evoke the frosty weather.
You Can Do It, Sam

Being stuck in between a busy older sister and a cute baby sister makes Zack feel out of place. Then he discovers being in the middle isn’t so bad after all. Lighthearted illustrations extend the recognizable situations described in the breezy text.
Zack in the Middle

The robust pig first introduced in I Like Me (Viking, 1990) and her friends celebrate an alphabet soup of positive qualities and behaviors. They are awesome and brave, use imagination, and occasionally yawn as a bedtime reminder.
ABC I Like Me

In this picture book full of majestic paintings, a young boy reveals his favorite places around the family farm. When his baby sister is born, he shares with her the wonders of their surroundings.
All the Places to Love

In Arthur’s Nose, first grader Arthur decides that he doesn’t like his nose. He goes to the rhinologist to change it, but ultimately decides, to the relief of his friends and family, “I’m just not me without my nose!”
Arthur’s Nose

Would Pal ever eat Arthur’s homework? After Arthur tells his teacher that his dog ate his homework, he’s told to report to the principal’s office the next morning. But first Arthur must make it through a night of peculiar dreams! Children’s concerns and fears are captured in the pickle Arthur finds himself in.
Arthur in a Pickle

Before Arthur was a television series, he was the star of his own series of books. Children of all ages enjoy Arthur’s everyday adventures at school, home, and camp. Younger children will enjoy picture books about the young aardvark, while a series of early chapter books are just right for the newly independent reader.
Arthur Series

She was a perfect baby, and she had a perfect name. Chrysanthemum. When she was old enough to appreciate it, Chrysanthemum loved her name. And then she started school. “I’m named after my grandmother,” said Victoria. “But you’re named after a flower.” Chrysanthemum wilted. Then the students were introduced to their music teacher, Mrs. Twinkle. Mrs. Delphinium Twinkle. And suddenly, Chrysanthemum blossomed…
Chrysanthemum

When his grandfather arrives from Mexico, Francisco helps him find work as a gardener even though he is really a carpenter. When they mistakenly pull all the plants but leave the weeds, Abuelo, upset at Francisco’s lie, refuses to accept payment until the job is done correctly.
A Day’s Work

While everyone has a nose, toes, and hair, no one has them just alike — and so a girl with bouncy red ponytails celebrates her uniqueness, the “incredible me!” Engaging child-like drawings romp across the pages with rhythmic, rhyming text.
Incredible Me!

When their mother leaves, 11 year old Journey can’t believe she won’t return. But he and his older sister must deal with this loss, each in his or her own way. The rich story is told in Journey’s voice and sure to be appreciated by a wide range of readers.
Journey

Little Rat really doesn’t want to start the lessons her parents have arranged; she’s afraid of sailing! But with the help of an amiable instructor, Little Rat overcomes her fear and learns not only to sail, but to enjoy it as well.
Little Rat Sets Sail

Sally narrates the story of her brother’s crisis of confidence when his world turns fuzzy. She figures out he needs glasses and so together they visit the eye doctor and all things soon become clear! The lively illustrations are as varied as the typeface in this fun and fresh tale.
Paul Needs Specs

Ramona, now starting 4th grade, gets a teacher who is a stickler for proper spelling. Ramona is propelled into writing a letter when she finds an error in an advertisement — all with the verve and humor readers expect of Ramona.
Ramona’s World

This collection of spooky stories and poems by well known writers such as Ogden Nash, Jack Prelutsky, and Jane Yolen has been illustrated with wit and verve in Marc Brown’s signature style. The effect is to provide young readers with slight shivers along with chuckles.
Scared Silly! A Book for the Brave

Gilly is not a very likable girl, but then again, she doesn’t really like herself very much. She’s being placed in yet another foster home, with a fat and ugly foster mother. Gilly knows that her “real” mother is beautiful and that everything would be all right if she’d just come for her. Quirky characters, humor, and a poignant exploration of family are the hallmarks of this book that received many awards, including a Newbery Honor.
The Great Gilly Hopkins

Martin is convinced that he’s lost his ability to hit when his favorite baseball bat goes missing. Can he get both his bat and his confidence back in time to help the team win the championship?