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All the relatives arrive for an enormous Thanksgiving dinner. But this year nothing seems to go right. First the turkey slides down the icy hill and into the pond — plop! splash! Then the bakery sells out of pies. It looks like it’s going to be a pretty bleak holiday…until Grandmother reminds everyone that there’s more to Thanksgiving than a turkey and trimmings.

“If you run away,” said his mother, “I will run after you. For you are my little bunny.”A little bunny keeps running away from his mother in this imaginary game of hide-and-seek, yet the lovingly steadfast mother who finds her child every time.

Papa Squirrel says Buddy and Brenda should be grateful for friends and family at Thanksgiving. But these squirrel siblings just can’t get along.

It’s bedtime for an ewe and her lamb, a cow and her calf and for a mother and her child. Watercolor illustrations show mothers and their babies settling in for the night.

Toot goes to a family reunion in Scotland, promising Puddle that he’ll be back in Woodcock Pocket in time for Christmas. But a huge snowstorm strands him far away from home on Christmas Eve! As Puddle waits anxiously for his friend, another holiday traveler helps Toot find his way to Woodcock Pocket, just in time.

A day in the life of parent and child-full of smiles and giggles, messes and meals, boundless energy and well-earned rest. Not to mention lots of love. Here, in simple rhyming verse accompanied by colorful, playful illustrations by world-renowned artist Satomi Ichikawa, is one such day. Share it with others and treasure the memories.

Grace loves to act, but one day some kids tell her she can’t play the part of Peter Pan because of the way she looks. Grace’s grandmother helps this young girl realize that with effort anything can be achieved. An inspiring and heartwarming story.

When separated from his mother, a baby bird asks every animal and each thing he comes across, “Are you my mother?” until the joyful reunion. Colorful, cartoon-like illustrations depict the baby bird’s search in this modern classic.

Every year the narrator and his family take a trip down to Cottondale, Florida, to visit his grandmother, Bigmama. This autobiographical story recalls the joys of summer and the contrast between the author’s life in the city and Bigmama’s lush, rural home. While the illustrations suggest it was a period of segregation, this thought never overpowers the carefree summer celebration.

Four African American children interact with one another in a preschool environment, exploring their facial features, skin tones, what they wear, what they do, and how they learn from and enjoy each other. A happy book and nice addition to preschool and kindergarten classrooms.

After a fire destroys their home and possessions, Rosa, her mother, and her grandmother save their money to buy a big comfortable chair. Suffused with warmth and tenderness, A Chair for My Mother celebrates family love and determination. A Caldecott Honor book. Spanish version also available.

Three generations bake a pie, make a crown of flowers, pass on a handmade quilt, and share a lullaby. Each time “it was the same, but different,” highlighting the connections between generations. Vividly colored, child-like illustrations effectively complement the rhythmic text. See also the bilingual version, Tortillas and Lullabies/Tortillas y cancioncitas (opens in a new window).

Emily Elizabeth sets out with her small red puppy, Clifford, to make her mother the perfect Mother’s Day present. Clifford tries to help but only winds up making a gluey, sticky mess. The two friends learn that for little girls and puppies alike, Mother’s Day is not about presents – it’s about showing your mother how much you love her!

Daddies do so many things, but on a summer evening one of the most special things is to catch a firefly. A gentle rhythmic text combines with soft illustrations, with flaps to lift, in this tender, appealing book.

The Lee family, first introduced in Star Fisher (HarperCollins, 1997), is Chinese. Living in Clarksburg, West Virginia, in 1927, they stand out in the community. Joan Lee and her siblings want to fit in and celebrate a non-Chinese holiday, Christmas. The children’s parents agree, but only if the children behave according to the parents high standards. Understanding and friendship gradually emerge in this touching novel based on the experiences of the author’s mother.

Newbery Award winner Virginia Hamilton describes how Lindy and her family suffer through a long drought. Then a mysterious boy comes and teaches them the secrets of finding water hidden in the earth.

It is Grandpa’s sage advice that helps Gus overcome his fear and play the best game of basketball he can. Gus learns to play on the court just like when he practices in Grandpa’s driveway. The gentle tone of the story is reflected in the illustrations to tell a tale that rings true. (Look for other Gus and Grandpa stories by Claudia Mills.)

Harry knows that a terrible two-headed monster lives in his basement. So when his mother doesn’t return from a trip downstairs, Harry swallows his trepidations and goes down to rescue her. But when he confronts the monster face-to-face, it literally diminishes in size and eventually leaves Harry’s house forever. Humorous illustrations use black line and limited color to depict Harry overcoming a once fierce (but softly edged) monster.

When an American sailor meets a Japanese woman, they both try in secret to learn the other’s way of eating. Their courtship and growing love culminates in marriage. This realistic family story explores cultural similarities and differences and is told with humor and honesty by the couple’s daughter.

Her parents are receptive to Kate’s suggestion, “Let’s get a pup!” and head to the shelter. They bring home a puppy, but ultimately return to add Rosey, an older dog, to their family. Line and wash illustrations depict a very contemporary and loving family with wit and compassion.

In simple text and crisp, clear color photographs, grandparents of all sizes, shapes, ages, and abilities are shown. This attractive book introduces the idea that each of us is different but still have much in common.

A girl visits both sets of grandparents on weekends. On Saturdays, she speaks English with Grandpa and Grandma, while on Sundays, los domingos, she speaks Spanish with Abeulito and Abeulita. The format provides a glimpse at the subtle differences between cultures and highlights their similarities, one of which is each set of grandparents’ love for their granddaughter. Spanish words are interspersed in the fluid text.

Lyddie is a resourceful, self-sufficient girl who leaves Vermont to work in a Lowell, Massachusetts factory. Historical detail about life in 19th century New England combined with a portrait of this fiercely independent girl create an unforgettable novel.

T.J. narrates the story of how he and his brother, nicknamed the Moondance Kid, become friends with Mop. Even after the boys are adopted they remain friends, though they worry about Mop – will she be adopted, too? A surprise ending which involves their shared love of baseball allows the children’s friendship to continue in this enjoyable novel.