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What is fry bread? It’s food, shape, sound, art, history, and more — so much more. It is an American Indian tradition shared by a member of the Mekusukey Seminoles. A varied group of children and elders are depicted contributing to the recipe as the text describes its complex role in American history. Additional information is appended to create a book that can be used in both simple and complex ways.

The story begins before a family with two parents, one child in a stroller, and a lively older boy reach the steps of the museum. The boy acquires a flying toy that leads first to misunderstanding but ultimately friendship. Few words are needed as the detailed, expressive line and wash illustrations convey action and emotion to bring the tale full circle to its satisfying conclusion.

Hally, the Tosis family dog, suffers from a very big problem: she has terrible breath. This, of course, is a major issue for the family and the Tosis’ entire community, until Hally saves the day! She thwarts serial burglars with her daunting exhalation. The silly and (sort of) gross humor first published in 1994 is available again.

Astrid tells her father that she wants to be an astronaut, and is not deterred when her father asks her if she can eat food from a package and go round and round the earth in a spaceship. When her mother gets home, Astrid, embraced by both parents, proclaims,“I want to be an astronaut just like you [her mother].” Uncluttered illustrations simply but effectively depict Astrid’s loving family.

Several generations of a family prepare for a meal together. Told in the cadence of a familiar rhyme, each member — from the youngest to the oldest — contributes to the celebratory occasion. Bright, childlike illustrations capture the fun and food for a festive meal shared “around the table that Grandad built.”

From a lap to sit on to “this earth we ride on…” people and animals are grateful for the everyday things they see and experience. Idealized illustrations complement the text to focus on simple, commonplace pleasures.

In this humorous and heartfelt story about a split cultural identity, nothing goes according to plan for sixth-grader Lucy Wu. She’s ready to rule the school, go out for captain of the basketball team, and take over the bedroom she has always shared with her sister … until she finds out that Yi Po, her beloved grandmother’s sister, is coming to visit and will be staying in Lucy’s room. Lucy discovers that life often reveals silver linings in the most unexpected of clouds.

Twelve-year-old Peter Lee and his family are baseball lovers, who bond over back lot games and talk of the Pittsburgh Pirates. But when tragedy strikes, the family flies apart and baseball no longer seems to matter. Is that true? Peter wonders if just maybe the game they love can pull them together and bring them back, safe at home.

Catrina and her family are moving to the coast of Northern California because her little sister, Maya, is sick. Cat isn’t happy about leaving her friends for Bahía de la Luna, but Maya has cystic fibrosis and will benefit from the cool, salty air that blows in from the sea. As the girls explore their new home, a neighbor lets them in on a secret: There are ghosts in Bahía de la Luna. Maya is determined to meet one, but Cat wants nothing to do with them. As the time of year when ghosts reunite with their loved ones approaches, Cat must figure out how to put aside her fears for her sister’s sake – and her own.

Flora draws imaginative adventures in her tree house; her older brother Will acts them out. When Will sees Flora’s depictions of his quests they find shared play is even more fun. Childlike illustrations complement and extend the siblings outdoor and highly inventive undertakings, bringing the tree house and imagination to life.

Captain Alfred is sailing home with new ducks for his farm when his little boat is caught in an unexpected and mighty storm. Everything aboard the ship is flung to the far reaches of the sea, including the very special and beautiful duck egg he had nestled safely inside his fiddle case. But perhaps all is not lost: the little duckling stumbles out of his shell and discovers Captain Alfred’s fiddle, floating not too far away in the waves. And when the duckling embraces the instrument with all his heart, what happens next is pure magic.

Dani is spending her winter break with her grandparents in Stockholm, away from her best friend Ella. No one can travel with Dani to celebrate Ella’s birthday, so Dani decides to go alone. Not only does she miss Ella’s birthday, she gets sick to boot! Poor Dani but all’s well that ends well as her almost stepmother reminds, her that “where Dani goes, happy follows.” Charmingly told and gently illustrated, this is sure to please young readers.

Amelia wants to spend just one summer week in Florida. But her always-working father won’t agree. How Amelia finds consolation and friendship in the art studio to which she escapes her too quiet house is wholly plausible and quite touching. Characters develop fully as does the plot in spare, evocative, and effective language.

Aisulu’s brother, Serik, wants to become an eagle hunter but ill health prevents it. When Serik is diagnosed with cancer, Aisulu finds the orphaned eaglet and becomes a rare female eagle hunter and competes to win money to pay for Serik’s treatment. Sophisticated readers are likely to enjoy the fast-paced action set in contemporary Western Mongolia.

Iris is the only Deaf student in her class. Though sometimes frustrated, she reads lips though prefers to use American Sign Language (ASL). She’s also most comfortable when working with old radios and their components. When she learns about a unique whale, Blue 55, that is not part of a pod she becomes convinced that it, too, is deaf and thus separate from others. And unlikely but riveting adventure with her grandmother leads to healing and a satisfying conclusion.

Young Carter Jones first meets Mr. Bowles-Fitzpatrick, an English butler, on a particularly hectic and rainy morning. Mr. Bowles-Fitzpatrick comes to the Jones family from Carter’s recently deceased grandfather to bring order, cricket and help to the family while the father is deployed. By turn humorous and touching, Carter grows emotionally as do his fellow cricket players and the entire family in this fast, fresh, and nuanced novel.

Fifth-grader, Liam, is the oldest of the three with two younger sisters. Confident Dakota is a third grader just waiting until she can cure cancer; friendly second grader, Izzy, is a hugger and notices things that other kids miss. Their parents are divorced and money is tight. Can the kids figure out what is causing their beloved dog to urinate on the apartment’s carpet – before the landlord evicts them? Difficult themes are handled with a light touch by the author of Newbery-honor winning, Al Capone Does My Shirts.

Juana has an almost perfect life: beautiful home in Bogota, great mami and loving abuelas, decent school, and the best dog ever: Lucas. But when Mami begins spending more time with Luis, well, that becomes Juana’s big problemas! First introduced in Juana and Lucas (opens in a new window), Juana’s again narrates in an honest and child-like voice. The cartoon style illustrations enhance characterization, adding verve and humor to Juana’s concerns about change and her continued place in her family, near universal concerns of childhood.

McTavish knew he’d chosen the right family to rescue when he met the Peachey family although the family thought that they had saved a shelter dog. With a little help from young Betty, McTavish straightens out the family after Mum quit being mum. Wry, understated humor in crisp prose from both human and canine perspectives is complemented by clever drawings.

Leila discovers a bit more about herself and her family during their weekly dinner with Leila’s grandmother. She discovers that the color saffron really does look good on her and that she is part of a loving family. Bold, bright illustrations capture the colors of the Middle Eastern family, glimpsing their diverse community.

The day Winston, Sophie and their mom saw the sign looking for a home for chickens, the family determined to raise the fowl in their backyard. They learned, however, that chickens do not lay eggs on demand that and different breeds lay different kinds of eggs. The humorous story of chickens is based in the author’s Brooklyn research and sure to inform as well as entertain.

Focus on one family and one letter: B is not only for baby, but brother, banana and more. A charming baby and mother travel through the pages of this colorful book with lots to explore in each image while listening to alliterative language. Set in Africa, perhaps the author’s native Nigeria, this is sure to delight young readers from around the world.

More for the adults in a baby’s life, this engaging book reminds readers what babies can do now and what they can look forward to enjoying, particularly sharing lots of love. All goings -on are demonstrated by children of various hues in gently crafted illustration on open pages.

Join a vivacious gathering of young children as they show off their wiggle-waggle, flip-flop, knockabout, hokey-pokey selves while engaging in familiar activities. From swimming to dancing and more, this gently humorous illustrated tale reads aloud well while encouraging participation.