The golden puppy joins his girl while she works in the community garden. The young dog winds up being a helpful companion to others also working there in this short, easy to read addition to the series.
Biscuit and Friends Visit the Community Garden
“Misery loves company,” Mama says to James Otis. It’s been a rough couple of months for them, but Mama says as long as they have their health and strength, they’re blessed. One Sunday before Valentine’s Day, Reverend Dennis makes an announcement during the service — the Temples have lost everything in a fire, and the church is collecting anything that might be useful to them. James thinks hard about what he can add to the Temple’s “”love box,”” but what does he have worth giving? A touching, powerful tale of compassion and reminds us all that what is given from the heart, reaches the heart.
What Is Given from the Heart
Inspired by the author’s family on the North Carolina coast during Jim Crow, this touching portrait introduces twins James Henry and Hattie and the mysterious trauma that made James Henry unable to leave the security of his home. The story unfolds slowly in accessible free verse to its satisfying resolution.
Once in a Blue Moon
Two books from a Little Free Library hold the secret of a town’s long hidden mystery. Told from different points of view — a boy named Evan, Al (a ghost librarian), and a handsome orange cat called Mortimer — reveal the secret behind the town’s puzzling history in this twisty, satisfying tale.
The Lost Library
An indigenous boy must travel up a mountain to collect obsidian for flint knapping, a trek from which his brothers did not return. There he meets a golden eagle, actually a god named Savik. This is a beautifully told and handsomely illustrated story of the origin of the Iñupiaq messenger feast celebrated by native Alaskans.
Eagle Drums
A girl’s time with her grandfather, Papa, is always special. One day while playing music together in the park, they meet one of Papa’s old friends. Mr. Blue lives outside which concerns the girl. Ultimately, they invite Mr. Blue home for a meal and a memorable musical jam session. Textured illustrations are detailed, creating a gentle tone that accompanies the moving story.
Hello, Mister Blue
Take a brief tour of Chinatown and its sites including a New Year’s dragon, presented in realistic illustrations accompanied by single words in both English and Chinese (both transliterated with pronunciation).
Welcome to Chinatown
This wordless picture book with Baker’s characteristically beautifully detailed collage illustrations conveys a subtle message about how we can bring positive change to our communities. Every double-page spread is a view through the same window, a view that changes over a generation. Children can share what they think is happening to the neighborhood based on the illustrations.
Home
“I can hear change humming/ In its loudest, proudest song./ I don’t fear change coming,/ And so I sing along.” As a young girl leads a cast of characters on a musical journey, they learn that they have the power to make changes — big or small — in the world, in their communities, and in most importantly, in themselves. Lyrical text and rhythmic illustrations is a call to action for everyone to use their abilities to make a difference.
Change Sings: A Children’s Anthem
In this picture book about voting and elections, the students of Stanton Elementary School learn how we can find — and use — our voices for change. Every two years, on the first Tuesday of November, the school closes for the day so that it can transform itself into a polling station. People can come from all over to vote for the people who will make laws for the country. The students might be too young to vote themselves, but that doesn’t mean they can’t encourage their parents, friends, and family to vote! After all, voting is how this country sees change — and by voting today, we can inspire tomorrow’s voters to change the future.
Vote for Our Future
Based on the true story of a boy in Brooklyn who became neighbors and friends with his hero, Jackie Robinson. In 1948, when eight-year-old Steve learns that his African American baseball hero Jackie Robinson — who broke the color barrier in the sport the previous year — will be the new next-door neighbor in his all-Jewish Brooklyn neighborhood, he gains knowledge about respect, friendship, and unity.
The Hero Two Doors Down
When you meet someone for the first time, they might ask, “Who are your people?” and “Where are you from?” This book depicts children from the African Diaspora, and invites young readers to reflect on who they are and where their ancestors came from. The book opens on a scene of a father sharing with his children the importance of their heritage, their lineage, and how far they have come in overcoming obstacles from the time of their ancestors to the present.
Who Are Your People?
Carnegie Hall opened in 1891 to become the site in New York where everyone from Duke Ellington to Bob Dylan performed. Stern was not only a violin virtuoso, but he was also an effective community organizer who worked tirelessly to save the grand hall in the face of great opposition. His tenacity and music swirl throughout the lively illustrations and carefully crafted language. Additional information is appended.
The Greatest Song of All: How Isaac Stern United the World to Save Carnegie Hall
How a small black-and-white kitten brings a community together is told through gentle illustration and a gently rhyming, cumulative text. Richly-hued illustrations depict a diverse neighborhood whose residents come together to help a small kitten. The satisfying book is sure to make a heartwarming read aloud.
This Story Is Not About a Kitten
A loving celebration of school and all it may signify: work and play, creativity and trust, and a supportive community that extends beyond walls. A school isn’t just a building — it is all the people who work and learn together. It is a place for discovery and asking questions. A place for sharing, for helping, and for community.
This Is a School
“A rooftop garden is what we need — Friends and family all agree.” So, the diverse residents of the apartment gather tools, seeds and begin! Lively, rhyming language combines with bright illustrations to present the activity. Information needed to grow a rooftop garden and music to sing the narrative conclude the book. Be sure to link to the QR code to hear a toe-tapping rendition of the song.
Rooftop Garden
A young immigrant from South Korea finds community and friendship in an apartment house filled with other newly arrived kids. When Jae looks out the window of his new home, he wishes he could still see his old village, his old house, and his old friends. Jae just arrived from South Korea and doesn’t even speak the new language. Yet, he soon meets a girl with a colorful bird perched on her shoulder. Rosa knows just how Jae feels and the two become fast friends. Not only does Rosa show Jae his new neighborhood but she shows him how his imagination can bring back memories of his old home.
Rosa’s Song
Residents of the city of Petroville are suffering through the hottest and driest summer on record. Desperate for a way to cool off, Luz and her friends head out to Spring Pond to go swimming. But when they arrive, they’re shocked to discover the pond has virtually disappeared! The first book in a series about the environment, the story encourage kids to find out how they can make a difference in their communities.
Luz Makes a Splash
Inspired by the Glide Memorial Church in San Francisco, this picture book celebrates a church whose doors are open to all. On Sunday morning, we gather together. We are every color. Every age. Rich and poor. Our church is open, affirming, and accepting. We believe in love instead of hate. There’s room for everyone! This book celebrates a spiritual community that embraces all people ― no matter their age, race, class, gender identity, or sexual orientation―in love and faith.
A Church for All
Filled with saturated colors and vivid illustrations, this picture book uses rhyming couplets to convey the fun and exuberant feelings assocated with a pride parade for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people and families … “Rainbow arches/Joyful marches/Motors roaring/Spirits soaring.” The diversity shown at the pride parade is realistic; both homosexual and heterosexual people, young and old, are depicted as well as individuals, couples, and families. A reading guide provides explanations for the images and text and a “Note to Parents and Caregivers” offers suggestions for talking to children about LGBT families.
This Day in June
A positive and realistic story about familiy, community, and dealing with a disability, that features an elderly, interracial gay male couple. Lou spends every Saturday with Grandad and Pops. They walk to the library hand in hand, like a chain of paper dolls. But everything changes one Saturday when Pops has a fall and learns that he will need to use a wheelchair, not just for now, but for always. Lou comes up with a loving plan to help Pops cope with his new life.
A Plan for Pops
The loving story of a boy’s life on the U.S.-Mexico border, visiting his favorite places on The Other Side / El Otro Lado with his father, spending time with family and friends, and sharing in the responsibility of community care. Also see the book in Spanish: Mis dos pueblos fronterizos (opens in a new window).
My Two Border Towns
In this uplifting, contemporary Native American story, River is recovering from illness and can’t dance at the powwow this year. Will she ever dance again? Follow River’s journey from feeling isolated after an illness to learning the healing power of community. Additional information explains the history and functions of powwows, which are commonplace across the United States and Canada and are open to both Native Americans and non-Native visitors.
Powwow Day
Staccato language is a call to action by children to do something about climate change. Black/white line illustrations are punctuated with green to provide emphasis and focus in this charming call to action. Actual young climate activists are presented at the end of the book.