Titles are linked to full book reviews & resources on my blog.
Tucky Jo and Little Heart by Patricia Polacco, Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman (2015), ages 7-10. Themes/Topics: compassion, courage, empathy, friendship, loyalty, Philippines, WWII
Ada’s Violin: The Story of the Recycled Orchestra of Paraguay written by: Susan Hood, illustrated by Sally Wern Comport, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers (2016), ages: 4-8, Themes/Topics: Resilience, Poverty, Compassion, Courage, Community, Creativity, Paraguay, Music
Let Them Play, written by: Margot Theis Raven, illustrated by: Chris Ellison, Sleeping Bear Press (2005), ages: 7 and up. Themes/Topics: Little League Baseball, US history, segregation, racism, Jim Crow south, Civil Rights, perseverance, resistance, resilience
Always Remember written by: Cece Meng, illustrated by: Jago, Philomel Books (2016), ages: Preschool and up. Themes/Topics: Life, death, grief, remembrance, legacy
Catherine’s Pascha written by: Charlotte Riggle, illustrated by: R. J. Hughes, Phoenix Flair Press (2015), ages: 6 and up. Themes/Topics: Pascha (Easter), Orthodox Christian Easter, Eastern Orthodox Church, religious celebrations, religious diversity, cultures from around the world
Ask Me by Bernard Waber, illustrated by Suzy Lee, HMH Books for Young Readers; 1 edition (July 14, 2015), ages: 4-7, Themes/Topics: parent-child relationship, father-daughter bonding, curiosity, patience, wonder
I AM A BEAR by Jean-François Dumont, Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, English Edition 2015 Originally published in France under the title Je Suis un Ours by Kaléidoscore, 2010 Ages 4-8
Themes/Topics: homelessness, poverty, compassion, kindness, friendship, hope
The Amazing Age of John Roy Lynch by Chris Barton, Illustrated by Don Tate, Eerdman, April 1, 2015. Themes/Topics: US History, Reconstruction, Civil Rights, Mississippi politics, racism, slavery, perseverance, hope, courage, inspiration
Elephants Make Fine Friends written/illustrated by Colter Jackson, Grosset & Dunlap, August 2015
Themes/Topics: friendship, recognizing differences, empathy, acceptance, elephants
Marvelous Cornelius: Hurricane Katrina and the Spirit of New Orleans by Phil Bildner, illustrated by John Parra, Chronicle Books (August 4, 2015), Suitable for ages 5-8
A Storm Called Katrina by Myron Uhlberg, Peachtree Publishers (August 1, 2011)
A Penguin Named Patience by Susanne Lewis, Sleeping Bear Press, February 1, 2015
Daredevil Duck by Charlie Alder, Running Press Kids (May 12, 2015)
Swing Sisters: The International Sweethearts of Rhythm by Karen Deans, illustrated by Joe Cepeda, Holiday House, January 2015, picture book
A Thirst for Home: A Story of Water across the World by Christine Ieronimo, illustrated by Eric Velasquez, Walker Childrens, May 2014, picture book
Big Red Lollipop by Rukhsana Khan, illustrated by Sophie Blackall, Viking Books for Young Readers (March 2010), picture book
Betty Bunny Loves Easter by Michael B. Kaplan, Dial Books February 2015, Picture Book, Easter holiday
One Fine Dessert: Four Centuries, Four Families by Emily Jenkins, Schwartz & Wade, January 2015, Picture Book, historical fiction
New Shoes by Susan Lynn Meyer Holiday House, January 2015, Picture Book, Fiction
Carnivores by Aaron Reynolds, Chronicle Books, August 2013, Picture Book, Fiction
The Girl and the Bicycle by Mark Pett, Simon & Schuster, April 2014, Picture book, Fiction
The Misadventures of Sweetie Pie by Chris Van Allsburg, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2014, Picture book, Fiction
Nobody by Liz Rosenberg, Roaring Brook Press, May 2010, Picture book, Fiction
Golden Domes and Silver Lanterns: A Muslim Book of Colors by Hena Khan, Chronicle Books, June 2012, Picture book, Fiction
Ghosts for Breakfast Stanley Todd Teraski Lee & Low Books, 2002, Picture Book, Fiction
Shy Mama’s Halloween, by Anne Broyles, Tillbury House Publishers, August 1, 2000, Picture book, Fiction
It’s a Book! by Lane Smith, Roaring Book Press, August 17, 2010, Picture book, Fiction
Apple Pie 4th of July by Janet S. Wong, HMH Books for Young Readers; 2006, Picture book, Fiction
Arturo and the Navidad Birds by Anne Broyles, Pelican Publishing, 2013, Picture book, Fiction
Suki’s Kimono by Chieri Uegaki, Illustrated by Stéphanie Jorisch, Kids Can Press, 2003, Fiction, ages 3-Themes/Topics: celebrating individuality, determination, cultural awareness, tolerance, acceptance
Elijah’s Door: A Passover Tale by Linda Leopold Strauss Holiday House, February 2012, Picture book, Fiction
Henry’s Freedom Box: A True Story of the Underground Railroad, Ellen Levine, Scholastic Press, January 2007, Picture book, Historical Fiction
Later Tartan Gator by Lorraine Johnston, published by Mascot Books, April 2013, Picture book, Fiction
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