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