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Picture BooksFebruary 2015
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"He was lost in the sound and the sound gave him the feeling of magic." ~ from Matt de la Peña’s Last Stop on Market Street
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New and Recently Released!
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Three Little Words by Clemency PearceIllustrations and easy-to-read, rhyming text reveal that whether one is feeling frightened, grumpy or shy, three special words can make things better.
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Pirate, Viking & Scientist by Jared ChapmanA comical tribute to the dilemma of having two best friends follows the efforts of a determined little boy, Scientist, who uses his brain and scientific principles to troubleshoot when his close friends, Pirate and Viking, fight to become Scientist's very best friend. As the Kirkus review states: "Waging peace through science!"
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| Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña; illustrated by Christian RobinsonEvery Sunday after church, CJ and his Nana hop on the city bus. This Sunday, however, CJ is full of complaints: Why do they have to wait in the rain? Why don't they have a car? Nana's wise responses -- as well as some creativity from the diverse bus passengers -- encourage CJ to be "a better witness to what's beautiful," while their ultimate destination highlights the importance of community ties. Those who enjoy the loving relationship, urban setting, and color-saturated illustrations in this "textual and artistic tour de force" (Kirkus Reviews) may also appreciate Lauren Castillo's Nana in the City or the classic picture books of Ezra Jack Keats. |
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| Supertruck by Stephen SavageThe bespectacled garbage truck might not seem brave when compared to the city's other trucks. He doesn't fight fires, or repair power lines, or tow broken school buses; he only collects the trash. Then a surprise snowstorm blankets the city, and the garbage truck removes his glasses, dons a plow, and transforms into SUPERTRUCK! Fans of superheroes and trucks alike will be charmed by this humble hero as he works to clear the streets. The punchy colors and clean edges of Supertruck's illustrations are just as crisp and upbeat as the minimal text, which is sure to entice very young children as well as beginning readers. |
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Little Owl's Day by Divya SrinivasanWondering about the daytime which he always sleeps through, Little Owl is awakened by a chattering squirrel into a sunlit world filled with teeming life and color that he explores. Before heading home to his mother, Little Owl and his friend Bear each get a chance to share something special that neither friend usually gets to see while awake.
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African American Illustrators
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| My Cold Plum Lemon Pie Bluesy Mood by Tameka Fryer Brown; illustrated by Shane EvansThis lively book matches moods with colors to portray a boisterous day in the life of a boy named Jamie. Listening to music puts Jamie in a chilled-out, "cold-plum eating" purple mood; teasing older brothers turn everything stormy gray; and a pick-up basketball game elicits a bouncy, "sweet orange" feeling. The rollicking free-verse poetry of the story blends seamlessly with the "free-wheeling" (Kirkus Reviews) collage illustrations, including a cozy family dinner scene which provides a satisfying close to Jamie's day. For another exploration of colors and emotions, check out My Many Colored Days by Dr. Seuss. |
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| Max and the Tag-Along Moon written and illustrated by Floyd CooperAs Max hugs his Granpa goodbye in the moonlight, Granpa makes him a promise: "That ol' moon will always shine for you…on and on." On the winding road home, Max watches with wonder as the moon seems to follow him -- until storm clouds roll in, blocking out the sky. Max's disappointment is short-lived, though, and readers will share in his joy as the clouds clear and the moon shines through, reminding Max of Granpa's love. Lush, luminous illustrations and lyrical text combine to make Max and the Tag-Along Moon as warm and comforting as the relationship it depicts. |
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Firebird by Misty Copeland; illustrated by Christopher MyersA debut picture book by an American Ballet Theatre soloist follows the experiences of an insecure young girl who the author encourages to believe in herself and achieve her dreams through hard work and dedication.
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All Different Now: Juneteenth, the First Day of Freedom
by Angela Johnson; illustrated by E.B. Lewis
Nowadays, it's known as Juneteenth -- a holiday to remember the end of slavery in the U.S. state of Texas. But to a young slave girl waking up on June 19, 1865, it seems like just another long, hot day of picking cotton. Yet as news of freedom begins to spread, the girl begins to realize that life will be "all different now." Told in a simple, lyrical style filled with sensory details and quietly joyful watercolors, All Different Now invites children into the before-and-after experience of slavery. Information at the end of the book offers a starting point for learning more about this important moment in history.
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| Seeds of Change: Planting a Path to Peace by Jen Cullerton Johnson; illustrated by Sonia Lynn SadlerFrom her early life in a small village to her success as an activist and scientist, this richly poetic biography shares the story of Kenyan environmentalist Wangari Maathai. Even kids who don't like school will appreciate the role of education in Maathai's life, while budding naturalists will be inspired by the Green Belt Movement she founded to improve both the natural and social environment in Kenya. Lush, bold illustrations in glowing natural hues provide the perfect imagery for such a dynamic life story. Want to learn more about this Nobel Peace Prize winner? Pick up Donna Jo Napoli's Mama Miti or (for older readers) Franck Prévot's Wangari Maathai. |
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| Beauty and the Beast: A Retelling by H. Chuku Lee; illustrated by Pat CummingsA West African setting adds fresh visual impact to this distinctively illustrated retelling of the classic fairy tale. Beauty herself narrates this version, adding intensity to the descriptions of her family, her captivity with the Beast, and the transformative power of love. Vibrant colors and intricate details in the hairstyles and fashions worn by Beauty and her sisters will please princess-obsessed children, while fairy tale fans will be captivated by the Beast's wondrous castle -- and, of course, the happy ending. For another princess tale set in Africa, try Rachel Isadora's The Princess and the Pea. |
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Henry's Freedom Box by Ellen Levine; illustrated by Kadir NelsonWhen his family is sold during the era of slavery, a determined young boy who dreams of freedom ships himself in a wooden box to a place up north in the hopes of living the life he always wanted, in an inspiring story about one of the Underground Railroad's most amazing escapes.
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Harlem Renaissance Party written and illustrated by Faith RinggoldVibrant, period-inspired artwork by the Caldecott Honor-winning creator of Tar Beach follows the story of young Lonnie, who travels back in time with his Uncle Bates to the Harlem Renaissance and meets an inspiring array of history-shaping people.
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Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters : an African Tale written and illustrated by John SteptoeMufaro's two beautiful daughters, one bad-tempered, one kind and sweet, journey to go before the king, who is choosing a wife, and meet with some surprising and curious characters along the way.
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Contact your librarian for more great books!
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