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Frida Kahlo and Her Animalitos by Monica BrownThis biography focuses on Frida’s relationships with her many pets including turkeys, monkeys, and a fawn. Her physical and personality characteristics are often compared to her pets. “Frida had a pet fawn named Granzio. Like her fawn, Frida had watchful, beautiful eyes. When Frida closed her eyes, she remembered her life as a little girl”. The narrative focuses on her early life, and the self-portraits she painted of herself with her pets. The many challenges she faced from illness and accidents, and how that led to her art, are covered. The color illustrations in deep tones have a folk-art feel that incorporates some of Frida’s painting styles, and feature her pets throughout. The soft blue end pages show empty picture frames, some empty and some with drawings. The author’s note includes a color photograph of Frida with a monkey and cat, more information on her life, and a list of some her paintings with her pets in them. A unique view of Frida’s life as both an artist and a pet owner give this introductory biography broad appeal. Grades 1-4 Tamara, Gig Harbor
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Let the children march by Monica Clark-Robinson“I couldn’t play on the same playground as the white kids. I couldn’t go to their schools. I couldn’t drink from their water fountains. There were so many things I couldn’t do,” begins an anonymous young girl's story of joining Dr. King’s protest for Civil Rights in Birmingham. When adults could not march for fear of losing their jobs or businesses, their children marched in their place as part of the Children’s Crusade. The sight of children sprayed with fire hoses, attacked by police dogs, and arrested, grabbed everyone’s attention. “The world watched as hate bruised us, but for seven days we walked only in Love.” The end pages show children holding signs, with important dates and explanations on them. The double-page illustrations are bold and full of detail, with changing perspectives. One picture shows a group of kids huddled against a building as hoses and dogs are turned on them from above while the Confederate flag hangs on the wall of the jail. The narrative text is in regular font, but text from Dr. King’s speeches and the movement are printed in large, bold font. The back contains both author and illustrator notes, a list of quotes cited, a bibliography, and black and white photos of the Children’s Crusade. A strong introduction to youth involvement in the Civil Rights movement that does not shy away from some of the scary details. Grades 2-4 Tamara, Gig Harbor
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Breathe like a bear : 30 mindful moments for kids to feel calm and focused anytime, anywhere by Kira WilleyTrying to imagine keeping a class calm and focused in June? This is the book to help you do it. A lavishly illustrated collection of 30 mindfulness exercises for young readers explains how kids can calm, focus and energize their minds at home, in the car, or at their desks at school. I can attest the exercises work for adults too! Great for educators and caregivers. Grades K-Adult Genevieve, University Place
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Grades K-3 Alison, Early Learning
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Martin rising : requiem for a King by Andrea Davis PinkneyFocusing mostly on Martin’s work with striking sanitation works in Memphis in 1968, this collection of verses chronicles the events leading up to his assassination and its aftermath. The narrative is divided into three sections: Daylight, Darkness, and Dawn. The free verse poems incorporate the weather and natural elements to tie in with the struggle of the workers and people of color fighting for equality. “Go with your gut. If your insides tell you no, don’t go. If you’re uncertain, look to the sky. She will never lie to you....Martin looks to her for guidance”. The use of Henny Penny as a Greek Chorus to transition between the different sections can be distracting. Brian Pinkney’s water color illustrations exude warmth and emotion in each page, and enhance the poems. The back contains author and artist notes. A “Now is the time” section providing more information, along with black and white photos’ from the Civil Rights movement. There are 2 timelines, and a list of print and online resources. An in-depth look at Martin’s leadership for rights for people and workers, the poems are long and some abstract, so this will appeal more to advanced readers. A nice commemoration of the 50th anniversary of his assassination. Grades 4-up Tamara, Gig Harbor
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A different pond by Bao PhiThis quiet story follows the early morning fishing trip of a young immigrant boy and his family. The journey from their house to the fishing pond and back reveals facts about immigrant life. “ 'If you got another job, why do we still have to fish for food?' I ask. 'Everything in American costs a lot of money,' he explains." They return home with a bucket of fish for dinner. The color drawings vary from deep dark colors to more washed out ones as the sun comes up have a cartoon feel to them, with smaller details inset in panels on a larger picture. The drawings are full of subtle details -- the “Posted No Trespassing Keep Out” sign on the way to their fishing spot, the other people who sometimes fish there beside them, and a homeless man pulling a cart of his belongings behind them as they drive down the street. The beige end pages sketches show mixture of Asian and American items. Both the Author's and Illustrator's notes discusses their immigrant experience, have a brief paragraph on their lives, and include color snapshots of them as children. The struggles of an immigrant family are told without being didactic, and the warmth of the family shine through in this lovely book. Grades K-3 Tamara, Gig Harbor
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What do you do with a problem? by Kobi YamadaWhen a young boy discovers a persistent problem, he avoids it until it gets so large that he must gather up the courage to face it. Grades pre-K- 1 Alison, Early Learning
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Where's Rodney? by Carmen BoganRodney is a restless student, but when his class takes a trip to the park, he finally has a reason to sit still. Grades K-3 Alison, Early Learning
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On a magical do-nothing day by Béatrice AlemagnaSent outside on a rainy day by a mom who tries to pry him away from his video games, a little boy is dismayed when his handheld game falls into the pond before encounters with giant snails, wet mushrooms and other elements awaken him to the sensory aspects of nature. Grades K-3. Alison, Early Learning
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Ghost boys by Jewell Parker RhodesAfter seventh-grader Jerome is shot by a white police officer, he observes the aftermath of his death and meets the ghosts of other fallen black boys, including historical figure Emmett Till. Grades 4-8 Erin, Outreach
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The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street by Karina Yan GlaserInformed by their landlord that he will not be renewing their lease on the home where they have always lived, the five Vanderbeeker siblings decide to prove to their curmudgeonly landlord just how wonderful they are as tenants. A first novel. Grades 3-5 Alison, Early Learning
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Scarlett Hart : monster hunter by Marcus SedgwickFinding herself at odds with her parents' old nemesis Count Stankovic, Scarlett Hart sets out to disocver why more monsters are manifesting than ever before. Graphic Novel. Grades 4-7 Genevieve, University Place
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