LibraryAware Learning to Be the Best Me

My heart fills with happiness
by Gray Smith, Monique

This dual-language picture book for preschoolers, written in English and Plains Cree, celebrates and invites children to reflect on the little things in life that bring them joy

Mad, mad bear!
by Gee, Kimberly

A lively, relatable tribute to toddler tantrums features a little bear who suffers a series of disappointments, from having to leave the park early to getting a boo-boo, before becoming so angry that he has to stomp and yell his way through his emotions to feel better. Simultaneous eBook.

Abuelita and me
by Carranza, Leonarda

"In this poignant, empowering picture book debut, a girl and her beloved abuelita lean on each other as they contend with racism while running errands in the city. Spending time at home with Abuelita means pancakes, puddle-jumping, and nail-painting. Butventuring out into the city is not always as fun. On the bus and at the grocery store, people are impatient and suspicious--sometimes they even yell. Sad, angry, and scared, the story's young narrator decides not to leave home again...until a moment of empowerment helps her see the strength she and Abuelita share when they face the world together. Warm, expressive illustrations by Rafael Mayani highlight the tenderness in Abuelita and the narrator's relationship."

ABC of feelings
by Lui, Bonnie

Spanning an array of emotions, this clever picture book explains that it's perfectly okay—even normal—to feel many different things. Simultaneous eBook. Illustrations.

Out of a jar
by Marcero, Deborah

Llewellyn, who puts each of his feelings into jars and hides them away, learns that life is more colorful when he sets his emotions free, in this highly anticipated follow-up to the best-selling In a Jar. Simultaneous eBook. Illustrations.

The most magnificent thing
by Spires, Ashley

A little girl and her canine assistant set out to make the most magnificent thing, however despite their hard work, the end result is not what the girl had envisioned, but a long walk soon clears her mind and yields a fresh perspective about what needs to be done to succeed.

When you have to wait
by Conklin, Melanie

"A mindful, gentle picture book about patience and learning to find beauty in the act of waiting"

We don't eat our classmates
by Higgins, Ryan T

The award-winning creator of Mother Bruce presents the story of a dinosaur preschooler who has difficulty making friends with tasty humans, before discovering that she may not be at the top of the food chain after all. 50,000 first printing.

The bad seed
by John, Jory

A grumpy bad seed tells lies, cuts in line and commits other naughty acts before declaring his intention to renounce his mischievous nature, an effort that is met by skepticism by his fellow seeds. 100,000 first printing.

Snake's big mistake
by Kurpiel, Sarah

Snake loves art class--until his clay pot breaks and he makes a terrible decision

I wish you knew
by Azua Kramer, Jackie

After Estrella's father is deported because he is an illegal immigrant, her teacher at school invites her and the other students to meet around an old oak tree and share the things they wished their teacher knew about their life at home

All Kinds of Kids
by Martin, Bill, Jr.

Book Annotation

Be kind
by Miller, Pat Zietlow

A thoughtful picture book illustrates the power of small acts of kindness, from the award-winning author of Sophie's Squash. Simultaneous eBook.

The notebook keeper
by Briseno, Stephen

Based on a true account, this moving and beautifully illustrated picture follows Noemi and her Mama as they flee their home in Mexico and head for the U.S. border, where an unexpected act of kindness changes their lives forever. Simultaneous eBook. Illustrations.

Friends are friends, forever
by Liu, Dane

Just before Chinese New Year, Dandan discovers that her family is moving to America, far away from her best friend Yueyue; before they leave Yueyue gives her a stack of red paper and a spool of string so she can share the art of paper cutting with Americans--and when Chinese New Year comes around again Dandan remembers Yueyue's gift and introduces her new friend Christina to this ancient art

All kinds of friends
by Rotner, Shelley

Photographs and simple text explore the many kinds of friends children have in their lives

Words to make a friend
by Napoli, Donna Jo

As a Japanese girl and an American girl have a fun-filled day in the snow, this unique bilingual English/Japanese picture book proves that you don't need to speak the same language to understand each other. Simultaneous eBook. Illustrations.

The buddy bench
by Brozo, Patty

Having seen children being left out of joining the fun on the school playground, Miss Mellon's students convince her to let them build a buddy bench where their classmates can wait for a friend or a buddy to meet

I am every good thing
by Barnes, Derrick

Proud of everything that makes him who he is, a young Black narrator celebrates the creativity, adventurous spirit, humor and loyalty that shape his undeterred spirit and confident goals, even when people who do not understand try to limit his potential. By the award-winning creators of Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut. Simultaneous eBook. Illustrations.

What I am
by Srinivasan, Divya

In this celebration of individuality, a young girl is a walking contradiction, which is what makes her unique and an essential piece of the greater world around her. Simultaneous eBook. Illustrations.

Beautifully me
by Noor, Nabela

Hearing people being critical of their own and each other's bodies, Zubi, an exuberant Bangladeshi girl, is helped by her family to see that we can all make the world a more beautiful place by being beautifully ourselves. 100,000 first printing. Simultaneous eBook. Illustrations.

How to be a lion
by Vere, Ed

"When Leonard the lion and his friend Marianne, a duck, are confronted by a pack of lion bullies, they find a creative way to stand up for themselves"

For additional reading ideas, talk with your library staff