Hello, My Name Is Octicorn by
An Amazon Best Book of the Year Meet Octicorn, the funny, sweet, and disarming character who is a champion for anyone who has ever felt a little bit different. And isn't that everyone? This is a self-published success story from debut authors Justin Lowe and Kevin Diller. Octicorn is half octopus, half unicorn, half confused . . . which sometimes makes it hard to fit in. But maybe that's not such a bad thing.
Little Blue and Little Yellow by
Beloved picture book creator and four-time Caldecott Honor-winner Leo Lionni's very first story for children, and a New York Times Best Illustrated Book of the Year. Little Blue and Little Yellow are best friends, but one day they can't find each other. When they finally do, they give each other such a big hug that they turn green! How they find their true colors again concludes a wonderfully satisfying story told with colorful pieces of torn paper and very few words. Leo Lionni launched his children's book career in 1959 with Little Blue and Little Yellow, and this 50th-anniversary edition, complete with Lionni's own explanation of how the book came to be, is sure to resonate with children today.
The Name Jar by
The new kid in school needs a new name! Or does she? Being the new kid in school is hard enough, but what about when nobody can pronounce your name? Having just moved from Korea, Unhei is anxious that American kids will like her. So instead of introducing herself on the first day of school, she tells the class that she will choose a name by the following week. Her new classmates are fascinated by this no-name girl and decide to help out by filling a glass jar with names for her to pick from. But while Unhei practices being a Suzy, Laura, or Amanda, one of her classmates comes to her neighborhood and discovers her real name and its special meaning. On the day of her name choosing, the name jar has mysteriously disappeared. Encouraged by her new friends, Unhei chooses her own Korean name and helps everyone pronounce it—Yoon-Hey. From the Hardcover edition.
Odd Velvet by
Velvet is odd. Instead of dolls that talk and cry, Velvet brings a milkweed pod for show and tell. She wins the class art contest using only an eight-pack of crayons. She likes to collect rocks. Even her name is strange-Velvet! But as the school year unfolds, the things Velvet does and the things that Velvet says slowly begin to make sense. And, in the end, Velvet's classmates discover that being different is what makes Velvet so much fun.
Frederick by
Leo Lionni's Caldecott Honor-winning story about a little mouse who gathers something unusual for the long winter is celebrating its fiftieth birthday! Winter is coming, and all the mice are gathering food . . . except for Frederick. But when the days grow short and the snow begins to fall, it's Frederick's stories that warm the hearts and spirits of his fellow field mice. Winner of a 1967 Caldecott Honor, Frederick has been cherished by generations of readers. "A splendid achievement." --School Library Journal, starred review "In Frederick, a mouse who is a poet from the tip of his nose to the end of his tail demonstrates that a seemingly purposeless life is indeed far from that--and that we need not live by bread alone!" --Eric Carle
The Day You Begin by
There will be times when you walk into a room and no one there is quite like you. There are many reasons to feel different. Maybe it's how you look, talk, or where you're from; maybe it's what you eat, or something just as random. It's not easy to take those first steps into a place where nobody really knows you yet, but somehow you do it. Jacqueline Woodson's lyrical text and Rafael Lopez's dazzling art reminds us that we all feel like outsiders sometimes-and how brave it is that we go forth anyway. And that sometimes, when we reach out and begin to share stories, others will be happy to meet us halfway.
Two Mrs. Gibsons by
The daughter of an African American father and a Japanese mother fondly recalls growing up with her mother and her father's mother, two very different but equally loving women.
Yo! Yes? by
Raschka's Caldecott Honor Book which captures the street poetry between two boys is now available for the first time in a Scholastic Bookshelf paperback version. Full color.
One Green Apple by
Farah feels alone, even when surrounded by her classmates. She listens and nods but doesn’t speak. It’s hard being the new kid in school, especially when you’re from another country and don’t know the language. Then, on a field trip to an apple orchard, Farah discovers there are lots of things that sound the same as they did at home, from dogs crunching their food to the ripple of friendly laughter. As she helps the class make apple cider, Farah connects with the other students and begins to feel that she belongs. Ted Lewin’s gorgeous sun-drenched paintings and Eve Bunting’s sensitive text immediately put the reader into another child’s shoes in this timely story of a young Muslim immigrant.
The Sandwich Swap by
A celebration of friendship, tolerance and cultural differences, inspired by Queen Rania's own experience. Lilly and Salma are best friends. They play together and stick together through thick and thin. But who ever thought that such a simple thing as the difference between peanut butter and hummus could come between them? Lilly and Salma don't quite understand each other's tastes but does that mean that they shouldn't be friends? They understand far better than grown-ups that these things hardly matter - friendship is the most important thing of all.
Willow and the Snow Day Dance by
Mr. Larch is not a very neighborly neighbor. He neverhas any visitors. His gray, gloomy house never has anydecorations. He avoids everyone and everyone avoids him.But now Mr. Larch has a new neighbor. Willow and herfamily have moved into the bright yellow house directlyacross the street.Willow loves her new house and neighborhood. Sheloves the summer and planting her garden. She loves thefall and sharing vegetables with her neighbors. And whenwinter arrives, she loves that, too. She can't wait for thefirst snowfall because she has found the perfect hill forsledding. And it's right behind Mr. Larch's house.Can Willow melt his cold heart in time to enjoy a SnowDay?Denise Brennan-Nelson's books with Sleeping Bear Press include theLikes to Say series, Someday Is Not a Day of the Week, and Buzzythe bumblebee. As a national speaker, she travels the country sharingher reading and writing enthusiasm with schoolchildren and teachers.Denise lives in Howell, Michigan.Cyd Moore studied graphic design and fine arts at the University ofGeorgia. Her work includes posters, billboards, books, and newspaperand magazine articles. In addition to Willow, Cyd is the illustratorof more than 35 books, including the Stinky Face series. She lives inCommerce, Michigan.
Giraffes Can't Dance by
Gerald is a giraffe who simply can't dance. Try as he may, his long, spindly legs buckle whenever he starts to boogie. Every year he dreads going to the Great jungle Dance, until one night he finds his own special music.
Chrysanthemum by
Written and illustrated by Kevin Henkes, the nationally bestselling and celebrated creator of Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse, Owen, and Kitten's First Full Moon, Chrysanthemum is a funny and honest school story about teasing, self-esteem, and acceptance to share all year round. Chrysanthemum thinks her name is absolutely perfect--until her first day of school. "You're named after a flower!" teases Victoria. "Let's smell her," says Jo. Chrysanthemum wilts. What will it take to make her blossom again? This popular picture book has sold more than a million copies and was named a Notable Book for Children by the American Library Association. "Perfectly executed in words and illustration, Chrysanthemum exemplifies Henkes's talent for creating true picture stories for young audiences."--The Horn Book Supports the Common Core State Standards
Jacob's New Dress by 
Some Monsters Are Different by
This laugh-out-loud book describes the many differences found between monsters. Some monsters will eat anything; some are picky. Some monsters talk and talk and talk; some are quiet. But ultimately, all monsters are absolutely, positively, completely perfectly wonderful . . . just the way they are!David Milgrim's spare text and colorful, contemporary illustrations are perfect for beginning readers. And for anyone who's ever felt like the odd one out, this book is astute, playful, and reassuring.
The Chickens Build a Wall by
The chickens at the farm are building a wall, and no one is quite sure why. But they know one thing: the hedgehog that wandered in must be trouble. So all winter they build and build, until they have a wall that towers over the barn. When spring comes, though, they find that everything hasn't gone quite according to plan . . .
Hooway for Wodney Wat by
Poor Rodney Rat can't pronounce his R's and the other rodents tease him mercilessly. But when Camilla Capybara joins Rodney's class and announces that she is bigger, meaner, and smarter than any of the other rodents, everyone is afraid. It seems she really is bigger, meaner, and smarter than all of the rest of them. Until our unwitting hero, Wodney Wat, catches Camilla out in a game of Simon Says. Read along with Wodney as he surprises himself and his classmates by single-handedly saving the whole class from the big bad bully. Children will delight as shy Rodney Rat triumphs over all and his tiny voice decides the day, R's or no R's.
Stephanie's Ponytail by
None of the kids in her class wear a ponytail, so Stephanie decides she must have one. The loud, unanimous comment from her classmates is: "Ugly, ugly, very ugly." Steadfast, when all the girls have copied her ponytail, she resolves to try a new style. With true Munsch flair, each of Stephanie's ponytails is more outrageous than the last, while the cast of copycats grows and grows.
Best Friends Forever by
If you have freckles, you can try these things: 1) Make them go away. Unless scrubbing doesn't work. 2) Cover them up. Unless your mom yells at you for using a marker. 3) Disappear. Um, where'd you go? Oh, there you are. There's one other thing you can do: 4) LIVE WITH THEM! Because after all, the things that make you different also make you YOU. From acclaimed actress Julianne Moore and award-winning illustrator LeUyen Pham comes a delightful story of a little girl who's different ... just like everybody else.
The Butter Battle Book by
The Butter Battle Book, Dr. Seuss's classic cautionary tale, introduces readers to the important lesson of respecting differences. The Yooks and Zooks share a love of buttered bread, but animosity brews between the two groups because they prefer to enjoy the tasty treat differently. The timeless and topical rhyming text is an ideal way to teach young children about the issues of tolerance and respect. Whether in the home or in the classroom, The Butter Battle Book is a must-have for readers of all ages.
Dreamers by
An instant New York Times bestseller, with seven starred reviews! In 1994, Yuyi Morales left her home in Xalapa, Mexico and came to the US with her infant son. She left behind nearly everything she owned, but she didn't come empty-handed. She brought her strength, her work, her passion, her hopes and dreams...and her stories. Caldecott Honor artist and five-time Pura Belpré winner Yuyi Morales's gorgeous new picture book Dreamers is about making a home in a new place. Yuyi and her son Kelly's passage was not easy, and Yuyi spoke no English whatsoever at the time. But together, they found an unexpected, unbelievable place: the public library. There, book by book, they untangled the language of this strange new land, and learned to make their home within it. Dreamers is a celebration of what migrantes bring with them when they leave their homes. It's a story about family. And it's a story to remind us that we are all dreamers, bringing our own gifts wherever we roam. Beautiful and powerful at any time but given particular urgency as the status of our own Dreamers becomes uncertain, this is a story that is both topical and timeless. The lyrical text is complemented by sumptuously detailed illustrations, rich in symbolism. Also included are a brief autobiographical essay about Yuyi's own experience, a list of books that inspired her (and still do), and a description of the beautiful images, textures, and mementos she used to create this book. A parallel Spanish-language edition, Soñadores, is also available. A Junior Library Guild selection!
