Theme: Loneliness

The Scar

When his mother dies, a little boy is angry at his loss but does everything he can to hold onto the memory of her scent, her voice, and the special things she did for him, even as he tries to help his father and grandmother cope.

Descriptors: Europe, France, Intermediate (ages 9-14), Picture Book, Primary (ages 6-9), Realistic Fiction » Other Themes: , , , , , » Leave a comment

Pearl Verses the World

Pearl feels like an island in school, isolated and alone, but at home she feels loved and secure until her grandmother’s illness changes the way Pearl views her world.

Descriptors: Australia, Intermediate (ages 9-14), Poetry » Other Themes: , , , , » Leave a comment

Squish Rabbit

Squish is just a little rabbit. But being little can lead to big problems. Sometimes Squish is hard to hear or see. (Which is how he got his name.) And no one notices him. But Squish notices things- especially when someone is about to get into trouble and needs help. Here is little Squish’s BIG [...]

Descriptors: Australia, Early Years (ages 2-6), Fantasy, Picture Book » Other Themes: , , , » Leave a comment

Perfect Crane

A lonely Japanese magician gains friends through the paper crane that he brings to life but then must set free.

Descriptors: Asia, Fantasy, Japan, Picture Book, Primary (ages 6-9) » Other Themes: , , , , , , , » Leave a comment

Everyone Needs A Friend

Jack the wolf doesn’t mind living alone, but he does get lonely on long winter nights. Then one day Walter the dormouse comes for a visit. Walter is fun to be around, but he certainly does have some annoying habits! Can Jack get over them, or will this be the end of their friendship?

Descriptors: Croatia, Europe, Primary (ages 6-9) » Other Themes: , , , » Leave a comment

The Earth Shook

Little Parisa-Farsi, left alone after an earthquake demolishes her home of Bam, Iran. She doesn’t despair. She does what any little girl would do. She dances. She laughs. She shares. She reveals our common humanity.
 
 

Descriptors: Fiction, Iran, Picture Book, Primary (ages 6-9) » Other Themes: , , , , , , , , » 1 Comment

Dancing to Freedom: The True Story of Mao’s Last Dancer

In a poor village in northern China, a small boy named Li Cunxin was given the chance of a lifetime. Selected by Chairman Mao’s officials from among millions of children to become a dancer, Li’s new life began as he left his family behind.
At the Beijing Dance Academy, days were long and difficult. Li’s hard [...]

Descriptors: Biography, China, Picture Book, Primary (ages 6-9) » Other Themes: , , , , , , , » Leave a comment

My Cat Copies Me

Gently explore the special bond between children and their pets. A shy little girl and her very independent cat, play, hide, and comfort one another. Both children and parents will appreciate how the cat soothes the little girl and silently encourages her to explore the bigger world and experience new things.

Descriptors: Fiction, Korea, Picture Book, Primary (ages 6-9) » Other Themes: , , , » Leave a comment

Safe Return

After struggling with the death of her mother and father, Ursula worries about her beloved Aunt Dana who boarded a ship during very rough seas weeks ago and has not returned home, and finds herself faithfully waiting with fear and hope.

Descriptors: Historical Fiction, Intermediate (ages 9-14), Sweden » Other Themes: , , , , , , , , , » Leave a comment

Wildflower Girl

Thirteen-year-old Peggy O’Driscoll, left orphaned and homeless by the Great Famine of the 1840s, leaves Ireland to seek her fortune in America.

Descriptors: Historical Fiction, Intermediate (ages 9-14), Ireland, United States of America » Other Themes: , , , , , , , » Leave a comment