A six-year old boy loves spending time with his immigrant grandfather, Luis, who teaches him many things as they spend time in his garden, a place of wonder and illumination. It is the place where the boy practices to read and write, as well as the place where he learns of his grandfather’s experiences. As a war refugee, Luis was unable to go to school and therefore never learned how to read and write. But he instills his wisdom of language to his grandson, as well as his experiences and talents as an artist, a cook, and a gardener.
Writing
The Gift
A warm, charming story is a perfect introduction to the joy of writing. Like Leo, young readers will discover how a simple utensil can express all the words in the world even one’s own name.
Cici’s Journal
Cici dreams of being a novelist. Her favorite subject: people, especially adults. She’s been watching them and taking notes. Everybody has one special secret, Cici figures, and if you want to write about people, you need to understand what’s hiding inside them. But now she’s discovered something truly strange: an old man who disappears into the forest every Sunday with huge pots of paint in all sorts of colors. What is he up to? Why does he look so sad when he comes back? In a graphic novel interwoven with journal notes, scrapbook pieces, and doodles, Cici assembles clues about the odd and wonderful people she’s uncovered, even as she struggles to understand the mundane: her family and friends.
From the Heart of Africa
A collection of African wisdom gorgeously illustrated by artists from Ghana, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Canada, the United States and more.
Look! What Do You See?
Seventeen traditional American and Chinese songs are written in artist Xu Bing’s signature Square Word Calligraphy.
Welcome to My House
First words are everywhere you look, especially in a house! This visually striking picture book catalogs an impressive array of household items, naming the delightful miscellany that comprises a life. The charming collections are creative and unexpected, providing the sweetest of visual snapshots that reinforce word recognition and understanding. In addition to the everyday kitchen, living room, and garden items, there are surprising and smart illustrated spreads featuring “everything for resting,” “everything for warming up,” and “everything that gets lost.” Plus, a seek-and-find element (a hiding cat!) offers bonus amusement. Children will savor the delicate illustrations of things they are learning to recognize, things they are discovering every day, and things they will cherish and use as they grow.
Lola Levine Is Not Mean!
Second-grader Lola has a wonderful family, a great teacher, and the best friend ever, Josh, and they all help her feel better after she is teased and forbidden to play team sports at recess for having accidentally hurt classmate Juan during a soccer game.
Use Your Imagination
Rabbit is bored. What shall he do? Luckily, Wolf has the perfect solution. “Why not write a story?” he suggests. Rabbit thinks this is a great idea! And so Wolf teaches Rabbit to use his imagination to create the perfect story with lots of exciting props and interesting characters.
Edda
Edda, the littlest Valkyrie, leaves the magical land of Asgard to attend school in hopes of making a friend her own age, but feels like an outcast until she finds her courage and learns that being different makes her special.
Michael Rosen’s ABC
Combines nonsense poems and illustrations with objects representing each letter of the alphabet.