Primary (ages 6-9)

Material appropriate for primary age groups

Nearly Nonsense

Nasrudin Hoja was a mullah (teacher) in Turkey. He was a busy man – he worked in a vineyard, gave sermons at the mosque, and was sometimes even a judge. He did all of this with a nagging wife, a constant stream of uninvited visitors, and many animals. Although Hoja’s life wasn’t easy, his heart was always light and his observations about life held a witty twist. For instance, when his donkey got lost, his neighbors offered sympathy, but Hoja found the bright side: “Imagine if I were riding the donkey at the time. I’d be lost too!”Though the ten Hoja stories presented by Rina Singh and richly illustrated by Farida Zaman are funny, each one contains such insight into human nature that Sufi teachers use them to illustrate their teachings. Traditional Turkish Hoja stories are much-loved throughout Asia, and Nearly Nonsense brings them to a North American readership sure to enjoy them and, through laughter, to learn from them.

My Cold Went On Vacation

Colds travel from person to person, so one little boy imagines all the places his cold might visit after it leaves him. This little cold germ rides the school bus, climbs mountains, sails across the ocean, and visits every continent before it reaches its final destination right across the hall in his sister’s room. Nora Krug’s bright, bold artwork makes for a very colorful travelogue, and Molly Rausch’s funny story of a global expedition also celebrates imaginative thinking.

Let The Whole Earth Sing Praise

This joyous book sings thanks and praise for everything in land, sea, and skyÑfrom the sun and moon to plants and animals to all people, young and old. Beloved author-illustrator Tomie dePaola captures the beauty of God’s creation in his folk artÐstyle illustrations. With text inspired by Old Testament Scripture and artwork fashioned after the beautiful embroideries and designs of the Otomi people from the mountain villages around San Pablito, in Puebla, Mexico, this is a wonderful celebration for all to share.

Pablo Neruda

Once there was a little boy named Neftalí who loved wild things wildly and quiet things quietly. From the moment he could talk, he surrounded himself with words. Neftalí discovered the magic between the pages of books. When he was sixteen, he began publishing his poems as Pablo Neruda. Pablo wrote poems about the things he loved–things made by his friends in the café, things found at the marketplace, and things he saw in nature. He wrote about the people of Chile and their stories of struggle. Because above all things and above all words, Pablo Neruda loved people.

Totally Human

This playful science book introduces the biology of human evolution and behavior with an accessible, interactive text packed with information and wry, bright computer graphics on each spread.

Without You

After a falling out, two very different friends explore all the things they can do without each other…and discover that life is much sweeter when it’s shared with one another. An endearing look at the ups and downs of friendship, this is a book you’ll want to share with someone special.

Watch Me Grow!

A charming introduction in words and photographs to growing food in the city. The focus is on raising food in cities, where it can be grown anywhere on windowsills, balconies, yards, boulevards and even rooftops. Children follow the food, from planting and tending to harvesting and eating. Kids also read about sharing in community gardens and community kitchens and about the friendships and sense of caring that grow as people tend their city gardens.

Cinnamon Baby

Miriam the baker is beloved in her village. Every day she bicycles to work and saves her favorite cinnamon bread for last, singing as she kneads spices into the dough. The scents and songs attract fellow bicyclist Sebastian, and he falls head over handlebars for Miriam. After marrying, their domestic bliss is disrupted when their beautiful new baby begins to cry continuously. What finally placates the fussy infant? The sounds and smells of Miriam making a batch of cinnamon bread. Many children will welcome the beside-the-point depiction of a multicultural family: Miriam is paper white, Sebastian is cocoa brown, and their cinnamon-colored child gives the title a sly double meaning. A charming offering infused with warmth, romantic whimsy, and love

My Cat Isis

Isis was one of 1500 gods and goddesses worshipped by the Ancient Egyptians. My Isis is the one and only cat in our family. Isis wore a beautiful horned headdress to show that cattle were important in Egyptian life. We make my Isis wear a harness and leash because squirrels are important in nature. Through a series of lighthearted comparisons between his beloved pet cat and the Egyptian goddess, a young boy reveals surprising and playful parallels – and differences that are often funnier between their two worlds. The most obvious similarity? Isis that cat might not be a goddess, but her people couldn’t adore her more!

You’re Finally Here

“Hooray! You’re finally here!” Bunny exclaims from the first page of this young picture book. Then his mood changes: “Where have you been?” Bunny goes on to demonstrate the many reasons why it is rude to keep someone waiting. Just when it looks as though he has convinced the reader to stay, he takes a cell phone call! This silly book captures the way kids feel about being at the mercy of other people’s busy schedules.