Soar into the tender true story of how one airman inspired a movement by airdropping little parachutes of candy to kids trapped in occupied Berlin in this nonfiction picture book ode to everyday acts of kindness.How far can a small kindness reach? How much of a difference can two sticks of gum make? Colonel Gail Halvorsen was a pilot in the United States Air Force delivering supplies to West Berlin when it was blockaded by the Soviets. One day he approached children gathered outside the airport with two leftover sticks of gum. One day, he approached children gathered outside the airport with two leftover sticks of gum. After sharing the gum through the fence, he watched in surprise as they passed the wrappers around so everyone could sniff the minty smell. Inspired by the children’s kindness and sympathetic to the way blockades were cutting off their access to simple pleasures like sweets, Halvorsen began airdropping candy, using his own rations and wiggling his wings to alert the kids below that it was time for treats. When a package of chocolates literally dropped on a reporter’s head, news quickly spread of “Uncle Wiggly Wings” or “the Berlin Candy Bomber.” Soon, Halvorsen’s Operation Little Vittles—born of one man’s courage to be kind—grew to include other pilots and donations from American families and ended up dropping over twenty tons of candy to the children of war-torn Berlin.

Get ready to be inspired by this biography of one-of-a-kind diplomat and activist, Christiana Figueres, whose fight to protect our planet isn’t over yet.Raised in the mountains of Costa Rica surrounded by lush rainforests and vibrant wildlife, Christiana always had a deep love for the natural world. From the shimmering quetzal birds to gleaming golden toads, the biodiversity of Costa Rica was truly a sight to behold. However, with deforestation on the rise and increasing pollution, the dazzling species that defined the rainforest began gradually going extinct as Christiana grew up. Thus began Christiana’s journey to becoming a diplomat and eventually one of the most influential voices in the realm of environmental activism on a mission to save the planet from losing any more precious species of wildlife.Christiana Figueres, Friend of the Rainforest is a story of perseverance sure to inspire readers from all over to take a stance in protecting our special planet.

From the author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Just Ask! comes a sweet and powerful story about being true to yourself and shining your brightest. How will you help people shine?There once was a little girl who grew up in Puerto Rico with an incredible ability—she was able to make everyone around her shine. She listened, she understood, she worked hard, and she brought out the beauty in each person she met. In a story inspired by her mother’s ability to help people see their own brilliance, Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor shows readers how helping others shine makes the whole world brighter.With art by award-winning illustrator Jacqueline Alcántara, Just Shine will help readers find their own inner glow—and recognize that glow in those around them.

From the author and illustrator of the Ezra Jack Keats honor recipient Benito Juárez Fights for Justice, comes a deeply heartfelt picture book about sea turtle conservation efforts in Oaxaca, Mexico.Papá Grande was once a sea turtle poacher but now he spends his days and nights caring for these endangered creatures. From greeting the turtles on the beach to protecting their eggs in the carefully constructed hatchery, there’s always something to do to help these turtles fight against looming extinction. With elegant text, lush illustrations, and detailed backmatter this book is the perfect way to introduce little ones to sea turtle conservation, ocean habitats and animal life cycles.

A coming-of-age story for middle grade readers, set among the Mbororo people of central and western Africa. Thirteen-year-old Adi lives in west Cameroon, where she loves swimming in the river, making dolls for her little sisters, and writing new words in her notebook at school. But one day Adi’s hands start to shake with terror. Uncle Amadou–the most powerful member of her family–has declared that Adi is old enough to get married. Mom cries softly under her hijab, but Dad whispers: “Don’t worry.” He knows a place where Adi can live and learn without fear… Translated from the original French by the author, Adi of Boutanga is a memorable portrait of a girl and her family forging a path toward a brighter future. This richly illustrated book will open lasting conversations about gender equality, family relationships, and the liberating power of education. In the back matter, readers can explore an author’s note, a glossary of cultural terms, and other resources about the real Adi and her experiences.

While baking a special cake with her granddaughter, a Maltese grandmother revisits her memories of survival, hope, and life under siege during World War II.Every year, a young girl visits her Nanna on the tiny Mediterranean isle of Malta, and together they bake a cake. As they mix, stir and ice their chocolate confection, Nanna explains why the cake is so special: when she was a girl, she made it to celebrate the end of a WWII bombing campaign against her small country.As they talk, Nanna looks back on the layers of her life: the underground shelters, the bombs, the hunger—and the hope that helped her through her hardest times. Her granddaughter learns about Malta’s enduring traditions, her family history—and her grandmother’s recipe for happiness.Sharing the little-known history of the ‘Siege of Malta,’ this gentle picture book celebrates all who dream of peaceful futures during times of war and uncertainty, and encourages readers to share family stories and memories—even the difficult ones.A note in the back shares the author’s inspiration from her visits to her own Maltese Nanna and the real history of the of ‘Siege of Malta’, along with a recipe for Nanna’s memory cake.

Yoomi wants her baby cousin to be happy-on her 1st birthday and for the rest of her life. Can Yoomi help? The whole family is gathering to celebrate baby cousin’s 1st birthday. They will do the doljabi! Dasom’s mommy will assemble a microphone, a ball, money, yarn, a paintbrush, and other things. Dasom will pick something, and that will decide her future. If she picks a ball, she will be an athlete. If she picks a paintbrush, she will be an artist. Yoomi is worried. What if Dasom picks a paintbrush and doesn’t want to be an artist? Grandma assures Yoomi that Dasom can become whatever she wants-but maybe she will be a creative person, just like an artist. But Baby Dasom’s choice surprises everybody–and reminds us that friends and family are what’s important! Yoomi’s concern displays empathy, and her questioning shows a girl exercising her critical thinking muscles in this delightful story about family customs and relationships. YOOMI FRIENDS AND FAMILY is a picture book series about a Korean girl, her loved ones, and her culture. Other books in the series are No Kimchi for Me!, a Junior Library Guild selection and a Bank Street College Best Book of the Year, Let’s Go to Taekwondo: A Story About Persistence, Bravery, and Breaking Boards, a Junior Library Guild Selection, and Sunday Funday in Koreatown, a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection.

In this whimsical picture book, a misunderstood girl with overwhelming emotions creates an origami boat and journeys to sea where she can feel free. Fans of Where the Wild Things Are will adore this fantastical tale of big feelings and boundless imagination.”Nunu reminds all of us that emotions can feel as big and as vast as the sea–if we hold tightly and sail on, the way forward becomes clear.”–Cori Doerrfeld, author-illustrator of The Rabbit Listened”A powerful journey through the highs and lows of emotions, reminding us all of the strength found in rebuilding ourselves.”–Cindy Derby, Caldecott honoreeNunu doesn’t understand, so when her emotions feel too big for her, she makes her boat out of paper origami and sails away. Out at sea, she navigates somewhere new and with the help of her origami friends, she is able to mend what is broken and find her way home.With exquisite, immersive illustrations, this near-wordless picture book is an ode to big emotions, origami, and the hope inside all of us.

In the vein of Grumpy Monkey and Unicorns Are the Worst!, this hilarious picture book introduces the adorable quokka, who—despite his ever-present smile—is definitely not as happy as he looks!With its bright eyes, puffy cheeks, and beaming smile, the quokka is clearly the happiest animal on earth. Or is it? This quokka is here to tell you…he is not happy! At least not all the time. Just like everyone else, he can be sulky, or sorry, or sad; but you’d never know from the look on his face! So, what’s a moody marsupial to do when he’s being misunderstood? Teach every other animal from kangaroos to koalas not to judge a critter by its cover!

Like The Rabbit Listened and The Color Monster, this bighearted, stunningly illustrated book helps children to acknowledge and confront their most difficult emotions.After a girl’s best friend moves away, she starts seeing two creatures everywhere she goes: a gray crocodile who weeps for hours, and a loud crocodile who breaks things and creates all kinds of chaos. Nobody else seems to see them, though, and when they even follow her to her family’s beach vacation, the girl decides she needs to talk to them. It turns out she has a lot in common with both of these creatures: She has been feeling sad and angry too.