A book about sisterly love and all that goes with it! Little sister is thrilled to spend the day with her big sister, but much to her disappointment, their plans have to change as their environment changes around them – ice cream melts in the hot sun, library closes before they arrive, and suddenly they are trapped in the rain. What are they to do? This was not how little sister thought the day would go. But big sister knows just what to do – even if all they do is splash in puddles and find delight in the nature around them. Indeed, the day did not go as planned, but it ended up being better!
Picture Book
Avocado Magic
Ellie finds herself disappointed when she wakes up on her birthday and realizes she hasn’t grown taller overnight. However, her father shares a comforting secret with her: just like the small but magical avocado pit, Ellie is full of potential and growth.
Together, Ellie and her father plant an avocado seed by the window and patiently watch as both Ellie and the avocado plant begin to flourish. As they nurture the plant, Ellie learns valuable lessons about patience, perseverance, and the wonders of nature.
Inspired by the childhood experiences of Israeli artist and writer, Taltal Levi, this story captures the universal magic of growth and transformation. Included with the story are instructions for growing your own avocado tree, inviting readers to embark on their own journey of discovery and growth alongside Ellie.
The Secret Elephant: Inspired By A True Story Of Friendship
Amidst the antics of monkeys and the presence of lions and giraffes, a looming war casts a shadow over the once-bustling zoo. As visitors dwindle and fear pervades the air, most animals seek solace with their companions, leaving one baby elephant alone and vulnerable. Amidst the chaos of bombs and uncertainty, the elephant’s keeper remains a steadfast presence, offering comfort and companionship.
When the situation becomes untenable, the keeper makes a bold decision to bring the elephant home, forging an unbreakable bond between them. Despite the challenges of concealing such a large creature, their friendship endures, even when wartime pressures demand the elephant’s return to the zoo. Undeterred by separation, the keeper stands by her friend’s side, finding solace amidst the chaos of conflict.
Inspired by a poignant true story from the Belfast Zoo during World War II, this book resonates with the spirit of resilience and empathy, reminiscent of beloved tales like “The One and Only Ivan” and the acclaimed documentary “The Elephant Whisperer.”
Tricky Chopsticks
A young Chinese American girl, Jenny, finds herself facing a dilemma as she struggles with the slippery and tricky nature of chopsticks. With her cousin Victor’s birthday party approaching, along with her family’s annual chopsticks challenge, Jenny is determined not to be the only Chow who can’t use the utensils. Fueled by determination and creativity, Jenny embarks on a series of STEAM-powered experiments to conquer the chopsticks. From engineering contraptions to using scientific principles, Jenny explores various techniques to improve her skills, despite wobbling and fumbling along the way. With humor and charm, “Jenny Chow and the Chopsticks Challenge” celebrates perseverance, creativity, and the importance of family traditions in a multicultural context.
The Mochi Makers
In this heartwarming story, a young girl and her grandmother take joy in a timeless tradition that celebrates family, heritage, and the power of memory. As Emi and Obaachan come together to make mochi, they honor a recipe that has been passed down through generations. With each step, they mix, pound, twist, and wrap, transforming simple ingredients into sticky, chewy Japanese rice cakes bursting with color and flavor.
Through the joyous act of making mochi, Emi and Obaachan find solace in the shared experience, weaving threads of love and tradition into each bite. As they laugh, reminisce, and embrace the present moment, they discover that the true magic of mochi lies not only in its delicious taste but also in the bonds of family and the memories that endure.
Bilingue, Superhéroe / Bilingual, Super Hero
In Jorge Argueta’s delightful children’s book, meet Gerónimo Pérez, affectionately known as Bilingual. Embracing his bilingual identity with pride, Gerónimo effortlessly navigates between English and Spanish, reveling in the richness and fluidity of both languages. With a playful spirit, Gerónimo describes the joy of seamlessly switching between languages, likening it to a dance and savoring the taste of words on his tongue. He embraces his role as a linguistic bridge, effortlessly translating for his family and helping others in need. Accompanied by Elizabeth Gómez’s whimsical illustrations, this book celebrates the boundless enthusiasm and positivity of a young boy embracing his bilingual heritage. With its empowering message and vibrant storytelling, “Bilingual Superhero” is a captivating read that encourages children to embrace their linguistic abilities and reimagine what it means to be a hero.
It Feels Like Family / Se Siente Como Familia
Readers join Elena and Miguel as they navigate the changes brought about by their parents’ divorce. Living in two separate homes—Mami’s during the week and Papi’s on weekends—Elena and Miguel initially struggle with feelings of loss and fragmentation. Despite these initial challenges, Elena and Miguel gradually find moments of comfort and connection in their new routines. While the pancakes Papi makes may not taste exactly like Mami’s, they still bring a sense of warmth and familiarity. And at birthday parties surrounded by relatives and cousins, they rediscover the joy of family bonds.
Through its bilingual narrative, “Elena and Miguel’s Two Homes / Las Dos Casas de Elena y Miguel” sensitively explores the challenges of divorce and the importance of maintaining connections with extended family. It offers young readers a message of resilience, adaptation, and the enduring power of familial love to transcend changes in living arrangements.
A Bindi Can Be …
A young girl embarks on a journey of discovery alongside her grandmother, Paati, as they explore the significance of bindis—the traditional red dot worn between the brows in Indian culture. Eager to understand the meaning behind the bindi, the girl learns from her grandmother the art of making one. Together, they blend turmeric, sandalwood powder, and ghee in a clay pot until the mixture transforms into a vibrant red hue—a process filled with magic and tradition. As they create bindis of various shapes and sizes, the girl realizes that her bindi represents more than just a dot. It is a symbol of celebration during festivals like Diwali, a source of inner calm and focus during everyday life, and a connection to her cultural heritage.
The Thingamajig
When Little Elephant’s parent loses an object whose name they can’t quite recall, Little Elephant embarks on a mission to find it. Along the way, they discover that other animals in the neighborhood have also misplaced their belongings—a snail’s hoo-pull-dee-pewp, a squirrel’s shis-moo, and even the ladybugs’ ha-bee ja-bee. As Little Elephant delves deeper into the mystery, they encounter a series of amusing scenarios and quirky characters. Is there a mischievous thief behind the disappearances, or is there a simpler explanation for the missing items?
With playful language and charming illustrations, “The Thingamajig” is filled with humor and creativity. It also offers an educational and entertaining experience for children and adults alike.
Angela’s Glacier
From the moment of her birth, Angela’s father introduces her to the glacier, carrying her on his back as they journey across its icy expanse. As Angela grows, so does her connection to the glacier, which becomes a trusted confidant and listener to her deepest thoughts and feelings. However, as Angela’s life becomes busier with school, hobbies, and friends, she begins to drift away from her beloved glacier. It’s not until she experiences a troubling heartache that she realizes the solace and wisdom the glacier offers.
In a heartwarming journey of self-discovery and connection to nature, Angela learns the importance of slowing down and reconnecting with the things that truly matter. With the guidance of her father, she rediscovers the healing power of her ancient icy friend.