In profound, uplifting verse and sumptuous artwork, beloved creators Matt de la Peña and Corinna Luyken explore the endless possibilities each child contains: A young dancer may grow into a computer coder; a basketball player might become a poet; a class clown may one day serve as an inspiring teacher; and today’s quiet empath might be tomorrow’s great leader.
Self confidence
Maya And The Beast
Young Maya always hears of everyone in her fishing village being scared of “The Beast,” the giant wave that crashes into the shoreline every day, and after seeing boys surfing it she is determined to surf it herself, showing everyone the beauty it has to offer.
My Name Is Saajin Singh
Saajin loves his name he loves it so much that he sees it spelled out in the world around him in his snacks, in the sky and sometimes he even sings it aloud. On his first day of school, Saajin is excited to meet his new classmates, but things take a turn when the teacher mispronounces his name as Say-jin and he is not sure how or if he should correct her. After trying to live with the different version of his name for a while and some thoughtful conversations with his family about the meaning behind it, Saajin realizes the importance of reclaiming his name and embracing his identity. This empowering story, accompanied by energetic and vibrant art by Samrath Kaur, will resonate with any reader who has ever felt misunderstood.
Mophead
A moving graphic memoir of growing up Pasifika in New Zealand … At school, Selina is ridiculed for her big, frizzy hair. Kids call her ‘mophead’. She ties her hair up this way and that way and tries to fit in. Until one day, Sam Hunt plays a role, Selina gives up the game. She decides to let her hair out, to embrace her difference, to be WILD! Selina takes us through special moments in her extraordinary life. She becomes one of the first Pasifika women to hold a PhD. She reads for the Queen of England and Samoan royalty. She meets Barack Obama. And then she is named the New Zealand Poet Laureate. She picks up her special tokotoko, and notices something. It has wild hair coming out the end. It looks like a mop. A kid on the Waiheke ferry teases her about it. So she tells him a story.
Mr. Tiger
Inspired By The Art And Sport Of Lucha Libre, This Picture Book Follows A Masked Wrestler Who, Although Tough In The Ring, Is Actually Very Shy And Is Looking For A Friend Meet Mr. Tiger, The Bravest, The Strongest, And The Greatest Wrestler In The Ring. With His Trademark Move, The Leap Of The Tiger, He Has Defeated His Most Formidable Rivals: Black Claw, Boogeyman, Constrictor, And Blob. But Outside The Ring, Despite The Muscles And The Fierce Mask, Mr. Tiger Is Painfully Shy. Even Speaking To The Lady He Secretly Admires Seems Impossible–until A Loyal Friend Helps Him Out. Enter The Ring And Find Out What Happens When A Tough Body Houses A Sweet Heart!
Cannonball
Determined to execute the perfect cannonball dive, a boy tries to follow everyone’s advice but finally hears Nan, an expert and former champion, who advises doing it his own way.
Luci Soars
Luci was born without a shadow. Mamá says no one notices. But Luci does. And sometimes others do too. Sometimes they stare, sometimes they tease Luci, and sometimes they make her cry. But when Luci learns to look at what makes her different as a strength, she realizes she has more power than she ever thought. And that her differences can even be a superpower.
Jaya’s Golden Necklace
Jaya’s Golden Necklace is the first children’s book to tell of the origin and cultural roots of the beloved Buddha image. A story of East and West, it teaches lessons and entertains while also opening a door into Asian culture. Set along the Silk Road, Jaya’s journey highlights the interconnected and multicultural worlds of yesterday and today.
The Three Vikings
On their daring trip to Valhalla, three Vikings, even the littlest, use their skills in different ways.
Pan de Sal Saves the Day
Although Pan De Sal feels like an outsider because of her name, appearance and lack of fancy possessions, when she is unexpectedly forced into the limelight, her talent and resourcefulness help her win the admiration of her classmates.