tolerance

Owl Bat Bat Owl

A mother owl and her three little owlets live happily on their branch. That is, until the bat family moves in. The newfound neighbors can’t help but feel a little wary of one another. But babies are curious little creatures, and that curiosity, along with a wild, stormy night, might just bring these two families together. With subtly and hilariously shifting facial expressions and gestures, Marie-Louise Fitzpatrick brings her accessible graphic style to a warm and ingenious wordless tale that is sure to bring smiles to readers of all ages.

Featured in WOW Review Volume XII, Issue 4

Playing A Part

Grishka has grown up in the closed world of a puppet theater in Russia, but now that world seems to be falling apart–his best friend needs an operation, financial difficulties are forcing people out, his homosexual friend Sam, the jester, is leaving for Holland and Grishka no longer knows what role he himself is playing.

See the review at WOW Review, Volume VII, Issue 3

Poems to Dream Together / Poemas Para Sonar Juntos

A collection of poems in English and Spanish discusses imagination, dreams, family, and growing up in California and in Mexico.

Thumb and the Bad Guys

Inspired by a movie shown at the local gym (with the whole town in attendance), 11-year-old Leon (aka Thumb) wants to track down a bad guy. After all, he thinks, without bad guys, the “Harry Potter” books would just be stories about school. And he wouldn’t mind being known as the Jake Danger of New Auckland. But with only 143 people in his remote British Columbia fishing village, surrounded by mountains and ocean, how could there even be any bad guys around? And where would they hide? But Thumb is determined, so he and his pal Susan conduct a stakeout. Their suspicions soon focus on bald, toothless old Kirk McKenna, who has the revolting habit of spitting on the sidewalk. Meanwhile, a new teacher, the odd Ms. Weatherby, has arrived in town wearing heavy makeup and a terrible wig. Maybe “she’s” the “bad guy” they’re seeking. Will the determined duo find their villain? Ken Roberts brings his trademark quirky characters, tight plotting, detailed portrait of small-town life, and lively humor to this fascinating story that also contains underlying messages about tolerance and the value of community.

Friends: True Stories of Extraordinary Animal Friendships

What makes a camel friends with a Vietnamese pig?  Or a wild polar bear with a sled dog?   In a young preschool book, Catherine Thimmesh makes us wonder at the truth and mystery of unlikely animal friendships.  Because the stories behind these friendships are true, not contrived, they not only give readers insight into animals, but challenge preconceived notions about compatability.  Without becoming didactic or laden with message, this book expresses tolerance of differences and makes us look the kindness of animals — and humans — a little differently.

The Sandwich Swap

Lily and Salma are best friends. They play together and stick together through thick and thin. But who would have ever thought that ordinary peanut butter or plain old hummus could come between them? Lily and Salma don’t quite understand each other’s tastes, but does that mean they can’t be friends? They understand far better than a lot of gown ups that these things hardly matter and that friendship is the most important thing of all.Her Majesty,Queen Rania’s children’s book is inspired by her own experience.

Join the discussion of The Sandwich Shop as well as other books centered around relocation on our My Take/Your Take page.

 

No Te Rias De Mi / Don’t Laugh At Me (Reading Rainbow Books)

Originally published in 2002, DON’T LAUGH AT ME became an instant classic of child empowerment. Since then, the Don’t Laugh At Me programs have been adopted by dozens of school districts across the United States. Now with a Spanish edition, readers can further spread the book’s unforgettable message of acceptance and pride to stop the cycle of teasing.

Quien Es De Aqui: Una Historia De America/ Who Belongs Here?: An American Story (Spanish)

Describes the new life of Nary, a Cambodian refugee, in America, as well as his encounters with prejudice. Includes some general history of U.S. immigration.

With Love

A collection of stories based on the author’s experiences with chimpanzees in Gombe Stream National Park in Tanzania over a period of almost forty years.

I Am I

Two small boys in warrior garb peer at each other across a deserted landscape. Each is suspicious of the other; each is proud and boastful. And so, an argument breaks out that grows bigger and bigger, until it threatens to consume them and everything around them.