JUMP TO MIDDLE GRADE -|||- JUMP TO YOUNG ADULT
*CHILDREN'S*
Click the covers to purchase.
New books added daily through July 30th, 2021!
===========================
CHILDREN'S PICTURE BOOK / REALISTIC FICTION / AGES 6-10
A Flood of Kindness
By Ellen Leventhal; Illustrated by Blythe Russell
WorthyKids / Hachette Book Group
"The night the river jumped its banks, everything changed."
So begins A Flood of Kindness, a picture book that addresses grief and loss and demonstrates how kindness can bring hope. The story follows Charlotte, a young girl who watches floodwaters rise in her home and is forced to evacuate to a shelter with her parents. Kind people she doesn't know give her food, shoes and socks to keep her feet warm, and a place to sleep. As Charlotte adjusts to the shelter—a strange, crowded place that is not home—she grapples with feelings of anger and sadness. But as the days go by, she learns that accepting and passing on kindness, is a wonderful way to start to heal.
===========================
CHILDREN'S PICTURE BOOK / CHAPTER BOOK / ANIMALS / AGES 6-10
Amy's Amazing Hats: A Book About Friendship, Caring and Kindness
By Sharyn Diamond
Page Publishing
46 pages; hardcover, paperback, and eBook
"I wrote Amy's Amazing Hats as a way to teach children the values of being kind and caring to a friend with cancer, bringing awareness to pediatric cancer, sharing the challenges young people have fighting this disease, and the wonderful work the Passing Hats organization does. For more information, look up www.passinghats.org and you too may get "hooked" on looming hats! On behalf of children fighting cancer everywhere and Passing Hats, please share this special book with your friends and family." - Sharyn Diamond
===========================
CHAPTER BOOK / CROSS-CULTURAL ADVENTURE / BILINGUAL
¡¡Ay, Chihuahua!!
By Marion Surles
Love and Literacy
136 pages; paperback and eBook
Panchita has a tender heart for dogs, and too many strays roam her neighborhood in Juarez, Mexico. But as one little dog decides to trust her, and then another, Panchita renames herself Panchita the protector. Soon she becomes protector of more than stray dogs. Has she gone too far? Follow Panchita on her rescue adventures. Panchita tiene un gran corazón y un enorme deseo para ayudar a los perritos, y hay demasiados vagando por su vecindario en Ciudad Juárez, México. Pero cuando una perrita decide confiar en ella, y después otro, Panchita se convierte en Panchita la protectora. Pronto protege más que perros. ¿Habrá ido demasiado lejos en su lucha por defender a los perros? Sigue a Panchita en sus aventuras de rescate.
===========================
CHILDREN'S PICTURE BOOK / INTERNATIONAL ADOPTION / BLENDED FAMILIES / AGES 3-7
The Baby with Three Families, Two Countries, and One Promise: An International Adoption Story
By Julie Gianelloni Connor; Illustrated by Saman Chinthaka Weerasinghe
Bayou City Press
42 pages; hardcover, paperback, and eBook
Called by reviewers "essential," "unique," "charming," The Baby with Three Families, Two Countries, and One Promise is a children's book designed to be read by parents to a child adopted from a foreign country. The story recounts the separate emotional journeys taken by prospective adoptive parents and a biological mother in order to arrive at an adoption. The complex adoption process is "stripped down to its simplest form for a concise and sincere look at the topic." In the final pages of the book, the adoptive parents tuck their baby in at night, telling him his story--that he has three families, two countries, and a promise for the future to return to the country of his birth.
===========================
CHILDREN'S PICTURE BOOK / NONFICTION / BIOGRAPHY / CIVIL RIGHTS / AGES 6-10
Beautiful Shades of Brown, the Art of Laura Wheeler Waring
By Nancy Churnin; Illustrated by Felicia Marshall
Creston Books (distributed by Lerner Books)
Growing up in the late 19th century, Laura Wheeler Waring didn't see any artists who looked like her. She didn't see any paintings of people who looked like her, either. As a young woman studying art in Paris, she found inspiration in the works of Matisse and Gaugin to paint the people she knew best. Back in Philadelphia, the Harmon Foundation commissioned her to paint portraits of accomplished African-Americans. Her portraits still hang in Washington DC's National Portrait Gallery, where children of all races can admire the beautiful shades of brown she captured.
===========================
CHILDREN'S PICTURE BOOK / CHAPTER BOOK / ANIMALS / AGES 6-10
The Blue Dog and the White Horse: Adventures on a Texas Ranch
By Haven Lindsey
Sasha Agencies
A book of true stories about a small blue heeler dog named Gracie, who befriended an older, retired Texas roping horse named Max. The stories are written by Gracie’s owner who watched the two animals, seemingly different in every way, form a bond and become best friends. These short stories touch on friendship, connection, and trust with colorful illustrations based on real-life photographs taken of Gracie and Max. People of all ages will enjoy the stories for their uplifting lessons and messages of kindness, respect, and tolerance. Gracie and Max’s adventures take place on a ranch in the Hill Country of Central Texas and include many references to life on a ranch and the rich variety of landscapes, weather, and nature.
===========================
CHILDREN'S PICTURE BOOK / NONFICTION / CREATIVE WRITING / AGES 5+
The Book of Untold Stories: Fourteen Prompts to Spark the Imagination
By Sherri Maret; Illustrated by Thomas Hilley
The RoadRunner Press
Do you like using your imagination? Are you someone who wants to create stories? Then grab a piece of paper and a pen, open this book, and let your imagination soar! What is your big fish story? If little aliens visited earth, what would they look like and what would they do? If an octopus could read books, what would it read and why? Fourteen colorful illustrations await, but only you can tell your unique story based on them. A doorway to endless hours of creative writing, The Book of Untold Stories will turn you into a storyteller or writer no matter your age! For ages 5-up.
===========================
CHILDREN'S PICTURE BOOK / EDUCATION / ANIMALS / AGES 2-8
EEK! I Hear a Squeak
By Lavelle Carlson; Illustrated by Jenny Loehr
SLP Storytellers
This book, written by a speech-language pathologist, is a delightfully humorous book that children will beg to have read to them night after night. It is a great book for teaching early literacy because it contains many of the components recommended by early literacy specialists; i.e. dialogue set in bubbles for print awareness, rhyming, colorful pictures, repetition and predictability, counting, and interactive dialogue for language development, and coloring pictures. Children will also enjoy the companion EEK! I Hear a Squeak coloring book in black and white. The publisher provides coloring downloads as well as an activity booklet on www.slpstorytellers.com. EEK! I Hear a Squeak was a North Texas Book Festival 2008 Award Recipient.
===========================
CHILDREN'S PICTURE BOOK / BILINGUAL / INFORMATIONAL FICTION / K-3RD GRADE
El Libro Que Jake Tomo Prestado / The Book That Jake Borrowed
Written and Illustrated by Susan Holt Kralovansky
Pelican Publishimg
Jake and his library book are in a sticky situation in this cumulative tale, an original adaptation of the classic The House That Jack Built. There's the jelly mishap that leads to the hungry rat, whose luck runs out when he's chased by the cat, all before a dog shows up and, well, that's that for the book that Jake borrowed! Will the librarian Jake adores let him have another book? Find out in this hilarious, bilingual tale.
===========================
CHILDREN'S PICTURE BOOK / CULTURAL / AGES 3-10
FARTING FOUR-TOED TROLL
By Lavelle Carlson; Illustrated by Donna Day Mathis
Can the Farting Four-Toed Troll carry out his kind deeds secretly, so no one hears him? Will he inspire others to help feed the hungry animals? Poop! Fart! These are the words that can be so embarrassing for parents and grandparents. And, it is certainly a headache for preschooler and early elementary teachers to try to instill appropriate language in their young students. Well, Farting Four-Toed Troll gives a great opportunity for parents and teachers to talk about these words in a way that is more appropriate. Using this book is a pleasant way to teach children the use of "good" words vs. "bad" words.
===========================
CHILDREN'S PICTURE BOOK / SOCIAL ISSUES / OWN VOICES / AGES 6-10
For Beautiful Black Boys Who Believe in a Better World
By Michael W. Waters; Illustrated by Keisha Morris
Flyaway Books
In a story based on real-life events, Jeremiah’s response to racism and gun violence in his community helps him and his family discover hopeful forms of activism and advocacy. Includes a discussion and activity guide by the Muhammad Ali Center.
===========================
CHILDREN'S PICTURE BOOK / RANCH LIFE / RHYMING / GRADES K-2
Hitchin’ Post and the 6B Ranch Kids
By Julie Barker and Illustrated by Carolyn Altman
BookBaby
Hitchin' Post, the cowboy jackrabbit, likes helping with his favorite ranch family. His little buddy Bo thinks he is as big as his brother Bubba and all the 6B cowboys. Bo gets fightin' mad when he can't do what the cowboys do and go where the cowboys go. Sis always wants to give Bo hugs and kisses, but he always tells her, "NO!" When Bo makes Sis cry, Hitchin' Post realizes that Sis needs a special job. It doesn't take long for little Bo to wonder why Sis doesn't bother him anymore. Before long, Bo is wondering what Sis is up to. Thank goodness wise old Hitch is here to help!
===========================
CHILDREN'S PICTURE BOOK / NONFICTION / BIOGRAPHY / AGES 4-8
Indelible Ann: The Larger-Than-Life Story of Governor Ann Richards
By Meghan Browne; Illustrated by Carlynn Whitt
Random House Studio
A folksy, larger-than-life picture book biography about Ann Richards, the late governor of Texas who has inspired countless women in politics today.
===========================
CHILDREN'S PICTURE BOOK / BEDTIME
It's Bedtime Lil' Marco
Written and Illustrated by Sharon Jones-Scaife
Coffee Creek Media Group
28 pages; hardcover, paperback, and eBook
Lil’ Marco loves to play and could play from sunup to sundown except every evening, without fail, his Daddy says, “It’s bedtime, Lil’ Marco!” Oh, those dreaded words! Just hearing them causes Lil’ Marco to find even more toys to play with – a ball, a truck, a teddy bear. Except playing does not stop his eyes from getting heavy. They get heavier while playing during and after his bath. Finally, tucked in bed with his eyes nearly closed, Lil’ Marco decides playing can wait til’ the next day. It’s bedtime.
===========================
CHILDREN'S PICTURE BOOK / SPORTS / SELF-HELP
Just Kick It
Written and Illustrated by Sharon Jones-Scaife
Coffee Creek Media Group
32 pages; hardcover, paperback, and eBook
Rihanna has butterflies in her stomach! Today she plays her first game with her new team, the Lady Lions. All goes well until Coach calls her into the game. For someone who is nervous and scared, she manages to complete a pass to the team’s star player. Rihanna feels great! Rihanna’s fear about being accepted by her new teammates comes back at the end of the game. What is she to do? Pass or try to score? Or run off the field and hide behind Mema? Join Rihanna on the field as the ball bounces to her and she has to decide what her next move will be.
===========================
CHILDREN'S PICTURE BOOK / EDUCATION / SELF-HELP
Kindness, It's In You
Written and Illustrated by Sharon Jones-Scaife
Coffee Creek Media Group
28 pages; hardcover, paperback, and eBook
Haylie's mission is to make the world a kinder place. She speaks kind words to friends and neighbors. She does kind deeds for strangers and family. But then she meets mean Gus. What happens when kindness meets meanness? Things do not end the way you think! Kindness, It's In You is book one in the Haylie's Inspirations series.
===========================
CHILDREN'S PICTURE BOOK / NONFICTION / NATURE / CONSERVATION / AGES 4-9
Lela and the Butterflies
By Sherri and Tim Maret; Illustrated by Merisha Sequoia Clark
Muddy Boots
Lela loves butterflies. When Lela takes a nature walk with Ranger Maggie, she learns that butterflies need help. Lela’s small steps in butterfly conservation start with a butterfly garden of nectar and host plants, but she doesn’t stop there and ends up spreading her love for butterflies throughout the community. A simple guide to planting a butterfly garden is also included. Teacher activities are on the author's website (SherriMaret.com)
===========================
CHILDREN'S PICTURE BOOK / EDUCATION / REFERENCE
Lil' Marco Plays Hide and Seek
Written and Illustrated by Sharon Jones-Scaife
Coffee Creek Media Group
32 pages; hardcover, paperback, and eBook
Lil' Marco enjoys playing his favorite game, Hide and Seek. He's found the perfect hiding place that stumps Mother. But Mother has a plan to draw her son out. Will her plan work or will Lil' Marco win another game of Hide and Seek? We've included information and activity sheets that relate to the story theme for the benefit of you and your young one. Preparing for emergencies is something that doesn't cross our minds until an emergency happens, and that's too late. Lil' Marco Plays Hide and Seek not only leads children on a trail of fun play, but also introduces them to safe places to hide when faced with weather-related emergencies.
===========================
CHILDREN'S PICTURE BOOK / HEALTH / SELF-HELP
Maddie on a Mission
Written and Illustrated by Sharon Jones-Scaife
Coffee Creek Media Group
24 pages; hardback, paperback, and eBook
Maddie is disappointed that she can't go to school until she learns the reason why...a germ is passing from person to person. Maddie must do her part to stop the germ from spreading. But how? Follow along as Maddie goes on a germ buster mission.
===========================
FANTASY / ACTION & ADVENTURE / CHAPTER BOOKS
The Mischief Series
By Amanda M. Thrasher
Mischief in the Mushroom Patch: Progressive Rising Phoenix Press, Paperback ISBN: 978-0988856806, 146 Pages; $7.99; also available in hardcover and eBook
A Fairy Match in the Mushroom Patch: Progressive Rising Phoenix Press, Paperback ISBN 978-0988856813; 162 pages; $7.99; also available in hardcover and eBook
Spider Web Scramble: Progressive Rising Phoenix Press, Paperback ISBN: 978-1944277130; 170 pages; $7.99; also available in hardcover and eBook
Teamwork, friendship, and magic abound throughout The Mischief Series. In this whimsical narrative, the delightful trio Lilly, Boris, and Jack, discover who they are and what they're made of during their adventures. The descriptive passages bring the Mushroom Patch to life and instantly pull the reader into a colorful, magical world. Often books that include special need characters teach others about the disability, pointing out the differences between them and others, but not this series. Introducing a special needs fairy, Pearle, who is precious, Lilly, Boris, and Jack, unite to help—proving that friendship, loyalty, and goodness, brings all together regardless of disabilities. With gentle life lessons entwined, this series is perfect for girls and boys experiencing their first real chapter books. Author website: https://amandamthrasher.com/
Read the Lone Star Listens interview with Amanda Thrasher.
===========================
CHILDREN'S PICTURE BOOK / MYSTERY / ADOPTION
Mrs. Hughes is Missing
Written and Illustrated by Sharon Jones-Scaife
Coffee Creek Media Group
24 pages; hardback, paperback, and eBook
When the students of Mrs. Hughes’s class walk in one day and discover their favorite teacher is gone, they cry “Oh me! Oh my! Oh boy!” in disappointed voices. Days go by and no Mrs. Hughes. Weeks go by and still no Mrs. Hughes. The next day in class, the students’ imaginations soar as they try to figure out just what has happened to Mrs. Hughes! As the guesses become more and more unlikely, who shows up? Mrs. Hughes! And she is not alone. Mrs. Hughes is now a mother and has brought baby Cole to meet her students. Mrs. Hughes has been found! But guess who’s missing now? The mean substitute teacher.
===========================
CHILDREN'S PICTURE BOOK / MULTICULTURAL / BILINGUAL / AGES 6-10
¡Todos al rodeo! A Vaquero Alphabet Book
By Dr. Ma. Alma González Pérez
Del Alma Publications
40 pages; hardcover, paperback, and library binding
Third in a series of popular and unique bilingual alphabet books, this picturesque children's book highlights the life and the history of the vaquero (cowboy). It includes many concepts like rodeo and lasso that emerged with the arrival of the Spaniards in the New World. Written by award-winning author and professor of bilingual education, Dr. María Alma González Pérez, this book is sure to delight and educate young children. Additionally, it is intended as a resource for the bilingual / dual-language classroom.
===========================
CHAPTER BOOK / FANTASY / FAIRIES / GRADES K-3
The Tooth Collector Fairies: Batina's Best First Day
By Denise Ditto; Illustrated by Gabhor Utomo
Dial Books for Young Readers,
42 pages; hardcover, paperback, and eBook
In the magical land of Brushelot, it is Batina’s first day collecting teeth. She is determined that her humongous wings will not interfere with her mission, but on her way back home her wings cause her to tumble, and the tooth gets lost. Batina must call on her best friends, Lainey and little Lulu, to work together to save the day. This book underlines the importance of well-brushed teeth from a tooth fairy’s point of view, an intriguing choice since children are generally more interested in what the collector leaves under their pillows. The book is less about good dental hygiene and more about the virtues of teamwork, persistence, friendship, and honesty. But the morals are lightened by the story’s humor and charm.
===========================
CHILDREN'S PICTURE BOOKS / INFORMATIONAL FICTION / AGES 3-8
We Really, Really Want a Dog!
Written and Illustrated by Susan Holt Kralovansky
Pelican Publishing
This lighthearted read-aloud book describes a trip to the animal shelter to find a just-right family pet. Young readers will learn what to consider when choosing a dog as well as the benefits of rescuing an animal. Sidebars and back matter detail necessary supplies and dangerous foods.
===========================
New books added daily through July 30, 2021!
Want your book included? Click here for details and pay-what-you-can pricing.
