category: Children's Books

It’s summertime, and you’re invited to a rollicking day at the pool with Charlie and his pet dragon (and best friend!) Rosie. But be careful, because swimming with a dragon is, um, challenging. Grab your towels and sunscreen and join Rosie and Charlie for a fun-filled summer adventure! (Note: Fireproof clothing not included.)

Is this a place Calvin can call home for a while?

Calvin is in foster care, and he wants to trust someone, anyone, but is afraid to open his heart. He has lived in a lot of houses, but he still hasn’t found his home. When he moves in with Maggie, she shows him respect, offers him kindness, and makes him see things in himself that he’s never noticed before. Maybe this isn’t just another house, maybe this is a place Calvin can call home, for a while.

HOME FOR A WHILE
(Illustrated by Natalia Moore/Magination Press)
will hit the shelves February 2, 2021

Shannon Hitchcock and N.H. Senzai expertly craft the intersection of the lives of two girls-one, a Muslim fleeing civil war, the other, an American from the South-as they are forced to examine their beliefs and the true meaning of friendship in the midst of the president’s 2017 Muslim ban.

Twelve-year-old Noura Alwan’s family is granted asylum in the United States, after spending two years in a Turkish refugee camp, having fled war-torn Aleppo. They land in Tampa, Florida, on January 30, 2017, just days after the president restricted entry into the US from nations with a Muslim majority population.

Twelve-year-old Jordyn Johnson is a record-breaking swimmer but hasn’t swum well since her mom had a miscarriage during one of her meets. Her family has volunteered to help the Alwan family through their church. She knows very few people of Arab descent or who practice Islam.

The girls’ lives intersect at Bayshore Middle School where Jordyn serves as the Alwan children’s school ambassador. Noura knows that her family is safe from the civil unrest in her home country but is not prepared for the adversity she now faces on American soil. Jordyn is sympathetic to Noura’s situation, but there are other members of their Florida community who see the refugees’ presence to be a threat to their way of life.While the president’s Muslim ban tests the resolve and faith of many, it is friendship that stands strong against fear and hatred.

The star of Jacob’s New Dress is back and opening (bathroom) doors for gender nonconforming kids …

The beloved lead character from Jacob’s New Dress is back in an encouraging story about gender expression. When Jacob goes to the boys’ bathroom he is chased out because the boys think he looks like a girl because of the way he is dressed. His classmate, Sophie, has a similar experience when she tries to go to the girls’ bathroom. When their teacher finds out what happened, Jacob and Sophie, with the support of administration, lead change at their school as everyone discovers the many forms of gender expression and how to treat each other with respect.

Timely and controversial, here’s a picture book that – with sensitivity and celebration – honors “pink boys.”
Jacob loves playing dress-up, when he can be anything he wants to be. Some kids at school say he can’t wear “girl” clothes, but Jacob wants to wear a dress to school. Can he convince his parents to let him wear what he wants? This heartwarming story speaks to the unique challenges faced by boys who don’t identify with traditional gender roles.

Based on a true story of a pizza shop in Philadelphia (described in the back matter), this story explores the true meaning of tzedakah—giving to others while not making them feel as if they’ve been helped.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid meets Because of Mr. Terupt with a splash of Dear Mr. Henshaw …

Told in eight perspectives–including one in graphic novel form–Operation Frog Effect is perfect for fans of Andrew Clements, Rob Buyea, and Sarah Weeks, and for anyone who wants to make a difference.

 Hi—

It’s us, Ms. Graham’s class. We didn’t mean to mess things up. But we did. We took things too far, and now Ms. Graham is in trouble–for something we did. We made a mistake. The question is, can we fix it? Ms. Graham taught us that we get to choose the kind of people we want to be and that a single act can create ripples. So get ready, world–we’re about to make some ripples.

Sincerely,
Kayley, Kai, Henry, Aviva, Cecilia, Blake, Sharon, Emily (and Kermit, class frog)

Everyone makes mistakes. But what happens when your mistake hurts someone else? Told in eight perspectives–including one in graphic novel form, Operation Frog Effect celebrates standing up and standing together, and tells the unforgettable story of how eight very different kids take responsibility for their actions and unite for a cause they all believe in.

If one small act can create a ripple across the universe . . . what happens when a whole group of kids join together and act?

 

The Boulder Brothers offers a longer page count than picture books, but a lower word count than chapter books of the same extent. Mo and Jo are fun-loving cavemen whose antics will surely delight kids, especially boys. Follow them as they attempt to de-stink themselves, play hide-and-seek, and make fire.

Mo and Jo, aka the Boulder Brothers, join JUMP • INTO • CHAPTERS with a series of pre-hysterical escapades. In the first chapter, Me Stink?, something’s smelly! Is it Jo? Is it Mo? Is it both? Though kids will know who’s the real odor-offender, they’ll have fun watching the caveboys try to figure out the source of the stench. Hide and Peek, Chapter 2, has Jo teaching Mo how to play his favorite game. But does Mo really not understand the rules? Or is he a peek-and-cheater? And who will have the best ideas for warming up in Me Cold!? Will a prehistoric beastie mind when they try to borrow some fur? Though Mo and Jo both speak caveman-ese, educators can be assured that the accompanying narration will offer kids a correct rendition of grammar and sentence structure. But don’t be surprised to hear Boulder Brothers’ fans declare, “Me want more MO AND JO!”