Great New Books in the Bridge Library!: SEL

This Level 1 guided reader explores the feeling of joy.

Fun dinosaur characters teach young children all about friendship--the value of friends, how to make friends, and how to be a good friend. With playful full-color illustrations, Laurie Krasny Brown and Marc Brown help kids cope with everyday social situations and learn: Who can be your friend. How to show someone you would like to be friends. How to handle bosses and bullies. The best ways to be a friend and ways not to be a friend. Ways to settle an argument with a friend.

Being kind means... Smiling at the new student in class. Giving someone a compliment. Celebrating the differences in others. When the girl in the red hat finds the courage to be kind to the new student in class, her kindness spreads. Kind act by kind act, her whole community experiences the magical shift that happens when everyone understands--and acts on--what it means to be kind.

Showing respect is very important. But what does that mean? Readers will learn through examples in a fun question and answer format that treating others the way you would want to be treated shows respect.

Idil has a problem. She loves hanging out with her friends Pete and Ben--but lately, Pete hasn't been very nice to Ben. Pete doesn't let Ben have a turn talking or playing. Can Idil help Pete see that the way he's treating Ben isn't right? Come along as Idil tries to help Pete learn that everyone has value--and deserves to be included and treated with respect.

Luisa is repeatedly teased and called "weird" by her classmate Sam, even though she is simply being herself--laughing with her friends, answering questions in class, greeting her father in Spanish, and wearing her favorite polka-dot boots. Luisa initially reacts to the bullying by withdrawing and hiding her colorful nature. But with the support of her teachers, parents, classmates, and one special friend named Jayla, she is able to reclaim her color and resist Sam's put-downs.

Sam is concerned about keeping things orderly and "cool" at school. She thinks people need to have a tough skin in order to fit in and withstand others' meanness and lack of cooperation. Sam teases her free-spirited classmate Luisa and enlists a friend, Jayla, to help. But when Sam is confronted by a concerned teacher about her bullying, and Jayla turns on Sam and befriends Luisa, Sam begins to show some heart and rethink her treatment of others.

Jayla feels threatened by her classmate Sam, who has bullied her in the past for her "nerdy" love of astronomy and stars. Sam is now bullying Jayla's friend Luisa, and she enlists Jayla to participate. Jalya reluctantly joins in but soon realizes it is wrong. With the help of caring adults and friends, Jayla comes to sympathize with Luisa and finds the courage to dare to stand up to Sam and put an end to the bullying.

When Sophie can't solve a math puzzle, she feels upset and inadequate. "I CAN'T DO IT!" she shouts, expressing the frustration all of us feel when we try and fail. Will she ever be "smart" like her sister? Maybe she isn't smart at all. Luckily Sophie's teacher steps in. What does it mean to be smart? Using current, popular "mindset" techniques, Sophie's class is taught that we get smarter when we exercise our brains, such as when we work harder at solving a puzzle. Struggling to solve a problem doesn't mean "I can't do it!" Sophie and her classmates just can't do it. . .yet! Readers will cheer when Sophie finally prevails, and at the end of the day, she's confident and optimistic. At home, Sophie uses her new technique to help her dad solve a carpentry puzzle.

Lotty Raccoon is excited. This year she has a new teacher, new backpack, and new shoes. But her enthusiasm quickly wanes when Grant Grizzly begins bullying her. With the help of her fellow students, she forms the Bully Blockers Club.

"A subtle, deceptively simple book about inclusion, hospitality, and welcoming the 'other.'" --Kirkus Reviews "A boundlessly inclusive spirit...This open-ended picture book creates a natural springboard for discussion." --Booklist "This sweet extended metaphor uses an umbrella to demonstrate how kindness and inclusion work...A lovely addition to any library collection, for classroom use or for sharing at home." --School Library Journal In the tradition of Alison McGhee's Someday, beloved illustrator Amy June Bates makes her authorial debut alongside her eleven-year-old daughter with this timely and timeless picture book about acceptance. By the door there is an umbrella. It is big. It is so big that when it starts to rain there is room for everyone underneath. It doesn't matter if you are tall. Or plaid. Or hairy. It doesn't matter how many legs you have. Don't worry that there won't be enough room under the umbrella. Because there will always be room. Lush illustrations and simple, lyrical text subtly address themes of inclusion and tolerance in this sweet story that accomplished illustrator Amy June Bates cowrote with her daughter, Juniper, while walking to school together in the rain.

When Hedgehog wakes up feeling down in the snout and droopy in the prickles, he knows a hug will make him feel much better. But none of his animal friends are eager to wrap their arms around Hedgehog's prickles, and he's too smart to fall for Fox's sly offer. Then Hedgehog gets a surprise - another animal in the forest is feeling exactly the same way. Luckily, both are kind and brave enough for the perfect hug.

Bremner the pufferfish is going to a party. Tonight. Gulp! And he's nervous. And he knows what happens when he gets nervous. He puffs up. And he definitely doesn't want to puff up. Children and parents alike will laugh their way through Bremner's nervous dialogue as he goes off the deep end before joining the party. Will Bremner puff up and ruin the celebration? There's only one way to find out!

Young worriers will relate to -- and be comforted by --this tale of a boy's anxiety as he heads to his first big party. What if Joe doesn't like the party he's going to? What if he doesn't like the food or the games or the people? As Joe and his mom walk down the darkening street, Joe's imagination starts to run wild. And as they search for the right place, he wonders "what if . . ." at each house, peeking in to see some surprising sights.

"You used to be a mouse," said Mickey to his ex-friend Jack. "And now you've turned into a great big rat." Maybe Jack wasn't a rat, but he certainly was a bully. And he made life very uncomfortable for Mickey. Mickey's parents had some helpful ideas, but Mickey found that it was easier to talk about loving your enemies than actually to do it, and brave words were often just words. But then something happened that surprised Mickey as much as Jack.

As a big storm approaches, two strangers arrive in the forest. All the animal families, safe in their homes, are worried. They wonder, 'What are they doing there? What do they want?' So, as the pair knocks at the door of one home after another asking for shelter, all the animals turn them away, leaving them to fend for themselves. But then an accident suddenly forces the fox family out into the snow and the wind, and the foxes find they must ask these outsiders for help. Will they find it in their hearts to give it? Céline Claire's heartwarming picture book story delivers a timeless and timely message about the importance of kindness and generosity. With simple and evocative language, it explores how even small gestures can make a big difference to the strangers or outsiders in a community. This book provides a wonderful opportunity for discussions about being welcoming and helping others in need, including how children can put this into practice by reaching out to the new kid or the one who seems different. It also works well for character education lessons on kindness, caring and empathy.

Kim wants the kids at her new school to like her, so she tells a teeny, tiny, bitty lie. She says her name is really K.I.M.for Katherine Isabella Marguerite and that she comes from a royal family! Pretty soon all the students know there is a princess in the school. Kim wears her golden tiara from dance class and a big fancy ring she won at the arcade. Her little lie grows and grows.

Do you ever feel sad? What do you do when you feel sad? Find out why Carlos is sad and how he deals with his feelings.

Do you ever feel angry? What do you do when you feel angry? Find out why Iza is angry and how she deals with her feelings.

What makes you feel happy? Find out all the different things that make Mia happy. This title focuses on making predictions and retelling.

This entertaining story follows RJ as he goes about his day doing the things he enjoys, such as blowing bubbles, playing soccer, and hanging out with friends. But when a couple of friends give him compliments, he just isn't sure how to respond! As RJ continues through the day, he hears from his teacher and parents that while there are many things he's doing very well, there are some things he needs to work on. His first reaction is to argue and make excuses. Throughout the story, RJ learns what it means to receive positive and negative feedback, and how to respond appropriately to that feedback.

Through a fun and whimsical story, children will learn the concept of ownership and how it feels when someone doesn't respect what is yours. Meet Ricky! A cute little boy that just can't seem to figure out that stealing is wrong.

Elementary school kids will identify with Noodle as he makes one excuse after another for his behavior and choices that lead to unwanted consequences. It just isn't his fault that his brother's game ran late, and he didn't finish his homework. Or that his mom forgot to remind him to turn in his library book. By learning to accept responsibility he finds instead how to use mistakes as opportunities for problem-solving and to turn negatives into positives.

RJ says what he thinks ... no matter how it sounds or makes others feel. It's time RJ starts using a social filter when he speaks. With help from his parents, he learns he doesn't have to verbalize every thought that pops into his head. In fact, sometimes the less said the better.

All of Louis' thoughts are very important to him. In fact, his thoughts are so important to him that when he has something to say, his words begin to wiggle, and then they do the jiggle, then his tongue pushes all of his important words up against his teeth and he erupts, or interrupts others. His mouth is a volcano My Mouth Is A Volcano takes an empathetic approach to the habit of interrupting and teaches children a witty technique to capture their rambunctious thoughts and words for expression at an appropriate time.

RJ is making a lot of trips to the time out chair. Without telling anyone, he and his best friend Sam decide to walk home from school instead of riding the bus. Later the two of them are caught trying to use Dad's computer to get on the Internet. After their piano lesson, RJ and his sister Blanche snack on Mom's triple-layer double-chocolate cake with whipped cream frosting and spoil Grandma's birthday party surprise. Dad helps RJ learn how to do a better job of asking for permission, and when RJ and Sam return to school their principal has them practice making an apology. RJ feels a lot happier when he says he's sorry to his teacher, the bus driver, and Grandma, and he learns that asking for permission will mean fewer trips to the time-out chair.

Brad has a lot of great things going on in his life, or at least that's what he tells all of his classmates! When one student wins a contest, Brad brags about how he won an even bigger contest. When another student breaks his arm, Brad blabs about how he broke BOTH his arms AND legs. Children and adults will get a real kick out of Brad's tall tales as he learns the difference between being a "pull-upper" and a "one-upper!"

The flower patch has always been the same. Purples hang with other Purples. Blues hang with Blues. Talls hang with Talls. Shorts hang with Shorts. But when Purple moves into the Blue Patch, Blue just isn't sure how he feels about that! Fortunately, Blue's Mom is around to point out how much Blue and his friends can learn from the wind, the rain, and the bees, who treat all flowers the same. Will Blue start to see things from a different lens?

Louis is back And this time, he's learning all about personal space. Louis, a self-taught space expert is delighted to learn that his teacher has sent him to the principal's office to attend personal space camp. Eager to learn more about lunar landings, space suits, and other cosmic concepts, Louis soon discovers that he has much to learn about personal space right here on earth. Written with style, wit, and rhythm, personal space camp addresses the complex issue of respect for another person's physical boundaries.

"No" is RJ's least favorite word... and he tries his best to convince his dad, his mom, and his teacher to turn "No" into "Maybe" or "We'll see" or "Later" or "I'll think about it." Even though he doesn't have much success, RJ keeps arguing until his teacher suggests that he try to join her classroom's Say YES to NO Club. If RJ can learn how to accept "No" for an answer and to disagree appropriately with his teacher and parents, he can add his name to the club's Star Board. RJ finds that lots of praise and some rewards come his way when he uses these skills the right way!

Josh, a chronic tattler, is warned by his mother that he is going to develop a case of tattle tongue, but the lesson really hits home when the Tattle Prince pays him a visit and lays down some rules about tattling.

RJ's way of doing things isn't working out for him, especially in math class. His teacher is upset because so many of his assignments are missing or incomplete. RJ blames Norma "the booger picker" and Rodney "the alphabet burper" for distracting him during class. With support from his mom and dad, RJ learns how to ask for help and stay on task. By learning how to do things the right way the first time, RJ discovers he no longer has to do his work over and over and over again.

When the class bully, Brenda Bailey, makes fun of Jessica's skinny legs and her boyish lunch box, Jessica doesn't know what to do. She doesn't want to be a tattletale, but she also wants the bullying to stop. Can Jessica find the courage to stand up for herself?

Anya becomes frustrated while working on a project. Can she calm down enough to complete it?

Are Mrs. Hartwell's students ready to show what they know? Mrs. Hartwell is preparing her class to take the Big Test. Knowing they have studied and are well-prepared, she helps the students practice how to sit quietly, fill in the bubbles, and follow the directions. She even instructs them on proper morning-of-the-test nutrition. As her students grow increasingly anxious about the Big Test, Mrs. Hartwell realizes she has to teach the most valuable test-taking skill of all: learning to relax!

Jenny is a gentle bundle of contradictions. She wants to be left alone, but she cries when her mom goes away. She wants to wear her old T-shirt instead of her new dress, and that's that. If you catch her smiling, she'll go back to grumbling. Jenny wants things her way, but she's not always sure what the way is. It might seem like she's being difficult, but she can't help it -- it's just how she feels. This delightful small-format picture book is a portrait of a character who, despite her grumbling and frustrations, just wants to be loved.

When a new girl in the Barkers' class, Carole Anne, acts like a bully, the students try talking to her and ignoring her until Morgie finally discovers what is wrong and finds a way to fix it.

Nina used to live with her parents in one house, but now she lives in two houses, sometimes with her mom and other times with her dad, and although she is confused about what is happening, Nina knows both her parents love her very much.

A universal, deeply moving exploration of grief and empathy With its spare, poignant text and irresistibly sweet illustrations, The Rabbit Listened is a tender meditation on loss. When something terrible happens, Taylor doesn't know where to turn. All the animals are sure they have the answer. The chicken wants to talk it out, but Taylor doesn't feel like chatting. The bear thinks Taylor should get angry, but that's not quite right either. One by one, the animals try to tell Taylor how to process this loss, and one by one they fail. Then the rabbit arrives. All the rabbit does is listen, which is just what Taylor needs. Whether read in the wake of tragedy or as a primer for comforting others, this is a deeply moving and unforgettable story sure to soothe heartache of all sizes.

Mrs. Badger, an avid collector and naturalist, takes a weekly journey up to Sugarloaf Peak, greeting her friends on the way and sharing her discoveries with them. One day she meets Lulu, a very small cat, who wants to go with her to the top of the mountain. On the way, Lulu learns to take care of the natural world, help those in need, and listen to her intuition. Rich in wisdom and beautifully illustrated, Up the Mountain Path offers a profound story full of lessons about love, generosity, and following one's heart.

There are many reasons why Annie is best friends with Lillemor, who is from Sweden -they're the same age ... they like the same colors ... they like - doing the same things. Annie and Lillemor like each other so much they play together every day. But then Lilianne, a new girl from France, arrives. Annie can't stand that Lillemor has become friends with Lilianne and that Lilianne seems to have more things in common with Lillemor than Annie does. This funny, honest picture book by Annika Dunklee perfectly captures the rhythms of youngsters' friendships and emotions, while also reminding them that there's always room for new people in their lives.

Maddie has a hard time waiting, especially when she wants to ride her bike. Can Maddie learn the importance of being patient?

Jack has a difficult time listening to others. When he almost misses his favorite activity during class, he has to figure out how to pay attention and listen.

Melvin throws fit after fit when he doesn't get what he wants. He must learn how to deal with disappointment. After all, you get what you get and you don't throw a fit. This important life lesson is illustrated beautifully in this relatable storyline.

Mustafa and his family traveled a long way to reach their new home. Some nights Mustafa dreams about the country he used to live in, and he wakes up not knowing where he is. Then his mother takes him out to the balcony to see the moon -- the same moon as in their old country. In the park, Mustafa sees ants and caterpillars and bees -- they are the same, too. He encounters a "girl-with-a-cat," who says something in a language that he can't understand. He watches an old lady feeding birds and other children playing, but he is always looking in from the outside and he feels that he is invisible. But one day, the girl-with-the-cat beckons to him, and Mustafa begins to become part of his new world. Marie-Louise Gay's remarkable ability to write and illustrate from the perspective of a young child is movingly exhibited in this gentle, thoughtful story about coming to feel at home in a new country.

Meet a pogo-dancing, punk-rock-loving kid who loves to express himself in his own unique way. His clothes, hairstyle, music, and just the way he hears the world, all set him apart. Not everyone understands him, but he likes being one of a kind--even though it's lonely sometimes. Fortunately, it's a wide world out there, and if he looks around a kid is sure to find other one-of-a-kinds with common interests.

Rupert is a rhinoceros of refined sensibilities. Levi, the new tickbird in class, is not. He burps the alphabet, tells corny jokes, and does really embarrassing air guitar solos. Worse, he lands right on Rupert and is determined to be Rupert's symbiotic best pal! Rupert wants him gone. But when Levi finally does bug off, Rupert finds the peace and quiet a little boring. It turns out, Rupert could really use a friend like Levi. This sweet and moving friendship story shares an important message of acceptance for every reader-whether they're a Rupert or a Levi.

Lucy knows how to do everything. She knows how to eat with a spoon and fork, play the xylophone, paint elephants - and lots more besides! All her friends ask her for help if they need to know the right way to do something. When Toshi arrives, Lucy thinks he can't do anything properly at all. He eats differently, plays strange music, and he definitely can't paint elephants. She can barely hide her frustration. And when she finally tries to teach Toshi the right way to do things, she learns a very important lesson herself. A simple, funny tale about understanding, respecting and enjoying our differences.

When Ice's mother tells her that they're going to move to an exciting new place, Ice isn't so sure. She likes her home and her friends, and the fun they have together. The journey takes forever, and their new home is very strange. Everything is different - the weather, the food, the people and the language. Ice tries to make friends, but everyone seems too busy and preoccupied to care.Will anything happen to help Ice feel more at home?A charming debut picture book about the anxieties and hardships of moving, with a heart-warming, positive ending.

A sweetly silly story of a little boy and a dog who make an unlikely (but perhaps perfect) pair. Everyone knows that owners and their dogs belong together in a unique way. Polly belongs to Molly, Eric belongs to Derek, Berry belongs to Terry. But poor Mr. Scruff, alone in the rescue shelter, doesn't belong to anyone. Then a boy named Jim walks in, and they seem to get along. Jim and Mr. Scruff don't look anything alike, and their names certainly don't rhyme, but they may end up belonging to each other just the same. From author-illustrator Simon James comes a warm, winning story about friendship and finding a home.

What if everybody chose to be kind? If you tell someone that they can't play with you, there's no harm done, right? But what if everybody said that? What if everybody forgot to be kind...and made fun of other kids' artwork at school, or told a fib, or refused to share with a person in need? The world wouldn't be a very nice place to live. But what if everybody thought before they spoke, so the world would be a kinder place? With clear prose and lighthearted artwork, this book explores the power of words and shows kids that the things we say matter.

If you drop just one soda can out the window, it's no big deal ... right? But what if everybody did that? What if everybody broke the rules ... and spoke during story time, didn't wash up, or splashed too much at the pool? Then the world would be a mess. But what if everybody obeyed the rules so that the world would become a better place? Using humorous illustrations rendered in mixed media, these questions are answered in a child-friendly way and show the consequences of thoughtless behavior.

Floyd Peterson is so much more than shaggy purple fur and pointy monster teeth-- why can't people just see him for him?

This is a book about a bad seed. A baaaaaaaaaad seed. How bad? Do you really want to know? He has a bad temper, bad manners, and a bad attitude. He's been bad since he can remember! This seed cuts in line every time, stares at everybody and never listens. But what happens when one mischievous little seed changes his mind about himself, and decides that he wants to be--happy? The Bad Seed is a funny yet touching tale that reminds us of the remarkably transformative power of will, acceptance, and just being you. Perfect for readers young and old, The Bad Seed proves that positive change is possible for each and every one of us.

From the bestselling creators of The Bad Seed, a timely story about not having to be Grade A perfect! Meet the good egg. He's a verrrrrry good egg indeed. But trying to be so good is hard when everyone else is plain ol' rotten. As the other eggs in the dozen behave badly, the good egg starts to crack from all the pressure of feeling like he has to be perfect. So, he decides enough is enough! It's time for him to make a change... Dynamic duo Jory John and Pete Oswald hatch a funny and charming story that reminds us of the importance of balance, self-care, and accepting those who we love (even if they are sometimes a bit rotten).

Justin is his group leader for a research project in the library! He has a lot of ideas in mind, but he quickly learns that being a good leader means being fair to everyone in his group. Justin must figure out how to make sure everyone can work together. Find out how Justin learns about fairness to help his group complete their project.

Sophie can't wait to share some great news with her friend Jacob! But she's so excited that she doesn't notice he has something to tell her too. When Sophie accidentally misses out on Jacob's important news, she realizes she wasn't really thinking of others in her excitement. Find out how Sophie learns about empathy as she tries to consider others' feelings.

Kevin is upset when he finds out his friend doesn't get enough to eat at home. When he learns that many families are in need, he decides he wants to help by organizing a food drive at school! Find out more about how Kevin shows generosity to others as he makes sure there's enough to go around.

Pearla loves to bake! Her favorite foods are cookies and cupcakes, which she sells at her dad's bakery. She always tries very hard to make her baking absolutely perfect, but one day Pearla is so busy that she makes a huge mistake! Have fun with Pearla as she learns how to adapt when her day doesn't go to plan and realizes it could turn out to be pretty perfect after all. This is a scrumptious tale that demonstrates that you can't succeed unless you try and that it's ok to make mistakes.

Miles McHale is a tattletale. And everybody knows it. But he's not the only one who needs help, so his teacher decides: it's time to fight the Tattle Battle! But will Miles figure out the right time to tell a grown-up about another person's behavior, or is he doomed to be a tattletale forever?

This simple yet powerful picture book tells the story of one girl who inspires a community to stand up to bullying. Inspired by real events,  I Walk with Vanessa explores the feelings of helplessness and anger that arise in the wake of seeing a classmate treated badly, and shows how a single act of kindness can lead to an entire community joining in to help. With themes of acceptance, kindness, and strength in numbers, this timeless and profound feel-good story will resonate with readers young and old.

Whippersnapper Sally sets off with gusto on a class assignment to build the tallest most super-duper double decker sandwich but when her efforts don't achieve the results she'd hoped for, she gets frustrated and wants to give up. With the help of her teacher, Sally learns that patience and practice ultimately help her triumph.

Mo Romero is a zombie who loves nothing more than growing, cooking, and eating vegetables. The problem? Mo's parents insist that their niño eat only zombie cuisine. They tell Mo over and over that zombies don't eat veggies. But Mo can't imagine a lifetime of just eating zombie food and giving up his veggies. As he questions his own zombie identity, Mo tries his best to convince his parents to give peas a chance. Super duo Megan and Jorge Lacera make their picture-book debut with this sweet story about family, self-discovery, and the power of acceptance. It's a delectable tale that zombie and nonzombie fans alike will devour.

The world can be a scary place. Anxious adults want children to be aware of dangers, but shouldn't kids be aware of kindness too? Michael Leannah wrote Most People as an antidote to the scary words and images kids hear and see every day. Jennifer Morris's emotive, diverting characters provide the perfect complement to Leannah's words, leading us through the crowded streets of an urban day in the company of two pairs of siblings. We see what they see: the hulking dude with tattoos and chains assisting an elderly lady onto the bus; the goth teenager with piercings and purple Mohawk returning a lost wallet to its owner; and the myriad interactions of daily existence, most of them well intended. This reassuring picture book is a courageous, constructive response to the dystopian world of the news media.

There's a new car on the playground. Ken is having trouble letting others use it. Can he learn how to take turns?

Owen McPhee doesn't just like to talk, he LOVES to talk. He spends every waking minute chattering away at his teachers, his classmates, his parents, his dog, and even himself. But all that talking can get in the way of listening. And when Owen wakes up with a bad case of laryngitis, it gives him a much-needed opportunity to hear what others have to say. A bright and lively picture book that captures the social dynamics of a busy classroom while delivering a gentle message about the importance of listening.

Maya's friend Bailey loves to talk about everything and everyone. At first, Maya thinks Bailey is funny. But when Bailey's talk leads to harmful rumors and hurt feelings, Maya begins to think twice about their friendship. Trudy Ludwig acquaints readers with the damaging consequences of "trouble talk"-talking to others about someone else's troubles in order to establish connection and gain attention.

Jack's friend Charlie seems to know how to get away with just about anything. Adults always back down when you say you're sorry. But does an apology count if you don't really mean it? Jack learns that the path to forgiveness isn't always the easiest.

"Parents looking for a book about separation or divorce will find few offerings as positive, matter-of-fact, or child-centered as this one. . . . Simple, yet profoundly satisfying." - Booklist (starred review) At Mommy's house, Alex has a soft chair. At Daddy's house, Alex has a rocking chair. In each home, Alex also has a special bedroom and lots of friends to play with. But whether Alex is with Mommy or with Daddy, one thing always stays the same - Alex is loved. The gently reassuring text focuses on what is gained rather than what is lost when parents divorce, while the sensitive illustrations, depicting two unique homes in all their small details, firmly establish Alex's place in both of them. Two Homes will help children - and parents - embrace even the most difficult of changes with an open and optimistic heart.

An empowering picture book for all kids that demonstrates to children that they can be real-life superheroes and that all kids have what it takes to be brave. Superheroes seek adventure, never give up, and stay calm when others are afraid. Superheroes are brave. But they aren't the only ones. Kids are brave every day. When they are told they are too little, but accomplish something big. When they check for monsters under the bed, just in case. When they face something uncertain, whether a thunderstorm or a hospital visit. When they stand up for what's right, even when it means facing consequences. Like superheroes, brave kids can save the world, just by being brave.

Every girl is unique, talented, and lovable. . . .Every girl is BEAUTIFUL. Much more than how one looks on the outside, true beauty is found in conquering challenges, showing kindness, and spreading contagious laughter. Beautiful girls are empowered and smart and strong! BEAUTIFUL breaks barriers by showing girls free to be themselves: splashing in mud, conducting science experiments, and reading books under a flashlight with friends. This book will encourage all girls to embrace who they are and realize their endless potential.

When the other animals annoy him, Remy snorts and charges right for them. One day, an aardvark decides not to run, and Remy's horn gets stuck in a tree! The forgiving aardvark gathers termites to slowly eat away the wood and free Remy--not only of his situation but of his impatient ways. So as Remy experienced strange new sensations He took a crash course in the virtue of patience. He waited through rain and he waited through thunder He waited through birds climbing over and under... He waited through elephant balancing acts Until little by little, he learned to relax. This hilarious story shows children ages 1 to 5 how to get unstuck from their impatience and enjoy peace and the people around them.

Dave is a small kid who wants more than anything to be a professional athlete. But there's one problem. You have to be tall to play basketball. You have to be big to play football. And Dave? He's little, but his dreams are BIG. He turns to running, because you don't have to be big to be a marathon runner! But you do need to train. And Dave doesn't do much training before he crosses his first starting line of the Boston Marathon. Which is probably why he doesn't quite cross the finish line on his first attempt at the famous race. But his Grandpa believes in him, and that's enough to make Dave train hard for the next Boston Marathon. But will his Grandpa be there to see him succeed? Kids and grownups alike will be inspired by Dave's story of passion, determination, and grit.

Have you ever had a grumpy day and not known why? Penguin is having a grumpy day like that. No matter what he does, he just can't shake it! Sometimes the only thing left to do is wash the grumpy day away and start over. The simple text and lively illustrations are the perfect cure for even the grumpiest of days.

In her debut picture book, Beth Mills offers a pitch-perfect look at recess, friendship, and being a good sport. First grader Ella McKeen is the undisputed kickball queen until a new girl named Riya shows up--and shows her up at recess. How does Ella handle losing? By throwing herself on the grass and screaming while the rest of the class watches her fall apart. Yikes!

All Jamie wants is to spend some time alone at the beach and finish her art project in the sand. But everyone around keeps asking her pesky questions she doesn't know how to answer- what are you making? Aren't you clever? Jamie does her best to tune it all out and focus on her creation . . . until she finds a like-minded friend. Widely respected artist Matt Myers makes his debut as an author in this story that celebrates creativity, introversion, and the beauty of a little peace and quiet.

Casey loves to play with his blocks, puzzles, and dump truck, but he also loves things that sparkle, shimmer, and glitter. When his older sister, Jessie, shows off her new shimmery skirt, Casey wants to wear a shimmery skirt too. When Jessie comes home from a party with glittery nails, Casey wants glittery nails too. And when Abuelita visits wearing an armful of sparkly bracelets, Casey gets one to wear, just like Jessie. The adults in Casey's life embrace his interests, but Jessie isn't so sure. Boys aren't supposed to wear sparkly, shimmery, glittery things. Here is a sweet, heartwarming story about acceptance, respect, and the freedom to be yourself in a world where any gender expression should be celebrated. Sparkly things are for everyone to enjoy

Kevin can't get to sleep at night until he does many things. He straightens his chair and the books on his desk. He asks his mother questions he already knows the answers to. He checks under his bed for a light he knows isn't there, and then, a minute later, he checks again. Kevin knows these actions don't make sense; he wants to stop, but the worry thoughts keep coming.

A fresh and original twist on the common issue of bullying. Mean Jean was Recess Queenand nobody said any different. Nobody swung until Mean Jean swung. Nobody kicked until Mean Jean kicked. Nobody bounced until Mean Jean bounced. Until a new kid came to school! With her irrepressible spirit, the new girl dethrones the reigning recess bully by becoming her friend in this infectious playground romp.

Follow a group of children through a day in their school, where everyone is welcomed with open arms. A school where kids in patkas, hijabs, and yarmulkes play side-by-side with friends in baseball caps. A school where students grow and learn from each other's traditions and the whole community gathers to celebrate the Lunar New Year. All Are Welcome lets young children know that no matter what, they have a place, they have a space, they are welcome in their school.

Meet Beatrice Bottomwell: a nine-year-old girl who has never (not once!) made a mistake. She never forgets her math homework, she never wears mismatched socks, and she ALWAYS wins the yearly talent show at school. In fact, Beatrice holds the record of perfection in her hometown, where she is known as The Girl Who Never Makes Mistakes. Life for Beatrice is sailing along pretty smoothly until she does the unthinkableÂ-she makes her first mistake. And in a very public way!

Nothing seems to be going right for Sammy today. At school, he got in trouble for kicking a fence, then the cafeteria ran out of pizza for lunch. After he walks home in the pouring rain, he finds his autistic little brother Benji is having a bad day too. On days like this, Benji has a special play--box where he goes to feel cozy and safe. Sammy doesn't have a special place, and he's convinced no one cares how he feels, or even notices him. But somebody is noticing, and may just have an idea on how to make Sammy feel better.

Camper is happy as a clam and Clam is a happy camper. When you live in The Happy Book, the world is full of daisies and sunshine and friendship cakes . . . until your best friend eats the whole cake and doesn't save you one bite. Moving from happiness to sadness and everything in between, Camper and Clam have a hard time finding their way back to happy. But maybe happy isn't the goal-being a good friend is about supporting each other and feeling all the feels together. At once funny and thoughtful, The Happy Book supports social-emotional learning. It's a book to keep young readers company no matter how they're feeling!

It's the first day of school, and Ruby is new. When her classmate Angela wears a red bow in her hair, Ruby comes back from lunch wearing a red bow, too. When Angela wears a flowered dress, suddenly Ruby's wearing one, too. Fortunately, Ruby's teacher knows a better way to help Ruby fit in--by showing how much fun it is to be herself!

When devastating news rattles a young girl's community, her normally attentive parents and neighbors are suddenly exhausted and distracted. At school, her teacher tells the class to look for the helpers--the good people working to make things better in big and small ways. She wants more than anything to help in a BIG way, but maybe she can start with one small act of kindness instead . . . and then another, and another.Small things can compound, after all, to make a world of difference.Both timely and timeless, this charmingly illustrated debut picture book from Sarah Lynne Reul touches on themes of community, resilience, and optimism with an authenticity that will resonate with readers young and old.

Luis is feeling nervous about the first day of school. His stomach hurts, and he's worried he won't know what to do if his teacher calls on him! From meeting new friends to asking for help finding his classroom, Luis has many new things to try. Turns out the first day of school isn't so bad after all! Find out how Luis uses courage to help him get through the day.

Jada's working on her science project. She's finding out whether plants grow best in water, milk, juice, or soda. There's just one problem--she keeps getting interrupted! From her cousin texting and her friends stopping by to her little brother playing with the plants, Jada runs into one obstacle after another. Find out how Jada relies on grit to keep on going.

Five-year-old Anh becomes enraged when his grandfather asks him to stop playing and come to the dinner table. The grandfather helps Anh fully experience all stages of anger by suggesting that he go to his room and, "sit with his anger." The story unfolds when Anh discovers what it means to sit with his anger. He comes to know his anger in the first person as his anger comes to life in full color and personality. Anh and his anger work through feelings together with humor and honesty to find a way to constructively release their thoughts and emotions and to reach resolve with Anh's grandfather. Anh's Anger teaches children that it is okay to feel angry, and shows the technique of externalizing the emotion.

In this heartwarming picture book, a big sister realizes that her little sister, Jackie, doesn't like dresses or fairies-she likes ties and bugs! Will she and her family be able to accept that Jackie identifies more as "Jack"? Susan thinks her little sister Jackie has the best giggle! She can't wait for Jackie to get older so they can do all sorts of things like play forest fairies and be explorers together. But as Jackie grows, she doesn't want to play those games. She wants to play with mud and be a super bug! Jackie also doesn't like dresses or her long hair, and she would rather be called Jack. Readers will love this sweet story about change and acceptance. This book is published in partnership with GLAAD to accelerate LGBTQ inclusivity and acceptance.

Third-grader Braden loves to be the center of attention. His comic genius, as he sees it, causes his friends to look at him in awe. But some poor decision-making, like ill-timed jokes in class and an impulsive reaction during gym that left a classmate teary-eyed and crumpled on the floor, forces the adults in Braden's life to teach him about impulse control. But will the lessons shared by his teachers and his mom really help Braden manage his impulses?

Once there was a bad mood and a stick. The stick appeared when a tree dropped it. Where did the bad mood come from? Who picked up the stick? And where is the bad mood off to now? You never know what is going to happen.

Many of the toys at school have missing pieces. Eddie and his classmates go on a treasure hunt together to find the missing parts.

In todays society, perhaps more than ever, young children need to develop empathy. In this simple book, the author begins by helping children see that when they are sick, hurt, or unhappy, others care about them. Children can then begin to see that others need to be cared about as well. Common situations will further a childs appreciation for and understanding of what others feel and need.

"Sometimes I feel sad. I feel sad when someone won't let me play, or when I really want to tell about something and nobody listens. When someone else is sad, I feel sad, too. ... Sad is a cloudy, tired feeling. Nothing seems fun when I feel sad.

This book offers children positive and upbeat examples about being themselves. The author portrays a very young guinea pig and friends feeling good about themselves through common situations readers will relate to.

A bear cub describes situations that make her jealous: when someone has something she wants, when someone is good at something she wants to be good at, and when someone else gets all the attention.

Anger is a scary emotion for young children, their parents, and caregivers. As this little bunny experiences the things that make her angry, she also learns ways to deal with her anger--ways that won't hurt others.

What happens when a bossy new girl tries to make everyone play by her rules? Ally-saurus and her friends always have lots of fun playing pretend. They stomp, they roar, they dance, each in their own way. But new girl Maddie wants everyone to play by HER rules. "Monsters can't be dinosaurs or dancers," she insists. Worst of all, she won't let little Petey have his teddy bear! Can Ally-saurus help Maddie understand that bossiness is no fun at all?  With charm and humor, Richard Torrey teaches a gentle lesson in respecting each other's differences . . . and playing nice.

A hopeful meditation on all the great (and challenging) parts of being human, I Am Human shows that it's okay to make mistakes while also emphasizing the power of good choices by offering a kind word or smile or by saying "I'm sorry." At its heart, this picture book is a celebration of empathy and compassion that lifts up the flawed fullness of humanity and encourages children to see themselves as part of one big imperfect family--millions strong.  

Who knew that cakes were so rude?! In this book a very rude cake--who never says please or thank you or listens to its parents--gets its comeuppance. In the end, even the rudest cake can learn to change its ways.

From the creator of Max and Ruby comes a quiet, sweet-natured guinea pig who stands up to teasing with a tip from his bold new friend. Felix has a new best friend! With take-charge Fiona, anything seems possible, and before Felix knows it, she sweeps him into singing and dancing with her as pixies in the Guinea Pig Jubilee talent show. But right after Felix's first-prize triumph, trouble waits in the wings. "Twinkletoes!" someone taunts, and Felix crumbles. Can he pull himself together and face down the bullies? With a little help from Fiona, can Felix find a magic key that unlocks the secret to standing up--to anyone?

Eva feels that rules are getting in the way of her fun at school. Will she discover that classrooms have rules fro a reason?

What do you do with a chance? Especially one that seems too big or too wild or just out of reach? Do you hold back? Do you act like you don't care? Do you let it slip away? This is the story of some remarkable chances and the child who doesn't know quite what to do with them. But the more chances come around, the more the child's fascination grows. And then, one day, a little courage makes all the difference in the world.

A multicultural family story that celebrates kindness and differences Lila is excited for her cousins Takeo and Rosie to visit. They're going to ride bikes, paint, and camp together! But when the cousins arrive, everything's wrong: Rosie and Takeo are better painters than Lila, have skateboards instead of bikes, and don't want to camp outside. Lila is terribly disappointed until the cousins make her a surprise: a big banner for their "best cousin" Lila! Inspired by the author's own large, diverse family, When the Cousins Came is a sensitive story about insecurity, hosting, and friendship. Katie Yamasaki's tale, paired with bright mixed-media art, reminds children that negative thoughts and anxiety over exclusion don't always translate to reality, and that even when plans go wrong you can still have a good time together.

This is the story of a persistent problem and the child who isn't so sure what to make of it. The longer he avoids the problem, the bigger it seems to get. But when the child finally musters up the courage to face it, the problem turns out to be something quite different indeed.

What do you do with an idea? Especially an idea that's different, or daring, or a little wild? This is the story of one brilliant idea and the child who helps to bring it into the world. It's a story for anyone, at any age, who's ever had an idea that seemed too big, too odd, too difficult. It's a story to inspire you to welcome that idea, to give it space to grow, and to see what happens next.

When Tanisha spills grape juice all over her new dress, her classmate contemplates how to make her feel better and what it means to be kind. From asking the new girl to play to standing up for someone being bullied, this moving and thoughtful story explores what a child can do to be kind, and how each act, big or small, can make a difference--or at least help a friend.