A stunning picture book by Leslie Helakoski and illustrated by Keisha Morris about resilience, survival, and hope found in community.*When the rain came down and the water rose up . . .thousands fled but many couldn’t leave.When the rain came down and the water rose up . . .a community came together.When the rain came down and the water rose up . . .hope grew from heartache.*With lyrical text and evocative illustrations,...

When celebrants gather for their annual Friendsgiving—Thanksgiving with their chosen family—each has a unique story to tell as a child tries to piece together how it all began.No one remembers how it started.The Friendsgiving gathering is moving into high gear, and for one child in the group, it’s a good time to ask some questions about the event’s history. Great-Uncle Billy, while snapping some green beans for the meal, says he was the one who sta...

Gloria and her relatives celebrate Juneteenth and share the history and significance of this freedom celebration in a Level 3 I Can Read.The Morris family celebrates Juneteenth together every year with a barbeque including red food and drinks. Gloria and Grandma Daisy explain why Juneteenth is called Freedom Day and why we celebrate this important date.Angela Dalton’s explanation of Juneteenth through the lively voice of young Gloria makes this I Can Read a...

Preciosa has hair that won’t stay straight, won’t be confined. Rudine’s hair resists rollers, flat irons, and rules. Together, the girls play hair salon! They take inspiration from their moms, their neighbors, their ancestors, and cultural icons. They discover that their hair holds roots of the past and threads of the future.

An inspiring picture book from Scripps National Spelling Bee champ Zaila Avant-garde, filled with her favorite motivational words from Z to A. Perfect for your little book lover and spelling ace!When 14-year-old Zaila Avant-garde became the first Black American student to win the Scripps National Spelling Bee in 2021, the world took notice.Now, this extraordinary speller, writer, and basketball champ celebrates the world of words, with 26 of Zaila's favorit...

Winner of the 2020 Goddard Riverside CBC Youth Book Prize for Social JusticeA Top Ten Selection of the 2021 In the Margins Book AwardsA Texas Institute of Letters 2021 Finalist for Best Picture BookA 2021 RCC Wilbur Award WinnerA Picture Book Discovery Prize Winner for the 2020 Writers' League of Texas Book Awards"Dad, what happened?""Why are they shooting?"

A brilliant, inclusive ode to self-expression, girl power, and the many things readers can create.Have you ever dreamed of building something? Maybe something little—like a birdhouse? Or something big—like a skyscraper? If you can envision it, you can build it! A Girl Can Build Anything is a playful celebration of all the different ways girls can make things—from tinkering to tool wielding, from ideas on paper to big, lived-out dreams that require brick an...

With rhythmic, rhyming verse, this picture book follows two girls—one non-Black Puerto Rican, one Black—as they discover the stories their hair can tell.Preciosa has hair that won’t stay straight, won’t be confined. Rudine’s hair resists rollers, flat irons, and rules.Together, the girls play hair salon! They take inspiration from their moms, their neighbors, their ancestors, and cultural icons. They discover that their hair holds roots of the past and thre...

Hop on board for this tender family story, inspired by the author's own, and discover a dynamic chapter in American history-and the many trains people rode toward freedom. A must-have for home and classroom libraries.A CBC-NCSS Notable Social Studies Trade BookCenter for the Study of Multicultural Children's Literature Best BookBCALA Best of the Best Book* "A vivid evocation of place...

An empowering holiday book by Meena Harris, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Ambitious Girl.Amalia the Elf loves everything about making teddy bears . . .Watching Grandma and Mama sew!Feeling the soft, velvety fur!Imagining the bears in their new homes!. . . except the bear-making part.Worried about disappointing her family, Amalia goes straight to Santa for advice. But it’s