Research Guides: Instructional Materials Collection: Collections within the Collection

Difficult Conversations in the Classroom Kits

Difficult Conversations in the Classroom Kits are available for SHSU faculty check-out at the Newton Gresham Library Circulation Desk. Individual children’s literature titles are available for general check-out in the Children’s Literature Collection.

All Cats Have Asperger Syndrome by K. Hoopmann
ISBN: 9781843104810
Publication Date: 2006
All Cats Have Asperger Syndrome takes a playful look at Asperger Syndrome (AS), drawing inspiration from the feline world in away that will strike a chord with all those who are familiar with AS. Delightful colour photographs of cats bring to life familiar characteristics such as sensitive hearing, scampering at the first sign of being stroked, and particular eating habits. Touching, humorous and insightful, this book evokes the difficulties and joys of raising a child who is different and leaves the reader with a sense of the dignity, individuality, and potential of people with AS.
Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut by D. Barnes
ISBN: 1572842245
Publication Date: 2017
This rhythmic, read-aloud title is an unbridled celebration of the self-esteem, confidence, and swagger boys feel when they leave the barber's chair--a tradition that places on their heads a figurative crown, beaming with jewels, that confirms their brilliance and worth and helps them not only love and accept themselves but also take a giant step toward caring how they present themselves to the world. The fresh cuts. That's where it all begins. Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut is a high-spirited, engaging salute to the beautiful, raw, assured humanity of black boys and how they see themselves when they approve of their reflections in the mirror.
A Family Is a Family Is a Family by S.O'Leary
ISBN: 9781554987948
Publication Date: 2016
When a teacher asks the children in her class to think about what makes their families special, the answers are all different in many ways -- but the same in the one way that matters most of all. One child is worried that her family is just too different to explain, but listens as her classmates talk about what makes their families special. As one by one, her classmates describe who they live with and who loves them -- family of every shape, size and every kind of relation -- the child realizes that as long as her family is full of caring people, her family is special. A warm and whimsical look at many types of families written by award-winning author Sara O'Leary, A Family is a Family springs to life with quirky and sweet illustrations by Qin Leng.
Fly Away Home by E. Bunting
ISBN: 9780395559628
Publication Date: 1991
A homeless boy who lives in an airport with his father, moving from terminal to terminal trying not to be noticed, is given hope when a trapped bird finally finds its freedom.
My Friend Suhana by S. Abdullah & A. Abdullah
ISBN: 9781615992119
Publication Date: 2014
A True Story of Friendship and Winner of the Dolly Gray Children's Literature Award Award-winning author and designer Shaila Abdullah teams up with her 10-year-old daughter Aanyah to bring you this heartwarming tale of a little girl who forms a close bond with a child with cerebral palsy. The girl finds that through her art, she can reach her special friend Suhana.
My Two Blankets by I. Kobald
ISBN: 9780544432284
Publication Date: 2015
Cartwheel moves to a new country with her auntie, and everything is strange: the animals, the plants--even the wind. An old blanket gives Cartwheel comfort when she's sad--and a new blanket just might change her world. This multicultural story of friendship is about leaving home, moving to a foreign and strange place, and finding a new friend. It's a story for all who have experienced change. Irena Kobald's poetic text, paired with Kate Greenaway medalist Freya Blackwood's powerful paintings, renders an emotional and heart-warming story about two children from diverse backgrounds coming together to become new friends.
One Green Apple by E. Bunting
ISBN: 9780618434770
Publication Date: 2006
Farah feels alone, even when surrounded by her classmates. She listens and nods but doesn't speak. It's hard being the new kid in school, especially when you're from another country and don't know the language. Then, on a field trip to an apple orchard, Farah discovers there are lots of things that sound the same as they did at home, from dogs crunching their food to the ripple of friendly laughter. As she helps the class make apple cider, Farah connects with the other students and begins to feel that she belongs. Ted Lewin's gorgeous sun-drenched paintings and Eve Bunting's sensitive text immediately put the reader into another child's shoes in this timely story of a young Muslim immigrant.
On Our Street by J. Roberts & J. Casap
ISBN: 9781459816176
Publication Date: 2018
A gentle introduction to the issue of poverty, On Our Street explores the realities of people living with inadequate resources. Using age-appropriate language, this book addresses mental illness, homelessness and refugee status as they are connected to this issue. Insightful quotes from individuals and organizations such as UNICEF are included throughout to add further perspective on the issue. An invaluable section on how kids can help empowers readers to take what they have learned and use it to make a difference.
The Remember Balloons by J. Oliveros
ISBN: 9781481489157
Publication Date: 2018
What's Happening to Grandpa meets Up in this tender, sensitive picture book that gently explains the memory loss associated with aging and diseases such as Alzheimer's. James's Grandpa has the best balloons because he has the best memories. He has balloons showing Dad when he was young and Grandma when they were married. Grandpa has balloons about camping and Aunt Nelle's poor cow. Grandpa also has a silver balloon filled with the memory of a fishing trip he and James took together. But when Grandpa's balloons begin to float away, James is heartbroken. No matter how hard he runs, James can't catch them. One day, Grandpa lets go of the silver balloon--and he doesn't even notice! Grandpa no longer has balloons of his own. But James has many more than before. It's up to him to share those balloons, one by one.
Same, Same but Different by J. Kostecki-Shaw
ISBN: 9780805089462
Publication Date: 2011
Elliot lives in America, and Kailash lives in India. They are pen pals. By exchanging letters and pictures, they learn that they both love to climb trees, have pets, and go to school. Their worlds might look different, but they are actually similar. Same, same. But different! Through an inviting point-of-view and colorful, vivid illustrations, this story shows how two boys living oceans apart can be the best of friends.
Still a Family by B. Reeves Sturgis
ISBN: 9780807577073
Publication Date: 2017-01-31
A little girl and her parents have lost their home and must live in a homeless shelter. Even worse, due to a common shelter policy, her dad must live in a men's shelter, separated from her and her mom. Despite these circumstances, the family still finds time to be together. They meet at the park to play hide-and-seek, slide on slides, and pet puppies. While the young girl wishes for better days when her family is together again under a roof of their very own, she continues to remind herself that they're still a family even in times of separation.
A Tale of Two Daddies by V.Oelschlager
ISBN: 9780981971452
Publication Date: 2010
A Tale of Two Daddies is a playground conversation between two children. The boy says he heard that the girl has two dads. The girl says that is right. She has Daddy and Poppa. True to a child's curiosity, practical questions follow. "Which dad helps when your team needs a coach? / Which dad cooks you eggs and toast?" To which she answers: "Daddy is my soccer coach. / Poppa cooks me eggs and toast." It becomes clear that the family bond is unburdened by any cultural discomforts. This book introduces a type of family increasingly visible in our society. Neither favoring nor condemning, this book reflects a child's practical and innocent look at the adults who nurture and love her.
Those Shoes by M. Boelts
ISBN: 9780763642846
Publication Date: 2009
All Jeremy wants is a pair of those shoes, the ones everyone at school seems to be wearing. Though Jeremy's grandma says they don't have room for "want," just "need," when his old shoes fall apart at school, he is more determined than ever to have those shoes, even a thrift-shop pair that are much too small. But sore feet aren't much fun, and Jeremy soon sees that the things he has -- warm boots, a loving grandma, and the chance to help a friend -- are worth more than the things he wants.
Wemberly Worried by K. Henkes
ISBN: 9780688170271
Publication Date: 2000
Wemberly worried about everything. Big things. Little things. And things in between. Then it was time for school to start. And Wemberly worried even more. If you ever worry (or know someone who does), this is the book for you. Wemberly worried about spilling her juice, about shrinking in the bathtub, even about snakes in the radiator. She worried morning, noon, and night. "Worry, worry, worry," her family said. "Too much worry." And Wemberly worried about one thing most of all: her first day of school. But when it's time to go back to school and she meets a fellow worrywart in her class, Wemberly realizes that school is too much fun to waste time worrying! This warm and comforting back-to-school favorite is from Kevin Henkes, the nationally bestselling and celebrated creator of Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse, Kitten's First Full Moon, and Chrysanthemum.
Teaching Hope and Resilience for Students Experiencing Trauma by D. Fisher, N. Frey, & R. Savitz
Call Number: READ ONLINE
ISBN: 9780807761984
Publication Date: 2019
Huge numbers of our students are caught in storms of trauma--whether stemming from abuse, homelessness, poverty, discrimination, violent neighborhoods, or fears of school shootings or family deportations. This practical book focuses on actions that teachers can take to facilitate learning for these students. Identifying positive, connected teacher-student relationships as foundational, the authors offer direction for creating an emotionally safe classroom environment in which students find a refuge from trauma and a space in which to process events. The text shows how social and emotional learning can be woven into the school day; how literacies can be used to help students see a path through challenges; how to empower learners through debate, civic action, and service learning; and how to use the vital nature of the school community as an agent of change. This book will serve as a roadmap for creating uniformly consistent and excellent classrooms and schools that better serve children who experience trauma in their lives. Book Features: Makes a clear case for the need and responsibility of schools to equip students with tools to learn despite the trauma in their lives. Shows practical classroom instructional and curricular interactions that address trauma while advancing student academic learning. Uses literacy and civic action as pathways to empowerment. Provides a method and tools for developing a coherent plan for creating a trauma-sensitive school.

All Are Welcome by A. Penfold
ISBN: 9780525579649
Publication Date: 2018
In our classroom safe and sound. Fears are lost and hope is found. Discover a school where all young children have a place, have a space, and are loved and appreciated. Readers will follow a group of children through a day in their school, where everyone is welcomed with open arms. A school where students from all backgrounds learn from and celebrate each other's traditions. A school that shows the world as we will make it to be.
Back to Front and Upside Down by C. Alexander
ISBN: 9780802854148
Publication Date: 2012
It's the principal Mr. Slipper's birthday, and while the rest of the class gets busy writing cards for the occasion, Stan becomes frustrated when his letters come out all in a muddle. Stan is afraid to ask for help, until a friend assures him that nobody's good at everything. And after lots and lots of practice, Stan's letters come out the right way round and the right way up. This delightful book deals with a common childhood frustration and will remind readers that practice pays off and that everyone has to ask for help sometimes.
A Chair for My Mother by V. Williams
ISBN: 9780688009144
Publication Date: 1982
After their home is destroyed by a fire, Rosa, her mother, and grandmother save their coins to buy a really comfortable chair for all to enjoy.
Lily and the Paper Man by R. Upjohn
ISBN: 9781897187197
Publication Date: 2007
Walking with her mother on the way home from school one day, Lily runs straight into a gruff and untidy-looking man selling papers on the street. Frightened, Lily insists on taking the bus home every day for fear she will run into him again. But when the weather turns cold, Lily starts to see the Paper Man differently; she sees his bare toes through the holes in his boots and his thin shirt through the holes in his coat. As she lies in her warm bed at night, she wonders about the Paper Man and how he stays warm. Lily comes up with an idea and overcomes her fear.
Living with Mom and Living with Dad by M. Walsh
ISBN: 9780763658694
Publication Date: 2012
Her parents don't live together anymore, so sometimes the child in this book lives with her mom and cat, and sometimes with Dad. Her bedroom looks a little different in each house, and she keeps some toys in one place and some in another. But her favorite toys she takes with her wherever she goes. In an inviting lift-the-flap format saturated with colorful illustrations, Melanie Walsh visits the changes in routine that are familiar to many children whose parents live apart, but whose love and involvement remain as constant as ever.
Maddi's Fridge by L. Brandt
ISBN: 9781936261291
Publication Date: 2014
With humor and warmth, this children's picture book raises awareness about poverty and hunger. Best friends Sofia and Maddi live in the same neighborhood, go to the same school, and play in the same park, but while Sofia's fridge at home is full of nutritious food, the fridge at Maddi's house is empty. Sofia learns that Maddi's family doesn't have enough money to fill their fridge and promises Maddi she'll keep this discovery a secret. But because Sofia wants to help her friend, she's faced with a difficult decision: to keep her promise or tell her parents about Maddi's empty fridge. Filled with colorful artwork, this storybook addresses issues of poverty with honesty and sensitivity while instilling important lessons in friendship, empathy, trust, and helping others. A call to action section, with six effective ways for children to help fight hunger and information on antihunger groups, is also included.
Mama's Nightingale: A Story of Immigration & Separation by E. Danticat
ISBN: 9780525428091
Publication Date: 2015
After Saya's mother is sent to an immigration detention center, Saya finds comfort in listening to her mother's warm greeting on their answering machine. To ease the distance between them while she's in jail, Mama begins sending Saya bedtime stories inspired by Haitian folklore on cassette tape. Moved by her mother's tales and her father's attempts to reunite their family, Saya writes a story of her own-one that just might bring her mother home for good. With stirring illustrations, this tender tale shows the human side of immigration and imprisonment-and shows how every child has the power to make a difference.
Marisol Mcdonald Doesn't Match / Marisol Mcdonald no Combina by M. Brown
ISBN: 9780892392353
Publication Date: 2013
Bilingual English/Spanish. Mismatched and fabulous Marisol McDonald celebrates her Peruvian and Scottish heritage. Marisol McDonald has flaming red hair and nut-brown skin. Polka dots and stripes are her favorite combination. She prefers peanut butter and jelly burritos in her lunch box. To Marisol, these seemingly mismatched things make perfect sense together. Other people wrinkle their nose in confusion at Marisol-can't she just choose one or the other? Try as she might, in a world where everyone tries to put this biracial, Peruvian-Scottish-American girl into a box, Marisol McDonald doesn't match. And that's just fine with her.
My Pal Victor by D. Bertrand
ISBN: 9781934960844
Publication Date: 2010
Why do we choose the friends we do? Dominic knows. He explains just how special his pal Victor really is. After all, Victor tells heart-booming ghost stories, claps the loudest at Dominic's baseball games, and performs a fabulous floating frog stroke. Two young boys experience a spirited, carefree friendship that transcends one boy's disability.
The Princess and the Fog by L. Jones
ISBN: 9781849056557
Publication Date: 2015
Once upon a time there was a Princess. She had everything a little girl could ever want, and she was happy. That is, until the fog came... The Princess and the Fog is picture book to help sufferers of depression aged 5-7 cope with their difficult feelings. It uses vibrant illustrations, a sense of humour and metaphor to create a relatable, enjoyable story that describes the symptoms of childhood depression while also providing hope that things can get better with a little help and support. The story is also a great starting point for explaining depression to all children, especially those who may have a parent or close family member with depression.
A Shelter in Our Car by M. Gunning
ISBN: 9780892393084
Publication Date: 2013
Zettie and her Mama left their warm and comfortable home in Jamaica for an uncertain life in the United Sates. With Papa gone, Mama can't find a steady job that will sustain them and so they are forced to live in their car. But Mama's unwavering love, support, and gutsy determination give Zettie the confidence that, together, she and her mother can meet all challenges.
A Terrible Thing Happened by M. Holmes
ISBN: 1557987017
Publication Date: 2000
Sherman Smith saw the most terrible thing happen. At first he tried to forget about it, but soon something inside him started to bother him. He felt nervous for no reason. Sometimes his stomach hurt. He had bad dreams. And he started to feel angry and do mean things, which got him in trouble. Then he met Ms. Maple, who helped him talk about the terrible thing that he had tried to forget. Now Sherman is feeling much better. This gently told and tenderly illustrated story is for children who have witnessed any kind of violent or traumatic episode, including physical abuse, school or gang violence, accidents, homicide, suicide, and natural disasters such as floods or fire. An afterword by Sasha J. Mudlaff written for parents and other caregivers offers extensive suggestions for helping traumatized children, including a list of other sources that focus on specific events.
Two White Rabbits by J. Buitrago
ISBN: 9781554987412
Publication Date: 2015
In this moving and timely story, a young child describes what it is like to be a migrant as she and her father travel north toward the US border. They travel mostly on the roof of a train known as The Beast, but the little girl doesn't know where they are going. She counts the animals by the road, the clouds in the sky, the stars. Sometimes she sees soldiers. She sleeps, dreaming that she is always on the move, although sometimes they are forced to stop and her father has to earn more money before they can continue their journey. As many thousands of people, especially children, in Mexico and Central America continue to make the arduous journey to the US border in search of a better life, this is an important book that shows a young migrant's perspective.
Visiting Day by J. Woodson
ISBN: 9780590400053
Publication Date: 2002
Coretta Scott King Award-winning author Jacqueline Woodson has written a poignant picture book about a little girl who waits hopefully for her father's release from prison. Only on visiting day is there chicken frying in the kitchen at 6 a.m. And Grandma in her Sunday dress, humming soft and low,... As the little girl and her grandmother get ready for visiting day, her father, who adores her, is getting ready, too. The community of families who take the long bus ride upstate to visit loved ones share hope and give comfort to each other. Love knows no boundaries. Here is a story of strong families who understand the meaning of unconditional love.
Teaching Hope and Resilience for Students Experiencing Trauma by D. Fisher, N. Frey, & R. Savitz
Call Number: READ ONLINE
ISBN: 9780807761984
Publication Date: 2019
Huge numbers of our students are caught in storms of trauma--whether stemming from abuse, homelessness, poverty, discrimination, violent neighborhoods, or fears of school shootings or family deportations. This practical book focuses on actions that teachers can take to facilitate learning for these students. Identifying positive, connected teacher-student relationships as foundational, the authors offer direction for creating an emotionally safe classroom environment in which students find a refuge from trauma and a space in which to process events. The text shows how social and emotional learning can be woven into the school day; how literacies can be used to help students see a path through challenges; how to empower learners through debate, civic action, and service learning; and how to use the vital nature of the school community as an agent of change. This book will serve as a roadmap for creating uniformly consistent and excellent classrooms and schools that better serve children who experience trauma in their lives. Book Features: Makes a clear case for the need and responsibility of schools to equip students with tools to learn despite the trauma in their lives. Shows practical classroom instructional and curricular interactions that address trauma while advancing student academic learning. Uses literacy and civic action as pathways to empowerment. Provides a method and tools for developing a coherent plan for creating a trauma-sensitive school.

These individual Difficult Conversations in the Classroom Kit children's literature titles are available electronically to current SHSU faculty, staff, and students through Newton Gresham Library. To access the ebook, click on the book title, then click online access on the catalog record.

Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut by Derrick Barnes; Gordon C. James Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut is a high-spirited, engaging salute to the beautiful, raw, assured humanity of black boys and how they see themselves when they approve of their reflections in the mirror. Winner of the 2018 Kirkus Prize for Young Readers A Newbery Honor Book A Caldecott Honor Book A Coretta Scott King Author Honor Book A Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Book An Ezra Jack Keats New Writer Award Book An Ezra Jack Keats New Illustrator Honor Book A Society of Illustrators Gold Medal Book
Call Number: READ ONLINE
ISBN: 1572842245
Publication Date: 2017
A Family Is a Family Is a Family by Sara O'Leary; Qin Leng (Illustrator) When a teacher asks the children in her class to think about what makes their families special, the answers are all different in many ways -- but the same in the one way that matters most of all. One child is worried that her family is just too different to explain, but listens as her classmates talk about what makes their families special. One is raised by a grandmother, and another has two dads. One is full of stepsiblings, and another has a new baby. As one by one, her classmates describe who they live with and who loves them -- family of every shape, size and every kind of relation -- the child realizes that as long as her family is full of caring people, her family is special. A warm and whimsical look at many types of families written by award-winning author Sara O'Leary, A Family is a Family springs to life with quirky and sweet illustrations by Qin Leng.
Call Number: READ ONLINE
ISBN: 9781554987948
Publication Date: 2016
My Friend Suhana by Shaila Abdullah; Aanyah Abdullah A True Story of Friendship and Winner of the Dolly Gray Children's Literature Award Award-winning author and designer Shaila Abdullah teams up with her 10-year-old daughter Aanyah to bring you this heartwarming tale of a little girl who forms a close bond with a child with cerebral palsy. The girl finds that through her art, she can reach her special friend Suhana. "My Friend Suhana is a delightful read for a children's book. Very well illustrated with respect, friendship, and advocacy all in mind at the same time." --Dawn Cruzan, President, Camp Craig Allen for all abilities "This is the story of a seven-year-old's first attempt at unconditional love. Tough but tender, inspirational yet utterly real, this is a small gem of a tale. Highly recommended for anyone in the position of mentoring a beloved child through the hard places of life." --Paula Huston, author of A Season of Mystery and A Land Without Sin "My Friend Suhana is a charming and perceptive book that will draw its readers into empathy while allowing them to enjoy this heartwarming story of two uncommon friends." --Chitra Divakaruni, author of Grandma and the Great Gourd Learn more at www.MyFriendSuhana.com From the Growing With Love Series at www.LHPress.com
Call Number: READ ONLINE
ISBN: 9781615992119
Publication Date: 2014
My Two Blankets by Irena Kobald; Freya Blackwood (Illustrator) Cartwheel moves to a new country with her auntie, and everything is strange: the animals, the plants--even the wind. An old blanket gives Cartwheel comfort when she's sad--and a new blanket just might change her world. This multicultural story of friendship is about leaving home, moving to a foreign and strange place, and finding a new friend. It's a story for all who have experienced change. Irena Kobald's poetic text, paired with Kate Greenaway medalist Freya Blackwood's powerful paintings, renders an emotional and heart-warming story about two children from diverse backgrounds coming together to become new friends.
Call Number: READ ONLINE
ISBN: 9780544432284
Publication Date: 2015
One Green Apple by Eve Bunting; Ted Lewin (Illustrator) Farah feels alone, even when surrounded by her classmates. She listens and nods but doesn't speak. It's hard being the new kid in school, especially when you're from another country and don't know the language. Then, on a field trip to an apple orchard, Farah discovers there are lots of things that sound the same as they did at home, from dogs crunching their food to the ripple of friendly laughter. As she helps the class make apple cider, Farah connects with the other students and begins to feel that she belongs. Ted Lewin's gorgeous sun-drenched paintings and Eve Bunting's sensitive text immediately put the reader into another child's shoes in this timely story of a young Muslim immigrant.
Call Number: READ ONLINE
ISBN: 9780618434770
Publication Date: 2006
On Our Street by Jillian Roberts; Jaime Casap; Jane Heinrichs (Illustrator) The World Around Us series introduces children to complex cultural, social and environmental issues that they may encounter outside their homes, in a way that is accessible. Sidebars offer further reading for older children or care providers who have bigger questions. For younger children just starting to make these observations, the simple question-and-answer format of the main text will provide a foundation of knowledge on the subject matter. A gentle introduction to the issue of poverty, On Our Streetexplores the realities of people living with inadequate resources. Using age-appropriate language, this book addresses mental illness, homelessness and refugee status as they are connected to this issue. Insightful quotes from individuals and organizations such as UNICEF are included throughout to add further perspective on the issue. An invaluable section on how kids can help empowers readers to take what they have learned and use it to make a difference. Child psychologist Dr. Jillian Roberts created this series to guide parents/caregivers through conversations about difficult issues in a reassuring and hopeful manner and help children understand their expanding awareness of the world around them.
Call Number: READ ONLINE
ISBN: 9781459816176
Publication Date: 2018
The Remember Balloons by Jessie Oliveros; Dana Wulfekotte A 2019 Schneider Family Award Honor Book! What's Happening to Grandpa meets Up in this tender, sensitive picture book that gently explains the memory loss associated with aging and diseases such as Alzheimer's. James's Grandpa has the best balloons because he has the best memories. He has balloons showing Dad when he was young and Grandma when they were married. Grandpa has balloons about camping and Aunt Nelle's poor cow. Grandpa also has a silver balloon filled with the memory of a fishing trip he and James took together. But when Grandpa's balloons begin to float away, James is heartbroken. No matter how hard he runs, James can't catch them. One day, Grandpa lets go of the silver balloon--and he doesn't even notice! Grandpa no longer has balloons of his own. But James has many more than before. It's up to him to share those balloons, one by one.
Call Number: READ ONLINE
ISBN: 9781481489157
Publication Date: 2018
Same, Same but Different by Jenny Sue Kostecki-Shaw Elliot lives in America, and Kailash lives in India. They are pen pals. By exchanging letters and pictures, they learn that they both love to climb trees, have pets, and go to school. Their worlds might look different, but they are actually similar. Same, same. But different! Through an inviting point-of-view and colorful, vivid illustrations, this story shows how two boys living oceans apart can be the best of friends.
Call Number: READ ONLINE
ISBN: 9780805089462
Publication Date: 2011
Still a Family by Brenda Reeves Sturgis; Jo-Shin Lee A little girl and her parents have lost their home and must live in a homeless shelter. Even worse, due to a common shelter policy, her dad must live in a men's shelter, separated from her and her mom. Despite these circumstances, the family still finds time to be together. They meet at the park to play hide-and-seek, slide on slides, and pet puppies. While the young girl wishes for better days when her family is together again under a roof of their very own, she continues to remind herself that they're still a family even in times of separation.
Call Number: READ ONLINE
ISBN: 9780807577073
Publication Date: 2017
Those Shoes by Maribeth Boelts; Noah Z. Jones "In this witty, wise picture book, Boelts presents a kid's-eye view of a consumer fad that rages through school at gale force." -- Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (starred review) All Jeremy wants is a pair of those shoes, the ones everyone at school seems to be wearing. Though Jeremy's grandma says they don't have room for "want," just "need," when his old shoes fall apart at school, he is more determined than ever to have those shoes, even a thrift-shop pair that are much too small. But sore feet aren't much fun, and Jeremy soon sees that the things he has -- warm boots, a loving grandma, and the chance to help a friend -- are worth more than the things he wants.
Call Number: READ ONLINE
ISBN: 9780763642846
Publication Date: 2009

All Are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold; Suzanne Kaufman Join the call for a better world with this New York Times bestselling picture book about a school where diversity and inclusion are celebrated. The perfect back-to-school read for every kid, family and classroom! In our classroom safe and sound. Fears are lost and hope is found. Discover a school where all young children have a place, have a space, and are loved and appreciated. Readers will follow a group of children through a day in their school, where everyone is welcomed with open arms. A school where students from all backgrounds learn from and celebrate each other's traditions. A school that shows the world as we will make it to be. "An important book that celebrates diversity and inclusion in a beautiful, age-appropriate way." - Trudy Ludwig, author of The Invisible Boy
Call Number: READ ONLINE
ISBN: 9780525579649
Publication Date: 2018
Maddi's Fridge by Lois Brandt; Vin Vogel Winner of: 2014 Christopher Award, Books for Young People 2014 ILA Primary Fiction Award 2015 MLA Mitten Award Honor Human Rights in Children's Literature Honor With humor and warmth, this children's picture book raises awareness about poverty and hunger Best friends Sofia and Maddi live in the same neighborhood, go to the same school, and play in the same park, but while Sofia's fridge at home is full of nutritious food, the fridge at Maddi's house is empty. Sofia learns that Maddi's family doesn't have enough money to fill their fridge and promises Maddi she'll keep this discovery a secret. But because Sofia wants to help her friend, she's faced with a difficult decision: to keep her promise or tell her parents about Maddi's empty fridge. Filled with colorful artwork, this storybook addresses issues of poverty with honesty and sensitivity while instilling important lessons in friendship, empathy, trust, and helping others. A call to action section, with six effective ways for children to help fight hunger and information on antihunger groups, is also included.
Call Number: READ ONLINE
ISBN: 9781936261291
Publication Date: 2014
Mama's Nightingale: A Story of Immigration & Separation by Edwidge Danticat; Leslie Staub A touching tale of parent-child separation and immigration, from a National Book Award finalist After Saya's mother is sent to an immigration detention center, Saya finds comfort in listening to her mother's warm greeting on their answering machine. To ease the distance between them while she's in jail, Mama begins sending Saya bedtime stories inspired by Haitian folklore on cassette tape. Moved by her mother's tales and her father's attempts to reunite their family, Saya writes a story of her own-one that just might bring her mother home for good. With stirring illustrations, this tender tale shows the human side of immigration and imprisonment-and shows how every child has the power to make a difference.
Call Number: READ ONLINE
ISBN: 9780525428091
Publication Date: 2015
Marisol Mcdonald Doesn't Match / Marisol Mcdonald no Combina by Monica Brown; Sara Palacios Pura Belpré Illustrator Award Honor Junior Library Guild Selection Mismatched and fabulous Marisol McDonald celebrates her Peruvian and Scottish heritage. Bilingual English/Spanish. Marisol McDonald has flaming red hair and nut-brown skin. Polka dots and stripes are her favorite combination. She prefers peanut butter and jelly burritos in her lunch box. To Marisol, these seemingly mismatched things make perfect sense together. Other people wrinkle their nose in confusion at Marisol-can't she just choose one or the other? Try as she might, in a world where everyone tries to put this biracial, Peruvian-Scottish-American girl into a box, Marisol McDonald doesn't match. And that's just fine with her. A mestiza Peruvian American of European, Jewish, and Amerindian heritage, renowned author Monica Brown wrote this lively story to bring her own experience of being mismatched to life. Her buoyant prose is perfectly matched by Sara Palacios' mixed media illustrations.
Call Number: READ ONLINE
ISBN: 9780892392353
Publication Date: 2013
The Princess and the Fog by Lloyd Jones; Melinda Edwards; Linda Bayliss Bronze Medal Winner in the Picture Books, Early Reader category of the 2015 Foreword Reviews' INDIEFAB Book of the Year Awards Once upon a time there was a Princess. She had everything a little girl could ever want, and she was happy. That is, until the fog came... The Princess and the Fog is picture book to help sufferers of depression aged 5-7 cope with their difficult feelings. It uses vibrant illustrations, a sense of humour and metaphor to create a relatable, enjoyable story that describes the symptoms of childhood depression while also providing hope that things can get better with a little help and support. The story is also a great starting point for explaining depression to all children, especially those who may have a parent or close family member with depression. With an essential guide for parents and carers by clinical paediatric psychologists, Dr Melinda Edwards MBE and Linda Bayliss, this book will be of immeasurable value to anyone supporting a child with, or affected by, depression, including social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists, counsellors, arts therapists, pastoral care workers and school staff, as well as parents and carers.
Call Number: READ ONLINE
ISBN: 9781849056557
Publication Date: 2015
Two White Rabbits by Jairo Buitrago; Rafael Yockteng; Elisa Amado In this moving and timely story, a young child describes what it is like to be a migrant as she and her father travel north toward the US border. They travel mostly on the roof of a train known as The Beast, but the little girl doesn't know where they are going. She counts the animals by the road, the clouds in the sky, the stars. Sometimes she sees soldiers. She sleeps, dreaming that she is always on the move, although sometimes they are forced to stop and her father has to earn more money before they can continue their journey. As many thousands of people, especially children, in Mexico and Central America continue to make the arduous journey to the US border in search of a better life, this is an important book that shows a young migrant's perspective. Correlates to the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K.3 With prompting and support, identify characters, settings, and major events in a story.
Call Number: READ ONLINE
ISBN: 9781554987412
Publication Date: 2015
Visiting Day by Jacqueline Woodson; James E. Ransome Coretta Scott King Award-winning author Jacqueline Woodson has written a poignant picture book about a little girl who waits hopefully for her father's release from prison. Only on visiting day is there chicken frying in the kitchen at 6 a.m. And Grandma in her Sunday dress, humming soft and low,... As the little girl and her grandmother get ready for visiting day, her father, who adores her, is getting ready, too. The community of families who take the long bus ride upstate to visit loved ones share hope and give comfort to each other. Love knows no boundaries. Here is a story of strong families who understand the meaning of unconditional love.
Call Number: READ ONLINE
ISBN: 9780590400053
Publication Date: 2002

Special Education Difficult Conversations in the Classroom Kits are available for SHSU faculty check-out at the Newton Gresham Library Circulation Desk. Individual children’s literature titles are available for general check-out in the Children’s Literature Collection.

Dad, Jackie, and Me by Myron Uhlberg; Colin Bootman
ISBN: 9781561455317
Publication Date: 2010
"It was Opening Day, 1947. And every kid in Brooklyn knew this was our year. The Dodgers were going to go all the way!" It is the summer of 1947 and a highly charged baseball season is underway in New York. Jackie Robinson is the new first baseman for the Brooklyn Dodgers--and the first black player in Major League Baseball. A young boy listens eagerly to the Dodgers games on the radio, each day using sign language to tell his deaf father about the games. His father begins to keep a scrapbook, clipping photos and articles about Jackie. Finally one day the father delivers some big news: they are going to Ebbets Field to watch Jackie play!
I Talk Like a River by Jordan Scott; Sydney Smith
ISBN: 0823445593
Publication Date: 2020
Winner of the Schneider Family Book Award Boston Globe-Horn Book Award Winner. I wake up each morning with the sounds of words all around me. And I can't say them all . . . When a boy who stutters feels isolated, alone, and incapable of communicating in the way he'd like, it takes a kindly father and a walk by the river to help him find his voice. Poet Jordan Scott writes movingly in this powerful and ultimately uplifting book, based on his own experience, and masterfully illustrated by Greenaway Medalist Sydney Smith. A book for any child who feels lost, lonely, or unable to fit in.
Just Ask! by Sonia Sotomayor; Rafael López; Rafael López
ISBN: 9780525514121
Publication Date: 2019
Feeling different, especially as a kid, can be tough. But in the same way that different types of plants and flowers make a garden more beautiful and enjoyable, different types of people make our world more vibrant and wonderful. In Just Ask, United States Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor celebrates the different abilities kids (and people of all ages) have. Using her own experience as a child who was diagnosed with diabetes, Justice Sotomayor writes about children with all sorts of challenges--and looks at the special powers those kids have as well. As the kids work together to build a community garden, asking questions of each other along the way, this book encourages readers to do the same: When we come across someone who is different from us but we're not sure why, all we have to do is Just Ask.
All the way to the top : how one girl's fight for Americans with disabilities changed everything by Annette Bay Pimentel; Jennifer Keelan-chaffins; Nabi H. Ali
ISBN: 9781492688976
Publication Date: 2020
2021 Schneider Family Book Award Young Children's Honor Book. Experience the true story of lifelong activist Jennifer Keelan-Chaffins and her participation in the Capitol Crawl in this inspiring autobiographical picture book. This beautifully illustrated story includes a foreword from Jennifer and backmatter detailing her life and the history of the disability rights movement. This is the story of a little girl who just wanted to go, even when others tried to stop her. Jennifer Keelan was determined to make a change--even if she was just a kid. She never thought her wheelchair could slow her down, but the way the world around her was built made it hard to do even simple things. Like going to school, or eating lunch in the cafeteria. Jennifer knew that everyone deserves a voice! Then the Americans with Disabilities Act, a law that would make public spaces much more accessible to people with disabilities, was proposed to Congress. And to make sure it passed, Jennifer went to the steps of the Capitol building in Washington DC to convince them. And, without her wheelchair, she climbed. ALL THE WAY TO THE TOP!
My Busy, Busy Brain by Nicole Russell
ISBN: 9781634894227
Publication Date: 2021
Nicole has ADHD and a busy, busy brain Her special brain makes Nicole good at art, daydreaming, and exploring. Some days feel like a mental trip to outer space, on a rainbow carpet ride, with talking bumblebees . . . but sometimes, Nicole has a hard time concentrating in school. With a little courage, she learns how to get help for herself and use her voice to speak up for others. My Busy, Busy Brain provides practical tools for children struggling with controlling their emotions, impulses, and concentration. This book is a beginner course for children curious about mental health and the challenges we feel but can't see.
Isaac and His Amazing Asperger Superpowers! by Melanie Walsh
ISBN: 9780763681210
Publication Date: 2016
Isaac may look like everyone else, but he actually has superpowers that make him different from his brother and his classmates. Some kids don't understand that and call him names. But Isaac's superhero brain remembers loads of things, he has energy enough to bounce on his trampoline for hours, and his ears are so sharp he can even hear the buzzing some lights make in school (ouch!). He tends to say whatever comes into his head and doesn't realize that he might hurt someone's feelings -- by telling them they have big teeth, for example! Even though he's not really a superhero -- he has Asperger syndrome, which means his brain works a little differently -- he does love to play superheroes with his brother, who understands him. Straightforward and engaging, Isaac's first-person narrative will help kids see the world through the eyes of a child with the high-cognitive type of autism spectrum disorder commonly known as Asperger syndrome.
You are enough : a book about inclusion by Margaret O'Hair; Sofia Cardoso; Sofia Sanchez
ISBN: 9781338630749
Publication Date: 2021
It can be hard to be different whether because of how you look, where you live, or what you can or can't do. But wouldn't it be boring if we were all the same? Being different is great! Being different is what makes you YOU. This inclusive and empowering picture book from Sofia Sanchezan 11-year-old model and actress with Down syndrome reminds readers how important it is to embrace your differences, be confident, and be proud of who you are. Imagine all of the wonderful things you can do if you don't let anyone stop you! You are enough just how you are. Sofia is unique, but her message is universal: We all belong. Each spread features beautiful, full-color illustrations of a full cast of kid characters with all kinds of backgrounds, experiences, and abilities. This book also includes back matter with a brief bio of Sofia and her journey so far, as well as additional information about Down syndrome and how we can all be more accepting, more inclusive, and more kind.
Itzhak: A Boy Who Loved the Violin by Tracy Newman; Abigail Halpin
ISBN: 9781419741104
Publication Date: 2020
This picture-book biography of violin virtuoso Itzhak Perlman will inspire young readers to follow the melody within themselves. Before becoming one of the greatest violinists of all time, Itzhak Perlman was simply a boy who loved music. Raised by a poor immigrant family in a tiny Tel Aviv apartment, baby Itzhak was transformed by the sounds from his family's kitchen radio--graceful classical symphonies, lively klezmer tunes, and soulful cantorial chants. The rich melodies and vibrant rhythms spoke to him like magic, filling his mind with vivid rainbows of color. After begging his parents for an instrument, Itzhak threw his heart and soul into playing the violin. Despite enormous obstacles--including a near-fatal bout of polio that left him crippled for life--Itzhak persevered, honing his extraordinary gift. When he performed on the Ed Sullivan Show sat only 13, audiences around the world were mesmerized by the warmth, joy, and passion in every note. Gorgeously illustrated with extensive back matter, this picture-book biography recounts Itzhak's childhood journey--from a boy with a dream to an internationally acclaimed violin virtuoso.
Rescue & Jessica : a life-changing friendship by Jessica Kensky; Patrick Downes; Scott Magoon
ISBN: 0763696048
Publication Date: 2018
A 2019 Schneider Family Book Award Winner Based on a real-life partnership, the heartening story of the love and teamwork between a girl and her service dog will illuminate and inspire. Rescue thought he'd grow up to be a Seeing Eye dog -- it's the family business, after all. When he gets the news that he's better suited to being a service dog, he's worried that he's not up to the task. Then he meets Jessica, a girl whose life is turning out differently than the way she'd imagined it, too. Now Jessica needs Rescue by her side to help her accomplish everyday tasks. And it turns out that Rescue can help Jessica see after all: a way forward, together, one step at a time. An endnote from the authors tells more about the training and extraordinary abilities of service dogs, particularly their real-life best friend and black lab, Rescue.
The Pirate of Kindergarten by George Ella Lyon; Lynne Avril
ISBN: 9781416950240
Publication Date: 2010
Doubles are good for lots of things--double scoops of ice cream, double features at the movies. But double vision is NOT a good kind of double. In fact, it can make kindergarten kind of hard. Ginny sees double chairs at reading circle and double words in her books. She knows that only half of what she sees is real, but which half? The solution to her problem is wondrously simple: an eye patch! Ginny becomes the pirate of kindergarten.With the help of her pirate patch, Ginny can read, run, and even snip her scissors with double the speed! Vibrant illustrations from Lynne Avril capture the realities of what Ginny sees both before and after.
Looking Out for Sarah by Glenna Lang
ISBN: 1570916071
Publication Date: 2003
"In this story of friendship, loyalty, and trust, Sarah and her guide dog, Perry, go about their busy day. Perry helps Sarah go shopping, to the post office, and take the train to school. Sarah, a blind musician and teacher, entertains the children and tells them about the time she and Perry walked from Boston to New York to show the world what a blind person can accomplish with the help of a guide dog like Perry. This true story of an amazing black Labrador retriever and his owner will inspire young readers to follow their own dreams and give them the courage to achieve anything. Expressive, stylized paintings in bold colors and simple shapes convey the extraordinary relationship between Sarah and Perry."
Undoing Ableism by Susan Baglieri; Priya Lalvani
ISBN: 9781138545601
Publication Date: 2019
Undoing Ableism is a sourcebook for teaching about disability and anti-ableism in K-12 classrooms. Conceptually grounded in disability studies, critical pedagogy, and social justice education, this book provides both a rationale as well as strategies for broad-based inquiries that allow students to examine social and cultural foundations of oppression, learn to disrupt ableism, and position themselves as agents of social change. Using an interactive style, the book provides tools teachers can use to facilitate authentic dialogues with students about constructed meanings of disability, the nature of belongingness, and the creation of inclusive communities.

Can Bears Ski? by Raymond Antrobus; Polly Dunbar
ISBN: 9781536212662
Publication Date: 2020
Is Little Bear ignoring his friends when they say hi, or is something else going on? A discovery opens new doors in a tale that will delight kids with deafness and all children learning to navigate their world. Little Bear feels the world around him. He feels his bed rumble when Dad Bear wakes him up in the morning. He feels the floor shake when his teacher stomps to get his attention. But something else is missing, like when his friends tell jokes that he isn't sure he understands, or when all around him Little Bear hears the question, "Can bears ski?" Then, one day, Dad Bear takes him to see an "aud-i-olo-gist," and Little Bear learns that he has been experiencing deafness and will start wearing hearing aids. Soon he figures out what that puzzling refrain is: "Can you hear me?" Little Bear's new world is LOUD and will take some getting used to, but with the love and support of Dad Bear, he will find his way. In this lyrical picture book, award-winning creators Raymond Antrobus and Polly Dunbar draw on their own experiences to tell Bear's story.
A Boy and a Jaguar by Alan Rabinowitz; Cátia Chien
ISBN: 9780547875071
Publication Date: 2014
2015 Schneider Family Book Award Winner Speaking for the animals he loves gives one boy's life hope, purpose, and truth in this gorgeous picture book autobiography. Alan loves animals, but the great cat house at the Bronx Zoo makes him sad. Why are they all alone in empty cages? Are they being punished? More than anything, he wants to be their champion--their voice--but he stutters uncontrollably. Except when he talks to animals...then he is fluent. Follow the life of the man Time Magazine calls, "the Indiana Jones of wildlife conservation" as he searches for his voice and fulfills a promise to speak for animals, and people, who cannot speak for themselves. This real-life story with tender illustrations by Catia Chien explores truths not defined by the spoken word.
What Happened to You? by James Catchpole
ISBN: 9780571358304
Publication Date: 2021
Imagine you were asked the same question again and again throughout your life . . .
Imagine if it was a question that didn't bring about the happiest of memories . . .

This is the experience of one-legged Joe, a child who just wants to have fun in the playground. Constantly seen first for his disability, Joe is fed up of only ever being asked about his leg. All he wants to do is play Pirates. But as usual, one after the other, all the children ask him the same question they always ask, "What happened to you?" Understandably Joe gets increasingly angry! Until finally the penny drops and the children realize that it's a question Joe just doesn't want to answer . . . and that Joe is playing a rather good game . . . one that they can join in with if they can stop fixating on his missing leg . . .Because children are children, after all. Based on experiences the disabled author had as a young child, WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU? genuinely reflects a disabled child's perspective for both disabled & able-bodied readers.
Awesomely Emma : a Charley and Emma story by Amy Webb
ISBN: 9781506464954
Publication Date: 2020
I love being me, because me is an awesome thing to be! Emma has limb differences, but different isn't bad, sad, or strange. It's just different! But when some accessibility problems get in the way at the local art museum, it ruins the fun of a class trip...and then Emma's friend Charley makes things even worse! In the middle of a really bad day, Emma has to call upon her sense of inner awesome to stand up for herself and teach everyone a lesson about the transformative power of feeling awesome in your own skin. Amy Webb's follow-up to When Charley Met Emma, Awesomely Emma will have all kids cheering as they learn to see the inner awesome in themselves and those around them.
A Friend for Henry by Jenn Bailey; Mika Song
ISBN: 9781452167916
Publication Date: 2019
2020 Schneider Family Honor Book In Classroom Six, second left down the hall, Henry has been on the lookout for a friend. A friend who shares. A friend who listens. Maybe even a friend who likes things to stay the same and all in order, as Henry does. But on a day full of too close and too loud, when nothing seems to go right, will Henry ever find a friend--or will a friend find him? With insight and warmth, this heartfelt story from the perspective of a boy on the autism spectrum celebrates the everyday magic of friendship.
The girl who thought in pictures : the story of Dr. Temple Grandin by Julia Finley Mosca; Daniel Rieley
ISBN: 9781943147304
Publication Date: 2017
If you've ever felt different, if you've ever been low, if you don't quite fit in, there's a name you should know... Meet Dr. Temple Grandin--one of the world's quirkiest science heroes! When young Temple was diagnosed with autism, no one expected her to talk, let alone become one of the most powerful voices in modern science. Yet, the determined visual thinker did just that. Her unique mind allowed her to connect with animals in a special way, helping her invent groundbreaking improvements for farms around the globe! In addition to the illustrated rhyming tale, you'll find a complete biography, fun facts, a colorful timeline of events, and even a note from Temple herself!
Emmanuel's Dream: the True Story of Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah by Laurie Ann Thompson; Sean Qualls
ISBN: 9780449817445
Publication Date: 2015
Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah's inspiring true story-which was turned into a film, Emmanuel's Gift, narrated by Oprah Winfrey-is nothing short of remarkable. Born in Ghana, West Africa, with one deformed leg, he was dismissed by most people-but not by his mother, who taught him to reach for his dreams. As a boy, Emmanuel hopped to school more than two miles each way, learned to play soccer, left home at age thirteen to provide for his family, and eventually, became a cyclist. He rode an astonishing four hundred miles across Ghana in 2001, spreading his powerful message- disability is not inability. Today, Emmanuel continues to work on behalf of the disabled. Thompson's lyrical prose and Qualls's bold collage illustrations offer a powerful celebration of triumphing over adversity.
A Splash of Red: the Life and Art of Horace Pippin by Jen Bryant; Melissa Sweet
ISBN: 9780375867125
Publication Date: 2013
As a child in the late 1800s, Horace Pippin loved to draw. He loved the feel of the charcoal as it slid across the floor. He loved looking at something in the room and making it come alive again in front of him. He drew pictures for his sisters, his classmates, his co-workers. Even during W.W.I, Horace filled his notebooks with drawings from the trenches . . . until he was shot. Upon his return home, Horace couldn't lift his right arm, and couldn't make any art. Slowly, with lots of practice, he regained use of his arm, until once again, he was able to paint--and paint, and paint! Soon, people--including the famous painter N. C. Wyeth--started noticing Horace's art, and before long, his paintings were displayed in galleries and museums across the country. Jen Bryant and Melissa Sweet team up once again to share this inspiring story of a self-taught painter from humble beginnings who despite many obstacles, was ultimately able to do what he loved, and be recognized for who he was- an artist.
Piano Starts Here by Robert Andrew Parker
ISBN: 0553533924
Publication Date: 2016
Regardless of whether they've heard of jazz or Art Tatum, young readers will appreciate how Parker uses simple, lyrical storytelling and colorful, energetic ink-and-wash illustrations to show the world as young Art Tatum might have seen it. Tatum came from modest beginnings and was nearly blind, but his passion for the piano and his acute memory for any sound that he heard drove him to become a virtuoso who was revered by both classical and jazz pianists alike. Included in the back matter is a biography and bibliography.
The Black Book of Colors by Menena Cottin; Rosana Faría; Elisa Amado; Rosana Faría
ISBN: 9780888998736
Publication Date: 2008
Living with the use of one's eyes can make imagining blindness difficult, but this innovative title invites readers to imagine living without sight through remarkable illustrations done with raised lines and descriptions of colors based on imagery. Braille letters accompany the illustrations and a full Braille alphabet offers sighted readers help reading along with their fingers. This extraordinary title gives young readers the ability to experience the world in a new way.
Undoing Ableism by Susan Baglieri; Priya Lalvani
ISBN: 9781138545601
Publication Date: 2019
Undoing Ableism is a sourcebook for teaching about disability and anti-ableism in K-12 classrooms. Conceptually grounded in disability studies, critical pedagogy, and social justice education, this book provides both a rationale as well as strategies for broad-based inquiries that allow students to examine social and cultural foundations of oppression, learn to disrupt ableism, and position themselves as agents of social change. Using an interactive style, the book provides tools teachers can use to facilitate authentic dialogues with students about constructed meanings of disability, the nature of belongingness, and the creation of inclusive communities.

Bilingual Difficult Conversations in the Classroom Kits are available for SHSU faculty check-out at the Newton Gresham Library Circulation Desk. Individual children’s literature titles are available for general check-out in the Children’s Literature Collection.

The Big Umbrella by Amy June Bates; Juniper Bates
ISBN: 9781534406582
Publication Date: 2018
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.
La Sombrilla Grande by Amy June Bates; Juniper Bates; Alexis Romay
ISBN: 9781534468436
Publication Date: 2020
Al lado de la puerta delantera hay una sombrilla. Es grande. Es tan grande que cuando comienza a llover hay espacio para todos debajo de ella. No importa si eres alta. O si llevas ropa a cuadros. O si eres peludo. No importa cuántas piernas o patas tienes. No te preocupes de que no habrá suficiente espacio bajo la sombrilla. Porque siempre habrá espacio. Exuberantes ilustraciones y un sencillo texto lírico tocan con sutileza los temas de inclusión y tolerancia en este cuento encantador que la exitosa ilustradora Amy June Bates escribió a cuatro manos con su hija, Juniper, mientras caminaban juntas a la escuela bajo la lluvia.
Where Are You From? by Yamile Saied Méndez; Jaime Kim
ISBN: 9780062839930
Publication Date: 2019
This resonant and award-winning picture book tells the story of one girl who constantly gets asked a simple question that doesn't have a simple answer. When a girl is asked where she's from--where she's really from--none of her answers seems to be the right one. Unsure about how to reply, she turns to her loving abuelo for help. He doesn't give her the response she expects. She gets an even better one. Where am I from? You're from hurricanes and dark storms, and a tiny singing frog that calls the island people home when the sun goes to sleep.... With themes of self-acceptance, identity, and home, this powerful, lyrical picture book will resonate with readers young and old, from all backgrounds and of all colors--especially anyone who ever felt that they don't belong.
¿De dónde Eres? by Yamile Saied Méndez; Jaime Kim
ISBN: 9780062915252
Publication Date: 2019
Este resonante libro ilustrado cuenta la historia de una niña a la que constantemente se le hace una pregunta simple que no tiene una respuesta simple. Cuando se le pregunta a una chica de dónde es, de dónde es realmente, ninguna de sus respuestas parece ser la correcta. Sin estar segura de cómo responder, se dirige a su abuelo amoroso en busca de ayuda. Él no le da la respuesta que ella espera. Le da una aún mejor. ¿De donde soy? Eres de huracanes y tormentas oscuras, y de una ranita cuyo canto llama a los isleños para que vuelvan a casa cuando el sol se va a dormir....Con temas de autoaceptación, identidad y hogar, este poderoso y lírico libro de imágenes resonará con lectores jóvenes y viejos, de todos los orígenes y de todos los colores, especialmente cualquiera que haya sentido que no pertenecen.
The Empanadas That Abuela Made / Las Empandas Que Hacia la Abuela by Diane Gonzales Bertrand; Alex Pardo DeLange; Gabriela Baeza Ventura
ISBN: 155885388X
Publication Date: 2003
In this whimsical look at the making of empanadas, popular children’s author Gonzales Bertrand serves up the festive fun of a family’s effort to concoct the delicious pastries. In the tradition of popular rhymes like “The Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly,” the laughter and fun rise from page to page. The Empanadas that Abuela Made/Las empanadas que hacía la abuela is filled with humorous cooks and family: Abuela, Abuelo, the cousins, aunts, uncles, and even the family dog join the parade of fluttering flour and swirling sugar. Alex Pardo de Lange fills the pages with offbeat illustrations of blankets of dough and dancing rolling pins.
My Papi Has a Motorcycle by Isabel Quintero; Zeke Peña
ISBN: 9780525553410
Publication Date: 2019
A celebration of the love between a father and daughter, and of a vibrant immigrant neighborhood, by an award-winning author and illustrator duo. When Daisy Ramona zooms around her neighborhood with her papi on his motorcycle, she sees the people and places she's always known. She also sees a community that is rapidly changing around her. But as the sun sets purple-blue-gold behind Daisy Ramona and her papi, she knows that the love she feels will always be there. With vivid illustrations and text bursting with heart, My Papi Has a Motorcycle is a young girl's love letter to her hardworking dad and to memories of home that we hold close in the midst of change.
Mi Papi Tiene una Moto by Isabel Quintero; Zeke Peña
ISBN: 9780525554943
Publication Date: 2019
Un homenaje al amor entre un padre y su hija, y a un dinámico barrio de inmigrantes, del galardonado dúo de Isabel Quintero y Zeke Peña. Cuando Daisy Ramona recorre su barrio en motocicleta con su papi, ve a la gente y los lugares que siempre ha conocido. También ve a una comunidad que está cambiando rápidamente a su alrededor. Pero mientras el sol azul púrpura y dorado se va poniendo a sus espaldas, Daisy Ramona comprende que el amor que siente por su ciudad nunca cambiará. Con brillantes ilustraciones y un texto lleno de sentimiento, Mi papi tiene una motocicleta es un mensaje lleno de amor de una niña a su padre, esforzado trabajador, y a los recuerdos que todos guardamos de nuestro hogar a pesar de los cambios o la distancia.
I Wish You Knew by Jackie Azúa Kramer; Magdalena Mora
ISBN: 9781250226303
Publication Date: 2021
When Estrella's father has to leave because he wasn't born here, like her, She misses him. And she wishes people knew the way it affects her. At home. At school. Always. But a school wrapped around a hundred-year-old oak tree is the perfect place to share and listen. Some kids miss family, Some kids are hungry, Some kids live in shelters. But nobody is alone. A story about deportation, divided families, and the importance of community in the midst of uncertainty.
Ojalá Supieras by Jackie Azúa Kramer; Magdalena Mora
ISBN: 9781250814784
Publication Date: 2021
Un cuento oportuno y conmovedor sobre la incertidumbre que siente una joven cuando deportan a su padre--y la empatía que crece cuando compartimos y nos escuchamos unos a los otros. Cuando el papá de Estrella tiene que irse porque no nació aquí como ella, Estrella lo extraña. Ella desea que la gente supiera como le afecta. En su casa. En la escuela. Siempre. Su escuela rodea un roble centenario, y ese árbol es el lugar perfecto para compartir. Algunos niños extrañan a su familia, algunos niños tienen hambre, algunos viven en refugios. Pero nadie está solo si otros están dispuestos a escuchar. Un cuento sobre la deportación, familias separadas, y la importancia de comunicad en momentos de incertidumbre.
Islandborn by Junot Díaz; Leo Espinosa
ISBN: 9780735229860
Publication Date: 2018
A 2019 Pura Belpré Honor Book for Illustration. Every kid in Lola's school was from somewhere else. Hers was a school of faraway places. So when Lola's teacher asks the students to draw a picture of where their families immigrated from, all the kids are excited. Except Lola. She can't remember The Island--she left when she was just a baby. But with the help of her family and friends, and their memories--joyous, fantastical, heartbreaking, and frightening--Lola's imagination takes her on an extraordinary journey back to The Island. As she draws closer to the heart of her family's story, Lola comes to understand the truth of her abuela's words: "Just because you don't remember a place doesn't mean it's not in you." Gloriously illustrated and lyrically written, Islandborn is a celebration of creativity, diversity, and our imagination's boundless ability to connect us--to our families, to our past and to ourselves.
Lola by Junot Díaz; Leo Espinosa
ISBN: 9780525552819
Publication Date: 2018
Todos los niños en la escuela de Lola venían de otra parte. Era una escuela de lugares lejanos. Así que cuando la maestra de Lola pide a sus alumnos que hagan un dibujo del lugar del que emigraron sus familias, todos los niños se entusiasman. Todos, menos Lola. Ella no recuerda la Isla: se fue cuando era apenas un bebé. Pero con la ayuda de su familia y de sus amigos, todos ellos con sus recuerdos --felices, maravillosos, tristes, aterradores--, la imaginación de Lola la lleva en un extraordinario viaje de regreso a la Isla. Cuando finalmente se acerca al corazón de la historia de su familia, Lola llega a entender el sentido de las palabras de su abuela: «Que no recuerdes un lugar, no significa que no sea parte de ti». Espléndidamente ilustrado, y escrito en una bella prosa, Lola es un homenaje a la creatividad, a la diversidad y a la imaginación sin límites, que nos permite conectar con nuestra familia, nuestro pasado y con nosotros mismos.
WOMAGIS United States of America by Mónica Carretero; Marta Villegas
ISBN: 9781088636695
Publication Date: 2019
Innovative and award-winning multilingual book about the magical power of words that speaks to all the children in the US! For the first time Native American and the most common languages spoken in the United States on the same page! Womagis is written in 18 US languages simultaneously: English, Spanish, Lakota-Sioux, Navajo-Diné, Eskimo-Inuit, Hawaiian, Hebrew, Tagalog, Polish, Italian, Greek, Chinese, Korean, German, Hindi, Portuguese, French & Vietnamese. With Womagis' multilingual frame you can play and look around in order to find your preferred language, just like a smart detective! Womagis includes some activities to inspire parents, caregivers and educators so they can work together with children by creating a universe of adventures and games around the book that empowers their imagination. Womagis United States inspires children to create their own language of tolerance and love, all in one story, all in one page!
The Adventures of Mr. Macaw / Las Aventuras Del Sr. Macaw by Leticia Cielito
ISBN: 9781733294201
Publication Date: 2020
SQUAWK! Mr. Macaw, a magical kite, spends his summers flying with Bronx and Maxton. When the boys take Mr. Macaw out before a tropical storm in Mexico, the kite soars in the breeze. Up, up, up, he goes, and then -oh no!- blows away in the storm. Mr. Macaw uses his time in the sky to check on the family's beloved village, and the villagers, in turn, guide him safely home to his best friends. The Adventures of Mr. Macaw is a story of adventure and the magic in our family histories.
¡CRUAC! Sr. Macaw, un papalote mágico, pasa sus veranos volando con Bronx y Maxton. Cuando los chicos sacan a pasear al Sr. Macaw antes de una tormenta tropical en México, el papalote se eleva alto en la brisa. Arriba, arriba, arriba, va y luego -¡oh no! - se va volando en la tormenta. El Sr. Macaw usa su tiempo en el cielo para cuidar del pueblo querido de la familia, y la gente del pueblo lo guían de regreso con sus mejores amigos.Las Aventuras del Sr. Macaw es una historia de aventura y la magia en nuestras historias familiares.
La enseñanza en el aula bilingüe: Content, language, and biliteracy by Sandra Mercuri; Sandra Musanti; Alma Rodríguez
ISBN: 9781934000434
Publication Date: 2021
La enseñanza en el aula bilingüe: Content, language, and biliteracy by Mercuri and Musanti with Rodríguez is for teachers who dedicate their work to bilingualism, biliteracy, and equity for bilingual learners. The book is written in Spanish (not translated from English), and it has two major goals for pre-service and practicing teachers:

Teachers learn how to develop, implement, and monitor interdisciplinary biliteracy units of instruction that they can use in any type of bilingual program—while effectively addressing the diverse needs of simultaneous and sequential bilingual learners from Spanish-speaking homes, bilingual homes, and English-speaking homes.
Bilingual teachers will have opportunities to leverage their own bilingual resources and cultural funds of knowledge to strengthen their academic Spanish and biliteracy, with a focus on academic reading and writing in Spanish, as they use this book.

Alma and How She Got Her Name by Juana Martinez-Neal
ISBN: 9780763693558
Publication Date: 2018
A 2019 Caldecott Honor Book What's in a name? For one little girl, her very long name tells the vibrant story of where she came from -- and who she may one day be. If you ask her, Alma Sofia Esperanza José Pura Candela has way too many names: six! How did such a small person wind up with such a large name? Alma turns to Daddy for an answer and learns of Sofia, the grandmother who loved books and flowers; Esperanza, the great-grandmother who longed to travel; José, the grandfather who was an artist; and other namesakes, too. As she hears the story of her name, Alma starts to think it might be a perfect fit after all -- and realizes that she will one day have her own story to tell. In her author-illustrator debut, Juana Martinez-Neal opens a treasure box of discovery for children who may be curious about their own origin stories or names.
Alma y Cómo Obtuvo Su Nombre by Juana Martinez-Neal
ISBN: 9780763693589
Publication Date: 2018
¿Qué existe detrás de un nombre? Para una niñita, su nombre muy largo cuenta la historia vibrante de dónde viene y quién podrá ser.

En su primer libro ilustrado como escritora e ilustradora, Juana Martinez-Neal ofrece un cofre de tesoros para todo niño interesado en la historia de su nombre o su historia de origen.
How Do You Say? / ¿Cómo Se Dice? by Angela Dominguez
ISBN: 9781627794961
Publication Date: 2016
Hello!¡Hola! Some people speak Spanish. Some people speak English. Although we may not speak the same language, some things, like friendship, are universal! Follow two young giraffes as they meet, celebrate, and become friends. This bilingual tale will have readers eager to meet new friends andamigos.
Grandma and Me at the Flea / Los Meros Meros Remateros by Juan Felipe Herrera; Anita de Lucio-Brock; Harriet Rohmer; Ina Cumpiano; Juan Herrera
ISBN: 0892391715
Publication Date: 2002
Every Sunday Juanito helps his grandmother sell old clothes beneth the rainbow-colored tents at the remate, the flea market. There, Juanito and his friends romp from booth to booth, fulfilling Grandma's vision of the remate as a sharing community of friendly give-and-take.Juanito gallops to the jewelry-man, who gives Juanito a copper bracelet and a watch for Grandma in exchange for her help sending money orders home to Mexico. Señora Vela gratefully accepts a bundle of Grandma's healing herbs in return for sacks of ruby red chiles. With every exchange Juanito learns firsthand what it means to be a true rematero - a fleamarketeer - and understands that the value of community can never be measured in dollars.
Este relato es una celebración a la creatividad, generosidad de espíritu y fortaleza de la comunidad americana mexicana de California. Cuando Juanito va con su abuela al remate o feria de pulgas local, aprende cómo los distintos miembros de la comunidad se apoyan unos a otros. Con sus amigos, Juanito visita a los artesanos que confeccionan hermosos objetos de artesanía como botas de cuero, cinturones decorados, etc. y a los otros que tienen verduras y alimentos. En cada puesto se intercambian objetos y se entregan regalos porque los miembros de la comunidad se preocupan del otro en la próspera economía del mercado de pulgas local que se hace los días domingo. Mientras los lectores acompañan a Juanito en su recorrido, aprenderán acerca de la solidez del vínculo familiar, la importancia del esfuerzo comunitario y el valor de recordar lecciones que pasan de una generación a otra.
Rainbow Weaver / Tejedora del Arcoíris by Linda Elovitz Marshall; Elisa Chavarri
ISBN: 9780892393749
Publication Date: 2016
An uplifting tale of ingenuity and determination. Ixchel, a young Mayan Kaqchikel girl, longs to weave threads into "fabric as beautiful as the rainbow," just like her mother, grandmother and the women in her community, but there isn't enough thread available. The resourceful girl repurposes plastic bags to create colorful weavings and, in the process, cleans up litter in her community. Vibrant illustrations by Elisa Chivarri capture traditional life in a rural Mayan village. Presented in both English and Spanish.
What Is a Refugee? by Elise Gravel
ISBN: 9780593120057
Publication Date: 2019
An accessible picture book that oh-so-simply and graphically introduces the term "refugee" to curious young children to help them better understand the world in which they live. Who are refugees? Why are they called that word? Why do they need to leave their country? Why are they sometimes not welcome in their new country? In this relevant picture book for the youngest children, author-illustrator Elise Gravel explores what it means to be a refugee in bold, graphic illustrations and spare text. This is the perfect tool to introduce an important and timely topic to children.
¿Qué es un refugiado? by Elise Gravel
ISBN: 9788469866306
Publication Date: 2020
"Me llamo Ayla. Tuve que irme de Siria por la guerra. Me gusta dibujar con mi hermana. Hacemos cómics divertidos". "Soy Majid. Vengo de Sudán. Había lucha. Soy muy bueno jugando al fútbol. Podría jugar todo el día". "Me llamo Roseline. Mi familia es de Haití. Mi abuela y dos de mis primos no pudieron venir con nosotros. ¡Los echo mucho de menos!".
TODOS NACEMOS IGUALES
¿Quiénes son los refugiados? ¿Por qué tienen que irse de su país? ¿Son siempre bien recibidos en el país de acogida? Abre este sencillo y atrevido libro para comprender por qué un refugiado es alguien como tú y como yo.
From North to South / Del Norte Al Sur by René Colato Laínez; Joe Cepeda
ISBN: 0892392312
Publication Date: 2010
Jose loves helping Mama in the garden outside their home in California. But when Mama is sent back to Mexico for not having citizenship papers, Jose and his Papa face an uncertain future. What will it be like to visit Mama in Tijuana? When will she be able to come home? Award-winning children's book author Rene Colato Lainez tackles the difficult and timely subject of family separation with exquisite tenderness. He is donating a portion of his royalties to the Centro Madre Assunta, a refuge for women and children who are waiting to be reunited with their families in the United States. Joe Cepeda's bright and engaging illustrations bring this story of hope to vivid life."
Dylan's Birthday Present / o Presente de Aniversário de Dylan by Victor Dias de Oliveira Santos
ISBN: 9781952451751
Publication Date: 2020
Dylan is an American boy like many others. One thing makes him special, though: his parents come from other countries and speak to him in different languages. It's his birthday today and he receives a very unusual present, only to lose it shortly after. Together with his best friend Emma, a sweet bilingual girl born to South African parents, Dylan sets out to find his lost birthday present. During their search, the two multilingual and multicultural friends learn about the value of friendship, of speaking different languages, and of appreciating one's own as well as others' cultural and linguistic background.
Presented in English and Portuguese
The Piñata That the Farm Maiden Hung by Samantha R. Vamos; Sebastià Serra
ISBN: 9781580897969
Publication Date: 2019
This is the bilingual story of the farm maiden and her cadre of animals who crafted a festive pinata for a surprise birthday party. A beautiful and lively companion to the award-winning The Cazuela That the Farm Maiden Stirred. A young girl sets out on errands for the day, and while she's gone, the farm maiden prepares a pinata from scratch with help from a boy, horse, goose, cat, sheep, and farmer. After they all fall asleep in the afternoon sun, they must scramble to finish preparations in time--just as the girl arrives back to her surprise party. Key English words change to Spanish as the cumulative verse builds to the celebratory ending. With the familiarity of "The House That Jack Built," the tale cleverly incorporates Spanish words, adding a new one in place of the English word from the previous page. This book makes learning the language easy and fun. Back matter includes a glossary, definitions, and directions for making a pinata at home.
La enseñanza en el aula bilingüe: Content, language, and biliteracy by Sandra Mercuri; Sandra Musanti; Alma Rodríguez
ISBN: 9781934000434
Publication Date: 2021
La enseñanza en el aula bilingüe: Content, language, and biliteracy by Mercuri and Musanti with Rodríguez is for teachers who dedicate their work to bilingualism, biliteracy, and equity for bilingual learners. The book is written in Spanish (not translated from English), and it has two major goals for pre-service and practicing teachers:

Teachers learn how to develop, implement, and monitor interdisciplinary biliteracy units of instruction that they can use in any type of bilingual program—while effectively addressing the diverse needs of simultaneous and sequential bilingual learners from Spanish-speaking homes, bilingual homes, and English-speaking homes.
Bilingual teachers will have opportunities to leverage their own bilingual resources and cultural funds of knowledge to strengthen their academic Spanish and biliteracy, with a focus on academic reading and writing in Spanish, as they use this book.

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