Wisconsin Book Drive
Ali and the Sea Stars
Tony Award-winning actress Ali Stroker captures the magic and community of theater in her debut picture book, about a spirited girl in a wheelchair who stages a show for her hometown. Based on the pivotal summer Ali performed in her first musical by the Jersey Shore!
Ali loves to dance, sing, and act. But she had never thought of putting on her own show until her neighbor asks, "Why wait?" Immediately energized, Ali gets to work.
There's so much to do before showtime--choosing the right musical, auditions, rehearsal, costume and set design--but Ali can do anything with her family and friends. When a storm threatens to undo all their hard work, Ali must use her imagination and adapt so the show can go on!
Includes an inspiring letter from Ali to readers on how she developed confidence while on-stage and how theater encourages teamwork and creativity.
And J.J. Slept
In this sweet tale of family life from the author of A Stopwatch from Grampa, a boisterous adoptive family welcomes their new baby boy -- who, thankfully, has a unique requirement for sleeping!
When J.J. arrives at his new home, his family is bubbling over with excitement to meet him! The four children welcome their tiny new brother, then, when he falls asleep, Dad asks them to try to be quiet. In no time at all, though, the clamor of family life grows loud with drumming on the table, shouting across the room and chattering to the dog. But to everyone's surprise, J.J. sleeps through it all! Even when the children are running and yelling in his room, J.J. sleeps. "Not much seems to bother this little fella," says Dad. Well, as they discover, there is one thing that disturbs baby J.J.'s sleep . . .
Author Loretta Garbutt, whose debut picture book, A Stopwatch from Grampa, was named one of Kirkus Reviews Best Books of 2020, perfectly captures the small moments of family life that loom large to young children. Here, a family welcomes their newest member, who has been adopted, a situation not often portrayed in picture books. It's a heartwarming story that hits all the right notes: humor, a family focus and a delicious twist -- the baby hates a quiet house! It offers a wonderful opportunity for conversations about what it means to be a family. The illustrations by Erika Rodriguez Medina warmly portray the busyness of the household and the closeness of the family members, along with loads of relatable and funny antics going on around the baby.
Be Strong
Signed copies available! Order your copy now!
A picture book about finding strength in unlikely places from the team behind the hugely popular New York Times bestseller Be Kind.
When her gym class must face the school rock-climbing wall, Tanisha is discouraged. Her muscles are weak, and she knows she'll never reach the top like Cayla. But maybe strength is about more than just muscles. With help from her family, Tanisha learns that by showing up, speaking up, and not giving up, she can be strong, too. And that people are the strongest when they work together and trust each other. Award-winning author Pat Zietlow Miller has reunited with illustrator Jen Hill for Be Strong, another unforgettable story sure to inspire kids and adults alike.Because of You, John Lewis
When young Tybre Faw discovers John Lewis and his heroic march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in the fight for voting rights, Tybre is determined to meet him.
Tybre's two grandmothers take him on the seven-hour drive to Selma, Alabama, where Lewis invites Tybre to join him in the annual memorial walk across the Bridge. And so begins a most amazing friendship!
In rich, poetic language, Andrea Davis Pinkney weaves the true story of a boy with a dream--together with the story of a real-life hero (who himself had a life-altering friendship with Martin Luther King, Jr. when he was young!). Keith Henry Brown's deeply affecting paintings bring this inspiring bond between a young activist and an elder congressman vividly to life.
Who will be next to rise up and turn the page on history?
Boxitects
A STEAM-centered, adorably illustrated picture book about Meg, a brilliant and creative boxitect who creates extraordinary things out of ordinary cardboard boxes.
Meg is a brilliant and creative boxitect. She loves impressing her teacher and classmates with what she makes out of boxes.
But there's a new kid at Maker School: Simone. Simone is good at everything, and worst of all, she's a boxitect too.
When the annual Maker Match is held, Meg and Simone are paired as a team but can't seem to stop arguing. When their extraordinary project turns into a huge disaster, they must find a way to join creative forces, lift each other up, and work together.
Boy
Bright Brown Baby
Brown baby, born bright.
Greet the world. Spread your light.
Sparkling eyes blink hello.
Bright brown baby, you will GO!
Cuddle up with your little one, read aloud, and REPEAT: This gorgeous picture book treasury is sure to become your favorite storytime anthem. Dive into these five beautiful poems that celebrate the tender, cozy, early days between parent and child, and the exuberant joy of watching a brand-new life take shape. Warm, winsome, and welcoming illustrations from Caldecott Honor and Coretta Scott King Award-winning illustrator Brian Pinkney exude joy and love on every page. Bouncing, rhythmic text from New York Times bestselling author Andrea Davis Pinkney rolls off the tongue and begs to be read aloud, in these poems that include "Count to Love," "Hey, Baby Girl!," and "Baby Boy, You are a Star."
A celebration of Black and brown joy, babies, and families, this beautiful picture book treasury is the perfect gift item, bookshelf staple, and long-lasting classic in the making. Just right for new and expectant parents, baby showers, birthdays, graduations, and more, this book is sure to be treasured for years to come.
And if you're looking for a board book edition for baby? Each poem will also be released as a separate board book edition, with Count to Love out now!
Brown Is Warm, Black Is Bright
A long overdue book that lyrically celebrates and teaches positive associations with two of the most important colors on Earth, black and brown.
Have you ever paused to savor the power and beauty of brown and black? Brown is strong as a tree and sweet as honey in tea; black is the hopeful promise of a seed and the grace of a bird in flight... and the quiet space where dreams begin.
In this groundbreaking picture book, poetic text and lush imagery celebrates two essential colors that capture all the richness and depth life, love, and the natural world have to offer.Change Sings: A Children's Anthem
In its loudest, proudest song.
I don't fear change coming,
And so I sing along." In this stirring, much-anticipated picture book by presidential inaugural poet and activist Amanda Gorman, anything is possible when our voices join together. As a young girl leads a cast of characters on a musical journey, they learn that they have the power to make changes--big or small--in the world, in their communities, and in most importantly, in themselves. With lyrical text and rhythmic illustrations that build to a dazzling crescendo by #1 New York Times bestselling illustrator Loren Long, Change Sings is a triumphant call to action for everyone to use their abilities to make a difference.
Cozy in Love
Eyes That Speak to the Stars
New York Times bestselling team Joanna Ho and Dung Ho present Eyes That Speak to the Stars, companion to the acclaimed Eyes That Kiss in the Corners.
"A brilliant treatise to love of self and heritage." --School Library Journal (starred review)
"A beautifully validating book that builds on the necessary work of its predecessor." --Kirkus
"Affirmative poetry about a child's eyes and the tale they tell about him. An uplifting read." --Booklist
A young boy comes to recognize his own power and ability to change the future. When a friend at school creates a hurtful drawing, the boy turns to his family for comfort. He realizes that his eyes rise to the skies and speak to the stars, shine like sunlit rays, and glimpse trails of light from those who came before--in fact, his eyes are like his father's, his agong's, and his little brother's, and they are visionary.
Inspired by the men in his family, he recognizes his own power and strength from within. This extraordinary picture book redefines what it means to be truly you.
Eyes That Kiss in the Corners received three starred reviews and was embraced as "breathtaking," "lyrical," and "poignant." This companion volume is sure to be welcomed with equal joy.
January/February 2021 Kids' Indie Next List
An Amazon January Best Book of the Month
A Bank Street Books Best Children's Book of the Year for ages 5-9 in Family/School/Community Fiction and noted for outstanding merit (2023)
Family Tree
Finding Fire
Good Night (Not Really)
Charlie and Lisa are charming guides, helping children count not only to ten, but backward as well. Good Night (Not Really) is actually a good morning book.
This is the first book in the Not Really series. These humorous picture books offer fresh ways for children to expand their math skills (including counting by 2's and 5's), surprise endings, and gorgeous illustrations.
Hattie Harmony: Worry Detective
I Have a Superpower
Stephen Curry's journey to the NBA wasn't easy. Coaches and recruiters repeatedly told him he was too small to make it in the big leagues. But Stephen used their doubts to shape his ever-positive attitude and fuel his own underdog success story. Now, Curry pens an original story to inspire the next generation of go-getters and big dreamers. I Have a Superpower is the empowering story that teaches kids you don't have to be the strongest, fastest, or even tallest kid out on the court. So long as you have heart, any goal is achievable through hard work and determination--even without a cape!
I'll Hold Your Hand
This sweet picture book celebrates a parent's love and support of a child through life's milestones, from learning to walk to the first day of school and all the highs and lows in between.
From the night you arrive to your first night away,from learning to crawl to healing a broken heart,
and for all the highs and lows in between. . .
through every season, every challenge, and every joy, you are loved. With lyrical text from Maggie C. Rudd and stunning art by Elisa Chavarri, I'll Hold Your Hand celebrates the unbreakable bond of family, and all the ways our actions can say "I love you" louder than words.
I'm Not (Very) Afraid of Being Alone
It's Called Dyslexia
Have you ever wondered what it's like to be Dyslexic? Learn what it's like and about some of the tools that can help with overcoming Dyslexia. This sweet story is empowering and will inspire you to be the best you can be!
Perfect for anyone looking for:
books about kids with disabilities
inclusive childrens books
books for the classroom or for home Titles in the Live and Learn series take a child's point of view-especially the view of children who either suffer from some physical challenge or lack self-confidence in going about their everyday activities. Following each story are four pages of suggested activities that relate to the book's theme. Educational backmatter offers advice to parents.
John's Turn
Juanita: The Girl Who Counted the Stars
A magical story of a Guatemalan girl named Juanita, who loved cooking crunchy maize tortillas and counting stars every night.
Juanita lived in Santa Catarina Palopó, a pretty little village next to a beautiful lake, surrounded by three huge volcanoes. She loved her pueblo and their people. Women there helped their families by weaving huipiles from silk, wool, and cotton thread while men worked the land. Juanita wanted to be of help, so she always cooked for her family her favorite meal, tortillas. At night, when the sun cleared the way for the moon to shine bright, Juanita would run onto the roof of the house for her nighttime routine: counting stars. The sky was so clear she could almost touch it.
But one day, Juanita's mom became very ill, and she couldn't work at her loom. Juanita wanted to help but didn't know how to. It appears the sky had been listening to her all the time and had a big surprise stored for her...
Just Ask!: Be Different, Be Brave, Be You
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. Praise for Just Ask * "Addressing topics too often ignored, this picture book presents information in a direct and wonderfully child-friendly way." --Booklist, *STARRED REVIEW* "An affirmative, delightfully diverse overview of disabilities." --Kirkus Reviews "A hopeful and sunny exploration of the many things that make us unique [with] dynamic and vibrant illustrations [that] emphasize each character's unique abilities. . . . A thoughtful and empathetic story of inclusion." --SLJ