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Jo Jo's flying sidekick

Pinkney, Brian

Jo Jo is worried about her flying sidekick test in Tae Kwon Do. Her grandfather and mother give her advice but she is still worried. When the test begins, she freezes. But then she realizes just what to do.

Tags

african american, assertiveness, conflict resolution, decision making, exercise, family, fear, feelings, goal setting, grandparents, japanese, multicultural, parents, performance, self esteem, sports, stress management, verbal communication

Stevie

Steptoe, John

A young African American boy feels jealous and angry when his mother accepts a new babysitting job for a younger child. It is only until the boy moves away that he realizes how much fun he had with him.

Tags

african american, anger, change, child care, coping, critical thinking, decision making, differences, family, feelings, friendship, jealousy, moving, parents, peer resistance, self esteem

A million fish...more or less

McKissack, Patricia C.

Hugh Thomas lives in a place where weird things happen and people spin tales. Elder Abbajon and Papa-Daddy tell Hugh Thomas a tale about Bayou Clapateaux. On the way home from fishing, Hugh Thomas makes up his own spin tale.

Tags

african american, animals, assertiveness, birds, careers, cat, creole, crow, family, fish, fishing, friendship, grandparents, imagination, multicultural, numbers, raccoon, recreation, storytelling, turkey, verbal communication

Tar beach

Ringgold, Faith

A young, 8 year old, African American girl dreams of flying above her Harlem home and having the many things she sees. She speaks of her wish to have money and liberation for her family and herself.

Tags

african american, airplane, art, creativity, discrimination, dreams, family, freedom, goal setting, imagination, money, multicultural, nonverbal communication, poverty, quilt, self esteem, transportation

Always my dad

Wyeth, Sharon

A girl does not get to see her father often and she misses him very much. One summer at her grandparents' farm, she and her three brothers spend some very nice moments with their father. She realizes that no matter where he is, he will always be her father and loves her.

Tags

african american, coping, family, feelings, food, games, grandparents, happiness, moon, multicultural, night, nutrition, parents, sadness, siblings, stars

Dawn and the round-to-it

Smalls, Irene

Dawn wakes up early every day, but everyone in her family is too busy to play with her. She is sad, but figures out a way that they can make time for her, and it works.

Tags

african american, compromise, conflict resolution, creativity, depression, family, feelings, happiness, loneliness, persistence, problem solving, sadness, time

Red dancing shoes

Patrick, Denise Lewis

A little girl's Grandmama brings her a new pair of red dancing shoes. She is so excited she dances all around town showing them to everyone she knows.

Tags

african american, community, dancing, exercise, family, grandparents, helping, multicultural, parents, siblings

I need a lunchbox

Caines, J.

A little boy wants a lunchbox very badly. He feels sad because he can't have one until he starts school like his sister. In the end, his father surprises him with a lunchbox.

Tags

african american, colors, family, food, multicultural, nutrition, parents, school, siblings

Sofie's role

Heath, Amy

One day before Christmas, Sofie goes to work at her family's Broadway Bakery. The store is filled with many customers and Sofie's help is greatly needed.

Tags

african american, careers, christmas, family, food, helping, holidays, multicultural, nutrition, responsibilities

Richard wright and the library card

Miller, William

Due to segregation in the 1920s, African Americans are not allowed to check out books from the library. Richard Wright discovers his passion which becomes a road to his freedom - books.

Tags

african american, books, challenges, critical thinking, discrimination, freedom, goal setting, multicultural, nonverbal communication, reading, self esteem, storytelling, stress management, verbal communication, work

Brian's bird

Davis, Patricia

Brian receives a bird for his birthday. The two quickly become friends after Brian overcomes his fear. When Brian's brother Kevin carelessly lets the bird escape, Brian becomes upset. Will he ever see Scratchy again?

Tags

african american, birds, birthday, blindness, celebration, conflict resolution, direction, disability, family, fear, feelings, forgiveness, happiness, multicultural, parakeet, presents, sadness, siblings, teaching, trick

Birthday

Steptoe, John

A little girl's family moves to Africa from America because of racism. The little girl's birthday is celebrated by the whole town.

Tags

african american, birthday, celebration, community, conflict resolution, family, holidays, racism

One round moon and a star for me

Mennen, Ingrid

A young boy looks at the stars and the sun as it warms his father's land. His mother has a new baby and his father explains that he is his papa too. Then he shows the boy his own moon and star.

Tags

african american, baby, family, moon, multicultural, parents, self esteem, stars, sun, verbal communication

Dancing with the indians

Medearis, Angela Shelf

An African American family watches a Seminole Indian celebration. After watching and learning of this culture and its customs, the family joins in the dancing.

Tags

acceptance, african american, assertiveness, awareness, celebration, critical thinking, dancing, differences, family, history, multicultural, native american, nonverbal communication, recreation, traditions, verbal communication

Satchmo's blues

Schroeder, Alan

Louis Armstrong loves to watch the musicians play jazz music. He dreams of playing the cornet someday just like Bunk Johnson who plays in the Eagle Band. One day, Louis spots a cornet in a pawn shop and discovers that it costs five dollars. Louis works very hard for two weeks earning money any way that he can. Once the cornet is his, Louie begins living out his dream of becoming a musician.

Tags

african american, author's note, biography, church, dancing, determination, exercise, family, food, goal setting, hard work, instruments, market, money, multicultural, music, nutrition, parents, siblings, sounds

Be bop-a-do walk

Hamanaka, Sheila

Emi and Martha go on a very long walk with Emi's dad. After many stops they reach Central Park, where Emi's dad makes them paper sail boats and hats. They are too tired to walk home so they take the bus. Emi's dad makes paper cranes for everyone.

A helpful alphabet of friendly objects

Updike, John

Poems are provided with various pictures of objects which begin with each letter of the alphabet such as apple, bird, jam, egg, nickel, oatmeal, toy and zero.

Tags

african american, alphabet, animals, asian, birds, bluejay, cat, clothing, colors, dog, environment, five senses, food, italian, multicultural, nutrition, pets, plants, poetry, rabbit, rhyme, self confidence, self esteem, sight, sounds, taste, touch

Hue boy

Mitchell, Rita Phillips

Hue Boy is very concerned about his height. Everyone thinks that he is too short. He and his mother try every possible remedy, but nothing works. Finally, Hue Boy's father returns, and Hue Boy loses his feelings of smallness through his pride of being with his father.

Tags

african american, appearance, depression, differences, family, insecurity, multicultural, parents, pride, self confidence, self esteem, sizes, stress management, verbal communication

I love my hair!

Tarpley, Natasha Anatasia

Although she is often teased by her classmates about her Afro hair, Kenyana learns her hair makes her unique. Both her mother and teacher help show Kenyana why her hair is so special. Kenyana learns that it only matters what she thinks, not others.

Tags

african american, appearance, appreciation, author's note, body parts, creativity, differences, family, imagination, individuality, multicultural, nonverbal communication, parents, self esteem, sounds, teasing, uniqueness, verbal communication

The black snowman

Mendez, Phil

Jacob, a young African American boy, lives with his poverty striken family in the city. He dislikes his culture, life and heritage and is filled with hate. It takes some special magic to change his ideas.

Tags

african american, anger, body image, change, conflict resolution, courage, critical thinking, decision making, family, feelings, growing up, magic, multicultural, nonverbal communication, poverty, seasons, self esteem, traditions, verbal communication

Dear Willie Rudd

Gray, Libba Moore

Elizabeth remembers a wonderful woman named Willie Rudd that had an extraordinary impact on her childhood. Elizabeth writes a letter to Willie Rudd to tell her that she loves her and apologizes for any wrongs committed due to Willie's race.

Tags

african american, aging, closeness, coping, dedication, discrimination, forgiveness, friendship, growing up, memory, multicultural, storytelling

Chidi only likes blue: An African book of colors

Onyefuln, Ifeoma

Nneka and Chidi, two children of a Nigerian village, play a game called Colors. Chidi only likes the color blue, so Nneka shows him all the other colors in the village. She shows Chidi how beautiful and colorful their African lifestyle is. The colors yellow, pink, red, gold are seen, but Chidi only likes blue best of all!

Tags

african, ceremony, colors, culture, family, flowers, food, games, grandparents, hygiene, nigerian, nonverbal communication, parents, photograph, plants, sand, self esteem, siblings, teeth, verbal communication, wish

Lobo and the rabbit stew (El lobo y el caldo de conejo)

Schwartz, Marcia

Lobo is a wolf who must eat a succulent rabbit stew while the moon is full or he will go cuckoo. He tries a variety of temptations to entice a bunny out of his burrow. The little rabbit uses his wits to escape becoming an entree.

Tags

animals, critical thinking, cycle, escape, food, humor, moon, problem solving, rabbit, wolf

Molly bannaky

McGill, Alice

After spilling a bucket of milk and being brought before the court, Molly Walsh is sent from England to America as an indentured servant. After seven long years she gains her freedom, a farm of her own, and an African slave who becomes her husband.

Tags

african, animals, author's note, boat, books, compromise, cow, crime, critical thinking, determination, family, farm, freedom, friendship, hard work, history, marriage, multicultural, ox, plants, reading, royalty, self esteem, settlers, slavery, tobacco, travel, verbal communication

Carl's snowy afternoon

Day, Alexandra

A little girls' parents leave her with a babysitter and head for a neighborhood pond party. The babysitter doesn't pay attention when the girl escapes with her dog, Carl. The little girl and Carl have a fun day playing in the snow, making snowmen, ice-skating, sledding, and catching snowflakes with their tongues. Carl takes the little girl back home and climb through the window before her parents get home.

Tags

animals, clothing, dog, family, food, fun, neighbors, nonverbal communication, pets, play, sledding, snow, verbal communication

Faraway home

Kurtz, Jane

When a letter arrives from Africa regarding Grandma's illness, the girl's father decides to leave the U.S. and go home to Ethiopia. His anticipation sparks stories of his childhood which he tells to his daughter.

Tags

africa, birds, clothing, clouds, family, flamingo, food, hyena, imagination, language, letters, love, memory, nutrition, parents, photograph, stars, travel, verbal communication

Grandfather's lovesong

Lindbergh, Reeve

Grandfather describes the love he has for his young grandson. He compares his love to the different seasons and the beautiful scenery of the rural landscape.

Tags

affection, autumn, comparisons, family, grandparents, love, nature, seasons, spring, summer, verbal communication, winter

How about a hug?

Carlson, Nancy

The pig family shows that no matter what the situation, whether its getting up for school on a Monday, feeling sad, lonely, or hurt, a hug will make you feel better.

Tags

affection, animals, family, feelings, fight, food, friendship, games, happiness, injury, loneliness, love, morning, mouse, nonverbal communication, nutrition, pig, school, skating, soccer, sports, work

Increase rabbit

McCready, Thomas L.

Two supposedly male rabbits produce a family. When the mother escapes from her cage, the family decides to make the rabbit a house pet and later helps out children when selling her babies.

Tags

affection, animals, baby, decision making, family, nonverbal communication, parents, pets, rabbit, siblings

The sick day

MacLachlan, Patricia

A young girl stays home sick and her father takes care of her and plays with her. The following day, her father becomes sick and the little girl takes care of him.

Tags

affection, family, illness, parents, play

Thunderstorm

Szulagyi, Mary

A little girl is playing outside with her dog when a storm rolls in. She runs in the house crying, because she is scared. In the comfort of her mother's arms, they watch the storm.

Tags

affection, animals, critical thinking, dog, family, fear, feelings, nature, nonverbal communication, parents, play, rain, safety, stress management, weather

See a white horse

Miles, Miska

Henry feels sad about the void left in his life after his dog, Old Tuck, passes away. When a stranger on a white horse with a brown dog comes into town, Henry wishes that he could have a new dog. The stranger allows Henry to have his brown dog, if he can find him, for the stranger has set the dog free. Henry searches desperately for the dog and finally finds it, naming it Young Tuck.

Tags

affection, animals, assertiveness, critical thinking, death, depression, dog, goal setting, horse, loss, peer resistance, pets, stress management, wish

One step, two

Zolotow, C.

A little girl takes her mother for a walk and shows her all the wonderful things to see.

Tags

affection, colors, curiosity, discovery, exercise, family, five senses, nature, nonverbal communication, numbers, parents, sight, sun, verbal communication, walking, weather, wind

Black is brown is tan

Adoff, Arnold

Growing up with a black mother and a white father can be hard on children. Adoff expresses how one family deals with this situation.

Tags

affection, african american, child care, family, grandparents, individuality, love, multicultural, parents

Henry and mudge get the cold shivers

Rylant, Cynthia

Right after Henry gets over his cold, his dog, Mudge, comes down with one!Henry does all he can to make Mudge feel better.

Tags

affection, animals, caring, cold, companion, dog, friendship, helping, illness, pets

Daisy and the egg

Simmons, Jane

As Aunt Buttercup sits atop her eggs, Daisy awaits the arrival of new cousins and a brother or sister. Soon the eggs begin to hatch, all but the one Daisy has been watching. When Mama gives up hope, Daisy helps hatch the late egg!

Tags

affection, birds, bodies of water, critical thinking, duck, empathy, excitement, family, helping, hope, lake, love, patience, persistence, pond, siblings, swimming, verbal communication

I want a brother or sister

Lindgren, Astrid

Peter wants a little brother or sister but after Lena is born he feels that his mama doesn't love him anymore. He soon realizes however, that having a little sister is a big responsibility and a lot of fun.

Tags

affection, baby, birth, conflict resolution, family, fun, love, nonverbal communication, parents, responsibilities, self esteem, siblings

I know a place

Ackerman, Karen

Everyone should have a familiar place where we feel comfortable and loved. This book shows one child's special place and what is done there. The place where this child feels safe and warm is with his family at home.

Tags

affection, bedtime, caring, child care, family, love, parents, self esteem, siblings

What if?

Collins, Ross//Thomas, Frances

A bad dream causes Little Monster to imagine several scary events that might occur when he wakes up. To reassure his fears, Little Monster's mother creates a different twist on the fun and exciting events that might occur instead of his bad dream. Mother Monster's comforting suggestions calm Little Monster's fears.

Tags

affection, balloon, bedtime, colors, conflict resolution, coping, dreams, emotions, family, fear, fire, food, imagination, monsters, parents, spider, storytelling, stress management, verbal communication

Willie's not the hugging kind

Barrett, Joyce Durham

Willie's friend, Jo-Jo, told him that hugging was silly. Willie enjoyed and missed being hugged, so every night he would sneak a hug from a bath towel. He realized that he needed someone to hug, so he decided to start hugging his family again.

Tags

affection, assertiveness, conflict resolution, critical thinking, decision making, family, feelings, peer resistance, refusal skills, self esteem, verbal communication

Hug me

Steen, Patti

No one will hug Elliot Dravitz, because he is a porcupine. He wants a hug more than anything and he tries really hard to get one. Finally he finds another porcupine who will hug him and he is happy.

Tags

affection, animals, assertiveness, feelings, goal setting, happiness, nonverbal communication, patience, peer resistance, porcupine, self esteem

I like your buttons!

Lamstein, Sarah

Random acts of kindness are demonstrated by Cassandra as she tells her teacher that she likes her buttons. Cassandra's positive attitude spreads throughout her school and around the neighborhood bringing joy and surprise to all.

Donna o'neeshuck was chased by some cows

Grossman, Bill

Donna O'Neeshuck cannot understand why she is being chased by cows, moose, geese, and other animals. When she stops to ask the animals, she discovers that the way she pats their heads is irresistable.

Tags

affection, animals, birds, conflict resolution, cow, decision making, kindness, moose, mystery, rhyme, verbal communication

The wild horses of sweetbriar

Kinsey-Warnock, Natalie

A young girl tells her story of an encounter with wild horses. While living with her parents on the small island off the coast of New England, she discovers wild horses. During the harsh winter that they live there, she helps the horses survive.

Tags

affection, animals, birds, bodies of water, caring, family, horse, loneliness, memory, ocean, parents, seagull, seasons, snow, survival, sympathy, unselfish, verbal communication, weather, weight loss, wind, winter, worry

A kiss for little bear

Minarik, Else Holmelund

Little Bear draws grandma a picture and sends it with Hen. Grandma is pleased with the picture and sends Little Bear a kiss in return through Hen, who passes it on to a friend. Eventually, the kiss reaches two skunks who decide to get married.

Tags

affection, animals, art, bear, birds, chicken, community, critical thinking, family, friendship, grandparents, marriage, nonverbal communication, skunk

Time train

Fleischman, Paul

A class takes a trip to learn about dinosaurs. Somehow the class takes a wrong turn and ends up visiting prehistoric times. During the trip, members of the class play with dinosaurs and eat dinosaur eggs for breakfast.

Tags

adventures, critical thinking, decision making, dinosaur, food, history, imagination, school, travel, verbal communication

Amos: The story of an old dog and his couch

Seligson, Susan//Schneider, Howie

An old dog is bored and sad because the kids are all grown up and the Bobsons are always gone. He later discovers he can make new friends and his couch can go places if he uses his imagination.

Tags

adventures, animals, boredom, change, decision making, dog, feelings, friendship, growing up, imagination, loneliness, pets, sadness, travel

A road might lead to anywhere

Field, Rachel

A little girl leaves her home to explore where the road may go. She travels to different countries, cities, shops, houses and caves. She eventually takes the road that leads her back home.

Tags

adventures, exploration, five senses, transportation, travel, verbal communication

Tim and ginger

Ardizzone, Edward

Tim and Ginger are best friends. One day Ginger goes off on his own. Tim realizes that something is wrong. He searches to find Ginger. After Tim saves him, Ginger saves Tim. Both boys are heroes.

Tags

adventures, boat, challenges, decision making, friendship, heroism, stress management, transportation, verbal communication

The lost christmas

Knotts, Howard

Luke is very sick but determined not to miss Christmas. He has a very high fever, loses consciousness and dreams of a wild flight through the countryside. When he awakens, Christmas has passed but a new present awaits him.

Tags

adventures, christmas, conflict resolution, determination, dreams, holidays, illness, presents, sleep, train

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