Children's Picture Book Database at Miami University

If nathan were here | by Bahr, Mary

Nathan was a brother, a wonderful best friend, and a great classmate. Then one day, Nathan was gone. If Nathan Were Here tells a story of what it is like for a community and family to lose a loved one. This book shows us the true need and meaning for friendship.

Keywords: baseball, change, coping, death, family, feelings, friendship, happiness, loss, love, memories, nonverbal communication, sadness, school, siblings, sports, stress management

The stars will still shine | by Ryland, Cynthia

The promises of a new year are given through rhyme and soft illustrations.

Keywords: animals, appreciation, awareness, birds, church, cow, encouragement, flowers, garden, home, light, love, new year, self esteem, storm, stress management

Me and you | by Cote, Genevieve

A rabbit and a pig both want to be like their friend. They try changing color, including their ears and tail in order to be like the other. After seeing each other, they realize that they like themselves just like they are.

Keywords: animals, art, comparisons, differences, friendship, individuality, love, pattern, pig, rabbit, self esteem

Tiny and Bigman | by Gershater, Phillis

Challenging stereotypical gender roles, Tiny and Bigman illustrate the unique people skills people have to help the world go around and to make a happy family. Tiny learns to use her large size, strength, and booming voice to help people in her community. Tiny falls in love with a small man who is hard of hearing. She builds their house, and he cooks and cleans.

Keywords: african american, animals, assertiveness, baby, beauty, body image, caribbean, confidence, conflict resolution, cooking, deafness, diving, family, garden, gender, helping, hurricane, language, love, multicultural, ocean, opposites, pregnancy, relationship, sizes, stereotypes, technology, verbal communication, weather, wedding

Rumi: Whirling dervish | by Demi

Born in Afghanistan in the thirteenth century, Rumi settled in Turkey and became the greatest mystical poet who ever lived. Although he began his adult life as a highly respectable scholar, he found his true calling after becoming the disciple of a mysterious holy man, Shamsuddin, who taught him for three years. From Shams he learned to listen for the sacred sound of God within himself. When his creative spirit was awakened, he recited more than 50,000 rhymed couplets. He wrote about the love that resides in the soul of everyone regardless of religion or background. He founded the order…

Keywords: afghani, arabic, author's note, birthday, creativity, dancing, death, faith, god, history, learning, love, multicultural, muslim, poetry, prayer, religion, rhyme, spiritual, storytelling, turkey, wedding, wisdom

The twelve days of Christmas | by Spirin, Gennady

The Twelve days of Christmas is sung in churches, houses, and concert halls throughout the Christmas season. It is hard to imagine a Christmas celebration without it. From the partridge in the pear tree to the five golden rings to the twelve drummers drumming, carolers enjoy taking turns singing different verses. Gennady Spirin's paintings bring new life and spectacular beauty to this classic song, making it a gift to be treasured at Christmastime. An illustrator' note addresses the song's origin and history.

Keywords: author's note, birds, celebration, christmas, dancing, dove, goose, history, holidays, illustrator's note, instruments, jewelry, love, music, numbers, presents, seasons, song, swan, tree, winter

Three names of me | by Cummings, Mary

Ada is a Chinese American girl. Ada shares her experiences of being adopted and moving to a new country. She collects new names that melt into one compelling identity for her.

Keywords: acceptance, adoption, airplane, american, author's note, body parts, chinese american, culture, differences, family, feelings, food, grandparents, happiness, identity, language, love, multicultural, orphan, parents, poverty, sleep, stars, transportation, travel, writing

Babu's song | by Stuve-Bodeen, Stephanie

Bernardi lives with his grandfather, Babu, who is mute and makes toys. Because they do not make much money, Bernardi can not afford to go to school in his native Tanzanian town. Bernardi wants to go to school and play soccer with the other children. Through the unconditional love of Babu, Bernardi learns that sacrifice leads to achieving the impossible dream.

Keywords: african, bicycle, family, grandparents, handicap, illness, love, market, money, multicultural, music, nonverbal communication, poverty, school, soccer, sports, tanzanian

Mama Elizabeti | by Strure-Bodeen, Stephanie

Elizabeti has been taking care of her rock doll, Eva, and is not worried when it comes time for her to take care of Obedi, her younger brother. Throughout the day, Elizabeti quickly finds out Obedi is a handful compared to her rock doll Eva, but is rewarded with Obedi's love at the end of a difficult day.

Keywords: african, baby, change, child care, critical thinking, culture, dolls, family, helping, love, multicultural, siblings, stress management

Jamela's dress | by Daly, Niki

Jamela's mama has just bought some beautiful fabric for a new dress. While she's watching it dry outside in the South African air, Jamela wraps it around herself and starts parading down the street. Everyone is watching her, she is so proud. When she gets home, Jamela finds her mama very upset because her fabric is ruined. With the help of a friend, Jamela buys her mama more fabric. At this South African wedding, both Jamela and her mama are beautiful in their new dresses.

Keywords: african, animals, birds, celebration, chicken, clothing, conflict resolution, critical thinking, dog, forgiveness, friendship, games, helping, language, love, market, money, multicultural, photograph, pretend, sewing, shopping, verbal communication, wedding

In my momma's kitchen | by Nolen, Jerdine

A young girl's fondest memories happen in her momma's kitchen. Achievements, family, stories, cooking and love are all celebrated in the kitchen. Great-Aunt Caroline, corn-pudding time and nighttime serenades are a few of the special moments in this loving family.

Keywords: accomplishment, african american, animals, bedtime, cat, celebration, cooking, dancing, easter, family, food, friendship, garden, grandparents, holidays, instruments, love, multicultural, music, parents, relationship, school, self esteem, sleep, song, walking, wedding

Clown | by Blake, Quentin

Clown and his friends are thrown into a garbage can in the city by a woman who no longer wants them around. Clown, however, hops out of the garbage and wanders the city to look for someone to love them. By accident, Clown finds a family and he and his buddies live happily ever after. (A Wordless Book)

Keywords: baby, bear, birds, clowns, conflict resolution, critical thinking, disappointment, elephant, family, fear, feelings, friendship, goal setting, happiness, kindness, love, nonverbal communication, parents, sadness, siblings, toys

Breakfast with my father | by Roy, Ron

When David's mother and father are separated, David and his dad only see each other during their special Saturday morning breakfasts. All winter, David's dad comes every Saturday except for one. After sulking all morning, David goes downstairs in his house and is pleasantly surprised to see his mom and dad eating breakfast together.

Keywords: change, coping, disappointment, divorce, family, feelings, food, happiness, love, nutrition, parents, sadness, seasons, separation, siblings, surprises, winter

Josefina | by Winter, Jeanette

Josefina spends her whole life shaping soft clay into a story. She looks out at the world and makes what she sees until her story is complete.

Keywords: creativity, family, feelings, flowers, fun, happiness, imagination, love, nonverbal communication, sadness, storytelling, verbal communication

Laura charlotte | by Galbraith, Kathryn O.

Laura's mother sits close to her on the bed and tells stories full of traditions and past generations to help her fall asleep.

Keywords: affection, bedtime, family, feelings, generations, love, parents, reading, sleep, storytelling

When i was young in the mountains | by Rylant, Cynthia

The daily activities of a child who lives in the mountains are shown with many simple pleasures and warmth.

Keywords: activities, family, grandparents, happiness, love, mountains, shelter

My gran | by Boon, Debbie

A little girl has a very special grandmother. When Gran visits, they make things, eat different foods, and spend fun time together.

Keywords: activities, alcohol, animals, art, beverage, cat, colors, cow, family, farm, feelings, food, french, friendship, fun, garden, goat, grandparents, happiness, language, laziness, love, market, multicultural, nonverbal communication, nutrition, pig, plants, seasons, song, summer, transportation, travel, verbal communication

Smoking stinks | by Gosselin, Kim

Maddie and Alex get the facts about smoking!They learn the truth by interviewing Maddie's grandpa, Norman. His mistakes intrigue their class's journey to stay healthy and live smoke-free.

Robert lives with his grandparents | by Hickman, Martha Whitmore

After his parents divorce, Robert goes to live with his grandparents. Robert's father moves away and his mother goes into drug rehabilitation. Even though Robert loves his grandparents, he is embarrassed to bring them to Parent's Day at school.

Keywords: african american, anger, decision making, divorce, drugs, embarrassment, family, feelings, food, friendship, grandparents, happiness, health, love, multicultural, nonverbal communication, nutrition, parents, relief, sadness, school, self esteem, verbal communication

I'll always love you | by Wilhelm, Hans

A little boy grows up with his dog Elfie and they do everything together. When Elfie dies, the boy is very sad. He knows that he can get another dog, but no dog will replace Elfie.

Keywords: change, companion, conflict resolution, coping, death, feelings, loss, love, nonverbal communication, pets, sadness, self esteem, stress management, verbal communication

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