Children's Picture Book Database at Miami University

Tar beach | by 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.

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

Richard wright and the library card | by 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.

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

One round moon and a star for me | by 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.

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

Be bop-a-do walk | by 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 | by 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.

Keywords: 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 | by 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.

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

I love my hair! | by 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.

Keywords: 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 | by 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.

Keywords: 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

Chidi only likes blue: An African book of colors | by 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!

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

Molly bannaky | by 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.

Keywords: 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

I want a brother or sister | by 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.

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

I know a place | by 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.

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

Willie's not the hugging kind | by 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.

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

Hug me | by 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.

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

I like your buttons! | by 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.

Keywords: affection, animals, appreciation, behavior, careers, cat, communication, community, excitement, exercise, feelings, happiness, kindness, parents, playground, playing, recognition, restaurant, school, self confidence, self esteem, unselfish, verbal communication

Humphrey's bear | by Wahl, Jan

Humphrey sails with his stuffed bear on some very scary adventures. He eventually finds his lost security and gets reassurance from his parents.

Keywords: adventures, animals, assertiveness, bear, boat, bodies of water, critical thinking, dancing, exercise, family, fear, feelings, food, friendship, happiness, nutrition, parents, river, sadness, sea, self esteem, stress management, swimming, toys, transportation, weather, wind

Up north at the cabin | by Chall, Marsha Wilson

A little girl spends the summer up north at a cabin with her grandparents and family. Her summer is filled with exploration and activities that she cherishes during the winter months until she can return again.

Keywords: adventures, appreciation, assertiveness, critical thinking, family, grandparents, imagination, memories, nonverbal communication, recreation, seasons, self esteem, shelter, summer, vacation

Delphine | by Bang, Molly

Delphine receives a present from her grandmother, but she must go to the post office (far away) to get it. Delphine encounters many exciting adventures on her way to pick up the present.

Keywords: adventures, assertiveness, bravery, family, goal setting, grandparents, nonverbal communication, presents, refusal skills, self esteem, travel

Red fox and his canoe | by Benchley, Nathaniel

A little Indian boy, Red Fox, takes out the canoe his father made for him. Something unexpected happens when he is fishing.

Keywords: adventures, assertiveness, boat, conflict resolution, critical thinking, decision making, family, fishing, independence, multicultural, native american, self esteem, transportation, verbal communication

Hickory dickory dock | by Aylesworth, Jim

A mouse's adventures are detailed along with a clock and the time of day.

Keywords: adventures, animals, decision making, imagination, mouse, rhyme, self esteem, verbal communication

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