Browse Items · Children's Picture Book Database at Miami University

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Our tree named Steve

Zweibel, Alan

In a letter to his children, a father reflects upon the importance of a good friend and the value of a place to feel safe and secure. The father recalls various memories of his family as it has grown in relationship to a favorite tree that had been part of their lives since they built their home. The tree seems to help the family through many events but does not withstand a huge storm. The father uses the wood to build a tree house to continue its importance to the family.

Tags

aging, appreciation, camping, caring, change, community, conflict resolution, correspondence, critical thinking, death, decision making, dedication, destruction, dog, emotions, family, feelings, friendship, goal setting, happiness, home, jumping, loss, moving, neighbors, parents, peace, plants, rain, relationship, sadness, safety, seasons, siblings, sleep, spring, storm, storytelling, summer, swinging, tree, verbal communication, weather, winter, writing

Do you know what i'll do?

Zolotow, Charlotte

A sister tells her younger brother all the different things that she will do for him. She will bring him things that will apply to his five senses. Most of all, she brings her brother her love and attention.

Tags

african american, attention, author's note, baby, bedtime, clouds, day, dreams, emotions, family, five senses, flowers, happiness, multicultural, night, nonverbal communication, party, plants, rain, sea, self esteem, shells, siblings, snow, song, surprises, verbal communication, walking, wind

A rose, a bridge, and wild black horse

Zolotow, C.

A small boy describes all the marvelous things he will do for his sister when he is grown up, such as bringing her coral from the bottom of the sea and building her the biggest bridge in the world.

Tags

assertiveness, critical thinking, decision making, family, goal setting, growing up, imagination, presents, self esteem, siblings, verbal communication

Do you know what i'll do?

Zolotow, C.

A little girl tells her younger brother what she will do when it snows or rains or when she goes to a party.

Tags

decision making, family, goal setting, party, rain, siblings, snow, weather

William's doll

Zolotow, C.

William wants a doll to play with. His brothers and father make fun of him. They buy him a ball and an electric train, but William still wants a doll. His Grandma comes to visit and buys him the doll he wants.

Tags

bias, bully, critical thinking, decision making, dolls, family, grandparents, parents, peer resistance, siblings, stereotypes, toys

Harry by the sea

Zion, Gene

On a hot day at the beach, Harry cannot stay cool. He suddenly is covered with seaweed and everyone mistakes him as a sea monster, even his family!

Tags

animals, beach, bodies of water, cold, dog, exercise, family, lost, mistake, monsters, nonverbal communication, parents, plants, sea, siblings, sun, uniqueness, verbal communication, walking

Harry the dirty dog

Zion, Gene

When Harry hears that he is about to get a bath, he runs away from home and gets even dirtier until he is a black dog instead of a white dog. When he decides to go home, he is not recognized until he gets a bath!

Tags

animals, bath, cleanliness, colors, critical thinking, dog, exercise, family, hunger, lost, nonverbal communication, parents, play, running, siblings, worry

So hungry!

Ziefert, Harriet//Nicklaus, C.

A boy and his sister are hungry and look for a snack. They each build a sandwich and race to eat them. They are no longer hungry!

Tags

assertiveness, conflict resolution, decision making, family, food, hunger, nutrition, self esteem, siblings, verbal communication

To hilda for helping

Zemach, Margot

Hilda's sister gets jealous when her father gives Hilda a medal for helping out around the house. She tells Hilda that she hopes she loses the medal. Hilda says that if she loses it and it gets buried, it will grow into a tree full of medals.

Tags

accomplishment, assertiveness, consequences, family, feelings, fight, growing up, helping, jealousy, parents, seasons, self esteem, siblings, summer, verbal communication

Count on your fingers African style

Zaslavsky, Claudia

This beautifully illustrated four color picture book takes children through the markets, showing traditional finger counting of various African people - the Maasai, the Kamba, and the Taita in Kenya, the Zulu of South Africa, and the Mende of Sierra Leone. This book examines the role that numbers play in creating a common language across cultural boundaries.

Tags

africa, african, author's note, body parts, cattle, chicken, counting, cow, food, fruit, games, language, learning, market, multicultural, nonverbal communication, numbers, parents, play, school, siblings, verbal communication

Let's eat!

Zamorano, Ana

Every day Mama cooks a meal for the family to eat together, but usually someone can't be there. But when Mama comes home after having the baby everyone is there to celebrate, and she is happy.

Tags

baby, family, feelings, food, grandparents, happiness, language, multicultural, nonverbal communication, nutrition, parents, refusal skills, sadness, siblings, spanish, stress management, verbal communication

Beni's family treasury: Stories for the jewish holidays

Zalben, Breskin Jane

Beni is so excited because he's finally old enough to really understand his Jewish heritage and the traditions of his faith. In his quest for understanding, he encounters a number of situations, from learning the beauty of togetherness after reconciling with his feuding cousin, Max, to recreating the Pukim in a play with his friends and cousins. Through all of this, Beni truly begins to see the magical feeling of togetherness and heritage that his religion encompasses.

Turtle spring

Zagwyn, Deborah Turney

One summer, as young Clee finds herself lost in the shuffle with the arrival of a new baby brother, Uncle Fishtank Hal comes to the rescue when he asks her to care for his special southern-breed turtle. For Clee, caring for the turtle is like therapy to cope with the new changes in her life. That is until the turtle dies due to the harsh cold winter and Clee is forced to bury him out in the yard. Without the turtle, Clee spends time with her new brother and learns to enjoys his company. In spring however, the turtle springs back to like in the compost pile and Clee gains a new outlook on the changes in her life.

Tags

affection, author's note, autumn, baby, caring, change, closeness, cold, coping, disappointment, environment, excitement, family, feelings, friendship, geography, grief, guilt, happiness, hibernation, jealousy, loneliness, nonverbal communication, parents, radio, reptiles, sadness, seasons, siblings, snow, spring, stress management, summer, surprises, survival, technology, telephone, turtle, weather, wind, winter

Ugh

Yorkins, Arthur

Many, many years ago, when dinosaurs roamed the earth, there was a boy named Ugh who was looked down on and treated like a slave by his siblings. Ugh tells them he will be famous one day. After seeing a wheel, he invents the bicycle, and because of this becomes the boy king.

Tags

anger, assertiveness, bicycle, cave, change, chores, confidence, critical thinking, differences, dinosaur, family, feelings, happiness, inventions, jealousy, moon, sadness, self esteem, siblings, verbal communication, whale

Oh, brother

Yorinks, A.

Milton and Morris are orphaned twins. They try to agree and work to survive. A job as tailors brings them back to their parents whom they thought were dead.

Tags

assertiveness, careers, conflict resolution, critical thinking, decision making, discovery, family, nonverbal communication, orphan, parents, peer resistance, refusal skills, siblings, verbal communication

The emperor and the kite

Yolen, Jane

A little Chinese princess is ignored by her brothers and sisters and especially by her father, the emperor. No one realizes her importance until she is able to save her father's life using her kite.

Tags

chinese, critical thinking, family, feelings, kite, loneliness, multicultural, parents, rescue, royalty, siblings, stress management

Eeny meeny miney mole

Yolen, Jane

Eeny, Meeny, and Miney Mole live life underground and they have no idea what life up above is like. One day, Eeny burrows up above ground and discovers day, night, light, darkness, and the four seasons.

Tags

animals, assertiveness, critical thinking, day, discovery, family, insects, mole, night, reptiles, seasons, self esteem, siblings, snake, spring, summer, verbal communication, winter, worm

Before the storm

Yolen, Jane

On this hot summer day not much activity is taking place. The dog is laying around trying to keep cool and the children were not active. When one of the children gets the hose out, everyone became excited to be cooled off. A storm came through and it rained all day. The rain caused the children to wish for the hot summer sun.

Tags

animals, art, beverage, books, boredom, family, parents, rain, reading, seasons, siblings, storm, summer, sun, verbal communication, water, weather

Father's rubber shoes

Yeo, Yumi

Yungsu's family moves from Korea to America. When Yungsu goes into his new town and sees children playing, he missed his friends from Korea. Yungsu tells his mother that he wants to go back to Korea, but his father explains that their life will be better in America.

Cornrows

Yarbrough, Camille

The traditions and history of African American family life are shared throughout history.

Tags

african american, critical thinking, customs, family, farm, hard work, history, multicultural, parents, self esteem, siblings, traditions

The mother's day sandwich

Wynot, Jillian

Ivy and Hackett decide to surprise their mom for Mother's Day by making her breakfast in bed. They make a real mess. When they wake up their mom, the food spills. She tells them she wants a hug (a Mother's Day Sandwich).

Tags

accidents, celebration, decision making, family, feelings, food, happiness, holidays, humor, kindness, mother's day, nutrition, parents, siblings, teamwork

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

Jumping the broom

Wright, Courtni Crump

Despite their troublesome lives, these slaves find reason to celebrate and be happy. Lettie and her family dance, sing, feast, and play games in honor of her sister's marriage.

Tags

celebration, challenges, clothing, dancing, exercise, family, feelings, food, happiness, nutrition, quilt, siblings, slavery, wedding

Sea-fari deep

Woodman, Nancy

The JASON Project is studies underwater life in Mexico. When Dusty finds out about this, she writes the scientists to ask if she can go along. During her adventures, Dusty learns all about deep sea plants and animals. It is the adventure of her life!

Tags

adventures, animals, assertiveness, author's note, boat, bodies of water, car, careers, discovery, dolphin, exploration, family, fish, garden, geography, letters, lobster, maps, mexican, numbers, photograph, plants, science, sea, sequence, siblings, storm, temperature, transportation, travel, verbal communication, volcano, water, weather, whale

The bunyans

Wood, Audrey

A storyteller explains how Paul Bunyan and his family are responsible for Niagara Falls, Bryce Canyon, the Great Sand Dunes of Colorado, and other natural wonders.

Tags

author's note, fable, family, geography, mythical, nonverbal communication, parents, self esteem, siblings, storytelling, verbal communication

Her book

Wolf, Janet

From the time she gets up in the morning until the time she goes to bed, a little girl interacts with her belongings, family and friends.

Tags

day, family, friendship, morning, nonverbal communication, parents, routine, siblings

The warrior and the wiseman

Wisniewski, David

Two sons of the emperor are in competition for the throne. One is a warrior who only thinks of himself, and the other is the wiseman who helps others. The wiseman ends up saving the kingdom and taking the throne.

Tags

assertiveness, community, conflict resolution, critical thinking, family, helping, responsibilities, royalty, selfishness, siblings, verbal communication

The wave of the sea-wolf

Wisniewski, David

A young princess takes you on many adventures and helps you understand the value of presents.

Tags

anticipation, assertiveness, conflict resolution, critical thinking, day, decision making, excitement, family, fear, feelings, goal setting, mythical, nonverbal communication, presents, royalty, siblings, time, verbal communication

You're mean, Lily Jean

Wishinsky, Frieda

Sandy always plays with her little sister Carly, but when Lily Jean moves in next door, she has a new friend. Lily Jean never wants to include Carly and bosses her around. When Sandy stands up for her little sister, the three girls learn to play together nicely.

Tags

activities, conflict resolution, decision making, feelings, friendship, frustration, games, gymnastics, moving, neighbors, peer resistance, playing, pretend, siblings

The christmas tree ship

Winter, Jeanette

Captain Herman and his crew cut trees in Michigan to deliver to the city of Chicago for Christmas. When a blizzard forms over Lake Michigan, the Captain and his crew disappear. From then on, the Captain's wife and daughters carry out the Christmas Tree Ship tradition for many years.

Tags

accidents, boat, bodies of water, business, careers, christmas, critical thinking, decision making, family, geography, holidays, lake, loss, love, missing, parents, plants, seasons, siblings, snow, teamwork, traditions, transportation, travel, verbal communication, weather, winter

Hobnob

Wilson, Christopher

Two brothers, Hob and Nob, live next door to each other and share everything. One day they have a disagreement over material things and they stop speaking. They finally realize it is not materials that are important, so their brotherly friendship is restored.

The great watermelon birthday

Williams, Vera B.

Birthday parties are always fun for children. A group of children all born on the same day have a great celebration with watermelons.

Tags

birthday, celebration, decision making, excitement, family, feelings, food, fun, goal setting, grandparents, happiness, holidays, jealousy, nutrition, parents, siblings, verbal communication

Working cotton

Williams, Sherley Ann

Shelan tells of working the cotton fields as a little girl. She tells the different accomplishments of each person in her family in the field. Shelan wishes she could pick cotton as fast as her parents and sisters.

Tags

critical thinking, family, farm, five senses, food, goal setting, nonverbal communication, nutrition, parents, responsibilities, self esteem, siblings, teamwork, touch, verbal communication, vision

Painted dreams

Williams, Karen Lynn

Ti Marie loves to paint, but her family is too poor to afford paint so she uses bricks, stones and charcoal. One day, as she is walking to the river, she sees Msie Antoine painting a snake and admires his art supplies. Later on in the night she decides to look through his trash to see if he has any left over supplies. She uses them to paint on the wall behind her family's place at the Haitian market. Find out how the people at the market react.

Tags

art, careers, culture, customs, food, haitian, investigation, jungle, language, market, multicultural, nutrition, parents, responsibilities, river, self esteem, siblings, spiritual, success

When Africa was home

Williams, Karen Lynn

A home is a place of security and happiness. Peter finds Africa to be more of a home than America. In Africa, Peter is treated with respect, politeness, and care. After learning more about the world, Peter gets to go home again.

Petronella

Williams, Jay

Getting what you want isn't always easy. This is the lesson that Petronella, once known as Peter, learns. Petronella battles off animals and people to get the man she loves. In doing so, she also realizes that the richest people aren't always the best people.

Grandma essie's covered wagon

Williams, David

A father wants to give his family the best life in the best places. Through all their moving and adventures, they realize there's nothing as wonderful as a family and a home.

Jeremy isn't hungry

Williams, Barbara

Davey tries to feed his difficult little brother, Jeremy, while his mom tries to get ready. Davey tries many things, and finally Jeremy feeds himself.

Tags

baby, family, food, helping, humor, hunger, nutrition, parents, siblings

All the better to see you with!

Wild, Margaret

Kate is small, quiet, and no trouble at all compared to her four big, noisy, feisty brothers and sisters. It takes a while for her parents to notice that Kate is nearsighted and needs glasses.

Tags

beach, doctor, family, five senses, ocean, park, siblings, sight, vision

Hurricane

Wiesner, David

Two young brothers have fun after a hurricane by turning a fallen Elm tree into a world full of magic and wonder.

Tags

exploration, fear, feelings, hurricane, imagination, magic, plants, siblings, storm, tree, weather, worry

Sammy and the dinosaurs

Whybrow, Jan

While helping his grandmother clean out the attic, Sammy uncovers a dusty, old box. He opens the lid and finds that the box is filled with dinosaurs!Sammy proceeds to care for the dinosaurs. He fixes the broken ones, washes them in the sink, and gives them all names. In reply to Sammy's care, the dinosaurs whisper back, Thank you. Sammy does not let his new friends out of his sight, until one day he left them on a train. Sammy and his grandma go down to the train station to find his dinosaurs. He calls them all by their names and Sammy's dinosaur friends come running back.

Peanut butter and jelly

Westcott, Nadine Bernard

Through a rhyme, two little children show how to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

Tags

animals, cooperation, elephant, family, food, nutrition, parents, rhyme, sequence, siblings, teamwork

Morris's disappearing bag: A christmas story

Wells, Rosemary

On Christmas morning, Morris and his two sisters and brother all get their gifts. Morris's sisters and brother will not share their gifts with him. When they see the gift Morris receives, they want to use it. While they are playing with his gift, Morris finally gets to play with all of their toys.

Tags

christmas, conflict resolution, decision making, family, holidays, peer resistance, play, presents, refusal skills, self esteem, sharing, siblings, toys, verbal communication

Bunny money

Wells, Rosemary

Max and Ruby go shopping to get a birthday present for Grandma. They spend their money on other things however, and don't have enough for what they want to get. Grandma is happy with her present at the end anyway.

Tags

animals, birthday, critical thinking, family, feelings, frustration, grandparents, happiness, holidays, money, nonverbal communication, presents, shopping, siblings, stress management, verbal communication

Bunny cakes

Wells, Rosemary

Young Max and his older sister Ruby are making cakes for their grandmother's birthday. Max adds ingredients for his cake to the shopping list, but the grocer doesn't know what it says until Max thinks to draw a picture of what he wants.

Tags

animals, birthday, communication, critical thinking, family, feelings, food, frustration, goal setting, grandparents, happiness, nonverbal communication, persistence, shopping, siblings, stress management, verbal communication, writing

Waiting for the evening star

Wells, Rosemary

As Berty grows up, life on the farm is full of simplicity, hardwork, and tradition. Berty's older brother, Luke, has aspirations of traveling to see the world. This makes life a little more complicated for Berty so he wishes upon an evening star.

Tags

animals, birds, conflict resolution, cow, decision making, dreams, duck, family, farm, goal setting, grandparents, growing up, horse, nature, neighbors, parents, responsibilities, sheep, siblings, stars, teamwork, traditions, verbal communication, war, wish

Max's dragon shirt

Wells, Rosemary

Max does not want to get rid of his old blue pants!Instead he wants a dragon shirt, but his mom did not give his sister enough money to buy one. Max loses his sister at the story and gets into a little mischief.

Tags

animals, clothing, family, lost, mischief, parents, rabbit, shopping, siblings

Stanley and rhoda

Wells, Rosemary

Stanley and Rhoda are brother and sister. They have fun in three short stories as they clean Rhoda's room, deal with Rhoda's bee sting, and play with the babysitter.

Tags

animals, bee, child care, cleanliness, critical thinking, family, fun, helping, injury, insects, play, responsibilities, safety, shelter, siblings

Noisy Nora (Julieta, estate quieta)

Wells, Rosemary

Nora is always waiting as her parents take care of her siblings, Jack and Kate. To get some attention she decides to knock over and even bring things in the house. Finally, after they tell her to hush, she decides to leave. Will the family notice her absence?

Tags

aggression, animals, attention, baby, bedtime, behavior, books, communication, disappearance, emotions, family, five senses, frustration, jealousy, loneliness, misbehavior, misunderstanding, mouse, noise, nonverbal communication, parents, persistence, rhyme, sadness, siblings, worry

All my little ducklings

Wellington, M.

Seven little ducklings wake to begin their busy day under their mother's watchful eye. They explore swimming, waddling through the barnyard, and beyond.

Tags

activities, birds, bodies of water, child care, critical thinking, duck, family, farm, nonverbal communication, parents, siblings, sleep, stress management

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