Children’s / Teenage personal and social topics: Families and family members

Book SynopsisAn endearing celebration of dads who are young at heart Just in time for Father''s Day, this playful book follows four father-child pairs as they spend happy, silly times together, popping bubble wrap and watching cartoons and taking part in shoppingcart races. These are dads who aren''t worried about looking goofy or getting their hair wet - dads who still remember what it''s like to be little. Don''t be fooled. They may look like grown-ups on the outside, But underneath they''re just like you . . . Kids!

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Book SynopsisMartha HATES green beans. When some mean, green bandits stroll into town, anyone who ever said 'Eat your green beans' is in big trouble. But when the beans kidnap Martha's parents, Martha is forced to take action. She can think of only one way to stop the villainous veggies from taking over her town, and it’s not pretty...or tasty. Featuring absurdly funny text and illustrations with attitude, this is a hilarious read for everyone – even the pickiest of eaters.

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Book SynopsisIn the tradition of Out of My Mind, Wonder, and Mockingbird, this is an intensely moving middle grade novel about being an outsider, coping with loss, and discovering the true meaning of family.Willow Chance is a twelve-year-old genius, obsessed with nature and diagnosing medical conditions, who finds it comforting to count by 7s. It has never been easy for her to connect with anyone other than her adoptive parents, but that hasn’t kept her from leading a quietly happy life . . . until now. Suddenly Willow’s world is tragically changed when her parents both die in a car crash, leaving her alone in a baffling world. The triumph of this book is that it is not a tragedy. This extraordinarily odd, but extraordinarily endearing, girl manages to push through her grief. Her journey to find a fascinatingly diverse and fully believable surrogate family is a joy and a revelation to read.“Holly Goldberg Sloan writes about

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Book SynopsisAn affirming story about international adoption, based on the author''s own experience with her daughter.Over the Moon by Karen Katz is a magical, reassuring story of one adoptive family''s beginnings, told in words and pictures that are just right for the youngest child. Featuring ilustrations by the author.

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Book Synopsis'I am a baby, this is my crib, this is my high chair, this is my bib.' Photos of happy babies and words that encourage make this an irresistible read-aloud for every child and family. From the author of the critically acclaimed A Kiss Means I Love You and Show Me Happy comes a delightful approach to visual learning.

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Book SynopsisThe Aldens help the Greenfield Museum set up a new exhibit about ancient Egypt! The main attraction is a 4,000-year-old mummy. But when it arrives, one thing after another goes wrong for the museum. Has it been struck by a curse from the ancient mummy?

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Book SynopsisWhen Lu Chi Fa''s parents died in 1944, he was only three years old. The timing of the tragedy could not have been worse-- it was a time of political turmoil and severe hardship in China.  Few people willingly took in orphans, and Chi Fa''s extended family was no exception.  The young boy was shuffled from one house to another as his relatives turned him away, one by one.  Even his loving sister was forbidden by her husband to take him under her roof. Chi fa was always hungry, often cold, and frequently beaten.  But through all his struggles, he held onto his sister''s hopeful words: You are lucky, Chi Fa. Good fortune will find you. This stirring memoir of a painful childhood tells a story of resilience and courage, and attests to the power of even small acts of kindness.

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Book SynopsisA fresh take on a familiar saying, perfect for the first rainy days of spring.Rattling windows with the roar of a late-winter storm, March shows up like a lion-- wild and messy, muddy and wet.  In rhythmic, exuberant text, Newbery Honor-author Marion Dane Bauer conveys the changeable nature of spring weather, as the lion makes way for the lamb—with a huge sneeze!—as the trees and flowers spring into bloom.  Full of humor and motion, Caldecott-winning illustrator Emily Arnold McCully''s soft watercolors bring the blustering lion and gentle lamb to life. From hail and wet snow to vibrant green fields full of blossoms, the illustrations grow brighter, springing into new life—and hinting and the summer to come. The lively text and paintings illustrate the ways in which we personify spring weather, making this book a perfect introduction to figurative language—and lots of fun to read as well.

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Book SynopsisI have a garden, a frisky dog announces. In simple sentences, the dog guides new readers through a bright and lush garden, which is home to a chipmunk, a bird, a bug, and all sorts of other creatures. This garden is for me, the dog continues. No. This garden is for all of us. We have a garden, answer his animal neighbors. Illustrated in vibrant collage, this deceptively simple I like to Read® book is a celebration of nature and community, plus readers can play spot the dog on nearly every spread. Guided Reading Level B.

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Book SynopsisWho wants to play? wonders Little Puppy. The schoolchildren are too busy, the sleeping man is too lazy, the big dogs are too mean, and the cat is too boring. Maybe the monster wants a friend. The monster replies with a powerful ROAR! But with unfaltering optimism, inexhaustible goodwill, and a bit of naivete, the tiny puppy transforms the curmudgeonly monster into the perfect playmate.

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Book SynopsisMother Duck asks Pip to sit on her eggs for a bit. As soon as Pip sits, he hears a tap! The chicks are hatching! The chicks follow Pip, even when Mother Duck returns. Oh no! They think Pip is their mother! With charming art and a sweet, simple text, Mary Morgan tells a fun and touching story about mistaken identity, childhood adventures, and motherly love.

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Book SynopsisSimple enough for the newest of readers, this affectionate story is a reminder of all the huggable things we see every day. Guided Reading Level A. With a simple text, where only one word changes per page, beloved author-illustrator David McPhail has crafted a sweet story in which a small child shows her love for everything around her-- her cat and dog, her favorite tree, and of course, her family and friends. The gentle waterolor illustrations reflect and reinforce the text, offering clues to help new readers and adding warmth and detail to the scenes.  This charming story is perfect to read with a loved one-- or simple enough to be the first book a child reads on their own. The award-winning I Like to Read® series focuses on guided reading levels A through G, based upon Fountas and Pinnell standards.  Acclaimed author-illustrators--including winners of Caldecott, Theodor Seuss Geisel, and Coretta Scott King honors—create original,

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Book SynopsisThis Level C book about a boy and his grandma is perfect for kindergarten readers.A Theodor Geisel Honor Book!A boy hops around town on his pogo stick.I get cheese. I get bread I get apples.Very simple text and fun pictures support comprehension in this delightful book, ideal for new readers just starting out. Easy to read and brightly illustrated, this is a perfect book to read on their own!I Hop is a companion to Joe Cepeda''s other I Like to Read books, including Up (a Guided Reading Level B book) and I See (Guided Reading Level B), featuring the same curious, excited brothers exploring the world around them and celebrating the diversity of everyday life.An ALSC Notable Children''s BookFor readers who''ve mastered basic sight words, Level C books feature slightly longer sentences and a wider range of high frequency words than Level B books. Level C book

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Book SynopsisThe bond between a child and his grandmother grows as they tend her garden together.A young boy spends his mornings with his beloved Baba, his grandmother. She doesn''t speak much English, but they connect through gestures, gardening, eating, and walking to school together. Marked by memories of wartime scarcity, Baba cherishes food, and the boy learns to do the same. Eventually, Baba needs to move in with the boy and his parents, and he has the chance to care for her as she’s always cared for him. Inspired by memories from poet Jordan Scott’s childhood, with beautiful, dreamlike illustrations by award-winning illustrator Sydney Smith, My Baba’s Garden is a deeply personal story that evokes universal emotions. Like Scott and Smith’s previous collaboration I Talk Like a River, winner of the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award, My Baba’s Garden lends wistful appreciation to cherished time with family.A Jun

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Book SynopsisWhen a boy finds a canteen, he finds his superpower–helping everyone he meets! From Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor Winner Joe Cepeda, this Level C book is perfect for new readers.When a boy finds a canteen in his garage, he finds his superpower--helping everyone, from the postman to the local birds.I walk.I see a dog.I help.Very simple text and fun pictures support comprehension in this delightful book, ideal for new readers just starting out. Easy to read and brightly illustrated, this is a perfect book to read on their own!Other books in this series: I Hop (a Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor Book), Up,  I See, and I Dig, featuring the same curious, excited brothers exploring the world around them and celebrating the diversity of everyday life.For readers who have mastered basic sight words, Level C books feature slightly longer sentences and a wider range of high-frequency words t

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Book SynopsisAddison is a regular kid whose parents are going through a divorce, but he knows that no matter what happens, his parents will always love him. The text in this beautifully illustrated picture book is inspiring, gentle, and uplifting, and teaches kids that having two homes to live in can be just as great as having two strong feet to stand on.

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Book SynopsisMany children of divorced or separated parents live by turns with their dad in one home and their mom in another. For most such kids, things are different than they used to be, and they’re different with Dad than with Mom. As these children move between homes, they can’t help but wonder: will mom still love me? Will Dad?Trade Review"Rich in love, acceptance, and understanding, an excellent role model for children and parents." -- San Francisco Book Review"A must read for all families. Suitable for all ages." -- Goodreads"A great book for children dealing with the divorce of their parents." -- DadsDivorce.com

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"Gr 1-4–This thought-provoking tale straddles American, Persian, and Islamic cultures. Shirin, nine, watches for the moon signaling the start of Ramadan. She is disappointed because she is too young to fast, but her father encourages her to do good deeds. Jalali depicts the Shia-Muslim form of prayer, which includes kissing a stone, and also touches on the issue of women covering their hair. Throughout the story, Shirin follows the waxing and waning stages of the moon and is delighted when she gets permission to do half-day fasts and even more pleased when it appears that she is able to cope with them better than her brother. To her astonishment, she discovers him secretly eating. She decides not to expose Ali and counts it as a good deed. As Ramadan ends, the family prepares for Eid-ul-Fitr. O''Brien's watercolor illustrations evoke a culturally authentic Persian-American aesthetic, depicting warm characters in a family setting. An explanation of Ramadan and Eid is given in the back matter. This is another wonderful contribution to the slowly increasing collection of fictional books on the observance of Ramadan and a great resource for librarians and teachers.Fawzia Gilani-Williams, An-Noor School, Windsor, Ontario© Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted." -- School Library Journal"This moving picture book for older readers about a young Muslim girl and her family at Ramadan weaves together the traditional observance and its meaning with a lively drama of sibling rivalry. In her backyard in Maine, Shirin, 9, and her father watch for the new moon that starts the holy month. Shirin begs to be allowed to fast, like her older brother, Ali, 12, but she is furious when her family tells her she is too young. Then her parents decide to let her fast for part of the day, and she is thrilled. She also learns that Ramadan is about doing good deeds to help others. The unframed, intricately detailed, mixed-media illustrations show the siblings'' ugly standoffs (Shirin''s jealousy, Ali''s smugness), as well as the family at prayer, at the dinner table, and in warm close-ups. Along with the information about the holiday, there is a real story here: when Shirin helps Ali, it changes their relationship and reveals the meaning of the holiday. Grades 2-4. --Hazel Rochman" -- Hazel Rochman - Booklist"Shirin lives in a suburban U.S. setting where she and her father can go outside and spot the new moon as Ramadan begins. The nine-year-old wants to fast this year after all, her 12-year-old brother is doing it but her parents tell her that she is too young. Her grandmother comforts her with a story about a boy who fasts part-time, and Shirin quickly recognizes the boy as her father. She, too, begins in the same way, but it is her new willingness to help others that leads to the changes in her relationship with her sibling that create the small but important miracle. Jalali is from Iran, but his story is about universal Muslim practices, with a few specific details indicated in O Brien s intense watercolors. The grandmother regularly wears a headscarf, while the mother does not. Both adult women wear chadors during prayer, and the grown-ups also use Shi ite heart-shaped prayer stones at the tops of their prayer mats. This quiet story adds to the small collection of books about Muslim families that can counteract the often harmful messages seen in the media. (Picture book. 6-9)" -- Kirkus"Reza Jalali has crafted a culturally sensitive narrative that introduces the reader to an important aspect of Islam: Ramadan. Nuances of culture and tradition are skillfully woven into the storyline. I highly recommend this book for teachers introducing diverse cultures from around the world." -- Tami Al-Hazza, Ph.D., Old Dominion University"In this lyrical telling of a contemporary story about Ramadan, Shirin watches the moon wax and wane with her father and learns to put sibling rivalry aside. Moon Watchers is rich in detail about one Muslim family's life. The warmth of the telling and themes like family traditions and helping others will resonate with readers everywhere." -- Karen Lynn Williams, author of Galimoto; Four Feet, Two Sandal; and many other books for children

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Book SynopsisBig Problems, Little Problems is the story of how a dad teaches his son to solve the daily challenges of life – and, in turn, the surprising ways in which a child can teach a grown-up to remember what is important, too.Trade Review"I could not have found a more relatable book if I tried. This book showed up right before Father’s Day and I thought it was a book for that… turns out it is the best book ever for toddlers, dads, moms, and really just about everyone. We have really been in the thick of things over here with two toddlers, so books like these that just ?g e t ?i t? are lifesavers. Trying to explain to children that something isn’t that big of a deal is impossible, especially if they’re not developmentally ready to understand perspectives quite yet. But this book is brilliant and can help children take those first steps by labeling frustrations as a “big” or “little” problems and starting to not categorize everything as just catastrophically awful. A father helps his son manage his frustrations by helping him gain some perspective. Together they decipher if situations are big or little problems and in the end, this lesson is applied to the dad showing a perfect example of how all of us can benefit from practicing what we preach. It’s a good reminder that we should all take our own advice sometimes and that even as adults we have bad days, so our children should be granted that right as well. There is truly so darn much to love about this amazing book and its lovely, detailed illustrations." -- Neeti - Books Grow Minds"Big Problems, Little Problems seamlessly weaves ‘big’ topics — perspective, frustration, patience — into a charming narrative that highlights the magical bond between father and son. It’s a sweet and lovely read that helps children sort out what matters and what doesn’t — and will likely have kids and dads around the country coming up with their own secret handshakes!" -- Savannah Guthrie, Co-Anchor of the TODAY morning show and Co-Author of “Princesses Wear Pants” and “Princesses Save the World.”"Big Problems, Little Problems illuminates one of the sublime joys of parenting: when our kids help us better understand the lessons we are so intent on teaching them. This fun – and fun-to-read – book about perspective and perseverance is a bedtime favorite at our house." -- Josh Earnest, Chief Communications Officer at United Airlines and former White House Press Secretary for President Barack Obama"In Big Problems, Little Problems, Ben Feller focuses on a vital lesson that's rarely seen in a father-themed resource: the bidirectional aspect of a quality relationship between a dad and his child in which they learn from each other. It's a lesson that anyone who uses this wonderful book will appreciate." -- Christopher Brown, President of the National Fatherhood Initiative"Where was Ben Feller when I was raising little kids?! We could have used his warm and lovingly-delivered lessons on patience, perspective, and the difference between big and little problems." -- Jim Axelrod, Senior National Correspondent for CBS News and author of "In The Long Run: A Father, A Son, and Unintentional Lessons In Happiness.”"Beyond being a charming story capturing relatable moments in the life of a father and child, Big Problems, Little Problems beautifully shares social and emotional strategies that will benefit all kids, from using in-the-moment coping skills for managing frustration to building emotional regulation and becoming a more flexible thinker." -- Debbie Reber, parenting activist and author of “Differently Wired: Raising an Exceptional Child in a Conventional World.”"When we raise our children right, we learn more about life than we can possibly teach our kids. Big Problems, Little Problems is a heartwarming tale about a father and son who conquer life's frustrations together with perspective and patience." -- Ron Fournier, Detroit communications consultant and author of “Love That Boy: What Two Presidents, Eight Road Trips, and My Son Taught Me About a Parent’s Expectations."

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Book SynopsisBefore coming to Canada, while he was still an art teacher in Beijing, Song Nan Zhang traveled from Inner Mongolia east, south, and north to find and paint unusual scenes of Chinese family life.Here are the children who grow up in the saddle with their nomadic parents or become as agile as the mountain goats they tend. A boy plays chess on the ground with his shepherd grandfather. A teenager tends her father’s pottery shop. At festivals a child plays hide-and-seek, behind yellow parasols, and stilt dancers wait to compete.

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Book SynopsisSpring has come and George sails with his grandfather to an abandoned fishing outport so the old man can visit his wife’s grave. On their return, they are caught in a fierce storm. They pull their boat onto an ice floe and take shelter under the boat. As the ice breaks up under them, the old man shows the courage and dignity he wants his grandson to remember.

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Book SynopsisWinner of the Skipping Stones Honor Award in the Ecology and Nature Books categoryThe boreal forest is the last great forest wilderness on earth. It drapes across the subarctic right around the world. It pervades our myths and folklore. It provides us with wood and water. It freshens the very air we breathe.Jane Drake and Ann Love take the reader on an unforgettable journey around the world to view the boreal forest. They show the reader the seasons in the bush, the science and myth of wolves, the life cycle of the woods. From the Siberian Taiga, where tigers and sika deer live, to the Old World forests of Norway, from the Boreal Shield of North America to the birch forest of Northwest Russia, we are introduced to a region of incredible importance. Despite our reliance on it, we have placed the “lungs of the earth” under siege with clear-cutting, acid rain, and even radioactivity.Cool Woods is not only informative and beautiful, but

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Book SynopsisNominated for the 2005 Norma Fleck AwardThousands of mothers carried their babies to the gates of the Foundling Hospital desperate to save them from the cruel streets of eighteenth-century London. Each baby was left with a personal “token” - identification if a repentant mother ever returned to reclaim her child.Captain Thomas Coram, himself childless, was inspired by the sight of babies abandoned on dung heaps to petition the king for support in building a home for England’s poorest children. Coram’s vision saved countless children’s lives.A Home for Foundlings describes the hospital Captain Coram founded, the luminaries involved - including Handel, Hogarth, and Dickens - and the daily lives of the foundlings themselves.Full of archival photos and materials, and published in cooperation with the newly established Foundling Museum in London and Lord Cultural Resources, A Home for Foundlings is a fascinat

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Book SynopsisHe’s back! The late Mordecai Richler had planned more adventures for his small hero and now, with the full support of the Richler family, award-winning author Cary Fagan carries on the tradition in a hilarious story for a whole new generation of Jacob fans. After Jacob Two-Two’s father writes a very important novel, the family makes plans to move to Canada.They board the SS Spring-a-Leak for a journey across the ocean. Jacob Two-Two makes some new acquaintances — the unbelievably handsome Captain Sparkletooth, the acrobatic Bubov Brothers, the failed toy inventor Mr. Peabody, and the giant but gentle Morgenbesser. Most important, he makes friends with young Cindy Snootcastle, who keeps a secret treasure in her pocket.But something is wrong on the SS Spring-a-Leak. A series of clues — a black eye patch; a parrot who squawks “Apple sauce in your underpants!”; and a sailing ship flying the Jolly Roger — can on

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Book SynopsisTeens who get pregnant and raise their babies are often in the news. But what about those children who are growing up with parents scarcely half a generation older than themselves? In this wise and funny first novel by Carole Lazar, Lucy is a sensible, perhaps even rigid, thirteen year old who is convinced that Grandma, God, and the Catholic Church are on her side. She tries hard to make her twenty-eight-year-old mother see the error of her ways. It's not that her mother is wild - in their household even a fancy coffee causes a scene - but she has had to put off her own teenage years and she's chaffing at the restraints on her life. Lucy is faced with the loss of her family, her home, her school, and even her best friend. As she struggles to preserve what she can from her past life, she finds that while Grandma, God, and her church are still there for her, there are problems she has to solve for herself.

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Book SynopsisViolet's TV-director dad has traded a job in Vancouver for one in Los Angeles, their run-down house for a sleek ranch-style home complete with a pool, and, worst of all, Violet's mother for a trophy wife, a blonde actress named Jennica. Violet's younger sister reacts by bed-wetting, and her mother ping-pongs from one loser to another, searching for love. As for Violet, she gets angry in ways that are by turns infuriating, shocking, and hilarious.When her mother takes up with the unfortunately named Dudley Wiener, Violet and her friend Phoebe decide that they need to take control. If Violet's mom can't pick a decent man herself, they will help her snag George Clooney. In Dear George Clooney, Please Marry My Mom, Susin Nielsen has created a truly original protagonist in Violet and a brilliant new novel that will delight readers into rooting for her, even when she's at her worst.

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