Valentine Activity Kit: Love, Violet

Valentine Activity Kit: Love, Violet

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Love, Violet by Charlotte Sullivan Wild
illustrated by Charlene Chua
Ages 4 to 8

Perfect for Valentine’s Day, Love, Violet by Charlotte Sullivan Wild and Charlene Chua is a touching picture book about friendship and the courage it takes to share your feelings.

Only one person
makes Violet’s heart skip

Of all the kids in Violet’s class, only one leaves her speechless: Mira, the girl with the cheery laugh who races like the wind. If only they could adventure together! But every time Violet tries to tell Mira how she feels, Violet goes shy. As Valentine’s Day approaches, Violet is determined to tell Mira just how special she is.

Charlene Chua’s luminous watercolors bring to life this sweet and gentle picture book about friendship, love, and the courage it takes to share your heart.

Learn more about Love, violet →

Activity Kit: Big Tune: Rise of the Dancehall Prince

Activity Kit: Big Tune: Rise of the Dancehall Prince

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Take a deep dive with your classroom into Big Tune: Rise of the Dancehall Prince by Alliah L. Agostini; illustrated by Shamar Knight-Justice. This picture book is about a community coming together to have a good time. In this activity kit, you can host your own Dancehall Party, and bring different cultures together. A Dancehall Party is when “Family, friends, music, food, and drink are a universal recipe for a good time! And in immigrant communities like the early 1990s Brooklyn, New York, Jamaican community depicted here, parties or bashments are an opportunity to reconnect with local family, friends, and the rhythm and flavors of a home thousands of miles away.”

Click below to download the activity kit to share in your school or library.

Find Out More about Big Tune: Rise of the dancehall prince Activity Kit >

Bilingual Activity: The Coquíes Still Sing / Los coquíes aún cantan by Karina Nicole González; illustrated by Krystal Quiles; translated by Amparo Ortiz

Bilingual Activity

The Coquies still sing

The Coquíes Still Sing: A Story of Home, Hope, and Rebuilding by Karina Nicole González; illustrated by Krystal Quiles

A powerful story about home, community, and hope, inspired by the rebuilding of Puerto Rico following Hurricane Maria in 2017, written by debut author Karina González and illustrated by Krystal Quiles.

Co-quí, co-quí! The coquí frogs sing to Elena from her family’s beloved mango tree—their calls so familiar that they might as well be singing, “You are home, you are safe.” But home is suddenly not safe when a hurricane threatens to destroy everything that Elena knows.

As time passes, Elena, alongside her community, begins to rebuild their home, planting seeds of hope along the way. When the sounds of the coquíes gradually return, they reflect the resilience and strength of Elena, her family, and her fellow Puerto Ricans.

“González’s melodic text sings, like Elena’s beloved coquíes, while Quiles’ gouache and acrylic artwork pops with vibrant hues and textures. . . A heartfelt reminder that even in the most difficult times, dreaming of a better tomorrow strengthens family and community.“–Kirkusstarred review

What a story of resilience and community! The Coquies Still Sing gives the reader the opportunity to recognize the things that we can do together to rebuild our lives and take care of our beloved communities. This book is more than beautiful.”–Yuyi Morales, Caldecott Honoree and New York Times bestselling creator of Dreamers


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Los coquíes aún cantan: Un cuento sobre hogar, esperanza y reconstrucción cuento por Karina Nicole González; ilustrado por Krystal Quiles; traducido por Amparo Ortiz

Los coquíes aún cantan es un libro ilustrado para niños sobre el hogar, la comunidad, y la esperanza, inspirado por la reconstrucción de Puerto Rico luego del Hurricán María en Septiembre 2017. Este hermoso y emotivo libro fue escrito por Karina Nicole González, illustrado por Krystal Quiles, y traducido al español por Amparo Ortiz.

¡Co-quí, co-quí!
 Los coquíes le cantan a Elena desde el amado árbol de mango de su familia—sus llamadas son tan conocidas que es como si estuvieran cantando, “Estás en casa, estás a salvo.” Pero de repente, su hogar no es tan seguro cuando un huracán atenta con destruir todo lo que Elena conoce.

Con el paso del tiempo, Elena, junto a su comunidad, comienza a reconstruir su hogar, sembrando semillas de esperanza en el camino. Cuando los sonidos de los coquíes regresan gradualmente, reflejan la resiliencia y fuerza de Elena, su familia, y sus compatriotas puertorriqueños.

“El texto melódico de González canta, como los queridos coquíes de Elena, mientras que la obra de arte en gouache y acrílico de Quiles resalta con tonos y texturas vibrantes. . . Un recordatorio sincero de que incluso en los momentos más difíciles, soñar con un mañana mejor fortalece a la familia y la comunidad.”-Kirkus, reseña destacada

¡Qué historia de resiliencia y comunidad! Los Coquíes Aún Cantan le brinda al lector la oportunidad de reconocer todo lo que podemos hacer juntos para reconstruir nuestras vidas y cuidar a nuestras queridas comunidades. Este libro es más que hermoso.”—Yuyi Morales, homenajeada al Caldecott y creadora de Dreamers, reconocido en la lista de mejores vendidos del New York Times.

Classroom Activity Kit: Tomatoes in My Lunchbox by Costantia Manoli; illustrated by Magdalena Mora

Classroom Activity Kit

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Tomatoes in My Lunchbox by Costantia Manoli; illustrated by Magdalena Mora
Ages 4-8
On Sale June 21, 2022

A moving picture book from a debut author about the first day of school, layered with themes about the immigrant experience and the universal experience of feeling out of place.

A child, newly arrived in another country, feels displaced, lonely, and a little scared on her first day of school. Her name doesn’t sound the way she’s used to hearing it. She knows she doesn’t fit in. And when she eats her whole tomato for lunch, she can feel her classmates observing her—and not quite understanding her.

But sometimes all it takes is one friend, one connection, to bring two worlds together, and gradually the girl, her tomato, and her full name, start to feel at home with her new friends and community.

Learn more about TOMATOES IN MY LUNCHBOX →

Activity Kit: Listen Up, Louella by Ashley Belote

Activity Kit: Listen Up, Louella by Ashley Belote

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Listen Up, Louella by Ashley Belote
Ages 4-7
On Sale June 21, 2022

An overly excited elephant learns to listen with a little help from her new friends in Listen Up, Louella, an adorably humorous new picture book from Ashley Belote, the illustrator of Frankenslime.

Louella is VERY excited to be at Roar Scout Camp. There’s so many fun things for her to do! But Louella is so busy having fun that she doesn’t stop to listen to anyone else… Or to realize that maybe her new friends aren’t having quite as much fun as she is.

When Louella misses an important invitation, it’s up to Tarantula and the rest of their friends to help Louella learn to listen and play together.

Learn more about LISTEN UP, LOUELLA →

Activity Kit: I Am Golden by Eva Chen; illustrated by Sophie Diao

Activity Kit: I Am Golden by Eva Chen; illustrated by Sophie Diao

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I Am Golden by Eva Chen; illustrated by Sophie Diao
Ages 3-6
On Sale March 22, 2022


This joyful and lyrical picture book from New York Times bestselling author Eva Chen and illustrator Sophie Diao is a moving ode to the immigrant experience, as well as a manifesto of self-love for Chinese American children.

What do you see when you look in the mirror, Mei? Do you see beauty?

We see eyes that point toward the sun, that give us the warmth and joy of a thousand rays when you smile. We see hair as inky black and smooth as a peaceful night sky. We see skin brushed with gold.

Learn more about I AM GOLDEN here→

Activity Kit: Let’s Do Everything and Nothing by Julia Kuo

Activity Kit: Let’s Do Everything and Nothing by Julia Kuo

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Let’s Do Everything and Nothing by Julia Kuo
Ages 3-6
On Sale March 22, 2022

Let’s Do Everything and Nothing is a lush and lyrical picture book from Julia Kuo celebrating special moments—big and small—shared with a child.

Will you climb a hill with me?
Dive into a lake with me?
Reach the starry sky with me,
and watch the clouds parade?

Love can feel as vast as a sky full of breathtaking clouds or as gentle as a sparkling, starlit night. It can scale the tallest mountains and reach the deepest depths of the sea.

Standing side by side with someone you love, the unimaginable can seem achievable.
But not every magical moment is extraordinary. Simply being together is the best journey of all.


Click the right and left arrows below to preview this book:


Find praise for this book here →

Activity Kit: My Parents Won’t Stop Talking by Emma Hunsinger and Tillie Walden

Looking for a hilarious read-aloud for storytime? Look no further!

Activity Kit: My Parents Won’t Stop Talking by Emma Hunsinger and Tillie Walden

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My Parents Won’t Stop Talking written and illustrated by Emma Hunsinger and Tillie Walden
Ages 3-6
On Sale 4/5/22

A child’s plans are ruined when her parents have the gall to stop to talk to the neighbors in My Parents Won’t Stop Talking!, a laugh-out-loud picture book about patience by Emma Hunsinger and Tillie Walden.

It’s time to go to the park, and Molly can’t wait! It’s going to be awesome and amazing and—OH NO!

The neighbors have spotted her moms, and now they’re talking. A lot. And everything they say is boring. Minutes feel like hours, hours feel like days, and days feel like eons . . .

Will her parents ever stop talking?!

This is a clever, irreverent take on a universal childhood dilemma, written and illustrated by two stars in the comics world.

Click the left and right arrows below to preview this picture book:


Activity Kit: Rosie the Riveter: The Legacy of an American Icon by Sarah Dvojack

Activity Kit: Rosie the Riveter: The Legacy of an American Icon by Sarah Dvojack

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Rosie the Riveter: The Legacy of an American Icon by Sarah Dvojack
On Sale Now!
Ages 4-8

This gorgeous picture book highlights how an iconic image of a working woman evolved into an inspirational symbol of hope and strength for all girls and women.

Rosie the Riveter was born in 1942, in the middle of the Second World War. Riveting is a way to hold pieces together to make something strong and powerful. In a time when everything was coming apart, America turned to Rosie and American women to hold things together.

Over time, Rosie came to represent so much more. As women pushed back against all the things society suggested they could not do, they used the symbol of Rosie to motivate, represent, and unite them. Today, Rosie isn’t just one woman—she’s every woman. Like a rivet, she holds us all together, reminding us how far we’ve come and how far we still have to go.

This inspirational text traces Rosie’s formation and legacy from World War II to today, letting girls know that they are capable and strong—just like Rosie and the long history of strong women who came before and after. Included in the back of the book is additional information on the history of Rosie the Riveter.

Storytime & Activity Kit: Where Is Bina Bear? by Mike Curato

Storytime & Activity Kit: Where Is Bina Bear? by Mike Curato

 
Where Is Bina Bear? by Mike Curato

Where is Bina Bear? by Mike Curato
On Sale Now
Ages 4-8

In Mike Curato’s funny, poignant picture book Where Is Bina Bear?, a little rabbit throws a party—but can’t find best friend Bina Bear anywhere!

Tiny is having a party, but Bina Bear is nowhere to be found. Is that Bina hiding under a lampshade? It looks like Bina . . . but it must be a lamp. Is that Bina beneath the fruit bowl? It could be . . . but it’s probably just a table.

Searching for Bina, Tiny realizes something is wrong—and sets out to make it right. This is a humorous yet sincere picture book about friendship, understanding, and embracing our loved ones just as they are.


Watch the Where is Bina Bear? book trailer here:

  Learn more about WHERE IS BINA BEAR? →