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Delphine Denise and the Mardi Gras Prize

2022

by Brittany Mazique and Sawyer Cloud

"Every year, Delphine Denise Debreaux and her friends ride their bikes together in the New Orleans Mardi Gras parade. But this year, there's a shiny prize for best float—and Delphine Denise just has to win it. How can her friends remind Delphine Denise what the parade is really all about? This joyful picture book, inspired by the author's own experience celebrating Mardi Gras in New Orleans as a child, explores the sights, sounds, smells, and tastes of the holiday. Full of vibrant and festive illustrations, this story reminds readers that winning isn't everything, and the best way to let the good times roll is in the company of friends." -- publisher

Beautiful Life Cross Group

Joy-Grace and the Dress Dilemma

2021

by Tseganesh Chala, Joy Ugwu and Joy Ingram

"Shout Mouse Press's latest series, Beyond Borders, features bilingual children's books centering the stories of immigrant youth by immigrant youth. The 2021 series is authored by program participants of the Latin American Youth Center in Washington, DC, representing eight countries around the world. Joy-Grace is a fashionista, and this week is her school's culture day. She wants to bring in a garment to reflect her background, but there's only one problem: her family is from Nigeria, Jamaica, AND Ethiopia! Will Joy-Grace be able to find the perfect dress to celebrate all of who she is in time for culture day?" -- publisher

Beautiful Life

Soulful Holidays

2021

by Ciara L. Hill and Christian Krabbe

"Soulful holidays give readers a sense of the soulful nature of both Christmas and Kwanzaa in a way that honors the Black and African-American experience." -- publisher

Beautiful Life

Parker Looks Up

2019

by Jessica Curry, Parker Curry and Brittany Jackson

"When Parker Curry came face-to-face with Amy Sherald’s transcendent portrait of First Lady Michelle Obama at the National Portrait Gallery, she didn’t just see the First Lady of the United States. She saw a queen—one with dynamic self-assurance, regality, beauty, and truth who captured this young girl’s imagination. When a nearby museum-goer snapped a photo of a mesmerized Parker, it became an internet sensation. Inspired by this visit, Parker, and her mother, Jessica Curry, tell the story of a young girl and her family, whose trip to a museum becomes an extraordinary moment, in a moving picture book." -- publisher

Any Child

Grandmama’s Pride

2016

by Becky Birtha and Colin Bootman

"Six-year-old Sarah Marie, her mother, and her little sister travel down south to visit Grandmama in the summer of 1956. Grandmama makes every effort to shield her granddaughters from the prejudice that still plagues her town. But as Sarah Marie learns to read, she notices Grandmama's town is filled with signs and rules that she's never understood before. As Sarah Marie tries to make sense of the world around her, she’s left wondering if life in the South will ever change." -- publisher

Beautiful Life Oppression & Resilience

A Neighborhood Walk, A Musical Journey

2021

by Pilar Winter Hill and Olivia Duchess

"Based on the story of an internationally renowned violin prodigy of color. One bright city morning, Penelope and her mom make their way to the farmer's market. On street corners and train platforms, musicians and performers enchant Penelope, speaking to her through their floating, booming notes. The noise of the city keeps the pair moving—until Penelope hears a sound so magical she knows she has to play the instrument that makes it." -- publisher

Something Happened in Our Park

2021

by Marianne Celano, Marietta Collins, Ann Hazzard and Keith Henry Brown

"When Miles's cousin Keisha is injured in a shooting, he learns to use his imagination and creativity to help him cope with his anxieties. He also realizes people can work together to reduce the likelihood of violence. This important follow-up to the bestselling, groundbreaking, and inspiring Something Happened in Our Town, is a much-needed story to help communities in the aftermath of gun violence. When Miles's cousin Keisha is injured in a shooting, he realizes people can work together to reduce the likelihood of violence in their community. With help from friends and family, Miles learns to use his imagination and creativity to help him cope with his fears. This book can help provide parents with helpful messages of reassurance and empowerment. Includes an extensive Note to Parents and Caregivers with guidelines for discussing community gun violence with children, and sample dialogues." -- publisher

Oppression & Resilience

Home Is in Between

2021

by Mitali Perkins and Lavanya Naidu

"From National Book Award nominee Mitali Perkins comes a sweet and innovative picture book about a first-generation immigrant child living in America. Shanti and her parents say goodbye to the monsoon rains in their Indian village. They move to a snowy town on the other side of the world. At first, it isn't easy for Shanti to be new. Back and forth she trudges between her family's Bengali traditions and her new country's culture. Again and again, in between. She feasts on biryani rice while kids in town eat hot dogs and PB&J sandwiches. She watches Bollywood movies at home and Hollywood movies with new friends. Is she still Indian? Is she becoming American? How should she define home? In this timely yet timeless picture book, critically-acclaimed author Mitali Perkins uses her own childhood to describe the experience of navigating multiple cultures and embracing the space—the hyphen—in between them." -- publisher

Beautiful Life Cross Group

The Lost Package

2021

by Richard Ho and Jessica Lanan

"The heartwarming story of a package that gets lost, then found, and an in-depth behind-the-scenes look at what happens at the post office. Not all packages make it to where they're meant to go. This package starts at the post office. It's measured, weighed and placed on a truck with care. But on its way to its destination. . . it gets lost. All packages are sent with intention but sometimes, they need a little help making it to their destinations. Follow one package that loses its way and discover a friendship tale that proves distance can't always keep us apart." -- publisher

Any Child Cross Group

Over in Motown

2019

by Debbie A. Taylor and Keisha Morris

"Debbie Taylor's Over In Motown! is an energetic picture book celebrating the musical genres and rhythms of the industry that fueled Detroit in the Motown era. Based on the Over In The Meadow rhyme, this counting book features beautiful illustrations by Keisha Morris." -- publisher

Beautiful Life