Search the Collection

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

Like a Dandelion

2021

by Huy Voun Lee

"A poetic picture book tribute to the strength of immigrants, inspired by author-illustrator Huy Voun Lee’s childhood experience of moving to the US as a Cambodian refugee Like feathery seeds, a young girl and her mother take flight, putting down roots in an adopted country. Soon they blossom in their new home, strong and beautiful among hundreds of others just like them." -- publisher

Beautiful Life Cross Group

Memory Jars

2021

by Vera Brosgol

"A young girl finds a clever way to keep her favorite things—and people—close to her forever, from Caldecott Honoree Vera Brosgol. Freda is devastated when she can't eat all the delicious blueberries she's picked. She has to wait a whole year before they're back, and she doesn't want to lose them! But her Gran reminds her that they can save blueberries in a jar, as jam. So Freda begins to save all her favorite things, like the yummy scent of a just-baked chocolate chip cookie, brand-new crayons with pristine, pointy tips, and a cloud shaped exactly like a unicorn. But it turns out that saving everything also means she can’t enjoy anything, and Freda realizes that some things are best saved as memories. Vera Brosgol has created another unique, funny, and heartfelt story, perfect for anyone who treasures family and love." -- publisher

Any Child Cross Group

Anna’s Little Buddy

2018

by Jeanine Deas and Rebecca Reinhart

"Anna's Little Buddy is a story about friendship between a young child and his neighbor. It is also a story about grief and loss—when having to say goodbye to a beloved friend. Join little Buddy on his special journey, filled with new discoveries, wonder, joys, and memory-making moments." -- publisher

Any Child Cross Group

Shady Baby

2021

by Gabrielle Union, Dwyane Wade and Tara Nicole Whitaker

"The Boss Baby meets Feminist Baby in NBA superstar, Dwyane Wade’s, and actress and New York Times bestselling author, Gabrielle Union’s first picture book collaboration featuring an in-charge baby character based on their famous baby girl, Kaavia James! Shady Baby is a powerful, funny, and super-cute, character who will help little leaders find their big voices. When Shady Baby gets to the park for a relaxing play session, she finds some not-so-nice kids picking on others. She flashes them a look and teaches them that it’s better to play nice. But when her feelings are hurt, will anyone stand (or crawl) by her side? Find out in this upbeat rhyming picture book that teaches kids to speak their minds and stand up for what they believe in." -- publisher

Any Child Cross Group

Zuri Ray Tries Ballet

by Tami Charles and Sharon Sordo

"For fans of Fresh Princess, Fancy Nancy, and Lola Dutch comes the first book in a charming picture book series about a spunky girl with big ideas and an even bigger heart. Meet Zuri Ray! She’s always willing to go the extra mile for family and friends, and is up for any challenge. At least, that was before her BFFD (best friend from diapers), Jessie, asked her to join a ballet camp. Now Zuri isn’t sure if she’s up for everything. Ballet calls for pointed toes, tight hair buns, and frilly tutus. And while Jessie can’t wait to chassé and plié on the dance floor, that doesn’t sound like Zuri at all! But she can’t let her friend down. Maybe classical ballet just needs a new spin . . ." -- publisher

Any Child Cross Group

Me, Me, Me

2017

by Annika Dunklee and Lori Joy Smith

"When best friends Annie, Lillemor and Lilianne learn their school will be having a talent show, Annie says they should enter as an all-girl singing group. Her friends are all in --- until Annie tries to force everyone to go along with her choice of song, costumes, band name and lead singer. When Lillemor and Liliane tell Annie they've had enough of her “me, me, me” attitude, the band splits up, with Annie intent on performing solo. But it doesn't take long for her to realize it's just not the same without her friends. Can Annie find a way to make things right before it's too late? Annika Dunklee's trio of multicultural friends will charm and delight young children with their true-to-life relationships and spot-on dialogue, while Lori Joy Smith's irresistible art brings a playful humor to the girls and their enthusiasm. Annie, the lovable, perfectly imperfect girl, will have readers rooting for her as she struggles to find her way to doing the right thing. With its positive, non-preachy approach, this book could easily spark conversations about friendships and dealing with hurt feelings. With select words in French and Swedish included in the story (with translations) as well as other details sprinkled throughout that illustrate the girls' different backgrounds, this makes a terrific title for exploring other cultures in social studies classes. And the intriguing idea of a talent show shines a light on the performing arts and creativity within a school setting."-- publisher

Any Child Cross Group

Meet a Librarian

2021

by AnnMarie Anderson and Lisa Hunt

"Join Emma and Theo as they meet a librarian in their community! Emma and Theo were working together on a class project about shark's teeth. A trip to their school library and the local branch put the kids in touch with two librarians who were more than happy to help. Share the excitement as their school librarian and Ms. McMahon help Emma and Theo find all the information they need-and gives the kids a first-hand look at a librarian's job." -- publisher

Any Child Cross Group Informational

Gabby Bears with Embarrassment

2019

by Sophia Day, Megan Johnson and Stephanie Strouse

"Gabby goes to summer camp, but starts it off with an embarrassing moment. Her best friend encourages her to be confident and use funny jokes to laugh off the embarrassment. Gabby has fun canoeing, playing sports, doing arts and crafts, roasting marshmallows and building true friendships the rest of camp. Your child can learn how to use perspective, humor, and compassion to keep embarrassment from becoming an obstacle to fun and friendship. This book showcases diversity in positive ways with characters that span various cultures, ethnicities, family situations, physical challenges and more. Readers of all backgrounds will see themselves in these pages while learning to value the diversity within their own community and being exposed to differences from around the world." -- publisher

Any Child Cross Group

Me, Too!

2015

by Annika Dunklee and Lori Joy Smith

"There are many reasons why Annie is best friends with Lillemor, who is from Sweden. “They're the same age ... They like the same colors ... They like doing the same things ... They can both speak another language. Okay, so Annie made hers up, but she is pretty sure it still counts.” Annie and Lillemor like each other so much they play together every day. But then Lilianne, a new girl from France, arrives. Annie can't stand that Lillemor has become friends with Lilianne, and that Lilianne seems to have more things in common with Lillemor than Annie does --- even their names, which both begin with “Lil”! Has Annie lost her best friend forever? This funny, honest picture book by Annika Dunklee perfectly captures the rhythms of youngsters' friendships and emotions, while also reminding them that there's always room for new people in their lives. The playful artwork by Lori Joy Smith uses dialogue bubbles to enrich the text, which offer an opportunity for acting out the story in the classroom while it's being read. A special touch here is the use of two other languages, Swedish and French (with translations), to expand young children's understanding of who they can be friends with, making this a terrific book for introducing foreign languages and cultures. This charming, engaging story can also serve as a springboard for discussions on friendship and feelings, character education lessons on inclusiveness, and social studies classes on multiculturalism." -- publisher

Cross Group Race/Culture Concepts