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Bee My Valentine

2008

by Miriam Cohen and Ronald Himler

"It's Valentine's Day and the first graders are excited about the cards they will receive. Their teacher requests everybody in class to send a Valentine's card to everybody else so that nobody feels left out. However, in their eagerness to create the best cards the first graders remember to make cards only for their best friends! This upsets George who does not get as many Valentines as everybody else. Luckily, his friends know just how to cheer him up and as they play music and dance around him, it is one happy Valentine's Day party for everybody after all! This reissue of Miriam Cohen's book provides a realistic insight into the minds of children as they share their lives in a first grade classroom. Ronald Himler's new pencil-and-watercolor illustrations skillfully use body language and facial expression to chart the children's emotional highs and lows." -- publisher

Cross Group Incidental

Jim’s Dog, Muffins

2008

by Miriam Cohen and Ronald Himler

"When Jim returns to school after his dog, Muffins, is hit by a garbage truck and dies, the first-graders try to share his loss and ease his pain. But Jim refuses to talk or even let anyone come near him. He does not participate in any school activities and mopes about, thinking of his beloved dog. Jim does not even choose a book when everybody else sits down to read! The wise teacher points out that Jim may need more time to feel his grief. However, on the way home from school, Paul cheers Jim up by offering him a slice of pizza and the chance to talk about his dog. Through tears of joy and sadness, Jim finally opens up and shares a sweet memory of Muffins. This reissue deals sensitively with the way children experience loss. New watercolor illustrations by Ronald Himler give the children unique personalities and help readers empathize with their experiences." -- publisher

Cross Group Incidental

Liar, Liar, Pants On Fire!

2008

by Miriam Cohen and Ronald Himler

"When Alex, the new boy in first grade, tries to make others notice him with his boasts about rocket toys and ponies, his plan backfires. The first graders don’t like liars and refuse to have anything more to do with him. However, on the day of the class Christmas party, he helps Jim look for his missing Christmas decoration, and is then given a second chance. Alex realizes that it is not difficult to make friends after all! This newly-illustrated reissue of Miriam Cohen’s book deals sensitively with the challenges that children face when they begin social interaction at school. Ronald Himler’s new watercolor illustrations give the first graders distinctive personalities and provide a riveting picture of the everyday tragicomedy of a first grade classroom." -- publisher

Cross Group Incidental

My friend Jamal

2008

by Anna McQuinn

A picture book story about a childhood friendship in which unfamiliar cultures meet. Playful visuals combine illustrations and photographs, and book recognizes the bond between two boys as well as sampling the differences in their lives. Different cultures. Fast friends. Jamal and Joseph were born in the same hospital in the same month...Joseph's best friend Jamal is Somali and his family has different customs and traditions from Joseph, but through their shared interests they remain close friends.

Beautiful Life Cross Group Incidental

Not Norman

2008

by Kelly Bennett and Noah Z. Jones

"Norman the goldfish isn’t what this little boy had in mind. He wanted a different kind of pet — one that could run and catch, or chase string and climb trees, a soft furry pet to sleep on his bed at night. Definitely not Norman. But when he tries to trade Norman for a "good pet," things don’t go as he planned. Could it be that Norman is a better pet than he thought? With wry humor and lighthearted affection, author Kelly Bennett and illustrator Noah Z. Jones tell an unexpected — and positively fishy — tale about finding the good in something you didn’t know you wanted." -- publisher

Any Child Cross Group

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