Children's Literature

Celebrates the differences within families as well as the similarities that connect them. For 2-5 year old children.

Each year on his birthday, a young Mexican American boy looks forward to seeing how his grandfather has decorated the tree he planted on the day the boy was adopted. Ever since his daughter adopted young Pablo, grandfather decorates a tree on the anniversary of the boy's arrival.

A young boy learns to overcome being bullied at school.

A story about courage and love.

Everett Anderson has a difficult time coming to terms with his grief after his father dies.

When Lynn becomes desperately ill, and the whole family begins to fall apart, it is up to Katie to find a way to remind them all that there is always something glittering -- kira-kira -- in the future.

As Sophie grows bigger and her grandfather gets smaller, they continue to love each other very much.

In an attempt to overcome his grief, a boy tries to think of the ten best things about his dead cat.

A simple guide to understanding death for children.

A story about a little boy named Juan who lives in Mexico. Includes some Spanish words. This story should help young children learn about different cultures.

Two cousins, one in Mexico and one in New York City, write to each other and learn that even though their daily lives differ, at heart the boys are very similar.

There are lots of different kinds of people.

This is the story of a young African boy named Mutumbo who lived in Cape Town, South Africa and discovers a diamond. It helps children learn about cultural diversity.

A board book.

A collection of children's poems from around the world.

"Despite the differences between people around the world, there are similarities that join us together, such as pain, joy, and love."

Tim waits with excitement for a train to bring his father, who lives in another town, then spends an entire day with him, doing all of their favorite things, until it is time for Dad to catch the train home.

A guide for changing families.

"A child describes how she lives sometimes with her mother and sometimes with her father, but her dog is her constant companion."

Attempts to help children deal with the emotional trauma and logistical changes they may experience when their parents divorce.

"Students in Mrs. Mack's class describe their families--big or small, living together or apart, with two moms or none--and learn why every family is special and important."

A lift-the-flap book.

Not only does Corey's father make the best spaghetti, but he also dresses up as Bathman and acts like a barking dog.

Describes babies and the things they do from the time they are born until their first birthday.
A board book.

Represents a variety of families, some big and some small, some with only one parent and some with two moms or dads, some quiet and some noisy, but all alike in some ways and special no matter what.

"The author describes, in bilingual text and illustrations, her experiences growing up in a Hispanic community in Texas."

A lively illustrated masterpiece, this is the gripping story of a natural disaster and the 13-year-old Kingston boy who lives to tell the tale. While holed up in their home, Joe Brown, his sister Mary, and their parents wait for the eye of the hurricane to pass over their home.

When her older brother refuses to let her tag along with him, Jamaica goes off by herself and allows a younger child to play with her.

About a mothers love.

A small Eskimo boy discovers that Mother's lap is a very special place with room for everyone.

"Three baby owls want their mommy to come back."

1988 -- Caldecott
Fathers and daughters

Little Quinito and his family take the reader through a day filled with opposites, including short/tall, quiet/loud, and rainy/sunny.

Peter pretends to be invisible in the bathtub, a game he shares with his baby sister Abby when she becomes old enough for the big tub.

A board book.

A child's emotions range from silliness to anger to excitement, coloring and changing each day.

A board book.

Heather learns there are lots of different kinds of families and the most important thing is that all the people love each other.

Come join Rosalba and her grandmother, her abuela, on a magical journey as they fly over the streets, sights, and people of New York City which sparkles below. The story is narrated in English, and sprinkled with Spanish phrases.

With a soft and subtle hand, author-illustrator Cecilia Ruiz draws from her own history to share a deeply personal tale about remembering what's most important when life starts to get in the way.

A child examines the many different buttons in Grandma's button box.

Thembi and her beloved great-grandmother, who has not left the house for many years, go together to vote on the momentous day when black South Africans are allowed to vote for the first time.

Although Juno, a Korean American boy, cannot read the letter he receives from his grandmother in Seoul, he understands what it means.

One Easter morning, Katy and Carl went on an egg hunt through Grandmom's house. Katy couldn't find anything until she went up to the attic. And there she discovered a very special set of eggs...

Warm illustrations spice up this rhythmical ode to the joys of family and food -- full, full, full of pleasures. Grannie, Trish Cooke introduces us to a gregarious family we are sure to want more, more, more of.

This gentle story about the warm, happy relationship between the oldest and youngest ones in the family was originally published in 1959 with illustrations by Paul Galdone. Now freshly reillustrated by the internationally acclaimed Jan Ormerod.

Grandmother lives with Grace's family. She teaches her how to measure water for rice. She tells her stories about growing up in China and together they savor the flavors of her childhood. Betty Quan's picture-book debut is haunting yet hopeful.

An illustrated story of an African American boy who comes to appreciate his dark skin by learning about his African heritage from his grandfather.

A fun way for children to learn about the cultural traditions and foods of India to be enjoyed by the whole family.

About a grandfather and granddaughter relationship. Connecting their generations in this sweet, playful picture book from Richard Jackson, illustrated by Caldecott Medalist and Laura Ingalls Wilder Award winner Jerry Pinkney.

In this poignant story, the counting rope is a metaphor for the passage of time and for a boy's emerging confidence in facing his blindness.

In this imaginative and charming story, Simona Ciraolo turns the lines from old age into little wrinkles of wonder and memory as a little girl learns all about the precious moments in her grandma's life.

Set on the Midwestern prairie, this is a Little Red Riding Hood that will captivate youngsters with its feisty heroines and bold humor. Especially to be relished is the way the story line plays against the classic tale's plot, with laugh-provoking lines that show true wit.

Fall into this seek and find book with its richly timeless style and get swept up in a treasure hunt through Grandad's wild house!

Color photographs show grandparents of different ages, ethnic groups, shapes, and sizes sharing happy times with grandchildren.

A little boy learns about courage from his grandmother.
A Caldecott Honor Book -- 2015

"Grandpa, Bibi, Yeye and Grann . . . This striking album captures the intergenerational relationships between children and grandparents around the world.

While grannies come in all shapes and sizes "our granny" is unique.

What's Happening to Grandpa meets Up in this tender, sensitive picture book that gently explains the memory loss associated with aging and diseases such as Alzheimer's. James's Grandpa has the best balloons because he has the best memories.

As Sophie grows bigger and her grandfather gets smaller, they continue to love each other very much.

A perfect book for beginner readers, boisterous singers, and all future fans of America's favourite sport. A Canadian Children's Book Centre Our Choice Favourites selection for 2005

When her grandson Patrick arrives for his first sleepover, Granny's resourceful efforts to provide him with a bed, pillow, and other necessities result in a sleepless night for both of them.

One side of this upside-down book celebrates all of the things grandmas do for their grandchildren. Turning the book over and around produces a similar celebration of grandpas.