A little girl grieves the loss of her mother, but she can’t grieve alone. When her friends and family arrive at her house to sit shiva, laden with cakes and stories, she refuses to come downstairs. But the laughter and memories gradually bring her into the fold, where she is comforted by her community. By the end of the book, she feels stronger and more nourished, and she understands the beautiful tradition. Then, when sees her father sitting alone, she is able to comfort him in his time of need. Sitting Shiva is a beautiful, heartfelt story about grief and loss, but also about comfort and community. It shows that no matter what religion you practice, we are all more similar than we are different. A note from the author explains the ritual of sitting shiva, a seven-day period of mourning for the death of a family member observed in Jewish homes.
A stunning book that shows little ones they will be loved unconditionally and empowers parents and caregivers to raise well-rounded, resilient individuals. With a simple message,
This poetic board book full of metaphor is a how-to on treating others with kindness. From sunrise to sunset, a young child has opportunities to demonstrate kindness—to their parent, their pet and themself—and to receive kindness as well. Written in metaphor with gentle rhymes and hinging on familiar words, Kindness Is a Golden Heart shows young readers how to use their "golden heart" by guiding them through many ways to be kind.
This wordless picture book in graphic novel format tells the story of Saya, her dad and her well-loved stuffed bunny, Kunoichi, to go to the park. On their way, Saya stealthily stops a fight by flinging her floppy four-legged ninja-bunny between two snarling cats. Later on, on the bus, Saya throws Kunoichi under the wheels of a child’s stroller, halting its dangerous roll toward the stairs. Dad doesn't notice as Saya uses Kunoichi to save the day time and time again on their outing and on the bus home, proving small actions can have a great impact.
Poignant words from award-winning Indigenous author Monique Gray Smith about all the hopes adults have for the young people in their lives. The hopes we have for the children in our lives are endless. We want our young people to thrive and experience all that life has to offer, but we also feel protective of them. Using simple but powerful statements, Monique Gray Smith delivers a touching message about loving, nurturing and wishing the best for our children. Paired with Gabrielle Grimard's warm and enchanting illustrations, the message in I Hope will resonate with all parents, grandparents and caregivers. Orca Book Publishers is proud to offer this picture book as a dual-language (English and Plains Cree) edition.
This uniquely illustrated book follows a young bunny through their day while they make space for themselves and others, delivering a straightforward but impactful message about boundaries and consent. Inspired by the idea of teaching very young children how to maintain social distance, I Make Space evolved into a way of demonstrating the concept of personal space and how to recognize their own needs and the needs of others—because everyone needs space sometimes, even the people that love us the most.
Poignant words from award-winning Indigenous author Monique Gray Smith about all the hopes adults have for the young people in their lives. The hopes we have for the children in our lives are endless. We want our young people to thrive and experience all that life has to offer, but we also feel protective of them. Using simple but powerful statements, Monique Gray Smith delivers a touching message about loving, nurturing and wishing the best for our children. Paired with Gabrielle Grimard's warm and enchanting illustrations, the message in I Hope will resonate with all parents, grandparents and caregivers.
Rooted in Indigenous teachings, this stunning picture book encourages readers of all ages to consider the ways in which they live in connection to the world around them and to think deeply about their behaviors. Addressing environmental issues, animal welfare, self-esteem and self-respect, and the importance of community, the authors deliver a poignant and universal message in an accessible way: Be a good ancestor to the world around you. Thought-provoking stanzas offer a call to action for each one of us to consider how we affect future generations. Every decision we make ripples out, and we can affect the world around us by thinking deeply about those decisions.
A moving graphic novel, AWOL explores the realities of PTSD from a kid's perspective. The book includes an author's note and kid-friendly mental health resources. As a military child, eleven-year-old Leah moves...a lot. But this summer she will be the one left behind when her best friend’s family is reassigned. To make matters worse, her mother will be away for training, leaving Leah at home with her father, who has just returned from deployment. When a new girl moves into her neighborhood, Leah must navigate the ups and downs of making a new friend while avoiding her father’s unpredictable mood swings.
Don't be afraid to try! Make connections! Be persistent! Ask questions and never take no for an answer! Learn the secrets and amazing stories of successful inventors! How to Become an Accidental Genius is full of inspiring tales of famous and lesser-known inventors who have changed the world, from George Washington Carver, Mary Anderson (inventor of the windshield wiper) and inventor and actress Hedy Lamarr to Frank Epperson (of Popsicle fame) and Mary Sherman Morgan (The Woman Who Saved the U.S. Space Race). Readers will be amazed at the inventiveness of these geniuses. The book focuses on inventors from North America but includes stories from around the world. Organized into eleven chapters that highlight the qualities inventors have in common, the book also features profiles of inventive kids and teenagers.
This social-emotional learning book teaches you it's not always easy to have self-esteem, but it's always worth it! Explore how life events shape your self-esteem, learn what it means to appreciate what makes you different, and discover how you can build confidence through self-esteem! Includes a support page of teaching tips for caregivers and teachers. Downloadable Teacher's Notes available.
Maevis loves school! Maevis wants you to love school, too! Join Maevis as she learns about school expectations and taking turns. When she takes turns, Maevis is patient, courteous, and includes others. That's why manners matter to Maevis! Comprehension questions. Includes a support page of teaching tips for caregivers and teachers. Downloadable Teacher's Notes available.
Where do you see green in the world--in the garden, on a frog, in your own eyes? Find out the many ways that green can make us feel. A page for caregivers and teachers suggests guiding questions to help aid in reading comprehension.
Where do you see red in the world--on a fire truck, during Chinese New Year, in the sweater your nana knit? Find out the many ways that red can make us feel. A page for caregivers and teachers suggests guiding questions to help aid in reading comprehension.
Where do you see purple in the world--in the sunset, at Halloween, in a bruise on your knee? Find out the many ways that purple can make us feel. A page for caregivers and teachers suggests guiding questions to help aid in reading comprehension.
Where do you see blue in the world--in the ocean, in the sky, on your grandma's front porch? Find out the many ways that blue can make us feel. A page for caregivers and teachers suggests guiding questions to help aid in reading comprehension.
Oops! Making mistakes isn't the end of the world. It's what we do about a mistake that really matters. Bright, cheerful illustrations paired with engaging photos and lively text make learning about owning mistakes fun, while hands-on activities put the social and emotional engagement into action. Explore how life works when we can say "I messed up!"
Toby is having the best birthday party ever until an ill-timed and unintended toot draws unwelcome attention and teasing. Poor Toby--he is so embarrassed! And now everyone is calling him "Tootles." To get out from under his cloud of shame, Toby goes to visit his grandmother, hoping to get some sympathy and understanding. But as it turns out, Grandma is a bit of a gasbag herself with her own windy issues. She toots not once, not twice, but THREE times during Toby's visit. And she's not even embarrassed about it! But Toby is. He's embarrassed by her and for her. It's only when Toby is facing another digestive episode that he realizes maybe it's time to follow Grandma's lead and not let little things get in the way of enjoying life. After all, gas happens! A sweet and funny lesson on how to handle life's hiccups and other unexpected "eruptions."
Life in 1880 Tenmile, Colorado, isn't easy. But it's all that 12-year-old Sissy Carlson knows. She's lived here her whole life, watching her father, the local doctor, tend to the town's citizens. And while the mountain setting is gorgeous, Tenmile is a rough gold mining town. It often feels like there's just a thin line between life and death. Mining is a hard job; men are hurt or even killed. Sissy sees the same thin line between the haves and the have-nots as she assists her father in his practice, seeing firsthand the personal and not-always-private struggles of his patients. Now that she's older, Sissy is starting to think of the world beyond Tenmile and where she might fit in. What opportunities might she find if she could just get away? What kind of future does Tenmile offer, especially for a girl? A poignant coming-of-age middle grade novel by New York Times-bestselling author Sandra Dallas.
How respectful can you be? Take on the challenge to be the most awesome you, you can be. Approachable text filled with examples from the child's world paired with engaging photos makes important SEL learning fun. Plus, a bonus activity at the end lets young readers practice their new skills.
How responsible can you be? Take on the challenge to be the most awesome you, you can be. Approachable text filled with examples from the child's world paired with engaging photos makes important SEL learning fun. Plus, a bonus activity at the end lets young readers practice their new skills.
How trustworthy can you be? Take on the challenge to be the most awesome you, you can be. Approachable text filled with examples from the child's world paired with engaging photos makes important SEL learning fun. Plus, a bonus activity at the end lets young readers practice their new skills.
Can you be a good citizen? Take on the challenge to be the most awesome you, you can be. Approachable text filled with examples from the child's world paired with engaging photos makes important SEL learning fun. Plus, a bonus activity at the end lets young readers practice their new skills.
How caring can you be? Take on the challenge to be the most awesome you, you can be. Approachable text filled with examples from the child's world paired with engaging photos makes important SEL learning fun. Plus, a bonus activity at the end lets young readers practice their new skills.
How do we talk about religion? This book breaks down the topic of religion for young readers. Filled with engaging photos and captions, this series opens up opportunities for deeper thought and informed conversation. Guided exploration of topics in 21st Century Junior Library's signature style helps readers to Look, Think, Ask Questions, Make Guesses, and Create as they go!
