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A Song So Black, So Proud!

R.J. Owens (author) Keisha Okafor (illustrator)

Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press ISBN: 9781668935439

Written on a napkin and released just months after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the song "Say It Loud (I'm Black and I'm Proud)" became an anthem and rallying cry for the civil rights movement, as well as a celebration of Black culture and community. The song was penned in 1968 by singer James Brown in response to the rising racial tensions throughout the United States. Now, in first-person lyrical text, the iconic song speaks for itself, narrating the elements and moments that inspired its creation. The song continues to inspire and resonate today. It's been covered by artists like Usher and anchored Spotify's Black Lives Matter playlist. Readers of all ages will be encouraged to lift their own voices in a celebration of Black pride and identity.

If the Rivers Run Free

Andrea Debbink (author) Nicole Wong (illustrator)

Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press ISBN: 9781668935422

While rivers make up just a fraction of the water on Earth, they provide the majority of what we use every day. Rivers run over and through our world, and sometimes we don't even know they are there. But do we fully understand or even appreciate all that rivers can do? All over the world, cities large and small were built near rivers because of what they can provide: drinking water, transportation, power sources. But over the centuries as cities grew, the rivers became polluted by sewage and industrial waste, and their natural flow patterns were disrupted. Disease and flooding were often the result. In a short-sighted attempt to address these issues, city planners buried old rivers beneath city streets. But this solution brought more problems. Finally, a group of naturalists realized that freeing buried rivers could be the answer to managing urban waterways. In rhyming text, the fascinating story of "daylighting," unearthing and restoring buried rivers to their rightful places as source of well-being and beauty, comes to life.

The River That Wolves Moved: A True Tale from Yellowstone

Mary Kay Carson (author)David Hohn (illustrator)

Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press ISBN: 9781534112124

Long before its establishment as a national park in 1872, Yellowstone was home to the gray wolf, as well as other large predators. But the relationship between human and wolf has always been a tense and complicated one. Predator control programs were developed and by the mid-1900s, wolves had almost been entirely eliminated from the region and even the lower United States. The removal of even one strand of an ecosystem's complex web can have a ripple effect, though. Using the structure of "The House that Jack Built," science writer Mary Kay Carson shows the interconnectedness of the wildlife that lives in a place and how the presence (or absence) of a single species can impact an ecosystem so that the physical landscape itself is altered. Engaging text and colorful detailed artwork make the natural science understandable and accessible to young readers. With so many of Earth's ecosystems under threat by climate change, pollution, and loss of habitat, this is a critical and timely topic. Back matter includes information on the Yellowstone region during the wolves' absence and after their reintroduction.

A Planet Like Ours

Frank Murphy, Charnaie Gordon (author) Kayla Harren (illustrator)

Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press ISBN: 9781534111998

Our planet Earth is as individual and special as each one of us. It's ability to sustain and nurture life is unique in our solar system--and beyond. In this book, celebrate all the wonderful, miraculous, astounding qualities of our Earth while learning how to protect her for future generations. Afterall, "If not us, then who?" From award-winning author Frank Murphy and Here Wee Read blogger, Charnaie Gordon.

The Voice That Won the Vote: How One Woman's Words Made History

Elisa Boxer (author) Vivien Mildenberger (illustrator)

Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press ISBN: 9781534166738

In August of 1920, women's suffrage in America came down to the vote in Tennessee. If the Tennessee legislature approved the 19th amendment it would be ratified, giving all American women the right to vote. The historic moment came down to a single vote and the voter who tipped the scale toward equality did so because of a powerful letter his mother, Febb Burn, had written him urging him to "Vote for suffrage and don't forget to be a good boy." The Voice That Won the Vote is the story of Febb, her son Harry, and the letter than gave all American women a voice.

There Was a Hole

Adam Lehrhaupt (author) Carrie O'Neill (illustrator)

Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press ISBN: 9781534197879

Lily has a hole. It eats her joy, makes her angry, and--no matter what Daddy does to try to help--it just keeps growing. So Lily retreats. But a friend lets her in on a secret (he has a hole too!) and shows her the best way to repair holes: spend time on friends, family, the things you love, yourself, and kindness. Those patches don't make the hole go away, but they help. A lyrical and age-appropriate story for learning to cope with grief and loss.

The Peach Pit Parade: A World War I Story

Shana Keller (author) Margeaux Lucas (illustrator)

Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press ISBN: 9781534197756

When Polly's father goes overseas to fight in World War I, her whole world changes. Though the war is in Europe, its effects are felt on American soil. There are food, fuel, and other supply shortages everywhere. Even something as simple and enjoyable as a family Sunday car ride isn't possible anymore. Everyone must do their part to help the war effort. Victory gardens are planted and scrap metal is collected. "It's the biggest event in our history. And it involves every single adult, every single boy, and every single girl," says Polly's teacher. As Polly struggles to make sense of the war, she wonders how she can contribute. When the government puts out a notice requesting peach pits to be used in gas mask filters, Polly knows how she can help.

So Much More to Helen: The Passions and Pursuits of Helen Keller

Meeg Pincus (author) Caroline Bonne-Müller (illustrator)

Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press ISBN: 9781534198036

Most folks know the famous story of Helen Keller—a DeafBlind girl who learned to understand sign language at the family water pump. But what do you really know about her? Did you know she was an activist, a rebel, a writer, a performer, a romantic? There is so much more to Helen than we usually learn in school. Read ahead as the story of Helen Keller’s passionate, boundless life unfolds—reminding us that she was, as we all are, so many things.

Miep and the Most Famous Diary: The Woman Who Rescued Anne Frank's Diary

Meeg Pincus (author) Jordi Solano (illustrator)

Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press ISBN: 9781534146303

The story of Anne Frank and her diary is one of the world's most important and well-known, but less is known about the woman who sheltered Anne and her family for years and, ultimately, rescued Anne's diary from Nazi clutches. Miep Gies was a woman who rose to bravery when humanity needed it and risked everything for her neighbors. It is because of Miep we know Anne Frank--and now, this is Miep's story.

The Boy Who Grew a Forest: The True Story of Jadav Payeng

Sophia Gholz (author) Kayla Harren (illustrator)

Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press ISBN: 9781534138421

Recipient of the 2019 Eureka! Honors Award Winner -Best of 2019 Kids Books - Most Inspiring Category As a boy, Jadav Payeng was distressed by the destruction deforestation and erosion was causing on his island home in India's Brahmaputra River. So he began planting trees. What began as a small thicket of bamboo, grew over the years into 1,300 acre forest filled with native plants and animals. The Boy Who Grew a Forest tells the inspiring true story of Payeng--and reminds us all of the difference a single person with a big idea can make.

A Fist for Joe Louis and Me

Trinka Hakes Noble (author) Nicole Tadgell (illustrator)

Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press ISBN: 9781534146174

Gordy and his family live in Detroit, Michigan, the heart of the United States automobile industry. Every night after coming home from work at one of the plants, Gordy's father teaches him how to box. Their hero is the famous American boxer Joe Louis, who grew up in Detroit. But the Great Depression has come down hard on the economy. Detroit's auto industry is affected and thousands of people lose their jobs, including Gordy's father. When his mother takes on work with a Jewish tailor, Gordy becomes friends with Ira, the tailor's son, bonding over their shared interest in boxing and Joe Louis. As the boys' friendship grows, Gordy feels protective of Ira, wanting to help the new boy fit in. At the same time, America is gearing up for the rematch between Joe Louis and the German boxer, Max Schmeling. For many Americans this fight is about good versus evil (US against Nazi Germany). Against the backdrop of the 1938 Fight of the Century, a young boy learns what it means to make a stand for a friend.

Aim for the Skies: Jerrie Mock and Joan Merriam Smith's Race to Complete Amelia Earhart's Quest

Aimee Bissonette (author) Doris Ettlinger (illustrator)

Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press ISBN: 9781534126404

When she was seven years old, Geraldine (Jerrie) Mock took her first airplane ride. She decided then and there to be a pilot. Growing up, she was inspired by radio broadcasts detailing the travels of aviatrix Amelia Earhart. Joan Merriam was 15 when she took her first plane ride in 1952. She got her pilot's license before she could even drive a car. And like Jerrie, Joan too was inspired by Earhart and wanted to circle the globe, following Earhart's exact route. Years later, when both women begin to plan their dream flights, they are completely unaware of each other, and coincidentally pick the same time to depart. But when the media gets word of their plans, the stage is set for the race of a lifetime. This picture book retells the extraordinary story of the 1964 air race between Americans Geraldine Mock and Joan Merriam Smith, the first two women to fly around the world.

Junk: A Spectacular Tale of Trash

Nicholas Day (author) Tom Disbury (illustrator)

Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press ISBN: 9781534126466

2019 Green Earth Book Awards - Short List Sylvia Samantha White is very good at finding--she just doesn't know exactly what all her "junk" is good for, not yet at least. But when completely ridiculous disaster strikes, she springs into action and uses her junk to create solutions to the town's troubles. A charming ode to collecting, creating, and following your bliss--even when you're not entirely sure where it will lead you.

Write On, Irving Berlin!

Leslie Kimmelman (author) David C. Gardner (illustrator)

Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press ISBN: 9781534122963

Escaping persecution for being Jewish, the Baline family fled Russia and arrived by ship in New York City harbor in September 1893. Little Israel Isidore Baline is only five years old. After arriving at Ellis Island, the first stop for all immigrants, Israel and his family are ready to begin a new life in America. His family settles in the Lower East Side and soon Israel (now nicknamed Izzy) starts school. And while he learns English, he is not a very good student. According to his teachers he daydreams and sings in class. But while these may not be traits that are helpful in the classroom, these are wonderful tools for a budding singer and composer. And by the time that Izzy (now known as Irving) is a young man, he is well on his way to becoming one of the most well-known composers in America. This vivid picture-book biography examines the life of Irving Berlin, the distinguished artist whose songs, including "God Bless America," continue to be popular today.

Bully

Jennifer Sattler (author) Jennifer Sattler (illustrator)

Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press ISBN: 9781534126381

Bully the bullfrog lives in a pond full of lilies. The flowers are beautiful, fragrant, and enjoyed by the many other creatures that also inhabit the pond. The pond is a very pleasant place to live. Or it should be. Instead, Bully decides that only he should be able to enjoy the beautiful lilies. He demands that the other inhabitants of the pond leave. And once Bully has the flowers to himself, his selfish behavior almost destroys them. Can anyone stop Bully and his bullying ways? As it turns out, the answer is YES!

The Lady of the Library

Angie Karcher (author) Rachel Sanson (illustrator)

Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press ISBN: 9781534178953

A ghostly lady haunts her local library for years, roaming the halls and walking through walls. When the library is scheduled for demolition, the building is closed to the public, books are removed, and workmen begin dismantling all the fixtures. The ghost is dismayed. Are her days of haunting over? But then a young girl decides the library needs to be saved. Ghost and girl work together, coming up with creative, inventive ideas to rescue the library and bring patrons and booklovers back. A lovely celebration of public libraries and a timely reminder of the important role they play in their local communities.

Ocean Soup: A Recipe for You, Me, and a Cleaner Sea

Meeg Pincus (author) Lucy Semple (illustrator)

Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press ISBN: 9781534179028

From the shore, the ocean looks like clear, sparkling blue but look closely at a small scoop and you'll find the ocean looks more like soup! Our oceans are filled with plastics, from water bottles and take-out containers to the teeny tiny plastic particles you need a microscope to see. But who exactly cooked up this stinky soup? And, more importantly, what is the recipe for getting (and keeping) our oceans clean? This bouncing, rhyming story pulls no punches about how we ended up in this sticky mess but also offers hope and help for cleaning up this ocean soup.

Marching for Change: Movements Across America

Joyce Markovics (author)

Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press ISBN: 9781534186200

Millions of Americans have marched and protested to fight inequality and to bring about social change. These large gatherings, filled with powerful and courageous voices, have shined a light on important issues and resulted in new laws. This book covers some of the most famous marches in U.S. history--and encourages readers to stand up for the things they believe in.

Headstrong Hallie!: The story of Hallie Morse Daggett, the First Female "Fire Guard"

Aimee Bissonette (author) David Hohn (illustrator)

Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press ISBN: 9781534178915

Hallie Morse Daggett loved spending time outdoors, hiking among the tall trees of the forests in California's Siskiyou Mountains. She wasn't afraid of the bears, coyotes, and wildcats. But Hallie was afraid of fire and understood the threat it posed to the forests, wildlife, and people. And more than anything, she wanted to devote her life to protecting her beloved outdoors; she decided she would work for the US Forest Service. But in the 1880s the Forest Service didn't hire women, thinking they couldn't handle the physical challenges of the work or the isolation. But the Forest Service didn't know Hallie or how determined she could be. This picture-book biography tells the story of Hallie Morse Daggett, the first woman "fire guard" hired by the US Forest Service, whose hard work and dedication led the way for other women to join the Forest Service.

E is for Everyone! Every Vote and Every Voice: A Democracy Alphabet

Elissa Grodin (author) Victor Juhasz (illustrator)

Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press ISBN: 9781534185937

Civics lessons are always timely, always important, and often very complicated. And despite the easy banter in today's media, many adult Americans are still in the dark when it comes to knowing their rights and responsibilities as citizens of a democratic society. So how do we help our youngest citizens to understand this important information in ways that make sense? This streamlined ABC approach uses poetry and colorful artwork to explain the basic building blocks of America's democratic system of government, from its earliest beginnings to how it works in today's world. From amendments and elections to Congress and our Constitution, E is for Everyone! Every Vote and Every Voice: A Democracy Alphabet helps make our system of government understandable for young readers. Back matter provides further explanation for key concepts such as the Bill of Rights, Founding Fathers, and branches of government.

Tails from the Animal Shelter

Stephanie Shaw (author) Liza Woodruff (illustrator)

Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press ISBN: 9781534167315

Did you know that more than six million pets arrive annually at community animal shelters in the United States? Of that number over three million are dogs. But of course it's not just dogs and puppies that need homes. Shelters take in cats, kittens, birds, reptiles, and even domestic farm animals. And there are many reasons why these animals need to go to shelters. Some of the animals are strays and some are lost; some are rescued from natural disasters or from mistreatment. Some have been given up because their owners could no longer care for them. Using poetic back stories and informative text, Tails From the Animal Shelter shines a spotlight on the good work of community animal shelters. Ten different fictional animals, including a handicapped dog, a magician's former rabbit, and a pot-bellied pig, represent the millions of pets brought to shelters every day. Whether they're known as Humane Societies, rescue services, or other names, these organizations and their caring work remind us all of how a loving home can change the life of a vulnerable animal.

Winged Wonders: Solving the Monarch Migration Mystery

Meeg Pincus (author) Yas Imamura (illustrator)

Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press ISBN: 9781534166752

For decades, as the monarch butterflies swooped through every year like clockwork, people from Canada to the United States to Mexico wondered, "Where do they go?" In 1976 the world learned the answer: after migrating thousands of miles, the monarchs roost by the millions in an oyamel grove in Central Mexico's mountains. But who solved this mystery? Was it the scientist or the American adventurer? The citizen scientists or the teacher or his students? Winged Wonders shows that the mystery could only be solved when they all worked as a team--and reminds readers that there's another monarch mystery today, one that we all must work together to solve.

Common Threads: Adam's Day at the Market

Huda Essa (author) Mercè Tous (illustrator)

Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press ISBN: 9781534146297

Adam and his family spend an exciting day at the colorful and bustling Eastern Market. But when Adam gets briefly separated from Mom and Dad, he mistakes a friendly, diverse cast of characters for his parents in their traditional Muslim clothing--and shows that we all have more in common than you might think. This nearly-wordless picture book celebrates diversity and community in vibrant, dynamic art.

Nature's Friend: The Gwen Frostic Story

Lindsey McDivitt (author) Eileen Ryan Ewen (illustrator)

Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press ISBN: 9781534126459

The art and writing of Gwen Frostic are well known in her home state of Michigan and around the world, but this picture book biography tells the story behind Gwen's famous work. After a debilitating illness as a child, Gwen sought solace in art and nature. She learned to be persistent and independent--never taking no for an answer or letting her disabilities define her. After creating artwork for famous Detroiters and for display at the World's Fair and helping to build WWII bombers, Gwen moved her printmaking business to northern Michigan. She dedicated her work and her life to reminding people of the wonder and beauty in nature.

Tuki and Moka: A Tale of Two Tamarins

Judy Young (author), Jim Madsen (illustrator)

Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press ISBN: 9781627530446

Eduardo and his family live in a small town in Ecuador, not far from the Amazon rainforest. The rainforest is an important part of their lives. Each month Eduardo and his father travel by river from their town to the rainforest. There, using just a basket and a machete, they gather Brazil nuts. They are castaeros and this is how they earn their living. But the rainforest is not only important to the castaeros; it is home to many exotic species of plants, birds, and mammals, including two playful tamarins that Eduardo has named Tuki and Moka. So although it is difficult work being a castaero, Eduardo looks forward to his visits to the rainforest so he can play with his two friends. But one night, the peace of the forest is threatened by poachers, animal traffickers who illegally capture and then try to sell some of the birds and animals. Can Eduardo save his friends?