Planting Stories: The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpré

Pura Belpré moves from Puerto Rico to New York City, and while she is working at the New York Public Library, she realizes that the library has no stories from her homeland. Through storytelling, puppetry, and writing, Pura is able to share the folktales she grew up with, bringing the joy, language, and heritage of her beloved Puerto Rico to children everywhere. 

Pipsqueaks, Slowpokes, and Stinkers: Celebrating Animal Underdogs

Puny? Poky? Clumsy? Shy? A lighthearted look at the surprising traits that help some animals survive. Written with a lively, playful voice, Pipsqueaks, Slowpokes, and Stinkers introduces young readers to a variety of “animal underdogs” and explains how characteristics that might seem like weaknesses are critical for finding food and staying safe in an eat-or-be-eaten world.

Mixed: A Colorful Story

In the beginning, there were three colors . . . Reds, Yellows, and Blues. All special in their own ways, all living in harmony―until one day, a Red says "Reds are the best!" and starts a color kerfuffle. When the colors decide to separate, is there anything that can change their minds?

A Yellow, a Blue, and a never-before-seen color might just save the day in this inspiring book about color, tolerance, and embracing differences.

Misunderstood Shark

Bob, host of Underwater World with Bob, is furious with Shark, not only because Shark ate him (admittedly bad manners), but because Shark will not even admit what he did; the ocean may not be big enough for both of them--unless Shark faces up to his bad behavior, stops sulking (and eating the animals on the program, and maybe barfing up his stomach) and apologizes. Bob, a jellyfish, interviews, and films a "misunderstood shark" to understand the creature better. But the shark keeps veering from the script when his instincts take over. Humor comes at the shark's explanations.

Love, Z

A young robot learns what love is. Out playing, Z finds a message in a bottle, but all that’s legible is “Love, Beatrice.” Z asks the older robots what “love” is as they help the young one through the bedtime routine, but: “DOES NOT COMPUTE.” So Z sets off to find both Beatrice and the meaning of love. Journeying in a boat that’s captained by a cat, Z asks everyone they meet. But the crow’s, baker’s, and school children’s ideas of love don’t help Z understand. As night falls, the duo sail to an island.

Friends Stick Together

Rupert is a rhinoceros of refined sensibilities. Levi, the new tickbird in class, is not. He burps the alphabet, tells corny jokes, and does really embarrassing air guitar solos. Worse, he lands right on Rupert and is determined to be Rupert's symbiotic best pal! Rupert wants him gone. But when Levi finally does bug off, Rupert finds the peace and quiet a little boring. It turns out, Rupert could really use a friend like Levi.

Can I Be Your Dog?

This picture book shares the tale of Arfy, a homeless mutt who lives in a box in an alley. Arfy writes to every person on Butternut Street about what a great pet he’d make. His letters to prospective owners share that he’s house-broken! He has his own squeaky bone! He can learn to live with cats! But, no one wants him. Won’t anyone open their heart—and home—to a lonesome dog? Readers will be happily surprised to learn just who steps up to adopt Arfy.

Brave Ballerina: The Story of Janet Collins

Janet Collins wanted to be a ballerina in the 1930s and 40s, a time when racial segregation was widespread in the United States. Janet pursued dance with a passion, despite being rejected from discriminatory dance schools. When she was accepted into the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo as a teenager on the condition that she paint her skin white for performances, Janet refused. She continued to go after her dreams, never compromising her values along the way.