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Picture Book

Understanding Sam and Asperger Syndrome

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Understanding Sam and Asperger Syndrome by Clarabelle van Niekerk & Liezl Venter, MA CCC-SLP
Format: Book
Who it’s for: Children ages 5-7

When kids start school they will be encountering all sorts of different people and new situations.  Books like this one are great conversation starters for you and your child to talk through how you may best respect and appreciate a new friend who happens to be on the autism spectrum.

In this story, you’ll meet Sam who loves to put puzzles together and to play the cello but who also doesn’t like the feel of his new coat and sometimes can’t stop crying when he’s frustrated. After Sam and his dog leave home one night to walk to the fair alone, his family and teachers discover that Sam has Asperger Syndrome.  Once everyone understands what is going on they are able to start making things better for everybody.

At the end of the book there are 10 Helpful Tips from the author, who is a certified specialist in autism spectrum disorders, that offer practical advice in simple to understand language.

Find it in the catalog

New Year’s Celebrations for Kids

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The New Year, a time to reflect on what has passed and to celebrate new beginnings, is just around the corner! How do you celebrate? These vibrant and lively stories offer a doorway inside two young girls’ celebration of family culture and tradition.  

 

Shante Keys and the New Year’s Peas by Gail Piernas-Davenport
Format: Book
Who it’s For: Kids

We set out with Shante on her quest to find the missing ingredient for her family’s New Year tradition.  Told in rhyme, this mission unfolds on the streets of Shante’s neighborhood but ultimately becomes a journey through the cultures and traditions of her neighbors too. By the end of the story,  it’s clear she can experience the beauty of the wide world just by looking at what makes the people she sees everyday unique.  What I love about this story are the underlying messages of diversity, community, teamwork and sharing! Also, included at the back of the book are a fun recipe to try at home and a resource for the cultures of other countries, their traditions and celebrations.

Find it in the catalog.

 

Freedom Soup by Tami Charles
Format: Book, DVD, Digital Audiobook, Digital Movie
Who it’s For: Kids

In this story, we meet Belle and her Ti Gran as we are dropped into their gloriously delicious adventure in cooking set against a backdrop of their Haitian history.  The dynamic and bright pictures dance off the page taking us with them. You can almost feel and taste the freedom Ti Gran talks about while she cooks.  Luckily for us, the recipe for Freedom Soup is in the back of the book!   And as an extra tidbit, the author offers up a little information about the real Ti Gran as well!

Find it in the catalog and on Hoopla as an audiobook or streaming video.

Rain before Rainbows

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Rain Before Rainbows by Smriti Prasadam-Halls, illustrated by David Litchfield
Format: Book
Who it’s For: Kids

 

This book is so hopeful and uplifting! Life has its share of good days and bad, and there is a time for everything. Sorrow and joy, dark and light, loss and abundance, planting and harvest. This simple rhyming tale of a Girl and her friend Fox chronicles their journey from troubled times to a new and meaningful life. They must pass through darkness, storms and worry, but with help and inspiration from friends, hopeful dreams and wise words to live by, Girl and Fox finally find their bright new morning.

In challenging and uncertain times, Rain before Rainbows is a perfect story for helping little ones to learn that “this too shall pass” and that better days lie ahead. You will love the gorgeous illustrations too!

Find it in the catalog!

Summer Walk

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Title: Summer Walk by Virginia Brimhall Snow
Format: Book
Who It’s For: Kids (And Adults)

Are you looking for an engaging read that not only sparks your child’s imagination but gets their body moving?   With these times of social distancing and isolation it can be difficult to find safe, fun ways for our littles, and no so littles, to connect with the outside world.

In Summer Walk, we have a rhyming tale of a summer adventure shared between Grammy and her grandkids.  The story walks us along as they discover and identify 24 insects.  The detailed pencil sketches of this family unit form an intricate backdrop for the bold and colorful featured insects.  Following the story, there are fun insect facts, as well as, a nature themed craft and activity you and your child can do together.  They become the perfect learning extensions when you get back from your own Summer walk.

I love this book not only because it is a doorway to the outdoors which seamlessly melds learning with doing, but because it reminds me of my own children and the time they spent making memories with their Grammy.

Find it in the catalog , check it out and begin making your own summer memories today!

Niko Draws a Feeling

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Niko Draws a Feeling by Bob Raczka, illustrated by Simone Shin
Who it’s for: Kids
Format: eBook

Niko carries his paper and colored pencils everywhere he goes, in case he is inspired to make a picture. He loves to draw, but Niko doesn’t draw the things he sees. Instead, he draws the way they make him feel. His parents, teacher, and friends don’t seem to understand his pictures. When Niko draws the way the sun feels warm on his face, they can’t understand why they don’t see the sun.

Niko draws a picture of himself and how he feels, but he doesn’t share it with anyone. Until one day, a new family with a girl Niko’s age moves in next door. Has Niko finally found someone who understands?

Niko Draws a Feeling shows children that art can be representative. It doesn’t always reflect actual things we can see. Sometimes it reflects how the artist feels. And as viewers of art, we all experience it differently as well. The illustrations in the book encourage children to think about what they see when they look at Niko’s pictures.

This title is part of OverDrive’s Always Available collection. The eBook is available with no wait on OverDrive/Libby for everyone with a library card!

Bedtime for Sweet Creatures

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Bedtime for Sweet Creatures by Nikki Grimes, Illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon
Format: Book
Who it’s for:  Kids

This new, fun book for kids is written by Nikki Grimes, an award-winning author and the illustrations are by Elizabeth Zunon who grew up in the Ivory Coast.  Ms. Grimes hasn’t written a book in a while so this was a good one to read.  Ms. Zunon has a background in art as she works in paint, collage, sewing, silkscreens, jewelry and more.  The illustrations reflect her interest and are a combination of realism and fantasy.

Mommy and Daddy are trying to get their cantankerous toddler son to go to bed but the boy definitely isn’t interested in settling down.  Mommy tries to coax him into bed and then reads a story to him.  It looks like it’s going to work.  Until…  See for yourself how she finally solves the problem.

This is a good bedtime book to read to little ones for Black History month.  Read this delightful book to see how mother finds a way to calm her son.

Find it in our catalog.