"A beautiful tale of loss and adjustment; for those who have never had to leave home, perhaps a lesson in insight and empathy. Highly recommended." — School Library Journal (STARRED REVIEW)"Beautifully crafted and warmly empathetic." — Kirkus Reviews (STARRED REVIEW)A poignant story about a displaced family making a home in the aftermath of war.We used to live in a big city. In our apartment window was a star-shaped lamp, shining through the cold. I could recognize home from far away. But then the war began, and we left for another country. Everything is different here—the food, the language, even Mom and me. Today Mom bought us a package of scissors, glue, and cardboard. Can we make this place feel a little more like home? Narrated by a young refugee, A Star Shines Through illustrates the long process of healing with an evocative palette of blues and yellows. This resonant book shows how making art can create a sense of hope and belonging, even in a new and different place.
The 2024 New York Times / New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children's BooksAn unconventional story about navigating differences and learning to be present.When a cat and her human go for walks, the human always decides where they go and what they do. "But what if it were the other way around?" the cat asks one day. So the next time, the human follows the cat. When the cat is in control, she wants to stop more often, and she wants to chase squirrels and climb up trees. Her human finds all these detours ridiculous. But when you walk at a cat's pace, you can see the most amazing things. Painted in richly saturated colors, The Cat Way explores the strange path to compromise and cooperation. Walking together might take some patience--but it can also lead to the most incredible surprises.
The 2024 New York Times / New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children's BooksA thoughtful book that will resonate with travelers, homebodies, and anyone who's ever longed for an old friend or a new journey. Dan is the owner of a caf? living in a small town on the coast. Aki is a sailor on the sea, traveling from place to place. Dan loves his familiar views and enjoys welcoming visitors from far away. Aki loves the wonders he sees abroad and enjoys meeting new people in distant lands. Though Dan likes his life, and Aki likes his life, they each feel so alone sometimes. But every once in a while, separate lives can collide and make the world feel large and small all at once. Following the parallel stories of Dan and Aki, Here and There introduces readers to two contrasting yet connected characters. Thea Lu's evocative text and art will spark lasting conversations about home, travel, and the similarities between very different people.
A simple yet sensitive tale about friendship and acceptance.Goat and Bunny are best friends. They love meeting up to eat canned grass together. But when they share coffee, a hike, or dinner at Bunny's burrow, Goat and Bunny realize that they aren't as similar as they thought. Can these friends learn to accept each other's personalities and preferences--even if it means changing their plans? With playful art and gentle humor, It Is Okay reminds young readers that kindness and respect are essential for friendship. Differences don't have to stop friends from spending time together--instead, they can spark whole new kinds of fun.
A hilarious introduction to the mystery genre, starring a boy, his fish, and a whiskered detective in disguise. A little boy's aquarium has been attacked, and his poor fish is terrified! Who could be behind this horrible crime? Never fear: Ramon Fellini is on the case! This brave dog has donned his cleverest cat costume in order to track down the culprit. How does Fellini know a cat is to blame? Why does he say strange things like "Does this house have any other fish?" No time for such questions--Fellini is about to reveal the truth! Unless the ace detective has a different agenda in mind... With dramatic colors, ironic humor, and plenty of clues to discover in the art, this whodunit is a laugh-out-loud read for pet lovers. Children will love using their own sleuthing skills to solve the mystery and predict what Detective Ramon Fellini does next."A hilarious intro to mysteries and a great read aloud."—Betsy Bird, A Fuse #8 Production (a School Library Journal blog)"It reminded me of Kl
