Big Little Book of Happy Sadness Kane Miller Ages: 5 - 9 Themes: Multi-Generational, Disabilities, Friendship, Pets, Self-Esteem Hardcover $15.95 George lived alone with his grandmother and an empty place where his mother and father should have been." One Friday on his way home from school, George visited the animal shelter. There, in the very last cage, was Jeremy, a dog who looked as lost and as lonely as George. When Jeremy goes home to live with George and his grandmother, their whole lives change, and they learn that when it comes to love, it's quality not quantity that counts

And What Comes After A Thousand Kane Miller Ages: 5 - 9 Themes: Multi-Generational, Death & Dying Hardcover $15.95 A children’s book with an and older man and child gazing at the stars on its cover, that would be it. If you, as I, surmise that a book with this title and cover would focus on the insurmountable task of counting the stars, then you will be just as surprised as I was to learn it is actually a botched attempt to explore the death of an older person and the lasting impact such a loss may have on a small child. Huh? Yes, I could not resist saying it again

Sally and Dave, a Slug's Story Ages: 4 - 6 Themes: Friendship, Sports, Self-Esteem Paperback $7.95 Sally is a sleek, slim and simply stunning slug...and she knows it. She can't resist reminding her neighbor, Dave, that he's just a common fat slug who spends his time sitting on his slimy slug bottom. But when Sally's life is at stake, Dave steps in and saves the day!

Address A Friend Ages: 3 - 5 Themes: Multi-Generational, Family, Diversity / Ethnicity, Friendship Hardcover $14.95 There are all kinds of friends, and all are explored in this lovely, quiet volume by Anette Bley. A tribute to friends of all ages, this is a book to be shared both with those just beginning the process of gathering and making friends, and those who have a lifetime of shared laughter and experiences behind them.

Norman & Brenda Ages: All Ages Themes: Family, Friendship, Humor, Self-Esteem, Community Hardcover $9.95 "Norman and Brenda toddle separately toward middle age desperately lonely, believing they will never find a companion... These pitiable, ragged characters trudge across double-page panels in this pint-sized picture book, with Norman’s story on top and Brenda’s below. Lissiat’s illustrations, sharp sketches amid washes of purples, blues, browns and grays, perfectly capture the bruised souls of two quiet, peripheral people... Lyrical repetitions of language also echo between Norman’s and Brenda’s worlds, fairy tale–like...This deeply affecting story makes clear just how elusive happiness can be, and how wonderful it is when you finally find it."

Fox Ages: 5 - 9 Themes: Friendship, Responsibility, Self-Esteem Paperback $7.95 Awards: Australian Picture Book of the Year NSW Premier's Literary Award IBBY Outstanding Books for Young People with Disabilities "Wild departs from her playful characters of recent books for this haunting look at friendship and cruelty, geared to older readers...After Dog saves Magpie from a fire and nurses her burnt wing, the two forge a powerful bond...The mood changes quickly, however, when Fox enters - his sleek, orange body curled around one side of a spread - and sets Magpie on edge...The stark illustrations, in mixed media and collage, expose the characters' raw emotions with brusque hash marks in thick applications of mostly dark paint...The tale ends on a tenuously hopeful note, and the images from this unsettling, provocative story will resonate long after the book has been closed."

Learning To Fly Ages: All Ages Themes: Imaginary Play, Self-Esteem Hardcover $8.95 Awards: Bank Street College of Education Best Children's Books of the Year Comstock Award Honor Book Penguins can’t fly. Of course they can’t. Can they? A wayward penguin is found by the side of the road and convinces his rescuer he crashed while flying. The unusual pair tries all sorts of methods to return the penguin to the sky (all remarkably unsuccessful) until the day when the penguin finally rediscovers the secret of flight – within himself. This charming, simple, and understated parable is ideal for children starting school, graduates, job-seekers, newlyweds, and anyone else who’s learning to fly in unfamiliar skies.

Purple Hair I Don't Care Ages: 0 - 3 Themes: New Baby, Family Paperback $7.95 "Who would want a baby with purple hair? Mrs. Della Ragon, that's who. Della is feeling kind of funny, so she goes to the doctor for a visit. She is quite thrilled to find out she is going to have a baby. But then the doctor tells her the baby might have purple hair! As the story progresses, clever clues with animated illustrations help to solve the mystery of Della's baby. Absolutely fun-filled and heart warming, this rhyming tale reassures children that parental love is universal."

The Short & Incredibly Happy Life of Riley Ages: 9+ Themes: Humor, Responsibility, Self-Esteem Hardcover $15.95 Awards: Australian Picture Book of the Year IRA / CBC Children's Choices Children's Book Sense Pick Human beings live for quite a long time and for a lot of that time we are not happy. We want to be taller, shorter, fatter, thinner, older and younger. We want our straight hair to be curly, our curly hair to be straight and our brown eyes to be blue. We hate our parents, children, teachers, students and everybody. We want to be somewhere else with someone else, eating something else and wearing something fantastic no one else can afford, and we want to splash them as we drive by in our big red car. Rats live for quite a short time and for most of that time they are very, very happy... This laugh-out-loud picture book will appeal to people - and rats - of all ages. A truly unique picture book by Thompson and Lissiat presents life lessons with gentle humor and satire.

What Eddie Can Do Ages: 3 - 5 Themes: Friendship, Imaginary Play, Milestones Hardcover $15.95 "For kids who need a little practical motivation for learning to tie, this upbeat picture book provides the fun of an absurd reason as well as step-by-step, illustrated instructions. Great for children ready to venture beyond Velcro." - "Gebhard's illustrations fit the text perfectly, showing readers just how far imagination can take you with a few simple props found around the house. Simple cartoon drawings and bright colors bring Eddie's adventures to life. And for those readers who still cannot tie up their own monsters, there is a detailed step-by-step diagram of how to tie a shoe. A fun read-aloud for the preschool set, which just might spark a desire to learn something new."

Singing to the Sun Ages: 5 - 9 Themes: Fairy Tales, Self-Esteem Hardcover $16.95 Awards: Moonbeam Children's Book Award "This is a rare tale that lets the princess be strong, while showing the prince a path to actual happiness. This short book makes a powerful statement to counteract a movement that seems to have gone too far in the opposite directions...a great opener to a discussion about gender roles in fairy tales and the modern world and the effect they have on our self-esteem or world view."

Samsara Dog Ages: 9+ Themes: Buddhist, Faith, Death & Dying Hardcover $17.95 Top Ten Title Awards: Moonbeam Children's Book Award Children's Book Sense Pick IBBY Outstanding Books for Young People with Disabilities For we are all travelers on the wheel of life. We halt, we pause and take new births. Samsara Dog lived many lives. Some of his lives were long. Some lasted only a few days. Dog never remembered them. He lived each life as it came, until he learned the most important lesson of all. Based on Buddhist concepts of Samsara and Nirvana, this moving story about love and life, death and dying, will touch every reader.

Selma Ages: All Ages Themes: Responsibility, Self-Esteem Hardcover $7.95 Awards: More than 200,000 copies sold in Germany "...An ideal mascot for living in the moment and...importance of rituals...charming antidote to the clamor of consumerism."

Growl Ages: 4 - 6 Themes: Friendship, Humor, Self-Esteem Hardcover $15.95 Growl is a little purple monster who lives alone in a big castle at the end of Eucalyptus Drive. She likes to hop, and skip, and jump, and sing. But best of all, she likes to growl! One afternoon, Growl sneaks across her garden and growls over the neighbor's fence! A special rule is then made and Growl is banned from doing what she loves best. What will she do? How will Growl get her growl back?

Unique Monique Ages: 5 - 9 Themes: School, Self-Esteem Paperback $7.95 Awards: Reading Rainbow Feature Book Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Book Award "The simple text moves at a quick pace. The dynamic illustrations are exciting and filled with action, and her round-eyed, large-headed characters are truly endearing, with the irrepressible and irresistible Monique leading the pack."

Tibili Ages: 3 - 5 Themes: Africa, School, Diversity, Self-Esteem Hardcover $15.95 "First published in France, this tale set on the African savannah puts an exotic spin on the familiar story of the reluctant first-time school-goer.

You Be Me and I'll Be You Ages: 5 - 9 Themes: Family, Diversity, Self-Esteem Paperback $7.95 Awards: Interrace Magazine Loving Award, Best Literary Work "Anna, the interracial child of a white father and black mother, explores questions and yearnings she has about her identity by "switching" skin-colors with her father. With wit, compassion and a very light and non-didactic hand, You Be Me, I'll Be You examines issues of concern not only to interracial children, but to all children who have ever worried about their 'differences'

The Fish Who Could Wish Ages: 3 - 5 Themes: Humor, Responsibility, Self-Esteem Paperback $7.95 Awards: Redbook's Top 10 Picture Books for Kids "The witty pictures of watery, wished-for castles and cars and Spanish guitars are sure to spark children's laughter. And the surprise ending is both touching and thought-provoking."

Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge Ages: 5 - 9 Themes: Multi-Generational, Family, Health Top Ten Title Hardcover $14.95 Paperback $7.95 Awards: Public Television Storytime Book Reading Rainbow Review Book ALA Notable Children's Book "Adults will likely turn the last page with a pang, then will read again this beautiful, gentle story about aging. Whether a child is listening or not. Young Wilfrid Gordon lives next door to a nursing home and is best friends with 96-year-old Miss Nancy, to whom he tells his secrets. When she loses her memory, he decides to find it for her with the confidence only an innocent can have...For a topic often spoken of in euphemism, the author has displayed warmth, wit and dignity without being sappy. The spongeable cover and dreamy watercolors complement this uplifting tale.

Will You Carry Me Ages: 3 - 5 Themes: Family, Imaginary Play Paperback $3.99 Awards: Children's Book Sense Pick New York Magazine Top 5 Books for Summer Reading "This simple story of a familiar plaint is charmingly carried out in capricious scenes featuring a clever mom and a cute kid. A universal experience that will have both toddlers and parents grinning, turning the plea for "carry me" into playful fun