New Library Books January-April, 2022: New Children's Books

"When three Hanukkah latkes fight over which of them tastes the best, the winner is decided by the family cat. But should the latkes be careful what they wish for? Which does he choose?" (Publisher)

After chasing a quick-footed squirrel in the park, a dog finds himself separated from his girl and becomes the first of several lost things. A hair ribbon, a teddy bear, a pencil and a ball also go missing - will they ever make their way back to their owners? A story about things lost, things found and the karma that brings them together. (Publisher)

Pete the Cat's school is hosting a fun talent show! Pete knows just what to sign up for - playing the guitar. But when he writes his name on the list, he is surprised to see Grumpy Toad also signed up for the same talent. Will their talent rivalry get the better of their friendship? Follow Pete the Cat and Grumpy Toad as they learn about the importance of teamwork and friendship! (Publisher)

Caldecott Medal–winner and #1 New York Times–bestselling author Kevin Henkes explores what it means to be at home in this stunning picture book. Brimming with interactive call-and-response questions, A House is a timeless and irresistible must-have for both very young children and emergent readers - as well as the entire family.
Where is the door to the house? Do you see any clouds? What does the house look like when it is sunny outside? When it is raining? And what will the house turn into when its family returns? A home. Caldecott Medal–winner Kevin Henkes employs interactive questions, declarative sentences, basic shapes, and a limited color palette in this brilliant and classic picture book. A House introduces young readers to shapes, numbers, the weather, and the parts of a house, with a rhythmic, repetitive text and remarkable illustrations.
A story about home, family, community, and belonging, A House is an excellent choice for emergent readers, for social and emotional development, and for storytime sharing. (Publisher)

On the leaving morning, a child watches for the moving men, has a cup of cocoa in the deli across the street, and leaves lip marks on the window of the apartment before departing for the new home. (Publisher)

Pinkalicious tries to convince her family to put up a pink Christmas tree, although her parents aren't sure what Santa Claus' reaction will be. (Publisher)

When a strange storm confines a fractured family in tight quarters, leaving them all in the dark, they must find a way to reconnect and face whatever the future brings-together. (Publisher)

As we grow, our dreams grow bigger too! When I Am Bigger is a counting book with numbers from nine to one hundred that skip ahead in non-sequential order, so readers are challenged to count all the objects to get the right number - and discover all the silly details in each scene along the way. This book builds on the whimsical scenarios in When I Am Big, like creating 31 incredible contraptions for traveling around the world, while also incorporating lessons on self-awareness, independence, and a spirit of giving back. The perfect book for adventurous young learners ready to take the next step in counting. (Publisher)

The 1619 Project’s lyrical picture book in verse chronicles the consequences of slavery and the history of Black resistance in the United States, thoughtfully rendered by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones and Newbery honor-winning author Renée Watson.
A young student receives a family tree assignment in school, but she can only trace back three generations. Grandma gathers the whole family, and the student learns that 400 years ago, in 1619, their ancestors were stolen and brought to America by white slave traders. But before that, they had a home, a land, a language. She learns how the people said to be born on the water survived.
And the people planted dreams and hope, willed themselves to keep living, living. And the people learned new words...for love...for friend...for family...for joy...for grow...for home. With powerful verse and striking illustrations by Nikkolas Smith, Born on the Water provides a pathway for readers of all ages to reflect on the origins of American identity. (Publisher)

Whether you’re sad or angry, happy or proud, there’s one thing you can do: tell someone. Just talking about your problems can help make them better, and the person you’re talking to may have ways to help. When children feel nervous on the first day of school, or experience that scary feeling of having a secret that doesn’t feel right, this book empowers kids to find someone they trust - and tell them. (Publisher)

D wakes up on the wrong side of the bed, but discovers after a long day at school that while not every day will be a good day, the bad ones will pass. (Publisher)

A girl describes her family's annual visit with Mamaw and Papaw in West Virginia, then Abuela and Abuelo in Florida, especially the foods and cultural elements that make each kitchen unique. (Publisher)

Oh no, the school has lost all its color! In a quiet town, a wave of gray has swept over a little school. Happy kids are now bored, bored, bored. Charming halls and play grounds are now dull, dull, dull. Buzzing teachers are now tired, tired, tired. Something has to be done! On another long, gray afternoon, a student gets a surprise gift that can help save the day: a box of seven special crayons! With the charm, determination, and cleverness of these peppy crayons and their unique personalities, the students and teachers work together to make their school magnificent. The crayons use their funny antics and extraordinary determination to show them how colorful and exciting the world can be when everyone works together. (Publisher)

When a cloudy gray sky cancels Pete the Cat's beach day plans, a big box is all he needs to beat the rainy-day blues.

What happens when you bring to life a huge acoustic sound wave and a gigantic spark of static electricity? You get Thunder and Lightning! Now imagine what would happen if these two fictional characters get into a big fight on a dim dark Saturday night! Follow their battle to see how they whimsically banter back and forth as the clouds and the stars cheer them on. Find out, Who Won The Fight? Who Won The Fight? Who Knocked Who, Out Of Sight? (Publisher)

Saying goodbye is hard, even for dinosaurs. When they have to part from a loved one, they might cry, or hide in their bedrooms, or even write "DON'T GO!" on the wall. But with a little courage, they can face their fears. They can tell grown-ups how they're feeling and know that time apart can still be filled with love. This humorous and heartfelt picture book from bestselling duo Jane Yolen and Mark Teague will teach young readers how to say goodbye with poise and grace - with laugh-out-loud antics along the way! (Publisher)

When President Joe Biden adopted his shelter dog Major from the Delaware Humane Association in 2018, their bond was immediate. President Biden rescued Major and provided him with a loving home. What he didn't know is that Major would also rescue him too. Major tells the captivating, funny story of how he and Joe first met, and their journey to his brand-new home, the White House. (Publisher)

From award-winning, New York Times bestselling author Ibi Zoboi comes her debut picture book - a tour de force that uses the principles of Kwanzaa to talk about the history of African Americans. This lyrical, powerful tribute is sumptuously illustrated by New Yorker artist and rising star Loveis Wise. A beautiful gift for readers of all ages and for fans of Kadir Nelson’s Heart and Soul.
The People Remember tells the journey of African descendants in America by connecting their history to the seven principles of Kwanzaa. It begins in Africa, where people were taken from their homes and families. They spoke different languages and had different customs. Yet they were bound and chained together and forced onto ships sailing into an unknown future. Ultimately, all these people had to learn one common language and create a culture that combined their memories of home with new traditions that enabled them to thrive in this new land.
Sumptuously illustrated, this is an important book to read as a family - a story young readers can visit over and over again to deepen their understanding of African American history in relation to their own lives and current social justice movements. By turns powerful and revealing, this is a lyrical narrative that tells the story of survival, as well as the many moments of joy, celebration, and innovation of Black people in America. (Publisher)

In Eliza Davis's day, Charles Dickens was the most celebrated living writer in England. But some of his books reflected a prejudice that was all too common at the time: prejudice against Jewish people. Eliza was Jewish, and her heart hurt to see a Jewish character in Oliver Twist portrayed as ugly and selfish. She wanted to speak out about how unfair that was, even if it meant speaking out against the great man himself. So she wrote a letter to Charles Dickens. What happened next is history. (Publisher)

As a young girl leads a cast of characters on a musical journey, they learn that they have the power to make changes - big or small - in the world, in their communities, and most importantly, in themselves. (Publisher)

An introduction to seasonal changes in nature, young readers will learn about the six animals that all share the same habitat of an oak tree. Throughout the seasons, readers see how the oak tree - and its animal inhabitants - change and adapt as the weather turns colder and then warmer. In a parallel story, told only in the art, readers will discover that the family living on the property share similar seasonal changes. (Publisher)

The House that She Built educates young readers about the people and skills that go into building a home. One by one, we learn about the architect, framer, roofer and many more as they contribute their individual skills needed to complete the collective project -- a new home. With illustrations that connect and empower and words that build upon each other with each page, this book will leave all kids (she, he, and they) excited about their own skills and interested in learning new ones. Based on a true story! The House that She Built was Inspired by the team of real women who came together from around the country to build a one-of-a-kind home. (Publisher)

Before she raised her lens to take her most iconic photo, Dorothea Lange took photos of the downtrodden from bankers in once-fine suits waiting in breadlines, to former slaves, to the homeless sleeping on sidewalks. A case of polio had left her with a limp and sympathetic to those less fortunate. Traveling across the United States, documenting with her camera and her fieldbook those most affected by the stock market crash, she found the face of the Great Depression. In this picture book biography, Carole Boston Weatherford with her lyrical prose captures the spirit of the influential photographer. (Publisher)

Readers will meet along the way a diverse cast of composers, musicians and performers who all make music in different ways in a variety of different genres, from Bach to Billie Eilish, Mozart to Miriam Makeba. Why do we make music? Which instruments make up a classical orchestra? How does music affect our brains and emotions? These are just some of the fascinating questions addressed in this book, which looks at music's transnational and boundary-breaking qualities. All over the world and throughout time, music has been recorded and passed down through different oral traditions and forms of notation. It has always been a powerful catalyst for influencing change and connecting people. And what might the future of music hold? Exploring the technology we use to listen to and create music, the authors imagine new possibilities such as computer-generated compositions and robot musicians. (Publisher)