Wonder, Words, and Lots of Color
“Every story begins with a quiet moment of noticing something small until its smallness becomes big.
Just like stories, illustrations are safe places children can step into, walk around, think big thoughts, and feel big feelings.”
- Abbie Cooley Moegelvang -
Oh my! Giant sky! Tiny flowers! And wild Savanna creatures! It’s all so exciting for newborn elephant, Amanzi. But when rain falls, stinging her eyes, frightened Amanzi hurries home to Momma. Will worry dampen her adventurous heart? Fascinated by a family of tortoises, she ventures out again and makes friends. Tumbling unexpectedly into the waterhole, Amanzi faces her fear and discovers she has a joyous rain-inspired talent. (3-7 years)
Finley Hedgehog dreams of hopping high into the air - simply for the joy of it - like his new friend Felicity Frog. But when he “flops instead”, they set out to find a way together. Searching for ideas in their sunlit valley, Felicity and Finley tie springy grape vines to Finley’s feet and he leaps excitedly up. But even with this burst of enthusiasm, he lands “right on his face”. How can Finley reach his goal when his abilities prove different from Felicity’s?(4-7years)
With rhyme and wit, this story follows a young girl as she joyfully skips through her day. She answers questions in math, creates imaginative artwork, wins a "bird race", and plays hide-and-seek with friends in the "broccoli trees and apple rain". All the while, the first-person text sings of the delicious foods she eats, and the illustrations picture her delight in doing so. (4-8 years)
Mia has just turned thirteen, so she’s certain this summer break will be different than all the summers before. When she visits her grandmother in Maine, Mia is finally allowed to take the canoe out by herself. But what she expects to be a summer of new independence quickly changes when she topples down the stairs and breaks her arm. And that’s not all: there’s a secret about Gran that no one will tell her.
(Middle Grade Fiction)
“Mommy, do you love me an itty-bitty bit more because I keep my bedroom so tidy and clean? Mommy, do you love me a teeny-tiny bit more because I can leap as high as a kangaroo?” Two little mice wonder what could make Mommy love them more. But a mother’s love isn’t measured in tasks or talents. She’s already given her children all of her love - every last drip, drop, and crumb. (3-6 years)
Sisters Maggie-May and Lilly-Lou lick popsicles in the garden and whisper wishes for a tree. Maggie-May longs to play in its shade, and Lilly-Lou dreams of branches filled with animal friends. When the wind brings a floating seed, creativity soars! The girls water it with their melting popsicles and, to their surprise, a popsicle-tree sprouts overnight! In the delicious shade, they experiment with pizza and pancakes too. But they’ve forgotten about Lilly-Lou’s wish! The animals come, but what will they eat? Will they enjoy drippy popsicles, cheesy pizza, and sticky syrup too? (4-7 years)
Emma rescues a young wallaby from a frightening storm, and they become fast friends. Together, Emma and Frederick jaunt through a fanciful summer. But Emma is heartbroken to learn she will move from her country home to a city house at summer’s end. She'll have to leave Frederick behind! So, they call on every ounce of imagination between them. Can they come up with a plan powerful enough to stop time and make the summer last forever?(5-8 years)
This lively story in rhyme follows a small boy as he experiences the joy of positive touch with family and friends. The text gently contrasts these healthy interactions with unhealthy touch. With non-clinical language and honor for the feelings of children, this book serves as a safe conversation starter between caregiver and child and includes charts of “My Private Parts” and “My Body Rules”. (4-7 years)
Read-aloud of Original Story, Finley Follows Felicity
Skipper Clement International School, Denmark