There is music everywhere. But you must listen closely. A cat lapping milk. A motorcyclist speeding. Squirrels eating nuts. It is the music of life! Lenny, a music composer, is turning these everyday sounds into a symphony. Join him and his cat, Pipo, on a walk through the city at daybreak as he collects bits of sound and silence for inspiration.
A young girl feels lost after the death of her mother. Dad tries his best to manage everything alone, but things just aren’t the same. When they take a trip to their lake house, the girl longs to feel a connection to her mom, and so she takes out the small mouseboat that she and her mom built together. And somehow, in the wind and rain, protected by the mouseboat, she finds her mother’s love. A lyrical, soothing story about new beginnings, even in the darkest times, this book is a powerful tribute to finding your way home again. >>> Abigail Halpin’s books in SHI collection.
By Alvin Tresselt, Illustrated by Roger Duvoisin ( Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Books – 1988 )
When the first flakes fell from the grey sky, the postman and the farmer and the policeman and his wife scurried about doing all practical things grownups do when a snowstorm comes. But the children laughed and danced, and caught the lacy snowflakes on their tongues. All the wonder and delight a child feels in a snowfall is caught in the pages of this book – the frost ferns on the windowsill, the snow man in the yard and the mystery and magic of a new white world.
By Mark Pett & Gary Rubinstein, Illustrated by Mark Pett (Sourcebooks Jabberwocky-2011 )
Beatrice Bottomwell has never (not once!) made a mistake. She never forgets her math homework, she never wears mismatched socks, and she always wins the yearly talent show at school. In fact, the entire town calls her The Girl Who Never Makes Mistakes! One day, the inevitable happens: Beatrice makes a huge mistake in front of everyone! But in the end, readers (and perfectionists) will realize that life is more fun when you enjoy everything—even the mistakes. This picture book is one of growth mindset books for kids to promote self esteem. >>>Mark Pett’s books in SHI collection.
Beatrice Bottomwellは、決して（一度でも）間違えをしたことがない。彼女は算数の宿題を忘れたことはないし、左右異なるソックスをはいたこともないし、毎年おこなわれる学校のタレントショーではいつでも優勝している。実際に、町中の人たちが彼女を ”決して間違えをしない少女” と呼んでいる。ところがある日、取り返しのつかない事態が発生した。それは、Beatriceが大勢の人たちの目の前でとてつもない大失敗を起こしたのだ！ しかし最後には、読者たち（そして完璧主義者たち）は、人生はあらゆることを、たとえ失敗であっても、受け入れる方が気が楽であることを知らされる。この絵本は、子どもたちの自己肯定の力を養ってくれる。＞＞＞＞ＳＨＩコレクションにある Mark Pett の作品。
By Annette Bay Pimentel, Illustrated by Magaly Morales ( Abrams Books for Young Readers – 2021 )
When Pura grows up and moves from Puerto Rico to Harlem in New York, she gets a job at the library, where she is surrounded by stories—but they’re only in English. Where is Señor Gallo? Where is Pérez the mouse? Where is Puerto Rico on these shelves? She decides to tell children the tales of her homeland in English and in Spanish. With lyrical words and lively illustrations from Magaly Morales, this picture bookcaptures the exuberant spirit and passion of Pura Belpré: celebrated storyteller, author, folklorist, and the first Latina librarian in New York City. A pioneer of bilingual storytimes, she welcomed countless new families to the library, formed cultural bridges in her community, and broke the rules by telling stories that weren’t printed in books— not yet. >>> On the last pages, found more information about Pura. >>>> Magaly Morales’s books in SHI collection.
By Emma Perry, Illustrated by Claire Alexander ( Candlewick Press – 2022 )
Yippee! Here comes the rain! Put on a raincoat, pull on some boots, head out the door. Three families meet up in front of their apartment building, all with the same idea. The children can’t wait to go in the muddy puddles until their boots overflow—then snuggle with the grown-ups on the couch as their soggy socks dry. The buoyant text summons the thrill of being outdoors regardless of the weather, while the lively watercolors capture the children’s exuberant play amid the splashing drops.
Dimitri may be small, but his heart is as big and open as a cloudless sky. “ I love you.” Dimitri tells his new friends at preschool. “ I love you. “ Dimitri tells the class guinea pig. “ I love you.” Dimitri tells the tree with heart-shaped leaves. So why doesn’t anyone say it back? Maybe there are ways of saying “ I love you. “ without words. A heart-bursting tribute to the tender ones, like Dimitri, who spread love and kindness without hesitation, fear, or shame.
Starting kindergarten can be a little scary. But Annalina shows us there are lots of new and exciting things to look forward to – meeting your teacher, playing on the monkey bars, feeding the pet tortoise, and making new friends. Experience the ups and downs of the first days of kindergarten through Annalina’s very own diary ( as told to Antoinette Portis ) and discover why the kids in room 2K are just fine!
By Andrew Fusek Peters & Polly Peters, Illustrated Karin Littlewood ( Albert Whitman & Company – 2014 )
”My dad’s life was full of color. But one day, Dad was full of sadness, all the way to the top. He said that all the colors were gone… “ When a child’s father suffers from depression, he worries that his father’s gloom is somehow his fault. But as his father gets the help he needs and his condition improves, the color starts to return. This gentle and touching story is the perfect approach to explaining depression to children who may have a person or loved one in their life affected by mental illness. >>> Karin Littlewood’s books in SHI collection.
By Zeena M. Pliska, Illustrated by Hatem Aly ( Roaring Brook Press – 2023 )
“ Every night, while we drink our steaming sahlab……my Auntie Fatma sings a lullaby to me. It is filled with memories of the flowing Nile, the busy streets, and the vibrant city. When she returns to Cairo, she leaves me with the sounds and sights of Egypt. And even though I am here, and she is there, her lullaby reminds me of home.” This picture book shows a wonderful way to share Egyptian life, language and people with every readers, especially with little children. >>> On the back pages, found the author’s and the illustrator’s notes as well as the Glossary of some Arabic words. >>>> Hatem Aly’s books in SHI collection.
