TRUTH Books

Alma and How She Got Her Name, Juana Martinez-Neal

(Respect)

What’s in a name? For one little girl, her very long name tells the vibrant story of where she came from — and who she may one day be.  If you ask her, Alma Sofia Esperanza José Pura Candela has way too many names: six! How did such a small person wind up with such a large name? As her father tells her the story of her many names, Alma starts to think it might be a perfect fit after all!  Alma and How She Got Her Name was a  2019 Caldecott Honor Book.

Just Kidding, Tracy Ludwig

(Understanding)

“Just kidding!”  That’s what D.J.’s friend, Vince, says when he does something to hurt D.J.’s feelings.  It’s supposed to make what he says seem like a joke, but D.J. doesn’t feel Vince’s words are funny.  How can D.J. stand up to Vince’s teasing?

Drum Dream Girl, Margarita Engle

(Tolerance)

Long ago on an island filled with music, there was a rule that girls cannot be drummers. No one questioned that rule--until the drum dream girl.  Although she dreamed of pounding tall congas and tapping small bongós, she had to practice in secret. When at last, her music was heard, everyone sang and danced and decided that both girls and boys should be free to drum and dream. Inspired by the childhood of Millo Castro Zaldarriaga. Drum Dream Girl is a Pura Belpré Honor book.

Someone Builds the Dream, Lisa Wheeler & Loren Long

(Harmony)

Buildings, bridges, and books don't exist without the workers who are often invisible in the final product. Across the world, jobs are getting done by many hands in many lands. It takes much more than ONE person.  This book explores all the different kinds of work that goes into building our world. It honors those who work tirelessly to bring our dreams to life.

I Promise, Lebron James

(Respect)

Just a kid from Akron, Ohio, who is dedicated to uplifting youth everywhere, LeBron James knows the key to a better future is to excel in school, do your best, and keep your family close.

I Promise is a lively and inspiring picture book that reminds us that tomorrow’s success starts with the promises we make to ourselves and our community today.

The Buddy Bench, Patty Brozo

(Understanding)                                  

Having seen what being left out is like, children become agents of change, convincing their teacher to let them build a buddy bench.

A school playground can be a solitary place for a kid without playmates; in one survey, 80 percent of 8- to 10-year-old respondents described being lonely at some point during a   school day.

The Big Umbrella, Amy June Bates

(Tolerance)

By the door there is an umbrella. It is big. It is so big that when it starts to rain there is room for everyone underneath. It doesn’t matter if you are tall. Or plaid. Or hairy. It doesn’t matter how many legs you have.

Don’t worry that there won’t be enough room under the umbrella. Because there will always be room.

Room On Our Rock, Kate & Jol Temple

(Harmony)

There are two ways to read this story.  When read from left to right, the seals believe there is definitely no room on their rock for others.  When the book is read backward, the seals welcome others to shelter on their rock.  A heartwarming story about sharing and compassion. 

Tiny T. Rex and the Impossible Hug by Jonathan Stutzman

An unforgettable character teaches a lesson in overcoming obstacles: Tiny T. Rex has a HUGE problem. His friend Pointy needs cheering up and only a hug will do. But with his short stature and teeny T. Rex arms, is a hug impossible? Not if Tiny has anything to say about it! Join this plucky little dinosaur in his very first adventure, Tiny T. Rex and the Impossible Hug—a warm and funny tale that proves the best hugs come from the biggest 

The Proudest Blue: A Story of Hijab and Family by Ibtihaj Muhammad  

A powerful, vibrantly illustrated story about the first day of school--and two sisters on one's first day of hijab--by Olympic medalist and social justice activist Ibtihaj Muhammad. With her new backpack and light-up shoes, Faizah knows the first day of school is going to be special. It's the start of a brand new year and, best of all, it's her older sister Asiya's first day of hijab--a hijab of beautiful blue fabric, like the ocean waving to the sky. But not everyone sees hijab as beautiful, and in the face of hurtful, confusing words, Faizah will find new ways to be strong.

Aye-Aye Gets Lucky by Terri Tatchell

Aye-Aye doesn't mean to be naughty. He can't help himself. Or can he?  Aye-Aye is an endangered lemur who loves pulling pranks on the villagers of Madagascar. He loves it when they squeal, but mostly he loves it when they huck their yummy meals at him. Until one day, they decide enough is enough and ban him from the village! Poor Aye-Aye is lonely and hungry and desperate to find a way to win back their hearts and clear his name. But how can he when he doesn't understand where he went wrong? 

Luckily, a friendly flying fox swoops in to teach Aye-Aye a lesson and helps him to understand how his trickster ways made the people feel. Can Aye-Aye find a way to prove to the villagers that he's changed? Will they give him a second chance? Will you? 

On the surface, "Aye-Aye Gets Lucky" is about a misunderstood lemur finding a way to win love, but look deeper, and it's a story about empathy, self-acceptance, community, and second chances. 

 Where Oliver Fits by Cale Atkinson

Oliver has always dreamed about where he will fit. Will he be in the mane of a unicorn? The tentacle of a pirate squid? The helmet of an astronaut? When he finally goes in search of his perfect place, he finds that trying to fit in is a lot harder than he thought. But like any puzzle, a little trial and error leads to a solution, and Oliver figures out exactly where he belongs.  Where Oliver Fits is a sweet and funny story that explores all the highs and lows of learning to be yourself and shows that fitting in isn't always the best fit.

Grumpy Monkey by Suzanne Lang

Jim the chimpanzee is in a terrible mood for no good reason. His friends can't understand it--how can he be in a bad mood when it's SUCH a beautiful day? They encourage him not to hunch, to smile, and to do things that make THEM happy. But Jim can't take all the advice...and has a BIT of a meltdown. Could it be that he just needs a day to feel grumpy?

I Am Human by Susan Verde

From the picture book dream team behind I Am Yoga and I Am Peace comes the third book in their wellness series: I Am Human. A hopeful meditation on all the great (and challenging) parts of being human, I Am Human shows that it’s okay to make mistakes while also emphasizing the power of good choices by offering a kind word or smile or by saying “I’m sorry.” At its heart, this picture book is a celebration of empathy and compassion that lifts up the flawed fullness of humanity and encourages children to see themselves as part of one big imperfect family—millions strong.

The Cool Bean by Jory John

Everyone knows the cool beans. They’re sooooo cool.

And then there’s the uncool has-bean . . .Always on the sidelines, one bean unsuccessfully tries everything he can to fit in with the crowd—until one day the cool beans show him how it’s done.