The Wonderful Happens by Cynthia Rylant

Illustrated by Coco Dowley. 34 p., Simon and Schuster, 2000.

The author draws the reader's awareness to the wonder of everyday things, such as bread, cats, apples, roses, and pie. She comments that "the wonderful" happens over and over again - including in the existence of the child reader. This book will help to promote children's self-acceptance through a sense of having a place in the world of nature.

Ages: 4-7
Cultural Context: multicultural

All the Colors of the Earth by Sheila Hamanaka

32 p., Morrow, 1994.

This poetically worded book celebrates the many colors that children come in, and the many textures their hair can have. According to the author, like children, love comes in many colors. This book promotes acceptance and appreciation of diversity among people.

Ages: 3-7
Cultural Context: multicultural

Storm in the Night by Mary Stolz

Illustrated by Pat Cummings. 32 pages. Harper and Row, 1988.

During a storm that interrupts electric service, Thomas, about six or seven years old, notices sounds and smells in a way that he hadn't before. Although he says he isn't afraid, his grandfather tells him a story of being fearful during a storm at Thomas's age. As the story goes on, Thomas is able to acknowledge his fear a little, and the storm subsides. Children may be more able to acknowledge their own fears after reading this story.

Ages: 3-8
Cultural Context: African American

The Jewel Box Ballerinas by Monique de Varennes

Illus by Ana Juan. 40 pages. Random House, 2007.

Sometimes the capacity for friendship and caring can be found in unlikely places. Bibi, a wealthy woman who loves fine things, doesn't have any friends. One of her possessions is a bejeweled music box that has two beautiful, but very sad-looking, ballerinas inside. When Bibi eventually acknowledges the ballerinas' sadness, she tries to cheer them up. She kisses them, and although she isn't sure this changes their expressions, she notices that it feels good to her to love them. Trying to make the ballerinas happy, Bibi takes them a on a trip around the world. But she loses the ballerinas. As she searches desperately for them, she says she'd give up all her possessions to have them. At this moment, they grow into real girls as they're reunited with Bibi. She realizes that she has friends - and that friends are all she really needs. Bibi has shown children that friendship is more valuable than ownership of things, and more subtly, that being a friend means treating the other like a person, not an object.

Ages: 4-8
Cultural Context: multicultural

The Edible Pyramid: Good Eating Every Day by Loreen Leedy

32 p., Holiday, 1994.

The Edible Pyramid restaurant opens, and the maitre'd explains the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Guide Pyramid, which recommends food choices for good nutrition. Many examples of each level of the pyramid are shown, and the book includes a helpful discussion of the meaning of serving sizes. This book offers clear, useful information on healthy nutrition, with a positive outlook on fruits and vegetables and the realistic advice to allow small amounts of sweets and fats.

Ages: 5-9
Cultural Context: non-human