I'll See You In the Morning by Mike Jolley

Illustrated by Mique Moriuchi. 32 p., 2005. Sometimes all that's needed at bedtime is a caring adult's presence and a reassuring metaphor. In this sweet book, the adult narrator gives lots of assurance that s/he will stay nearby, and describes the night as "a blanket that helps the earth to sleep," uniting the child with all the gentle creatures in the world who are under it. With its colorful, childlike, soothing illustrations, this book offers a sense of safety and calm at bedtime. Ages 0-5

The Language of Doves by Rosemary Wells

Illustrated by Greg Shed. 32 p., Dial, 1996. Julietta's grandfather gives her a dove for her sixth birthday, and Julietta names her Isabella. Her grandfather tells her how he kept doves at the monastery where he was raised as an orphan. One dove, also named Isabella, is very special to him. At the age of nine, along with his doves, he is drafted into World War I to send messages within the army. His Isabella is seriously injured, yet manages to come home to him. He cares for her and keeps her safe. Just after Julietta turns nine, her grandfather dies. Her Isabella, who was at his house, has been sold with his other doves to an out-of-state breeder. Yet she returns home to Julietta, bearing a message of love and hope from Grandfather. This story offers children hope of maintaining connections and caring in spite of war, and beyond death. Ages 7-11

Bearcub and Mama by Sharon Jennings

Illustrated by Mélanie Watt. 32 p., Kids Can, 2005. Part of growing up is to move from having a parent literally with you to having that parent in your heart. Bearcub learns this as he grows. First, he always follows his mama. As he gets a little older, he starts to explore on his own. When he gets caught in a storm, he howls for Mama, but she doesn't find him. He realizes that he should go home, finds his scent, and follows his trail back to his den. Mama isn't there, but her scent comforts him, and he remembers that she'd told him that storms always pass. And in the morning, Mama has returned. Bearcub proudly tells her that he remembered that storms pass. Now he has her with him inside, in his memories and thoughts. Illustrated with tender acrylic paintings, this story helps children take love and security with them wherever they go. Ages 3-6

Boundless Grace by Mary Hoffman

Illustrated by Caroline Binch. 28 p., Dial, 1995. When your family doesn't fit with the images of families that you're exposed to, it can be confusing. And it can be even more confusing to meet a father whom you haven't seen since you were very little. Grace lives with her ma and her nana in the United States, and sees herself as not having a father. But she does have a father, and he lives in Africa with Grace's stepmother and young stepsister and stepbrother.Grace is surprised when he sends her tickets for Nana and her to visit him there. At first, Grace feels as if she doesn't belong in this family - they're complete without her, and this family has the "wrong" mother. But she finds that she can't help liking her step-siblilngs. She feels that she has to be annoyed with someone, though, and, having read stories about wicked stepmothers, chooses her stepmother, Jatou. Once her father reassures her of his love for her, she's able to like Jatou, and to enjoy African cultural experiences. But she misses Ma, and feels homesick when they talk on the phone. She feels as if there isn't enough of her for two familieis. Nana assures her that there's plenty of her. By the time her visit is drawing to a close, Grace has begun to see her family as normal, not as a family that should fit the mold of those in the stories she's read. She decides that the story of her family will end with living happily ever after, "though not all in the same place." The pencil and watercolor illustrations are evocative of Grace's feelings and the closeness of her relationships. With Grace, children will understand that there are all kinds of families, and "families are what you make them." Ages 5-8