You Can't Do That, Amelia! by Kimberly Wagner Klier

Illustrated by Kathleen Kemly.32 p., Calkins Creek, 2008. From the time she is a little girl in Kansas, Amelia (Earhart) dreams big, and has every intention of making her dreams a reality. From her childhood and into her adulthood, people tell her, "You can't do that, Amelia!" Each time, says this book, "But Amelia did" - from building a roller coaster in her backyard, to learning to fly, to participating in the 1929 Women's Air Derby, to flying solo across the Atlantic Ocean. Even when things don't go well, or when she is frightened or discouraged, she persists. The story ends with her triumphant landing in Ireland. An afterword summarizes her life in more detail, and includes a brief description of her final flight. A time line and a list of other biogrraphical resources are also included.With its colorful, upbeat illustrations, this story supports children's capacity for self-confidence, even in situations of prejudice against them. Ages 7-10

Every Year on Your Birthday by Rose Lewis

Illustrated by Jane Dyer. 32 p., Little, Brown, 2007. Adoption can bring special thoughts on a birthday. Every year on her daughter's birthday, a European American mother lovingly remembers all of her daughter's previous birthdays, and how much she has grown up. She imagines her daughter's life in China as a newborn, and remembers her anticipation of adopting her. Together, mother and daughter, who enjoy both American and Chinese traditions, remember the girl's Chinese family, and feel a sense of connection between the two families. Illustrated with watercolor paintings that are both gentle and exuberant, this story celebrates the love of a multicultural adoptive family. Ages 3-6

Willy and Max: A Holocaust Story by Amy Littlesugar

Illustrated by William Low. 40 p., Philomel, 2006. Friendship can transcend war. Willy (who would grow up to become the narrator's Grandpa Will) lived in Belgium, where his parents owned an antique store. A shy little boy, Will wishes he had a friend. His wish comes true when Professor Solomon and his son, Max, visit the store. While Professor Solomon buys a special paining called The Lady, Willy and Max discover that they both like to play hide-and-seek. From then on, the two boys are inseparable. Willy understands that because Max is Jewish, he is in danger from the Nazis. But they don't talk about that. They play in the park, and one Friday, Willy has Shabbos dinner at Max's home. When Max and his father have to leave Antwerp because of Nazi persecution, Willy's father hides The Lady for them. However the Nazi soldiers steal it from them. More than sixty years later, when grandpa Will lives in the United States, a museum calls him, saying they've found something that belongs to him. They had recovered The Lady. With it was a photograph of Willy and Max as boys. The curator has been unable to find Max, and Will asks him to try harder. Eventually, she finds out that Max had died recently, but has a family. There is a moving reunion of the two families at Shabbos dinner. With its warmly-colored mixed-media illustrations that have the feel of oil paintings, this story celebrates the strength of friendship, in spite of war. Ages 7-10

Pepo and Lolo Are Friends by Ana Martín Larrañaga

24 p., Candlewick, 2004. Regardless of their differences and conflicts, friends can still be friends. Pepo, a pig, and Lolo, and chick, are friends. They like to do many of the same things, although sometimes one has better skills. Although they can become angry at each other, this never lasts long, because their friendship is more important. With its simple, expressive, colorful mixed-media illustrations, this story introduces important ideas about friendship to the youngest children. Ages 1-3

Nathan's Wish: A Story About Cerebral Palsy by Laurie Lears

Illustrated by Stacey Schuett. 32 p., Whitman, 2005. When a chronic condition limits what you can do, it's easy to become discouraged. Nathan has cerebral palsy and is unable to move around without a wheelchair or a walker. He wishes more than anything to walk on his own. Nathan's neighbor, Miss Sandy, take care of injured raptors until they're well enough to fly again, and he enjoys watching her, although he wishes he could help, too. Miss Sandy takes care of an owl that Nathan names Fire. Fire has a broken wing, and seems to want very much to fly and to hunt for her own food. It's hard for Nathan to wait for Fire's wing to heal, but finally, she's well enough to try flying in a large cage. At first, she soars, but then she falls to the ground. With empathy and deep sadness, Nathan realizes that she will always need to be in captivity. In the following days, Fire seems depressed. Nathan wants to help. He goes online and finds an article about another owl, nearly blind, who serves as owlets' foster mother. He shares the article with Miss Sandy, who decides to try this with Fire. At first, Fire appears completely uninterested in the nestlings. But one day, she begins to feed them. Nathan comments, "Although Fire's wish to be free can't come true, she has found something important to do. And that give me an idea!" He finds ways to help Miss Sandy after all - filling the birds' baths with a hose and a lot of persistence, taking in the mail, answering her phone and taking messages. Miss Sandy appreciates his help, and he feels very proud. Illustrated with expressive oil paintings, this story offers empathy, support, and encouragement, showing children how to find and make use of their strengths regardless of their limitations. Ages 4-8