I Wish I Were a Butterfly by James Howe

Illustrated by Ed Young. 32 pages. Gulliver/Harcourt Brace, 1987.

Sometimes a lack of appreciation for oneself leads to a wish to be someone else. In I Wish I Were a Butterfly, the littlest cricket in the pond wishes he were a butterfly, because a frog told him that he's ugly. He's so sad that he doesn't want to make music like the other crickets. Other insects tell him the kinds of unhelpful things that people often say to one another; for example, that it's no use to wish to be different, and that he shouldn't pay attention to the frog. He finally learns from the Old One, a spider, that there are more ways to see himself, and that he can take on the compassionate point of view of a friend, not the less-thoughtful point of view of a stranger. This story shows children how to choose a kind, caring perspective from which to see themselves.

Ages: 3-8
Cultural Context: non-human

A New Room for William by Sally Grindley

Illustrated by Carol Thompson. 26 pages. Candlewick, 2000.

As this story begins, William is moving into his new house, and he doesn't like it. He misses his old house, and the view from his old room of the garden he and Dad had there. What is unsaid, and not even hinted at until the very last lines of the book, is that he has moved because his parents have divorced. His mom helps him decorate his new room, and he allows himself to choose new wallpaper instead trying to replicate what he had at his old house. At the same time, he's also allowing himself to make a new friend. Having taken these steps into his new life, he finds himself happy and comfortable. Children will understand that although the changes of divorce are difficult in many ways, positive changes are possible too.

Ages: 4-7
Cultural Context: multicultural

Let's Go Swimming With Mr. Sillypants by M. K. Brown

32 pages. Crown, 1986.

Mr. Sillypants (who wears baggy, bright blue pants with a green and red plaid pattern) has just registered for a swimming class, and finds himself with lots of worries. He makes himself a silly sandwich, worries some more, and goes to bed. He dreams of falling into the water. In his dream, at first, he panics, but then he turns into a fish. Creatures that look a little like the pickles in undersea sandwiches, with olives for eyes, attack him. He's saved by the bell - of his alarm clock - and wakes up confident that everything will be all right in his swim class. In fact, it is fine, even though he's the only adult. This story shows a way to use imagination to be amused by your fears about swimming lessons, which seem quite manageable and ordinary after all the weirdness of Mr. Sillypants' dream.

Ages: 4-7
Cultural Context: multicultural

PJ and Puppy by Cathryn Falwell

26 pages. Clarion, 1997.

PJ has a new potty and a new puppy. PJ and the puppy learn together: PJ to use the potty, and the puppy to use newspapers. They both have accidents while playing, but then wake up dry from naps, and use their respective toilet facilities, inspiring pride in PJ's mother. This amusing book is has very little, and very simple, text. Children can learn along with PJ and the puppy.

Ages: 1-3
Cultural Context: European American