2nd Grade (Age 7)

Here, ideal for African-American History Month, is a stunningly beautiful book consisting of portraits-in pictures and words-of twenty outstanding African-Americans. The individuals range from historical to contemporary figures, such as the dancer Judith Jamison, and represent diverse fields of endeavor, from the law (Supreme Court justice Thurgood Marshall) to athletics, science, and more. For each individual, there is a three-page biography by the noted author Tonya Bolden and a striking black-and-white portrait that captures not only the subject’s likeness but is a work of art in itself. A book to inspire, to teach, or to display, with its large trim …

The celebrated author of The Moosewood cookbooks offers deliciously healthy recipes for young chefs in this attractive and kid-friendly cookbook. Each recipe (there are nineteen plus a few extra ideas) has three parts: an adult preparation section, a printed version of the recipe, and a two-page comic-like sequence showing the steps from “Beginning” to “Eat!” Along the way chef Katzen and preschool teacher Henderson share their wisdom about kids in the kitchen, kids being safe, and kids’ relationship with food. Try it all-the food-the kitchen tips-the advice-it’s all delicious-even if it isn’t all as easy as it looks.

Puff, the Magic Dragon is simply one of the most beloved songs of all time—a classic that’s become as much a part of the childhood experience as Mother Goose and fairy tales. Yet singer/songwriter Peter Yarrow and co-composer Lenny Lipton have never allowed a picture book adaptation of this magical tale…until now. With Yarrow’s and Lipton’s blessing, Puff, Jackie Paper, and the land of Honalee finally live on the page. The exquisite package includes a cloth case with a tipped-in illustration and an embossed jacket with foil touches, as well as an exclusive CD featuring not only Puff, but several …

The follow-up to the popular Pinkalicious features another full-scale color crisis. Pinkalicious, true to her name, still loves pink, but all her female classmates much prefer black. In fact, these narrow-minded girls have ostracized their former friend. Being blackballed gives Pinkalicious a bad case of the blues. Can she ever recover her hue? A cute story about peer pressure and being yourself.

First Lady Laura Bush and daughter Jenna collaborate in this entertaining picture book about the joys and benefits of reading. At the center of the adventure is Good Day Elementary School student Tyrone. Like many other young boys, restless Ty dreads classroom story time. Things change suddenly, however, when a mysterious disappearance sets Tyrone and his buddies off on an exciting search.

Red Riding Hood is taking a basket of 12 cookies to Grandma, but along the way she encounters nursery rhyme and fairy tale characters who request some of the goodies. At each character’s request, the reader turns the wheel and chooses the amount of cookies (0, 1, or 2) to share and, at the end, figures out how many cookies are left for Grandma. This interactive book can be read several times with many different outcomes. Give children actual or make- believe cookies (template provided in book) to figure out the math as you read the book aloud. Suggestions for …

A New Orleans community helps one family raise their rent — by raising the roof! When Sonny’s mom is “let go” from work, there’s just no way to pay the rent. Sonny tries to help by shoveling coal, but the ten cents he earns isn’t enough. Smilin’ Jack, a trumpet player, offers to plan a rent party to raise the needed money. Neighbors bring food to eat and then sing and dance as Smilin’ Jack plays jazz. As the party heats up, guests toss coins in a bucket and their collection raises the rent money — and the community’s spirits! …

Fact-filled poetry and prose, accompanied by exquisite watercolor illustrations, communicate the importance of nasi (rice) to the people of Bali. As children turn the pages they will join the Balinese in the sawahs, or rice fields, as they grow this life-sustaining grain.