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Check out these recommended reads, hand-picked by library staff just for readers like you!

 

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Audience

Quiet Power

Susan Cain

The monumental bestseller Quiet has been recast in a new edition that empowers introverted kids and teens 

Susan Cain sparked a worldwide conversation when she published Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking. With her inspiring book, she permanently changed the way we see introverts and the way introverts see themselves.

The original book focused on the workplace, and Susan realized that a version for and about kids was also badly needed. This book is all about kids' world—school, extracurriculars, family life, and friendship. You’ll read about actual kids who have tackled the challenges of not being extroverted and who have made a mark in their own quiet way. You’ll hear Susan Cain’s own story, and you’ll be able to make use of the tips at the end of each chapter. There’s even a guide at the end of the book for parents and teachers.

This insightful, accessible, and empowering book, illustrated with amusing comic-style art, will be eye-opening to extroverts and introverts alike.

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Sometimes I Feel Angry

Jaclyn Jaycox

What does it mean to be angry? Anger may not make us feel good, but it's an emotion everybody has! Children will learn how to identify when they are angry and ways to manage their feelings. Large, vivid photos help illustrate what anger looks like. A mindfulness activity will give kids an opportunity to explore their feelings.

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Why Do We Cry?

Fran Pintadera

This thoughtful, poetic book uses metaphors and beautiful imagery to explore the reasons for our tears. In a soft voice, Mario asks, “Mother, why do we cry?” And his mother begins to tell him about the many reasons for our tears. We cry because our sadness is so huge it must escape from our bodies. We cry because we don’t understand the world, and our tears go in search of an answer. Most important, she tells him, we cry because we feel like crying. And, as she shows him then, sometimes we feel like crying for joy. This warm, reassuring hug of a book makes clear that everyone is allowed to cry, and that everyone does.

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The War that Saved My Life

Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

* Newbery Honor Book
* Forbes 25 Top Historical Fiction Books Of All Time selection
* #1 New York Times Bestseller
* Winner of the Schneider Family Book Award 
* Wall Street Journal Best Children's Books of the Year selection
* New York Public Library's 100 Books for Reading and Sharing selection
* A Kirkus Reviews Best Middle Grade Book of the Century

An exceptionally moving story of triumph against all odds set during World War II, from the acclaimed author of Fighting Words, and for fans of Fish in a Tree and Number the Stars.

Ten-year-old Ada has never left her one-room apartment. Her mother is too humiliated by Ada’s twisted foot to let her outside. So when her little brother Jamie is shipped out of London to escape the war, Ada doesn’t waste a minute—she sneaks out to join him.

So begins a new adventure for Ada, and for Susan Smith, the woman who is forced to take the two kids in. As Ada teaches herself to ride a pony, learns to read, and watches for German spies, she begins to trust Susan—and Susan begins to love Ada and Jamie. But in the end, will their bond be enough to hold them together through wartime? Or will Ada and her brother fall back into the cruel hands of their mother?

This masterful work of historical fiction is equal parts adventure and a moving tale of family and identity—a classic in the making.

"Achingly lovely...Nuanced and emotionally acute."The Wall Street Journal
"Unforgettable...unflinching."—Common Sense Media 
"Touching...Emotionally charged." Forbes
★ “Brisk and honest...Cause for celebration.”Kirkus, starred review
★ "Poignant."Publishers Weekly, starred review
★ "Powerful."The Horn Book, starred review
"Affecting."Booklist
"Emotionally satisfying...[A] page-turner."BCCB
“Exquisitely written...Heart-lifting.”SLJ
"Astounding...This book is remarkable."—Karen Cushman, author The Midwife's Apprentice
"Beautifully told."—Patricia MacLachlan, author of Sarah, Plain and Tall
"I read this novel in two big gulps."—Gary D. Schmidt, author of Okay for Now
"I love Ada's bold heart...Her story's riveting."—Sheila Turnage, author of Three Times Lucky

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How Do Dinosaurs Say I'm Mad?

Jane Yolen

R-O-A-R! What happens when little dinosaurs get mad? And how do they calm down?

 

Brimming with humor, this sparkling new book handles a timeless children's topic with wit and wisdom. Romp and stomp! Roar and slam! Almost everyone gets angry. But how can young dinosaurs also learn to calm down, take a time out, and behave?The award-winning team of Yolen and Teague have created a fun, engaging book sure to help children handle anger and frustration. Readers will laugh at the antics of an Afrovenator's tantrum and a storming Pachyrhinosaurus.Anger can be difficult to talk about with your child, but even when little dinosaurs are furious, it's important to help them handle their feelings and remind them they are always loved. With the same warmth, charm, and humor in all the bestselling How Do Dinosaurs books, here is the perfect way to say, "I'm sorry--and I love you."

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Big Boys Cry

Jonty Howley

Let boys cry! This picture book imagines a world in which boys are encouraged to express their full range of emotions.

It's Levi's first day at a new school, and he's scared. His father tries to comfort Levi by telling him "Big boys don't cry." Though the father immediately understands his misstep, he can't find the words to comfort his son, and Levi leaves for school, still in need of reassurance.

Fortunately, along his walk to school, Levi sees instance after instance of grown men openly expressing their sadness and fear. His learned mantra, "Big boys don't cry," slowly weakens, and by the time he's at school he releases a tear. Once he's there, things aren't so bad after all, and on his walk home he sees everyone he's encountered earlier, feeling better now that they expressed their emotions. Upon his arrival home, he finds his father waiting for him on their porch, tears in his eyes. His father is able to admit that he was scared and the two embrace, closer than before.

Jonty Howley's gorgeous debut paints the world we wish existed for our boys, and offers a path there! This story is the truest interpretation of the notion that we should "let boys be boys": let them express the full range of their emotions, vulnerable parts and all!

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A Thousand No's

D. J. Corchin

This empowering picture book teaches readers that even great ideas sometimes get a NO-but that NO can actually help great ideas become the best ideas! An affirming graduation gift for your loved ones!

There was a little girl who had a great idea. She had the most amazing, superb, best idea ever!
NO? Wait, what do you mean NO? NO again?
What is she supposed to do with all these NO's?
NO after NO after NO come the little girl's way, twisting and squishing her idea. But by persevering, collaborating and using a little imagination, all those NO's become the building blocks for the biggest YES ever!

A Thousand NO's is a story about perseverance and innovation. It shows what amazing things can happen if we work with others and don't give up, and teaches kids not to let expectations of how things should be get in the way of what could be.

Perfect for anyone looking for-
preschool graduation gifts
kindergarten graduation gifts
books about perseverance
children's books explaining how 'no' isn't always a bad thing

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In My Heart

Jo Witek

New York Times Bestseller!
“A must-have for any storytime.” ―Kirkus Reviews
“Childlike drawings evoke each feeling with a playful style.” ―Publishers Weekly
“Evocative imagery, popping with bright colors.” —School Library Journal

Happiness, sadness, bravery, anger, shyness . . . celebrate feelings in all their shapes and sizes in this full-color picture book from the Growing Hearts series!

Our hearts can feel so many feelings! Some make us feel as light as a balloon, others as heavy as an elephant. In My Heart explores a full range of emotions, describing how they feel physically, inside, with language that is lyrical but also direct to empower readers to practice articulating and identifying their own emotions.

With whimsical illustrations and an irresistible die-cut heart that extends through each spread, this gorgeously packaged and unique feelings book is sure to become a storytime and bedtime favorite. It will not only help your little boy or girl understand his or her feelings, but you may also hear, “Read it again! Read it again!” when you think it’s time for bed.

The Growing Hearts series celebrates the milestones of a toddler’s emotional development, from conquering fears and expressing feelings to welcoming a new sibling.

Read them all!
Hello in There: A Big Sister’s Book of Waiting
In My Heart: A Book of Feelings
Brave As Can Be: A Book of Courage
All My Treasures: A Book of Joy
In My Room: A Book of Creativity and Imagination
With My Daddy: A Book of Love and Family
My Little Gifts: A Book of Sharing
My Tree and Me: A Book of Seasons
 

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How to Master Your Mood in Middle School

Lenka Glassman, PsyD

“Smart and essential!”—Jeff Kinney, author of Diary of a Wimpy Kid series

"They used to tell kids to chant 'sticks and stones' or 'just ignore it.' It didn't work. This book helps kids find the opposite approach: don't ignore it; understand it."—Tom Angleberger, Origami Yoda

Some kids sail through their middle school years without any drama, but most kids get stuck on a rollercoaster of up and down moods. How is it possible to feel sad and happy at the same time? Why is everything so embarrassing? How does one eye-roll from a friend make you suddenly doubt everything about yourself?

The truth is you are growing into the amazing person you are meant to be and your many moods and emotions are helping you figure it all out. Not everyone nerds out on mood and emotions, but this book is packed with cool brain science and info on mental health and wellness, plus real-life stories from kids your age, you'll learn something about yourself without even trying! Soon you'll be an expert on YOU and will figure out what your emotions and feelings are saying. Soon you'll staying cool and calm during really tough moments knowing that you can handle anything. And all that adds up to feeling so much lighter and more confident about yourself and your future.

Kid Confident Book 2: How to Master Your MOOD in Middle School is part of an awesome nonfiction book series developed with expert psychologist and series editor, Bonnie Zucker, PsyD, that authentically captures the middle school experience. These books skillfully guide middle schoolers through those tricky years between elementary and high school with a supporting voice of a trusted big sister or a favorite aunt, stealthily offering life lessons and evidence-based coping skills. Readers of Telgemeir's Guts will recognize similar mental health and wellness strategies and fans of Patterson's Middle School series will appreciate the honest look at the uncertainty and chaos that middle graders can bring. Kid Confident offers what kids need to have fun with it all and navigate middle school with confidence, humor, perspective, and feel our mad respect for being the amazing humans they already are.

Books in the series:
Kid Confident (Book #1): How to Manage Your SOCIAL POWER in Middle School by Bonnie Zucker, PsyD
Kid Confident (Book #2): How to Master Your MOOD in Middle School by Lenka Glassman, PsyD
Kid Confident (Book #3): How to Handle STRESS for Middle School Success by Silvi Guerra, PsyD
Kid Confident (Book #4): How to NAVIGATE Middle School by Anna Pozzatti, PhD & Bonnie Massimino, MEd

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I'm Happy-Sad Today

Lory Britain

This friendly picture book helps young children make sense of mixed-up emotions.



Happy, and also sad. Excited, but nervous too. Feeling friendly, with a little shyness mixed in. Mixed feelings are natural, but they can be confusing. There are different kinds of happy--the quiet kind and the "noisy, giggly, jump and run" kind. And there are conflicting feelings, like proud and jealous, frustrated and determined. With gentle messaging and charming illustrations, a little girl talks about her many layered feelings, ultimately concluding, "When I have more than one feeling inside me, I don't have to choose just one. I know that all my feelings are okay at the same time." A special section for adults presents ideas for helping children explore their emotions, build a vocabulary of feeling words, know what to do if they feel overwhelmed, and more.

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The Worry Balloon

Mónica Mancillas

A thoughtful and reassuring picture book about how one child experiences anxiety, and what kids can do to manage their worries. Perfect for social-emotional learning and Back to School reading, The Worry Balloon includes a guide for kids to build their own worry tool bag that children and caregivers alike can use when faced with anxiety and change. 

On the first day of school, Isla’s mind plays the what if game. Scary thoughts come, the world goes dark, and everything feels stormy. 

With Mami at her side, Isla takes a deep breath and blows her worries away in a big balloon. But as school gets closer, Isla’s worries come back like a tornado. Mami encourages her to imagine something happy, and Isla remembers there’s nothing she can’t handle.

The storm might come again, but for now, her mind is quiet.

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Dr. Color Monster and the Emotions Toolkit

Anna Llenas

Featuring the endearing and gentle Color Monster as a guide, this installment of the bestselling series teaches kids and parents practical tips for self-soothing and emotion regulation.



Today, Nuna doesn't feel quite right. So, she pays a visit to the Color Monster: an emotions doctor who helps diagnose big, challenging feelings. After he recognizes and gives a name to what we feel, this kind and gentle Monster (with the help of his emotions toolkit!) leads Nuna and readers down a path of mindfulness, self-healing, and mental well-being.



* Includes two GIANT foldout pages featuring more than 30 effective, accessible, and practical tools for soothing strong emotions!

* Strategies work for readers of all ages to calm and center hearts and minds

* The creator draws from her background in art therapy to offer both reassuring and transformative advice to readers

* Backmatter for caregivers about understanding emotional regulation is included



Read all three books about The Color Monster!

The Color Monster

The Color Monster Goes to School

Dr. Color Monster and the Emotions Toolkit

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The Rhino Suit

Colter Jackson

When a little girl feels like the pain of the world is too much, she builds a tough-skinned rhino suit to protect herself.

When one little girl sees litter in the streets, an animal without shelter, and the pain of a parent, the weight of the world feels like too much to bear. She feels everything so deeply, it makes her want to hide.

One day, when the tenderness and pain of the world feel like they are more than she can handle, she has a grand idea. She decides to build a rhino suit to keep herself safe.

Inside the rhino’s armor, the pain of the world is easy for the girl to ignore—but the beauty and joy that the world has to offer are hidden from her, too. And soon, she finds that the rhino suit blocks off her ability to help. Maybe living without thick skin is worth the risk ...

With soft and emotive illustrations and a story that will open hearts, The Rhino Suit is about moving from fear to courageousness, from brokenness to wholeness, and from feeling shut down to letting all of life in.

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Sometimes, All I Need Is Me

Juliana Perdomo

Gentle themes of resiliency, mindfulness, and self-care are brought home in this sweet and soulful picture book with charmingly graphic illustrations and a poetic text.

I love listening to music, especially samba!
It feels like my heart follows the beat.

Meet a young girl who loves her cozy home. It smells like cinnamon tea and feels like warm pajamas. But even when she’s away from home, and everything is different, she finds a way to become her own home, where she feels calm. At night, when it’s too dark and her feet are cold, her room can be a little scary. But she creates her own light when she closes her eyes and thinks of the sun. With friendliness and charm, Juliana Perdomo, in her debut as author-illustrator, shows young readers how to find comfort and confidence within. Her heartwarming picture book reassures children that sometimes, everything we need—courage, joy, peace, and love—is already inside us.

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