Jackie Azúa Kramer

A shy young girl learns to believe in herself, embrace her culture, and enjoy family time as she learns how to salsa. In the vein of Grandma's Records and Kitchen Dance, this delightful and vibrant picture book is perfect for reading aloud. Each Saturday night, Marisol's family comes together to salsa Everyone--from Mami and Papi to primos, abuelos, and t as--twirls and sways to the catchy rhythm. But ever since Marisol was a baby, her clumsy feet get twisted, and her moves get mixed up. It's better if she just sits and watches everybody else dance. Though, with a little help from Papi and some encouragement from her whole family, maybe Marisol can learn to feel the beat of the instruments from around the world. Acclaimed author Jackie Az a Kramer and award-winning artist Elisa Chavarri tell a heartfelt story about confidence, family, and the music and culture of salsa.

In this powerful story of resilience and hope, one girl observes her community through the changing rhythm of each season. In a town once vibrant but now affected by unemployment and food insecurity, one girl watches the seasons go by. Winter’s rhythm brings hearty soups. Spring’s rhythm brings soft breezes and pale yellow afternoons. Through it all one tree is her steady, generous friend. From acorns and dried leaves, to crocuses, to views of the sky and stars, the tree brings her gifts each season. This soothing and inspiring read uses the rhythms of nature as a metaphor for strength, change, and hope.

“This bilingual counting book uses bold primary colors to depict the diversity and joy of the Bronx” – Foreword Reviews Joining Barefoot’s singalong collection, this upbeat story depicts residents of a high-rise apartment building in the Bronx, New York, who are dancing down to their neighborhood block party. From samba-dancing nurses to reggaeton-loving firefighters, this unique song-story introduces 10 kinds of Latin, Afro-Latin, and African American dance and music from throughout the Americas. Readers can count along in English and Spanish as they visit each floor of the building! Endnotes provide more information about the dance styles. Includes an online access link to original audio and video animation.Types of dance featured:TangoSalsaReggaetonSambaCumbiaMamboHip-hopRumbaMerengueConga

In the vein of Thank You, Omu and Bilal Cooks Daal comes a lyrical and nourishing tale about the importance of food to a community--and value of community to the experience of cooking--as told through the eyes of a young girl helping her t a. Every Saturday, Carina visits T a Mimi in her barrio, which is always humming with life. There is m sica that hums from the windows, old cuentos floating on the breeze, and the honking of cars that creates the soundtrack of the morning. Every Saturday, she loves to make empanadas with her aunt, singing: "I like empanadas I like you Me gustan las empanadas Me gustas t " Not this Saturday though. This Saturday, T a Mimi has gone to volunteer at the neighborhood food center and asks Carina to collect the ingredients all on her own. But maybe, with a little guidance from friends, Carina will be able to help T a Mimi--and learn a little about what connects a community along the way.

A story about seeing, believing wholeheartedly in the extraordinary—unicorns and oneselfTo Manolo, the world is a magical place, a place where he searches for the most magical creature of all: unicorns. Manolo loves unicorns. When the Wild Animal Parade is announced at school, and Manolo declares that he will come as his favorite animal, his classmates say there is no such thing as unicorns, making the world feel ordinary. That is, until Manolo meets a real unicorn—wild and graceful—and discovers that the world is truly extraordinary.

From an award-winning author, a New York Times bestselling artist, and a Coretta Scott King Honor artist, lyrical text about how we are all one is paired with beautiful illustrations of two girls and their families.If you’re a star, I’m a moon.Together we dream.When we are together,we are one.Two girls—one from a city who lives with her mom, and one who lives by the beach with her dads and brother—come together at a lantern festival in a beautiful story of how we are all one, whether near or far, friend or newcomer.From an award-winning trio, this celebration of community, friendship, and the natural world features poetic, lyrical text paired with a vibrant visual tale of two characters, each illustrated by a different artist.

A comical story of imagination and friendship--now available as a paperback Elephant is enjoying a peaceful walk with his green umbrella, when suddenly a Hedgehog says: I believe you have my boat. Elephant listens patiently as Hedgehog insists: I crossed deep oceans . . . tasted the salty spray of whales in that umbrella-boat]. Cat, Bear, and Rabbit soon interrupt Elephant--each claiming that his umbrella is really their tent, flying machine, and cane. Elephant is flabbergasted--after all, it's an umbrella, and it certainly hasn't been on any adventures more exciting than a walk in the rain. Or has it? Jackie Az a Kramer and illustrator Maral Sassouni have created a gem in this fun read-aloud Praise for The Green Umbrella, hardcover edition A 2017 Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year Mom's Choice Award - Gold A 2017 Parents' Choice Silver Honor The lesson about sharing and generosity is elegantly wrapped around lovely language."--Kirkus Reviews

A comical story of imagination, sharing, and friendship--now available in Spanish Elephant is enjoying a peaceful walk with his green umbrella, when suddenly a Hedgehog says: I believe you have my boat. Elephant listens patiently as Hedgehog insists: I crossed deep oceans . . . tasted the salty spray of whales in that umbrella-boat]. Cat, Bear, and Rabbit soon interrupt Elephant--each claiming that his umbrella is really their tent, flying machine, and cane. Elephant is flabbergasted--after all, it's an umbrella, and it certainly hasn't been on any adventures more exciting than a walk in the rain. Or has it? Jackie Az a Kramer and illustrator Maral Sassouni have created a gem in this fun read-aloud Praise for The Green Umbrella, hardcover edition A 2017 Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year Mom's Choice Award - Gold A 2017 Parents' Choice Silver Honor The lesson about sharing and generosity is elegantly wrapped around lovely language."--Kirkus Reviews

A picture book biography about an ordinary New York City couple and their extraordinary collection of art In the heart of Manhattan lived a librarian and a postal clerk who loved art so much that they collected it. Over the years, Dorothy and Herbert brought home hundreds of works of art—from little-known SoHo artists to luminaries such as Chuck Close and Christo and Jeanne-Claude—to their small, empty-walled apartment, much to the curiosity and delight of their eight cats and tank of fish. Their passion for art and support of artists was so impressive, Dorothy and Herbert became famous themselves. And when they gifted their extraordinary collection to the National Gallery of Art, their art became ours, inspiring new generations of artists.

A cheerful story that will make you smile. For happy readers ages 4 years and up. Daisy is excited to be a big sister. She gives her little brother, Miles, lots of toys. Miles loves playing with the toys, being tickled by Dad, and looking at Mom’s silly faces. He smiles and plays with everyone except Daisy. What can Daisy do to get a smile too?

When Estrella's father has to leave because he wasn't born here, like her, She misses him. And she wishes people knew the way it affects her. At home. At school. Always. But a school wrapped around a hundred-year-old oak tree is the perfect place to share and listen. Some kids miss family, Some kids are hungry, Some kids live in shelters. But nobody is alone. A story about deportation, divided families, and the importance of community in the midst of uncertainty.

Un cuento oportuno y conmovedor sobre la incertidumbre que siente una joven cuando deportan a su padre--y la empat a que crece cuando compartimos y nos escuchamos unos a los otros. Cuando el pap de Estrella tiene que irse porque no naci aqu como ella, Estrella lo extra a. Ella desea que la gente supiera como le afecta.En su casa. En la escuela. Siempre. Su escuela rodea un roble centenario, y ese rbol es el lugar perfecto para compartir. Algunos ni os extra an a su familia, algunos ni os tienen hambre, algunos viven en refugios. Pero nadie est solo si otros est n dispuestos a escuchar. Un cuento sobre la deportaci n, familias separadas, y la importancia de comunicad en momentos de incertidumbre. The Spanish edition of this heartfelt story that explores the aftermath of deportation, I Wish You Knew (Ojal supieras).*A Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Children's Book of 2021 *

This profoundly moving tale about a grieving boy and an imaginary gorilla makes real the power of talking about loss.On the day of his mother’s funeral, a young boy conjures the very visitor he needs to see – a gorilla. Wise and gentle, the gorilla stays on to answer the heart-heavy questions the boy hesitates to ask his father: Where did his mother go? Will she come back home? Will we all die? Yet with the gorilla’s friendship, the boy slowly begins to discover moments of comfort in tending flowers, playing catch and climbing trees. Most of all, the gorilla knows that it helps to simply talk about the loss – especially with those who share your grief and who may feel alone too. Author Jackie Azúa Kramer’s quietly thoughtful text and illustrator Cindy Derby’s beautiful impressionistic artwork depict how this tender relationship leads the boy to open up to his father and find a path forward. Told entirely in dialogue, this direct and deeply affecting picture book will inspire conversations about grief, empathy, and healing beyond the final hope-filled scene.

This profoundly moving tale about a grieving boy and an imaginary gorilla makes real the power of talking about loss. On the day of his mother's funeral, a young boy conjures the very visitor he needs to see: a gorilla. Wise and gentle, the gorilla stays on to answer the heart-heavy questions the boy hesitates to ask his father: Where did his mother go? Will she come back home? Will we all die? Yet with the gorilla's friendship, the boy slowly begins to discover moments of comfort in tending flowers, playing catch, and climbing trees. Most of all, the gorilla knows that it helps to simply talk about the loss--especially with those who share your grief and who may feel alone, too. Author Jackie Az a Kramer's quietly thoughtful text and illustrator Cindy Derby's beautiful impressionistic artwork depict how this tender relationship leads the boy to open up to his father and find a path forward. Told entirely in dialogue, this direct and deeply affecting picture book will inspire conversations about grief, empathy, and healing beyond the final hope-filled scene.

"Delightful story to read as a family during the toddler and preschool years." - Pamela Gombert (Librarian) Prunella wakes up on the morning of her birthday and announces, “I’m a big kid now.” She doesn’t want to do any of the things she usually loves. “That’s for babies,” she announces over and over again. Even her favorite doll is abandoned. But what happens when a big kid gets scared during the night? A story about growing up, for little kids and big kids ages 5 years and up. Guided Reading Level K At Clavis, our focus is on what’s best for children. We believe that books play an important role in each new phase in life. Our toddler books are tailored for every stage from 0 to 3 and focus on the five most important themes in their life: daily life, skills, emotions, the world, and language development. The age range and theme of every book in our toddler series can be found on the back cover in the form of a colored train.

"Delightful story to read as a family during the toddler and preschool years." - Pamela Gombert (Librarian) Prunella wakes up on the morning of her birthday and announces, “I’m a big kid now.” She doesn’t want to do any of the things she usually loves. “That’s for babies,” she announces over and over again. Even her favorite doll is abandoned. But what happens when a big kid gets scared during the night? A story about growing up, for little kids and big kids ages 5 years and up. Guided Reading Level K At Clavis, our focus is on what’s best for children. We believe that books play an important role in each new phase in life. Our toddler books are tailored for every stage from 0 to 3 and focus on the five most important themes in their life: daily life, skills, emotions, the world, and language development. The age range and theme of every book in our toddler series can be found on the back cover in the form of a colored train.

"Lulling language, key bedtime trigger words, and gentle repetition are sure to help tiny eyes close. Children will enjoy witnessing Little Mouse's mischief and that of his many toys….A common nighttime predicament with a few not-so-common solutions.” - Kirkus Reviews "Especially notable." - Booklist, Spring Preview "Rest assured, If You Want to Fall Asleep is a dreamy bedtime story that kids will want to hear again and again. It would be a star on any child’s bookshelf.” - Celebrate Picture Books It’s bedtime, but Little Mouse isn’t sleepy. He has tried reading, and snacking, and snuggling, but nothing is helping him fall asleep. Maybe Mama Mouse can help? If you want to fall asleep, what do you do? A wish and a hug and it’s finally time to dream. A sweet picture book about going to bed and falling asleep. For sleepyheads and night owls ages 4 years and up.

"Lulling language, key bedtime trigger words, and gentle repetition are sure to help tiny eyes close. Children will enjoy witnessing Little Mouse's mischief and that of his many toys….A common nighttime predicament with a few not-so-common solutions.” - Kirkus Reviews "Especially notable." - Booklist, Spring Preview "Rest assured, If You Want to Fall Asleep is a dreamy bedtime story that kids will want to hear again and again. It would be a star on any child’s bookshelf.” - Celebrate Picture Books It’s bedtime, but Little Mouse isn’t sleepy. He has tried reading, and snacking, and snuggling, but nothing is helping him fall asleep. Maybe Mama Mouse can help? If you want to fall asleep, what do you do? A wish and a hug and it’s finally time to dream. A sweet picture book about going to bed and falling asleep. For sleepyheads and night owls ages 4 years and up.