Rebecca Reads: Lovely by Jess Hong

Rebecca Reads: Lovely by Jess Hong

Big, small, curly, straight, loud, quiet, smooth, wrinkly. Lovely explores a world of differences that all add up to the same thing: we are all lovely! This book celebrates diversity and showcases people of all different shapes, sizes, genders, ethnicities, people with prosthetic legs, people with braces, people with tattoos, people who wear glasses, people who use wheelchairs, and the list goes on, reminding us that our uniqueness is part of what makes us beautiful.

Written and Illustrated by Jess Hong

You can find this book in your local library or bookstore! Great for ages 2-7.

Rebecca Reads: Daddy, Papa, and Me by Lesléa Newman

Rebecca Reads: Daddy, Papa, and Me by Lesléa Newman

Rhythmic text and illustrations with universal appeal show a toddler spending the day with their daddies. From hide-and-seek to dress-up, then bath time and a kiss goodnight, there's no limit to what a loving family can do together. A sweet way to embrace some of the different ways a family can look.

By Lesléa Newman

Illustrated by Carol Thompson

You can find this book in your local library or bookstore! Great for ages 1-4.

Rebecca Reads: The Tree Lady by H. Joseph Hopkins

Rebecca Reads: The Tree Lady by H. Joseph Hopkins

Unearth the true story of green-thumbed pioneer and activist Kate Sessions, who helped San Diego grow from a dry desert town into a lush, leafy city known for its gorgeous parks and gardens.

Katherine Olivia Sessions never thought she’d live in a place without trees. But after becoming the first woman to graduate from the University of California with a degree in science, she took a job as a teacher in San Diego, where there were almost no trees.

Kate decided that San Diego needed trees more than anything else. So this trailblazing young woman singlehandedly started a massive movement that transformed the town into the green, garden-filled oasis it is today. Now, more than 100 years after Kate first arrived in San Diego, her gorgeous gardens and parks can be found all over the city.

Themes include following your dreams, using your talents, girls in STEM, and staying strong in the face of adversity.

By H. Joseph Hopkins

Illustrated by Jill McElmurry

You can find this book in your local library or bookstore! Great for ages 3-9.

Rebecca Reads: I Don't Want Curly Hair!

Rebecca Reads: I Don't Want Curly Hair! by Laura Ellen Anderson

All Curly Haired Girl has ever wanted is straight and luscious locks, but when she meets a little girl with the smoothest, silkiest hair, who says all she's ever wanted is spirally, squiggly hair, they are BOTH confused!

A hilarious tale about loving what we have. And hair, lots and lots of hair.

Written and Illustrated by Laura Ellen Anderson

You can find this book in your local library or bookstore! Great for ages 1-7.

Rebecca Reads: Eyes that Kiss in the Corners by Joanna Ho

Rebecca Reads: Eyes that Kiss in the Corners by Joanna Ho

A young Asian girl notices that her eyes look different from her peers'. They have big, round eyes and long lashes. She realizes that her eyes are like her mother’s, her grandmother's, and her little sister's. They have eyes that kiss in the corners and glow like warm tea, crinkle into crescent moons, and are filled with stories of the past and hope for the future.

Drawing from the strength of these powerful women in her life, she recognizes her own beauty and discovers a path to self-love and empowerment. 

A #1 New York Times bestseller.

By Joanna Ho

Illustrated by Dung Ho

You can find this book in your local library or bookstore! Great for ages 2-8.

Rebecca Reads: I am Enough by Grace Byers

Rebecca Reads: I am Enough by Grace Byers

This book is an ode to loving who you are, respecting others, and being kind to one another. These inspiring phrases are designed to help children claim their inner courage and power. Regardless of one's looks, abilities, or beliefs, every child is unique, able, and worthy of respect.

We are all here for a purpose. We are more than enough. We just need to believe it.
A #1 New York Times bestseller and Goodreads Choice Awards picture book winner!

By Empire actor and activist Grace Byers
Illustrated by talented artist Keturah A. Bobo

You can find this book in your local library or bookstore! Great for ages 3-8.

Rebecca Reads: Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon

Rebecca Reads: Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon by Patty Lovell

Be yourself like Molly Lou Melon.

Molly Lou Melon is short and clumsy, has buck teeth, and has a voice that sounds like a bullfrog being squeezed by a boa constrictor. She doesn't mind. Her grandmother has always told her to walk proud, smile big, and sing loud, and she takes that advice to heart.

But then Molly Lou has to start in a new school. A horrible bully picks on her on the very first day, but Molly Lou Melon knows just what to do about that.

By Patty Lovell

Illustrated by David Catrow

Rebecca Reads: Hands & Hearts

Rebecca Reads: Hands & Hearts by Donna Jo Napoli

A mother and daughter spend a day at the beach together where they swim, dance, build sandcastles, and, most importantly, communicate. But their communication is not spoken; rather, it is created by loving hands that use American Sign Language.

Readers will learn how to sign 15 words using American Sign Language with the help of sidebars in a gentle introduction to some basic words in ASL.

By Donna Jo Napoli

Illustrated by Amy Bates

Rebecca Reads: Imani's Moon

Rebecca Reads: Imani's Moon by JaNay Brown-Wood

Little Imani is the smallest one in her village. The other children make fun of her and tell her she’s too tiny, that she’s an ant, that a meerkat might stomp her, and that she’ll never amount to anything. Imani begins to believe them.

At bedtime, Imani’s mama tells her traditional Maasai stories about the moon goddess Olapa and Anansi the spider. They accomplished the impossible. When Imani decides she wants to touch the moon, she works hard to reach her goal, even though it seems impossible. Imani works up the courage and confidence in herself to achieve big things, proving size is not a measure of what a person can accomplish.

By JaNay Brown-Wood

Illustrated by Hazel Mitchell

Rebecca Reads: Dancing Hands, How Teresa Carreño Played the Piano for President Lincoln

Rebecca Reads: Dancing Hands, How Teresa Carreño Played the Piano for President Lincoln

As a little girl, Teresa Carreño loved to let her hands dance across the beautiful keys of the piano. If she felt sad, music cheered her up, and when she was happy, the piano helped her share that joy. Soon she was writing her own songs and performing in grand cathedrals. Then a revolution in Venezuela forced her family to flee to the United States. Teresa felt lonely in this unfamiliar place, where few of the people she met spoke Spanish. Worst of all, there was fighting in her new home, too—the Civil War.

Still, Teresa kept playing, and soon she grew famous as the talented Piano Girl who could play anything from a folk song to a sonata. So famous, in fact, that President Abraham Lincoln wanted her to play at the White House! Could Teresa’s music bring comfort to those who needed it most?

By Margarita Engle

Illustrated by Rafael López

Rebecca Reads: Evelyn Del Rey Is Moving Away

Rebecca Reads: Evelyn Del Rey Is Moving Away by Meg Medina

Newbery Medalist and New York Times best-selling author Meg Medina writes about the power of friendship. Evelyn Del Rey is Daniela’s best friend. They do everything together and even live in twin apartments across the street from each other: Daniela with her mami and hamster, and Evelyn with her mami, papi, and cat. But not after today—not after Evelyn moves away. The girls promise to keep in touch, because they know that their friendship will always be special.

By Meg Medina

Illustrated by Sonia Sánchez

Rebecca Reads: Mindful Bea and the Worry Tree

Rebecca Reads: Mindful Bea and the Worry Tree

Bea is anxiously waiting for her friends to show up for her birthday party. The worries start to grow around her like tree branches. She asks herself questions like, "What if my friends don't like the games?" Her stomach flip-flops and she feels shaky. She tries to run away from the thoughts in the worry tree, but it doesn't work!

Bea uses deep-breathing exercises and visualization techniques to calm herself down.

By Gail Silver
Illustrated by Franziska Höllbacher

Rebecca Reads: In My Heart, a book of feelings

Rebecca Reads: In My Heart, a book of feelings, by Jo Witek

Celebrate feelings in all their shapes and sizes in this read aloud of the bestselling picture book from the Growing Hearts series!

Have you ever felt happiness, sadness, bravery, anger or shyness? Our hearts can feel so many feelings! In My Heart explores a full range of emotions, describing how they feel inside, and empowering young readers to practice identifying their own emotions.

The Growing Hearts series celebrates the milestones of a toddler’s emotional development.

By Jo Witek

Illustrations by Christine Roussey

Rebecca Reads: Dancing in the Wings

Rebecca Reads: Dancing in the Wings by Debbie Allen

Sassy is a long-legged girl who always has something to say. She wants to be a ballerina more than anything, but she worries that her too-large feet, too-long legs, and even her big mouth will keep her from her dream.

When a famous teacher comes to visit her class, Sassy does her best to get his attention with her high jumps and bright leotard. Her first attempts are definitely not appreciated, but with Sassy's persistence, she just might be able to win him over as she learns that she is enough just as she is.

Dancing in the Wings is loosely based on actress/choreographer Debbie Allen's own experiences as a young dancer.

Rebecca Reads: One Lonely Seahorse

Rebecca Reads: One Lonely Seahorse by Joost Elfers and Saxton Freymann

In a counting book by the creators of 'How Are You Peeling?' where everything is sculpted from food, one lonely sea horse, Bea, is sad that she doesn't have underwater friends. She learns that she has a lot of friends as each page turns - friends she can really "count" on.

Great for 2-6 year olds

By Joost Elfers and Saxton Freymann

Rebecca Reads: The Skin You Live In

Rebecca Reads: The Skin You Live In by Michael Tyler

This story delivers an important message of social acceptance to young readers. Themes associated with child development and social harmony, such as friendship, acceptance, self-esteem, and diversity are promoted. This delightful picturebook offers a wonderful venue through which parents and teachers can discuss important social concepts with their children and emphasizes that our uniqueness makes us special.

Great for 2-8 year olds

By Michael Tyler

Illustrations by Chris Raschka

Rebecca Reads: The Hello, Goodbye Window

Rebecca Reads: The Hello, Goodbye Window by Norton Juster

The kitchen window at Nanna and Poppy's house is, for one little girl, a magic gateway. Everything important happens near it, through it, or beyond it.

Told in her voice, her story is both a voyage of discovery and a celebration of the commonplace wonders that define childhood, expressed as a joyful fusion of text with evocative and exuberant illustrations which Chris Raschka won the Caldecott Medal for in 2006. This is a love song devoted to that special relationship between grandparents and grandchild.

Great for 2-8 year olds

By Norton Juster

Illustrations by Chris Raschka

Rebecca Reads: The Mixed Up Chameleon

Rebecca Reads: The Mixed Up Chameleon by Eric Carle

From Eric Carle, the New York Times bestselling author of The Very Hungry Caterpillar and The Grouchy Ladybug, comes a colorful and inventive book about a changing chameleon that wants to be a little bit of everything.

There once was a small green chameleon that wished to be handsome like a flamingo, smart like a fox, and funny like a seal. But with each transformation in size, shape, and color, the chameleon learns that maybe being yourself is best of all!

Great for 3-8 year olds

By Eric Carle

Illustrations by Eric Carle

Rebecca Reads: ish

Rebecca Reads: ish by Peter H. Reynolds

A creative spirit learns that thinking "ish-ly" is far more wonderful than "getting it right."

Ramon loved to draw. Anytime. Anything. Anywhere. Drawing is what Ramon does. It's what makes him happy. But in one split second, all that changes. A single reckless remark by Ramon's older brother, Leon, turns Ramon's carefree sketches into joyless struggles. Luckily for Ramon, though, his little sister, Marisol, sees the world differently. She opens his eyes to something a lot more valuable than getting things just "right."

Great for 3-8 year olds

By Peter H. Reynolds

Illustrations by Peter H. Reynolds

Rebecca Reads: My Very Own Space

Rebecca Reads: My Very Own Space by Pippa Goodhart

A little rabbit is trying to read a book in peace, but there's so much going on around them! Maybe they need some space just for themselves. . .

With minimal text accompanying beautiful and sweet illustrations, this charming picture book explores ideas of personal space and sharing in a way that even very young children can enjoy. It sweetly encapsulates the spirit of this tale about personal space, featuring a little rabbit who gets cross because they want some peace, but soon craves the companionship of others.

Great for 3-5 year olds

By Pippa Goodhart

Illustrations by Rebecca Crane