Amy Hest

Jessie, who lives with her grandmother in a poor village in the valleys of Eastern Europe, believes that her heart will break when she is unexpectedly chosen by the rabbi to travel to America.

When Jessie Came Across the Sea

Set during World War II, this poignant, briskly paced historical novel relays the events of one extraordinary summer from three engaging points of view. On the morning of the dedication of the new children's library in Belle Beach, Long Island, eleven-year-old Julie Sweet and her six-year-old sister, Martha, find a baby in a basket on the library steps. At the same time, twelve-year-old Bruno Ben-Eli is on his way to the train station to catch the 9:15 train into New York City. He is on an important errand for his brother, who is a soldier overseas in World War II. But when Bruno spies Julie, the same Julie who hasn't spoken to him for sixteen days, heading away from the library with a baby in her arms, he has to follow her. Holy everything, he thinks. Julie Sweet is a kidnapper. Of course, the truth is much more complicated than the children know in this heartwarming and beautifully textured family story by award-winning author Amy Hest. Told in three distinct voices, each with a different take on events, the novel captures the moments and emotions of a life-changing summer -- a summer in which a baby gives a family hope and brings a community together.

The Summer We Found the Baby

Philip C. Stead

Sometimes It's Nice to Be Alone

You Can Do It, Sam (Sam Books)

Remembering Mrs. Rossi

A girl enjoys being with her unmarried Aunt Jess, who lives in Brooklyn.

Fancy Aunt Jess

Bunny and Dog live on opposite sides of the fence. No one says hello. Or hi. But on the night of the shooting star, two doors open ...

On the Night of the Shooting Star

Even after a story, being tucked in, and warm milk, Sam is not ready to go to sleep until his mother kisses him good-night. On board pages.

Kiss Good Night

In a series of journal entries, letters, pictures, and drawings, Katie relates her feelings about her mother, baby brothers, new friends, school, boys, the Italian immigrant she tutors, and growing up.

Who Just Turned 12 on Monday

The Great Green Notebook of Katie Roberts

When Baby Duck is not sure she is ready to get into the pool with the swim team, her grandfather encourages her.

You Can Swim, Baby Duck!

A brand new touch-and-feel novelty story about the ever-popular Baby Duck. Mrs Duck insists that Baby Duck's cosy blanket needs a wash - and that Baby Duck does too Turn the pages and touch and feel her sticky blanket covered in jam, her fluffy tummy, her spongy bath sponge, her soft pink towel and lots more, including her clean, dry cosy blanket right at the end Getting clean has never been such fun

Baby Duck and the Cosy Blanket

Separated from her beloved blanket when her mother decides to wash it, Baby Duck is very sad until she receives her freshly washed and extremely cuddly blanket just before bedtime, in an adorable touch-and-feel tale that combines whimsical watercolor illustrations and lively text.

Baby Duck and the Cozy Blanket

Four award-winning stories capture the bond between toddler and grandparent.

The Baby Duck Stories

When her parents make such a fuss over their new baby, Baby Duck feels neglected, until Grandpa helps her to realize that she is still important.

You're the Boss, Baby Duck!

“Upbeat and chirpy, and decorated with lots of kid-style illustrations, Leo evokes sympathy with a light touch.” — School Library Journal (starred review) The joys and trials of fourth grade —and of life with her father now that her mother is gone — play out in charming letters from Annie to her dog, Leo. Genuine and funny, Amy Hest’s first-person narration revisits a winning young character as she takes on a new year — and a new dog — with humor, honesty, and resilience.

Letters to Leo

How Little Chick longs for her carrot to grow tall, for her kite to fly high, to be able to reach up & take her star from the sky. But her carrot is small, her kite bobs along on the ground & she can't reach her star. Sometimes things just don't turn out quite the way you want them to.

Little Chick

The creators of Charley’s First Night return with a tale of a boy, a puppy, and a grampa — an enchanting picture book bearing all the hallmarks of a classic. Features an audio read-along! It’s a snowy day, and Grampa is coming by train for a visit. Henry can’t wait! He sets out with Charley, his beloved pup, pulling a sled for Grampa’s suitcase. To pass time at the station, Henry tells Charley about Grampa — how he has the longest feet and snores wild, and how he doesn’t know how to be friends with a dog. At last Grampa arrives, but when a sudden gust of wind blows his hat away, Charley disappears into the whirling snow — and returns, to their relief, carrying Grampa’s green cap! With lyrical simplicity, Amy Hest narrates a small, turning moment in the life of a child and a grandparent, while Helen Oxenbury renders every gesture and detail with signature warmth and charm.

When Charley Met Grampa

Every year, in the fall, Gabrielle gets a new coat. And every year her coat looks the same -- navy blue with two rows of buttons and a half belt in the back. But this year Gabrielle wants something different -- a purple coat. "Purple?" Mama laughs. But Gabrielle is quite serious. Alone with Grampa in his cozy tailor shop, Gabrielle does some fast talking. Still, even Grampa is dubious. His solution makes The Purple Coat a very special book, just right for every child who has ever wanted to try something different.

The Purple Coat

Two of our most beloved picture book creators team up to tell a classic story of a child, his new puppy, and a first night home. On Charley’s first night, Henry carries his new puppy in his old baby blanket all the way to his house. He shows Charley every room, saying, "This is home, Charley." He says that a lot so that Charley will know that he is home. Henry’s parents are very clear about who will be walking and feeding Charley (Henry will, and he can’t wait). They are also very clear about where Charley will be sleeping: Charley will be sleeping in the kitchen. But when the crying starts in the middle of the night, Henry knows right away that it’s Charley! And it looks like his parents’ idea about where Charley is going to sleep may have to change. With warmth, humor, and endearing simplicity, Amy Hest tells a tale familiar to everyone who has loved a puppy, while Helen Oxenbury renders each tender gesture and charming detail in a beauty of a book that children will be eager to take home.

Charley's First Night

Lauren Castillo

A boy and his dog hike to the top of a very tall, snowy hill where they play, enjoy a snack, and then share their favorite book before sledding home.

Amy Hest

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