Cari Best

"Zulay is a blind girl who longs to be able to run in the race on field and track day at her school"--

My Three Best Friends and Me, Zulay

Rosemary knows what it's like to be an only child: there are grownups everywhere! Brothers and sisters are what she wants. Even when they argue, it's like belonging to a special club, she thinks. How can she get a larger, more lively family? Rosemary is stumped, until she discovers some "only" creatures and figures out a way to bring home what's missing in her life. Humorous illustrations that pop with personality show Rosemary growing from a bewildered baby surrounded by too many hovering adults to a confident backyard ringmaster who proves that being an only child can be fun!

What's So Bad About Being an Only Child?

A little English, a little Russian, and a lot of heart make a birthday celebration you won't want to miss! When Sara's grandma, Catherine the Great, suddenly announces, "This year for my birthday, I want no presents! I have music in my Russian bones, and laughing in my heart. I have the day and the night, and I have all of you," Sara is surprised. How can Grandma have a birthday party with no presents?" Her mama explains that a NO PRESENT can be anything from a kiss or a hug to a game of gin rummy -- as long as it comes from deep inside you. But what kind of NO PRESENT would be good enough for Catherine the Great? Mr. Minsky, Monica, and her dad, Mary Caruso and her baby, Mimmo, already have good ideas. But it isn't until Sara is surrounded by Grandma's bundles of Russian newspapers and books that she gets her won idea: She will teach Grandma to read and write English. This lively borscht-and-blintzes birthday celebration shows that sometimes NO PRESENTS can be the best presents of all.

Three Cheers for Catherine the Great!

Tina spends each Sunday with her father, a taxicab driver.

Taxi! Taxi!

A young girl finds a Canada goose with a badly injured foot and looks for her each day to see how she is doing. Based on a true story.

Goose's Story

After taking the train downtown, Lizzie spends the day at the public library, helping her mother who is a children's librarian.

Red Light, Green Light, Mama and Me

When her mother marries Harry, Cynthia finds that she has to adjust to changes in her life at home.

Getting Used to Harry

Every spring, the geese touch down on the pond in a honking, flapping celebration. But this year, one of them is different. As it stands on one leg—shunned by the other geese, unable to search for food, to swim, or even to fly away—a young girl wonders: how can a goose with one foot survive? “A heartwarming story with a tender message about accepting others in spite of their differences and helping those who are less able.” —Starred, School Library Journal “Best’s simple prose is rhythmic and beautiful . . . Every child who has nursed an injured creature will recognize the bond, the distance, and the hope. ” —Starred, Booklist

It's bedtime, but Sasha can't fall asleep because of the scary things she sees in her room. But she doesn't need to call her parents-- she's brave! She's strong! She's five! Sasha has had Mama's stories and Papa's jokes and coffee kisses on both her cheeks, but she's not tired. So she makes a star with her flashlight, a car with one headlight, and a lighthouse that blinks on and off. She checks out the noises outside her window and sees the moon--it is like a giant eye staring right at her! But when she closes her curtains, there are shadows and more noises and scary faces. Instead of calling to her parents, Sasha handles each situation herself--because she's brave, she's strong, she's five--and finally, she's ready for sleep. This energetic, gorgeously-illustrated bedtime book is perfect for young readers learning to conquer bedtime fears by themselves.

I'm Brave! I'm Strong! I'm Five!

Melissa Sweet

Jacob watches his favorite television show, Baking with Chef Monty, and bakes a beautiful peach pie, which he gives to his parents for their anniversary. By the illustrator of the Caldecott Honor Book, A River of Words: The Story of William Carlos Williams.

Easy as Pie

Violet, who is very shy and hates for anyone to look at her in school, finally comes out of her shell when she is cast as Lady Space in a play about the solar system and saves the production from disaster. 12,500 first printing.

Shrinking Violet

When Charlie turns a plain cardboard box into a zippy new car, he can’t wait for Mama to have the first ride. He adjusts the mirror, checks to be sure there is enough gas, and reminds Mama to buckle up. Then off they go—REV REV VROOM! There are places to visit and bumps along the way. There is even a traffic jam! By the time they return home, Mama is exhausted, but Charlie can’t wait for her nap to be over so he can drive her someplace else. A Margaret Ferguson Book

If I Could Drive, Mama

While Nell and her dog, Rusty, dig in their yard, Norman, the boy next door who hates getting dirty, looks on until he finally decides to join in the fun.

A Perfect Day for Digging

A five-year-old girl who is brave and strong faces night noises, too much light, and spooky shadows, all without calling her parents, before finally feeling sleepy.

Simone Shin

In this fun-filled picture book, Charlie turns a plain cardboard box into an exciting adventure!

When Sally Jean outgrows her beloved bicycle, Flash, she experiments with various ideas for acquiring a new, bigger one.

Cari Best

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