Julius Lester

Welcome to a magical, bustling town where everyone and everything is named Sam! Young Sam is the sharpest-dressed kid around, sporting a brilliant new coat, bright pants, and a shiny pair of shoes. But when he heads out for a stroll, he runs into some serious trouble: a pack of very hungry, very demanding tigers. Jump in Instead of panicking, Sam uses his quick wits. To avoid being eaten, he strikes a deal, trading his fancy new clothes piece by piece to the vain tigers. Soon, the tigers are so busy arguing over who looks the absolute best that they end up chasing each other in a dizzying, furious blur. Why it pulls you in This brilliant reimagining takes an old, flawed story and transforms it into a joyful, empowering, and hilarious adventure. With snappy dialogue and a wildly clever hero, it is an irresistible tale of brains outsmarting brawn.

Bob Lemmons is a true legend of the wide-open frontier, possessing a gift that almost feels like magic: he can track wild horses better than anyone alive. Riding his trusted horse, Warrior, Bob does not just chase the mustangs—he lives alongside them. He rides day and night, seamlessly blending into the plains until the wild herd finally accepts his presence. Jump in The ultimate test comes when Bob and Warrior must challenge the fierce lead stallion to take control of the herd. You will feel the thunder of hooves and the sheer power of the animals as Bob leads the wild mustangs on one last, spectacular, breathless run across the endless horizon before guiding them safely to the corral. Why it pulls you in Based on the incredible true story of a formerly enslaved man, this soaring tale captures the raw beauty and harshness of the American West. It is a thrilling, poetic adventure about survival, respect for nature, and the ultimate meaning of freedom.

Creating an entire universe is exhausting work, and God quickly realizes He cannot do it all alone. Even with the earth made, things are looking a little bit plain. It is time to call in the ultimate design team: His wife Irene, His hardworking secretary Bruce, and His absolutely fabulous angel, Shaniqua. Jump in You are instantly transported to a heavenly workshop where designing the world is a massive, colorful group project. Together, this divine team gets to work brainstorming the best ways to spruce up the planet, inventing everything from the greenest grass and the bushiest bushes to the most brilliantly colored butterflies. Why it pulls you in The story is bursting with witty banter and an incredibly fun, imaginative take on creation. The vibrant, folk-art illustrations make every page pop with joy and energy, proving that making something beautiful requires teamwork, a little trial and error, and a lot of heart.

Have you ever wondered why dogs absolutely cannot stand cats, or what happens when a very small man decides he desperately wants to be big? This delightful collection of six traditional African American folktales holds all the clever and hilarious answers. Passed down through generations since the days of slavery, these stories are packed with sharp wit and memorable life lessons. You will meet a cast of unforgettable animal characters who rely on their brains, rather than their size, to outsmart their rivals and survive in a tricky world. The tales are perfectly paced, blending laugh-out-loud moments with subtle wisdom about accepting who you are. Paired with beautifully detailed, enchanting artwork, this book feels like sitting around a warm fire listening to a master storyteller. It is an engaging, funny, and deeply important celebration of a rich cultural heritage that will captivate readers of all ages.

Prepare yourself for a wild, wacky ride through six original fables that are as delightfully absurd as they are wise. You will meet a hilarious cast of quirky creatures who find themselves in the most unusual and ridiculous predicaments imaginable. Jump in The stories bounce along with brilliant wordplay, catchy alliteration, and a deeply silly sense of humor that begs to be read out loud. Whether it is an animal trying to solve a bizarre problem or a character making a delightfully foolish mistake, every tale brings a fresh wave of laughter. Why it pulls you in Beyond the sumptuously silly setups, these fables secretly pack a lot of heart. As the characters navigate their funny disasters, they learn gentle lessons about accepting themselves, using their ingenuity, and celebrating their individuality. Paired with vibrant, energetic illustrations, this collection is a joyous celebration of nonsense and wisdom wrapped into one.

Take a front-row seat to the electrifying history of music! This vibrant journey introduces you to ten of the most legendary blues singers who ever lived—the incredible artists who paved the way for rock and roll, R&B, and modern pop. Jump in Told through the warm, conversational voice of a grandfather sharing his favorite records with his granddaughter, you will meet musical giants like Aretha Franklin, B.B. King, and James Brown. You will feel the rhythm of their lives, discovering how they turned their struggles and triumphs into songs that shook the entire world. Why it pulls you in The writing pulses with the very beat of the blues, making history feel alive, loud, and incredibly cool. Paired with bold, colorful artwork that captures the soul and swagger of each performer, this book is an inspiring celebration of Black musical genius and the deeply human emotion behind the microphone.

Imagine what would happen if every single animal in the world suddenly decided they were the ones in charge! When a very mischievous dream escapes into the world, it whispers a rebellious idea to all the animals and children: do whatever you want, and ignore the adults completely. Jump in Absolute chaos erupts! Suddenly, animals are leaving their forests and invading fancy restaurants, hogging the living room couches, and leaving the water running after taking human showers. It is a hilarious, upside-down world where the normal rules have completely flown out the window. Why it pulls you in To fix the magnificent mess, Albidaro, the Guardian of Children, must team up with his sister Olara, the Guardian of Animals. Together, they have to wrangle the wild dream and restore order. Paired with incredibly detailed, vibrant illustrations, this wildly funny adventure is a joyful celebration of imagination and a gentle reminder of why a little bit of order isn't so bad after all.

Step into a rich gathering of twelve captivating folk tales, blending ten traditional African stories with two classic Jewish legends. Why it pulls you in Julius Lester breathes brilliant new life into these ancient narratives, giving them a rhythm and voice that feels both timeless and deeply personal. You will discover how the leopard got its spots, why the sun and moon live in the sky, and what happens when clever animals outwit their stronger neighbors. The writing wraps you in the warmth of oral storytelling, meant to be shared aloud or read quietly in a cozy corner. What makes it special David Shannon brings each mythic creature and clever hero to life with striking, vibrant artwork that leaps off the page. The blend of African and Jewish cultural traditions creates a unique tapestry of wisdom, humor, and heart, showing how stories connect us all no matter where they begin.

God, His wife Irene, His secretary Bruce, and the angel Shaniqua are facing a massive heavenly headache. When God gives snakes a little bit of poison to protect themselves, He never expects them to start biting everything in sight. Suddenly, humans and animals are panicking, scrambling up the ladders that connect earth to heaven, and causing absolute chaos in God's peaceful kingdom. This playful, big-hearted story tackles one of life's quirky questions with absolute delight and silliness. You will laugh out loud as God and His team try to figure out how to restore order, realizing that sometimes the best solutions involve a catchy song and a little bit of dancing. Bursting with vibrant, colorful illustrations, this joyful sequel to What a Truly Cool World offers a brilliantly funny take on creation. It is a warm, imaginative adventure that perfectly balances reverence with uproarious fun.

From the very moment he was born, it was clear John Henry was no ordinary child. He grew so fast he burst right through the porch roof, and his booming laugh was loud enough to startle the sun. Armed with two massive sledgehammers, this legendary hero sets out to build roads and smash mountains into dust. When a mechanical steam drill threatens to take over the work of human hands, John Henry steps up for the ultimate test of strength. This epic, larger-than-life tall tale pulses with rhythm, humor, and towering courage, celebrating the unbreakable spirit of an American folk hero who proved that the human heart is stronger than any machine.

I am a story. So are you. So is everyone. In this engaging and thoughtful book, you will explore the beautiful concept that every person is their own unique story. The author shares his personal journey to help you understand how race is just one detail in the many chapters that make up who we are. Through vibrant art and honest words, you will discover what makes you special while celebrating the common bonds we all share as human beings. It is a perfect starting point for learning, growing, and talking about how our differences make the world a richer place.

Get ready to follow the trickster Brer Rabbit and his animal friends on a wild series of adventures and misadventures. In this collection of classic folktales, the clever rabbit is always finding himself in trouble and using his quick wits to outsmart Brer Fox, Brer Wolf, and even the mysterious Doodang. These lively stories bring rich traditions to life with humor and unforgettable characters. You will laugh out loud at the clever tricks and narrow escapes that have made these animals famous for generations. It is a wonderful journey into a world where brains often win over brawn, perfect for reading out loud or discovering on your own.

The forest is buzzing with mischief once again, and Brer Rabbit is right at the center of it all! If you thought the cunning little trickster had run out of ways to outsmart his bigger, hungrier neighbors, think again. Brer Fox, Brer Wolf, and Brer Bear are still determined to catch him, but Brer Rabbit’s lightning-fast brain is always one step ahead. This vibrant continuation of the classic African American folktales brings a whole new batch of hilarious adventures to life. The stories are told with an incredibly engaging, conversational energy that makes you feel like you are right there in the briar patch watching the chaos unfold. With stunning, lively illustrations capturing every sly grin and desperate chase, this collection perfectly balances thrilling escapes with laugh-out-loud comedy. It is a brilliant celebration of cleverness, showing once again that being the smartest in the room is always better than being the biggest.

The briar patch is calling one final time! Brer Rabbit is back, and the mischievous hero is just as sharp, smooth-talking, and hilarious as ever. In this brilliant fourth collection of classic folktales, the ultimate trickster even manages to get a job—and naturally, figures out a wildly clever way to get paid twice a day without anyone noticing! Jump in You will be swept right back into the endlessly entertaining rivalry between Brer Rabbit and the bigger, stronger animals who never seem to learn their lesson. Whether he is dodging traps or spinning incredibly convincing lies to save his own tail, Brer Rabbit relies entirely on his lightning-fast brain to stay on top. Why it pulls you in Told in a wonderfully lively, conversational voice that practically sings off the page, these stories are an absolute joy to read aloud. Paired with beautifully expressive artwork, this final volume perfectly captures the humor, resilience, and timeless appeal of America's most beloved trickster.