Eve Bunting

In the grassy field right next to Alice's house stands a magnificent, ancient oak tree. It has been a beloved landmark for generations, providing cool shade for picnics and sturdy branches for climbing. But one day, Alice notices that the great oak's leaves are starting to wither and fall. Something is terribly wrong. The soil around the tree has been poisoned by illegal pollution, and the beautiful old oak is dying. Alice, her parents, and their neighbors desperately band together, trying everything they can to save their treasured tree. When all their efforts fail to cure the mighty oak, Alice is heartbroken. But she soon remembers a handful of tiny acorns she collected when the tree was still healthy, realizing that even in the face of loss, there is always the gentle promise of new beginnings.

Marianne is traveling west alongside fourteen other children aboard the Orphan Train, leaving her old life behind. As the train chugs across the vast American prairie, she holds onto a secret hope: that her mother will be waiting for her at one of the stations. After all, her mother promised to come back for her once she made a new life out West. At every stop, crowds gather to adopt the children, but no one seems to notice the shy, plain Marianne. She tells herself that it is for the best, because she needs to remain free for when her mother finally arrives. But as the train pulls into its very last stop, a small town called Somewhere, Marianne must face the unknown. This deeply moving, beautifully illustrated story offers a poignant look at a unique chapter of American history, capturing the heartbreak and hope of finding a place to belong.

High above the city streets, perched on the cold stone corners of a museum, sit the gargoyles. All day long, they stare down with empty eyes, frozen in time while the busy world rushes by below. But when the sun sets and shadows creep across the walls, these eerie stone creatures finally get their chance to play. In the middle of the night, the gargoyles awaken from their slumber. They stretch their heavy wings, grumble in the darkness, and roam the empty museum grounds, much to the dismay of the nervous night watchman. This delightfully spooky tale brings the hidden life of statues to vivid reality. With hauntingly beautiful illustrations and a wonderfully eerie atmosphere, it invites you to look closer at the shadows. You will never walk past a stone gargoyle the same way again.

It is incredibly difficult when a best friend gets sick, and even harder to understand when they do not get better. After her beloved classmate and friend Rudi passes away, a young girl struggles to process her feelings of sadness and loss. To honor his memory, she and her schoolmates come together to build a special project: a beautiful, peaceful pond situated right next to the big oak tree in their schoolyard. They hang a bright hummingbird feeder that Rudi himself had made, hoping to bring life and beauty to his memorial. When a delicate hummingbird suddenly appears to drink from the feeder, the children find a gentle sense of comfort. Based on a true story, this poignant and beautifully illustrated narrative provides a compassionate look at grief, the healing power of community, and the ways we can keep the memories of those we love alive forever.

A busy airport is a place where people are always going somewhere, but for one young boy and his father, it is the only place they can call home. Moving quietly from terminal to terminal, they blend in with the crowds, wearing blue clothes to look like ordinary travelers and being very careful never to be noticed. It is a difficult, uncertain life, filled with the constant fear of being discovered. But one day, amidst the noise and rush of the passengers, the boy spots a small bird that has become trapped inside the massive glass building. As he watches the little bird flutter and struggle against the windows, he sees it finally find an open door and soar out into the open sky. This powerful, thought-provoking story offers a sensitive look at homelessness through a child's eyes, providing a gentle message of resilience, quiet courage, and the enduring hope for a better tomorrow.

Farah feels entirely alone, even when she is surrounded by her new classmates. It is difficult being the new kid in school, especially when you have just moved from another country and cannot speak the language yet. Most of the time, she just listens quietly and nods. During a class field trip to an apple orchard, things begin to change. Farah notices the familiar sound of dogs crunching on food and the happy ripples of friendly laughter. When she picks a crisp green apple to drop into the cider press alongside her classmates' red ones, she realizes that being different is perfectly fine. This tender and beautifully painted story puts you right in the shoes of a young immigrant finding her voice. It is a warm reminder that sharing simple moments can help anyone feel like they finally belong.

Francisco's grandfather has just arrived in California from Mexico, and he does not speak a word of English. Eager to help his family, young Francisco acts as his grandfather's translator as they wait in line hoping to find a day's work. When a man drives up looking for an experienced gardener, Francisco tells a small lie, claiming his grandfather is an expert with plants. They get the job, but soon Francisco's lie leads to a terrible mistake in the garden that threatens to ruin their entire day. When the truth comes out, his grandfather refuses to take payment for work done poorly and insists they stay to fix the damage. Through this difficult afternoon, Francisco discovers that his grandfather might not know English or gardening, but he has incredibly valuable lessons to teach about integrity, hard work, and the true meaning of honesty.

A young boy and his father have traveled a very long way to visit a special place in Washington, D.C. They have come to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, a long, shiny black wall covered in thousands of carved names. The boy has never met his grandfather, but he knows that his name is somewhere on that dark, reflective surface. As they walk quietly alongside the wall, searching for the name of the man they lost, they see other families leaving flowers, crying, and remembering their own loved ones. When they finally find his grandfather's name, the boy feels a deep mixture of sadness and quiet pride. This deeply moving and beautifully illustrated story respectfully captures the emotional weight of honoring those who sacrificed everything. It provides a tender, child-friendly exploration of memory, love, and the lasting impact of history on everyday families.

Winner of the 1995 Caldecott Medal



In a night of rioting, Daniel and his mother are forced to leave their apartment for the safety of a shelter. "Diaz has not been afraid to take risks in illustrating the story with thickly textured paintings against a background of torn-paper and found-object collage. Without becoming cluttered or gimmicky, these pictures manage to capture a calamitous atmosphere that finally calms. . . . Both author and artist have managed to portray a politically charged event without pretense orpreaching."--The Bulletin

--- Added from Google Books ---

Daniel, his mother and cat watch an inner-city riot from their apartment window. When their building catches alight they are evacuated to a church. Observations from child's point of view.

--- Added from Hardcover ---

When the Los Angeles riots break out in the streets of their neighborhood, a young boy and his mother learn the values of getting along with others no matter what their background or nationality.