E.B. Lewis

When a new girl named Maya arrives at school wearing worn clothes, Chloe and her friends decide to look the other way. Every time Maya approaches them with a smile and asks to play, they refuse to include her. Eventually, the quiet rejections take their toll, and Maya stops coming to school altogether. One afternoon, Chloe's teacher drops a stone into a bowl of water, showing the class how the ripples spread far and wide. She explains that every small act of kindness ripples out into the world in the exact same way. Suddenly, Chloe is struck by a deep sense of regret. She realizes too late the incredible opportunity she missed to be a good friend. This beautifully illustrated story reveals how our choices impact others and why even the smallest moment of kindness truly matters.

With the country deep in World War II, many men have gone to fight, leaving jobs empty. To help support her family, Ada Ruth's mother must make the difficult decision to travel to Chicago for work. Ada Ruth stays behind with her loving grandmother, but the house feels incredibly empty. As the cold winter snow begins to fall, the two of them stick to their daily routines, drawing comfort from each other. Even a stray kitten shows up at their door to keep them company, but nothing can truly fill the deep ache of missing Mama. Every single day, Ada Ruth waits and watches the road, hoping for a letter promising that her mother is coming on home soon. This timeless story beautifully captures the quiet strength of waiting and hoping for a loved one's return.