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I am you: A book about Ubuntu. Written by: Refiloe Moahloli, Illustrated by: Zinelda Mcdonald. Published by: Amazon Crossing Kids, 02/01/2022. Pages: 32. Grade Range: 4-7 years old. Genre: Fiction, Cultural. Themes: interconnectedness, Shared humanity. Topic: Ubuntu  

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This book follows a young girl through her understanding of friendship and what it means to love your friends and yourself. We follow her journey from the school, to the walk back home as she interacts with her friends. A common theme of this story is "To love another is to love yourself". The word Ubuntu means "I am, because you are." In this story, the little girl sees the traits she loves in her friends and realizes them reflected through her. "When I look into your eyes, I see myself" (Moahloli, 2) The story follows this pattern of seeing the interconnectedness of loving others and loving yourself, but also that being mean to others means being mean to yourself. This story doesn't follow a strict curricular connection, however through human interaction you could say this is relevant in social studies. It also has beautiful illustrations which makes it a great story to follow along for art.

This story was very sweet. I enjoyed reading and getting to look deeper into it.

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Authors: Mala Kumar, Manisha Chaudhry, Illustrator: Rajiv Eipe, Translators: Mala Kumar, Manisha Chaudhry, December 3, 2021, Level 2 reading, Kids book, friendship/togetherness.

This story is about the main characters Sukhiya Kaka, who is a famous singer from a traveling group, as he walks to his next destination he encounters a dinosaur who follows his journey and helps create music with Sukhiya. As they walk they encounter a rain storm which only adds to their songs, they share an umbrella and continue on their travels.

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Author and Illustrator: Juana Martinez-Neal, Publisher: Candlewick, 2018, Age Group: 4-8, Genre: Fiction, Themes: identity, heritage, and the meaning behind names

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This book follows the story of Alma, based on the life story of Juana (the author) Alma realizes her name is quite long and can't always fit on a page. She comes to find out the stories behind each name and why they were chosen for her. Each name is from a past relative who meant something special to Almas father. Almas first name "Alma" is original and is to allow the space for her to create her own destiny apart from her relatives. Alma learns to love her name and those who came before her.

I thought this book was super sweet and such a well made and delicate way to show the importance of culture and name heritage. The book is soft and simple in writing and the illustrations are the kind that feel nostalgic. I really enjoyed reading this story.

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Author: James Marshall, Illustrator: James Marshall, Published: 1984, Genre: Folklore, Fiction 

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This book is the classic tale of the three little pigs with a little twist at the end. The three pigs leave home to start their own lives and build their houses. The first little pig built his house out of straw, the second built his house out of sticks. Per the classic tale the wolf huffed and puffed and blew their houses in to then eat each pig. When the wolf got to the third house, this pig build his out of brick making it impossible for the wolf to blow his house down. This led to a series of tricks and games played by the pig and wolf. One day the whole got sick of being played by the pig and went down the chimney. To the wolfs surprise the pig was prepared with a boiling pot of water in the fireplace. The pig eats the wolf in the end of this story!

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Author: Jon Scieszka, Illustration: Lane Smith 

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This story is based on the classic story "The Three Little Pigs", but from the what the Wolf believes is true. In this version the wolf has an unfortunate cold and is trying to back a cake for his Granny's birthday. Needing a cup of sugar he visits each pig, but accidentally kills and eats the pigs due to sneezing their houses down due to his cold. When he gets to the last pig and sneezes due to his cold he doesn't blow his house down. This leads to the wolf getting framed and arrested due to the "murders" of the other pigs. The story leaves us with the wolf in jail angry about this injustice.

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Ezra Jack keats is both the author and illustration of this story. It was published by Viking press in 1962

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This story is about the day of a young boy as he experiences a snow day in the city. He wears a brightly colored snow suit and explores the winter wonderland outside his house. We follow his journey through a snowball fight, hitting snow off of trees, and watching freshly fallen snow swirl around him. At the end of his exploration he picks up a snow ball and puts it in his pocket to save for the next day. He warms up inside and leaves his snow suit to dry, leaving the snowball in his pocket. Before going to bed he reaches in his pocket finding the snow ball had melted. As he slept he dreamt the snow had been melted away, but to his delight when he woke up the snow was still there. He called his friend that morning and they enjoyed another great day in the snow.

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Written and illustrated by Ludwig Bemelmans. Published by Viking press in 1939. Genre: Children's literature  

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This is one of my favorite childhood stories. In Madeline there is a little French girl who is schooled in a convent along with eleven other girls. Miss Clavel is their primary teacher and caregiver and oversees them and their daytime walks around Paris, their visits to the Zoo, and their bedtime. Once, in the very middle of the night Miss Clavel is awoken by crying from the girl’s room and finds that Madeline is in pain. She is rushed to the hospital where she has her appendix taken out. Madeline’s friends visit her at the hospital and are thrilled to see the toys, gifts and attention that is being give too Madeline by her Papa. Madeline then shows them her scar with great pride.

The next day, in the middle of the night Miss Clavel awakens most fearfully and rushes to the girl’s room. All the girls cry that they are in great pain and need to visit the hospital too! This story is super cute and the illustrations are lovely to read along with.

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Originally published: February 1, 2010 Author: Raina Telgemeier Genres: Graphic novel, Comics, Autobiography, List of autobiographical comics Illustrator: Raina Telgemeier

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The story starts off when Raina is 11-years old, in the 6th grade and takes us on a four year journey. While racing home with her friends one day after Girl Scouts, Raina trips and knocks out her front two teeth. This begins the long journey Raina endures to fix her mouth and many other pubescent challenges along the way.
Sixth grade is tough enough, but now that Raina has two missing front teeth, it becomes even harder. This story touches on many middle-school related topics such as family, boys, transitioning from a child to a teenager, earthquakes, and bullying.
Raina has to wear braces, headgear, and undergo other treatments, in order to help fix her teeth. As Raina enters high school and meets new friends, she realizes the true meaning of friendship and even gets her final surgery and is finally able to smile with confidence again.

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Originally published: September 2, 2014 Author: Cece Bell Genres: Graphic novel, Novel, Comics, Children's literature, Autobiography, Biography, Personal narrative Illustrators: Cece Bell, David Lasky

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El Deafo is a story about a young girl who knows who she is, shes confident, and loves to adventure. One day she falls ill and is rushed to the hospital. There she discovers that shes lost her hearing and will need to wear hearing aids. As CeCe navigates this new life she learns that not everyone around her is excepting or nice to her because of this difference. CeCe finds new friends in her kindergarten classroom with other students like her. There she discovers the power within her abilities, but she doesn't fully realize until she's a bit older. This story follows CeCe in her acceptance of finding her new self and using her superpowers to boost her confidence.

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Authors: Rachel Renée Russell, Rachel Ren̐ ưe Russell, Rachel Renee Russell First release: June 2, 2009 Genre: Realistic fiction, comedy, children's book Publication date: June 2009-present

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This graphic novel is one of my favorites from when I was in elementary and middle school. The story follows the Nikki Maxwell as she starts 8th grade at a new school. She documents her life in a diary as well as shows off her artistry. This story has many different events take place and mainly follows the adolescent life of a teen girl and the struggles she faces daily trying to make friends and more. She faces the issue of a bully who tries to outcast her from day one and competes against her for the affections of their shared crush. In the end she learns her true confidence thanks to her best friends and from the help of her crush Brandon, winning against her enemy Mackenzie.

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This book is about Russian Aleuts who come to Karana's island to hunt for otter pelts. The Natives don't agree to the hunt unless they are properly paid in return. In an act of betrayal from the Russians the Native islanders attack. The Aleuts leave and as do the Native islanders, however Karana's little brother gets left behind and Karana jumps off the boat to be with him. One night the brother dies from a wolf attack leaving Karana alone and seeking vengeance. In an attempt to kill the leader of the pack, she realizes they make better friends than enemy's and heals the dogs wounds after hitting him with her arrow. They become friends and Karana builds a life for herself to survive the island. After some time the Aleuts return and Karana realizes how much she misses human contact and decides to leave with the Aleuts with her dog.

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Written and Illustrated by: James E Ransom

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This story is about a family who are enslaved and spend the day mostly in the same routine. The story follows the perspective of a young girl who has a strong family relationship with each of her family members. She goes to school, her mom cooks, her dad goes out to work along with her brother. One day her brother says goodbye to her as he attempts to escape their lives in slavery. The family becomes deeply sad but hopeful for their son and brother that he is safe and happy. The story ends with everyone coming together to pray for the missing boys including the girls older brother.

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This is a wonderful retelling of the story of sleeping beauty, but told in the world of ballet. A curse is put on Aurora when she is little to prick her finger on a spindle and die. Her three fairy godmothers change this curse to not kill Aurora but put her and the kingdom into a deep sleep for 100 years and then her prince will wake her up with true loves kiss. This prophecy is fulfilled on her 16th birthday and the kingdom falls into a slumber. She is awoken by her prince and they live happily ever after.

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Author: Rafe Martin, Illustrator: David Shannon

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In a village by the shores of lake Onatario lived a small village of Native American tribe. A family with two older sisters who treat her cruelly force her to tend to a fire. This young girl is rewarded for her inner beauty and kindness to marry her true love the invisible man who only her and her sister can see.

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Author: Shirley Climo Illustrator: Ruth Heller

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A father marries another woman with a daughter after his previous wife had past. This mother and daughter were cruel to man daughter Pear Blossom, however the father was too ill to notice. They grew jelous of pear blossom making her complete impossible tasks. She was able to finish them to due the magical help of various animals. One day she lost her shoe when she was sent to complete an impossible task, a prince picked up her shoe and went to find her. Sitting at a festival the evil step mother and daughter scold Pear Blossom for not doing her work, only for the prince to whisk her away as his bride when she realizes he was the one to find her lost shoe.

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Written By: Robin Newman, Illustrated by: Deborah Zemke 

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"The Case of the Missing Carrot Cake" by Robin Newman is a fun detective story for young readers. The story follows Detective Wilcox, a mouse, and his sidekick, Captain Griswold, a cat, who run an investigation service. They are tasked with solving the mystery of a missing carrot cake that belongs to Miss Rabbit. Throughout the book, the two detectives question various animal suspects, uncovering clues and following leads in their pursuit of the culprit. The narrative is engaging and teaches young readers about problem-solving, cooperation, and attention to detail, all wrapped up in a charming and humorous style.

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In this story a young boy is uprooted from his home life to begin a family journey of living on a bus. The young boy says goodbye to his friends and begins his travels. At first he has a hard time understanding why they had to leave and how this situation is good in any way. As the story goes on we see that the young boy looks on the bright side of his life. He gets to have parent snuggle time when the bus is too cold. He makes do with what he has and makes himself a new toy. He learns that bread, ketchup, and cheese is a great alternative for pizza, and finally he gets to explore and do things many kids don't. When the young boy is introduced back into school he's nervous about making friends. The class pizza party can't happen due to difficulties, but the boy has an idea and shares his creativity with the class to make the pizza party happen and make new friends.

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This story is a comedic novel that follows Greg Heffley, a middle school student, as he navigates the awkwardness of being a young teenager. Through Greg's diary entries, readers see his struggles with school, bullies, family, and friendships, mainly with his best friend, Rowley. Greg often tries to improve his social status, but his self-centered nature leads to many failures. This story is extremely engaging and easy to read, with lots of twists and turns and funny remarks that all can love.

4o

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Magic Tree House - #2 The Knight At Dawn

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Magic Tree House - #2 The Knight At Dawn

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In The Knight at Dawn, Jack wakes up reflecting on the magical trip he and his sister Annie took to the Cretaceous period, realizing they really did travel through time. Annie encourages another adventure, and they head to the treehouse, where she chooses a book about castles. Without warning, Annie wishes to meet a knight, and the treehouse transports them to the Middle Ages. Despite Jack’s hesitation, they explore the castle, where they learn about knights, feasts, and medieval life. After being captured by guards, Annie uses her flashlight, claiming it is a magic wand, to escape. A mysterious knight helps them return to the treehouse, and back home, Jack finds a leather bookmark with the same mysterious "M" as a medallion they previously discovered, leaving him to wonder about the treehouse's secrets.

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Corduroy tells the story of a teddy bear displayed in a department store who dreams of being bought by a child. One day, a young girl named Lisa spots Corduroy and wants to buy him, but her mother refuses, pointing out that he is missing a button. That night, Corduroy embarks on an adventure through the store to find the missing button, exploring different departments and mistaking a mattress button for his own. He accidentally knocks over a lamp, and the night watchman finds him and returns him to the toy shop. The next day, Lisa returns with money from her piggy bank and buys Corduroy, sewing a new button on his overalls. The story ends with Corduroy and Lisa embracing, both happy to have found a friend.

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This is a beautiful story about the power of taking risks and embracing opportunities. The book follows a young child who encounters a chance, personified as a golden, fluttering being. At first, the child is nervous and lets the chance slip away, unsure of what to do with it. Over time, the child realizes what missed opportunities are and learns that chances don’t always come around again. When the next chance appears, the child bravely takes it, realizing that taking risks can lead to growth and new possibilities. The book emphasizes the importance of courage, perseverance, and trusting oneself.

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This is the story of a young girl named Ruby who begins to feel weighed down by a worry that grows bigger and bigger as she tries to ignore it. At first, Ruby doesn't know what to do with her worry, and it follows her everywhere, making her feel very overwhelmed. She tries to pretend it’s not there, but the worry only grows larger, affecting her happiness and how she acts with friends and family. Eventually, Ruby opens up to someone she trusts about her feelings, realizing that sharing her worry makes it shrink. With the help of her friend, Ruby learns that it's okay to talk about her emotions and ask for support.

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This story follows a young girl as she navigates scary and difficult situations that cause her worry. In this story she is biking and comes across many stressful situations where she wants to give up or begins to think she isn’t capable of continuing on. Throughout the story she reminds herself of courage and strength through affirmations she repeats to continue on her journey.

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Brave Irene by William Steig is the story of a young girl named Irene who must deliver a dress her mother made to a grand ball, despite facing a powerful snowstorm. Her mother who is too ill to make the delivery herself, asks Irene to step in, determined to complete the task. As Irene sets out into the blizzard, she faces many challenges, including strong winds and deep snow that make the journey difficult. Despite the conditions, Irene perseveres, holding onto the dress with all her might. Along the way, she shows kindness to others, including a man who needs help, all while continuing her mission. After battling the storm and almost losing the dress, Irene finally reaches the ball, where her efforts are celebrated.

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The invisible string by Patrice Karst, tells the story of children who ask their mom how love works when they can’t see it. She tells them that the invisible string is a bond that can’t be seen but is always there, connecting people with love. It connects friends and family, no matter how far apart they are. She tells them how love is stronger than more than they could imagine. Knowing they’re connected to their mom, even when she’s in a different room, the children go back to bed. They’re no longer bothered by the storm and dream of all the people they’re connected to by invisible string.

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After the Fall: How Humpty Dumpty Got Back Up Again

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After the Fall: How Humpty Dumpty Got Back Up Again

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After the Fall: How Humpty Dumpty Got Back Up Again by Dan Santat re-tells the classic nursery rhyme by exploring what happens to Humpty Dumpty after his famous fall. Once broken, Humpty is terrified of heights and doesn’t want to to climb again. Slowly he gathers the courage to face his fears and be back on the wall. This wonderfully illustrated story highlights themes of resilience, recovery, and the importance of perseverance, showing that even after a fall, it's possible to rise again and embrace new challenges.

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Jabari Jumps by Gaia Cornwall tells the story of a young boy who is determined to jump off the high dive at the pool but is feeling nervous and unsure. As he watches others make the jump he becomes increasingly anxious, but with encouragement from his father and a moment to check in with himself and reflect, Jabari finds the courage to face his fear.

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The Dark by Lemony Snicket follows a young boy named Laszlo who is afraid of the dark, which lives in the basement of his house. One night, the dark starts to creep closer and eventually speaks to Laszlo, inviting him to come and face it. As he gathers the courage to explore, he learns that the dark is not as frightening as he once thought, discovering a new understanding of the unknown and fear.

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In Maurice Sendak’s Where the Wild Things Are, Max, a young boy with a wild imagination, dresses in a wolf costume and causes chaos at home, prompting his mother to send him to bed without supper. Angry and defiant, Max imagines his room transforming into a forest, and he sails to a magical land where he meets the Wild Things, fearsome yet endearing creatures. Using his boldness, Max tames them and is crowned their king, leading them in a joyful “wild rumpus.” However, Max soon grows lonely and realizes he misses the love and comfort of home. Deciding to leave the Wild Things behind, despite their protests, he sails back to his bedroom. There, he finds his supper waiting for him, a warm gesture of love and forgiveness from his mother.

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Shel Silverstein’s The Giving Tree tells the story of a deep, one-sided bond between a selfless tree and a boy. As a child, the boy enjoys climbing the tree, eating its apples, and resting in its shade, and the tree is happy to provide. As the boy grows older, he visits the tree less often, only returning when he needs something—its apples to sell for money, its branches to build a house, and eventually its trunk to make a boat. Each time, the tree sacrifices a part of itself to make the boy happy, even as it becomes increasingly diminished. In old age, the boy returns once more, now tired and seeking only a quiet place to rest. The tree, now a stump, offers itself as a seat, and the boy accepts, bringing the story to a bittersweet conclusion about love, generosity, and the passage of time.

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In Margaret Wise Brown's Goodnight Moon, a young bunny says goodnight to everything in his cozy, quiet room before going to sleep. The rhythmic, poetic text describes the objects, such as a red balloon, a pair of mittens, and a little toy house, creating a soothing atmosphere. The bunny also says goodnight to more abstract things, like the air and the moon, fostering a sense of wonder and imagination. With its gentle repetition and warm illustrations, the story provides a calming bedtime ritual for young readers.

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Dorothy Kunhardt’s Pat the Bunny is an interactive children’s book that invites young readers to engage their senses through simple activities. Each page introduces a tactile or interactive element, such as patting soft "bunny fur," peeking in a mirror, or smelling flowers. The book follows a little girl named Judy and a boy named Paul, creating a playful and relatable experience for toddlers. Its hands-on approach helps children explore textures, actions, and their surroundings in a fun, engaging way.

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Dr. Seuss’s The Lorax tells the story of the Once-ler, who arrives in a beautiful forest and begins cutting down Truffula Trees to produce a product called Thneeds. The Lorax, a small, orange creature who "speaks for the trees," warns the Once-ler about the environmental damage he is causing. Despite the Lorax’s pleas, the Once-ler continues his actions until all the trees are gone, the animals are forced to leave, and the environment is destroyed. The Once-ler, now regretful and living in isolation, tells the story to a boy and gives him the last Truffula seed, encouraging him to plant it and care for the trees. The story serves as a cautionary tale about environmental responsibility and the importance of protecting nature.

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In Crockett Johnson's Harold and the Purple Crayon, Harold, a curious boy with a vivid imagination, uses his magical purple crayon to create his own adventures. He draws a moonlit path and embarks on a journey, crafting everything he needs along the way, from trees and a dragon to a picnic and a boat. As Harold explores, his drawings lead to unexpected challenges, but he cleverly uses the crayon to solve problems and keep moving forward. Eventually, he draws his way back home, creating his bed and moonlit window before falling asleep. The story celebrates creativity, problem-solving, and the boundless possibilities of imagination.

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In Junie B. Jones and Her Big Fat Mouth by Barbara Park, Junie B. struggles to find the perfect career to share during her class's Job Day. After blurting out without thinking, she claims she has a "great job," but realizes she has no idea what to say. Determined to impress her classmates, Junie B. embarks on a series of hilarious attempts to figure out what job suits her best. Along the way, her bold personality and "big mouth" lead to funny misunderstandings and lessons about self-expression. In the end, Junie B. learns the importance of being herself and gains a new appreciation for hard work and creativity.

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A series of Unfortunate events the bad beginning

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A series of Unfortunate events the bad beginning

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In The Bad Beginning, the first book in A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket, the Baudelaire siblings—Violet, Klaus, and Sunny—become orphans after a fire destroys their home and kills their parents. They are sent to live with Count Olaf, a cruel and greedy guardian who schemes to steal their inheritance. Despite his mistreatment, the Baudelaire's use their intelligence and skills to resist him. Count Olaf devises a plan to marry Violet in a sham play to gain control of their fortune, but the siblings outsmart him and expose his plot. However, Olaf escapes, leaving the Baudelaire's in a continued state of uncertainty and misfortune as their troubles are far from over.

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In Charlotte's Web by E.B. White, a pig named Wilbur befriends a kind and intelligent spider named Charlotte after being sold to a new farm. When Wilbur faces the threat of being slaughtered, Charlotte uses her web to write messages like "Some Pig" and "Terrific," which amaze the farmers and save his life. As Charlotte’s health declines, she lays eggs and entrusts Wilbur with her legacy. In the end, Wilbur continues to care for Charlotte’s eggs, ensuring her memory lives on, while he learns the true meaning of friendship and selflessness.

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In James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl, a young boy named James is sent to live with his cruel aunts after the tragic death of his parents. One day, he discovers a giant peach growing in his aunts' garden, and inside, he meets a group of talking, anthropomorphic insects, including a grasshopper, a spider, and a ladybug. Together, they embark on an adventure as the peach rolls away and floats across the ocean, escaping from the oppressive aunts and encountering thrilling challenges. As they journey, James and his new friends develop close bonds and work together to overcome obstacles. Ultimately, James triumphs, and the peach becomes a symbol of hope and new beginnings, leading James to a happy, fulfilling life.

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In Frances Hodgson Burnett's The Secret Garden, Mary Lennox, a spoiled and neglected girl, is sent to live at her uncle's gloomy estate after her parents die. Exploring the manor, she learns of a hidden, locked garden that has been neglected for years. With the help of a local boy, Dickon, and her sickly cousin, Colin, Mary discovers and brings the garden back to life, finding joy and purpose in the process. As the children nurture the garden, they also grow stronger and happier, with Colin overcoming his illness and Mary transforming into a kind, caring person. The garden becomes a symbol of healing, hope, and the power of nature to bring people together. By the end, the once-isolated characters find a renewed sense of family and belonging.

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In Madeleine L’Engle’s A Wrinkle in Time, Meg Murry, her brother Charles Wallace, and their friend Calvin O’Keefe embark on a journey through space and time to rescue Meg’s missing father. Guided by three mysterious beings—Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs. Which, and Mrs. Who—they travel via "tesseracts" to strange planets, including Camazotz, a world controlled by a dark force called IT. As they face danger and challenges, Meg learns the power of love, courage, and self-acceptance. Using her love for Charles Wallace, she overcomes IT’s control and saves her brother. In the end, the children reunite with Meg’s father and safely return home, having grown stronger through their adventure.

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In Pinkalicious by Victoria Kann, a little girl named Pinkalicious eats too many pink cupcakes despite her parents’ warnings, turning herself completely pink. A trip to the doctor reveals she has "Pinkitis" and must eat green foods to return to normal, but she sneaks another cupcake, making her turn red. Eventually, she follows the doctor’s advice, learns a lesson about moderation, and happily returns to her natural color.

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In No, David! by David Shannon, a mischievous boy named David gets into constant trouble as he disobeys rules, makes messes, and causes chaos at home. His mother repeatedly scolds him with a firm “No, David!” but her love for him remains clear. By the end of the book, she reassures David with a warm hug, showing that even when he misbehaves, he is still loved.

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In Fancy Nancy by Jane O’Connor, a young girl named Nancy loves everything fancy, from her clothes and accessories to the way she speaks. She tries to teach her plain family how to be fancy, adding a touch of glamour to their everyday lives. When a dinner outing goes awry, Nancy learns that being fancy isn’t as important as being with the people she loves. Through humor and creativity, the story celebrates individuality and the joy of self-expression.

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We Belong by Laura Purdie Salas is a poetic picture book celebrating the diversity and interconnectedness of humanity. Through engaging rhymes and vibrant illustrations, the book encourages children to embrace their unique traits, such as being loud or quiet, and to value the differences in others, including skin tones, gender identities, and abilities. It emphasizes the beauty of individuality while affirming that everyone has a place and belongs in the world.

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In Across the Alley by Richard Michelson, a young Jewish boy named Abe and his African American neighbor Willie form an unlikely friendship despite societal expectations during the segregation era. Through their nighttime interactions, Abe teaches Willie to play the violin, and Willie helps Abe improve his pitching. The story highlights their shared struggles and talents, as they connect over their mutual dreams and family histories. When Abe’s grandfather discovers their secret friendship, he ultimately supports them, emphasizing the theme of unity despite prejudice.

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In The Big Orange Splot by Daniel Manus Pinkwater, Mr. Plumbean lives on a tidy street where all the houses look identical, reflecting the conformity of the neighborhood. One day, a seagull drops a can of orange paint on his roof, inspiring him to transform his house into a colorful, imaginative design that reflects his dreams. Initially, his neighbors are shocked and disapprove of the change, but one by one, they talk to Mr. Plumbean and begin to embrace the idea of expressing their individuality by painting their own houses uniquely. By the end, the entire street transforms into a vibrant celebration of personal creativity and dreams, moving away from its uniform appearance.

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In The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson, readers meet children who feel out of place because of their differences, whether it's due to their culture, language, or life experiences. The story acknowledges the vulnerability of stepping into unfamiliar situations, especially when others seem so different. However, it highlights the courage it takes to share one's story and the connections that form when others respond with understanding and empathy.

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In Eyes That Kiss in the Corners by Joanna Ho, a young Asian girl notices that her eyes are different from her classmates, who have large, round eyes with long lashes. Initially feeling different, she finds beauty and strength in the way her eyes "kiss in the corners" and glow like warm tea, connecting her to the women in her family: her mother, grandmother, and little sister who share the same features. Through this bond, she embraces her heritage and learns to love her unique beauty, realizing her eyes carry stories of resilience, love, and culture.

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Hey, Little Ant by Phillip and Hannah Hoose is a picture book about a conversation between a boy and an ant. The boy is about to squish the ant but hesitates when the ant pleads for its life, offering reasons why it should not be harmed. The story presents both the boy's and the ant's perspectives, making it a great tool for teaching kids about empathy and decision-making. The book encourages readers to consider moral choices, such as respecting all creatures, regardless of their size.

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In Not Quite Narwhal by Jessie Sima, Kelp is a young narwhal who feels a bit different from the rest of his family. One day, he discovers that he is actually a unicorn, not a narwhal, after being swept to land and meeting other unicorns. Though he enjoys his new friends, Kelp struggles with fitting in, torn between his ocean home and his newfound identity. Eventually, he learns to bring together both his narwhal and unicorn communities, finding a way to belong to both worlds.