Discover what it means to become a US citizen and how the process unfolds in this illuminating picture book about immigration and naturalization.

What does US citizenship look like? Some of us are citizens by birth. Some of us are born beyond the United States and gain citizenship through immigration and naturalization. With lyrical prose and luminous mixed-media artwork, this nonfiction book outlines the process by which some of us—spanning every age and background—travel to the United States to live, work, study, and contribute to the fabric of our new communities. After years, without relinquishing who we are or where we came from, if we are fortunate, we can choose to become naturalized citizens. We can become American.

This insightful story honors the many different paths to citizenship and celebrates all people who enrich our country by striving to participate in our democracy. This book belongs with classrooms and parents who love: Grace for President, Areli Is a Dreamer, and What Can A Citizen Do?

May/June Kids' Indie Next List 2025

An ode to being active and dramatic play. For fans of Ruth Krauss’s I Can Fly and Ashley Spires’s The Most Magnificent Thing, this picture book will inspire young readers to getting moving and start imagining!
Simple, engaging rhymes will inspire little ones to jump, run, and explore the limitless possibilities of their imagination in this energizing ode to movement by award-winning author Carole Boston Weatherford.

For fans of School’s First Day of School, this is a picture book about a young girl who is feeling mixed emotions about her first day of school.

Some feelings are so big, one word just doesn’t cut it.    

It’s the first day of school for Afua! There’s no one word to name her feelings. Is she scared? Excited? Oh wait, she’s scarecited! Her own combination of both. Why should she have to choose?

Scarecited on the First Day of School is a charming picture book that reminds us all that having the courage to be our authentic self is always just enough, and you can feel more than one big emotion at the same time. But if there isn’t one word to describe those feelings . . . there’s beauty in making it yourself.

A picture book about the Chinese cultural tradition of commemorating a baby’s "100th Day" and celebrating sibling love.

Anya loves having special days with her mom and dad―rainy days, yellow days, stay-in-the-park for hours days. Then her younger sister is born and Anya finds herself feeling overlooked and forgotten. Why does Hana have to get all the attention? Her family is busy preparing for her younger sister’s 100 Day celebration, a Chinese tradition that commemorates an infant’s 100th day with good luck rituals and customs like the delectable ang ku kueh cakes, red envelopes, and baby’s first haircut.

As the day approaches, Anya learns to appreciate her baby sister, learning that sometimes love comes slowly, in days and moments that creep up on you, and hold onto you tightly―as tightly as a little sister can.

Through all moments of the day, both large and small, a boy prepares for a Day of the Dead celebration, in this picture book from Pura Belpré Honor–winning author-illustrator John Parra.

A single day in a boy’s life is filled with family, love, and inspiration as he prepares for the Día de Muertos celebration and remembers that all moments are special. Each moment reminds us of our family and those who have gone before us. Today holds a special promise, una promesa especial.

A young girl contemplates the passing of time and changing of seasons as she looks out on the world from her favorite chair in this heartwarming picture book by award-winning poet and New York Times bestselling author Rio Cortez.

In the morning, a young child opens her eyes, and, after one biiiiig streeeeetch, heads straight for her favorite place in the house: the blue velvet chair. Perched from the chair set by the living room window, the child daydreams about each season of the year and the changes that come with them. A now-snowy roof was once pelted by the slick rain of spring showers. Icy windows will once again transform into conveyors of sunshine and warmth against her skin.

And just as the seasons change, the child will continue to change too. But one thing will always remain the same: the coziness of the blue velvet chair.

Acclaimed authors Zadie Smith and Nick Laird are back with a brand-new picture book about conquering new experiences and enjoying the great outdoors!

Maud—the judo-suit-wearing guinea pig and proud oddball—is off into the wild, as is Kit, her owner. Both are slightly nervous about what they’ll find in the great outdoors, but with a pinch of bravery—and a few Signature Moves—they’ll make new friends and explore new worlds . . .

A warm and endearing story celebrating the quiet power of being yourself.

Here's a humorous picture book that shows the ways in which we are all different... and how that's really cool! The kid-friendly text and vibrant illustrations explore external and internal similarities and differences through comparisons of animals, objects, and people. A perfect gift for children ages 4-8.

Do you know there's something totally cool about each of us? We're different in all kinds of ways... fun and wonderful ways!

We can be different on the outside, like a red apple and a yellow apple. But we can also be as different as apples and dogs, with different shapes, sizes, and colors.

We can be different on the inside too! We can have different emotions, different dreams, and different ways of expressing ourselves.

There are so many ways we can be different. But it’s not only okay… it’s totally cool!

With Camey Yeh’s warm text, comical comparisons, and quirky illustrations, We’re Different and It’s Totally Cool! is the perfect read-aloud book that celebrates everyone's uniqueness and all the ways we are fabulously different—inside and out!

A sequel to Ruby René Had So Much to Say that explores the importance of listening, making new friends, and teamwork.

Ruby René had so much to say…so she got her own segment on the school's morning announcements. But now Ruby’s got a co-host! After an unexpected sick day, Ruby René returns to someone new sitting in her anchor chair–Yanin Luray. Ruby reluctantly agrees to a shared show and is surprised that she loves having an assistant to bounce ideas off of.

But when Yanin refuses to come back to do the show, Ruby René is forced to reflect on how it’s not only important to share her voice, but her ears, too. As the girls learn to listen and talk in equal measure, they discover how to both get their way, as co-hosts.

From an award-winning author comes a vibrant and heartwarming story of the bond between grandmother and grandchild, with a touch of Puerto Rican magic!

My abuela is a bruja.
There is magic in everything she does.

There is nothing more magical than a grandmother's love. But one lucky girl suspects her grandmother has actual magic. It's in the tun-tun-tun of the way she dances salsa, in the warmth of her hugs, and the delicious smell of her cooking. The granddaughter wonders: will I have magic of my own one day?

Follow the magic in this heartfelt picture book that features extensive backmatter that includes two special recipes from Mayra Cuevas and uplifiting illustrations from Lorena Alvarez Gómez.

A gloomy, rainy day is turned upside down when Gran-moman takes Petite Marie on an adventure through town. Celebrate joy, Louisiana Creole culture, community, and the love of a wonderful grandparent in this gorgeous story about making every day count.

"Conveys the big power of small actions and the bolstering effect of community." Publisher's Weekly, Starred Review

"As Petite Marie moves around the town with her grandmother, their loving bond is expressed through all
their interactions." Booklist

Rain falls outside an old Louisiana Creole house until the ground is as soggy as a bowl of cush cush. Petite Marie thinks she's going to have to spend all day indoors, but Gran-moman takes Petite Marie on an unexpected journey around town. Soon, Petite Marie is having a magical day filled with friends, delicious Louisiana creole cooking, and a lot of care and kindness. With the help of Gran-moman she discovers that any day can be beautiful, no matter the weather.

Tenderly illustrated by Alleanna Harris, Adiba Nelson's debut picture book Oshún and Me is a heartwarming ode to family, identity, and the beauty of braided hair. Also available in Spanish!

It’s Sunday, and that means it’s Hair Day! As Mami weaves gold and cowrie shells into Yadira’s hair, she tells her the story of the goddess Oshún, showing Yadi how her Afro Latin heritage is lovingly tucked into each braid and shell.

The next day, Yadi arrives for her first day at a new school. She's nervous about making friends, but with her beautiful braids, the click-clack of the cowrie shells, and a little guidance from Oshún, she finds she has everything she needs to be her best, most authentic self.

A letter from the author and visual examples of different kinds of braided hairstyles are included in the back of the book.

A little girl meets more relatives than she can count—but how will she communicate with them if she can’t speak their language?

It’s a little girl’s first tripto her papa’s homeland, and she’s wowed by all the amazing sights and sounds—and especially by the size of her enormous family! But she only knows a little Spanish, and it’s hard not to be able to share jokes and stories. Fortunately, her relatives help her see that there are other ways they can connect, and soon she feels like she’s right where she belongs: in the heart of a loving family, learning as she goes along.

From Ross Mathews (The Drew Barrymore Show and RuPaul’s Drag Race) and his husband, Dr. Wellinthon García-Mathews, comes a heartwarming and humorous tale of love and family as two young boys travel to Mexico to be ring bearers in their uncles’ wedding.

From Emmy-winning TV host and producer Ross Mathews (The Drew Barrymore Show and RuPaul’s Drag Race) and Dr. Wellinthon García-Mathews comes a heartwarming and humorous tale of family, friendship, and love inspired by their real-life wedding.

Evan and Andy are excited to visit Mexico for their uncles’ wedding—and their parents are excited that the boys will have a chance to experience the culture, practice their Spanish, and learn responsibility as ring bearers in the ceremony. Once they arrive, Evan and Andy just want to play soccer, swim, and eat all the great food. However, once the festivities are in full swing and the boys witness the love and happiness between their two tíos, they quickly embrace their role in their uncles’ very special day.

This debut picture book written by Ross Mathews and Dr. Wellinthon García-Mathews, and illustrated by Tommy Doyle, reminds us about the importance of love, family, and embracing one’s cultural identity.

A heartfelt picture book about one child's experience in foster care that reminds all kids that—just like a garden—love from the right source will help them bloom.

Lamar has lived in seven homes in three years and has never stayed anywhere long enough to put down roots. As he watches his new foster mom tend to her garden each day, he soon joins her with cautious curiosity. Together, they plant, they weed, they water . . . until one day Lamar's anger and feelings of uncertainty lead him to destroy the garden.

But through his foster mother's love and care, Lamar discovers that just like her garden, he is wanted, he is loved, he has been planted, and he will bloom.

Written by a licensed social worker, Planted with Love illustrates that a loving home and a loving adult can provide a safe place for any child to grow and thrive.

When a girl's confidence is shaken and she begins to shrink, her grandmother is there to remind her of who she is in this empowering picture book about self-esteem.

Amoya Blackwood is loud, bold and carefree. She always has the answer in class. And she knows just what to say to make her friends laugh.

Amoya Blackwood shows up with a smile on her face. She enters a room and takes up space.

But one day Amoya Blackwood starts noticing that the adults around her want to be less loud, less bold, less carefree. They want her to take up less space, and so she does. She gets smaller and smaller and smaller.

She gets so small she hardly recognizes herself.

But then, a conversation with her Gran reminds Amoya of who she is. And a surprising thing happens . . .

A journey, a challenge, and a party with Gram make one day super special for a group of siblings.

It’s Gram’s birthday, and the grandkids can’t wait to celebrate with her. There’s just one thing missing: a gift! So on their way to the party, the search is on. They spot lots of interesting things—a scritchy-scratchy pine cone, three jingly-jangly quarters, some clicky-clacky stones—but are any of them good enough for Gram?

Fortunately, there’s no quashing the enthusiasm and creativity of these siblings, who have a marvelous time scouting and singing as they shimmy over to Gram’s, making the journey its own celebration. Their combined discoveries will make this a very special day indeed!

This dynamic story shows the big impact a thoughtful gift from the heart can have, no matter how small it might be.

A picture book biography celebrating the first known Black female tattoo artist in the U.S., Jacci Gresham, co-authored by Jacci herself, and with stylish, accessible artwork by David Wilkerson

How to make your mark?
Express yourself: From coloring outside the lines to creating her own clothes, expressing herself through art made Jacci Gresham feel confident.
Keep an open mind: When Jacci started out, women getting tattooed was considered distasteful. Women giving tattoos was unheard of. And a Black woman tattoo artist? Jacci was the first.
Practice every day: Jacci studied her craft. She developed new inking techniques for Black and brown skin. And she welcomed everyone into her New Orleans shop, including women of every color, shape, and size.
Stand up for what you believe: From art class to artist, Jacci Gresham pushed boundaries, and she never took no for an answer. Jacci made her mark. How will you make yours?

Celebrate the power of food to create delicious, lasting memories with this poetic and playful exploration of the joy of waiting for, and finally sharing, fried plantains.

Mama steers the cart toward the produce section of the grocery store and picks up a bunch of green plantains. Thus begins a week of anxious anticipation as a young girl waits for mustard yellows to seep onto the unripe green peels. By Thursday, black marks begin to splotch and streak across the plantains. And finally, on Sunday, the frying pan sizzles and hisses, as Mama serves up the warm, sugary slices the young girl has waited for so long.  
 
Much like there is sweet treasure hidden beneath the skin of a plantain, this beautifully written and evocative story reaches far beyond the act of preparing a favorite food. Ripening Time celebrates the way food and family entwine to connect us across generations—and serves as a touching reminder that some of the sweetest rewards in life are worth the wait.

From the creator of the beloved webcomic The Oxherd Boy, comes this dazzling, gorgeously illustrated picture book about a little boy who learns he is big enough to do big things. 
 
Little Ah-Fu has a big imagination, but he can’t imagine being the Oxherd Boy . . . yet.
 
When the day comes for Ah-Fu to bring the huge family ox home from the woods, he worries that he’s not big enough to do the job. 
 
Will fear and self-doubt drive Ah-Fu home empty-handed? Or can he rely on his wits and compassion to become the Oxherd Boy his family expects—and prove to himself that he is, indeed, big enough?
 
Delightfully paired with exquisite illustrations, this empowering story inspired by traditional Chinese philosophy shows kids big and small how to trust themselves and embrace what they can be.

Stunning poetry and illustrations introduce a new generation to the beloved literary icon Toni Morrison, by New York Times bestselling author Andrea Davis Pinkney and Caldecott Honor winner Daniel Minter.

From imaginative child to visionary storyteller, Toni Morrison was a fiercely inspiring writer that helped change the world. This poetic picture book is part love letter and part biography, praising the power of this Nobel Prize winner. With its tender refrain, readers will know how much Morrison's stories -- and their own -- mean to the world. She was loved -- and so are they!

Open the door to understanding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the path to peace.

What is the Israeli-Palestinian conflict? Why is it happening? Is peace possible? When kids ask questions like these, are grownups prepared to answer? This book was created to provide context for this conflict, open the door to conversation, and lay a path for understanding, peace, and compassion for our shared future.

From U.S. Poet Laureate Ada Limón and Caldecott Honoree Peter Sís: a transcendent picture book featuring the poem that will travel into space aboard NASA’s Europa Clipper.

As part of her tenure as U.S. poet laureate, Ada Limón has written “In Praise of Mystery,” which will be engraved on the Europa Clipper spacecraft that launches to Jupiter and its moons in October 2024. Published here as Limón’s debut picture book, this luminous poem is illustrated by celebrated and internationally renowned artist Peter Sís.

In Praise of Mystery celebrates humankind’s endless curiosity, asks us what it means to explore beyond our known world, and shows how the unknown can reflect us back to ourselves.

color artwork throughout

Este debut literario relata la profunda y conmovedora historia de cómo una niña y su abuelita enfrentan varias manifestaciones del racismo en su vida cotidiana.

El tiempo en casa con Abuelita es divertido. Incluye comer panqueques, saltar charcos y pintarse las uñas. Mientras que las salidas para hacer compras no siempre son divertidas. En el supermercado y en el bus la gente es impaciente y desconfiada. A veces alzan la voz y gritan. Esto entristece, enfada y atemoriza a la niña protagonista de la historia. Ella decide nunca más salir de su casa. Esto cambia cuando en un instante la pequeña se da cuenta que unidas, ella y Abuelita, son mucho más fuertes.

Los cálidos y expresivos dibujos de Rafael Mayani ilustran magníficamente la ternura que existe entre la narradora y su querida Abuelita.

A tender picture book about a veteran’s PTSD and a family’s love for each other—on good days and hard days—from award-winning creators Winsome Bingham and Rahele Jomepour Bell

Momma wears combat boots, a camouflage jacket, and a U.S. ARMY tag on her chest. She is a fighter for her country’s freedom, but she is also a fighter for her family. When Momma comes home from a long deployment, however, something has changed. Our narrator, Momma’s “Baby," misses the big hugs, uniform fashion shows, and music mornings they used to share. And she really misses planting vegetables together. Now her Momma won’t even come out to the garden. But maybe, just maybe, she can bring the garden to Momma.

Missing Momma is the poignant and ultimately hopeful, comforting story of a child with a parent affected by PTSD. Sensitively written by Winsome Bingham and movingly illustrated by Rahele Jomepour Bell, Missing Momma beautifully reminds kids that a family’s love endures even on days that aren’t picture perfect.

Discover the life of Serena Williams―a story about challenging yourself and achieving your dreams for kids ages 6 to 9

Serena Williams is one of the most famous and talented tennis players in history. Before she became a legendary professional athlete, she was a young girl who loved reading and gymnastics and started playing tennis at three years old! In this book about Serena Williams for kids, new readers will explore how she faced discrimination, injuries, and many other challenges, but still worked hard to be the best player she could be.

Independent reading―This biography book for kids is broken down into short chapters and simple language so they can read and learn on their own.

Critical thinking―Kids will learn the Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How of Serena's life, find definitions of new words, discussion questions, and more.

A lasting legacy―Find out how Serena's love for her family and her community inspired her to get involved with important charity work, helping people all over the world.

How will Serena's competitive spirit inspire you?

Acompaña a la abuela un sábado en la tarde a visitar a Yamaya al río Hudson.

Todos los días, la abuela extraña el océano en Puerto Rico. Pero los sábados, cuando el sol está alto en el cielo, la abuela y su nieta recorren Harlem hacia la 12 Avenida camino a un lugar mágico: al río Hudson.

Ahí, van a celebrar al río que trajo a millones de americanos a sus costas, y al espíritu de una religión antigua y de un amor familiar pasado de generación a generación.

Esta historia es en un relato reconfortante inspirado por un río icónico, un amor expansivo intergeneracional, recuerdos y la curiosidad infantil que inspiran en sí.

A grandmother and granddaughter share a magical trip to the Hudson River affirming intergenerational love and the power of water in this heart-song of a picture book.

Every day, Abuela misses the ocean in Puerto Rico. But on Saturdays, when the sun is high, Abuela takes her granddaughter on a walk down the hill in Harlem to Twelfth Avenue, to a place that is just as magical: the Hudson River.

There, they visit Yamaya, mermaids that invoke child-like wonder and hold onto the memory of all who have passed through their waters. Together, Abuela, her granddaughter, and the spirits of ancient religion and familial love celebrate the river that brought millions of new Americans to its shores through the generations.

From award-winning author Carole Boston Weatherford comes a captivating picture book biography about the incredible life of esteemed author, editor, and activist Toni Morrison, featuring gorgeous illustrations by debut artist Khalif Tahir Thompson.

How do you tell a story?

Before Toni Morrison was a Pulitzer Prize winner and Nobel Prize–winning author, she was Chloe Ardelia Wofford, a little girl in Ohio who was both the only Black child in her first-grade classroom and the only student who was able to read.

This is the true story of how that young girl learned from her upbringing, surrounded herself with stories, and made a tremendous impact on the world. Toni Morrison’s pen was her sword, and she grew to be a titan of the arts. Her legacy is one that still touches readers to this day.

Expertly and evocatively told by award-winning author Carole Boston Weatherford, with beautiful painted illustrations by Khalif Tahir Thompson, this is a must-have picture book biography for any collection. It celebrates Toni Morrison’s legacy while inspiring readers to create art, believe in themselves, and strive for greatness.

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In this lyrical picture book from two breakout picture book creators, a young Black child waits for—and worries about—her father while he’s away from home. A sensitive, poignant portrayal of a family’s worries, joys, and comforts, to sit alongside books by Jacqueline Woodson and Christian Robinson. Every night when Daddy gets home from work, Olivia gives him a big hug and knows that the evening will be full of love—and fun. Together, she, Daddy, and Momma will make a feast for dinner, clean up, dance to old-school tunes, and read stories. But every morning when Daddy goes to work, Olivia worries, worries, worries. Be safe, she and Momma tell him. But what if he isn’t? Sometimes other people aren’t, like the people Olivia sees on the news. Thud, thud, thud, goes Olivia’s heart. Thump, thump, thump, all through the long day, until she hears the jangle of Daddy’s keys announcing he’s home. Brittany J. Thurman’s poetic text deftly explores the day-to-day life of a young Black child and her family—their joys and their fears—with a rhythm and musicality perfect for reading aloud. Shamar Knight-Justice’s expressive artwork sings with color, texture, and warmth. Forever and Always respects the deep emotions of young readers while offering comfort and reassurance to any child waiting for a loved one to come home. For readers of Nigel and the Moon, The Year We Learned to Fly, and Saturday.

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From award-winning author-illustrator duo Karina N. Gonzálezand Krystal Quiles comes Churro Stand, a heartwarming picture book celebrating love, community, and the POP, SIZZLE, and CRUNCH of a perfect churro—inspired by the author’s relationship with her own mother.
 
Everybody loves churros!
 
On a hot summer’s day, Lucía and her brother accompany their mother to sell delicious, sugary churros on the bustling streets of New York City. But when a thunderstorm rolls in, and the customers are chased away, Lucía’s mother must improvise with a little bit of magic and lots of amor.

Find the Little Engine That Could and all her friends in this search-and-find activity book!

Help the Little Engine find all her friends and other hidden items in this super fun search-and-find book!