People are like trees--strong, flexible, and rooted.

In Trees Stand Tall, two young children admire the trees outside their window. When they take the city bus to a family picnic at a park, the children observe and mimic the trees with their cousins. Seeing that the trees stand tall, the children stand tall. Seeing that the branches sway, the children sway and dance too. Rooted in their families, the children too are flexible and strong.

Trees Stand Tall:

• Shows that children can connect with nature and its important lessons, no matter where they live
• Engages young children in reflecting on the natural world
• Includes activity ideas to engage children in learning about trees in their own neighborhoods

This book is part of the Outside Our Window Board Book series, which encourages children--especially those in urban neighborhoods--to explore, protect, and delight in nature. Each book in the series focuses on one feature of the natural world (like trees), one sense (sight), and one social or emotional learning skill (family connection). The books emphasize community and encourage children and families to explore the natural world around them.

Awaken young children to the sounds birds make, and to their own unique voices.

In Birds Sing Their Words, two young children, guided by an adult, take a springtime walk through a city neighborhood, noticing how birds communicate. The sounds of fee-bee and per-chick-a-ree are all around them--alone, in chorus, or call-and-response style. The children learn that our own diverse voices parallel the many songs that birds sing.

Birds Sing Their Words:

• Shows that children can connect with nature and its important lessons, no matter where they live
• Engages young children in reflecting on the natural world
• Includes activity ideas to engage children in learning about birds in their own neighborhoods

This book is part of the Outside Our Window Board Books series, which encourages children--especially those in urban neighborhoods--to explore, protect, and delight in nature. Each book in the series focuses on one feature of the natural world (like birds), one sense (hearing), and one social or emotional learning skill (communication). The books emphasize community and encourage children and families to explore the natural world around them.

Amidst all the buildings, people, and traffic in his neighborhood, Jayden sees nature everywhere: the squirrels scrounging, the cardinals calling, and the dandelions growing. But Mama doesn't believe there's nature in the city. So Jayden sets out to help Mama see what he sees. With the help of his friend Mr. Curtis, Jayden plants the seeds of a community garden and brings together his neighbors--and Mama--to show them the magic of nature in the middle of the city.

Timeless and vibrant, this story highlights the beauty of intergenerational relationships and the power of imagination and perseverance in bringing the vision of a community garden to life. Jayden's love of nature will inspire readers to see their environment and surroundings as bursting with opportunities for growth and connection. At the back of the book, readers will find activities to make items found in the book, such as the milk jug bird feeder.

Jayden's Impossible Garden is the winner of the 2019 African American Voices in Children's Literature writing contest, cosponsored by Strive Publishing and Free Spirit Publishing, and the recipient of the 2021 Foreword INDIES Honorable Mention, Picture Books, Early Reader (Children's).
.

In Squirrels Scamper, two young children--Kamali and Josiah--step outside to discover the busy world of squirrels in their own backyard. As they watch the squirrels scamper, climb, and jump through the crisp autumn air, the children join in the fun--testing their own balance and agility as they mimic the squirrels' playful movements. Whether gathering twigs for their nests or searching for acorns, the squirrels are always on the move, and so are the children! After a day of joyful exploration and teamwork, including raking leaves and diving into leaf piles, the children realize that, like the squirrels, we too spend our days working and playing, celebrating the harmony of nature and the rhythm of life.

• Shows that children can connect with nature and its important lessons no matter where they live
• Engages young children in reflecting on the natural world
• Includes activity ideas to engage children in learning about squirrels in their own neighborhoods

This book is part of the Outside Our Window Board Books series, which encourages children--especially those in urban neighborhoods--to explore, protect, and delight in nature. Each book in the series focuses on one feature of the natural world (like birds), one sense (hearing), and one social or emotional learning skill (communication). The books emphasize community and encourage children and families to explore the natural world around them.

A must-purchase picture book biography of a figure sure to inspire awe and admiration among readers.--School Library Journal (starred review)

Extraordinary illustrations and lyrical text present pioneering African American scientist Ernest Everett Just.

Ernest Everett Just was not like other scientists of his time. He saw the whole, where others saw only parts. He noticed details others failed to see. He persisted in his research despite the discrimination and limitations imposed on him as an African American. His keen observations of sea creatures revealed new insights about egg cells and the origins of life.

Through stunning illustrations and lyrical prose, this picture book presents the life and accomplishments of this long overlooked scientific pioneer.

Jayden loves the outdoors and the garden he created with his friend Mr. Curtis. But he's not so sure about sampling some of the garden's produce. When Mr. Curtis invites neighbors to share the harvest of scarlet runner beans, Jayden faces a dilemma. Will he find the courage to try something new?

Jayden returns for all new adventures in Jayden's Secret Ingredient. This story, which can be read as a standalone or as a sequel to the award-winning Jayden's Impossible Garden, emphasizes the importance of friendship, community, and the courage and openness to try new things. Along with Mr. Curtis and Jayden, readers learn the value of outdoor play and contact with nature, from planting a seed to sharing and eating what it produces. This story is a natural starting point for the exploration of nature, ecology, and gardening, as well as for a cooking club.

At the back of the book, a section for adults has additional activities and other information to expand on the story and its ideas.

Revolutions are made out of love for people and for place.

This was a core belief of activists and married couple James Boggs and Grace Lee Boggs. From their home in Detroit, Michigan, they thought, fought, and taught together to make the world a better place for all. Their wide-ranging activism spanned the second half of the twentieth century, including civil rights as well as labor unions. Authors Sun Yung Shin and Mélina Mangal present the lives and ideas of James and Grace in an inspiring collection of paired poems with bold mixed-media artwork by debut picture book illustrator Leslie Barlow.