Follow the Swallow (Reading Ladder Level 2) by 
Strictly No Elephants by
"A sunny, smart, tongue-in-cheek tale." --The New York Times Book Review "Sweet and affirming." --Kirkus Reviews Huffington Post Honor Book for Best in Kindness Bank Street Best Book of 2015 NCTE (National Council of Teachers of English) Charlotte Huck Honor Book CCBC (Cooperative Children's Book Center) Choice Book Sold in twelve countries! When the local Pet Club won't admit a boy's tiny pet elephant, he finds a solution--one that involves all kinds of unusual animals in this sweet and adorable picture book. Today is Pet Club day. There will be cats and dogs and fish, but strictly no elephants are allowed. The Pet Club doesn't understand that pets come in all shapes and sizes, just like friends. Now it is time for a boy and his tiny pet elephant to show them what it means to be a true friend. Imaginative and lyrical, this sweet story captures the magic of friendship and the joy of having a pet.
Say Hello by
Based on the author's childhood experience, this is the story of a boy who is left out and all alone, while other children play happily
The Name Jar by
Being the new kid in school is hard enough, but what about when nobody can pronounce your name? Having just moved from Korea, Unhei is anxious that American kids will like her. So instead of introducing herself on the first day of school, she tells the class that she will choose a name by the following week. Her new classmates are fascinated by this no-name girl and decide to help out by filling a glass jar with names for her to pick from. But while Unhei practices being a Suzy, Laura, or Amanda, one of her classmates comes to her neighborhood and discovers her real name and its special meaning. On the day of her name choosing, the name jar has mysteriously disappeared. Encouraged by her new friends, Unhei chooses her own Korean name and helps everyone pronounce it-Yoon-Hey.
HIgh Fives and a Big Heart by
High Fives and A Big Heart is the second book in the series ~ written and illustrated by kids for other kids ~ about having a friend with a disability. Jeffrey and his fourth grade friends understand the importance of their story and the potential it has to encourage friendships among kids with and without disabilities.
Moon Patrol by
Junot D#65533;az famously once said, "If you want to make a human being into a monster, deny them, at the cultural level, any reflection of themselves." "Moon Patrol" promotes the "story of us all," ensuring that children's bookshelves contain diverse, non-majority narratives of kids of all different races. A space exploration adventure and humor picture book series for young and early readers, focusing on themes of inclusion and diversity. Axis travels the galaxy helping the helpless, righting wrongs and solving problems! A race of aliens have altered their DNA to eradicate any diversity or specialty, leaving their world in ruins. With no one too smart or too strong, for example, there is no one to fix the machines, or lift debris out of the road. Axis helps show them the importance of diversity and the value of having different cultures in a society. Using his magical space age guitar, he adds color and variety to the planet and formally Grey Aliens.
Fur Is Only Fur Deep by
Jai Jai is a curious little panda cub who lives at the Beary Nice Orphanage. He dreams of having a superhero father and a furever family. Will his dreams come true? Come along with Jai Jai as he discovers that fur is only fur deep. With its clear focus on international adoption, inclusion, and seeing past differences, this beautifully illustrated children's book is perfect for both the home and the classroom.
The Brand New Kid by
Ellie McSnelly and Carrie O'Toole were running and laughing-their first day of school was today! And they wondered just what was in store. Would this be a good year? Would school be a bore? Everyone remembers feeling excited and nervous each fall on the first day of school. It's no different for Ellie McSnelly and Carrie O'Toole. But this year, there's not only a new teacher to meet, but a brand new kid as well. Lazlo S. Gasky doesn't look or speak quite like the other kids, and no one is sure what to make of him. In fact, they respond to his arrival at Brookhaven School by taunting and teasing him. But when Ellie realizes how tough it is for Lazlo, she reaches out, and after school one day they share an afternoon of soccer, strudel, and chess. Besides making a new friend, she and Lazlo teach their classmates an important lesson-one that isn't in their schoolbooks-about accepting people who are different...and in getting to know Lazlo, the kids learn that people aren't that different from each other after all. From one of America's most respected journalists, The Brand New Kid is a heartwarming story about tolerance and the need to give others a chance that will entertain and inspire children and adults alike.
Our Friend Mikayla by
When Mikayla was a third grader at Lower Nazareth Elementary School she and her classmates did something quite extraordinary.
Having already known Mikayla for two years, her classmates knew what it was like to meet someone with disabilities for the first time. Not only did they understand what it meant to meet someone different, they also knew what it was like to have a friend with multiple disabilities.
