AUTHOR: DIANNE OCHILTREE ILLUSTRATOR: KATHLEEN KEMLY DESCRIPTION: The account of the historical contributions of Molly Williams who became the first women fire fighter in our nations’s history. WHY I LIKE THIS BOOK: So many stories of the heroism and courage of American women have not been recorded in the annals of history and as a…

AUTHOR: VIRGINIA HAMILTON ILLUSTRATOR: JERRY PINKNEY DESCRIPTION: A young African-American boy literally blows onto the property of a farming family in the midst of a windstorm during the drought of the 1970’s. He brings a special skill that may be the answer to a prayer for a desperate family and the key he needs to…

AUTHOR: JEANETTE WINTER ILLUSTRATOR: JEANETTE WINTER DESCRIPTION: A young Kenyan girl learns respect for nature working with her family on their small farm and grows up to lead an environmental movement that empowers women and transforms a nation.  WHY I LIKE THIS BOOK: Wangari Matthai never imagined as a child what she would grow up…

AUTHOR: ANN GRIFALCONI ILLUSTRATOR: KADIR NELSON DESCRIPTION: Abikanile’s village is in danger and her mother is the only one of all her people who has a plan to survive. The entire village and all its inhabitants must disappear into thin air! WHY I LIKE THIS BOOK: Many books which depict the blessings and benefits of…

AUTHOR: TOLOLWA MOLLEL ILLUSTRATOR: PAUL MORIN DESCRIPTION: A mysterious young boy uses special powers to make life better for an poor elder man who befriends him until an act of betrayal changes everything. WHY I LIKE THIS BOOK: A great moral lesson in keeping faith with promises you make unfolds within this tale from the…

AUTHOR: JANE KURTZ ILLUSTRATOR: FLOYD COOPER DESCRIPTION: “Much of what is good comes slowly.” Almaz longs for her new stepmother’s love but finds she is getting nowhere until she learns the wisdom behind her grandfather’s words. WHY I LIKE THIS BOOK: Jane Kurtz tells a beautiful and well crafted story from Ethiopia about death and new…

AUTHOR: RONALD HARRILL ILLUSTRATOR: RONALD HARRILL DESCRIPTION: A young woman who prepared for leadership all of her life ascends the throne and through her remarkable reign seals her nation’s fame in the annals of history for all time! WHY I LIKE THIS BOOK: The remarkable ruler of the most powerful nation of antiquity is a…

AUTHOR: PATRICIA MACLACHLAN ILLUSTRATOR: ELIZABETH ZUNON DESCRIPTION: A young mother cradles and loves her child throughout the day until time to sing her sweet babe to sleep with a timeless lullaby. WHY I LIKE THIS BOOK: The cover art by Elizabeth Zunon drew me in immediately to this story from the African continent with a…

AUTHOR: KAREN LYNN WILLIAMS ILLUSTRATOR: CATHERINE STOCK DESCRIPTION: Ever had toys that didn’t come from the store but were twice as much fun!! Check out this story of a boy from Malawi who could work magic with his hands and the stuff other people threw away! WHY I LIKE THIS BOOK: America’s children have been…

AUTHOR: MAXINE ROSE SCHUR ILLUSTRATOR: BRIAN PINKNEY DESCRIPTION: Menelik can hardly contain his excitement for today he will be allowed to pull the iron from the fire as he works alongside his blacksmith father. It is the day before the Sabbath and they must work quickly to be done in time for no work can…

AUTHOR: VERNA ARDEMA ILLUSTRATOR: SUSAN MEDDAUGH DESCRIPTION: A bright and curious little girl, big sisters who think you’re a pest, a beautiful shell from the sea and a mysterious green villain who’ll use a child to earn his supper! Now that’s a recipe for adventure! WHY I LIKE THIS BOOK: Verna Aardema delivers a gem…

AUTHOR: PAGE MCBRIER ILLUSTRATOR: LORI LOHSTOETER DESCRIPTION: An Ugandan family receives a goat that will change life for the better and make a girl’s dream of education come true. WHY I LIKE THIS BOOK: Beatrice Biira is a true success story. The nine year old girl depicted in Page McBrier’s story has now grown into…