Books for Dealing with Tough Issues

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

by Judith Viorst Illustrated by Ray Cruz

In this contemporary classic, veteran children's author Viorst introduces us to Alexander, a kid with an unruly crop of hair, who gets out of bed to face a day that seems to grow increasingly worse with each passing minute.

The Good-Pie Party

by Liz Garton Scanlon Illustrated by Kady MacDonald Denton

The author of ALL THE WORLD and the illustrator of A VISITOR FOR BEAR stir their talents together in a mix as sweet as spiced apples in a buttery crust:

Winter's Tail: How One Little Dolphin Learned to Swim Again

by Juliana Hatkoff , Craig Hatkoff , Isabella Hatkoff

Winter is a dolphin. Just over two years ago, when she was a baby, she was rescued from a crab trap, her tail seriously damaged. Winter was rushed to Clearwater Marine Aquarium, a marine animal hospital. It wasn't clear that she would survive.

Owen and Mzee: The True Story of a Remarkable Friendship

Series: Owen And Mzee

by Craig Hatkoff , Isabella Hatkoff , Dr. Paula Kahumbu Illustrated by Peter Greste

The inspiring true story of two great friends, a baby hippo named Owen and a 130-yr-old giant tortoise named Mzee (Mm-ZAY). When Owen was stranded after the Dec 2004 tsunami, villagers in Kenya worked tirelessly to rescue him.

Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon

by Patty Lovell Illustrated by David Catrow

Molly Lou Melon is short and clumsy and has buckteeth and a voice that sounds like a bullfrog being squeezed by a boa constrictor. But armed with the encouraging words of her grandmother, Molly Lou confidently confronts the class bully at her new school.

The Giving Tree

by Shel Silverstein Illustrated by Shel Silverstein

"Once there was a tree...and she loved a little boy." So begins a story of unforgettable perception, beautifully written and illustrated by the gifted and versatile Shel Silverstein.

Goodbye House

by Frank Asch

Bear is sad to bid farewell to his empty house, but he finds many happy memories to be treasured for the future in each vacant room.

A Kiss Goodbye

by Audrey Penn

Chester Raccoon, whom readers have come to know and love through The Kissing Hand and its sequel, A Pocket Full of Kisses, is facing another dilemma common to the lives of many children: he and his family are moving.

The Kissing Hand

by Audrey Penn Illustrated by Ruth E. Harper , Nancy M. Leak

Here is the story of a little raccoon who confronts the first day of school and needs reassurance. Mother Raccoon finds an unforgettable way of communicating the message that everyone most needs to hear.