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Nashville Book Connection

Home
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Just Ask

Just Ask

Feeling different, especially as a kid, can be tough. But in the same way that different types of plants and flowers make a garden more beautiful and enjoyable, different types of people make our world more vibrant and wonderful.

Author: Sonia Sotomayor

Illustrator: Rafael Lopez

Subject: disabilities

Page Count: 32

The Proudest Blue

The Proudest Blue

With her new backpack and light-up shoes, Faizah knows the first day of school is going to be special. It's the start of a brand new year and, best of all, it's her older sister Asiya's first day of hijab--a hijab of beautiful blue fabric, like the ocean waving to the sky. But not everyone sees hijab as beautiful, and in the face of hurtful, confusing words, Faizah will find new ways to be strong.

Paired with Hatem Aly's beautiful, whimsical art, Olympic medalist Ibtihaj Muhammad and Morris Award finalist S.K. Ali bring readers an uplifting, universal story of new experiences, the unbreakable bond between siblings, and of being proud of who you are.

Author: Ibtihaj Muhammad

Illustrator: Katem Aly

What If...

What If...

This girl is determined to express herself! If she can't draw her dreams, she'll sculpt or build, carve or collage. If she can't do that, she'll turn her world into a canvas. And if everything around her is taken away, she'll sing, dance, and dream...

Stunning mixed media illustrations, lyrical text, and a breathtaking gatefold conjure powerful magic in this heartfelt affirmation of art, imagination, and the resilience of the human spirit.

Author: Samantha Berger

Illustrator: Mike Curato

We're All Wonders

We're All Wonders

Over 8 million people have fallen in love with Wonder and have joined the movement to Choose Kind. Now younger readers can meet Auggie Pullman, an ordinary boy with an extraordinary face, and his beloved dog, Daisy.

Countless fans have asked R. J. Palacio to write a book for younger readers. With We’re All Wonders, she makes her picture-book debut as both author and artist, with a spare, powerful text and striking, richly imagined illustrations. Palacio shows readers what it’s like to live in Auggie’s world—a world in which he feels like any other kid, but he’s not always seen that way.

We’re All Wonders may be Auggie’s story, but it taps into every child’s longing to belong, and to be seen for who they truly are. It’s the perfect way for families and educators to talk about empathy and kindness with young children.

Author + Illustrator: R.J. Palacio

Leila In Saffron

Leila In Saffron

When Leila looks in the mirror, she doesn’t know if she likes what she sees. But when her grandmother tells her the saffron beads on her scarf suit her, she feels a tiny bit better. So, Leila spends the rest of their family dinner night on the lookout for other parts of her she does like.

Author: Rukhsanna Guidroz

Illustrator: Dinara Mirtalipova

Page Count: 32

Stand Tall Molly Lou Melon

Stand Tall Molly Lou Melon

Be yourself like Molly Lou Melon no matter what a bully may do.

Molly Lou Melon is short and clumsy, has buck teeth, and has a voice that sounds like a bullfrog being squeezed by a boa constrictor. She doesn't mind. Her grandmother has always told her to walk proud, smile big, and sing loud, and she takes that advice to heart.

But then Molly Lou has to start in a new school. A horrible bully picks on her on the very first day, but Molly Lou Melon knows just what to do about that.

Author: Patty Lovell

Illustrator: David Catrow

Subjects: Bullying, self-esteem, self-reliance, emotions, feelings

Page Count: 32

Sofia Valdez, Future Prez

Sofia Valdez, Future Prez

Every morning, Abuelo walks Sofia to school . . . until one day, when Abuelo hurts his ankle at a local landfill and he can no longer do so. Sofia (aka Sofi) misses her Abuelo and wonders what she can do about the dangerous Mount Trashmore. Then she gets an idea—the town can turn the slimy mess into a park! She brainstorms and plans and finally works up the courage to go to City Hall—only to be told by a clerk that she can’t build a park because she’s just a kid! Sofia is down but not out, and she sets out to prove what one kid can do.

Author: Andrea Beaty

Illustrator: David Roberts

Series: The Questioneers

Subjects: humorous stories, family, social themes

Page Count: 40

Tough Guys Have Feelings Too

Tough Guys Have Feelings Too

Children will love to recognise the feelings in Keith Negley's bold illustrations which accompany a fun-to-read aloud narrative. Parents can enjoy and engage with children in a light-hearted discussion about emotions and how they affect us all.

Author: Keith Negley

Subjects: emotions, feelings, self-esteem

I Am Every Good Thing

I Am Every Good Thing

The confident Black narrator of this book is proud of everything that makes him who he is. He's got big plans, and no doubt he'll see them through--as he's creative, adventurous, smart, funny, and a good friend. Sometimes he falls, but he always gets back up. And other times he's afraid, because he's so often misunderstood and called what he is not. So slow down and really look and listen, when somebody tells you--and shows you--who they are. There are superheroes in our midst!

Author: Derrick Barnes

Illustrator: Gordon C. James

Subjects: boys & men’s issues, Black stories, self-esteem

All Are Welcome

All Are Welcome

Discover a school where all young children have a place, have a space, and are loved and appreciated.

Readers will follow a group of children through a day in their school, where everyone is welcomed with open arms. A school where students from all backgrounds learn from and celebrate each other's traditions. A school that shows the world as we will make it to be.

Author: Alexandra Penfold

Illustrator: Suzanne Kaufman

Subjects: diversity, inclusion, friendship, school

Eyes that Speak to the Stars

Eyes that Speak to the Stars

A young boy comes to recognize his own power and ability to change the future. When a friend at school creates a hurtful drawing, the boy turns to his family for comfort. He realizes that his eyes rise to the skies and speak to the stars, shine like sunlit rays, and glimpse trails of light from those who came before—in fact, his eyes are like his father’s, his agong’s, and his little brother’s, and they are visionary.

Inspired by the men in his family, he recognizes his own power and strength from within. This extraordinary picture book redefines what it means to be truly you.

Eyes That Kiss in the Corners received three starred reviews and was embraced as "breathtaking," "lyrical," and "poignant." This companion volume is sure to be welcomed with equal joy.

Author: Joanna Ho

Illustrator: Dung Ho

Subjects: multigenerational family life, Asian heritage, Asian American

Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story

Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story

Told in lively and powerful verse by debut author Kevin Noble Maillard, Fry Bread is an evocative depiction of a modern Native American family, vibrantly illustrated by Pura Belpre Award winner and Caldecott Honoree Juana Martinez-Neal.

Author: Kevin Noble Maillard

Illustrator: Juana Martinez-Neal

Subjects: family life, Native American identity

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Previous Next
Just Ask
The Proudest Blue
What If...
We're All Wonders
Leila In Saffron
Stand Tall Molly Lou Melon
Sofia Valdez, Future Prez
Tough Guys Have Feelings Too
I Am Every Good Thing
All Are Welcome
Eyes that Speak to the Stars
Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story

making strides in literacy

To have a diverse collection [of books] that they can see themselves in I think has made a huge difference in them… they want to read. To see them wanting to read is like, “Yes, we are making strides.”

- MNPS Dean of Students about Nashville Book Connection


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