Children’s Books

MARIPOSA, WHERE DID YOU GET THOSE COLORS?

Virginia Padilla-Vigil, PhD

Mariposa, a colorful little butterfly, is sad as she flutters across the black and white world beneath her. She feels rejected and alone. She stops to rest on a cattail in Cochiti Lake, and a brave and curious trout swims near. He asks her where she got her colors. The butterfly tells him she must go and ask her wise abuelita. Her grandmother explains that the colors are a special gift and that it is not where they come from but what she does with them that truly matters.

This lovely story teaches about kindness and generosity-about loneliness and fitting in-and about becoming courageous in spite of fear. The illustrations are exquisitely rendered by noted muralist Nanibah Chacon.

Mariposa, Where Did You Get Your Colors? is a beautiful book for all ages.

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CARLOTA’S JUNGLE FRIENDS

Donald A. Yates, PhD

Deep in the lush jungle of the Argentine lives eleven-year-old Carlota, her father Daniel, and a host of animals that are very friendly to the little girl. There are the parrots, the deer and, best of all, the strange little Patagonian hares. Although those little animals don’t really look like a rabbit or any other animal on earth, the peculiar little creatures become dear friends to the isolated Carlota. The jungle is loved by the little girl as it is “a park, playground, and zoo all wrapped up in one.” Join in the exciting adventure of Carlota and her father as they face one of the great dangers of the wild Misiones, Argentina jungle—the menacing tigre (jaguar). Although awesome to behold in its natural environment, tigre is the most fearsome big cat of South America. Read how Carlota’s father travels to town to purchase a birthday gift for his daughter and upon returning falls into extreme danger. The gorgeous colorful pages reveal how Carlota, with the help of her Patagonian hares, saves the girl’s father. This is a story for precocious young readers, along with upper elementary students. It is sure to also be enjoyed by adults. It will become a favorite to be read over and over again with great delight.

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Deputy Pete And The Missing Muffin

James J. Griffin

Don’t let your child miss this exciting and colorful picture book by noted Western author, James J. Griffin. Meet the young Deputy Sheriff who solves the mystery of the missing Muffin. Deputy Pete is at the blacksmith’s shop having new horseshoes put on Charcoal, his big black horse. Pete’s dog, Pepper, is with him. Pete thanks the blacksmith and rides into town, where he sees a little girl crying. Jenny is sad because her cat, Muffin, has disappeared. Deputy Pete and his pets help Jenny look for her lost cat. They encounter many strange animals in their search, including an armadillo, a horned toad, a Texas tortoise, a garter snake, and even three Texas spotted whiptail lizards. There is an exciting surprise when they find Muffin.

The story introduces early readers to a law enforcement officer, to unusual animals, and to basic vocabulary related to the Western genre. It is an excellent and beautifully illustrated book for picture walks.

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Deputy Pete And The Purloined Pickles Puzzle

James J. Griffin

The annual Winchester Pickle Festival has been canceled. All the pickles and cucumbers in town have been stolen and everyone is sad, especially nine-year-old Libby and her younger brother Ben. When there doesn’t seem to be any hope left for holding the event, the children’s neighbor Deputy Pete, riding his horse Charcoal, comes home for a vacation. His dog Pepper is running along beside. The children ask the deputy to help solve the mystery and get the pickles back in time to save the celebration. Another boy, ten-year-old Jose Benitez, joins the sleuths as they interview people, investigate crime scenes, look for clues, and even set a trap for the thief. Deputy Pete and the Purloined Pickles Puzzle is an exciting mystery not to be missed.  (Chapter Book)
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Inside Me, Sometimes

Gail Heath

A whimsical octopus portrays contrasting emotions and then invites young readers to see those feelings in themselves. It is a great book for acknowledging, in a non-threatening way, that each person has countless emotions that are not always consistent. The book appeals to readers of all ages. ACCELERATED READER BOOK (Pre-K through 2)
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Inside Me, Sometimes/a Veces, Dentro De Mí (Spanish Edition)

Gail Heath

A whimsical octopus portrays contrasting emotions and then invites young readers to see those feelings in themselves. It is a great book for acknowledging, in a non-threatening way, that each person has countless emotions that are not always consistent. The book appeals to readers of all ages. (Pre-K through 2)  The book has both English and Spanish text.

Un pulpo juguetón muestra emociones contrastantes y luego invita a los jóvenes lectores a ver esas emociones en sí mismos.  Es un grand libro para reconocer, de una manera no amenazante, que cada persona tiene innumables emociones que no siempre son consistentes.  El Libro atrae a lectores de todas las edades. (Pre-K a 2) El libro tiene texto en inglés y español.

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No Time For Fishing

Gail Heath

Jeeper loved to fish.  He thought about fishing every day, all day—-even at school when he should have been listening to the teacher.  One day, Daddy, a school teacher, promised that he would take Jeeper fishing when he got home from the school the next day.  Jeeper was so excited. He hurried off the school bus, put everything in their little fishing boat—and waited—and waited—and waited.  Finally, Daddy called and said he was sorry, but they would have to go another time.  Jeeper was so disappointed—but that day he learned a very important lesson about love and family.
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Pony Ride

Gail Heath

Pony Ride is a delightful rhyming book for children of all ages. Saddle up and come along on an adventurous ride across green meadows, past many animals, and on up the hillside to the roundup where calves are being branded. This is a great picture book to introduce the young cowboy or cowgirl to the thrill of the West.
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My Dog Fred

Gail Heath

My dog Fred has a problem and Mom and Dad are upset. A fun-to-read short rhyming tale for all ages.
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Our Daughter Is Getting Married

Gail Heath

Beautifully rendered with vividly colorful pictures, OUR DAUGHTER IS GETTING MARRIED, is a book written for children. It is about two young women in love and getting married. This much needed picture book, written in rhyming form, captures the essence of supportive families, and explains the joining of two female partners who begin a voyage of love and togetherness. The rhyming words and colorful pictures unfold to reveal a story of love and harmony enjoyed by all family members. It begins when one of the mothers receives a phone call from her daughter telling of her intentions to get married. The reader is taken on an exciting journey of selecting wedding rings, choosing gowns, sending wedding invitations, deciding on flowers and the wedding cake, decorating the reception hall, and finally joining in the final vows to become partners for life. This is followed by the father-daughter dance and the reception itself. OUR DAUGHTER IS GETTING MARRIED is a much needed book of support for the real life circumstances of many members of the LGBT community. It brings harmony and common sense and will do much to remove divisiveness. Told with incredible sensitivity, this book will change how some people will view marriage—especially a LGBT marriage. Once read, the book will NOT be forgotten.
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