This versatile story gives children permission to grieve and helps them develop positive coping skills. When third grader Jerzie wakes up the day after her birthday, she feels grumpy. Her birthday cheer is gone, and she knows today is going to be nothing but boring—until she hears a knock at her door. Grandma's here! Grandma, Jerzie, and her little brother, Josiah, spend all day outside building and playing with Violet, a snowgirl that becomes a pilot, a teacher, a vet, and even their late granddad throughout the day. But when a warm day comes and Violet melts, Jerzie must learn to cope with her grief and develop positive coping skills. The stages of grief are complex, but using the simple analogy of building a snowman, Violet the Snowgirl is accessible and versatile. It helps children develop positive coping skills so they can process change, like moving to a new school. It also offers strategies for dealing with more difficult loss, like divorce or death. At the back of the book, you will find conversation prompts and resources to support children experiencing grief.

When the television weatherman predicts a big snowfall, the narrator gleefully imagines the fun-filled possibilities of an unscheduled holiday from school.

Almost a year ago, a car accident changed Crystal's life. The accident killed Crystal's father and left her in a wheelchair. Now, Crystal and her mother are staying at the home of Grandmother Emilia, who has just passed away. They face the painful task of sorting through Gram's possessions—and their own memories. Then Crystal's mother, an artist, is offered an unexpected chance to exhibit her work at a gallery in New Mexico—an opportunity she can't afford to turn down. While her mother is gone, Crystal is left in the care of Zola, a friend of her grandmother's. One day Zola suddenly disappears. A series of alarming incidents convinces Crystal that she must find Zola as quickly as possible. Two mysteries escalate simultaneously in Marianne Mitchell's vividly written novel. The question "Where's Zola?" forces Crystal to confront another, equally baffling question: Now that her life has changed so dramatically, who is Crystal?

A heartfelt story of changing perspectives, set in the Midwest. Ten Beautiful Things gently explores loss, a new home, and finding beauty wherever you are. Lily and her grandmother search for ten beautiful things as they take a long car ride to Iowa and Lily's new home with Gran. At first, Lily sees nothing beautiful in the April slush and cloudy sky. Soon though, Lily can see beauty in unexpected places, from the smell of spring mud to a cloud shaped like a swan to a dilapitated barn. A furious rainstorm mirrors Lily's anxiety, but as it clears Lily discovers the tenth beautiful thing: Lily and Gran and their love for each other. Ten Beautiful Things leaves the exact cause of Lily's move ambiguous, making it perfect for anyone helping a child navigate change, whether it be the loss of a parent, entering or leaving a foster home, or moving.

A funny and bighearted tale about what makes a story good. The stories Gabe “reads” to his sister always start out sounding familiar — a red-caped girl on her way to Grandma’s meets a wolf in the woods — but then, just in the nick of time, Sir Gabriel swoops in to save the day. His sister insists that’s not how it’s supposed to go. He says his version is better: “Nothing bad happens in my story.” But when his sister walks away, it’s time to reconsider. Are his stories boring? Why does it seem like there’s always something missing? True fact about stories: they need a bit of bad to be good!

An imaginary hot-air balloon adventure brings two siblings closer in an unexpected way

Henry and Bea are inseparable, but one day Henry suddenly stops talking to his best friend. Bea knows there's something Henry's not telling her, but what could it be? Henry and Bea have always been inseparable...until one day Henry suddenly stops talking to Bea. He won't chat with her in class, and he won't sit with her at lunch. Bea can tell something's going on, and she's determined to find out what it is. When their teacher announces that the class is taking a field trip to a farm, Bea hopes that this might be her chance to reconnect with Henry. When Henry finds an old cat collar at the farm and starts to cry, he finally reveals his secret to Bea: his cat Buddy died last week. And even though it's hard for them both, Bea knows that she'll be there for Henry, as his best friend, no matter what. From award-winning author/illustrator Jessixa Bagley comes a realistic and ultimately uplifting portrayal of the challenges of childhood friendship. A Junior Library Guild Selection

An eagle soaring among the clouds or a star twinkling in the night sky . . . a camel in the desert or a boat sailing across the sea—yoga has the power of transformation. Not only does it strengthen bodies and calm minds, but with a little imagination, it can show us that anything is possible. New York Times bestselling illustrator Peter H. Reynolds and author and certified yoga instructor Susan Verde team up again in this book about creativity and the power of self-expression. I Am Yoga encourages children to explore the world of yoga and make room in their hearts for the world beyond it. A kid-friendly guide to 17 yoga poses is included.

The Bear and the Moon is a picture book that follows what happens when the gift of a balloon floats into Bear's life. The two companions embark on a journey—a magical tale that encompasses the joys of friendship and discovery. This is a gentle book filled with humor, while tackling complex topics like the transcendence of loss and forgiveness. • Filled with emotive text and radiant illustrations • Simply told and profoundly felt • Award winning author-illustrator team The Bear and the Moon is a compassionate tale that honors the small but profound world of the very young. This sweet book teaches social and emotional skills to kids, and offers a clever way to soothe some of our most difficult feelings: loss and guilt. • Just as ideal for gently soothing young readers to sleep as it is for encouraging a contemplative break from an energetic day • Great for parents, grandparents, and caregivers looking for a beautiful friendship or bedtime story • Perfect for children ages 3 to 5 years old • You'll love this book if you love books like Waiting by Kevin Henkes, Emily's Balloon by Komako Sakai, and Stellaluna by Janell Cannon.

Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey meets Dog Heaven in this profoundly beautiful book about the special relationship between kids and dogs, the importance of language, and finding the meaning of life even in its final days. Poignant, hopeful, and lovingly told, this dog's journey—told by the dog himself in his own unique words—proves that love abides beyond a lifetime, out of sight but never far away. As a dog and his little girl go on their final walk together, he experiences the sights, smells, and wonders of this world one last time before peacefully passing on. But for such a good boy (oh yes, he is!) and his foreverfriend, that doesn't mean it's the end. Offering a unique and noteworthy take on death, this book balances the somber topic with a dog's ever-optimistic viewpoint, all woven together with its unconventional yet fitting approach to language. Family members, librarians, art-lovers, and educators alike will use this book as an accessible and comforting introduction to the ever-difficult topic of death, discussed and related in a new way with hopeful, uplifting, innovative language. THE PERFECT BOOK TO TALK ABOUT LOSS: The perennial themes of grief, fear, and death are always relevant and classic discussion topics even in families not yet dealing with death. The perfect answer to kids' big questions about what happens when we die, this book will be a standard in every home library. CREATIVE USE OF LANGUAGE: The words in this book are incredibly special, with phrases that conjure how the dog sees the world. The enjoyable challenge of matching up "letsgoboy" to a walk or "pufftails" to rabbits will make for meaningful discussions on a parent's lap or in a classroom reading circle. TEACHES CHILDREN EMPATHY: Reading this story from the dog's perspective is the perfect way for young readers to understand that the way another character thinks and perceives the world is different from their own experience. A BEAUTIFUL DOG STORY: Ideal for readers who love dogs, want dogs, or are going through a grieving process for their family dog, this book celebrates all that is most magical about these animals who are always by our side. A COMFORTING MESSAGE: It's rare for a book about death to extend beyond the moment of dying. The continuation of the dog's story past this point makes it special and especially comforting. Perfect for: parents and caregivers, dog lovers, educators