Being a well-behaved child and kind and compassionate adult is tested time and time again in our lives. Books can help support children in choosing good ways of behaving and being. Florenza Denise Lee has written a powerful children’s book to do just that in Barry Bear’s Very Best: Learning to Say No to Negative Influences. Beautifully illustrated by Michelle Wynn, this full-color book is the story of a young bear who chooses to be helpful and do his “very best.” Yet, he’s confronted by a group of new young bears who make negative choices. Barry has to make difficult decisions. Will he let the appropriate adults know? Will he choose to continue on a more positive path? Purchase this amazing book to learn the answers to this question.

Today is Alyssa's first day at Lee Ponder Intermediate School, and along with learning new names, faces, and classrooms, she has to maintain her secret. One that she doesn't want anyone to know, not even her new best friend, Onika. You see, Alyssa and her mom are homeless. When Alyssa has an assignment (to write a letter to a student in Alabama whose school and home have been destroyed by a tornado), she bears her soul. However, when the note is lost and believes the school's bully, Marcus has found it, that things drastically change for Alyssa and her mom. Readers have enjoyed this book as young as second grade, and the comments from parents, educators, children, counselors, and more may be summed up in this one sentence, "Although Alyssa and her mom are homeless, they are not hopeless." The book may be used in conjunction with classroom Standard of Learning subjects such as Language Arts, Health, Social Studies, Government, and Public Speaking. There's No Place Like My Own Home has been found helpful for Social-Emotional Learning to include (but is not limited to) kindness, gratitude, sufficient conflict resolution, positive self-image. The reader will also learn how to reduce aggressive behavior, demonstrate self-control, manage emotions, set positive goals, engage in positive relations, and learn to solve problems effectively. Lastly, the book has an anti-bullying message. A MESSAGE FROM THE AUTHOR As parents, we see so many distractions vying for our children's attention, challenges that may cause them to disconnect from humanity. We want them to understand the power of gratitude and empathy without feeling as if we are forcing it upon them. Age-appropriate books have a way of emerging our children into worlds that represent the qualities we know will make them kinder, more caring, and compassionate. This is what I had in mind as I penned the words to my book, "There's No Place Like My Own Home." I have to confess; I didn't set out to write this book. It was born out of a conversation I had with Christine Bush, the Valoha Giving Movement founder. She told someone I had written a children's book on the subject of homelessness; I had not. But from that conversation, this beautiful book was born. Reading it with your child will open the door to honest, sincere dialogue about those less fortunate, empathy, compassion, and the power of hope, faith, and friendship. I cannot wait to read your reviews on this work of love. Stay tuned, the sequel, "Home is Where the Heart Lives," is in production.

Crunch! Munch! Gurgle! Slurp! Smack! Thump! Toot! Chug! Belch! What happens when Mia forgets all of her manners? She asks the reader for help. Mind Your Manners, Mia is a delightfully illustrated book filled with fabulous onomatopoeias designed to create countless hours of reading adventures.

Imani is unlike other girls her age. Due to developing meningitis at birth, she received a life-saving surgery that resulted in her being a wheelchair user. This, however, has not hindered her from being an active, outgoing, caring young lady. While in Children’s Church, Matthew 14 catches her attention; it is the account of Peter walking on water. Imani is unsure as to why the story continues to speak to her heart, “Lord, if it is you, tell me to come to you on the water.” No matter what Imani does, she simply cannot shake the feeling that there is a message calling out to her from these verses. She feels as though she is on a quest to find clues to a puzzle she didn't even know existed. Do the verses mean she will one day walk again, or something else? Imani isn’t entirely sure; all she knows is she is about to have a faith walk, unlike any other.

What happens when your wish is so BIG, shooting stars, four-leaf clovers, and genies in bottles cannot fulfill it? You seize the moment presented by capturing the tooth fairy and asking her to grant you your wish. Join Manny as he learns why sometimes words are more powerful than wishes. Manny & Tutu celebrates parent-child relationships, compassion, kindness, empathy, and love.

Hi, my name is Ian, and my dad is in the military. Malik and I are best friends. We have our own greeting and secret handshake. While planning Malik's birthday party, I learn my dad has received orders to move overseas. Will I join Malik for his special day, or will I have to move before the festivities begin? This Time Next Year demonstrates the joys and challenges military children face every day. It also celebrates friendships that transcend distance and time. Through thick or thin...friends till the end.

Based on the real-life shenanigans of a little girl named Olivia, the author developed this very interactive series of concept books. The books feature a multi-generational African American family and are certain to become your children's most favorite books. Adventurous Olivia's Alphabet Quest is book one in the series (soon to come is Adventurous Olivia's Numerical Quest). In it, the reader is encouraged to not only mindfully listen as the book is being read, but to actively look for hidden clues beautifully placed throughout each and every page. This book brings back the element of iSpy which so many adults loved playing as children. Olivia is very interactive; the child will not only listen, but they will also actively engage as well. Even after discovering every hidden clue, the young reader/listener is encouraged to go back and create their very own words for every letter of the alphabet. The book is so engaging, adults find themselves participating just as much as the children. Ms. Blom, Olivia’s teacher, has given her a homework assignment to complete an alphabet list, for free passes to the zoo. Olivia has two words that begin with each letter, but needs your assistance finding the third! When you see or hear a word that starts with the letter of the alphabet she is searching, SHOUT IT OUT! With your help, Olivia will be able to enjoy an afternoon with her family at the zoo!

Xiomara is very proud of her mom; she is in the military. Mars (as her mom calls her) loves eating new foods, meeting new friends, and learning new languages. Mostly, she loves moving with her mom to new places. So, when her mother announces she has received orders, Mars is elated. She dances her happy dance as she tries to guess where they will move. “Mars, you cannot go with me,” her mom announces. Mars is so confused! Why can’t she go? Where will she live? Mars will soon discover the answers to her questions, but more importantly, she will learn so much more. When Life Gives, Us Wind is an excellent tool for any single parent serving in the military. It is also great for any child facing the challenges of temporarily being away from home. This book also highlights the joys of being in a multi-generational family.

Today is Amiri's birthday, and her family has a tradition; the birthday person decides where the family will go and what they will do. Will they go to the park, the museum, or a movie? The possibilities are endless, and so is the fun when reading this amazing book written by Florenza Lee and brilliantly illustrated by Fx and Color Studio. Can you guess what Amiri wants for her special day? She bets you can't!