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Women Who Changed the World

The sun is shining, the birds are singing, and Zoe is excited. She’s about to have a fun-filled day with her mom. But when they go to the library, Miss Foster says Zoe isn’t allowed to talk loud. And when they go to the park, Mr. Jones says she’s not allowed to walk on the grass. Then at Grandma’s house, Grandma says she can’t wear wet shoes in the house. And at the store, a sign says kids aren’t allowed to play inside.

Is Zoe ever allowed to do fun things? Or is climbing, playing, yelling, and splashing in puddles always off-limits? According to Zoe’s mom, it’s all about knowing when and where to have fun. Then, you can be as wild as you want.

Written by Mandy Archer and illustrated by Shane Crampton, Stay Wild My Child demonstrates an important lesson for both kids and adults: Though some rules must be followed, everyone needs a space to be messy, expressive, and unrestrained. Published by Rainstorm Publishing, an imprint of Kidsbooks.

There are a lot of rules for Zoe to follow. But according to her mom, there are also times when the rules don’t apply.

Stay Wild My Child

Kid at Heart

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage

All Seasons

Be Resilient

In the village, everyone is sleeping. Well, everyone except for Paul. Paul is a farmer. Out in the fields, he mows, and rakes, and sows, and draws water. Paul works until he’s exhausted. Every day, he watches, checks, and inspects. He does everything he can to give his seeds a chance to flourish. And soon, beautiful plants and flowers begin to spring up around him.

But what happens when the dry season arrives, and the sun beats down without mercy? Will the rain come fast enough? Will the plants wither in the heat? Join Paul as he does the careful work all farmers must do: tending, nurturing, watching, and—most importantly—waiting.

Taking a look at the unseen work (and worries) a farmer undertakes with their land, The Farmer shows the cycle of both nurturing and trusting the earth. Written and illustrated by Ximo Abadia and published by Holiday House, the narrative emphasizes the importance of perseverance.

In the village, everyone rests except for Paul. He mows, rakes, digs, and waters. And then, the plants begin to grow.

The Farmer

Friendship

Seasonal - Spring

Dream Big

Nature

Be Caring and Kind

What happens when kindness and love are shared freely? Do they grow into something even more wonderful? Or, does the special gift eventually go bare? Little Miss is determined to find out. When she plants a kiss, and it grows into something extraordinary, she wants to share it with everyone she can—even if that means she won’t have any left for herself.

Plant a Kiss is an incredible story of unselfish giving. Filled with hope and optimism, the epic journey reminds us all of the power behind sharing joy with others. From acclaimed writer and illustrator team Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Peter H. Reynolds, Plant a Kiss is sure to spread love to all who see it.


When a kiss grows into something dazzling, Little Miss wants to share it with the world!

Plant a Kiss

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Vooks Originals

When Earth gets a bit lonely, it decides to visit its friends in the solar system. They’re all talented in their own, special ways: Mercury is crazy fast, racing around the sun four times faster than Earth. Uranus is super cool, with sweet shades and temperatures that can reach -371° Fahrenheit. Jupiter is not only big, but it's also light on its feet when it dances.

So, what makes Earth special? It’s not the biggest, or fastest, or coldest. Does that mean it’s the most boring? Or is there something else that makes Earth a special place—even if it looks like just a tiny blue marble to everyone else?

Written and illustrated by Jonathan Sundy, Earth Yay! explores Earth by celebrating what makes every planet unique. With playful themes of friendship, self-expression, and celebrating differences, Earth Yay! is a loving ode to the planet we all call home. This title is a Vooks original.

While visiting the other planets, Earth learns its friends are all good at something. But what’s special about Earth?

Earth Yay!

Biographies

Familius Presents

Be Brave

Animals

It's not just people who can change the world, but animals too! These amazing stories introduce children to the real life animals who changed history. From a cow that helped save millions, to a dog who captured a spy, to a bear that inspired stories known the world over; Amazing Animals Who Changed the World teaches that you don't have to be big (or even human!) to make a difference.

With beautiful illustrations and fun and engaging stories, Amazing Animals Who Changed the World is sure to entertain and inspire! Amazing Animals Who Changed the World is written by Heidi Poelman, illustrated by Kyle Kershner, and published by Familius.

These incredible stories introduce children to the real life amazing animals who changed history!

Amazing Animals Who Changed the World

5 Minutes or Less

Two fuzzy friends take a trip to the amusement park and one thing is for sure: they are definitely not scared! After all, there are much scarier things out there than a roller coaster. Like snakes! Or hairy spiders! Or aliens with pink eyes and furry teeth! The friends soon discover that sometimes being scared isn’t quite as “scary” as it seems–and it’s even pretty normal too. With endearing illustrations and hilarious dialogue, I Am (Not) Scared is sure to be a hit with the entire family!

This giggle-inducing, silly tale about (not) being scared features the characters from the Theodor Seuss Geisel Award winner You Are (Not) Small. I Am (Not) Scared is written by Anna Kang, illustrated by Christopher Weyant and published by Two Lions. Keep an eye out for other books in the fun-filled (Not) series coming soon to Vooks!

Hairy spiders! Aliens! Hot lava! A ROLLER COASTER! Absolutely nothing to be scared of here…right?!

I Am (Not) Scared

New Books

Celebrate Black History

Little Craig loves birthday parties, even though he doesn’t get invited very often. That is until Craig gets invited to TWO birthday parties, on the same day. Joey’s the new kid in school, and he invited Craig to his party first. But Dan is Craig’s good friend, and he invited Craig to his party second. Little Craig is torn between keeping his word to Joey, or going to his friend Dan’s party instead. Craig’s mom reminds him “You’re only as good as your word,” and leaves the choice up to him. Little Craig has a tough decision to make, but with his mom’s encouraging words, he just might learn a valuable lesson that will guide him the rest of his life.

Based on a true story, this Little Craig book teaches the lesson of keeping your word. That’s the lesson Craig Robinson learned in real-life, when he was invited to two birthday parties on the same day. Craig’s mom Marian Robinson, always full of wisdom, helped him learn the valuable lesson that he still remembers to this day. The adorable illustrations bring Little Craig’s world to life, and a heartwarming retro-inspired soundtrack takes you back to the real-life era the story comes from. Little Craig: Balloons and Cake is the first book in the new Little Craig series, which teaches important lessons that kids can take with them for life.

A Vooks Original, Little Craig: Balloons and Cake teaches the lesson that keeping your word is important, even if it’s the hard thing to do. Based on a true story and a real-life lesson learned, the book is written by Craig Robinson and Leslie Harter, and Illustrated by Skylar Hogan.

Little Craig loves birthday parties! But when he gets invited to two parties on the same day, he has to make a tough decision.

Little Craig: Balloons and Cake

Foundational Reading

From the moment he wakes in his owner’s bed, to the moment he collapses for an afternoon nap, this dog just wants to play fetch. So, the dog and his owner play. They play while the girl gets dressed. They play until she walks out the door. But while the girl is at school, the dog is distraught. He tries to play fetch with the mom, and the cat, and even the baby, but none of them seem to understand.

When the dog finally dozes back off in bed, his dreams are haunted by balls in space, balls on cakes, balls stuck down the endless tubes of giant toilets. Will the little girl ever return to play fetch? Can he possibly wait until she does?

The silly story of a dog and his beloved ball, Ball imagines the emotional journey of a pup waiting for his next chance to play fetch. Written and illustrated by Mary Sullivan, and published by the Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

When this dog’s owner goes to school and there’s no one to play ball with, what is he to do?

Ball

Unicorn is a unicorn. And Horse is, well... not. Grab a pink cupcake and laugh along with this hilarious story about two very different animals - one seems magical and perfect and the other... well... doesn't. But, outside appearances don't always tell the whole story.

Unicorn (and Horse) is a funny yet endearing lesson on envy with one important truth: We are sometimes unicorns. We are sometimes horses. But, it's our differences that make us all unique. And, friendship can come in all shapes and sizes.
Readers of all ages will love giggling along with this silly yet heartwarming story. Unicorn (and Horse) is written by David Miles, illustrated by Hollie Mengert and published by Familius.

Unicorn is a unicorn. And Horse is, well... not. But appearances don't always tell the whole story. 

Unicorn (and Horse)

Martha Washington grew up on a farm. Dolley Madison helped her mom run a boarding house. Eleanor Roosevelt became an orphan when she was nine years old. But like so many women before them, they didn’t let their circumstances determine who they’d be. They read, and they wrote. They taught, and they listened. And they left a mark on the world that we still see today in our parks, schools, and workplaces.

From Washington to Obama, come learn from eleven courageous women who did their best to make change for the better. Will you change the world in your own way? And when you do, will your name be listed next to theirs? The whole world is waiting to find out.

Courageous First Ladies Who Changed the World is an introduction to some incredible women who used their time in the White House to help others. Written by Heidi Poelman and illustrated by Giovana Medeiros, the book explores themes of selflessness, perseverance, humility, and the importance of learning. Published by Familius.

Can anyone change the world? These presidential women thought so—and they’ve got the life stories to prove it.

Courageous First Ladies Who Changed The World

Ronnie Lott has always been tough. As a kid, when he fell down, he felt something inside him start to rumble. That something was a voice called Grit. On the court or off the field, no matter where he went or what he played, Grit was there. When he tumbled, Grit said, “Get back up!” When he fumbled, Grit said, “Let’s try again!”

When Grit helps Ronnie become a professional football player, he’ll have a shot at achieving his dreams. But just how far can Grit take him? Join Ronnie as he pushes his limits and answers the question: Is Grit living in all of us? If so, how can we learn to hear its voice?

Ronnie and his Grit is based on the true-life story of NFL Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott. A tribute to the power of courage, respect, self-restraint, and unflinching resolve, Ronnie and his Grit is a 2021 Vooks Original. Written by Ronnie Lott and Leslie Harter and illustrated by Jonathan Sundy.


Ronnie has an inner voice named Grit, and it pushes him to achieve his dreams. But just how far can Grit take him?

Ronnie and His Grit

Papa is a soldier. And because he’s a soldier, sometimes Papa has to go away for a while, so Little Bear can stay and play in safety. But it’s not easy for Little Bear to be left behind. He misses the way Papa holds his hand, and touches his hair, and kisses his face and eyes. He misses Papa’s strong, warm arms.

Little Bear starts to wonder: What would it be like to stow away in Papa’s backpack? So he could stand side-by-side with Papa, and they could face the storms together. So Little Bear could whisper in Papa’s ear and see the things that Papa sees. So that he could be sure that Papa finds his way back home.

A tender, heartfelt story about the difficulties of separation, Papa’s Backpack abstractly works through the complicated emotions that come with a parent leaving for deployment. In an age appropriate way, the narrative approaches the subject with sensitivity, avoiding specifics on the complexities of a soldier’s duties. Written by and illustrated by James Christopher Carroll and published by Sleeping Bear Press.

A tribute to the bond between a child and military parent. Papa Bear is a soldier. When Papa has to go away, Little Bear wonders… what would it be like to go with him?