Hair Love by Matthew A. Cherry; illustrated by Vashti Harrison

Zuri loves her hair even though it has a mind of its own. It kinks, coils, and curls every which way. She's tried all kinds of styles: princess braids with beads; superhero puffs; it even does magic tricks when the weather changes. But this morning is a special day and she wants to let her daddy sleep in. Zuri tries to style her hair by herself. But there's a crash in the bathroom and daddy wakes up anyway. He tries every style imaginable, but nothing is right for the big day. Finally daddy gets out the oil. He parts and he twists and he braids. Ta da! Funky puffy buns, just in time for mommy to get home.

Available on Hoopla.

I Walk with Vanessa by Kerascoet

Vanessa is the new girl in school. You don't need words to see how anxious she is. Will she make friends? Will she be invited to play with the other kids? This is the boy who isn't ver nice to her. Why is he so angry? What is he pointing at? What does he see in Vanessa that he doesn't like? And this is the girl who helps Vanessa and who stands up for what is right. What does she think about the boy who was mean? Why is she sad when she gets home? How did she decide to go visit Vanessa on the way to school the next day? How do simple acts of kindness change everything?

The World Needs More Purple People by Kristen Bell & Benjamin Hart; illustrated by Daniel Wiseman

Why are people different colors? This little girl wants you to know how you can become a purple person. Purple People love to ask questions. Purple People laugh a lot. Purple People use their voice and don't stop using it. Purple People work hard. Do you need to actually paint yourself purple? Nah, just be the best you that you can be. The world needs more purple people just like you.

Malala's Magic Pencil by Malala Yousafzai; illustrated by Kerascoet

Do you believe in magic? When Malala was a child in Pakistan she wished for a magic pencil. She would draw a lock on the door to keep out nosey brothers, stop time so she could sleep an extra hour, and erase the smell of the trash dump near her home. But as she grew she had another dream: to succeed in school. But she began noticing that in her country some children had to work to feed their families, and dangerous men with guns began discouraging girls from going to school. She knew what she would do with a magic pencil to help make the world a better place. If more people knew about what was happening, she thought, maybe things would change. So Malala took up a real pencil and began writing about what was happening around her. And when people began reading what she wrote and asking her to travel around the world to give speeches, some of Malala's wishes for girls in her country came true.

Going Down Home With Daddy by Kelly Starling Lyons; illustrated by Daniel Minter

Lil Allan is excited to travel down south to visit his grandmother and see all of his aunties and uncles and cousins. But then he realizes that his cousins have all brought something to give Granny or to perform for her. As Daddy shows him around the land that his Pa was so proud to own, Lil Allan gets an idea for how to represent the family and all of its hard work in love.

Available on Hoopla.

Where Are You From? by Jaime Kim

It might just be curiosity, but when you look different, people may ask you "where are you from?" And even if you've lived "here" all your life like most of your friends, they may may ask "where are you really from?" They may want to know where your dad is from or where your mother is from or maybe the family before them. A young brown girl asks her dear Abuelo and after thinking for awhile, her grandpa tells her about the Pampas in Argentina, about the gaucho cowboys that raised cattle and wheat, and the beautiful Caribbean islands. But still she isn't satisfied with his answer, so he points to his heart and says "You're from here, from my love and the love of all those before us, from those who dreamed of you because of a song sung under the Southern Cross or the words in a book written under the light of the North Star."

Be Kind by Pat Zietlow Miller; illustrated by Jen Hill.

A classmate watches Tanisha spill grape juice on her very special dress and frets about how to make her feel better. She remembers her mother saying "Be Kind." But what does that mean exactly? Throughout the day, the girl ponders the possibilities. Does it mean giving to others? Is it helping others? Is it paying attention to others? Is it easy to do? Or is it hard? Or scary sometimes? She wonders if she can "solve" Tanisha's problem for her. But she realizes even little things can add up.

Because Amelia Smiled by David Ezra Stein.

As Amelia skips down the street through the rain her smile inspires a neighbor to bake some cookies for her son in Mexico. Her son is inspired to teach his class a song in English about cookies (you know the one!). And so on and so on. Good feelings spread around the world in this way every day. Who can you make smile today?

Happy Fourth of July

It was hot and the parades were canceled, but the Kalamazoo Pipe Band played for anyone who happened to be walking through Bronson Park this morning.