300-400

PICTURE BOOKS

A Big Mooncake for Little Star

by Grace Lin

AD 430L, PreK-3

Fantastical picture book telling an origin story for the phases of the moon.

https://www.bookshopsantacruz.com/book/9780316404488

Amanda's Big Dream

by Judith Matz / Elizabeth Patch

No lexile, K-3

Realistic picture book about ice skating that discusses self image and body size.

https://www.bookshopsantacruz.com/book/9780692377819

Baby Goes to Market

by Atinuke / Angela Brooksbank

AD 460L, PreK-2

Board book that introduces counting by following the actions of a baby at the market.

https://www.bookshopsantacruz.com/book/9781536205527

Brandon Makes Jiǎo Zi

by Eugenia Chu / Helena Chu Ho

No lexile, K-3

Bilingual picture book about a boy and his grandma making Jiǎo Zi dumplings.

https://bookshop.org/books/brandon-makes-ji-462-o-zi-39171-23376/9781478790389

Colors of Aloha

by Kanoa Kao Arteaga / J.R Keaolani Bogac-Moore

No lexile, K-3

Picture book about kids adventuring around Hawai'i to learn colors with their older brother and his boyfriend.

https://www.bookshopsantacruz.com/book/9781775084082

Drawn Together

by Minh Lê / Dan Santat

AD 310L, PreK-K

Fantastical picture book about a boy and his grandpa who bond over art despite language barriers.

https://www.bookshopsantacruz.com/book/9781484767603

Feivel's Flying Horses

by Heidi Smith Hyde / Joanna Van Der Sterre

No lexile, K-3

Historical picture book about the Jewish woodcarvers who immigrated to the US and made carousel horses.

https://www.bookshopsantacruz.com/book/9780761339571

Fiji-Baat

by Salvin Kumar

No lexile, K-3

Realistic picture book about a boy who visits Fiji for Christmas and bonds with his grandparents.

https://myfijistore.com/en/gifts/fiji-baat-childrens-book

Hair Love

by Matthew A. Cherry / Vashti Harrison

AD 480L, PreK-3

Realistic picture book about a man and his daughter learning how to take care of her hair.

https://www.bookshopsantacruz.com/book/9780525553366

Just Because

by Rebecca Elliot

No lexile, K-2

Realistic picture book about a boy's love for his sister Clemmie, who has special needs.

https://www.bookshopsantacruz.com/book/9780745962351

Lift

by Minh Lê / Dan Santat

390L, PreK-3

Fantastical picture book about a magical elevator and the fun of sharing discoveries with family.

https://www.bookshopsantacruz.com/book/9781368036924

Something Beautiful

by Sharon Dennis Wyeth / Chris K. Soentpiet

AD 490L, PreK-2

Realistic picture book about a girl's search for something beautiful in her neighborhood.

https://www.bookshopsantacruz.com/book/9780440412106

Sumo Joe

by Mia Wenjen / Nat Iwata

No lexile, K-3

Realistic picture book about a boy who is torn between following tradition and letting his sister sumo wrestle with him.

https://www.bookshopsantacruz.com/book/9781620148020

The ABC's of Black History

by Rio Cortez / Lauren Semmer

No lexile, K-4

Nonfiction picture book about the story of Black people in America, including inspiring leaders, events, and ideas.

https://www.bookshopsantacruz.com/book/9781523507498

The Desert is My Mother

by Pat Mora / Daniel Lechon

AD 440L, PreK-3

Poetic, bilingual picture book that serves as an ode to the desert.

https://www.bookshopsantacruz.com/book/9781558851580

When Aidan Became a Brother

by Kyle Lukoff / Kaylani Juanita

No lexile, K-3

Realistic picture book about a boy who is transgender preparing to become a big brother.

https://www.bookshopsantacruz.com/book/9781620148372

CHAPTER BOOKS

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe

by Benjamin Alire Sáenz

HL 380L, 7-9

Young adult bildungsroman about the special friendship and love between two teenage boys.

https://www.bookshopsantacruz.com/book/9781442408937

Bayou Magic

by Jewell Parker Rhodes

410L, 3-7

Fantasy novel with environmentalist themes about a girl who visits her family in the bayou.

https://www.bookshopsantacruz.com/book/9780316224857

Between Shades of Gray

by Ruta Sepetys

HL 490L, 7-9

Historical fiction novel about a girl from Lithuania who is forced into a Siberian work camp and passes messages through art.

https://www.bookshopsantacruz.com/book/9780142420591