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K-3
Bub, a middle child, wants to be recognized and heard by his busy, often-bickering monster family. One day, Bub has had enough of loud parents, bossy big sister Bernice, and attention-sapping little sib "called The Baby"--and he decides it's "time / for a change!" Abundant white space spotlights Stanton's fetching pencil and watercolor vignettes in this inviting, gently humorous story of family dynamics.
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K-3
Watching a hoedown, Peddles--whose "big ideas" are dismissed by the other pigs--is inspired to dance. The red cowboy boots he finds don't impart skill, but his repeated efforts inspire the other pigs to help. Sitting amid generous white space, gently detailed watercolor and pencil vignettes of Peddles's ideas, both imagined and attempted, adds heart and humor to this different-thinking pig's story.
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K-3
Chick Henny was born with human arms. "Sometimes Henny liked having arms and sometimes she didn't." She worries about sleeves, hangnails, and needing deodorant but also discovers the many benefits of being different. Though this debut's themes are well-worn in picture books, the gentle humor in the matter-of-fact text and in the soft pencil and watercolor illustrations on roomy white pages makes it stand out.