Title: HOOP DREAMS

Author: Julia Wilder Banta

Illustrated by: 1000 Story Books

Publisher: EverImagine division of Haven Books March 2026

ISBN: 978-1-963705-28-7

Suitable for: preschool through elementary aged children

Themes/Topics: Wheelchair basketball, overcoming challenges, friendship

The story begins…

Hope and Harriet’s friendship was made of whispered secrets, giggles, and dreams.

Together, they pretended to become brilliant inventors and beautiful makeup artists.

Their imaginations built castles with tables for roofs.

Hope and Harriet signed autographs at their famous art shows and dressed up to pose for their movie premieres.

They could do anything and everything together.

Brief synopsis: Besties, Hope and Harriet, do everything together until Harriet is asked to join a basketball team. Unfortunately, Hope can’t join her because she is in a wheelchair. Hope sits on the sidelines and cheers for her friend but misses sharing this sport with Harriet.

At home she tries to shoot hoops but fails miserably. With her brother’s encouragement, Hope tries and tries again, eventually dribbling, shooting, and making a basket. With perseverance and hard work, Hope’s skills improve. When Harriet discovers Hope’s ability, she invites her to join the team. Then, when Hope joins a wheelchair basketball team, Harriet joins her on the court. Once again, they can do everything together.

What makes this book special:

At its heart, this is a story of friendship and dreams coming true told through the lens of overcoming adversity. Though Hope is frustrated and upset, she challenges herself to learn to play a new sport and discovers that being in a wheelchair doesn’t stop her from becoming an athlete. The positive and upbeat text presents the sport of wheelchair basketball but doesn’t gloss over the difficulty of learning to play while in a wheelchair. The illustrations are bright and cheerful showing a multi-ethnic group of characters. This moving book is a celebration of accepting and embracing differences. It is a perfect book to read aloud and offers a great starting point for discussions on differing abilities filling a much needed gap in current children’s books.

Back matter explains the basic rules of indoor wheelchair basketball. Proceeds of the sales of HOOP DREAMS will be donated to Holt International Children’s Services.

Click here to learn more about the author and the inspiration behind the story.

Check out this video to learn a few facts about the sport of wheelchair basketball:

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FANTASTIC YOU

by Danielle Dufayet (author) and Jennifer Zivoin (illustrator)

Magination Press 2019

The story begins…

There’s one special person I’m always with…

Can you guess who?

This beautifully written picture book shares encouraging suggestions to help young readers appreciate themselves and find ways to develop a positive mindset.  By seeing the book’s characters engaging in familiar activities such as teeth brushing, shooting hoops, and taking a bubble bath, readers will learn how to show love and kindness and to see how special they are. Positive ways to deal with disappointments, mistakes, and sadness that all children experience are practical, helpful, and doable. In addition, children can clearly see that they have their own unique gifts that make them special and fantastic.

The illustrations are glorious! From the shiny cover to each illuminated page depicting a multicultural children and their families, readers will see themselves and their friends in the pages.

Screenshot

Included is a note to parents and caregivers that gives clear guidance and suggestions on how to help children learn to cope with their emotions and feeling. This is a beautiful, encouraging, and important book that is a joy to read!

Read Your World is a movement to shine the light on diverse/multicultural children’s books, authors, and publishers. It provides a giant online reviewing event which provides an amazing resource as well as an opportunity for all who know the importance of multicultural children’s books.

Click here to go to the giant linky of multicultural books

On Instagram look for #readyourworld

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Title: BOOKS TRAVEL the WORLD

Author: Joan Schoettler

Illustrator: Helena Perez Garcia

Publisher: Bushel & Peck Books (2025)

Suitable for ages: 3-10 (and their grownups)

Themes/Topics: Bookmobiles. Librarians, Reading

The story begins…

All around the world, children wait for books.

So….

book lovers’ cross seas,
trek up narrow trails,
down steep, rocky paths,
over swift rivers,
and through dark forests.
They journey by foot,
on sturdy animals,
and with unique vehicles,
delivering books to children.

Version 1.0.0

In this celebration librarians and readers, BOOKS TRAVEL the WORLD takes us from Columbia to Thailand to San Francisco and many locations in between. It is extraordinary to see the dedication and perseverance of those who want to make sure that children have books to read. Kids will be fascinated to learn that books are delivered by elephant, ship, and camel. The lyrical, free verse text shares how, in each location, books are shared, and children always request, “One more story, please!”

Version 1.0.0

Why you need to add this book to your shelves:

BOOKS TRAVEL the WORLD is a love letter to all who care about books, reading, and accessibility for those in far-flung locations. It offers an appealing invitation to open and share books and is a tribute to those who help readers discover the world through books.

Each colorful spread is a visual delight showing details of each country, animals, plants, storytellers, and the excited children. This book can be used to help children learn about geography, customs, and how children all over the world love books and reading.

Visit Joan at https://joanschoettler.com/ to see the many places that you can travel through her books.

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Summer is a wonderful time to visit a museum where you can explore and stay cool. MousterWorks, written and illustrated by Angela C. Hawkins, (Gnome Road Publishing 2025) is the perfect picture book to read as you begin a museum adventure.

Young mice, Cosette and Pépin, join Grand-mère on a splendid adventure through a mouse hole into a museum. They gaze at brilliant interpretations of well-known painting by famous artists such as Claude Monet, Mary Cassatt, and Edward Banister. Cosette excitedly engages with the art while her brother, Pépin, searches for cheese in the art and eventually realizes that he can be an artist and paint his favorite things.

MousterWorks provides a kid-friendly introduction to art. The illustrations are rich with color and emotion. Children will love searching for mice cleverly hidden in the “mousterpieces.”. It is filled with imagination and whimsy with glorious spreads that invite children to spend time discovering the people, places, and feeling that each artist expresses.

Can you find the mouse?

Author/ Illustrator, Angela C. Hawkins, has a wonderful MousterWorks website which shares the original art that inspired each illustration as well as coloring pages and art activities. MousterWorks is exactly the book you need to introduce children to the world of art and museums.

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Hello Friends,

One of my favorite things about being an author is the opportunity to share my stories with children. I have had lots of opportunities this spring for author visits both virtual and in person. I hav received sweet notes from children who tell me that they are inspired now to write their own books.

Summer is almost here and I am excited to let you you know that I have been invited to  be a featured author for the SUMMER of STORIES program. I’ll be sharing NANCY BESS HAD A DRESS and talking about how I got the inspiration for the story.

Are you a fan of faith-filled books? How about FREE activities for your kids during the summer? Then you will LOVE Summer of Stories! Sign up today and “Summer of Stories” will come right to your inbox in June and July.

Sign up here: https://summerofstories.substack.com/p/welcome-to-summer-of-stories

What? 

• 30 Christian authors read their picture books—videos come right to your inbox when you sign up
• Book giveaways

Who? 

• Author Erin Greneaux invited 30 Christian picture book authors (including me!).  As Erin explains, she got the idea for “Summer of Stories” because, “As a mom, I’m always on the lookout for great Christian books for my kids. The local Christian bookstore has few options and the public library even less. I have an advantage as an author because I have many author friends who write fantastic Christian kids’ books. I wanted to help other parents find these books as well, and that’s how the idea started.”

When?

• Weekdays from June 9 through July 25

Where? 

• Sign up here:

https://summerofstories.substack.com/p/welcome-to-summer-of-stories

Why? 

• Help children build a love of books and reading, the basis of all other learning
• Help build community
• Plus, it’s FREE! And you have a chance to win! 

How? 

To enter the giveaway:

• Leave a comment on the post, which comes right to your inbox
• OR reply to the email and tell Erin where you reviewed the book
• OR who you purchased a copy for 
• OR ask the author a question in a comment or reply to the email 

One commenter each day will win a copy! All winners are chosen on Aug. 1

Sign up here: https://summerofstories.substack.com/p/welcome-to-summer-of-stories

NOTE: All story videos disappear on August 1, so watch as many times as you want until then!

Use this QR code to subscribe now so you don’t miss a single story!

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I am so thankful for Barbara Gruener’s beautiful review on her blog, The Corner on Character. Take a look . . .

The post A Fabulous Review – Nancy Bess Had A Dress appeared first on A Field Trip Life.

One of the joys of the Christmas season is sharing stories that have been passed down for generations. They change over time and become legends, often with heartwarming conclusions. There are stories about candy canes, Santa Claus, elves, and reindeer.

As most authors do, I used mentor texts as I retold an old Christmas story. I focused on stories that centered on the birth of Christ. Here are a few of my favorites. I hope you can find some cozy time to share these stories with children during this busy season.

THE LEGEND OF THE POINSETTIA

Retold and illustrated by Tomie de Paola (G.P. Putnam 1994)

This Mexican legend features young Lucinda who helps her mother weave a beautiful blanket to cover the baby Jesus in the church’s manger scene. When her mother becomes ill, Lucinda tries to finish the blanket, but it becomes tangled and unusable. Lucinda is heartbroken because she doesn’t have a gift to bring. A mysterious woman speaks to her outside of the church and explains that any gift is beautiful when it is given in love. Lucinda picks an armful of weeds because that is all she can find. She brings her humble gift to the manger, and the weeds bloom with poinsettias, known as la flor de Nochebuena – the flower of the Holy Night.

THE SPIDER WHO SAVED CHRISTMAS: A Legend

Written by Raymond Arroyo and illustrated by Randy Gallegos Sophia Institute Press 2020

When a golden silk orb weaver spider realizes that her cave is harboring the holy family and that soldiers are trying to kill Jesus, she weaves a complex web over the entrance. The soldiers assume that no one is in the cave as the web is undisturbed and the child is saved. Tinsel hung in Christmas trees is a reminder of the precious gift that the spider wove.

THE ANIMALS SPEAK: A Christmas Eve Legend

Written by Marion Dane Bauer and illustrated by Brittany Baugus (Beaming Books 2021)

This is a beautifully illustrated account of how animals are given the gift of speech at midnight on Christmas. They rejoice at the birth of Jesus and use their gift of speech to proclaim that “The Child has come.”

BABOUSHKA: A Christmas Tale

This Russian tale tells of Babushka, who is constantly tidying her home. One night, she welcomes the three wise men into her home for a meal. They invite her to join them on their journey as they follow the star leading them to the newborn Savior, but she wants to clean up first. Finally done, she packs food and gifts but is unable to find the star or the wisemen. Instead, she finds cold and hungry children and shares her gifts with them. A lovely story of generosity and what is most important.

RAVEN’S GIFT: A Feathered Flight of Faith, written by me, Claire Annette Noland with illustrations by Desiree Cordon (The Little Press 2023) is based on an old French legend.

Young Raven is bored, but everything changes when he sees a dazzling star and hears the angels announce the birth of Jesus. He flies off on a journey to tell the other birds. They are delighted and have gifts to present to the child. Raven wonders, “What gift can I bring?” Children love to join along with the lyrical chorus in this story of perseverance, generosity, friendship, and faith.

Enjoy these free gift tags that you can print on cardstock:

Raven’s Gift Gift Tags

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We’re trying to spend time outdoors on these beautiful fall days and are excited to see the leaves on the trees changing colors.

There are many great books featuring trees and leaves – here are three we enjoyed before we went on a leaf hunt:

WE’RE GOING ON A LEAF HUNT

By Steve Metzger (author) and Miki Sakamoto (illustrator)

This is a fun book to read aloud as it follows the same pattern as the child favorite, Going on A Bear Hunt. Children can experience fall through the eyes of three children on a leaf adventure. The text is bouncy with lots of sound effects and the ending is just right for active kids. setting off on a leaf hunt of their own.

RED LEAF, YELLOW LEAF

By Lois Ehlert (author/illustrator)

This gorgeous book introduces children to the wonders of trees and leaves and is illustrated with vibrant colors and richly textured collage including wire, fabric, and seeds. A glossary explains photosynthesis and other facts. This is a great book to encourage children to take a closer look at things that surround them when they are out in nature.

LEAFY LANDMARKS: Travels With Trees

Poems by Michelle Schaub illustrations by Anne Lambelet

This is the field trip book as it follows a family on a road trip across the country visiting 14 historic trees. Told in a variety of poetic forms with stunning illustrations, readers learn about the Emancipation Oak, the Boston Liberty Tree, the giant redwoods, and many more. This brilliant book will be enjoyed by children and adults and will inspire them to create a bucket list of trees to visit. Each poetic form is explained in the beautiful endpapers and the backmatter includes suggestions for planting and caring for trees as well as how to plan a tree-mendous road trip.

Here’s an easy project which can be adapted for different ages.

1. 1. Draw a tree trunk and branches on a piece of cardboard.
3. 2. Punch holes around the branches (I used a screwdriver)

3. Take a walk and find colorful leaves.

4. Poke the leaves in the holes.

5. Use masking tape on the back to keep the leaves in place.

6.Bring the colors of fall inside!

Until next time – Happy Trails!

The post We’re Going on a Leaf Hunt – A Bookish Field Trip appeared first on A Field Trip Life.

Christmas in July is an actual holiday celebrated on July 25^th. Supposedly this celebration began in 1933 at a girl’s summer camp in North Carolina. The fun continues to this day, and why not? Here are 5 ways to celebrate Christmas in July with RAVEN’S GIFT.

5. Keep it simple. Christmas is a hectic season with decorating, shopping, gift-giving, and entertaining. By limiting the holiday to one or two days, you can focus on what is most important, the birth of Christ. Skip the gifts.

4.  Use what you have. Bring out the mismatched napkins, plates, and soaps that usually just fill up those storage boxes.

3. Make a fun menu focusing on summer treats. Include lots of red and green. Here’s a few of the things we serve:

• Red and green Jello jigglers
• Watermelon and strawberries
• Red and green grapes
• Turkey and cheese roll ups in spinach tortillas
• Red and green popsicles
• Lime and Raspberry sorbet sundaes

2. Summer Fun based on Raven’s Gift:

• Help Raven Share the News  Game (pin the gift on Raven)
• Ducky Toss Game (rubber ducks tossed into various sized gift bags)
• Face painting
• Raven and Dove ornaments (here’s the downloadable link)

1.Storytime

Read RAVEN’S GIFT: A Feathered Flight of Faith and share the story of a young Raven who hears the news of the birth of Christ and flies through the night to share the news with the other birds. They all have gifts for the baby but what can Raven bring? Why the best gift of all – the gift of the good news!

The Little Press is offering a giveaway of Raven’s Gift. There’s still time to enter. On Instagram or X, like, comment and share.

Let me know if you have any suggestions on ways to celebrate Christmas in July.

Purchase RAVEN’S GIFT on Amazon or Bookshop.org

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A FEW BEAUTIFUL MINUTES: Experiencing a Solar Eclipse

Written by: Kate Allen Fox

Illustrated by: Khoa Le

Published by: Little, Brown and Company: 2023

Perfect for: ages 4-8 and everyone who is interested in eclipses

Themes & Topics: Solar eclipse, astronomy, nature

The story begins…

Under a broad, blue sky

from coast to coast,

we gather for a rare illusion…

a total solar eclipse-

when the sun vanishes into thin air

…for a few beautiful minutes.

Why I think this is a great book to add to your picture book collection:

A FEW BEAUTIFUL MINUTES is written beautifully with a poetic text that lets readers experience the awe inspired by witnessing a total solar eclipse. The book is child- centered  showing the preparations made for viewing and clearly explaining the actual science involved, moment by moment. We see children making sun viewers, people gathering, and what animals do as it grows darker. When the total eclipse occurs there is magic in the air as the sun’s corona shimmers around the moon.

The digital illustrations are exquisite and shine on each page in a visual celebration of a very special event.

I actually got chills while reading A Few Beautiful Minutes as it brought back memories of the eclipses I have witnessed.

Author Kate Allen Fox has wonderful resources on her website.

Mr. Ernie is ready. Are you?

NASA has a number of interesting videos on youtube. Here’s one:

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