Barbara Bottner

A first-grade girl who does not like to read stubbornly resists her school librarian's efforts to convince her to love books until she finds one that might change her mind.

"Priscilla is obsessed with gorillas. But when her ape-like behavior gets her sent to the Thinking Corner, Priscilla wonders if she is really channeling her inner gorilla, or just being a troublemaker"--

A child looks back on a day at the beach and drifts off to sleep, one body part at a time.

Raymond and Nelda have always been the very best of friends, and when they have a falling out they are both so miserable that Florence, their mail carrier, helps them get past their pride and hurt feelings to make up.

There's nothing Amy likes more than being famous. It's so fun to sign autographs for her bear, pose for photos with her parents, and she loves getting gold stars in class. But when a new girl comes to school, suddenly she's the superstar, and Amy is just super jealous. It's not until they spend time together that they discover something more meaningful than fame-friendship. -- from Amazon.

1960's. Maisie's first day of high school should be exciting, but all she wants is to escape the world: an abusive mother and a father who is rarely there to help. Finding refuge in her art, Maisie meets Rachel and her mother, a painter. She catches a glimpse of a very different world-- full of life, creativity, and love-- and latches on. But as she discovers her strengths through Rachel's family, Maisie finds herself risking new friendships, and...

Children are introduced to the imaginative world of art and how a picture can really be worth a thousand words in the lead story ART. Other stories include I Like Me, a celebration of self-esteem; The Dot, a journey of self-discovery and expression that will encourage everyone to explore his or her own creative spirit; Ish, Roman discovers that creativity is about a lot more than getting things just 'right'; and more.