You written and illustrated by Stephen Michael King
Picture book about friendship published by Greenwillow Books

Light and breezy, You: A Story of Love and Friendship has got it right. The world is more colourful, more musical and more exciting when shared with a true friend.

In this picture book about friendship, Happy and engaging illustrations invite us to watch as a friends work together to transform a drab birdhouse into a bright and inviting home. When the work is done, they joyfully play music together and manage to endure the highs and lows that life brings.

The world is an exciting place, with ups, downs, around and arounds, and far-far-aways. But the most exciting place in my world is with… you.

Well-suited to very young children, You is a picture book about friendship and love. It would be a great story to share before a parent or friend leaves on a trip.

Be sure to visit the author’s website (link above) and read about Stephen Michael King’s experience as a hearing impaired child and his path to becoming an author-illustrator.

You: A Story of Love and Friendship at Amazon.com

You: A Story of Love and Friendship at Amazon.ca

You may also be interested in our Valentine’s Day printables. Storytime Standouts is on Pinterest – Check out our Valentine’s Day Board

Storytime Standouts - Raising Children Who Love to Read

Catherine’s Story written by Genevieve Moore and illustrated by Karin Littlewood
Picture book about a child with epilepsy published by Frances Lincoln Children’s Books

Catherine’s story is based upon the experiences of a young girl who, as an infant, suffered from West’s Syndrome, also known as infantile spasms (a form of epilepsy). Catherine wears braces when she walks and she claps her hands very, very quietly. She is not able to talk but she does listen very intently. Catherine’s dad explains to her cousin that many people talk far too much; Catherine is special because she listens so well. Catherine, who needs help throughout the day, is supported by her dad together with her grandmother.

Catherine’s Story is beautilully illustrated with vivid hues. It is a valuable resource for classrooms and families seeking to understand children with disabilities, including epilepsy.

Epilepsy Ontario’s Resource “Perfection” – a play and program for classroom use

Catherine’s Story at Amazon.com

Catherine’s Story at Amazon.ca

You may also be interested in our page titled “Diversity.” We highlight picture books and chapter books that celebrate and inform us about human diversity including learning disabilities, physical disabilities, allergies, single parent families, interracial families, same sex parents, aging, death and more.

Don’t miss our page of quotes about diversity.

Storytime Standouts - Raising Children Who Love to Read

A Screaming Kind of Day – written by Rachna Gilmore and illustrated by Gordon Sauve
Winner of the 1999 Governor General’s Award for Children’s Literature, Text

A Screaming Kind Of Day introduces Scully, a young, hearing-impaired girl. She awakens and opens her eyes to her brother’s face, teasing and taunting. A noisy chase begins and is only stopped when mom intervenes. She is studying for a test and has little patience for her children and their screams. The grey weather outside matches Scully’s mood and, when the rain eventually comes, she wants to go outside to experience the rhythm and intensity of the storm. Careful to avoid her mom, Scully sneaks outside to dance, touch, smell and feel the wild weather. Before long, Mom is at her side and is angry. Once inside the house again, Scully resists going to her room and shouts, “I hate you.” Before long, restorative sleep calls and Scully rests. When she awakens, the Screaming Kind of Day has been washed away and harmony has returned to the family.

“After dinner I sit by the open window.
No rain.
The sky is silky pink with licks of lavender.
The green smells full and glad.
I sigh and look at Mom. “Can we go outside, Mom? You know, wait for the stars?”

Much more than a story about a deaf child, A Screaming Kind of Day explores family dynamics and provides reassurance at the end of a challenging day. As well, it encourages the reader to appreciate the sensory impact of a rainstorm and to consider conflict from several perspectives. A lovely story to enjoy with children aged four and up.

Rachna Gilmore’s Teacher’s Guide for A Screaming Kind of Day

A Screaming Kind Of Day at Amazon.com

A Screaming Kind of Day at Amazon.ca

You may also be interested in our page titled “Diversity.” We highlight picture books and chapter books that celebrate and inform us about human diversity including learning disabilities, physical disabilities, allergies, single-parent families, interracial families, same-sex parents, aging, death and more.

Don’t miss our page of quotes about diversity.

Storytime Standouts - Raising Children Who Love to Read

This week the American Library Association announced the top books, video and audiobooks for children and young adults – including the Caldecott, Coretta Scott King, Newbery and Printz awards for 2011.

Following on my posts earlier this week of some award winners, the Schneider Family Book Awards and the Pura Belpré Awards for 2011 are as follows:

Schneider Family Book Award for books that embody an artistic expression of the disability experience

The Pirate of Kindergarten, written by George Ella Lyon, illustrated by Lynne Avril and published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Division, wins the award for children aged 0 to 10.

The Pirate of Kindergarten at Amazon.com

The Pirate of Kindergarten at Amazon.ca

After Ever After, written by Jordan Sonnenblick and published by Scholastic Press, an imprint of Scholastic Inc., is the winner of the award for middle-school readers (aged 11-13).

After Ever After at Amazon.com

After Ever After at Amazon.ca

The teen (aged 13-18) award winner is Five Flavors of Dumb, written by Antony John and published by Dial Books, an imprint of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.

Five Flavors of Dumb at Amazon.com

Five Flavors Of Dumb at Amazon.ca

2011 Pura Belpré Award honoring a Latino writer whose children’s books best portray, affirm and celebrate the Latino cultural experience

The Dreamer, written by Pam Muñoz Ryan, illustrated by Peter Sís and published by Scholastic Press, an imprint of Scholastic Inc.

The Dreamer at Amazon.com

The Dreamer at Amazon.ca

Three Belpré Author Honor Books were named: ¡Olé! Flamenco, written and illustrated by George Ancona and published by Lee & Low Books Inc.; The Firefly Letters: A Suffragette’s Journey to Cuba, written by Margarita Engle and published by Henry Holt and Company, LLC; and 90 Miles to Havana, written by Enrique Flores-Galbis and published by Roaring Brook Press, a division of Holtzbrinck Publishing.

Pura Belpré Award honoring a Latino illustrator whose children’s books best portray, affirm and celebrate the Latino cultural experience

Grandma’s Gift, illustrated and written by Eric Velasquez, is the 2011 Belpré Illustrator Award winner. The book is published by Walker Publishing Company, Inc., a division of Bloomsbury Publishing, Inc.

Grandma’s Gift at Amazon.com

Grandma’s Gift at Amazon.ca

Three Belpré Illustrator Honor Books for illustration were selected: Fiesta Babies, illustrated by Amy Córdova, written by Carmen Tafolla and published by Tricycle Press, an imprint of the Crown Publishing Group, a division of Random House, Inc.; Me, Frida, illustrated by David Diaz, written by Amy Novesky and published by Abrams Books for Young Readers, an imprint of ABRAMS; Dear Primo: A Letter to My Cousin, illustrated and written by Duncan Tonatiuh and published by Abrams Books for Young Readers, an imprint of ABRAMS.

Storytime Standouts - Raising Children Who Love to Read