C’est une magnifique journée. Inspire un grand coup… Trois, deux, un… Vas-y, roule ! » Une petite fille s’élance et roule sur sa planche à roulettes en toute liberté à travers sa ville. À contresens est un véritable hymne à l’émancipation et à la liberté. À l’idée que malgré nos différences, nous pouvons prendre notre envol et nous émanciper peu importe ce que les autres diront. Un véritable bijou d’album décomplexant à glisser entre le plus de mains possibles.

A-Okay by Jarad Greene is a vulnerable and heartfelt semi-autobiographical middle grade graphic novel about acne, identity, and finding your place. When Jay starts eighth grade with a few pimples he doesn't think much of it at first...except to wonder if the embarrassing acne will disappear as quickly as it arrived. But when his acne goes from bad to worse, Jay's prescribed a powerful medication that comes with some serious side effects. Regardless, he's convinced it'll all be worth it if clear skin is on the horizon! Meanwhile, school isn't going exactly as planned. All of Jay's friends are in different classes; he has no one to sit with at lunch; his best friend, Brace, is avoiding him; and--to top it off--Jay doesn't understand why he doesn't share the same feelings two of his fellow classmates, a boy named Mark and a girl named Amy, have for him. Eighth grade can be tough, but Jay has to believe everything's going to be a-okay...right?

A little evergreen tree learns that self-acceptance and being yourself never goes out of season in this irresistible picture book that's perfect for fans of Jory John and Pete Oswald's The Cool Bean and Michael Hall's Red. One spring, a pine tree named Everly sprouts in the woods where everyone is green. Fitting in feels great for Everly. But, uh-oh, one day all of the other trees begin to change--their greens turn to bright yellows and reds. Everly wants to change just like her friends, but . . . what's an evergreen to do? With the help of her friends, Everly soon realizes she is perfect just the way she is and starts to glow in her own special way. Readers will be inspired as Everly's confidence grows in this heartwarming story perfect for every season.

A ball must learn to deal with his envy when a floating balloon has him feeling down in this simple and relatable story that reminds little ones that being different is what makes you special. Balloon can soar, he can fly, he can dip, duck, and hover—all on his own. Balloon is full of gas. He knows it, too. It makes Ball feel grounded by gravity. Balloon is super special. What if Ball is not so special? Turns out Ball’s got some moves of his own.

The award-winning creator of the Giraffe and Bird books introduces Dotty the dancing dachshund to celebrate the gifts of those who struggle to "sit" and "stay" Dotty the dachshund knows she was born to dance ballet. When told to sit, she does a plié. Asked to stay, she does an assemblé. Fed up with Dotty's lack of discipline, Mrs. Austere sends her to the Canine School of Obedience, but Dotty just can't seem to learn. Heartbroken, the little dog flees to the park--where an unexpected new friend is waiting. Could he know the secret to helping Dotty dance out her dreams with her own kind of discipline? In Ballewiena, author-illustrator Rebecca Bender, creator of the award-winning Giraffe and Bird books, introduces a new volume of animal hi-jinks. Tucked into the witty language and amusing antics is a perceptive note of encouragement for anyone who was made for activity in a world that expects stillness.

A child who looks different from her mother finds beauty and belonging in this new book from the creator of I Sang You Down from the Stars Izzy's favorite place to be is in Mama's arms--skin to skin, safe and warm. One night, cuddled up on Mama's lap, Izzy notices something she's never noticed before: her skin is the color of chocolate, but Mama's skin is the color of sand. When Izzy realizes she's different from Mama in other ways, too, she feels sad and confused. She wants to be beautiful like Mama! But Mama addresses Izzy's disappointment with a gentle, loving refrain: You're part of me, and I'm part of you. I'm beautiful like me, and you're beautiful like you. Finding lessons from nature and repeating her affirming message, Mama encourages Izzy to see her own unique beauty. This story about a multiracial child navigating identity and belonging draws from author Tasha Spillett-Sumner's own experience growing up as an Afro-Indigenous girl. Lyrical text and warm, lively illustrations show Izzy's journey as she learns to celebrate the differences that make her uniquely beautiful, and the connection to her mother that transcends physical traits.

Conceived of as a letter to her younger self, Because You Are captures Jael Richardson's insightful lessons about growing up, being joyful and loving yourself as a young Black girl. By exploring what inner beauty means, this story inspires children to recognize and build their self-worth, to dream big and to make a difference in the world. These lessons are brought to life on the page with lively and tender illustrations by Nneka Myers.

An autobiographical novel in which fifteen-year-old Jennifer Johnson convinces her parents to commit her to the Eating Disorders Unit of an upstate New York psychiatric hospital in 1988, where the treatment for her bulimia and anorexia is not what she expects but her future self helps her through it.

This lyrical picture book is a joyous, poetic, celebration of Black children and a reminder of the Universe's unconditional love in stunning verse and captivating collage. Perfect for fans of Sulwe! "Lyrical, empowering, and inspiring. An affirmation of the miracle each individual is." --Yamile Saied Méndez, author of Where Are You From? and What Will You Be? When the Universe decides to create a child, she draws from the earth--rich, dark, and full of everything that gives life, including eyes like black star sapphires and full lips to speak the truth. With help from the Sun and the Moon, they create a child of the Universe: beautiful, powerful, and boundless with the brilliance of Black Gold. Laura Obuobi's empowering, whimsical text and London Ladd's lustrous, captivating illustrations will inspire children to love themselves exactly as they are.

From filmmaker, actor, and author Justin Baldoni comes a real-talk, self-esteem-building guidebook that helps boys ages 10 and up embrace their feelings and fears instead of repress them. Highly designed and filled with activities, sidebars, and inspirational quotes, this book is the perfect social-emotional learning tool for parents and educators to jump-start conversations about masculinity with the boys in their lives. WARNING: THIS MIGHT BE THE MOST HONEST BOOK YOU'VE EVER READ Have you ever noticed that there are unwritten rules that tell boys how to act, think, and feel? Nobody knows where they came from, but one day--BAM!--you suddenly feel these invisible forces, pushing you to follow the rules of masculinity, even if they don't make you happy. This book isn't about learning the rules of the boys' club, it's about UNLEARNING them. It's a get-real guidebook that will show you how to be: Brave enough to reveal who you really are Smart enough to ask questions Cool enough to feel all your emotions Confident enough to know your worth Strong enough to speak your truth --and much, much more. Be prepared: This book is raw and surprising. There is no subject off-limits or lies detected. Sometimes things might get a little uncomfortable, but that's an important part of getting to know--and believe in--yourself. Don't worry, you're not on this journey alone, so let's jump in together to become the smartest, bravest, strongest HUMANS we can be!

The second in the Books of Great Character series, a brand new fictional picture book series geared for social-emotional growth! Brave Like Me is about having a fear and finding the courage to to face it.