Picture Books and Early Readers

by Donna Jo Napoli

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL:

This captivating tale beautifully demonstrates that differences are a great and good thing, while also providing information about Galápagos creatures, and includes a mention of the real Galápagos tortoise named Harriet.

BOOKLIST:

...a story of enjoying life at your own pace...serene... beautiful large-scale vistas perfect for group sharing.

KIRKUS:

Slowing down and taking time to appreciate everything around you is precisely the value this simple story reflects. A journey of self-discovery in a unique environment.

TAKE YOUR TIME

coauthored with Eva Furrow

illustrated by Laurel Molk

2017 Henry Holt and Company (ISBN 978-0-8050-9521-0)

KIRKUS:

This mother-daughter beach outing features an added layer: Throughout the day, they use American Sign Language to communicate...delightfully descriptive simplicity...will lead youngsters to imagine the feelings of a soft sea breeze and the sun on their faces...emphasizes the loving bond between the two.

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL:

...profound calm and quiet joy... poetic summertime story...

From childrensbooks.com: This is a beautiful and important book that introduces a child to ASL through a beautiful and accessible story.

READING TODAY ONLINE (International Reading Association): ...utter joy and delight of a beach outing ... touching story about the special bond between mother and daughter.

HANDS & HEARTS

illustrated by Amy Bates

2014 Abrams (ISBN 978-1-4197-1022-3)

review

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY:

...this resonant book from the creators of Albert follows a grain of sand’s metamorphosis into a pearl. Napoli’s lyrical narrative imbues the tiny grain with emotions.

BOOKLIST:

... story of discovering self-worth...a thoughtful reminder that everything matters.

A SINGLE PEARL

illustrated by Jim LaMarche

2013 Hyperion (ISBN 978-142314557-8)

published in Spanish (Ediciones Obelisco, Barcelona, ISBN 978-84-16117-01-7)

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY: ...poetic descriptions of the landscape and journey... a refreshing new angle ...

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: ...the sights, sounds, and smells of his incredible journey...a beautiful, atmospheric narrative that explores the possibilities of that momentous expedition [Lewis and Clark].

NEW YORK TIMES:

..poetic text and lush artwork tell an evocative story...

THE CROSSING

illustrated by Jim Madsen

2011 Simon & Schuster (ISBN 978-1-4169-9474-9)

starred review PUBLISHERS WEEKLY

review

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY:

breathtaking … a vivid portrait of the community from which Maathai's tree-planting mission grows.

From KIRKUS: …. This is, in a word, stunning

Above is a photo of children in Cura Orphanage (outside Nairobi) in Kenya, reading MAMA MITI. The orphanage (in 2011) cares for 50 children who have lost their parents to AIDS, providing safety, health, and a new family, full of hope.

Above is a photo of teachers in the first "dance" session at the Maryland Artist/Teacher Institute in summer 2013.

MAMA MITI: WANGARI MAATHAI

AND THE TREES OF KENYA

illustrated by Kadir Nelson

2010 Simon & Schuster (ISBN 978-1-41693-505-6)

winner of the Anne Izard's Storytellers' Choice Award
winner of the Frances and Wesley Bock Book Award
Black-Eyed Susan Book Award list, Maryland Association of School Librarians
Elementary California Readers list for 2013
starred review KIRKUS
starred review PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
nominated for the NAACP Image Award
Best Books of the Year list ESSENCE magazine
Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People
Amelia Bloomer Project Recommended List
used as the focal point for the Maryland Artist/Teacher Institute, summer 2013
part of the Pearson MyView 2017 K-5 Reading Program
25 Children’s Books to Nourish Curiosity by Food Tank
published in Chinese (Chang-Tang Int. Publishing Co., Taichung, Taiwan ISBN 978-986-6347-25-2)
published in Japanese (Suzuki, Tokyo ISBN 978-4-7902-5223-8)
to be published in Spanish (Pearson)

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To hear the author reading the book, click here.

To have a storyteller come to your class and tell a tale about Mama Miti as well as other African tales, visit the website of Diane Macklin.

HANDY STORIES TO READ AND SIGN

coauthored with Doreen DeLuca

illustrated by Maureen Klusza

with accompanying DVD by Adrian Blue and Janiah Mitchell

2009 Gallaudet University Press (ISBN 978-1-56368-407-4) with accompanying DVD (ISBN 978-1-56368-433-3)

reviews

Product description: ... a bilingual, fun approach to help beginning readers, deaf and hearing, improve their comprehension of both English and American Sign Language ... the perfect bilingual book for teaching children to read and sign.

MIDWEST BOOK REVIEW

... a top pick for young readers

THE EARTH SHOOK: A PERSIAN TALE

illustrated by Gabi Swiatkowska

2009 Hyperion Books (ISBN 978-1-4231-0448-3)

selected for the Society of Illustrators Original Art Show 2009

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For a description of Donna Jo's visit to Iran in 2005, click here.

MIDWEST BOOK REVIEW:

... beautiful modern children's fable ... a mystical quest to discover, or to remember what it means to be human. ...unforgettable experience for all the children lucky enough to read or have it read to them.

KIRKUS:

... A gorgeous , discussion-provoking read-aloud.

READY TO DREAM

coauthored with Elena Furrow

illustrated by Bronwyn Bancroft

2009 Bloomsbury USA (ISBN 978-1-59990-049-0)

reviews

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY:

... decorative dots and swirls of indigenous Australian art... A useful introduction to a radically different culture...

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL:

. .. endearing creatures ...engaging cast of neighborhood children, messy party decorations, the pig dressed up in bows, and the parrot causing chaos.

CORKSCREW COUNTS: A STORY ABOUT MULTIPLICATION (mathematics tale)

coauthored with Richard Tchen

illustrated by Anna Currey

2008 Henry Holt Books for Young Readers (ISBN 0-8050-7664-6)

reviews

THE WISHING CLUB: A STORY ABOUT FRACTIONS (mathematics tale)

illustrated by Anna Currey

2007 Henry Holt Books for Young Readers (ISBN-13: 978-0-8050-7665-3)

in Korean (Gimm-Young Publishers, Seoul , Korea ISBN 978 89 349 3972 6)

reviews

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL:

... realistic story about fractions. ... The mix of magic and math is irresistible. ... librarians will want the pleasure of reading it aloud and exploring the possibilities the author provides ...

BOBBY THE BOLD

coauthored with Eva Furrow

illustrated by Ard Hoyt

2006 Dial Books for Young Readers (ISBN 0-8037-2990-1)

To see the ASL signs used in this book, visit this dictionary.

reviews

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL:

... illustrations dance across the pages as Bobby swings and frolics. .. well-written ... about acceptance and being true to oneself ...should find a home on most library shelves

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL:

... a brother and sister who refreshingly exude a real warmth for one another. ...

PINK MAGIC

illustrated by Chad Cameron

2005 Clarion Books (ISBN 0-618-15985-1)

in Portuguese (PRESENTE MAGICO Caramelo, Sao Paulo, Brazil ISBN 85-7340-440-X)

reviews

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL:

... playful chaos ... fun-filled cartoons depict perfectly anthropomorphized animals...

HOTEL JUNGLE

coauthored with Shelagh Johnston

illustrated by Kenneth J. Spengler

2004 Mondo Publishing (ISBN 1-59336-002-9)

reviews

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL:

... aesthetically appealing and emotionally affecting ...simple and straightforward... depicts the stages of grief in an accessible and age-appropriate manner. ....

FLAMINGO DREAM

illustrated by Cathie Felstead

2002 Greenwillow (ISBN 0-688-16796-9)

Bank Street College Best Books of the Year
Zooba.com recommended for parenting about grief
Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Best Book
Renaissance Learning recommended list

reviews

BOOKLIST:

...energetic story. Exaggerated facial expressions and body language are used to great effect, enabling preschoolers to "read" this delightful tale on their own.

ROCKY THE CAT WHO BARKS

coauthored with Marie Kane

illustrated by Tamara Petrosino

2002 Dutton (ISBN 0-525-46544-8)

For a bimodal-bilingual versions of this book in many sign languages click here.

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