MY BEAR GRIZ by Suzanne McGinness

Billy and his best friend, Griz, do everything best friends should do.  They eat sandwiches together, share secrets and jokes, and go on amazing adventures.  The only difference is that Griz is a giant grizzly bear. . .or is he?  Suzanne McGinness shows just how imaginative a little boy can be in this unique tale of friendship.  What’s more, her love of water color, collage, and acrylic paint make for beautiful illustrations to accompany this all around good book.  This book can be found in the picture book section under E MCG.

ELLEN'S BROOM by Kelly Starling Lyons

Ellen’s Broom is a sweet family story about the legalization of African-American marriages in the United States. It follows a former slave family as they merge the traditional jumping the broom ceremony with that of getting their legal papers. This book is good for older elementary children who are learning about America’s past and will lend to a good discussion on slavery and civil and human rights. Daniel Minter’s artwork works well with the story and is colorful, authentic, and inspired by traditional woodcuts. This story can be found in the picture book section under E LYO.