Jumping into the pond for the first time is very scary for Little duck, but with a little practice, some love from Mom, and help from a friend he gains the confidence to face the challenge.

"A young dancer finds confidence in herself in this picture book about dance, individuality, and self expression"--

Sadie's mind is always flying off to the clouds and make-believe worlds, which sometimes gets her in trouble, but her mom comes up with a clever plan to bolster her confidence and help her feel better about her wandering, dreaming mind.

"Wordy Birdy loves to talk, but will she ever learn to listen?"--

On Career Day, third-grader Abby Baxter is unsure of what she wants to do when she grows up, and when she accidentally makes a mistake that causes the space station's systems to go haywire, Abby must untangle the mess.

Cameron desperately wants to play tag with the older boys, who laugh at him for not being able to touch any of them, but when he tumbles into a bramble Cameron finds himself in another world where his talents are appreciated.

Feeling anxious about her first day of school, little Noni forges a tentative friendship with an outgoing little girl who helps her discover that she can belong and succeed in a world that once filled her with dread.

"There is a girl, and her name is Sam. She adores her father, though he isn't around much. Her mother, Courtney, struggles to make ends meet, and never fails to remind her daughter that her life should be different. Sam doesn't fit in at school, where theother girls have the right shade of blue jeans and don't question the rules. Sam doesn't care about jeans or rules. She just loves to climb--trees, fences, walls, the side of a building. When she's...

"A bold, playful, and self-affirming picture book by Pura Belpré Award-winning author-illustrator Juana Medina inspires children to have confidence in themselves"--

Amy Harney has a job as a chambermaid for the summer, but on August 25, she will take the exam to become an EMT (third time's the charm!) and finally move on with her life. In the meantime, she doesn't mind scrubbing toilets immaculately clean or tucking the sheet corners just so. In fact, she tells herself that her work is a noble act of service to the rich guests at the yacht club. Amy's profound isolation colors everything: her job, her aspirations,...