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Books to Grow On

Helping kids cope with life (and other sticky situations)

By Karyn M. Peterson -- Gifts and Dec, 10/1/2007 12:00:00 AM

The best picture books can engage, entertain and enlighten kids, all at the same time. The titles presented here are no exception, although they also offer something extra—comfort and coping skills to kids facing a myriad of everyday fears and real-life situations, including moving away, making new friends, divorce, or the death or disability of a loved one. Growing up is hard, yet each of these titles might make it just a little bit easier.

Bernard Waber's Courage is a touching tribute to bravery in forms both big and small from the creator of Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile. Kids shine in feats as varied as jumping off a high dive and riding a bike without training wheels, while trapeze artists, fire fighters and police officers each play a role. Though a natural read-aloud for very small children, its minimal, whimsical style is appealing for all ages. ($12) Walter Lorraine, New York

In Half a World Away, beautifully written by Libby Gleeson and illustrated in soft watercolors by Freya Blackwood, best friends Amy and Louie create an elaborate magical world for each other. It is this power of imagination that gives them solace when Amy's family moves across the globe and the two children must cope with the terrible sadness of being so very far apart. ($15.99) Arthur A. Levine, New York

In Mélanie Watt's hilarious sequel Scaredy Squirrel Makes a Friend, the titular worrywart would rather be alone than risk getting hurt. But when his carefully detailed plans for meeting The Perfect Friend (a somewhat boring but “100 percent safe” goldfish) are derailed by a rowdy dog who unexpectedly crosses his path, Scaredy must face his fears—and he learns that friends come in all shapes and sizes. ($14.95) Kids Can Press, Tonawanda, N.Y.

In Nancy Coffelt's playful Fred Stays With Me!, warmly illustrated by Tricia Tusa, a young girl's perky and affectionate dog helps her cope as she moves back and forth between her divorced parents' houses. Fred is loyal to a fault, although he shows off quite a bit of bad behavior at both homes. Fortunately, both parents realize he is a vital (and constant) presence in their daughter's life, and find ways to make it work. ($16.99) Little, Brown, New York

In the sweet and funny Imagine Harry, written by Kate Klise and illustrated by M. Sarah Klise, Little Rabbit and his imaginary friend are best buddies who share a love of cookies and a hatred of Brussels sprouts and baths. But when the school year starts, Little Rabbit's days fill up with new friends and new activities. Does Harry still have a place in his heart? ($16) Harcourt, New York

A Good Day, from the award-winning Kevin Henkes, is the clever story of four animals who learn to cope with life's small disappointments. Each tale of woe—a bird loses a feather, a dog gets tangled in a fence, a fox can't find his mother and a squirrel drops her nut—gets an optimistic and reassuring conclusion. ($16.99) Greenwillow, New York

Annette Bley's lushly illustrated And What Comes After a Thousand? is a poignant, sensitive story about love and loss. Lisa and Otto, a young girl and an elderly man, share a close friendship; together they practice counting, stargaze and tell stories in the garden, until one day Otto gets sick, and then dies. A comforting tale that makes death less frightening. ($15.95) Kane/Miller, La Jolla, Calif.

My Little Grandmother Often Forgets, written by Reeve Lindbergh and illustrated by Kathryn Brown, tackles the sometimes difficult subject of a beloved grandparent affected by memory loss with gentle rhymes and an upbeat sensibility. Yet the matter-of-fact realism of the story also acknowledges the challenges of day-to-day life with Grandmother, which many kids will strongly identify with. ($16.99) Candlewick, New York

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