Raymie Nightingale by Kate DiCamillo

Raymie Clarke has come to realize that everything, absolutely everything, depends on her. And she has a plan. If Raymie can win the Little Miss Central Florida Tire competition, then her father, who left town two days ago with a dental hygienist, will see Raymie's picture in the paper and (maybe) come home. To win, not only does Raymie have to do good deeds and learn how to twirl a baton; she also has to contend with the wispy, frequently fainting Louisiana Elefante, who has a show-business background, and the fiery, stubborn Beverly Tapinski, who’s determined to sabotage the contest. But as the competition approaches, loneliness, loss, and unanswerable questions draw the three girls into an unlikely friendship — and challenge each of them to come to the rescue in unexpected ways.

Author's website - http://www.katedicamillo.com/books/raymie.html

My First Passover by Tomie dePaola

A favorite author - Passover is a time for families and friends to celebrate their faith and shared history. Tomie dePaola’s simple text and beautiful illustrations provide insight into this special holiday for young readers.

The Twelve Days of Springtime: A School Counting Book by by Deborah Lee Rose

The frost is melting and it’s time for spring! That means field trips, planting school gardens, and discovering new friends for this adventurous class as their teacher introduces them to the season one gift at a time. Two turtle ponds, four ladybugs, and a class full of curious kids equals a whole lot of fun!

Young readers will love following the students’ hilarious misadventures as these rambunctious kindergartners explore the delights of spring, including mud, frogs, and baby farm animals. The whimsical illustrations reveal new surprises on every page.  

Drum Dream Girl: How One Girl’s Courage Changed Music. By Margarita Engle

Girls cannot be drummers. Long ago on an island filled with music, no one questioned that rule—until the drum dream girl. In her city of drumbeats, she dreamed of pounding tall congas and tapping small bongós. She had to keep quiet. She had to practice in secret. But when at last her dream-bright music was heard, everyone sang and danced and decided thatboth girls and boys should be free to drum and dream.

        Inspired by the childhood of Millo Castro Zaldarriaga, a Chinese-African-Cuban girl who broke Cuba's traditional taboo against female drummers, Drum Dream Girl tells an inspiring true story for dreamers everywhere.