New Releases by Marisabina Russo

“A wonderful book about figuring out who we are and who we want to be when we grow up. It’s also about being an American—especially a first-generation American.” —Roz Chast This graphic-novel debut from an acclaimed picture book creator is a powerfully moving memoir of the author''s experiences with family, religion, and coming of age in the aftermath of World War II, and the childhood struggles and family secrets that shaped her. It’s 1950s New York, and Marisabina Russo is being raised Catholic and attending a Catholic school that she loves—but when she finds out that she’s Jewish by blood, and that her family members are Jewish survivors of the Holocaust, her childhood is thrown into turmoil. To make matters more complicated, her father is out of the picture, her mother is ambitious and demanding, and her older half-brothers have troubles, too. Following the author’s young life into the tumultuous, liberating 1960s, this heartfelt, unexpectedly humorous, and meticulously illustrated graphic-novel memoir explores the childhood burdens of memory and guilt, and Marisabina’s struggle and success in forming an identity entirely her own.

In this sweet read-aloud, a little bird in the big city searches for the perfect puddle. Fans of “Goldilocks and the Three Bears” will enjoy Little Bird''s search for a just-right puddle after a rainstorm. He searches far and wide, but some puddles are too big, some are too small, and some are already crowded with bathers. When Little Bird finds a good-looking puddle in a city park, one surprise after another spoils his bath. A ball comes bounce-bounce-bouncing. . . . A little girl comes flip-flop-flapping. . . . And a dog comes arf-arf-arfing . . . straight through Little Bird''s puddle. But soon, Little Bird finds the perfect puddle to call his own. Appealing illustrations and a rhythmic text filled with repetition and fun sounds make this an ideal choice for storytime or laptime.

Sophie is nervous and excited about her first sleepover, but when she meets her best friend Olive''s other best friend, Penelope, Sophie wants nothing more than to go straight home.

Here''s the perfect bedtime read-aloud for the very youngest child. The text is filled with fun noises—click clack, click clack—and a repeating refrain—good night, good night, sleep tight—that''s sure to have kids chiming in as they follow the antics of these bunnies who won''t stay in bed. Kids will identify with the mischievous bunnies and their desire to play. Meanwhile, parents will empathize with Mama and Daddy''s struggle to get them to sleep.

AMELIA IS A VERY BIG BUNNY. At recess, the other bunnies tell her that her feet are too long for hopscotch, they say she’s too tall to jump rope, and of course, no one will get on the seesaw with her. Amelia is a very big and lonely bunny. But when a new very small bunny named Susannah arrives in the classroom, something amazing happens. Readers will delight as they watch Amelia transform from a shy bunny into a confident friend. From author-illustrator Marisabina Russo comes an endearing tale that celebrates the power of friendship and the fun of standing out in a crowd. With lively accessible artwork, here is the perfect book for every little bunny who worries about fitting in.

A grandmother tells her granddaughter the story of the charm bracelet that represents her own childhood experiences while she and her Jewish family tried to evade the Nazis in Italy during World War II. Full color.

"If there was a need for poetry that galvanized and inspired, there was also a demand for poetry that comforted and unified — and Ms. Giovanni provided on both counts." — The Washington Post

After meeting her long-absent father, thirteen-year-old Pia finds the courage to love her family and herself.

Based on her own family''s story, Russo''s poignant book illuminates how three German sisters miraculously survived the Holocaust. Full color.

Sam and his big sister Hannah have fun playing together, until Hannah gets a new doll for her birthday and begins paying so much attention to the doll that Sam gets jealous.

Through a series of triumphs and tragedies at home, at school, and on the basketball court, plus time reluctantly spent with his elderly grandmother, twelve-year-old Jim Malone learns that there is a lot more to life than basketball.

It''s a big brown box! Or maybe it''s a house with windows and a door. Or a cozy, dark cave. Or a ship on the ocean. But whatever it is, Sam''s box is no place for baby brother Ben. There''s BIG trouble brewing over the big brown box...until Mama finds a solution that''s a perfect fit for everyone. Children''s Books 2000-NY Public Lib.

As she helps her older sister and brother get dinner started, a young girl looks forward to spending time with her mother when she gets home from work.

Despite his older sister''s dire warnings of all the terrible things that could go wrong on his first day in the second grade, Ben has a wonderful time.

While Ben''s mother makes a pie, Ben hides around the house.

Becoming more and more annoyed as her brother Ben counts down the days until his birthday, Molly considers refusing to take part in the celebration.

"Lunch!" Sam heard his mother calling. But Sam was very busy. "Just a minute," he called back. Sam wasn''t ready in a minute. Sam''s mother was about to lose her patience, but when she saw what Sam had been doing, all was forgiven. An ingenous first picture book with bold, brilliant illustrations.