by Audrey Vernick, illustrated by Cannaday Chapman

Larry Doby may be a little known name, but he was the first Black player in the American League, and the second in major-league baseball overall. And, the first Black athlete in Major League Baseball, to hit a home run in the World Series!

Larry Doby was born in South Carolina in 1923, during a time when racism was overt and pervasive. Although he played baseball with all kids of all colors in his neighborhood, they attended segregated schools. As he became an adult athlete, Jackie Robinson, 11 weeks ahead of him, became the first Black athlete in the major leagues. He faced terrible racism. Threats were made against him. Larry was the second Black athlete signed in. Although Larry faced racism by some of his own teammates of the Clevnland Indians team, the team owner Bill Veeck treated him without prejudice or bigotry. While traveling with the teammates, he often couldn’t stay in the same hotels or eat at the same restaurants. Then came the world series where Larry Doby hit the famous home run which propelled his team to championship. A famous picture of him (black) hugging Seve Gromek, (caucasian) was circulated and discussion ensued as these two men look gleeful and joyful in each other’s embrace. Although change has been slow, we have come a long way and continue to grow and change. To date of this publication, the Cleveland Indians have yet to rename their team.

by Sonia Sotomayor, Illustrated by Angela Dominguez

This lovely picture book story, with simple yet bold illustrations, is Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor’s childhood family memories. Her family worked to be productive and contributing citizens of the United States. Each morning when Sonia work up, her mother would as her, “How will you help, today?” Her parents both contributed to the community both through their work and their generosity of time, spirit, and material items. Sonia helped gather items to be shipped to soldiers overseas, items to be donated to the hospital, and helped her mother remind all people in their neighborhood to vote.

This books calls us home, to our duty, as citizens of the United States of America, to have compassion, care, work ethic and contributing to our community, as part of our daily lives.

by Ashley Wolff, illustrated by Ashley Wolff

Rich, acrylic paint illustrates the beauty and fragility of our forests. Our story begins with a buck noticing a small fire and spreading the news throughout the forest and to the other animals who in kind alert others. Soon the humans in the look out tower spot the fire, as well. Airplanes with fire retardant come to make their drop. The animals all work to flee, while human wild land firefighters come to battle the blaze. By the end of the battle, all are exhuasted and life resumes after the fire is out.

In the back of the book are an Author’s Note regarding the history of forest fires and what we can do to prevent them. And how this problem is being exacerbated by climate change. It also has Firefighting Terms, Firefighting tools, and additional sources. This books is recommended reading, teaching and learning about the realities of forest fires.