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A First Time for Everything
By Dan Santat
New York: First Second, 2023. Comics. 308 pages.

A middle grade graphic memoir based on bestselling author and Caldecott Medalist Dan Santat's awkward middle school years and the trip to Europe that changed his life. Dan's always been a good kid. The kind of kid who listens to his teachers, helps his mom with grocery shopping, and stays out of trouble. But being a good kid doesn't stop him from being bullied and feeling like he's invisible, which is why Dan has low expectations when his parents send him on a class trip to Europe. At first, he's right. He's stuck with the same girls from his middle school who love to make fun of him, and he doesn't know why his teacher insisted he come on this trip. But as he travels through France, Germany, Switzerland, and England, a series of first experiences begin to change him--first Fanta, first fondue, first time stealing a bike from German punk rockers ... and first love. Funny, heartwarming, and poignant, A First Time for Everything is a feel-good coming-of-age memoir based on New York Times bestselling author and Caldecott Medal winner Dan Santat's awkward middle school years. It celebrates a time that is universally challenging for many of us, but also life-changing as well. --Publisher

Ready to Dream
Written by Donna Jo Napoli and Elena Furrow
Illustrated by Bronwyn Bancroft
New York: Bloomsbury Children's Books, 2009. Picture Book.

While drawing pictures of the animals she sees on her trip to Australia, a young girl named Ally meets Pauline, an aborigine woman and fellow artist, from whom Ally learns that art is not always created with just paper and paints, and that mistakes are actually happy accidents. --Editor

Written by Patricia Toht
Illustrated by Sam Usher
London: Frances Lincoln Children's Books, 2017. Picture Book.

Invite readers to join a family of four on a sightseeing trip around London, including all of its landmarks like Tower Bridge, Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, and the London Eye. --Editor

By Avani Dwivedi
Somerville, Massachusetts: Candlewick Press, 2023. Picture Book.

It's Friday night, and on the bustling streets of Mumbai, a girl heads out with her family to the cinema. As she rides through the winding blocks with her maa, baba, and bhai, old melodies fill the car. And as she captures the sights and sounds of the city with her camera, she imagines a movie unfolding before her eyes. A choreographed dance sequence atop a long line of cars! When they arrive at the screening, the room is abuzz with people from all walks of life, waiting to lose themselves in the show. And finally comes the best part: time for everyone to jump up and dance! --Publisher

Written by Jo Ellen Bogart
Illustrated by Maja Kastelic
Toronto; Berkeley: Groundwood Books, 2021. Picture Book.

Anthony's house is full of family photos -- of his parents' trip to Paris, his great aunt, and Anthony himself as a toddler, holding his favorite rock. When Anthony wakes up one morning, he sees that his "rock" has cracked open -- it's hollow inside. He doesn't see the little face peering out from the closet. Later, he discovers the newly hatched creature and they become friends. Anthony asks his mother about the rock, and she shows him a photo album of a trip to Paris. Anthony sees that his friend resembles the gargoyles at Notre-Dame cathedral. Back in his room, he shows the photos to the baby gargoyle who looks at them with longing. News arrives that Anthony's great aunt is in hospital. The family travel to Paris to visit, and Anthony secretly brings the baby gargoyle. When the family have a chance to climb Notre-Dame's tower, Anthony and his friend wander from one gargoyle to the next... until the baby gargoyle sees one that looks just like him. A bittersweet story of true friendship and letting go. --Publisher

By Shakirah Bourne
New York: Scholastic Press, 2021. Fiction. 293 pages.

When she discovers her father's new girlfriend, Mariss, is actually a sea creature eager to take her place as his first love, Josephine must convince her friends to help her and use her cricket skills to save her dad from Mariss' clutches. --Editor

Written by Keven and Haily Meyers
Illustrated by Haily Meyers
Layton, Utah: Gibbs Smith, 2015. Board Book.

Visit national parks across the United States via train in this wildlife primer board book. --Editor

By Ward Jenkins
San Francisco, Calif.: Chronicle Books, c2012. Picture Book.

Baby takes a whirlwind tour of New York City, in this story that celebrates the Big Apple. --Editor
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