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From Story Time: The Letter "V"

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Preschool Time
Written by Ana Siqueira
Illustrated by Teresa Martinez
Minneapolis, MN: Beaming Books, 2025. Picture Book.

A hilarious story about what it really means to be brave. Meet Vera the Brave--La Valiente! She dives like a dolphin, climbs like a mountain goat, and defends her amigos like un le̤n. But she trembles when she hears her teacher say, "We're going to Rocking Roller Coasters!" Oh no! Vera tries to convince the teacher her plan is not the best, but Ms. Rodr̕guez does not change her mind about the field trip. Now if Vera can't face her fears, everyone will discover she's not that brave after all! But what if being brave is much more than she expected? Vera La Valiente Is Scared redefines what it means to be brave. It's okay to show your feelings and fears! And maybe, with some help, you can even face some of them. --Publisher

Preschool Time
By Rosemary Wells
New York: Viking, an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC, 2020. Picture Book.

Noisy Nora is learning to play the violin, but her family isn't sure they can survive it! The lovable heroine of Noisy Nora returns in a new book that will charm parents and children alike. Nora is determined to play the violin, but her parents, sister Kate, and brother Jack are appalled by the terrible sounds that emerge during her practice sessions. Scrape and shriek, screech and squeak--everybody holds their ears. But when a special evening comes, Nora succeeds in playing the secret song she's struggled hard to learn. You Can Do It, Noisy Nora! provides the perfect way to show young children the value of persevering when trying to master a new skill. Rosemary Wells's strong-willed heroine is as feisty and unstoppable as ever in this humorous, heartwarming story. --Editor

Toddler Time
By Diana Murray and Zachariah Ohora
Boston, MA; New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2020. Picture Book.

Illustrations and easy-to-read, rhyming text invite the reader to a community garden where potatoes close their eyes, cabbages nod their heads, and corn covers its ears to go to sleep. --Editor

Book Babies
By Alison Lester
Pymble, N.S.W.: ABC Books, 2007. Board Book.

"I see a curious cow, her calf is staring too. What do you say, curious cow? Moo Moo Moo!" Moo is part of a wonderful series by Alison Lester. Moo focuses on farm animals. Babies will respond to the rhythm of the text and the simple, colourful images, while toddlers will love joining in to make their own animal sounds. --Editor

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