Margaret Chodos-Irvine

"No one wants to eat Chinese food on the Fourth of July," says a young girl to her parents who insist on keeping their Chinese restaurant open on Independence Day. An honest portrayal of the tug between traditions old and new, as well as what it really means to be American.

A father and his son play hide and seek while counting down to the time when their cookies are ready to come out of the oven. Their lively game is told through energetic language and boldly colored prints.

Poetic text and handsome illustrations create gentle reminders for children of what parents find special about them. From a nose to a hand, "ordinary" is celebrated in gentle language and soft illustration.