Summary: Elizabeti, a young Tanzanian girl, is excited about the first day of school but misses her family at home tremendously. She realizes school is a good place to be, but also knows home is the best place of all.

Summary: A farm boy saves up the money from his chores to buy a baseball glove. When the special shopping day--which involves a train ride to the city and baseball game with his dad--arrives, the boy loses his baseball-glove money along the way. But Papa's act of love ensures that the boy goes home with the glove anyhow.

Summary: A retelling of the author's special Saturday outings with grandmother, full of chores, biscuits, teacakes, and love. Warm detailed illustrations enhance this cozy story.

Summary: A beautiful tale of respect for the less fortunate, A Song for Lena tells the story of a violinist who gives a charitable family rich repayment for their warm acceptance.

Summary: Troy’s love for his great grandmother is told in an affectionate manner with a catchy repetitive refrain. He and his mother’s visit to Mama Olivia brings back warm memories.

Summary: Ida's father must leave their Jamaican home and seek work in New York City. Ida is devastated that Papa is going to be away for a long time. During his absences, she is to care for the family's tangerine tree and learn how to read. Encouraged by these important endeavors, she remains hopeful about the day Papa will come home.

Hanson's story pulls at the heart, but does not become sappy. A close-knit family works together to deal with the economic realities that confront them. Each one pulls his or her weight and supports the others. Stevenson's sometimes fuzzy, sun-kissed acrylic paintings give the book a soft, warm, Caribbean feel.