Mary Ann Rodman – författare

It's summer, and Lily spends lots of time at the community pool, where she sees Tamika. Lily decides that Tamika will be her new best friend. Only, Tamika already has a best friend, and no matter how hard Lily tries, she can't seem to impress Tamika. But without Tamika, who will be Lily's best friend? With beautiful watercolor art and poignant text, this author and illustrator create a timeless story about the difficulties of finding a friend.

This back-to-school tale is a humorous and relatable read for rising first graders and young children facing new experiences.It's the first day of school, and Hayley is excited. Things are different now. She's a first grader! Hayley quickly finds out that first grade is different from kindergarten, but in all the wrong ways. The classroom isn't as bright and colorful. Ms. Gray doesn't seem to smile as much as her kindergarten teacher did, and there isn't enough time to play outside. Finally, Hayley has had enough. "First grade stinks!" she shouts. And fortunately, her compassionate teacher completely understands.Young readers will immediately empathize with Hayley as she struggles to find enthusiasm for her new school year.

A spirited young girl struggles to get a much-loved mimosa tree for her birthday in this delightful, multigenerational story, ideal for Arbor Day and Earth Day!Emmy loves trees. She loves oak trees with acorns. She loves pine trees with cones, and willow trees with swishy branches. But best of all, Emmy loves the mimosa tree that grows in her grandmother's pasture.So when Emmy decides she wants a mimosa tree of her own for her birthday, she is saddened to learn many garden stores only sell ornamental trees like plum or pear or tulip trees. Emmy is crushed―until she discovers that the answer to her problem is growing right before her eyes!Mary Ann Rodman's joyful story—packed with environmental, independence, and problem-solving themes—will appeal to nature- and tree-lovers as well as those seeking great spring read alouds. Illustrator Tatjana Mai-Wyss's whimsical watercolor and collage artwork captures Emmy's exuberant personality and the story's hopeful ending.

This reassuring picture book about standing up for yourself and finding security in new experiences is a great read for any first-time camp goers or overnight stays.Roxie is excited to be going away to Camp K-9 for a fun-filled summer, but she's scared that the other dogs will find out she's brought her blankie along in her Pooch Pouch. What if the other campers find out and call her a scaredy-cat? Even worse, a mean bully named Lucy seems determined to cause trouble. But as it turns out, maybe some of the other campers have secrets too...Mary Ann Rodman's lighthearted but meaningful story of summer, secrets, and friendship is complemented by Nancy Hayashi's warm, humorous illustrations that are sure to comfort anyone who has ever dealt with a bully.

A spirited young girl struggles to get a much-loved mimosa tree for her birthday in this delightful, multigenerational story, ideal for Arbor Day and Earth Day!Emmy loves trees. She loves oak trees with acorns. She loves pine trees with cones, and willow trees with swishy branches. But best of all, Emmy loves the mimosa tree that grows in her grandmother's pasture.So when Emmy decides she wants a mimosa tree of her own for her birthday, she is saddened to learn many garden stores only sell ornamental trees like plum or pear or tulip trees. Emmy is crushed―until she discovers that the answer to her problem is growing right before her eyes!Mary Ann Rodman's joyful story—packed with environmental, independence, and problem-solving themes—will appeal to nature- and tree-lovers as well as those seeking great spring read alouds. Illustrator Tatjana Mai-Wyss's whimsical watercolor and collage artwork captures Emmy's exuberant personality and the story's hopeful ending.

It’s 1964 and Alice has moved to Mississippi from Chicago with her family. Nicknamed ‘Yankee Girl’ and taunted by the in-crowd at school, Alice soon discovers the other new girl Valerie – one of the school’s first black students – has it much worse.Alice can’t stand the way Valerie is treated, and yet she knows she will remain an outsider if she speaks up. It takes a horrible tragedy to finally give Alice the courage to stand up for what she believes.Set in the Deep South in the 1960s, Yankee Girl is a powerful, resonant and relevant story about racism and doing the right thing.