Books with author Maryann Cocca-Leffler

When Grandma sends her grandson a backpack, he can't wait to fill it with interesting things. His toy train fits just right. His bock and his big brother's baseball socks fit perfectly, too. And there's still room for more, including his teddy bear, his mother's keys, and the family cat! It's amazing what you can fit in a backpack if you really try. Eve Bunting's lively, rhyming picture book is perfect for reading aloud and is happily illustrated by Maryann Cocca-Leffler.

"I won't share 'cuz it's not fair!" is nine-year-old IsabellaSpeedwalker-Juarez's motto. It's all because she's stuck in a roomwith her toddler brother, Dozer. Mom says Izzy has to adapt toGranny's tiny trailer, where they've just moved because moneyis tight and Mom is worried about losing her job at the gumfactory. Izzy knows what will make everything better – anabove-ground pool. She'll swim in it for hours, and she won'tshare it with anyone, not even her new classmates or her friendDeborah Nibblebitz-Fifer. With help from Zachary O'Toole, theneighborhood handyman – and from Deborah – Izzy plans tohold a car wash to raise money. But when things finally startto go her way, a tornado damages the neighborhood, and Izzybegins to rethink her motto.Sparkling illustrations and a large dose of warmhearted humormake Isabella's dilemma – and change of heart – easilyidentifiable to young readers everywhere.