Helen Plum Library

A story to show how to keep going even when something is difficult. Girls (and boys!) can become stronger and more resilient simply by realizing how strong and resilient they already are, and running provides a pathway to that realization

Not strong enough to ascend the climbing wall at school, a discouraged child returns home and learns that there are other ways to be strong, from not giving up when working for a good cause or learning a new skill to making sure that no one sits alone in the lunchroom

Daniel, Prince Wednesday, and Miss Elaina are playing at the park with Prince Tuesday. The group decides to play a game of animal ball, but Daniel can't seem to catch the ball. With some encouragement from Prince Tuesday, Daniel discovers that if he keeps trying, he will get better

"Claire can't wait to get out on the ice and skate, skate, skate! She's going to jump, leap, and twirl! Just you wait--pretty soon she'll be on TV and dazzling audiences everywhere. But when Claire and her mom arrive at the Ice Center for Claire's very first skating lesson, it's not everything Claire was dreaming it would be...In this humorous tale of expectation meets reality, Claire discovers beautiful performances require lots of skill, and it's...

"When Eva's hopes for a cheerful flower garden are dashed by a rascally -- and hungry! -- rabbit, she sinks into despair. But it's from this new vantage point that she discovers something surprising and wonderful about her four-legged nemesis that reminds Eva of her own growing family and inspires her to try again. This lyrical picture book is a celebration of springtime and resilience that encourages readers to feel life's biggest emotions fully."-- Ages...

"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,...

"Michael learns that--like the Thessalonians in the Bible--he will prosper if he works hard when Pearl the 2,000-year-old squirrel helps him study for his math test." --

How will you know what's possible if you don't try? This is a story for anyone who has ever felt like a beginner, or had doubts, or worried they weren't good enough. It's a story for those who have experienced the pain of trying something new and not having it turn out as they had hoped. So, in many ways, it is a story for every one of us. Because at some point in our lives, we will all fail. Failure can be disappointing, and even heartbreaking, but...