Books
Picture books for young community builders
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By Jan Zauzmer
Illustrated by Blanca Millán
Familius, September 2025
2025 CHILDREN'S BOOK COUNCIL HOT OFF THE PRESS PICK
"Zauzmer and Millán skewer censorship in this message-forward picture book . . . When the zealots steal the library’s citrus-green tomes , the situation escalates into a realistic community protest."
—Publishers Weekly
DOWN WITH LIME BOOKS!
A Story About Book Banning
An allegorical picture book about the very real dangers of book banning
Paige and her pals picked out teal books and red books and plum books and more — so many they spilled from the shelves to the floor. But not everyone thought that this rainbow was grand — some wanted lime-colored books to be banned.
When a town bigwig and her cranky crew snatch all the lime-green books from the school library, Paige and her pals must defend their right to read. With rollicking rhymes and colorful illustrations perfect for read-aloud fun, Down with Lime Books! takes young readers on an empowering adventure to banish the ban and save the books.
Visit Familius for these extras:
* kids' make-a-megaphone craft
* resources for protecting the freedom to read
* conversation starters based on the book
"Original, unique, timely, thoughtful, thought-provoking, and an entertaining read from cover to cover, 'Down with Lime Books!: A Story About Book Banning' is a deftly crafted and thoroughly 'kid friendly' allegorical picture book about the very real dangers of book banning …. an extraordinary and unreservedly recommended pick …."
—Midwest Book Review
By Jan Zauzmer
Illustrated by Corlette Douglas
The Experiment, February 2022
"Maxine is the encouraging center of Zauzmer’s rhyming picture book about vaccination."
—Publishers Weekly
"Maxine announces to her critters that today’s the day they all need to get their shots! As her pals begin to get nervous, Maxine explains why vaccines are necessary. All goes well at the vet and afterwards, Maxine goes to get her own vaccine. Fun rhymes and colorful illustrations bring a positive and encouraging tone to this story."
—School Library Journal
MAXINE'S CRITTERS
GET THE VACCINE JITTERS
A cheerful and encouraging story to soothe kids’ vaccine fears
A shot can be a little frightening — but it’s quick, as quick as lightning! When Maxine tells her pets, “Let’s get to the vet!” Scott does not want a shot. Jervis is nervous, Franky is cranky, Biffy is iffy, and Cary is wary. Can Maxine help her critters get over their jitters?
Perfect for any child afraid of shots or needles, this rhyming book is a must-read-out-loud! Spunky Maxine takes charge of her vaccine fears with a playful game of pretend: Her adorable stuffed animals are the patients, and Dad steps in as the vet. Relevant to any pediatric shot, Maxine’s Critters Get the Vaccine Jitters will delight children who face this understandable fear. No need to be grouchy about this little ouchy!
"This reassuring book would be a wonderful addition to a classroom as well as a school library. 'Maxine's Critters Get the Vaccine Jitters' is a sweet, rhyming, heartfelt story, that is sure to ease the nervousness around getting that dreaded jab! I highly recommend this book."
—Storywraps
By Jan Zauzmer
Illustrated by Andrew Roberts
The Experiment, September 2020
"Wonderful . . . Jan Zauzmer takes little ones through the different steps of the process, whether it’s a bunny and rabbit hopping to the polling station or the small fry and octopus sharing the experience of filling in the bubbles on the ballot, various animal babies and parents share in the experience of voting."
―Amazon Book Review "Election Day books for kids" Pick
“While toddlers are the most likely to tag along to the polls with Mom/Dad on voting day — there aren’t any books that show how exciting that experience can be! In 'If You Go with Your Goat to Vote,' with help from 14 adorable animal families, young readers will learn about waiting in line, entering the voting booth, waiting for the results and everything in between. With irresistible illustrations and no political skew, this book even includes a sheet of ‘I Voted’ stickers!”
—Washington Parent
IF YOU GO WITH
YOUR GOAT TO VOTE
A lively strut through the voting process
What happens when you go with your grown-up to vote? If you are a kid, you may chew over the ballot. If you are a bunny, you may hop to the polling place. If you are a piglet, you may squeal with delight when you get a sticker. And best of all, if you go with your grown-up to vote . . . you will grow up to vote yourself!
An adorable menagerie of animals bring their little ones along to the polls in this snappy intro to voting. Lighthearted and colorful, If You Go with Your Goat to Vote shows young readers just what to expect on Election Day — and will inspire grown-ups to be model voters. Includes 16 stickers!
Check out this bouncy preview!
"Children will come for the animals and stay for the message to vote. Adults will come for the get out the vote message and end up loving the animals."
—Daddy Mojo