Me and Mister P.

Things have been difficult for Ruby lately. Her dad left long ago, and her mom is so down that she can hardly get out of bed some days, which means it's up to Ruby to take care of her younger brother. As a result, she can't always go to school-and when she does go, she just seems to end up in trouble. And forget about her real dream, learning to skateboard. There will never be money or time for it. But Ruby's life changes when Mister P. floats down one day in a hot air balloon. Though Ruby is at first reluctant to be friends, she can't ignore Mister P.-he is a polar bear, after all! With his silly and gentle polar bear ways, huge heart, and plenty of slapstick humor, he teaches Ruby that she doesn't have to take care of everyone on her own-it's OK to let others help sometimes. Ruby is amazed by the number of people willing to lend a hand, and how even a small amount of support can make a big difference. Full of lively art and fun formatting. Readers will wish for their own polar bear ally!

There are times when only a polar bear will do. . . When Joe's parents told him the family would be moving, Joe took it in stride. Moving to a new house would be an adventure, nothing to worry about, right? But then they dropped the bomb: they weren't simply moving to a different house down the road, or even one in the same town. No, they were moving to a new country! They urge Joe to make new friends and try to fit in, not seeming to understand that Joe doesn't want new friends-he just wants his old friends. His friends back home already love and accept him for who he is (wheelchair, bad jokes, and all!). Who would want to start over? At the airport, Joe's suitcase goes missing, and he is sent home with a giant, friendly, funny polar bear instead. Mister P. will be Joe's new friend, even though Joe isn't quite sure how the two of them will pull this off. What could a polar bear and a kid have in common?