Books by Jackie Azua Kramer

"Elephant is enjoying a peaceful walk with his green umbrella, when suddenly a Hedgehog says: I believe you have my boat. Elephant listens patiently as Hedgehog insists: I crossed deep oceans . . . tasted the salty spray of whales [in that umbrella-boat]. Cat, Bear, and Rabbit soon interrupt Elephant--each claiming that his umbrella is really their tent, flying machine, and cane. Elephant is flabbergasted--after all, it's an umbrella, and it certainly hasn't been on any adventures more exciting than a walk in the rain. Or has it?"--Publisher's description.

A picture book biography about an ordinary New York City couple and their extraordinary collection of artIn the heart of Manhattan lived a librarian and a postal clerk who loved art so much that they collected it. Over the years, Dorothy and Herbert brought home hundreds of works of art¿from little-known SoHo artists to luminaries such as Chuck Close and Christo and Jeanne-Claude¿to their small, empty-walled apartment, much to the curiosity and delight of their eight cats and tank of fish. Their passion for art and support of artists was so impressive, Dorothy and Herbert became famous themselves. And when they gifted their extraordinary collection to the National Gallery of Art, their art became ours, inspiring new generations of artists.

This profoundly moving tale about a grieving boy and an imaginary gorilla makes real the power of talking about loss.On the day of his mother¿s funeral, a young boy conjures the very visitor he needs to see ¿ a gorilla. Wise and gentle, the gorilla stays on to answer the heart-heavy questions the boy hesitates to ask his father: Where did his mother go? Will she come back home? Will we all die? Yet with the gorilläs friendship, the boy slowly begins to discover moments of comfort in tending flowers, playing catch and climbing trees. Most of all, the gorilla knows that it helps to simply talk about the loss ¿ especially with those who share your grief and who may feel alone too. Author Jackie Azúa Kramer¿s quietly thoughtful text and illustrator Cindy Derby¿s beautiful impressionistic artwork depict how this tender relationship leads the boy to open up to his father and find a path forward. Told entirely in dialogue, this direct and deeply affecting picture book will inspire conversations about grief, empathy, and healing beyond the final hope-filled scene.

A story about growing up, for little kids and big kids ages 5 years and up.