Before Stinkville, Alice didn't think albinism-or the blindness that goes with it-was a big deal. Sure, she uses a magnifier to read books. And a cane keeps her from bruising her hips on tables. Putting on sunscreen and always wearing a hat are just part of life. But life has always been like this for Alice. Until Stinkville. For the first time in her life, Alice feels different-like she's at a disadvantage. Back in her old neighborhood in Seattle, everyone knew Alice, and Alice knew her way around. In Stinkville, Alice finds herself floundering-she can't even get to the library on her own. But when her parents start looking into schools for the blind, Alice takes a stand. She's going to show them-and herself-that blindness is just a part of who she is, not all that she can be. To prove it, Alice enters the Stinkville Success Stories essay contest. No one, not even her new friend Kerica, believes she can scout out her new town's stories and write the essay by herself. The funny thing is, as Alice confronts her own blindness, everyone else seems to see her for the first time. This is a stirring small-town story that explores many different issues-albinism, blindness, depression, dyslexia, growing old, and more-with a light touch and lots of heart. Beth Vrabel's characters are complicated and messy, but they come together in a story about the strength of community and friendship. This paperback edition includes a Q&A with the author and a sneak peek at the upcoming The Blind Guide to Normal.

It's difficult to be separated from those we love, and sometimes it's hard to feel connected when we can't be together in person.

This board book helps fill that need to connect, with a simple message: I'm still here, even though I'm not right there beside you. A series of scenarios depicts a narrator employing various forms of communication—from video calls and letters to dolphin-messengers and skywriting—to say a simple "hello" to someone far away.

Exploring the idea of connecting over distance, whether it's through a pane of glass or across a continent, this book delivers its earnest message in a lighthearted way, engaging children's imaginations in thinking of delightful new ways to say "hello." The book will remind them that they are loved by those they can't always see. Instead of emphasizing what we can't do when we're apart, this book takes a positive view and makes a game out of finding new ways we can communicate.
Reassuring and imaginative, this board book fills a growing need to reach out and connect with one another.

Hello from Here features:

• Timely Topic: Current events have made distanced greetings a near-universal fact of life
• Timeless Appeal: There are always circumstances that separate loved ones, and there is always a need for books that help bridge that separation
• Encourages Creativity: Imaginative means of communication are mixed with more typical methods, engaging children in the story and inviting them to add their own ideas on how to stay connected