Smoky Night

This Caldecott Medal-winning picture book tells the story of the 1992 Los Angeles riots through the innocent eyes of young Daniel. When fires and looting force Daniel and his mother to evacuate their apartment building, they find themselves in a shelter alongside neighbors they previously avoided due to prejudice. The chaos leads to a surprising lesson in unity and compassion, especially when their lost cats, who have bonded during the upheaval, are reunited with them. It's a powerful and poignant story about overcoming differences and finding common ground in times of crisis, suitable for sparking important conversations with children about community, empathy, and social unrest.

When the Los Angeles riots break out in the streets of their neighborhood, a young boy and his mother learn the values of getting along with others no matter what their background or nationality.