(Minerva, $18.99, ages 4 to 8.) THE WALKING SCHOOL BUS, by Aaron Friedland and Ndileka Mandela. Interviews Friedland conducted with children in rural Africa and India inspired this moving tale of two enterprising siblings determined to find a safe way to get to school. A beguiling, anxious ragamuffin whose parents’ nomadic lifestyle lands her at a school where everyone else speaks French learns that imagination can heal. At recess she draws a “giant magic hopscotch,” and the hopscotch draws new friends.

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Persons: Bruce Handy, Julie Benbassat, Aaron Friedland, Ndileka Mandela, Andrew Jackson Obol, Friedland, Marie, Louise Gay, ragamuffin, FLORA, Veronica Chambers Organizations: FLORA LA, Sujean Locations: Africa, India, Panamanian