Travel, and the exhilarating experiences it offers us, is the shared concern of these stories, which have been chosen from among the hundreds that have appeared in the prestigious Flannery O'Connor Award for Short Fiction series. More than seventy volumes, which include approximately eight hundred stories, have won the Flannery O'Connor Award. This stunning trove of always engaging, often groundbreaking short fiction is the common source for this anthology on childhood—and for planned anthologies on such topics as family, gender and sexuality, animals, and more. Travel can whisk us away to craggy mountainsides and sunny coastlines or bustling cities and mysterious jungles. Travel can excite and rejuvenate or intimidate and overwhelm. These sixteen stories reflect upon our immense, intriguing world and our explorations of it, whether you choose to follow the beaten path or abandon it.

Boris is a musician, playing the songs he learned growing up in Russia. Stella is a baker, baking cakes and pastries like her father used to back in Italy. Boris and Stella live in the city and are best friends. They like movies, hats, and each other. At holiday time, Stella wants to give Boris the perfect present for Hanukkah. She wants him to know how special he is. Boris wants to give Stella the perfect present for Christmas—she means so much to him. But perfect presents cost money and their savings banks contain very little. To make their dreams of perfect presents come true, Boris and Stella each sacrifice something very special. In a nod to O. Henry’s The Gift of the Magi comes this tender story celebrating traditions, friendships, and gifts from the heart.

Mei's little brother is turning 100 days old and there will be a big party to celebrate. Mei and her friends try to find the perfect gift for him.

An Honest, Hopeful Look at Unexpected Challenges Challenging surprises often lead to unexpected joy. Amy Julia opens eyes and softens hearts as she brings readers into her own story of disappointment turned to blessing. This is a journey of discovering strength through weakness, and the author learns to embrace the face that we are all dependent on God and one another. This books will inspire readers who appreciate beautiful writing coupled with deep insights about life and faith. "Amy Julia Becker has the courage and grace to tell the truth. Whether you are a parent or not, whether the children in your life are 'typical' or not, this story will shake you, change you, and encourage you."--Andy Crouch, author, Culture Making

A tiny bird has found the most beautiful red strawberry to give her grandmother, but PLOP! it falls into the river. Not even the help of all of the bird's friends can get it back before a hungry crocodile snatches it up. But the friends put their heads together and come up with the perfect idea for a new gift for Grandma: They'll create a book about their adventure with the strawberry!With bright, colorful illustrations and cute characters bursting with creativity, Mary Newell DePalma's newest picture book will be beloved by teachers, parents, grandparents, and aspiring young authors everywhere.

Inspired by the major Netflix original live action musical, Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey, this picture book will follow Journey as she shows Buddy 3000 the meaning of Christmas and learns that family is the perfect gift. Journey, Jessica, and Jeronicus are back again with one of their greatest inventions yet, Buddy 3000. Journey is prepared to have a magical Christmas with Buddy. But while she is introducing him to the small wonders of the world, she panics and realizes she forgot to get him a gift. Journey scours the town looking for the perfect thing until she learns she may have had it all along . . . In this sequel to The Square Root of Possible, we follow Journey as she shows Buddy the true meaning of Christmas, doing it with her family by her side. A delightfully illustrated holiday picture book story brought to you by Lyn Sisson-Talbert and David E. Talbert, inspired by the Netflix original holiday film starring Forest Whitaker, Phylicia Rashad, Anika Noni Rose, Keegan-Michael Key, Ricky Martin, and introducing Madalen Mills.