What Does It Mean To Be...?® Series

The award-winning What Does It Mean to Be…?® series focuses on creating content that fosters kindness, conscientiousness, and entrepreneurship in young people and caring adults.

What Does it Mean to Be American?

What does it mean to be American? Does it mean you like apple pie or fireworks? Not exactly.

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While politics seem to divide our country into the two opposing teams of red and blue, one truth remains: we are all Americans. But what does that mean?


This continuation of the popular What Does It Mean to Be…? series provides a nonpartisan point of view perfect for any and all Americans who are proud of who they are—and where they come from, regardless of their political views.

What Does it Mean to Be an Entrepreneur?

Part of the award-winning What Does It Mean to Be…?® series, What Does It Mean to Be an Entrepreneur? is an accessible and understandable introduction to children of all ages to the concept of entrepreneurship and creativity.

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When Rae witnesses an ice cream-and-doggie mishap, she’s inspired to create a big-scale solution to help get dogs clean. Rae draws on her determination, resilience, and courage until she—and everyone else in her community—learns just what it means to be an entrepreneur.

There’s a society-wide movement to instill entrepreneurial skills and motivations in young people. And this fun approach to a sometimes complicated concept is sure to inspire budding entrepreneurs to follow their dreams.

What Does it Mean to Be Global?

“Can you say “hello” in nine languages? You can! Join children from around the world as they play, sing, and travel, trying all types of food and experiencing other traditions.

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Living respectfully and peacefully with one another, they celebrate diversity, see how their actions affect another person’s experience, and come to understand that being global means being a citizen of the world.


The first book in Rana DiOrio’s award-winning What Does It Mean To Be …?® series, What Does It Mean To Be Global? has won six awards: The USA Book News Best Books Award for Children’s Picture Book: Nonfiction; the Next Generation Indie Book Award for Multicultural Nonfiction; the Mom’s Choice Gold Award for Children’s Picture Book, Peoples, Places and Cultures; Learning Solutions Magazine Teachers’ Choice™ Award for Children’s Books; IBPA Benjamin Franklin Silver Winner for Interior Design in Children’s/Young Adult; and The Nautilus Silver Award for Children’s Illustrated.”

What Does it Mean to Be Green?

Drawing on two sides of your paper instead of just one. Walking to the park instead of getting a ride. Turning off the water while you brush your teeth.

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A young boy and girl explore all the different ways they can be Greenover the course of a day. They discover lots of amazing facts (like our food travels an average of 1,500 miles tobe on our plate!) and realize there’s so much they—and we—can do to save our world!

The empowering second title in Rana DiOrio’s award-winning What Does It Mean To Be …?® series, WhatDoes It Mean To Be Green? has won two awards: The Mom’s Choice Gold Award for Children’s Picture Book,Green Earth; and The Santa Monica Public Library’s Green Prize for Sustainable Literature, School Age
Nonfiction.


The enhanced e-book edition won the IBPA Benjamin Franklin Gold Award.

What Does it Mean to Be Safe?

You have the power to protect yourself and others!

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What does it mean to be safe? Does it mean beating a throw to home plate? Does it mean never taking risks? No! Being safe is about feeling secure, feeling protected and being responsive—no matter the environment or situation.


You can be safe in so many simple ways. From being aware of your limits to creating healthy boundaries. By not giving in to peer pressure and by standing up to bullies. And by being safe on the Internet, or knowing the right time to get a caring adult’s help.


This revised and updated addition to the award-winning What Does It Mean to Be…?® series is the perfect book to spark meaningful dialogue and ensure every child knows what it means to be safe.

What Does it Mean to Be Present?

This Mom’s Choice Gold Award Winner is the perfect introduction to mindfulness for kids and learning empathy at all ages.

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What does being present look like? Noticing when someone in your class needs help and taking the time to help them. Sound like? The rain outside your window. Smell like? Briny seaweed at the beach. Taste like? A bite of orange. Feel like? Allowing the rhythm of your breath, in and out … to make you feel peaceful. Follow a group of friends at school, at home, and at the beach as they experience just what it means to be present.


The third book in Rana DiOrio’s award-winning What Does It Mean To Be …?® series, What Does It Mean To Be Present? has won four awards: The Living Now: Books For Better Living Award; The Nautilus Silver Award for Children’s Picture Book; The Moonbeam Gold Children’s Book Award for Mind-Body-Spirit/Self-Esteem; and The Mom’s Choice Gold Award.

What Does it Mean to Be Kind?

A rare kindness book for children because it uses a proactive, not reactive, introduction to a conversation about kindness.

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A girl in a red hat finds the courage to be kind to the new student in class. Her kindness spreads, kind act by kind act, until her whole community experiences the magical shift that happens when everyone understands— and acts on—what it means to be kind.


The fifth book in Rana DiOrio’s award-winning What Does It Mean To Be …?® series, What Does It Mean To Be Kind? was named a 2015 Moonbeam Gold Medalist and won a Mom’s Choice Gold Award.”

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