Hush!
This guide provides links to animated short films and picture books that connect to the broader topics in Jacqueline Woodson’s Hush (2002). The film descriptions have been adapted from YouTube and the picture book descriptions are from the Follett Destiny Catalogue.
If you have questions, suggestions for improving this page, or encounter any issues with the links, please email [email protected].
If you have questions, suggestions for improving this page, or encounter any issues with the links, please email [email protected].
This page was last updated 12/02/2025
identity
The Imposter by Kelly Collier
Call # E COL [Picture Book Section]
"Skunk wants to be a dog. Everyone loves dogs. And every dog seems to have exactly what he's looking for: a home and a family. When Skunk sees a 'lost' poster for Max the dog, he wonders if he can pass himself off as the missing pet. He enlists the help of three neighborhood critters--a racoon, a cat, and a squirrel--who train him in the art of being a dog with hilarious results. But, uh-oh, there's just one thing Skunk didn't account for"--Provided by publisher
Call # E COL [Picture Book Section]
"Skunk wants to be a dog. Everyone loves dogs. And every dog seems to have exactly what he's looking for: a home and a family. When Skunk sees a 'lost' poster for Max the dog, he wonders if he can pass himself off as the missing pet. He enlists the help of three neighborhood critters--a racoon, a cat, and a squirrel--who train him in the art of being a dog with hilarious results. But, uh-oh, there's just one thing Skunk didn't account for"--Provided by publisher
The World Needs You Were Who You Were Made to Be by Joanna Gaines
Call # E GAIN [Picture Book Section]
"[Text and illustrations] celebrate how creativity and acceptance can come together in a bright and beautiful adventure"-- Provided by publisher.
Call # E GAIN [Picture Book Section]
"[Text and illustrations] celebrate how creativity and acceptance can come together in a bright and beautiful adventure"-- Provided by publisher.
The Many Colors of Harpreet Singh, by Supriya Kelkar
Call# E KEL [Picture Book Section]
"Harpreet Singh has a different color for every mood and occasion, from pink for dancing to bhangra beats to red for courage. He especially takes care with his patka-his turban-smoothing it out and making sure it always matches his outfit. But when Harpreet's mom finds a new job in a snowy city and they have to move, all he wants is to be invisible" -- Amazon.
Call# E KEL [Picture Book Section]
"Harpreet Singh has a different color for every mood and occasion, from pink for dancing to bhangra beats to red for courage. He especially takes care with his patka-his turban-smoothing it out and making sure it always matches his outfit. But when Harpreet's mom finds a new job in a snowy city and they have to move, all he wants is to be invisible" -- Amazon.
We are Definitely Human by X. Fang
Call # E Fan [Picture Book Section]
When three mysterious visitors from "Europe" crash-land in Mr. Li's field, he does what any good host would: he invites them back to his farmhouse and offers to help fix up their "car". No, there's nothing strange about these guests at all. Just like other humans, they "make business", "play sportsball" and "wear hat". As the townsfolk also come to the aid of the visitors and the gathering turns into a little party, interplanetary relations reach an all-time high.
Call # E Fan [Picture Book Section]
When three mysterious visitors from "Europe" crash-land in Mr. Li's field, he does what any good host would: he invites them back to his farmhouse and offers to help fix up their "car". No, there's nothing strange about these guests at all. Just like other humans, they "make business", "play sportsball" and "wear hat". As the townsfolk also come to the aid of the visitors and the gathering turns into a little party, interplanetary relations reach an all-time high.
Animated Short Films
- One Person: fast-food workers, Nancy and Chuck, have vastly different styles of salesmanship that build up to an amusing duel and an unexpected journey of self-discovery.
- French Roast: When it is time to pay the check at a chic Parisian brasserie, a stiff businessman realizes, with horror, that he's forgotten his wallet. How is going to pay the check?
Mental wellness
A Friend for Eddy by Ann Kim Ha
Call # E HA [Picture Book Section]
"Eddy the goldfish makes a leap of faith to become closer to new friends"--Provided by publisher.
Call # E HA [Picture Book Section]
"Eddy the goldfish makes a leap of faith to become closer to new friends"--Provided by publisher.
How Full is Your Bucket? by Tom Rath and Mary Reckmeyer
Call # E RAT [Picture Book Section]
A little boy named Felix learns that being kind to others not only helps them, but helps him as well.
Call # E RAT [Picture Book Section]
A little boy named Felix learns that being kind to others not only helps them, but helps him as well.
Larf by Ashley Spires
Call # E SPIRES [Picture Book Section]
Larf, who has always believed he was the only sasquatch in the world, is thrilled to hear that another sasquatch is scheduled to make an appearance in the nearby city of Hunderfitz, and Larf dresses up as a city slicker before leaving for Hunderfitz.
Call # E SPIRES [Picture Book Section]
Larf, who has always believed he was the only sasquatch in the world, is thrilled to hear that another sasquatch is scheduled to make an appearance in the nearby city of Hunderfitz, and Larf dresses up as a city slicker before leaving for Hunderfitz.
Animated Short Films
- Soft Rain: a man suffering from depression is caught in a sudden downpour of pink, fluffy balls. At a crowded bus stop, a cheerful looking woman offers him a spot under her umbrella, and together they enjoy the soft rain.
- Are You Okay?: a girl experiences a backlash from her peers, in person and online, after she tells her guidance counsellor that another student is being bullied.
secrets/hiding in plain sight
What Do You Do with a Problem? by Kobi Yamada
Call # E YAM [Picture Book Section]
When a problem becomes too big from worrying about it, a child decides to face the problem and learns that problems can make us stronger.
Call # E YAM [Picture Book Section]
When a problem becomes too big from worrying about it, a child decides to face the problem and learns that problems can make us stronger.
- In a Heartbeat - Animated Short Film: a closeted boy risks being outed by his own heart after it pops out of his chest to chase the boy of his dreams.
- Is Anybody Out There?: explores the weight that secrets can carry and the importance of a trusted adult.
parent/child relationships
Hair Love by Matthew Cherry
Call # E CHE [Picture Book Section]
“A little girl's daddy steps in to help her arrange her curly, coiling, wild hair into styles that allow her to be her natural, beautiful self"--OCLC.”
Call # E CHE [Picture Book Section]
“A little girl's daddy steps in to help her arrange her curly, coiling, wild hair into styles that allow her to be her natural, beautiful self"--OCLC.”
The Gruffalo’s Child by Julia Donaldson
Call # E DON [Picture Book Section]
The Gruffalo said that no gruffalo should ever set foot in the deep dark wood. But one wild and windy night, the Gruffalo's child ignores her father's warning and tiptoes out into the snow. After all, the Big Bad Mouse doesn't really exist - does he?
Call # E DON [Picture Book Section]
The Gruffalo said that no gruffalo should ever set foot in the deep dark wood. But one wild and windy night, the Gruffalo's child ignores her father's warning and tiptoes out into the snow. After all, the Big Bad Mouse doesn't really exist - does he?
Love You Forever by Robert Munsch
Call# E MUN [Picture Book Section]
Describes the relationship of a mother and child as the child grows into a man and has a baby of his own.
Call# E MUN [Picture Book Section]
Describes the relationship of a mother and child as the child grows into a man and has a baby of his own.
- Let's Eat - Award Winning Animated Short Film: focuses on the relationship between a Chinese-American mother and daughter.
- Picchu: follows the journey of an Andean girl named Mayu, and the unconditional support of her mother.
- Hair Love: tells the heartfelt story of an African American father learning to do his daughter’s hair for the first time.
