Though not the introduction to kindergarten classroom-type tales, these smartly penned picture books plant the seeds for change — the change, that is, from summer brain to school brain.

"This is the Rope: A Story From the Great Migration" by Jacqueline Woodson; illustrated by James Ransome; Nancy Paulsen Books/Penguin Young Readers Group; 32 pages; $16.99.

With rich and lovely oil paintings and elegant, lilting prose, "This is the Rope" tells the story of a rope, found by a little girl, as part of a family's history.

"This is the rope my grandmother found beneath an old tree, a long time ago, back home in South Carolina," it starts, "This is the rope my grandmother skipped under the shade of a sweet-smelling pine," it continues, and chronicles its history.

For three generations, the rope is passed down, used for jump rope games, tying suitcases onto a car for the big move north to New York City and even for a family reunion where the little girl with the rope is now a grandmother. The rope frames the powerful story of an important time in our country's history, that of the Great Migration, a time when 6 million African Americans relocated from southern rural communities to urban areas in the north and west.

Woodson uses the rope smartly as a symbol for change and for family solidarity; while Ransome's beautifully detailed paintings showcase the strength and emotions of one family on the move.

"Lifetime" by Lola M. Schaefer; illustrated by Christopher Silas Neal; Chronicle Books; 40 pages; $17.99.

Kids who like numbers and animals will enjoy this unique, cool book, a collection of rarely known creature info presented against cool, mod illustrations. "In one lifetime," begins each page spread, which then points out that a caribou will grow and shed 10 sets of antlers; a woodpecker will drill 30 roosting holes in the woods, and a rattlesnake will add 40 beads to its rattle. Then, ("If you can hear this rattle, you are TOO close!").

Mixed media illustrations have a vintage, muted but zesty look to them that bode well for read-alouds. Kids ages 5 to 8 will be most surprised that in one lifetime, a seahorse will birth 1,000 babies! A glossary with more animal-specific details follows, with descriptions of averages and math, too.

"Flying Solo" by Julie Cummins; illustrated by Malene R. Laugesen; Roaring Book Press; 32 pages; $17.99.

Subtitled, "How Ruth Elder Soared into America's Heart," Cummins' easy-to-read picture book introduces a lesser-known female aviation star. In 1927, women were expected to work at home, but even before Amelia Earhart crossed the Atlantic Ocean, Ruth Elder set out to beat her to the record.

Though Ruth didn't quite make it, her determination and love for adventure flew her right into America's spotlight. Her daring (she once threw a box with "Help!" written on it, which landed on a ship right before she crashed in the ocean) moves helped her garner a vaudeville and movie contract. Still, she had more flights in her repertoire, finished a big cross-country race, temporarily landed in a field of cows and proclaimed that one day, women would be fighter pilots.

Written in a fun, clear manner, "Flying Solo" is a smart read about a woman who chased her dreams, paving the way for generations of female flyers.

"Rosie Revere Engineer" by Andrea Beaty; illustrated by David Roberts; Abrams Books; 32 pages; $16.95.

The follow-up to the popular, "Iggy Peck, Architect," Beaty's irreverent, hilarious, rhyming tale brings to life a shy girl who dreams of inventing gizmos and gadgets and being an engineer. Though afraid of failure, Rosie concocts great inventions in her room at night, working hardest on a flying contraption to help her aunt accomplish her own goal.

The main point of "Rosie Revere Engineer" is about the importance of believing in yourself and pursuing your passion. An important but lighthearted read for girl scientists interested in building, inventing and engineering, this tale is a must for school libraries. Roberts' whimsical illustrations, too, are a hoot.

"Tool. Time. Twist. A Brief History of Tools Through Time" by David Shapiro; illustrated by Christopher Herndon; Craigmore Creations; 48 pages; $17.99.

With a cartoonish look and a humorous slant, this introduction to tools throughout history is user-friendly, even without directions. Sparse, large text explains the use of sticks and stones, the hand ax, fire, pigments, and projectile points in early life, then moves onto calendars, plows, wrenches, even the multi-tool. ("Today, handy men and women use multi-tools for everything from fence building to opening a can of tomato soup.")

Blueprint-like pages make this entertaining read a must for young children.

To find out more about Lee Littlewood and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.