One Proud Penny, by Randy Siegel, illustrated by Serge Bloch; Neal Porter Books, $17.99, 40 pages, ages 5-8. 

One penny may not seem like much–think back to the last time you bothered to pick up a cent from the ground–but Randy Siegel’s latest picture book (My Snake Blake; Grandma’s Smile) extols the virtues of this tiny, mighty, copper coin.

The story follows the life cycle of a penny, starting from its birth in 1983 through its various adventures helping people make change across America. Filled with quirky yet informative facts about pennies, One Proud Penny will have readers scouring their pockets for loose change. Siegel joins up once again with French illustrator Serge Bloch, whose superimposed pen-and-inks over images of pennies are peppy in their effervescence and ease.

A fun little ode to the 250 billion pennies we all take for granted.