Happy Tuesday, kidlit friends! Today is a big day for me; it’s my daughter’s kindergarten graduation! It’s hard to imagine that she’ll be in first grade soon. I’m writing this from the past, so I hope I remember to pack some extra tissues because I am sure to get teary-eyed.
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Today, I review books about spelling bees, plus two middle grade nonfiction titles.
Bookish Goods
Bookworm Birthday Card by HollyMaguireShop
I celebrated my birthday last week (or at least will, since I’m writing this early), and this adorable bookish birthday card caught my eye! $4
New Releases
The Art Book for Children by Ferren Gipson, Amanda Renshaw, & Gilda Williams
This is a gorgeous collection of art accompanied by short essays for middle grade readers. It covers a wide range of art, from works by classic artists like Salvador Dalí and Frida Kahlo to more contemporary artwork by artists like Nam June Paik and Amy Sherald. It also includes a wide variety of art mediums — paintings, drawings, sculptures, photography, collage, and much more. At almost 200 pages, it’s full of images of stunning works of art. Young artists will love it.
Your Story Matters: A Surprisingly Practical Guide to Writing by Richard Scrimger, illustrated by D. McFadzean
Middle grade creative writers will enjoy this new funny nonfiction writing guide by Richard Scrimger, the author of many middle grade and young adult novels. Each chapter includes quizzes, writing exercises, cartoons and comics, and more. Scrimger encourages young writers to write about things they love and how exploring feelings is essential to creating good fiction. It’s a smart, fun writing guide.
For a more comprehensive list of new releases, check out our New Books newsletter.
Riot Recommendations
The Scripps National Spelling Bee begins in one week. Here are some children’s books about spelling bees to read for the event.
Spanish is the Language of My Family by Michael Genhart, illustrated by John Parra
The first National Spanish Spelling Bee was founded in 2011 to destigmatize children who speak Spanish in the U.S. In this picture book, a young boy is participating in the Spanish spelling bee for the first time. He practices with his Abuela, who tells him of the discrimination she experienced as a child for speaking Spanish, which the author’s mother also experienced. Back matter includes historical context and an author’s note about his family’s connection to the topic. The next National Spanish Spelling Bee will be in June.
How Do You Spell Unfair?: MacNolia Cox and the National Spelling Bee by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrated by Frank Morrison
This gorgeous picture book tells the story of 8th-grader MacNolia Cox, the first African American to win the Akron, Ohio spelling bee in 1936, which earned her an invitation to the National Spelling Bee, where she made it to the top five finalists. Weatherford follows Cox’s journey as she wins the Akron spelling bee and travels to Washington, D.C. for the national award, experiencing discrimination along the way — forced to move on the bus, unable to stay in the whites-only hotel for contestants and their families, and even segregated to a different table than where the white contestants sat. On each page, a new word relevant to Cox’s experience is spelled. Back matter includes a history of Black participation in spelling bees and a bibliography.
Stacey’s Extraordinary Words by Stacey Abrams, illustrated by Kitt Thomas
In Stacey Abrams’ debut picture book, she describes a young Stacey and her penchant for spelling. A teacher nominates her and one other child from her class to participate in a spelling bee. But Jake, the other student nominated, is a bully. Both she and Jake are the final contestants in the spelling bee. Back matter includes an author’s note and a notebook of extraordinary words.
Fame and Glory in Freedom, Georgia by Barbara O’Connor
Sixth-grader Bird doesn’t have many friends, except for her neighbor, Miss Delphine. When a new boy moves to Harlem, Miss Delphine encourages Bird to try and become his friend. Bird does so by convincing him to be her spelling bee partner. Bird has other motives for wanting to participate in the spelling bee, too. She wants a day of fame in Freedom, and she wants to go to Disney World. She hopes the spelling bee will help her with these goals. This is a funny, charming middle grade.
After being sick for months, it’s really nice to be able to go hiking again. I saw these lovely turtles on a hike at Bernheim Forest in Kentucky.
If you’d like to read more of my kidlit reviews, I’m on Instagram @BabyLibrarians, Twitter @AReaderlyMom, Bluesky @AReaderlyMom.bsky.social, and blog irregularly at Baby Librarians. You can also read my Book Riot posts. If you’d like to drop me a line, my email is kingsbury.margaret@gmail.com.
All the best,
Margaret Kingsbury