Happy Tuesday, kid lit friends! This week I’m desperately trying to catch up on all the picture books publishers have sent me and also pack away books for donations. I am once again a judge for the Bookstagang Awards and, based on my experience from last year as a judge, I need to clear a lot of space for all the picture books publishers will send for award consideration. I’m about to make some teachers and schools very happy with book donations.
Speaking of children’s book awards, a board member of the Cybils Award asked me to share that they are broadening their pool of judges and are currently accepting applications from anyone who talks about children’s books and is interested in being a judge. They’re particularly interested in having a diverse group of judges.
Bookish Goods
Once Upon A Time Wall Art by bleubri
This woodland-themed bookish wall art is perfect for a child’s reading nook. $24+
New Releases
My Town / Mi Pueblo by Nicholas Solis, illustrated by Luisa Uribe
This bilingual picture book is written from the perspective of two cousins who live on either side of the U.S.-Mexico border. They love visiting each other in one another’s towns. The illustrations and text are divided on each full page spread by one child’s visit to the Mexican border town and the other child’s visit to the U.S. border town. The bilingual text is the same as each child visits the towns. It’s a sweet multicultural book that celebrates the joy of experiencing new cultures and living close to the border.
Ride On by Faith Erin Hicks
This is a must-read for all the horse kids out there. Tired of the competitiveness and eliteness in her stables, Victoria switches to what she hopes will be a more laid-back (and less expensive) stable to ride her horse at. After a falling out with a rich friend at the previous stable, Victoria has written off friendship altogether. However, a shared love of a sci-fi franchise shows Victoria that maybe everything doesn’t need to be about horses, and maybe she can have friends, too. While I am not nor ever was a horse girl, my sister sure was, and we collected Breyer horses together and I tagged along to many horseback riding days and even a few Breyerfests (let’s not talk about how many times I’ve watched The Black Stallion and its sequel). As a result, I love horse books like this one, despite being quite happy to never ride a horse again.
For a more comprehensive list, check out our New Books newsletter!
Riot Recommendations
August is Women in Translation Month, so I thought I’d share some excellent translated picture books by women!
Playing with Lanterns by Wang Yage, illustrated by Zhu Chengliang, translated by Helen Wang
This Chinese picture book follows Zhao Di as she celebrates all 15 nights of the Lunar New Year. She loves celebrating Lunar New Year with her friends and especially loves playing with the lanterns. But she’s sad when the 15 days are over and it’s time to smash the lanterns. She’s not ready for the fun to end!
Leilong the Library Bus by Julia Liu, illustrated by Bei Lynn, translated by Helen Wang
Also translated by Helen Wang, this sweet and funny picture book was originally published in Taiwan. Leilong the dinosaur loves books and especially loves the library and going to story time with his friends. But there’s a big problem: Leilong is far too big for the library. He keeps accidentally smashing books, and he just can’t fit! Is there any solution?
I Am the Subway by Kim Hyo-Eun, translated by Deborah Smith
This gorgeously illustrated picture book was originally published in Korea and takes place along a Seoul subway. It’s an imaginative and contemplative read that relates the lives and thoughts of subway goers. It’s the kind of picture book adults will enjoy just as much as children.
MII Maanda Ezhi-Gkendmaanh / This Is How I Know by Brittany Luby, illustrated by Joshua Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley, translated by Alvin Ted Corbiere & Alan Corbiere
This beautiful celebration of the seasons is written in both English and Anishinaabemowin, an Indigenous North American language of the Anishinaabe. It follows a grandmother and grandchild as they explore all four seasons, from summer sunsets listening to the bugs to watching blue jays on a snowy winter day. It’s an excellent book to add to intergenerational, seasonal, and Indigenous American collections.
My daughter has reached an important reading milestone. The other day she grabbed Peanut, Butter, and Crackers: Puppy Problems to read in the bathroom, and when she was finished doing her business, she used toilet paper as a bookmark to remember her spot. This is especially fitting considering the cover.
If you’d like to read more of my kidlit reviews, I’m on Instagram @BabyLibrarians, Twitter @AReaderlyMom, 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.
Until next Tuesday!
Margaret Kingsbury