Happy New Year, kidlit friends! My 2023 is getting off to a bit of a rough start with a never-ending virus, but I’m feeling very ready for a new year and a fresh start on some goals. In today’s newsletter, I get excited about some of the many fantastic books that will be releasing this year. Seriously, it’s one of the best new book years I’ve seen in a while.
Bookish Goods
Nursery Bookshelf by SevenOneSixWood
I have long wanted a front facing bookshelf wall. I don’t have room for it, but you might! This would be a great way to spend any Etsy gift cards. $28+
New Releases
An American Story by Kwame Alexander, illustrated by Dare Coulter (picture book)
This stunningly illustrated picture book opens with a question: “How do you tell a story that starts in Africa and ends in horror?” What proceeds is a powerful and lyrical history of slavery in the United States. In the back matter, Alexander explains how he was inspired to write this book after a racially charged incident with his daughter’s 4th grade teacher, where she became defensive when Alexander questioned her about why she wasn’t including slavery in her discussions of colonial America. This book is his response to how and why slavery must be taught in the classroom. Coulter uses a mix of sculpture, acrylic paints on wood, charcoal, and more in creating the illustrations for the book, and they feel like they could be in a museum. I know it’s way too early to be nominating books for awards, but if this masterpiece doesn’t win some awards next year, I will be very surprised.
We Are Here by Tami Charles, illustrated by Bryan Collier (picture book)
In her follow-up to All Because You Matter, author Tami Charles celebrates the power of Black love and Black history. Where An American Story grapples with the horrific history of enslaved Black Americans, We Are Here shows how Black children can look to the future and hope by embracing the joy of their ancestors. Where All Because You Matter was an affirmation, the author explains in the back matter, We Are Here is a celebration, and she plans for one more book in the series, United Together, which will be a confirmation.
For a more comprehensive list, check out our New Books newsletter!
Riot Recommendations
Today I recommend four children’s books releasing in 2023 that I’m super excited about. I’ve only read one of these, so my reviews will be short and sweet. Feel free to email me what children’s books you’re excited to read this year! My email address is in the final paragraph.
Remember by Joy Harjo, illustrated by Michaela Goade, releases March 21 (picture book)
Can there be a more perfect author/illustrator pairing? I adore Joy Harjo’s poetry. If you’re unfamiliar with Harjo, she was the 23rd Poet Laureate of the United States, and she’s a member of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. The poem in Remember asks young readers to remember the natural world and their heritage, to take joy and to honor it. It’s gorgeously illustrated by Caldecott winner Michaela Goade, of the Tlingit Nation. This is the only book on this list I’ve read. I can’t recommend it enough!
One Day by Joanna Ho, illustrated by Faith Pray, releases March 12 (picture book)
I have loved every single book by Joanna Ho, like Eyes That Kiss in the Corners and Playing at the Border. One Day is a mother’s lyrical ode to her baby son over the course of a day. The illustration samples I’ve seen are soft and tender and lovely. I can’t wait to get my hands on a print copy!
Camp QUILTBAG by Nicole Melleby and A. J. Sass, releases March 21 (middle grade)
This cover makes me smile! This contemporary middle grade is set in a summer camp for queer kids. It’s told from two perspectives: Abigail (she/her), who’s excited to finally be in a place where she can be herself, and Kai (e/em), who would rather stay home with eir best friend and eir parkour team. This book looks like such a joy.
We Still Belong by Christine Day, releases August 1 (middle grade)
Indigenous author Christine Day (Upper Skagit) has previously written two wonderful middle grade novels: I Can Make This Promise and The Sea in Winter. In her newest novel, middle schooler Wesley has big plans for Indigenous People’s Day at her school, but from start to finish, everything about her day bombs. But when she attends an intertribal powwow, she learns things that give her a different perspective. I love books that have Indigenous American kids in the present day, and I can’t wait to read this one!
Do you subscribe to School Library Journal? I have written for SLJ in the past, and I was disturbed by this post from author and illustrator Julia Kuo about how they white-washed characters from her most recent book Luminous in a review of the book, and when she and her editorial team asked for it to be corrected, SLJ refused. I won’t lie: I’m flabbergasted and appalled by their response. I wrote the editor I’ve worked with in the past about my concerns and received no response. I know a lot of librarians read SLJ and subscribe to this newsletter. Are you concerned about this, too?
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