Hi Kid Lit Friends!
How is everyone doing these days? I feel like every day is another day of news about book banning in states across America. I myself do many school visits every year, and I’ve heard that some school districts now require full school board approval before inviting authors to do a school visit or to even allow a book into a school library or classroom. Librarians and teachers are losing their ability to do jobs they spent years studying to do, and I think so many people are feeling frustrated and upset. As always, the best way to respond to this unprecedented book banning is to make your voices known, show up and vote for your local school boards, and advocate for your librarians and teachers.
Bookish Goods
Once Upon a Time Sign by WoodlandDelightsUK
This would look so lovely in a kid’s bedroom or school library! $16+
New Releases
Ruby Lost and Found by Christina Li
In this sweet middle grade book set in San Francisco’s Chinatown, Ruby Chu is feeling untethered following the death of her grandfather. After getting into some trouble, her parents make her accompany her grandmother to the senior center all summer. But the senior center isn’t as boring as she initially thought, and she finds hope and a mission in helping save a beloved Chinese bakery.
The Art of Rewilding by Nadja Belhadj and Marc Majewski
In this beautifully made accordion picture book, we get an expansive view of the effects of the disappearance of wolves from Yellowstone in the 1930s. This led to a collapse of the entire ecosystem. In 1995, wolves were reintroduced and the area began to recover. I love this innovative and gorgeous book!
For a more comprehensive list, check out our New Books newsletter.
Riot Recommendations
I’ve loved seeing the wonderful picture books celebrating hair and hairstyles! Here are some of them:
My Fade is Fresh by Shauntay Grant, illustrated by Kitt Thomas
A young girl goes to the local barbershop with her mom. She looks through all the hairstyles — parts, perms, frizzy fros, dye jobs, locs, cornrows — and finally chooses a hairstyle that she feels confident and happy in.
My Powerful Hair by Carole Lindstrom, illustrated by Steph Littlebird
This very special book tells the story of culture and hair. A young girl celebrates her long hair, even as she remembers the stories from her mom, who couldn’t grow her hair out because she was told it was too wild, and her grandmother, whose hair was taken away from her.
Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut by Derrick Barnes, illustrated by Gordon C. James
In this treasure of a book that has won so many awards, a young boy goes to the barbershop where he is supported by the community and given a hair cut so sharp that it boosts his confidence and makes him think that anything is possible.
I Love My Hair! by Natasha Anastasia Tarpley, illustrations by E.B. Lewis
This book was published over 20 years ago, but it continues to resonate and give an incredible and powerful message to all kids, telling them that they should be proud of their heritage.
What are you reading these days?
Let me know! Find me on Twitter at @KarinaYanGlaser, on Instagram at @KarinaIsReadingAndWriting, or email me at KarinaBookRiot@gmail.com.
One more thing before I sign off. Book Riot has a new podcast! BookRiot.com co-founder Jeff O’Neal explores the wide bookish world. Interviews, lists, rankings, retrospectives, recommendations, and much more, featuring people who know and love books. Hear from expert Professor Erica Williams about Nella Larsen, in honor of the new Complete Fiction of Nella Larsen collection, and other fascinating episodes. Subscribe to First Edition on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your podcatcher of choice.
Happy reading!
Karina