Happy Tuesday, kidlit friends! We are still in the middle of sick funkiness, so we spent the weekend napping and doing as little as possible. I did read through a giant stack of children’s books publishers sent me, and I can’t wait to share some of those with you!
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Today I review two Latine new releases and Passover children’s books.
Bookish Goods
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I love that this tee comes in so many different sizes, from babies to adults. The whole family can wear matching book shirts! $16+
New Releases
A Maleta Full of Treasures by Natalia Sylvester, illustrated by Juana Medina
In this sweet picture book, Dulce’s abuela comes to visit her and her family in the U.S. from Peru. Dulce has never been to Peru and has never met her cousins or other relatives who live there, but she longs to visit and better understand her heritage. Once a year, Abuela comes bringing Peruvian treasures in her suitcases to share with Dulce. The illustrations are warm and inviting. The entire book is like one big hug.
Churro Stand by Karina N. González, illustrated by Krystal Quiles
Now for a picture book that will make you crave churros! It’s summer in New York City, and Lucía and her brother are accompanying their mother to work. Mamá runs a churro stand in Union Square. The morning begins in the kitchen preparing ingredients. Then the trio takes the subway to Union Square and sets up the stand. The kids wonder if ice cream would sell better because, initially, no one comes to the stand. Then a rainstorm sends everyone scurrying away. But with a little clever thinking, the churro stand is a success. This delightful picture book is being published in both English and Spanish.
For a more comprehensive list of new releases, check out our New Books newsletter.
Riot Recommendations
Passover begins April 22, so I wanted to put some new Passover children’s books on everyone’s radar.
Afikoman, Where’d You Go? by Rebecca Gardyn Levington, illustrated by Noa Kelner
This super fun rhyming search-and-find Passover picture book is sure to be on repeat in many households. A family has gathered for Passover, but the mischievous matzah keeps hiding in every room of the house, inside and outside. Kids and pets search for that sneaky Afikoman, and young readers can join the search.
Tyrannosaurus Tsuris by Susan Tarcov, illustrated by Elissambura
Kids will also love this dinosaur take on Passover. Tyrannosaurus Rex wants to host the seder for all the dinosaurs, but none of them want to come. They’re worried he will eat them! This gives him tsuris — worry. But then all the dinosaurs tell him what gives them tsuris, and it turns out they have a lot to worry about, too. It’s a funny picture book that dinosaur lovers will enjoy.
Where Is Poppy? by Caroline Kusin Pritchard, illustrated by Dana Wulfekotte
This is a lovely picture book about grieving for a lost grandparent. A young girl is celebrating Passover with her family, but how can it be Passover without Poppy, her beloved grandfather? Family members tell her he’s still there with them, but the child has trouble understanding what they mean. How is Poppy still there? Where is he? As she searches, she remembers cherished moments with him.
On All Other Nights edited by Chris Baron, Joshua S. Levy, and Naomi Milliner
There aren’t very many Passover books for middle grade readers, and this short story anthology helps to fill the gap. Fourteen Jewish middle grade authors write Passover-themed short stories, comics, and poems. It’s cleverly organized around the 14 parts of the Passover Seder, and the acknowledgments use the “Who Knows One” pattern, the traditional Passover song. Contributors include Ruth Behar, Veera Hiranandani, Sarah Kapit, A. J. Sass, Laurel Snyder, and more.
We’ve been doing a lot of reading in bed and on the couch this week. I got a few copies of Kazoo Magazine, and my daughter has been going through them while sick. It’s a super cool magazine for girls ages 5-12 with lots of content: crafts, activities, interviews, stories, comics, art, and more. She’s been really enjoying reading them while sick!
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