Author: Karina Glaser

Oh my goodness, this book!!! This is the story of two Josés who live in the city of Bogata, in the barrio of La Nueva Gloria. One José looks forward to visiting Paradise, the house with all the books, every Saturday, and the other José is a garbage collector. As José works each day, he scans the trash for books that he rescues and adds to his collection to share with his community on Saturdays. I loved this book so much!

This gorgeous books tells the story of Darlene Arviso, a woman who provided water to people living in New Mexico. Darlene not only drove a school bus, but she also drove a tanker that she filled with 3,000 gallons of water and delivered to hundreds of families every month. Here is en eye-opening quote from the book: “While almost every other American will use around a hundred gallons of water today, many of the Navajo reservation will use only seven.”

Elizebeth Friedman (1892–1980) was a brilliant American code breaker who smashed Nazi spy rings, took down gangsters, and created the CIA’s first cryptology unit. I really loved the illustrations in this picture book biography, which is rich with information and good for readers both young and old. Her story came to light when her secret papers were finally declassified in 2015. From thwarting notorious rumrunners with only paper and pencil to “counter-spying into the minds and activities of” Nazis, Elizebeth held a pivotal role in the early days of US cryptology.

This book is formatted much like Little Dreamers by Vashti Harrison (one of my favorites!). In Latinitas, Juliet Menéndez creates gorgeous artwork for each influential woman she profiles along with a summary of achievements. I love the portraits, which I think should be made into posters and hung in classrooms all throughout the world! I love that the book features woman living in different eras, including a few contemporary figures. The book features Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, Juana Azurduy de Padilla, Policarpa Salavarrieta, Rosa Peña de González, Teresa Carreño, Zelia Nuttall, Antonia Navarro, Matilde Hidalgo, Gabriela Mistral, Juana de Ibarbourou, Pura Belpré, Gumercinda Páez, Frida Kahlo, Julia de Burgos, Chavela Vargas, Alicia Alonso, Victoria Santa Cruz, Claribel Alegría, Celia Cruz, Dolores Huerta, Rita Moreno, Maria Auxiliadora da Silva, Mercedes Sosa, Isabel Allende, Susana Torre, Julia Alvarez, Sandra Cisneros, Sonia Sotomayor, Rigoberta Menchú Tum, Mercedes Doretti, Sonia Pierre, Justa Canaviri, Evelyn Miralles, Selena Quintanilla, Berta Cáceres, Serena Auñón, Wanda Díaz-Merced, Marta Vieira da Silva, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Laurie Hernandez.

This new chapter book series is an extension of Chelsea Clinton and Alexandra Boiger’s bestselling picture book, She Persisted. The chapter book series explore various influential women and are written by a variety of award winning and bestselling authors. In this book, readers will learn about Claudette Colvin, who at age fifteen refused to give up her seat in a time before Rosa Parks famously did so. Claudette stood up for what was right, and in doing so, fought for equality, fairness, and justice. Check out the whole series, which currently includes eight titles.

In this beautiful picture book, siblings Anna and Benjamin live in the city but love to stay with their cousin Robin in the countryside. Robin introduces them to his favorite tree in the nearby forest: a 300-year-old giant oak. Each time the children visit, they are amazed at how the forest and the mighty oak changes with the seasons. In autumn, they build a cozy den in the tree’s roots to watch the squirrels. In winter, they learn to ski in the shelter of the forest. In spring, they search the forest for animals. This is a beautiful picture book about the wisdom of trees and the shelter they provide.

I am a huge fan of Jason Chin’s gorgeous illustrations, and his nonfiction picture books are so informative with captivating stories. In this one, an ordinary subway trip is transformed when a young boy happens upon a book about redwood forests. As he reads the information unfolds, and with each new bit of knowledge, he travels―all the way to California to climb into the Redwood canopy.

This picture book details the ancient and tremendous species that grow only on the western slopes of California’s Sierra Nevada. Each sequoia begins life as a seed no larger than an oatmeal flake—yet can grow as tall as three blue whales stacked chin to tale. The oldest sequoias have lived as long as forty human lifetimes. The largest are so enormous, 20 children holding hands can’t wrap their arms around the trunks! In evocative text and vibrant paintings, The Sequoia Lives On reveals all of this fascinating information and more. An extensive author’s note completes the portrait for young readers, inviting them to become the next generation of protectors for this amazing tree.

This sweet picture book follows two children as they leave the city and head out to the woods. They explore their campsite and the surrounding area, all while thinking about what a tree would taste and feel and smell and see and hear. The illustrations are lovely and evoke peacefulness and hope.

I love Corinna’s illustration style, which is beautifully on display in her new book, The Tree in Me. This book celebrates all the ways a young child finds connection with a tree, whether it’s the apples or the sun or the strength or the shelter. I love the fluorescent pops of pink and orange. My favorite spreads are the ones when a community of children gather, reveling in an impromptu dance party during a storm or the celebration when the sun returns.

This middle grade book is a lovely testament to every child’s dream: living in a treehouse! When Winnie’s parents get a divorce, they decide she should spend three days a week at each of her parent’s houses and one day by herself in the treehouse in between their places so her time will be split perfectly evenly. But a year into this arrangement, Winnie is fed up and decides to barricade herself in the treehouse until her parents come to their senses. Then her friends join her, and the list of demands grow…

This book won’t be out until August, but I wanted to share it because it took my breath away when I took a look at an advance copy. I worked in downtown New York City on September 11, 2001, about a mile from the World Trade Center, and I witnessed the moment the second tower was hit. My husband, who I was to meet a few years later, was working inside the second tower when the first tower was hit. Thankfully, he was safely evacuated by firefighters. As a result, this book is especially meaningful to me. It is about a tree that lived between the two towers and was covered by rubble after the buildings fell. The tree was brought somewhere to heal and was later replanted at the 9/11 Memorial, serving as a living testament to hope and revival.

This is the follow-up story to the hugely popular Dragons in a Bag book! Fans of fantasy will love this one! Jaxon has to return three baby dragons to the realm of magic but when he gets there, only two dragons were left in the bag. Kavita, Jaxon’s best friend, has stolen the third dragon, thinking she was doing what was best for the baby dragon, but now every time she feeds it, the dragon grows and grows! Kavita is definitely in over her head, and Jaxon needs all the help he can get to find Kavita, outsmart a trickster named Blue, and return the baby dragon to its true home.

Fans of Ivy and Bean, rejoice! It’s the 12th book in this charming series, and this time it’s Career Day at Emerson Elementary School. All the students have to choose what they want to be when they grow up, and best friends Ivy and Bean already have that all figured out. At least, they thought so, until they met Herman the Treasure Hunter. Now everyone in the second grade is looking for treasure—and finding it. Everyone except Ivy and Bean, that is. They need to get out their shovels and turn up some treasure on the double!

I was first introduced to Aven Green through the middle grade book, Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus. In this new series for younger readers, third grader Aven Green, who was born without arms, finds herself confronted with not one, but two mysteries to solve! When her teacher’s lunch bag disappears and then Aven’s great-grandmother’s dog goes missing, Aven needs to summon all of her sleuthing powers to solve the mysteries.

I love Marisol Rainey! This wonderfully spunky character is sure to capture your heart. Marisol’s family is different from any of the other families she knows in her small Louisiana town. Her mother was born in the Philippines and her father works and lives part-time on an oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico. But Marisol is ready for the summer, even though she has to figure out how to get annoying Evie Smythe to leave her alone and how to gain to courage to climb the big tree in her backyard.

This adorable book is filled with full color illustrations. Wilson was Abigail Atwood’s friendliest, woolliest, and smartest sheep. He was also a very a curious sheep, which gets him into trouble when he climbs into the back of a piano movers’ truck and ends up alone in the big city. Can Wilson find his way home?

Sixth grader Silas Walker loves baseball. He loves it so much he even does a school presentation on former Major League Baseball player Glenn Burke, known for being the inventor of the high five. Burke was a Black gay baseball player in the 1970s―and for Silas, the presentation is his own first baby step toward coming out as gay. Although he tells his secret to his best friend, he keeps the truth from his baseball teammates. But he suspects people begin to know the truth about him when a series of suspicious events happen. He ends up staging a cover-up with disastrous consequences. Will Silas continue to hide who he is, or find the courage to be who he is?

Written by the daughter of legendary Jackie Robinson, this book is based on the true story of a boy in Brooklyn in 1948 who became neighbors and friends with his hero, Jackie Robinson. Stephen Satlow, eight years old and living in Brooklyn, New York, loves the Dodgers. He knows all their stats and facts. When Steve hears a rumor that an African American family is moving to his all-Jewish neighborhood, some of his neighbors are against it. Steve knows this is wrong. His hero, Jackie Robinson, broke the color barrier in baseball the year before.Then it happens — Steve’s new neighbor is none other than Jackie Robinson!

I really loved this middle grade book set in 1957 about a young pitcher named Katy Gordon who desperately wants to be in Little League. The only problem? The league doesn’t admit girls even though she’s the best pitcher in the neighborhood. Katy embarks on a quest to prove to the federation that girls can play baseball, and with the help of librarians she finds a whole list of female baseball players that excelled in their sport, giving her the confidence she needs to play the game she loves.

This middle grade book series is inspired by Derek Jeter’s childhood. From a young boy, he had dreams of being the shortstop for the New York Yankees and even going to the World Series. So when Derek is chosen for the Little League Tigers, he hopes to play shortstop. But on the day of the assignments, Derek starts at second base. Still, he tries his best while he wishes and dreams of that shortstop spot. And to help him stay focused on school, his parents make him a contract: keep up the grades or no baseball.

This book, written for adults but appropriate for upper middle grade readers, is a terrific biography about James “Cool Papa” Bell (1903–1991), a legend in Black baseball. Born to sharecroppers in Mississippi, Bell was part of the Great Migration. In St. Louis, baseball saved Bell from a life working in slaughterhouses. Historian Lonnie Wheeler charts Bell’s ups and downs in life and in baseball, in the United States, the Dominican Republic, and Mexico, where he went to escape American racism and MLB’s color line.

A father puts on his sweater with the hole in it, and two siblings know it’s time to garden. There is so much to do: digging, adding to the compost heap, and planting carrots. But the family isn’t the only busy ones around. Bees and bugs are flying by, birds are gathering material for their nests, and tadpoles are zipping around in the water. It’s a busy spring!

Former First Lady Michelle Obama wanted to grow the largest kitchen garden ever at the White House, but there was one problem. She had never gardened before. But every big project takes a village, so she enlisted help from local students, the White House staff, and even her husband, President Barack Obama. Her mission to inspire young people to adopt healthy eating habits continues now with her new Netflix show, Waffles + Mochi!

Joanna Gaines of Fixer Upper (I love that show!) details her adventures of starting her own family garden in this sweet picture book. Starting a garden is a learning experience: failed endeavors, obstacles to overcome (bunnies that eat everything), and gathering knowledge. The Gaines family shares some of what they learn in this book, perfect for spring!

I adore all of Kenard Pak’s beautiful picture books celebrating the seasons. In this one, the days stretch longer, animals creep out from their warm dens, and green begins to grow again. A boy and his dog explore their neighborhood, taking in all the signs that point to spring: the melting brook, the chirping birds, and green growing everywhere.

Norooz, also known as the Persian New Year, has been observed for over 3,000 year as people celebrate the first day of spring when everything starts anew. The trees will grow new leaves, the flowers new petals, and the grass new greenery. They call this day “Norooz,” or “New Day.” Preparations begin weeks in advance as people plant seeds and go about familiar rituals that usher in the new year.

I love Ellen Oh and her fantasy series. Spirit Hunters is a deliciously chilling story about Harper Raine, the new seventh grader in town who must face down the dangerous ghosts haunting her younger brother.

Also check out Newbery Medal winner When You Trap a Tiger by Tae Keller, a gorgeous book based on Korean folklore about the perils of bargaining with tigers.

I love Grace Lin fantasy trilogy beginning with Where the Mountain Meets the Moon, the story of a young girl named Minli who sets off on an extraordinary journey to find the Old Man on the Moon to ask him how she can change her family’s fortune.

And one of my favorite books published in 2020, A Wish In The Dark by Christina Soontornvat, is a Les Miserables-inspired fantasy set in Thailand about a boy named Pong who discovers that life outside of the prison he grew up in is no fairer than the one behind bars.

Check out A Different Pond by Bao Phi, illustrated by Thi Bui, a gorgeous book about a father and his son waking up in the early morning to fish.

I love Eyes that Kiss in the Corners by Joanna Ho, illustrated by Dung Ho, a book that celebrates of Asian-shaped eyes.

Drawn Together by Minh Lê and illustrated by Dan Santat is a book I’ve given to so many friends. It’s a gorgeous story of a young boy and his grandfather and how they cross a cultural divide through art.

If your young readers love silly picture books, check out The Boring Book by Shinsuke Yoshitake, a book about that universal phrase: “I’m so bored!” (Another favorite of mine by Shinsuke Yoshitake is I Can Be Anything, which is hilarious!)

Hooray for Books! by Brian Won is a love letter to books by a turtle who has misplaced his absolute favorite story

I love the unique size of Bus! Stop! by James Yang, a funny story about trying to find the right bus.

Hello, Universe, the Newbery Medal winning book by Erin Entrada Kelly, is a story told in four points of view on one day where their lives intersect in surprising and important ways.

Checked by Cynthia Kadohata is one of my favorite middle grade books. It’s beautiful story about a boy who loves hockey who has to put aside lessons so his dog Sinbad can have cancer treatments.

The Way to Bea by Kat Yeh is a poignant book about a lonely seventh grader learning to find her way in the world.

Cilla Lee-Jenkins: Author Extraordinaire by Susan Tan, a wonderful series by Susan Tan, is great for younger middle grade readers who are looking for a spunky, hilarious heroine.

For upper middle grade readers, I highly recommend Gene Luen Yang’s Dragon Hoops. This biographical graphic novel is about Gene’s time as a high school teacher and his friendship with the basketball coach and the Varsity basketball team, the Dragons.

This is one of my favorite graphic novels of all time! Another favorite is Jen Wang’s Stargazing, a beautiful story of a young girl who befriends her neighbor.

And finally, my favorite cat book! The Complete Chi’s Sweet Home by Konami Konata is a wonderful series about a young cat discovering the world.

Dragonwings was inspired by the story of a Chinese immigrant who created a flying machine in 1909, and his story touches on the struggles and dreams of Chinese immigrants navigating opportunity and prejudice in San Francisco.

Linda Sue is my hero, and I just adore all of her historical fiction books. A Single Shard is about a young boy who is tasked with bringing pottery from a master artisan to the Korean royal commission.

The Kite Fighters is set in 15th century Korea about two brothers with a passion for flying kites.

And finally, PRAIRIE LOTUS is about a half-Asian girl growing up in America’s heartland in 1880 facing deep rooted prejudice within the community she lives in.

This gorgeous book is filled with fascinating information along with stunning illustrations. In the opening pages, readers will learn all about botany, including how to recognize different types of flowers. Subsequent pages illustrate the various habitats that are home to flora such as pitcher plants, the giant water lily, and the weirdly wonderful corpse flower (which I saw once at the New York Botanical Garden! It was fascinating!). Readers will discover which flowers are endangered and why some blooms are fragrant or colorful, including information about carnivorous and poisonous flowers which are sure to thrill young readers!

George Washington Carver was born into slavery and later became a celebrated botanist, scientist, and inventor. When he was young, he had a secret garden where he studied life cycles, examined flowers, and protected plant roots throughout the hard winters. I loved reading about this incredible person who had such passion for living things. I also adored the beautiful illustrations in this picture book biography!

This is another fantastic new book for any reader who wants to learn more about flowers and how they grow. I love Rachel Ignotofsky’s illustrations, which convey such joy and life! This is the first book in a new nonfiction picture book series, and I can’t wait to see what other topics she tackles.

I really love this picture book, about a young child leaving the city and exploring flowers with all five senses—from its color to its fragrance to the entire universe it evokes—revealing how a single flower can expand one’s perspective in incredible ways. The vibrant illustrations leap from each page and make each page flip a joy.

This beautiful pop-up book features stunning flowers that literally leap off of each page. Among the flowers, bees buzz, hummingbirds sip, and bats flit amongst the brilliant petals. Each spread is filled with unique pop-ups, revealing pull-tabs, and captivating facts. This book is a celebration of flowers as critical components of the natural world. While not technically written for children, I think readers beyond toddlers will enjoy this captivating book. I found the pop-ups quite sturdy, although it’s probably not a great book for grabby hands.

This exquisite book is gorgeously illustrated by Cozbi A. Cabrera and recounts the life of Gwendolyn Brooks, the first Black person to win the Pulitzer Prize, receiving the award for poetry in 1950. Her poetry, about “real life”, included themes of love, loneliness, family, and poverty. This is a captivating picture book about a captivating writer.

Most people know Jane Austen as the witty writer of many books. As a young girl, she delighted in making her family laugh with tales that poked fun at the popular novels of her time, stories that featured fragile ladies and ridiculous plots. Before long, Jane was writing her own stories–uproariously funny ones, using all the details of her life in a country village as inspiration. Her books are now some of the most beloved around the world.

This has got to be one of my favorite books about a writer… and it’s written by the writer herself! Jacqueline Woodson is my literary hero, and her early life is fascinating. Raised in South Carolina and New York, Woodson always felt halfway home in each place. In vivid poems, she shares what it was like to grow up as an African American in the 1960s and 1970s, living with the remnants of Jim Crow and her growing awareness of the Civil Rights movement. I particularly love those poems that touch on her early desires to be a writer. So powerful!

As a young girl, Zora Neale Hurston wanted nothing more than to be surrounded by stories. Her mama always told her that if she wanted something, “to jump at de sun”, because even though you might not land quite that high, at least you’d get off the ground. So Zora jumped from place to place, from the porch of the general store where she listened to folktales, to Howard University, to Harlem. Her stories included tales about people that no one had paid attention to before, until she wrote them down.

This incredible book follows the life of E.B. White, the legendary author of Charlotte’s Web and The Trumpet of the Swan (my personal favorite of his stories). Melissa Sweet does an incredible job distilling his life for young readers, and her illustrations are fantastic. Check this one out!

This quiet book is set on a late winter night when a young girl and her father go looking for owls. The father makes an owl call, but there is no response. Wordlessly the two companions walk along, for when you go owling you don’t need words. You don’t need anything but hope. Sometimes there isn’t an owl, but sometimes there is.

Siblings take a walk through their town, taking the time to observe the changes in the seasons and to greet the coming winter. This is part of a four picture book series from author-illustrator Kenard Pak who has a book for each season. I love reading these books as the weather changes!

This charming picture book captures the joy of snow and exploration. A young girl heads out to explore to the new snow, following tracks that she does not know if her own. This book and its beautiful illustrations transport the reader to those quiet winter days.

At the first sign of snow, all the animals need to get ready by storing up food or migrating to warmer weather or growing a thicker coat. But fox is unsure what to do until he finds his friend who has the perfect idea to celebrate the snowfall.

Oh how I love this book! Newbery Medal Winner Susan Cooper’s evocative poem is laid out in picture book form and beautifully illustrated by Caldecott Honor winter Carson Ellis. The words capture the magic behind the returning of the light, the yearning for traditions that connect us with generations that have gone before, and the hope for peace that we carry into the future.