Author: Karina Glaser

Hi Kid Lit Friends!

With so much buzz about the book adaptation of A Wrinkle in Time in the box offices, I thought I’d build a book list for those who love the book and/or the movie. Some of the books below are high fantasy, some incorporate science fiction elements, and one is a biography about Madeleine L’Engle’s. All are sure to be enjoyable if you’re looking for more of that Wrinkle magic.

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When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead is heavily influenced by A Wrinkle in Time. The main character, Miranda, is always carrying the book around and is constantly comparing situations in her own life to the situations in the book. In an interview with Amazon.com, Stead says, “What I love about L’Engle’s book now is how it deals with so much fragile inner-human stuff at the same time that it takes on life’s big questions. There’s something fearless about this book.”

Some books that I think have that similar high fantasy and science fiction element in the stories include Dragonwings by Laurence Yep, The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill, Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin, Timeless: Diego and the Rangers of the Vastlantic by Armand Baltazar, and Akata Witch by Nnedi Okorafor. All of these books do a marvelous job at creating alternate worlds that are rich and characters that are nuanced and interesting.

Books that have similar sense of wonder and mysticism to A Wrinkle in Time include The Dam Keeper by Robert Kondo and Dice Tsutsumi and Tumble and Blue by Cassie Beasley. The Dam Keeper is set in Sunrise Valley, a quiet and sheltered place that is protected from a dangerous black fog that looms outside the village by an ingenious machine known as the dam. Pig’s father built the dam and taught him how to maintain it. And then this brilliant inventor did the unthinkable: he walked into the fog and was never seen again. Now Pig is the dam keeper, and a new threat is on the horizon―a tidal wave of black fog is descending on Sunrise Valley.

Tumble and Blue is about a legend: When the red moon rises over the heart of the Okefenokee swamp, legend says that the mysterious golden gator Munch will grant good luck to the poor soul foolish enough to face him. But in 1817, when TWO fools reach him at the same time, the night’s fate is split. With disastrous consequences for both . . . and their descendants. Half of the descendants have great fates, and the other half have terrible ones.

If you or a reader you know loves graphic novels, A Wrinkle in Time was adapted into a graphic novel, illustrated by Hope Larson. In the graphic novel, Hope Larson takes the classic story to a new level with her vividly imagined interpretations of tessering and favorite characters, like the Happy Medium and Aunt Beast. Perfect for delighting old fans and winning over new ones, this graphic novel adaptation is a must-read.

And finally, for those who want to know more about Madeleine L’Engle’s life, her granddaughters recently wrote a book about her using many of her journals as sources. In Becoming Madeleine: A Biography of the Author of A Wrinkle in Time by Her Granddaughters, Charlotte Jones Voiklis and Léna Roy Use never-before-seen archival materials that include photographs, poems, letters, and journal entries from when Madeleine was a child until just after the publication of her classic, A Wrinkle in Time. It is a story of overcoming obstacles―a lonely childhood, financial insecurity, and countless rejections of her writing―and eventual triumph.

New Releases!
All of these books release this Tuesday. The book descriptions are from Goodreads, but I’ll add a  if I particularly loved a title.

Picture Book New Releases

 Cycle City by Alison Farrell (Chronicle)

When little Etta the Elephant goes to her Aunt Ellen’s house, she takes a journey through bicycle-filled Cycle City, a town filled with bikes of all kinds! At the end of the day, a special surprise awaits Etta—the most amazing bicycle parade imaginable. Detail-rich illustrations in this fun seek-and-find book paint the colors of this unusual town where everyone rides some kind of bike—whether a penny-farthing, a two-wheeled unicycle, or a conference bike, everyone is on wheels! Packed with prompts and lots to see on every page, this is a sweet story for the sharpest of eyes.

 Hello Hello by Brendan Wenzel (Chronicle)

Hello, Hello! Beginning with two cats, one black and one white, a chain of animals appears before the reader, linked together by at least one common trait. From simple colors and shapes to more complex and abstract associations, each unexpected encounter celebrates the magnificent diversity of our world—and ultimately paints a story of connection.

 Captain Starfish by Davina Bell and Allison Colpoys (Chronicle)

Alfie wants to participate in the best parts of being a kid, from his friend Antoinette’s birthday party to the relay races at school. But his shyness keeps him from engaging. When Alfie wakes up with That Feeling on the morning of yet another big event—the underwater costume parade—his mom takes him to the aquarium. There, Alfie meets a starfish who shines so boldly Alfie feels small. But suddenly, a tiny clownfish swims up to Alfie for a quick hello and retreats again. Alfie begins to understand that there’s a happy medium between hiding away and being the star, and that he needs to come out of hiding every once and awhile to make meaningful connections.

Ladybug Girl and the Rescue Dogs by Jacky Davis and David Soman

Lulu is excited to meet all the rescue dogs when the pet-adoption fair comes to her local farmers’ market. She wants to take all of them home–but she already has Bingo, and Mama says one dog is enough for their family. That doesn’t mean Lulu can’t help, though. It’s time for Ladybug Girl and the Bug Squad–her friends Grasshopper Girl and Bumblebee Boy–to step in! The Bug Squad can do all kinds of little but important things, like brush the dogs, play with them, and bring them water and food. And then Lulu comes up with the perfect plan to help the dogs find their forever homes. Her idea is such a success that the Bug Squad knows they’ll be back again next week. Together, they can help every dog get adopted.

Twilight Chant by Holly Thompson, illustrated by Jen Betton (HMH Books for Young Readers)

As day slips softly into night, sharp eyes catch glimpses of the special creatures who are active at dusk. Lyrical text and lush art capture the richness and life of this magical time in a sumptuous picture book that will inspire budding naturalists and anyone who has ever chased a lightning bug at twilight.

 

Middle Grade New Releases

Love, Penelope by Joanne Rocklin, illustrated by Lucy Knisely (Amulet Books)

Penny is excited to welcome her new sibling, so throughout her mom’s pregnancy she writes letters to it (not it, YOU!). She introduces herself (Penelope, but she prefers “Penny”) and their moms (Sammy and Becky). She brags about their home city, Oakland, California (the weather, the Bay, and the Golden State Warriors) and shares the trials and tribulations of being a fifth-grader (which, luckily, YOU won’t have to worry about for a long time). Penny asks little questions about her sibling’s development and starts to ask big questions about the world around her (like if and when her moms are ever going to get married “for real”).

Voices from the Second World War: Stories of War As Told to Children of Today (Candlewick)

The Second World War was the most devastating war in history. Up to eighty million people died, and the map of the world was redrawn. More than seventy years after peace was declared, children interviewed family and community members to learn about the war from people who were there, to record their memories before they were lost forever. Now, in a unique collection, RAF pilots, evacuees, resistance fighters, Land Girls, U.S. Navy sailors, and survivors of the Holocaust and the Hiroshima bombing all tell their stories, passing on the lessons learned to a new generation. Featuring many vintage photographs, this moving volume also offers an index of contributors and a glossary.

Emily Windsnap and the Falls of Forgotten Island by Liz Kessler (Candlewick)

Emily is headed to a tropical island for a relaxing vacation with friends and family. And this time, Emily promises her best friend, Shona, there will be absolutely no adventure — just plenty of fun. But somehow excitement always seems to find Emily, and before she knows it, she ends up on the other side of a powerful waterfall on a forgotten island no one else can get to. Well, no one that isn’t a half-mer like Emily and her boyfriend, Aaron. The people who live on the island believe in a prophecy that foretells how they can be saved from an imminent, devastating earthquake — and this prophecy seems to revolve around Emily and Aaron, as well as a mysterious, mythic giant. Will they be able to find the giant — and fulfill the prophecy — before it’s too late?

Princess Before Dawn by E.D. Baker (Bloomsbury)

In the seventh tale of the Wide-Awake Princess series, Princess Annie’s beloved home Treecrest has become a favorite destination for all sorts of magical beings. One new set of guests are particularly strange, and they are ready to take over a new hunting ground. Annie and Liam turn to their only friends who can help, Francis and Zoe. But when Francis and Zoe arrive in Treecrest, the new hunting group is having too much fun to pack up and go home and nothing Francis or Zoe say seems to help. Can Annie, Liam and their new friends figure out a way to reclaim Treecrest before it’s overrun with hunters? Or will Annie lose her one true home?

Strange Star by Emma Carroll (Random House Children’s Books)

One stormy June evening, five friends meet at Villa Diodati, the summer home of Lord Byron. After dinner is served, they challenge each other to tell ghost stories that will freeze the blood. But one of the guests–Mary Shelley–is stuck for a story to share. Then there’s an unexpected knock at the front door. Collapsed on the doorstep is a girl with strange scars on her face. She has traveled a long way with her own tale to tell, and now they all must listen. Hers is no ordinary ghost story, though. What starts as a simple tale of village life soon turns to tragedy and the darkest, most dangerous of secrets. Sometimes the truth is far more terrifying than fiction . . . and the consequences are even more devastating.

So many great books are crossing my path this past week. I finished The Right Hook of Devin Velma by Jake Burt (Feiwel and Friends, 10/2/18), a story about friendship, miscommunication, and a viral sensation gone wrong.

The Creativity Project, edited by Colby Sharp, just came out last Tuesday and includes wonderful prompts and stories by kid’s lit authors and educators.

And my Mildred D. Taylor kick continues as I finished The Land, a prequel to Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry. The Land is the story of Paul-Edward Logan and his single minded determination to purchase 200 acres of land that eventually becomes the land that Cassie Logan from Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry grows up on. Next up in the Logan Family series: Let The Circle Be Unbroken.

I’d love to know what you are reading this week! Find me on Twitter at @KarinaYanGlaser, on Instagram at @KarinaIsReadingAndWriting, or email me at karina@bookriot.com.

Until next week!
Karina

I caught Izzy nibbling on my new release pile for this week. Grr.

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Hi friends,

Last month, New York, London, Milan, and Paris all had their fashion weeks. To be honest, the closest I get to fashion is faithfully watching every episode of Project Runway, but I have noticed many children’s books about fashion designers emerging and I have loved them all. Here are the ones that caught my eye:

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Fancy Party Gowns: The Story of Fashion Designer Ann Cole Lowe by Deborah Blumenthan, illustrated by Laura Freeman

This picture book was a fascinating look into the life of Ann Cole Lowe. She was taught to sew by her momma and grandma in their Alabama family shop in the early 1900s, making glorious dresses for women who went to fancy parties. When Ann was 16, her momma died, and Ann continued sewing dresses. It wasn’t easy, especially when she went to design school and had to learn alone, segregated from the rest of the class. But the work she did set her spirit soaring, as evidenced in the clothes she made, including Jackie Kennedy’s wedding dress and Olivia de Havilland’s dress at the Oscars when she won for Best Actress in To Each His Own. Rarely credited, Ann Cole Lowe became “society’s best kept secret.”

Bloom: A Story of Fashion Designer Elsa Schiaparelli by Kyo Maclear, illustrated by Julie Morstad

The illustrations in this picture book are breathtaking, perfectly capturing Schiaparelli’s signature vibrant and bright style. In the 1920 and ’30s, influenced by her friends in the surrealist art movement, Schiaparelli created a vast collection of unique fashion designs—hats shaped like shoes, a dress adorned with lobsters, gloves with fingernails, a dress with drawers and so many more. She mixed her own bold colors and invented her own signature shades, including shocking pink.

Coco Chanel: Pearls, Perfume, and the Little Black Dress by Susan Goldman Rubin

This middle grade book is a fascinating look into Coco Chanel, a woman who epitomized style and elegance. Beginning with the difficult years Chanel spent in an orphanage, Goldman Rubin traces Coco’s development as a designer and demonstrates how her determination to be independent helped her gain worldwide recognition. Coco Chanel focuses on the obstacles Chanel faced as a financially independent woman in an era when women were expected to marry; as well as her fierce competition with the Italian fashion designer Elsa Schiaparelli; and some of her most memorable firsts for the fashion industry, including the little black dress, the quilted purse with gold chain, and the perfume Chanel No. 5. I found this biography intriguing!

For a lighter picture book that focuses more on a child’s imagination, check out Crafty Chloe by Kelly DiPucchio, illustrated by Heather Ross. This was one of my kids’ favorites when they were younger. When another girl has already purchased the most perfect birthday gift for Chloe’s friend Emma, Chloe decides she’ll make a present—something you can’t buy in a store. But crafting isn’t easy, and it’s beginning to look like she won’t have a great idea in time. Fortunately, with a good doodle session and a whole lot of glitter to inspire her, Chloe figures out just the thing to save the day—and with a little help from her trusty glue gun, she just might save a friendship, too!

 

New Releases!

All of these books release this Tuesday! The book descriptions are from Goodreads, but for some books I am going to add some commentary in italics and a  if I particularly loved a title.

Picture Book New Releases

 They Say Blue by Jillian Tamaki (Abrams)

In captivating paintings full of movement and transformation, Tamaki follows a young girl through a year or a day as she examines the colors in the world around her. Egg yolks are sunny orange as expected, yet water cupped in her hands isn’t blue like they say. But maybe a blue whale is blue. She doesn’t know, she hasn’t seen one. Playful and philosophical, They Say Blue is a book about color as well as perspective, about the things we can see and the things we can only wonder at.

Note from Karina: This was one of my top 25 children’s books to look out for from my first newsletter of the year. They Say Blue is gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous. This book is full of vibrant colors and energy. “My favorite line: Black is the color of my hair. My mother parts it every morning, like opening a window.”

The Two Mutch Sisters by Carol Brendler, illustrated by Lisa Brown (HMH Books for Young Readers)

The two Mutch sisters have two of everything, and Violet believes they are as perfectly matched as the objects in their collections. Ruby, however, has other ideas. And she’s ready to do something about them.

If the S in Moose Comes Loose by Peter Hermann, illustrated by Matthew Cordell (HarperCollins)

Rollicking, clever, and a great way to have fun with letters, If the S in Moose Comes Loose is a seriously wild ride from start to finish. When two of Moose’s letters come loose, he vanishes. Poof! But his best friend, Cow, has an idea: she’ll find a G, an L, a U, and an E and glue M-O-O-S-E back together, better than ever! But it’s not as easy as it sounds….

 

 Bus! Stop! by James Yang (Viking Books for Young Readers)

“Bus! Stop!” a boy yells, as his bus pulls away one early morning. He must wait for the next bus. But the next one does NOT look like his bus at all. And neither does the next one, or the next. At first, the boy is annoyed. Then he is puzzled. Then intrigued. The other buses look much more interesting than his bus. Maybe he should try a different bus after all, and he’s glad he does!

Note from Karina: When I first saw the cover for this book, I knew I was going to love it. It has a surprisingly funny vibe and each page was a surprise. I was utterly charmed by this story.

What’s On Your Plate? Exploring the World of Food by Whitney Stewart, illustrated by Christiane Engel (Sterling Children’s Books)

Come on a journey to see how people in different countries prepare, eat, and think about their food. Beautiful photographs and illustrations capture the food culture of 14 countries, from Brazil and Spain to Morocco, India, and China. Each spread includes an overview of the country and its native foods, photographs of the various dishes with pronunciations and descriptions, an easy recipe for kids to try, and an illustrated crop map of the country. With so many fun elements to intrigue them, young foodies will be excited to learn about how people eat across the globe!

 

Middle Grade New Releases

Itch! Everything You Didn’t Want to Know About What Makes You Scratch by Anita Sanchez, illustrated by Gilbert Ford (HMH Books for Young Readers)

You can feel it coming on—that terrible, tortuous ITCH. As irritating as an itch is, it is also your body’s way of sending you a message you can’t miss, like you’ve brushed up against poison ivy or lice have taken up residence in your hair. None of which you’d know without that telltale itch! And there are so many things that make us itch—from fungus to fleas, mosquitoes to nettles, poison ivy to tarantulas!

Jabberwalking by Juan Felipe Herrera (Candlewick)

Can you walk and talk at the same time? How about Jabberwalk? Can you write and draw and walk and journal all at the same time? If not, you’re in luck: exuberant, blue-cheesy cilantro man Juan Felipe Herrera, Poet Laureate of the United States, is here to teach you everything he knows about being a real-life, bonified, Jabberwalking poet! Jabberwalkers write and speak for themselves and others no matter where their feet may take them — to Jabberwalk is to be a poet on the move. And there’s no stopping once you’re a Jabberwalker, writing fast, fast, fast, scribble-poem-burbles-on-the-run. Scribble what you see! Scribble what you hear! It’s all out there — vamonos!

A Possibility of Whales by Karen Rivers (Algonquin)

Twelve-year-old Natalia Rose Baleine Gallagher loves possibilities: the possibility that she’ll see whales on the beach near her new home, the possibility that the trans­gender boy she just met will become her new best friend, the possibility that the paparazzi hounding her celebrity father won’t force them to move again. Most of all, Nat dreams of the possibility that her faraway mother misses her, loves her, and is just waiting for Nat to find her. But how can Nat find her mother if she doesn’t even know who she is? She abandoned Nat as a baby, and Nat’s dad refuses to talk about it. Nat knows she shouldn’t need a mom, but she still feels like something is missing, and her questions lead her on a journey of self-discovery that will change her life forever.

Olga: We’re Out of Here! by Elise Gravel (HarperCollins)

In this second installment of a series Franny K. Stein creator Jim Benton called “great, kooky, monstrous fun,” Olga wants to leave earth in search of Meh’s home planet, but first she’ll have to discover why Meh is acting so strange. Olga: We’re Out of Here is jam-packed with facts and fun: Elise Gravel’s classic comic illustrations, hilarious word bubbles, space travel facts, and a diverse cast of memorable characters.

The Making of America: Alexander Hamilton by Teri Kanefield, paperback release (Abrams)

The America that Alexander Hamilton knew was largely agricultural and built on slave labor. He envisioned something else: a multi-racial, urbanized, capitalistic America with a strong central government. He believed that such an America would be a land of opportunity for the poor and the newcomers. But Hamilton’s vision put him at odds with his archrivals who envisioned a pastoral America of small towns, where governments were local, states would control their own destiny, and the federal government would remain small and weak.

One of my daughter’s favorite picture book is Each Kindness by Jacqueline Woodson, illustrated by E.B. Lewis. I picked it up at a bookstore the other day and I loved it. Woodson’s story was nuanced and thoughtful, which made me grateful for books that reveal all the different parts of us that make us human.

I was happy to get an advance look at Hello Hello by Brendan Wenzel (Chronicle Books, 3/20/18). This picture book is fun and bright and sure to be a favorite among kids and parents alike.

I am reading The Penderwicks at Last by Jeanne Birdsall (Knopf, 5/15/18), a middle grade book, out loud to my kids at bedtime. This book is the fifth and final installment of The Penderwicks series.

 

Around the web…

Children’s Literature Community Rallies Around #Kidlitwomen, via Publisher’s Weekly

35 Winnie the Pooh Quotes for Every Facet of Life, via Book Riot

25 Biographical Picture Books for National Women’s History Month, via Book Riot

The Best Children’s and YA Books of March 2018, via Brightly

 

Have you entered the Penguin Clothbound Classics Giveaway yet? Check out Book Riot’s Instagram account to enter to win! Contest ends March 13th.

I’d love to know what you are reading this week! Find me on Twitter at @KarinaYanGlaser, on Instagram at @KarinaIsReadingAndWriting, or email me at karina@bookriot.com.

Until next week!
Karina

 

*If this e-mail was forwarded to you, follow this link to subscribe to “The Kids Are All Right” newsletter and other fabulous Book Riot newsletters for your own customized e-mail delivery. Thank you!*

Hello friends!

National Pig Day (yes, that is a real day!) was this past Thursday, and what better way to celebrate than with a list of awesome pig books?

You know I had no choice but to begin this list with Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White, pictures by Garth Williams. Who doesn’t love Wilbur? Charlotte’s Web was one of the first chapter books I read to my kids when they were young, and my daughter could recite the whole first chapter by heart at age five because she listened to the audiobook every night before bed for months. I adore this story of friendship, love, and sacrifice.

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If you love Charlotte’s Web, you have to read Some Writer! The Story of E.B. White. It is a gorgeously written and illustrated book by Newbery Honor winner Melissa Sweet. (Take a peek into her studio here!). Sweet takes you through the life of one of the most well known and enduring authors in children’s literature, including his inspiration for Charlotte’s Web and his other children’s books. Beautiful collages, maps, and mementos display his life in a brilliant way.

For those of you who are looking for a more modern pig hero, you must meet Esther the Wonder Pig! She is a media sensation and has collected millions on followers on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook. A new picture book comes out this Tuesday, called The True Adventures of Esther the Wonder Pig by Steve Jenkins, Derek Walter, and Caprice Crane, illustrated by Cori Doerrfeld. Check out this YouTube video that her owners, Steve Jenkins and Derek Walter, created for this newsletter:

Want to know more about The True Adventures of Esther the Wonder Pig? Of course you do! Here’s the synopsis: When Steve Jenkins and Derek Walter adopted what they thought was a mini pig named Esther, they had no idea that she would turn out to be not-so-mini after all. When her new family saw just how big and wonderful Esther really was, they fell in love—and their lives changed forever. The whole family moved from a small apartment to a big farm, where Esther and her animal friends could live happily (and get into a little less mischief). Eventually, that farm would become the Happily Esther After animal sanctuary, home to rescued animals of all kinds.

Speaking of rescued pigs, The Unlikely Story of a Pig in the City by Jodi Kendall is a sweet middle grade story about a rescued piglet who joins the very crowded Shilling family in their small city apartment. The minute Josie holds Hamlet, she feels an instant connection. But there’s no room for Hamlet in the crowded Shilling household. And whoever heard of keeping a pig in the city? So it’s up to Josie to find her a forever home.

And finally, a picture book. Piggy: Let’s Be Friends by Trevor Lai is a cute story about a bespectacled pig who loves reading books, having tea parties, and most of all, making new friends! One day he sees a little mole across his garden. Before Piggy can get to know him, the mole hides underground. Miles the mole loves reading books and baking cakes, and he would love to have a friend! But the world above makes him so nervous . . . Can Piggy find a way to help Miles out of his shell?

 

New Releases!

All of these books release this Tuesday! The book descriptions are from Goodreads, but for some books I am going to add some commentary in italics and a  if I particularly loved a title.

Picture Book New Releases

 Llamaphones by Janik Coat (Abrams Appleseed)

Janik Coat’s much-anticipated follow-up to Hippopposites and Rhymoceros, features witty words that sound the same but are spelled differently—and have different meanings. Like the other books in the series, this one features surprising novelties, including a touch-and-feel element, making homophones an easy and fun concept to learn.

Note from Karina: I loved this board book so much! Who knew llamas could look so adorable while teaching homophones?

 Up in the Leaves: The True Story of the Central Park Treehouses by Shira Boss, illustrated by Jamey Christoph (Sterling Children’s Books)

This charming picture book tells the true story of Bob Redman, a child growing up in New York City. Tired of the noise, the people, and the rushing around, Bob took shelter in the natural beauty of Central Park—where he covertly built a series of amazing treehouses, starting with a simple platform and growing more and more elaborate over time. He played cat-and-mouse with the park workers, who kept tearing down his houses, until he was finally caught. But his story ends with a happy surprise . . .

Note from Karina: I love most books about New York City, and this one was no exception. I never knew about this true story of the treehouse builder of Central Park, and I loved the idea of someone mysteriously putting up tree houses without using any nails to damage the trees.

 Who Was That? by Olivier Tallec (Chronicle Books)

This fresh, visually sophisticated follow-up to Who Done It? and Who What Where? tackles the topic of memory, as each page asks the reader to remember a detail about the characters featured on the page before. With die-cuts, clever folds, and imaginative illustrations, this book requires the sharpest readers’ keen attention! The call to action on every page makes this a wonderful lap read or read-aloud, and kids of all ages will love the memory games.

Note from Karina: This book is clever, beautifully illustrated, and sure to keep the most astute readers on their toes. I loved it.

 Gloria’s Voice: The Story of Gloria Steinem – Feminist, Activist, Leader by Aura Lewis (Sterling Children’s Books)

Using gorgeous watercolor illustrations, this biography of Gloria Steinem introduces young readers to the leader of the women’s liberation movement. Following her from childhood through her political awakening and beyond, Gloria’s Voice explains Steinem’s motivations and beliefs, as well as the obstacles she faced in fighting for women’s rights.

Note from Karina: The cover image does not do this book justice! The fun and colorful illustrations are a joy to look at and explore.

 A Bear Sat On My Porch Today by Jane Yolen, illustrated by Rilla Alexander (Chronicle Books)

What to do if a rather insistent bear squats on your porch today? Followed in short order by a shaggy squirrel, a spraying skunk, a playful possum, and a bevy of forest critters large and small? This hilarious cumulative tale of reluctant hospitality and generous inclusivity will leave readers chanting, “OKAY. OKAY! YOU CAN STAY.” But watch out! That porch is starting to sway…

Note from Karina: I thought this story was a timely message about hospitality and friendship. Jane Yolen’s fun prose matched perfectly with Rilla Alexander’s hip, bold illustrations.

There’s a Tiger in the Garden by Lizzy Stewart (HMH Books for Young Readers)

When Grandma says she’s seen a tiger in the garden, Nora doesn’t believe her. She’s too old to play Grandma’s silly games! Everyone knows that tigers live in jungles, not gardens. So even when Nora sees dragonflies as big as birds, and plants that try to eat her toy giraffe, and a polar bear that likes fishing, she knows there’s absolutely, DEFINITELY no way there could be a tiger in the garden… could there?

I Am Famous by Tara Luebbe and Becky Cattie, pictures by Joanne Lew-Vriethoff (Albert Whitman & Company)

Kiely knows she is famous! The paparazzi (her parents) follow her every move, documenting with cameras. It’s exhausting being famous, but someone has to do it! She even gets to perform a big song at her grandfather’s birthday. When she messes it up, she’s worried she’s lost her audience forever, but it turns out that no one is as loyal as her fans who love her.

 

Middle Grade New Releases

 The Night Diary by Veera Hiranandani (Penguin Random House)

It’s 1947, and India, newly independent of British rule, has been separated into two countries: Pakistan and India. The divide has created much tension between Hindus and Muslims, and hundreds of thousands are killed crossing borders. Half-Muslim, half-Hindu twelve-year-old Nisha doesn’t know where she belongs, or what her country is anymore. When Papa decides it’s too dangerous to stay in what is now Pakistan, Nisha and her family become refugees and embark first by train but later on foot to reach her new home. The journey is long, difficult, and dangerous, and after losing her mother as a baby, Nisha can’t imagine losing her homeland, too. But even if her country has been ripped apart, Nisha still believes in the possibility of putting herself back together.

Note from Karina: Wow, this book. First of all, isn’t that cover breathtaking? I was thrilled to see the hardcover had end papers with a gorgeous map of Nisha’s journey from Pakistan to India. I learned a lot about India’s partition, which was brought to life through twelve-year-old Nisha’s journal entries. This story stayed with me long after I read it.

 Knockout by K.A. Holt (Chronicle Books)

Levi just wants to be treated like a typical kid. As a baby, he had a serious disease that caused him respiratory issues. He’s fine now, but his mom and overprotective brother still think of him as damaged, and his schoolmates see him as the same class clown he’s always been. He feels stuck. So when his dad—divorced from his mom—suggests he take up boxing, he falls in love with the sport. And when he finds out about a school with a killer boxing team and a free-study curriculum, it feels like he’s found a ticket to a new Levi. But how can he tell his mom about boxing? And how can he convince his family to set him free?

Note from Karina: This book was terrific. I enjoyed Levi’s story and found this to be an excellent and compelling novel in verse. It made me want to read House Arrest, the book that tells Levi’s older brother’s story.

 The Science of Breakable Things by Tae Keller (Random House Children’s Books)

How do you grow a miracle?
For the record, this is not the question Mr. Neely is looking for when he says everyone in class must answer an important question using the scientific process. But Natalie’s botanist mother is suffering from depression, so this is The Question that’s important to Natalie. When Mr. Neely suggests that she enter an egg drop competition, Natalie has hope.
Eggs are breakable. Hope is not.
Natalie has a secret plan for the prize money. She’s going to fly her mother to see the Cobalt Blue Orchids–flowers that survive against impossible odds. The magical flowers are sure to inspire her mother to love life again. As Natalie prepares for the competition, she will discover that talking about problems is like taking a plant out of a dark cupboard and giving it light.

Note from Karina: A lovely, heartbreaking book about a girl with a mother suffering from depression. We need more books like this.

P.S. I Miss You by Jen Petro-Roy (Feiwel & Friends)

Evie is heartbroken when her strict Catholic parents send her pregnant sister, Cilla, away to stay with a distant great-aunt. All Evie wants is for her older sister to come back. Forbidden from speaking to Cilla, Evie secretly sends her letters. Evie writes about her family, torn apart and hurting. She writes about her life, empty without Cilla. And she writes about the new girl in school, June, who becomes her friend, and then maybe more than a friend. Evie could really use some advice from Cilla. But Cilla isn’t writing back, and it’s time for Evie to take matters into her own hands.

Wizardmatch by Lauren Magaziner (Dial Books for Young Readers)

Twelve-year-old Lennie Mercado loves magic. She practices her invisibility powers all the time (she can now stay invisible for fifteen seconds!), and she dreams of the day that she can visit her grandfather, the Prime Wizard de Pomporromp, at his magical estate. Now Lennie has her chance. Poppop has decided to retire, and his grandchildren are coming from all over to compete in Wizardmatch. The winner inherits his title, his castle, and every single one of his unlimited magical powers. The losers get nothing. Lennie is desperate to win, but when Poppop creates a new rule to quelch any sibling rivalry, her thoughts turn from winning Wizardmatch to sabotaging it…even if it means betraying her family.

Midnight in the Piazza by Tiffany Parks (HarperCollins)

Beatrice Archer may love history, and Rome may be chock-full of it, but that doesn’t mean she wants to move there! Too bad Beatrice’s father got a job as the head of the history department at the American Academy in Rome—now, Beatrice has no choice but to get used to the idea. When she arrives in Rome she explores her new city as much as she can, but it isn’t until she hears talk of a strange neighborhood legend that Beatrice perks up. A centuries-old unsolved mystery about the beautiful turtle fountain outside her window? Sounds like fun!

So many excellent books, so little time! Here are three I’ve really enjoyed this past week. Front Desk by Kelly Yang (Arthur A. Levine Books, 5/29) is a middle grade book inspired by the author’s own childhood. Mia Tang’s parents, immigrants from China, take the job as motel managers at the Calivista Motel, and the owner Mr. Yao is cruel and stingy. Mia works the front desk to help out her parents, and through a mix of humor, bravery, and intelligence, she sets out to help her family in every way she knows how. This one has already received two starred reviews, so keep an eye out for it!

Aquarium by Cynthia Alonso (Chronicle Books, 4/3) is a beautifully illustrated wordless book filled with magical ocean scenes. I loved every spread and look forward to taking more time with each illustration.

The Not-So-Boring Letters of Private Nobody by Matthew Landis had me laughing out loud in every chapter. Twelve-year-old Oliver Prichard is obsessed with the Civil War, so when the last assignment of seventh-grade history is a project on the Civil War, Oliver is over the moon–until he’s partnered with Ella Berry, the slacker girl with the messy hair who does nothing but stare out the window. And when Oliver finds out they have to research a random soldier named Private Raymond Stone who didn’t even fight in any battles before dying of some boring disease, Oliver knows he’s doomed. I read this book in one sitting!

 

Around the web…

Check out the bestselling kids books from 2017 (via Publisher’s Weekly)

Authors Mobilize Children’s Book Community to March on March 24 (via Publisher’s Weekly)

My Kid Has the Worst Taste in Literature (via Book Riot)

 

Finally, Book Riot has another awesome giveaway! Head over to our Instagram account to enter to win $500 of Penguin Clothbound classics! Contest ends March 13th.

I’d love to know what you are reading this week! Find me on Twitter at @KarinaYanGlaser, on Instagram at @KarinaIsReadingAndWriting, or email me at karina@bookriot.com.

Until next week,
Karina

Izzy wants to show off the many new releases coming out this Tuesday!

 

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Hi Kid Lit friends,

There are so many children’s books featuring plucky, outgoing protagonists that sometimes the introverts get lost in the shuffle. Here are some great children’s book titles that feature introvert main characters.

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Enter to win $500 of Penguin Clothbound classics over on our Instagram account. Click here, or on the image below to enter.

 

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Picture Books
Ordinary, Extraordinary Jane Austen by Deborah Hopkinson, illustrated by Qin Leng

I feels like Jane Austen is the ultimate introvert, and I love learning about how quiet and shy she was. She was the ultimate observer and loved to read. She devoured everything in her father’s massive library and before long, she began creating her own stories. In her time, the most popular books were grand adventures and romances, but Jane wanted to go her own way…and went on to invent an entirely new kind of novel.

Shy by Deborah Freedman

Shy loves birds. He’d love to watch them fly and hear them sing, but he’s only ever read about them in books. . .until a real bird comes along.  He’s dying to meet her, but there’s just one problem:  Shy is, well, shy–so shy, in fact, that he’s afraid to leave the gutter of the book.  Can Shy overcome his fears and venture out onto the page?

Snappsy the Alligator and His Best Friend Forever (Probably) by Julie Falatko, illustrated by Tim Miller

There is something so endearing about Snappsy the alligator, a guy who wants nothing more than a quiet evening to himself. But when a pesky chicken who insists he’s Snappsy’s best friend won’t leave him alone, Snappsy puts his foot down. He doesn’t want friendship bracelets, matching shirts, or sleepovers! Or does he?

The Farmer and the Clown by Marla Frazee

Marla Frazee is one of my all-time favorite illustrators. This book has two unlikely protagonists: a baby clown and a lonely farmer. When the baby clown falls off the train that is carrying his circus, he is picked up by a reluctant, lonely farmer. Over the course of one day together, the two of them make some surprising discoveries about themselves—and about life!

Middle Grade Books

Stella Diaz Has Something to Say! by Angela Dominguez

Stella loves spending time with her mom and brother and her best friend Jenny, but when Jenny is placed in a different class from her this year, Stella feels very lonely and finds it hard to make new friends. When a new boy arrives in Stella’s class, she really wants to be his friend, but sometimes Stella accidentally speaks Spanish instead of English and pronounces words wrong, which makes her turn roja. This is a lovely story about finding your voice and being brave enough to use it.

The Year of the Book by Andrea Cheng, illustrated by Abigail Halpin

When Anna needs company, she turns to her books. Whether traveling through A Wrinkle in Time, or peering over My Side of the Mountain, books provide what real life cannot—constant companionship and insight into her changing world. Books, however, can’t tell Anna how to find a true friend. She’ll have to discover that on her own. In the tradition of classics like Maud Hart Lovelace’s Betsy-Tacy books and Eleanor Estes’ One Hundred Dresses, this novel subtly explores what it takes to make friends and what it means to be one.

Amina’s Voice by Hena Khan

Amina has never been comfortable in the spotlight. She is happy just hanging out with her best friend, Soojin. Except now that she’s in middle school everything feels different. Soojin is suddenly hanging out with Emily, one of the “cool” girls in the class, and even talking about changing her name to something more “American.” Does Amina need to start changing too? Or hiding who she is to fit in? While Amina grapples with these questions, she is devastated when her local mosque is vandalized.

The Heart and Mind of Frances Pauley by April Stevens

Eleven-year-old Frances is an observer of both nature and people, just like her idol, the anthropologist Margaret Mead. She spends most of her time up on the rocks behind her house in her “rock world,” as Alvin, her kindhearted and well-read school bus driver, calls it. It’s the one place where Frances can truly be herself, and where she doesn’t have to think about her older sister, Christinia, who is growing up and changing in ways that Frances can’t understand. But when the unimaginable happens, Frances slowly discovers that perhaps the world outside her rugged, hidden paradise isn’t so bad after all, and that maybe–just maybe–she can find connection and camaraderie with the people who have surrounded her all along.

When Friendship Followed Me Home by Paul Griffin

Ben Coffin has never been one for making friends. As a former foster kid, he knows people can up and leave without so much as a goodbye. Ben prefers to spend his time with the characters in his favorite sci-fi books…until he rescues an abandoned mutt from the alley next-door to the Coney Island Library.

 

New Releases! 

All of these books release this Tuesday! The book descriptions are from Goodreads, but for some books I am going to add some commentary in italics and maybe a  if I particularly loved a title.

Piggy: Let’s Be Friends by Trevor Lai (Bloomsbury)

Piggy loves reading books, having tea parties, and most of all, making new friends! One day he sees a little mole across his garden. Before Piggy can get to know him, the mole hides underground. Miles loves reading books and baking cakes, and he would love to have a friend! But th

 No Truth Without Ruth: The Life of Ruth Bader Ginsburg by Kathleen Krull, illustrated by Nancy Zhang (HarperCollins)

Ruth Bader Ginsburg may be one of the most respected women in the United States, but her recognition is nothing short of hard-won. For years before becoming a justice of the Supreme Court, Ruth had to fight the notion that being female meant that she was less smart, less qualified, and less worthy of attention than her male counterparts. Throughout college, law school, and her work life, she faced discrimination—because she was a woman. But it was in her fight for equality as a lawyer that she made an imprint on American history, by changing the way the law dealt with women’s rights and by showing people that unfairness to women wasn’t just a female problem—that it negatively affected men and children, too.

Note from Karina: I pretty much love any book written about Supreme Court justice Ruth Bader Ginsurg, and this one is no exception. What an inspiring person!

 The Amazing Collection of Joey Cornell by Candace Fleming, illustrated by Eric Rohmann (Random House)

Joey Cornell collected everything — anything that sparked his imagination or delighted his eye. His collection grew and grew until he realized that certain pieces just looked right together. He assembled his doodads to create wonderful, magical creations out of once ordinary objects. Perfect for introducing art to kids, here’s an imaginative and engaging book based on the childhood of great American artist Joseph Cornell.

Note from Karina: I thought this was a beautifully illustrated book with excellent information about the early life of Joseph Cornell.

The Midnight Gang by David Walliams (HarperCollins)

Tom lands in the hospital with a nasty bump on the head after a gym class accident. And things only get worse when he meets the hospital staff, including the wicked matron of the children’s ward. But luckily, Tom’s time in the hospital will be anything but boring when he discovers that his fellow patients turn the awful ward into the most wondrous world after lights out

The Wishmakers by Tyler Whitesides (HarperCollins)

Twelve-year-old Ace’s life is about to change in the most unexpected and magical ways—all because of a peanut butter jar. When he opens it, he inadvertently releases a genie named Ridge. Now a Wishmaker, Ace is given a week to complete a seemingly impossible quest, and if he fails the world will end in the most tragic (but cuddly) way imaginable. Luckily, Ridge can help by granting Ace an unlimited number of wishes…as long as Ace is willing to accept the consequences. The bigger the wish, the greater the consequence. So, if Ace wants to avoid having pogo sticks for legs or his clothes turn invisible, he’ll have to be careful what he wishes for and get a little creative.

 

Around the web…

17 Books That Kids Say Have Helped Them Find Their Own Voice, via Brightly (link)

Wild Thing: How Maurice Sendak Helped Me Understand My Son, via Book Riot (link)

2018 ABA and CBC Art Auction to Honor Ashley Bryan, via Publisher’s Weekly (link)

 

This week has been filled with middle grade reading. You Go First (Greenwillow Books, 4/10) is Erin Entrada Kelly’s new book after winning the Newbery Medal for Hello, Universe. Told in two perspectives, two quiet kids living in very different parts of America are going through difficult family situations. They are connected through their online games of Scrabble, and their lives with interweave within the same week in unexpected ways.

Bob (Feiwel & Friends, 5/1) by Wendy Mass and Newbery Medalist Rebecca Stead is also told in alternating perspectives… only one of those perspectives is told by an undefined creature wearing a chicken costume. This book had me teary from the synopsis, and the book is fabulous. I cannot wait for this one to hit the shelves.

I’m very excited about the continuation of Susan Tan’s Cilla Lee-Jenkins series! In this second book, called Cilla Lee-Jenkins: This Book is a Classic! (Roaring Brook Press, 3/27), Cilla’s aunt is getting married, and Cilla is determined to write the next great classic novel.

I’d love to know what you are reading this week! Find me on Twitter at @KarinaYanGlaser, on Instagram at @KarinaIsReadingAndWriting, or email me at karina@bookriot.com.

Until next week,
Karina

Izzy does a great job organizing my books each week for this newsletter!

*If this e-mail was forwarded to you, follow this link to subscribe to “The Kids Are All Right” newsletter and other fabulous Book Riot newsletters for your own customized e-mail delivery. Thank you!*

Hi Kid Lit friends,

It was a huge week for children’s books! Lots of prestigious awards were given out, including the Caldecott and the Newbery. If you’re interested in seeing the complete list of award winners, check out this post on Book Riot, which includes links to purchase and some background about each award.

For this newsletter, I wanted to call out some books I thought you might enjoy, so here goes!

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Enter to win $500 of Penguin Clothbound classics over on our Instagram account. Click here, or on the image below to enter.

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I was so excited to see some of my favorite titles honored this year. I cheered when Celia C. Pérez’s middle grade book, The First Rule of Punk, won a Bulpré Honor for Text. The Pura Belpré Award, established in 1996, is presented annually to a Latino/Latina writer and illustrator whose work best portrays, affirms, and celebrates the Latino cultural experience in an outstanding work of literature for children and youth. If you’ve been following this newsletter for awhile, you know that I absolutely loved this book. It had classic middle grade themes paired with cultural references and, of course, punk music.

I was also a huge fan of the other Bulpré Honor for Text, another middle grade book called The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora by Pablo Cartaya. This story is about thirteen-year-old Arturo Zamora who is trying to save his family’s restaurant from being demolished by a real estate developer. Arturo refuses to let his family and community go down without a fight, and as he schemes with Carmen, Arturo discovers the power of poetry and protest through untold family stories and the work of José Martí.

The winner of the Bulpré Award was Lucky Broken Girl by Ruth Behar, a gorgeous story set in New York City in the 1960s. This was based on the author’s own upbringing as a Cuban-Jewish immigrant, and her experience after a horrific car crash that confined her in a full-body cast for months. A moving and gorgeous book about patience, healing, and the power of art. Sandra Cisneros, the author of The House on Mango Street, said it best: “A book for anyone mending from childhood wounds.”

I was excited about so many of the Coretta Scott King Award winners as well. The Coretta Scott King Book Awards are given annually to outstanding African American authors and illustrators of books for children and young adults that demonstrate an appreciation of African American culture and universal human values.  The award commemorates the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and honors his wife, Mrs. Coretta Scott King, for her courage and determination to continue the work for peace and world brotherhood.

I was thrilled to see that Ekua Holmes received a Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor for her work on the picture book Out of Wonder: Poems Celebrating Poets. That is a gorgeous book! Another picture book, Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut, won two CSK awards: the illustrator honor went to Derrick Barnes and the author honor went to Gordon C. James. This book also won a Caldecott Honor AND a Newbery Honor!

The Caldecott Medal went to Wolf in the Snow, illustrated and written by Matthew Cordell. This was the one book from the Caldecotts that I have not read, but I have heard great things about it. Booklist gave it a starred review, saying, “This nearly wordless picture book is a tender, never precious story of kindness and cooperation. Expect this wintry tale to bring only warmth.”

I was thrilled to see Big Cat, little cat by Elisha Cooper on the list. This book is sparse in text, but every word is so lovely and the illustrations are incredibly sweet. Like the title implies, it is about a big cat who shows the little cat the ropes. In a starred review, The Horn Book says, “Cooper’s thick black lines produce figures full of kinetic energy and personality. The circular nature of the story is beautifully reinforced by the repetition in both art and text, and the result is at once realistic and comforting.”

The title I was most excited to see was A Different Pond, illustrated by Thi Bui and written by Bao Phi, on this list. This was one of my favorite picture books of 2017. It is about a young boy and his father who are Vietnamese refugees. The story flows beautifully in both text and pictures, and it is especially powerful in light of recent American politics.

And, the Newbery! The Newbery Award went to Erin Entrada Kelly’s Hello, Universe. This middle grade book is told from four points of view and deals with so many important themes, including bullying, new friendship, and bravery. School Library Journal says, “Plucky protagonists and a deftly woven story will appeal to anyone who has ever felt a bit lost in the universe. Readers across the board will flock to this book that has something for nearly everyone-humor, bullying, self-acceptance, cross-generational relationships, and a smartly fateful ending.”

 

New Releases! 

All of these books release this Tuesday! The book descriptions are from Goodreads, but for some books I am going to add some commentary in italics and a  if I particularly loved a title.

Picture Book New Releases

 Florette by Anna Walker (HMH Books for Young Readers)

When Mae’s family moves to a new home, she wishes she could bring her garden with her. She’ll miss the apple trees, the daffodils, and chasing butterflies in the wavy grass. But there’s no room for a garden in the city. Or is there?

Note from Karina: This beautifully told story brings a new element to the familiar theme of moving to a new place. What touched me the most were the gorgeous illustrations, which told a beautiful story of letting go of a beloved home and building a new life in a new place.

When the World is Full of Friends by Gillian Shields (Bloomsbury)

Albert, Tom, Flossie, and Pipkin love to play. And while they have fun inventing games together, their biggest wish is to have friends to share them with. One day, something magical happens. A family of squirrels moves in across the stream! They could be the perfect friends–but how will they cross the stream?

Thank You, Earth: A Love Letter to Our Planet by April Pulley Sayre (HarperCollins)

April Pulley Sayre, award-winning photographer and acclaimed author of more than sixty-five books, introduces concepts of science, nature, and language arts through stunning photographs and a poetic text structured as a simple thank-you note. Touching on subjects from life cycles to weather, colors, shapes, and patterns, this is an ideal resource for science and language art curriculums and a terrific book for bedtime sharing. Thank You, Earth is a great choice for Earth Day celebrations, as well as family and group read-alouds.

 The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeld (Penguin Random House)

When something terrible happens, Taylor doesn’t know where to turn. All the animals are sure they have the answer. The chicken wants to talk it out, but Taylor doesn’t feel like chatting. The bear thinks Taylor should get angry, but that’s not quite right either. One by one, the animals try to tell Taylor how to process this loss, and one by one they fail. Then the rabbit arrives. All the rabbit does is listen, which is just what Taylor needs.

Note from Karina: I thought this story was such a lovely springboard to discuss grief with young children. 

Anywhere Artist by Nikki Slade Robinson (HMH Books for Young Readers)

In spare, delightful text and illustrations, an exuberant artist makes art from found objects and the world around her. This sprightly picture book celebrates creativity and will inspire readers to find art all around them, unleash their imaginations, and make their own artistic creations. 

 A Chip Off the Old Block by Jody Jensen Shaffer, illustrated by Daniel Miyares

Rocky comes from a long line of rock stars! Uncle Gibraltar, Aunt Etna, and Great-Grandma Half Dome are just some of the legendary rock formations he calls family. It’s no wonder he wants to matter in a big way too–but it’s not easy trying to get a foothold. Rocky gets tossed by The Wave and driven away at Devil’s Tower–but he’s determined not to allow these pitfalls to chip away at his confidence. Rather than feeling crushed, he keeps on rolling, hoping to become the rock-star he knows he’s meant to be.

Note from Karina: I read this to my kids, and they really enjoyed it! I found Miyares illustrations to be compelling and beautiful (rocks are hard to make interesting!), and there were lots of natural history elements to the story. As a family, we also love going to national parks and hiking, so this hit a sweet spot for us. A fun read! 

Middle Grade New Releases

 The Girl Who Drew Butterflies by Joyce Sidman (HMH Books for Young Readers)

One of the first naturalists to observe live insects directly, Maria Sibylla Merian was also one of the first to document the metamorphosis of the butterfly. In this visual nonfiction biography, richly illustrated throughout with full-color original paintings by Merian herself, the Newbery Honor–winning author Joyce Sidman paints her own picture of one of the first female entomologists and a woman who flouted convention in the pursuit of knowledge and her passion for insects.

Note from Karina: I have been waiting for months for this nonfiction book to come out! Joyce Sidman is one of my favorite writers, and this book did not disappoint. I learned so much about Maria Merian! I passed my review copy on to a former librarian at the New York Botanical Garden (who happens to love Maria Merian), and she also loved it. The finished copy is absolutely gorgeous and sure to engage budding young naturalists.

Sticky Notes by Dianne Touchell (Delacorte Press)

Foster Sumner is ten years old. He likes toy soldiers, tadpole hunting, going to school, and the beach. Best of all, he likes listening to his dad’s stories. But then Foster’s dad starts forgetting things. No one is too worried at first. Foster and Dad giggle about it. Dad goes out for milk and comes back with cat food, when the cat has been dead for five years. But then the forgetting gets worse. And suddenly no one is laughing anymore.

Note from Karina: I thought this was a gorgeous and heartbreaking book. The author does not shy away from the hard moments of Alzheimer’s and how it can tear at the fabric of a family. I think this book can reach those kids who have experienced very difficult family health issues first hand, while also creating opportunities to develop empathy in kids who have not.

 

Around the web…

Housecleaning and ‘Lots of Champagne’: Erin Entrada Kelly Toasts Her Newbery Win, via Publisher’s Weekly (link)

Sexual Harassment In Children’s Publishing Reaches a Crisis Point, via Publisher’s Weekly (link)

New York City Teacher Banned From Teaching the Harlem Renaissance, via Book Riot (link)

I had a very happy week of reading this week! First off, I finished Stella Díaz Has Something To Say, an early middle grade book by Bulpré award winning illustrator Angela Dominguez. It is about introvert Stella who is struggling with not having her best friend in her class at school, keeping Spanish words from slipping out when she’s trying to speak English in her American classroom, and dealing with a new boy in school.

The picture book Shaking Things Up: 14 Young Women Who Changed the World by Susan Hood and illustrated by a number of prominent female illustrators is one that I read to my kids this week – we loved it and learned so much about amazing women!

And finally, I read Sunny, Jason Reynolds’ highly anticipated third book in his track series. I have been curious about Sunny ever since reading Ghost, the first book in the series, and Patina, the second book in the series. In this new installment Jason once again brings that relatable voice, real life situations, and humor in this story.

Finally, Book Riot has another awesome giveaway! Head over to our Instagram account to enter to win $500 of Penguin Clothbound classics!

I’d love to know what you are reading this week! Find me on Twitter at @KarinaYanGlaser, on Instagram at @KarinaIsReadingAndWriting, or email me at karina@bookriot.com.

Until next week,
Karina

Izzy guarding the book stacks!

*If this e-mail was forwarded to you, follow this link to subscribe to “The Kids Are All Right” newsletter and other fabulous Book Riot newsletters for your own customized e-mail delivery. Thank you!*

Hi Kid Lit friends,

Chinese New Year is this Friday, February 16th! It is the Year of the Dog, which means EVERYONE must read Grace Lin’s lovely middle grade book, The Year of the Dog! In the beginning of the book, the mother of the main character Pacy says, “…the Year of the Dog is the year for friends and family. But there’s more to it than that. The Year of the Dog is also for thinking. Since dogs are honest and sincere, it’s a good year to find yourself.” Grace Lin’s Pacy series is based on her own life and includes The Year of the Rat, and Dumpling Days. They are great windows into the lives of Chinese families living in the United States, and I personally have found so many points of connection between Grace’s life and my own. Definitely pick these books up! They are a great read aloud for younger kids and perfect for newly independent readers.

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Sponsored by Playing Atari with Saddam Hussein by Jennifer Roy

BASED ON A TRUE STORY: This novel is closely based on co-author Ali Fadhil’s childhood in Iraq. Less than twenty years after the Gulf War, Ali Fadhil worked as an Arabic-to-English translator for the U.S. Department of Justice where he came face-to-face with Saddam Hussein, the dictator who ruined so many lives and took away Ali’s childhood.

IMPORTANT AND TIMELY MESSAGE: The book’s focus on one family and one ordinary boy humanizes war and reminds young readers that there are people—even kids just like them!—in every country who shouldn’t be held responsible for the actions of despots or dictators.

VIDEO-GAME HOOK: Ali and his brothers love to play video games and the juxtaposition of video-game villains and real-life dictators is a kid-friendly and interesting way to experience a piece of recent history.

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The Nian Monster by Andrea Wang, illustrated by Alina Chau, is one of my favorite picture books about Chinese New Year. The legendary Nian monster has returned at Chinese New Year. With horns, scales, and wide, wicked jaws, Nian is intent on devouring Shanghai, starting with Xingling! The old tricks to keep him away don’t work on Nian anymore, but Xingling is clever. Will her quick thinking be enough to save the city from the Nian Monster? My kids especially enjoy all of the food references in this book, especially sticky rice cake! (This is the recipe we use when we make it.)

Another wonderful series with Chinese New Year references for newly independent reads is the Anna Wang series by Andrea Cheng, illustrated by Abigail Halpin. The Year of the Book is the first in the series, and it’s a sweet, quiet book about introvert Anna Wang who much prefers reading books to doing anything else. But books, although company in it’s own way, can’t replace the missing piece of an actual friend. The other books in this series are The Year of the Baby, The Year of the Fortune Cookie, The Year of the Three Sisters, and The Year of the Garden. All are wonderful!

For the youngest readers, definitely check out the picture book Bringing in the New Year. Grace Lin tells the tale of a Chinese American family as they prepare for the Lunar New Year. Each family member lends a hand as they sweep out the dust of the old year, hang decorations, and make dumplings. Then it’s time to celebrate. There will be fireworks and lion dancers, shining lanterns, and a great, long dragon parade at the end! This is also a great book for little ones; it’s available in board book format!

Although not specifically about Chinese New Year, The Chinese Emperor’s New Clothes by Ying Chang Compestine and illustrated by David Roberts is a new picture book based on Chinese folk tales which makes it a perfect story for the Chinese New Year. Ming Da is only nine years old when he becomes the emperor of China, and his three advisors take advantage of him by stealing his stores of rice, gold, and precious stones. But Ming Da has a plan!

Another book I had to add to this list even though it’s not specifically about Chinese New Year is Cilla Lee-Jenkins: Future Author Extraordinaire by Susan Tan, illustrated by Dana Wulfekotte. The story is about Cilla, who is 50% Chinese, 50% Caucasian. Her baby sister is about to be born, which means Cilla needs to become a best selling author fast so her family doesn’t forget her when the new baby arrives. This book is filled with Chinese references and food descriptions, which makes it a great book during the Chinese New Year for younger middle grade readers. I love this sweet, hilarious, smart book!

 

New Releases! 

All of these books release this Tuesday! The book descriptions are from Goodreads, but for some books I am going to add some commentary in italics and maybe a  if I particularly loved a title. (I’m stealing that  idea from fellow Book Rioter, book queen Liberty Hardy, who does this with her New Books newsletter, which you can subscribe to here). Let me know what you think!

Picture Book New Releases

Did You Hear What I Heard? Poems About School by Kay Winters, illustrated by Patrice Barton (Penguin Random House)

Poet Kay Winters has written a book of zippy poems centering on the triumphs and trials of those first school years. This cheery collection covers an astonishing range of activities from the anticipated–dashing to the bus and science class discoveries–to the completely unexpected–losing a permission slip and seeing a teacher outside the classroom. Patrice Barton’s sweetly smudgy watercolor illustrations show a wonderfully diverse class of young students, making this an ideal selection for every collection.

Note from Karina: I found this poetry collection to be very sweet! I laughed at the first poem, which captures the bustle of getting ready for school so perfectly. In the last stanza, the child says, 

“I wave to my mother
but suddenly wonder,
what will she DO without us?”

Middle Grade New Releases

 Next Best Junior Chef: The Heat is On by Charise Mericle Harper, illustrated by Aurélie Blard-Quintard (HMH Books for Young Readers)

With this episode’s theme of family and tradition, from a diner challenge to a quinceañera to the farmer’s market, the junior chefs will have to sauté their way through the chewiest challenges yet. They’re the best in the nation, but can they handle the twists and turnovers week two has in store, on- and off-camera? Which junior chefs can stand the heat? And which one will need to get out of the kitchen?

Note from Karina: Okay, my kids and I found this series incredibly addictive. This second installment will see another contestant off the show, setting the story up for the final book (and the announcement of the winner!), coming out on July 24th. 

The Rizzlerunk Club: Best Buds Under Frogs by Leslie Patricelli (Candlewick)

For Lily, it’s the worst first day of school ever. Who would want to be friends with the new girl, whose debut act is to throw up on the playground (on somebody’s shoes!)? Fortunately, quirky Darby comes to the rescue. Darby likes frogs and candy and oddball stuff, and soon she and Lily have formed their own club — the Rizzlerunk Club. But before you can say “BFF,” Darby’s former best friend, mean-spirited Jill — who had moved to London — returns unexpectedly. Can Lily and Darby’s friendship survive the British invasion? Peppered with charming illustrations and hilarious mishaps involving “conjoined” frogs, accidentally shaved eyebrows, and school pranks gone awry, this engaging tale of fourth-grade life will have readers wishing they could join the Rizzlerunk Club for real.

Granted by John David Anderson (HarperCollins)

In a magical land called the Haven lives a young fairy named Ophelia Delphinium Fidgets. Ophela is no ordinary fairy—she is a Granter: one of the select fairies whose job it is to venture out into the world and grant the wishes of unsuspecting humans every day. It’s the work of the Granters that generates the magic that allows the fairies to do what they do, and to keep the Haven hidden and safe. But with worldwide magic levels at an all-time low, this is not as easy as it sounds. On a typical day, only a small fraction of the millions of potential wishes gets granted. Today, however, is anything but typical. Because today, Ophelia is going to get her very first wish-granting assignment.

The 11:11 Wish by Kim Tomsic (HarperCollins)

Megan Meyers has a foolproof plan to reinvent herself at her new school. Good-bye, dorky math nerd; hello, friend magnet! But her first day at Saguaro Prep starts off weird to the tenth power. When she’s dared to “make something exciting happen,” Megan is thrown into the middle of an epic power struggle between the two seventh-grade Spirit Captains. So with nothing to lose, Megan wishes for “some magic” as her classroom’s cat clock chimes 11:11—and is granted an enchanted teen magazine promising miracle makeovers and sure-fire secrets for winning friends and crushes. But magic can have dangerous side effects, and as her social life grows exponentially worse, Megan begins to wonder if wishing was ever a purrfect idea.

The Ambrose Deception by Emily Ecton (Disney-Hyperion)

Melissa is a nobody. Wilf is a slacker. Bondi is a show-off. At least that’s what their middle school teachers think. To everyone’s surprise, they are the three students chosen to compete for a ten thousand-dollar scholarship, solving clues that lead them to various locations around Chicago. At first the three contestants work independently, but it doesn’t take long before each begins to wonder whether the competition is a sham. It’s only by secretly joining forces and using their unique talents that the trio is able to uncover the truth behind the Ambrose Deception–a truth that involves a lot more than just a scholarship.

A Pup Called Trouble by Bobbie Pyron (Katherine Tegen Books)

Brimming with curiosity, Trouble can’t wait to explore the world beyond Singing Creek. So one morning the coyote pup stows away in the back of a truck and ends up lost in the heart of New York City. While Trouble misses his siblings, he quickly makes friends in Central Park’s Ramble: a prankster crow, a timid opossum, and a poetic poodle. Before long, he goes from howling for home to wondering if he could make a life in the city forever. But when word gets out that a coyote is running wild on city streets, Trouble must choose between the risks of being caught and the dangers of a long journey home.

 

In the news…

The finalists for the Audie Awards for best audiobooks has been announced! These are the Young Listener (up to age 8) finalists, and there are the middle grade finalists.

The prequel to The Crossover is coming this April! Rebound by Kwame Alexander (HMH Books for Young Readers) is the story of Jordan and Josh Bell’s father, Chuck “Dan Man” Bell. Told in verse and in comics, this story lives up to the buzz surrounding it. A Greyhound, A Groundhog by Emily Jenkins, illustrated by Chris Appelhans, is a sweet picture book that captures play and frolic in a gorgeous and fun way. And for those of you who have been reading this newsletter, you know that I’m on a Mildred D. Taylor kick. I’m currently reading The Land, which is the story of Cassie’s father Paul. (Cassie Logan is the protagonist in Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry.) I am loving Paul’s story!

I’d love to know what you are reading this week! Find me on Twitter at @KarinaYanGlaser, on Instagram at @KarinaIsReadingAndWriting, or email me at karina@bookriot.com.

Until next week,
Karina

Nala is sleeping on the job again.

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Hi Kid Lit fans,

It’s February and we all know what holiday is coming up because those glittery red displays went up right after New Year’s! Ah, Valentine’s Day, the most angst-filled holiday of the year. In an informal survey of my friends and neighbors, half said it was a fun day to celebrate love and the other half said it was a day dedicated to the commercialization of love. Whatever side you’re on, I hope you’ll enjoy these children’s books. I, for one, plan to celebrate the day by buying books!

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Playing Atari with Saddam Hussein by Jennifer Roy

At the start of 1991, eleven-year-old Ali Fadhil was consumed by his love for soccer, video games, and American television shows. Then, on January 17, Iraq’s dictator Saddam Hussein went to war with thirty-four nations lead by the United States. Over the next forty-three days, Ali and his family survived bombings, food shortages, and constant fear. Ali and his brothers played soccer on the abandoned streets of their Basra neighborhood, wondering if their medic father would return home. Readers experience the Gulf War through the eyes of an ordinary eleven-year-old Iraqi boy in this accessible and timely novel.

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For the youngest readers, a familiar caterpillar makes an appearance in Love from The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle.

You are the cherry on my cake; you make the sun shine brighter; you make my heart flutter.

The lovely prose, paired with Eric Carle’s signature illustrations, are sure to delight all hungry caterpillar fans.

My favorite Valentine’s Day/non-Valentine’s Day picture book is This Is Not a Valentine by Carter Higgins, illustrated by Lucy Ruth Cummins. It is a homage to homemade gifts and lucky rocks and  sharing a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. A perfect book for kids who find the whole Valentine’s Day holiday icky and overrated. I, for one, am giving this book to my kids and my husband.

Valensteins by Ethan Long is another picture book I really loved. While the Fright Club gets ready for another night of scaring the begeebers out of the neighborhood, Fran K. Stein has something else in mind. He is making something, which the others think looks like a pink paper butt. But love doesn’t always mean kissing on the lips or being all mushy mushy, as the Fright Club discovers as they watch Fran K. Stein.

I have mentioned this book before, but I had to plug it again! Love by Matt de la Pena and illustrated by Loren Long is a gorgeous picture book about the universal bond of love experienced by kids everywhere.

In the beginning there is light
and two wide-eyed figures standing near the foot of your bed
and the sound of their voices is love.
…
A cab driver plays love softly on his radio
while you bounce in back with the bumps of the city
and everything smells new, and it smells like life.

One of my favorite parts of Valentine’s Day is celebrating friendship, and what better way to do that than through the hilarious picture book by Julie Falatko and illustrated by Tim Miller. Snappsy the Alligator and His Best Friend Forever (Probably) is about two unlikely friends. Snappsy likes his quiet, scheduled life, but then he starts getting tailed by a chicken (Bert) who insists they are best friends. But Snappsy doesn’t want to plan a sleepover (who is this chicken, anyways?), and after multiple rejections Snappsy finally gets rid of that pesky chicken. But life seems pretty quiet without his new friend…

For newly independent readers, Mouse and Mole: Secret Valentine by Wong Herbert Yee is all about the mysterious traditions of Valentine’s Day. After making cards for all of their friends with hearts and glitter, Mouse and Mole head off to deliver their cards. But when they receive secret Valentines, they each try to figure out who their admirer might be… And when the day of the Valentine’s Day dance comes, they wonder if their secret admirer will show up.

And finally, a book of poetry to finish off this list of recommendations. I Am Loved by esteemed poet Nikki Giovanni and illustrated by the incredible Ashley Bryan is a must have in every children’s book collection. The poems by Nikki Giovanni were handpicked by Mr. Bryan and paired with paintings he created to go with the poems.

 

New Releases

So many good books coming out this Tuesday! The book descriptions are from Goodreads, but for some books I am going to add some commentary in italics and maybe a  if I particularly loved a title. (I’m stealing that  idea from fellow Book Rioter, book queen Liberty Hardy, who does this with her New Books newsletter, which you can subscribe to here). Let me know what you think!

 

Picture Book New Releases

  Bloom: A Story of Fashion Designer Elsa Schiaparelli by Kyo Maclear, illustrated by Julie Morstad

By the 1930s Elsa Schiaparelli had captivated the fashion world in Paris, but before that, she was a little girl in Rome who didn’t feel pretty at all. Bloom: A Story of Fashion Designer Elsa Schiaparelli is the enchanting story for young readers of how a young girl used her imagination and emerged from plain to extraordinary.

Note from Karina: I loved this book! I know absolutely nothing about fashion, as one can see by the way I dress (bookish t-shirt with jeans, most of the time), so reading this biography about Elsa Schiaparelli really gave me a better understanding of her work and her brilliant use of color and pattern.

Rabbit & Possum by Dana Wulfekotte

Rabbit has been preparing all day for her best friend Possum’s visit, but when the time comes she finds Possum fast asleep. No matter what Rabbit does, she just can’t wake him up. But then a rustle in the bushes frightens Possum and sends him up a tree—where he gets very, very stuck. Rabbit has any number of ideas to get him down. Unfortunately, they all make Possum a little…uneasy. But best friends never give up. With a little creativity—and a big surprise—Rabbit just might be able to save the day.

I Am A Cat by Galia Bernstein

A simple housecat named Simon encounters some bigger cats: Lion, Puma, Panther, Tiger, and Cheetah. Each of the big cats has something to say about Simon not being “cat” enough. According to them, he just doesn’t measure up. He doesn’t have Lion’s mane or Cheetah’s spots. He doesn’t sleep in trees like Panther or climb mountains like Puma. He’s small and fuzzy, not big and strong. But ultimately, Simon shows the big cats that he’s just like them . . . only smaller.

 

Middle Grade New Releases

Smart Cookie by Elly Swartz (Scholastic)

Frankie knows she’ll be in big trouble if Dad discovers she secretly posted a dating profile for him online. But she’s determined to find him a wife, even if she ends up grounded for life. Frankie wants what she had before Mom died. A family of three. Two is a pair of socks or the wheels on a bicycle or a busy weekend at the B&B where Frankie and Dad live. Three is a family. And Frankie’s is missing a piece.

Note from Karina: I didn’t see an advanced copy of this book, but I did read and love Finding Perfect by the same author. I’m very much looking forward to reading this one. Listen to Elly Swartz on the Books Between podcast with host Corrina Allen here. 

   Stanley Will Probably Be Fine by Sally J. Pla, illustrated by Steve Wolfhard (HarperCollins)

Nobody knows comics trivia like Stanley knows comics trivia. It’s what he takes comfort in when the world around him gets to be too much. And after he faints during a safety assembly, Stanley takes his love of comics up a level by inventing his own imaginary superhero, named John Lockdown, to help him through. Help is what he needs, because Stanley’s entered Trivia Quest—a giant comics-trivia treasure hunt—to prove he can tackle his worries, score VIP passes to Comic Fest, and win back his ex-best friend. Partnered with his fearless new neighbor Liberty, Stanley faces his most epic, overwhelming, challenging day ever.

Note from Karina: I loved this story so much! The publisher provided me with a review copy prior to publication, and I wholeheartedly give it five stars. Stanley is a very important voice in children’s literature.

 The Heart and Mind of Frances Pauley by April Stevens (Random House)

Eleven-year-old Frances is an observer of both nature and people, just like her idol, the anthropologist Margaret Mead. She spends most of her time up on the rocks behind her house in her “rock world,” as Alvin, her kindhearted and well-read school bus driver, calls it. It’s the one place where Frances can truly be herself, and where she doesn’t have to think about her older sister, Christinia, who is growing up and changing in ways that Frances can’t understand.

Note from Karina: I just loved this book! As I said in the newsletter last week, this book is a beautiful homage to quiet, nature-loving, world wondering kids all over.

Bringing Me Back by Beth Vrabel (Sky Pony Press)

Noah’s mom is in prison, he’s living with his mom’s boyfriend, and he’s officially hated by everyone at his middle school. One day, Noah notices a young bear at the edge of the woods with her head stuck in a bucket. As days go by, the bear is still stuck–she’s wasting away and clearly getting weaker, even as she runs from anyone who tries to help.

The Problim Children by Natalie Lloyd (HarperCollins)

When the Problim children’s ramshackle bungalow in the Swampy Woods goes kaboom, the seven siblings—each born on a different day of the week—have to move into their grandpa’s bizarre old mansion in Lost Cove. No problem! For the Problim children, every problem is a gift! But rumors about their family run rampant in the small town: tales of a bitter feud, a hidden treasure, and a certain kind of magic lingering in the halls of #7 Main Street. Their neighbors, the O’Pinions, will do anything to find the secrets lurking inside the Problim household—including sending the seven children to seven different houses on seven different continents!

Snapstreak: How My Friends Saved My (Social) Life by Suzanne Weyn (HMH Books for Young Readers)

Eighth-grader Vee is doomed to move to a new town, away from her BFFs Megan and Lulu. To get a jump on her new social life, she starts snapping with local Queen Bee, Gwynneth. Megan and Lulu have mixed feelings about G., but Vee’s snapstreak with her is well under way when they get the biggest news EVER: The local radio station is hosting a Boys Being Dudes concert for the pair of students from different schools who can prove the longest running snapstreak! Vee could win this! The girls’ BBD dreams are in reach when a gym class concussion lands Vee in bed, under a strict phone ban. It’s up to Megan and Lulu to keep the streak going.

Another Quest for Celeste by Henry Cole (HarperCollins)

Celeste is hundreds of miles from home following an unexpected journey aboard a Mississippi steamboat. After mishaps and disasters, she finds herself on the frontier in southern Indiana. It’s 1822, and Celeste meets a tall, lanky boy wielding an ax: a young Abraham Lincoln. The journey reveals the harsh realities of frontier life for the Lincoln family. But with the help of Celeste’s new woodland animal friends and some creativity, she may just prove that even the littlest creatures can make a big difference. And it’s in losing her way that Celeste finds herself in a place she never expected—home, finally.

Marabel and the Book of Fate by Tracy Barrett

In Magikos, life is dictated by the Book of Fate’s ancient predictions, including the birth of a royal Chosen One who will save the realm. Princess Marabel has grown up in the shadow of her twin brother, Marco, who everyone assumes is the true Chosen One. While Marco is adored and given every opportunity, Marabel is overlooked and has to practice her sword fighting in secret. But on the night of their thirteenth birthday, Marco is kidnapped by an evil queen, and Marabel runs to his rescue. Outside the castle walls for the first time, accompanied by her best friend and a very smug unicorn, Marabel embarks on a daring mission that brings her face-to-face with fairies, trolls, giants–and the possibility that all is not as it seems in Magikos.

The Book of Boy by Catherine Gilbert (HarperCollins)

Boy has always been relegated to the outskirts of his small village. With a large hump on his back, a mysterious past, and a tendency to talk to animals, he is often mocked by others in his town—until the arrival of a shadowy pilgrim named Secondus. Impressed with Boy’s climbing and jumping abilities, Secondus engages Boy as his servant, pulling him into an action-packed and suspensful expedition across Europe to gather the seven precious relics of Saint Peter. Boy quickly realizes this journey is not an innocent one. They are stealing the relics and accumulating dangerous enemies in the process. But Boy is determined to see this pilgrimage through until the end—for what if St. Peter can make Boy’s hump go away? A surprising and unforgettable tale for readers of all ages.

If you follow me on Instagram, you might have noticed that I’ve been reading any book that the incredible Kadir Nelson has created the cover art for. That includes the six Logan Family series by Mildred D. Taylor (notable books in that series include Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry and The Road to Memphis). I recently read Harriet Tubman: Conductor on the Underground Railroad by Ann Petry all in one sitting. Originally published in 1955, this book was recently republished with new cover art by Kadir Nelson and a foreword by Jason Reynolds. I loved learning more about her life, especially because she is soon to grace the $20 bill in America. (Yay!)

After listening to the audiobook of Most Dangerous by Steve Sheinkin, I have been interested in learning more about The Vietnam War. Boots on the Ground: America’s War on Vietnam by Elizabeth Partridge is told from eight different perspectives, including protestors, Presidents, and soldiers.

The House That Lou Built by Mae Respicio is a wonderful middle grade title coming out on June 12th from Wendy Lamb Books. The main character, Lou Bulosan-Nelson, wants to build her own “tiny house,” 100 square feet all her own, planning to build the house on land she inherited from her dad, who died before she was born. But with money troubles looming, Lou discovers that she might need to move for her mother’s job and that the land she owns might be repossessed. Can Lou convince her mom to stay in the town they love, build her tiny house, and save her land? This title has already been chosen for Middle Grade at Heart’s September book club selection. More information about this awesome book club below!

 

Around the web…

Middle Grade at Heart, a book club that includes activities, discussions, and author interviews for parents, teachers, and kids, has just announced their 2018 line-up! Sign up here for their weekly newsletter.

Children’s Classics Published Before 1980, via Book Riot

Spring 2018 Children’s Sneak Previews, via Publisher’s Weekly

 

 

I’d love to know what you are reading this week! Find me on Twitter at @KarinaYanGlaser, on Instagram at @KarinaIsReadingAndWriting, or email me at karina@bookriot.com.

Until next week,
Karina

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Hi Kid Lit friends,

Last year I wrote a post with the 100 Best Books for African American History Month, but so many new, wonderful books have come out in the last year that I had to update my list with twenty-five more books, which are listed below. (All descriptions from Goodreads.)

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Sponsored by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt books for young readers

Lewis Carroll is famed for the freewheeling world of Wonderland in his beloved stories Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass. In this gloriously illustrated picture book, Carroll’s childlike love of life is showcased alongside his brilliance at creating and adapting playful words and phrases. Award-winning author Kathleen Krull uses many of Carroll’s own words to tell the story of a man who wanted to make children laugh and whose legacy continues to entertain and delight. One Fun Day is a celebrating of wordplay, language, and imagination.

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Picture Books

Hidden Figures: The True Story of Four Black Women and the Space Race by Margot Lee Shetterly, illustrated by Laura Freeman

They participated in some of NASA’s greatest successes, like providing the calculations for America’s first journeys into space. And they did so during a time when being black and a woman limited what they could do. But they worked hard. They persisted. And they used their genius minds to change the world.

Trailblazer: The Story of Ballerina Raven Wilkinson by Leda Schubert, illustrated by Theodore Taylor III

This beautiful picture book tells the uplifting story of the first African American woman to dance for a major classical ballet company and how she became a huge inspiration for Misty Copeland. Theodore Taylor III’s unique, heavy line style of illustration brings a deeper level of fluidity and life to the work, and Misty Copeland’s beautifully written foreword will delight ballet and dance fans of all ages.

Fancy Party Gowns: The Story of Fashion Designer Ann Cole Lowe by Deborah Blumenthan, illustrated by Laura Freeman

A beautiful picture book about Ann Cole Lowe, a little-known African-American fashion designer who battled personal and social adversity in order to pursue her passion of making beautiful gowns and went on to become one of society’s top designers.

Libba: The Magnificent Musical Life of Elizabeth Cotton by Laura Veirs, illustrated by Tatyana Fazlalizadeh

Elizabeth Cotten was only a little girl when she picked up a guitar for the first time. It wasn’t hers (it was her big brother’s), and it wasn’t strung right for her (she was left-handed). But she flipped that guitar upside down and backwards and taught herself how to play it anyway. By age eleven, she’d written “Freight Train,” one of the most famous folk songs of the twentieth century. And by the end of her life, people everywhere—from the sunny beaches of California to the rolling hills of England—knew her music.

Life Doesn’t Frighten Me by Maya Angelou, paintings by Jean-Michel Basquiat

Maya Angelou’s brave, defiant poem celebrates the courage within each of us, young and old. From the scary thought of panthers in the park to the unsettling scene of a new classroom, fearsome images are summoned and dispelled by the power of faith in ourselves. Angelou’s strong words are matched by the daring vision of artist Jean-Michel Basquiat, whose childlike style reveals the powerful emotions and fanciful imaginings of childhood. Together, Angelou’s words and Basquiat’s paintings create a place where every child, indeed every person, may experience his or her own fearlessness.

Mae Among the Stars by Roda Ahmed, illustrated by Stasia Burrington

When Little Mae was a child, she dreamed of dancing in space. She imagined herself surrounded by billions of stars, floating, gliding, and discovering.

She wanted to be an astronaut.

Her mom told her, “If you believe it, and work hard for it, anything is possible.”

Little Mae’s curiosity, intelligence, and determination, matched with her parents’ encouraging words, paved the way for her incredible success at NASA as the first African American woman to travel in space.

Champion: The Story of Muhammad Ali by Jim Haskins, illustrated by Eric Velasquez

Muhammad Ali was one of the most electrifying, inspiring, and confrontational athletes of his generation. At the height of his boxing career, Ali was as despised as he was adored. Loud and aggressive as well as confident and dedicated, he was the quintessential showman, the undeniable champion of his sport, and one of the most recognizable faces in the world. He was challenged at every turn: faced with racial discrimination in his everyday life, mocked by the sports media as his career began, ridiculed for adopting a new religion, and stripped by the U.S. government of his very livelihood for refusing to go to war.

The United States v. Jackie Robinson by Sudipta Barhan-Quallen, illustrated by R. Gregory Christie

Jackie Robinson broke boundaries as the first African American player in Major League Baseball. But long before Jackie changed the world in a Dodger uniform, he did it in an army uniform. As a soldier during World War II, Jackie experienced segregation every day—separate places for black soldiers to sit, to eat, and to live. When the army outlawed segregation on military posts and buses, things were supposed to change.

Be A King by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrated by James E. Ransome

Featuring a dual narrative of the key moments of Dr. King’s life alongside a modern class as the students learn about him, Carole Weatherford’s poetic text encapsulates the moments that readers today can reenact in their own lives. See a class of young students as they begin a school project inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and learn to follow his example, as he dealt with adversity and never lost hope that a future of equality and justice would soon be a reality. As times change, Dr. King’s example remains, encouraging a new generation of children to take charge and change the world . . . to be a King.

Dream Big Dreams by Pete Souza

Pete Souza served as Chief Official White House Photographer for President Obama’s full two terms. He was with the President during more crucial moments than anyone else – and he photographed them all, capturing scenes both classified and candid. Throughout his historic presidency, Obama engaged with young people as often as he could, encouraging them to be their best and do their best and to always “dream big dreams.” In this timeless and timely keepsake volume that features over seventy-five full-color photographs, Souza shows the qualities of President Obama that make him both a great leader and an extraordinary man.

Hey, Black Child by Useni Eugene Perkins, illustrated by Bryan Collier

Hey black child,
Do you know who you are?
Who really are?

Do you know you can be
What you want to be
If you try to be
What you can be?

Schomburg: The Man Who Built a Library by Carol Boston Weatherford, illustrated by Eric Velasquez

Amid the scholars, poets, authors, and artists of the Harlem Renaissance stood an Afro–Puerto Rican named Arturo Schomburg. This law clerk’s life’s passion was to collect books, letters, music, and art from Africa and the African diaspora and bring to light the achievements of people of African descent through the ages. When Schomburg’s collection became so big it began to overflow his house (and his wife threatened to mutiny), he turned to the New York Public Library, where he created and curated a collection that was the cornerstone of a new Negro Division. A century later, his groundbreaking collection, known as the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, has become a beacon to scholars all over the world.

Let the Children March by Monica Clark-Robinson, illustrations by Frank Morrison

In 1963 Birmingham, Alabama, thousands of African American children volunteered to march for their civil rights after hearing Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. speak. They protested the laws that kept black people separate from white people. Facing fear, hate, and danger, these children used their voices to change the world.

Muddy: The Story of Blues Legend Muddy Waters by Michael Mahin, illustrated by Evan Turk

Muddy Waters was never good at doing what he was told. When Grandma Della said the blues wouldn’t put food on the table, Muddy didn’t listen. And when record producers told him no one wanted to listen to a country boy playing country blues, Muddy ignored them as well. This tenacious streak carried Muddy from the hardscrabble fields of Mississippi to the smoky juke joints of Chicago and finally to a recording studio where a landmark record was made.

Radiant Child: The Story of Young Artist Jean-Michel Basquiat by Javaka Steptoe

Jean-Michel Basquiat and his unique, collage-style paintings rocketed to fame in the 1980s as a cultural phenomenon unlike anything the art world had ever seen. But before that, he was a little boy who saw art everywhere: in poetry books and museums, in games and in the words that we speak, and in the pulsing energy of New York City. Now, award-winning illustrator Javaka Steptoe’s vivid text and bold artwork echoing Basquiat’s own introduce young readers to the powerful message that art doesn’t always have to be neat or clean–and definitely not inside the lines–to be beautiful.

 

Chapter Books

Martin Luther King, Jr.: A Peaceful Leader by Sarah Albee, illustrated by Chin Ko

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. believed it was possible to change the world with peaceful protest. His powerful words and actions helped the civil rights movement achieve many great changes. His incredible leadership is still remembered and celebrated today. Beginning readers will learn about the milestones in Martin Luther King Jr.’s life in this Level Two I Can Read biography, which combines a traditional, illustrated narrative with historical photographs at the back of book—complete with a timeline, illustrations, and interesting facts.

Martin Luther King: The Peaceful Warrior by Ed Clayton

Martin Luther King Jr. devoted his life to helping people, first as a Baptist minister and scholar and later as the foremost leader in the African-American civil rights movement. An organizer of the Montgomery bus boycott and cofounder of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, Dr. King won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964 for combating racial inequality through nonviolent resistance. As a result of his actions, the United States Congress passed the historic Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Who Are Venus and Serena Williams? by James Buckley Jr.

Venus and Serena Williams are two of the most successful professional American tennis players of all time. Coached at an early age by their parents, the sisters have both gone on to become Grand Slam title winners.  They have both achieved the World Number One ranking in both singles and doubles! Although completely professional and fiercely competitive, the sisters remain close. Who Are Venus and Serena Williams? follows the pair from their early days of training up through the ranks and to the Summer Olympic Games, where they have each won four gold medals—more than any other tennis players.

 

Middle Grade Books

Facing Frederick: The Life of Frederick Douglass by Tonya Bolden

Frederick Douglass (1818–1895) is best known for the telling of his own emancipation. But there is much more to Douglass’s story than his time spent enslaved and his famous autobiography. Facing Frederickcaptures the whole complicated, and at times perplexing, person that he was. Statesman, suffragist, writer, and newspaperman, this book focuses on Douglass the man rather than the historical icon.

March Forward, Girl by Melba Pattillo Beals, illustrated by Frank Morrison

Long before she was one of the Little Rock Nine, Melba Pattillo Beals was a warrior. Frustrated by the laws that kept African-Americans separate but very much unequal to whites, she had questions. Why couldn’t she drink from a “whites only” fountain? Why couldn’t she feel safe beyond home—or even within the walls of church?  Adults all told her: Hold your tongue. Be patient. Know your place. But Beals had the heart of a fighter—and the knowledge that her true place was a free one.

Streetcar to Justice by Amy Hill Hearth

On her way to church one day in July 1854, Elizabeth Jennings was refused a seat on a streetcar. When she took her seat anyway, she was bodily removed by the conductor and a nearby police officer and returned home bruised and injured. With the support of her family, the African American abolitionist community of New York, and Frederick Douglass, Elizabeth Jennings took her case to court. Represented by a young lawyer named Chester A. Arthur (a future president of the United States) she was victorious, marking a major victory in the fight to desegregate New York City’s public transportation.

Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History by Vashti Harrison

Featuring forty trailblazing black women in American history, Little Leaders educates and inspires as it relates true stories of breaking boundaries and achieving beyond expectations. Illuminating text paired with irresistible illustrations bring to life both iconic and lesser-known female figures of Black history such as abolitionist Sojourner Truth, pilot Bessie Coleman, chemist Alice Ball, politician Shirley Chisholm, mathematician Katherine Johnson, poet Maya Angelou, and filmmaker Julie Dash.

Becoming Kareem by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Raymond Obstfeld

At one time, Lew Alcindor was just another kid from New York City with all the usual problems: He struggled with fitting in, with pleasing a strict father, and with overcoming shyness that made him feel socially awkward. But with a talent for basketball, and an unmatched team of supporters, Lew Alcindor was able to transform and to become Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

A Sky Full of Stars by Linda Williams Jackson

After the murder of Emmett Till, thirteen-year-old Rose is struggling with her decision to stay in Mississippi. Torn between the opinions of Shorty, a boy who wants to meet violence with violence, and Hallelujah, her best friend who believes in the power of peaceful protests, Rose is scared of the mounting racial tension and is starting to lose hope. But when Rose helps Aunt Ruthie start her own business, she begins to see how she can make a difference in her community. Life might be easier in the North, but Mississippi is home and that’s worth fighting for. Mid-Century Mississippi comes alive in this sequel to Midnight Without a Moon.

A Child’s Introduction to African American History by Jabari Asim, illustrated by Lynn Gaines

Jabari Asim goes beyond what’s taught in the classroom and tells a fact-filled history of African Americans through politics, activism, sports, entertainment, music, and much more. You’ll follow the road to freedom beginning with the slave trade and the middle passage through the abolitionist movement and the Civil War where many African Americans fought as soldiers. You’ll learn how slave songs often contained hidden messages and how a 15-year-old Jamaican-born young man named Clive Campbell helped to create hip-hop in the early 1970’s.

 

New Releases for January 30th 

The Thrifty Guides: Handbooks for Time Travelers by Jonathan W. Stokes (Penguin Random House)

In the past few years, there have been many children’s books with a fresh and fun look at history. Two that come to mind are the Spy on History series, which includes real spy tools, and the Who Wins? 100 Historical Figures Go Head To Head and You Choose the Winnter by Clay Schwartz and Tom Booth. The Thrifty Guides is a new series that blends Fodor’s Travel Guide with curriculum history. The pages are filled with comic-like illustrations, maps, and information charts. It is a fun way to interact with history!

The Unicorn Quest by Kamilla Benko (Bloomsbury)

This is a story about two sisters who find the magical land of Arden through a ladder in a fireplace, but they arrive to discover Arden in turmoil. A fun, fast-paced fantasy story with wraiths, magical guilds, and unicorns. To learn more about Kamilla Benko and her book, check out The Yarn podcast episode #62.

Around the web…

Ursula K. Le Guin, the legendary author of dozens of children’s books, has passed away at age 88. (link)

Over on Book Riot, there are some great posts, including 7 Children’s Bookstores to Follow on Instagram, 21 Memorable A Wrinkle in Time Quotes, and 5 Reasons to Start Reading to Your Baby.

Oh hey, did you see Jason Reynolds (middle grade author of Ghost, Patina, As Brave As You, and many others) on The Daily Show? Watch him be his awesome self here.

Have you heard about Little Free Library’s Action Book Club? The program invites participants to read books on timely topics, engage in lively discussions, and take part in meaningful—and fun—group service projects to benefit their communities. Check out more information here. They just released their Book List of recommended reading; all books chosen for this season are centered around the theme “Everyday Heroes”.

So many good books this week! I finished Brooks Benjamin’s middle grade book, My Seventh Grade Life in Tights, about seventh grader Dillon, a self-taught dancer who wants to learn how to dance for real. But his father wants him to play football and his fellow dance friends don’t want him to give up his unique dance style to conform to a dance studio. Faced with obstacles, Dillon must find out who he really is and what he really wants.

I read Trombone Shorty by Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews and illustrated by Bryan Collier to my kids for bedtime the other evening, and they loved every bit of it (especially the illustrations and the real photos of Troy in the back matter). A companion book by this author/illustrator power team is coming up called The 5 O’Clock Band (June 19, Abrams Books for Young Readers) – I cannot wait!

Last night I cried my way through The Heart and Mind of Frances Pauley by April Stevens (February 6, Schwartz and Wade), a beautifully written book about Frances (she prefers to be called Figgrotten), who is happiest when she’s all alone sitting in her rock cave observing the world around her. But things around her keep changing and Figgrotten can’t seem to keep up: her sister suddenly hates her, a new boy who breaks all the etiquette rules enters her class, and her best friend Alvin, her bus driver, gets sick. This book is a beautiful homage to quiet, nature-loving, world wondering kids all over.

Giveaway Alert!

Hey, did you know that Book Riot is giving away a library cart? *swoon!* Enter here!

I’d love to know what you are reading this week! Find me on Twitter at @KarinaYanGlaser, on Instagram at @KarinaIsReadingAndWriting, or email me at karina@bookriot.com.

Until next week,
Karina

Rest In Peace, Ursula K. Le Guin

*If this e-mail was forwarded to you, follow this link to subscribe to “The Kids Are All Right” newsletter and other fabulous Book Riot newsletters for your own customized e-mail delivery. Thank you!*

Hi Kid Lit friends,

I am writing this on a wintry, slushy day in New York City. My living room window faces out toward a few Harlem residential buildings, and I often stare at them when I have writer’s block. (That happens more frequently than I would like.) One building has concrete balconies. About half of them are smaller than a regular balcony (definitely too small for a person to step onto) and span a strange area in between two sets of windows (the windows are definitely too small for someone to crawl out of). I always wonder why the architect chose to design the building in that way and what the purpose of the doll-sized balconies are.

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Rain Reign by Ann M. Martin

Rose Howard is obsessed with homonyms.​ ​Her own name is a homonym, and she​ ​even​ ​gave her dog Rain a name with two homonyms (Reign, Rein). Not everyone understands Rose’s obsessions, her rules, and the other things that make her different.​

When a storm hits their town, Rain goes missing. Now Rose has to find her dog, even if it means leaving her routines and safe places to search.

Hearts will break and spirits will soar for this powerful story from the New York Times bestselling author of The Baby-Sitter’s Club series, Ann M. Martin.

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Architecture has always fascinated me, probably because my father is an architect and I grew up watching him work at his drafting table. (This was when architects did everything with slide rulers, pencils, and markers.) I was fascinated by the pencil sharpener that clamped to the table, and I loved borrowing his stencils to make my own house designs.

There have been a lot of children’s books in the last few years that feature architecture and architects, so I thought I would do a little round-up here. I adore all of these books, and knowing more about architecture gives me great joy as I walk the streets of New York City and imagine who designed all of these buildings.

Fallingwater: The Building of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Masterpiece by Marc Harshman and Anna Egan Smucker, art by LeUyen Pham

This is one of my absolute favorite picture books about one of my favorite homes. The book takes the reader through the story of how Frank Lloyd Wright designed Fallingwater, a home that incorporates a waterfall running underneath the center of the house. The waterfall can be seen from every room, and the water’s tune sounds different in every part of the home. His finished design, built right into the rocks and perched at the top of the waterfall, is gorgeous. The stream runs right through the house, creating a beautiful juxtaposition of nature and structure.

The World Is Not a Rectangle: A Portrait of Architect Zaha Hadid by Jeannette Winter

Architect Zaha Hadid grew up in Baghdad, Iraq, and ended up attending architecture school in London, England. Following school she began her own studio and designed buildings all over the world. Her philosophy, that the world is not a rectangle, led her to experiment with many different fluid and beautiful shapes in her designs.

Maya Lin: Artist Architect of Light and Lines by Jeanne Walker Harvey, illustrated by Dow Phumiruk

The design for the Vietnam Memorial was selected from a contest, and the winner was a young woman named Maya Lin. In this lovely book, we learn about Maya’s experimentations with light and lines as a young child and her inspiration behind the iconic Vietnam Memorial.

The Shape of the World: A Portrait of Frank Lloyd Wright by K.L. Going, illustrated Lauren Stringer

This biography of Frank Lloyd Wright is a more general account of his life and his interest in shapes found in nature. His mother encouraged him to explore with blocks at an early age, and his interest grew and he went on to study architecture. I enjoyed the illustrations on this one, especially the focus on the more graphic elements of his work.

Twenty-One Elephants and Still Standing by April Jones Prince, illustrated by Francois Roca

The Brooklyn Bridge opened in 1883, the largest suspension bridge in the world at that point. There was great fanfare at the opening, but people wondered: Was the bridge safe? B.T. Barnum seized the opportunity to show the world how safe it was by putting on a show. He declared that twenty-one elephants could walk across the bridge safely. I enjoyed reading about this slice of history, lovingly told with gorgeous prose and paintings.

The Story of Buidings: From the Pyramids to the Sydney Opera House and Beyond by Patrick Dillon, illustrated by Stephen Biesty

From the pyramid erected so that an Egyptian pharaoh would last forever to the dramatic, machine-like Pompidou Center designed by two young architects, Patrick Dillon’s stories of remarkable buildings — and the remarkable people who made them — celebrates the ingenuity of human creation. Stephen Biesty’s extraordinarily detailed illustrations take us inside famous buildings throughout history and demonstrate just how these marvelous structures fit together.

Iggy Peck, Architect & Iggy Peck’s Big Project Book for Amazing Architects by Andrea Beaty, illustrated by David Roberts

Most young readers know about the very popular Iggy Peck, a young kid who will build towers with any materials he is given (even poppy diapers). When Iggy’s second grade teacher declares a dislike for architecture, Iggy knows he is the only one who can change her mind. Pair this picture book with the project book, filled with more than forty exciting STEM and design projects, from drafting and doodling to building and blueprints.

New Releases for January 23rd (all descriptions from Goodreads)

Alabama Spitfire: The Story of Harper Lee and To Kill a Mockingbird by Bethany Hegedus (HarperCollins)

Unlike most girls at that time and place, Nelle preferred overalls to dresses and climbing trees to tea parties. Nelle loved to watch her daddy try cases in the courtroom. And she and her best friend, Tru, devoured books and wrote stories of their own. More than anything Nelle loved words. This love eventually took her all the way to New York City, where she dreamed of becoming a writer. Any chance she had, Nelle sat at her typewriter, writing, revising, and chasing her dream. Nelle wouldn’t give up—not until she discovered the right story, the one she was born to tell.

Free as a Bird by Lisna Maslo (HarperCollins)

When Malala Yousafzai was born, people shook their heads because girls were considered bad luck. But her father looked into her eyes and knew she could do anything. In Pakistan, people said girls should not be educated. But Malala and her father were not afraid. She secretly went to school and spoke up for education in her country. And even though an enemy tried to silence her powerful voice, she would not keep quiet. Malala traveled around the world to speak to girls and boys, to teachers, reporters, presidents, and queens—to anyone who would listen—and advocated for the right to education and equality of opportunity for every person.

Ordinary, Extraordinary Jane Austen by Deborah Hopkinson, illustrated by Qin Leng (HarperCollins)

It is a truth universally acknowledged that Jane Austen is one of our greatest writers. But before that, she was just an ordinary girl. In fact, young Jane was a bit quiet and shy; if you had met her back then, you might not have noticed her at all. But she would have noticed you. Jane watched and listened to all the things people around her did and said, and locked those observations away for safekeeping.

Hamster Princess: Whiskerella by Ursula Vernon (Penguin Random House)

Princess Harriet Hamsterbone is not the kind of princess who enjoys fancy dresses or extravagant parties. Cliff-diving, fractions, and whacking people with swords are more her thing. So when she’s forced to attend a boring ball in honor of a visiting ambassador, Harriet is less than thrilled–until a bewitchingly beautiful stranger arrives. Who is she? And where did she come from? The mystery leads to a not-so-wicked stepsister, an incontinent lizard, and a fairy’s spell that’s really more of a curse. Luckily, Harriet knows a thing or two about curses…

Shaking Things Up: 14 Young Women Who Changed the World by Susan Hood (HarperCollins)

Fresh, accessible, and inspiring, Shaking Things Up introduces fourteen revolutionary young women—each paired with a noteworthy female artist—to the next generation of activists, trail-blazers, and rabble-rousers. In this book, you will find Mary Anning, who was just thirteen when she unearthed a prehistoric fossil. You’ll meet Ruby Bridges, the brave six-year-old who helped end segregation in the South. And Maya Lin, who at twenty-one won a competition to create a war memorial, and then had to appear before Congress to defend her right to create.

Isadora Moon Goes to the Ballet by Harriet Muncaster (Random House)

Isadora Moon is special because she is different. But just like her other classmates, Isadora loves the ballet. That’s why Isadora can’t wait for a field trip with her class to see the performance of Alice in Wonderland. Everything is totally normal. And then the curtain rises and Isadora’s special best friend, Pink Rabbit, is not in his seat. . .

Spy on History: Victor Dowd and the World War II Ghost by Enigma Alberti and Scott Wegener (Workman)

Your mission: Find Victor Dowd’s missing sketchbook. And discover one of the most unusual stories of World War II. Meet the 603rd Camouflage Engineers, better known as the Ghost Army. This group of artists and sound engineers were trained to deceive the Germans in World War II with everything from fake tanks to loudspeakers broadcasting the sound of marching troops. And meet Victor Dowd, a real-life sergeant who with his fellow Ghost Army troops fought his way from Normandy, through France, and eventually across the Rhine.

Dolphins: Voices in the Ocean by Susan Casey (Random House)

Since the dawn of recorded history, humans have felt a kinship with the sleek and beautiful dolphin, an animal whose playfulness, sociability and intelligence seems like an aquatic mirror of mankind. In recent decades, scientists have discovered dolphins recognize themselves in reflections, count, feel despondent, adorn themselves, rescue each other (and humans), deduce, infer, form cliques, throw tantrums, gossip and scheme.

I received an advanced copy of Peasprout Chen: Future Legend of Skate and Sword by Henry Lien (Macmillan, 4/3), a middle grade book which has been on my radar for quite some time. I am very excited to start that this week. The Amazing Collection of Joey Cornell is a picture book by Candace Fleming and Gerard Dubois (Random House, 2/27). It is a fascinating look into the childhood of artist Joey Cornell. And finally, I am almost done listening to the audiobook of the middle grade/young adult book Most Dangerous by Steve Sheinkin, a recommendation from my friend Jen Petro-Roy (her middle grade debut, P.S. I Miss You, comes out on March 6th!). Most Dangerous is a nonfiction book about the Vietnam War and the Pentagon Papers, and this book has taught me so much about this period in American history. Warning: there is a ton of cursing in Most Dangerous, but all are direct quotes (most of the worst language came directly from the mouth of President Nixon). This book is intended for ages 10+.

I’d love to know what you are reading this week! Find me on Twitter at @KarinaYanGlaser, on Instagram at @KarinaIsReadingAndWriting, or email me at karina@bookriot.com.

Until next week,
Karina

Izzy and Ginger Pye, sharing some bookish confidences.

 

Hello Kid Lit friends,

I’ve been reading some really great retellings of classic fantasy and fairy tale stories lately, so I thought I would share some of my favorites with you!

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Sponsored by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt books for young readers.

Lewis Carroll is famed for the freewheeling world of Wonderland in his beloved stories Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass. In this gloriously illustrated picture book, Carroll’s childlike love of life is showcased alongside his brilliance at creating and adapting playful words and phrases. Award-winning author Kathleen Krull uses many of Carroll’s own words to tell the story of a man who wanted to make children laugh and whose legacy continues to entertain and delight. One Fun Day is a celebrating of wordplay, language, and imagination.

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First off, Snow and Rose by Emily Winfield Martin. You might know this author/illustrator from her picture book, The Wonderful Things You Will Be. This middle grade book is inspired by the fairy tale of Snow White and Rose Red, two sisters who live in the woods and are the only ones who can break a set of spells. Gorgeously illustrated, this book will sure to delight kids who love fairy tales.

The Secret of Nightingale Wood by Lucy Strange is another good choice for middle grade readers. The story is set in 1919. Henrietta’s (Henry) mama is ill, her father has taken a job abroad, and Nanny Jane is too busy to pay any attention to Henrietta and the things she sees — or thinks she sees — in the shadows of their new home, Hope House.This one reminded me a mixture of last year’s Newbery winner The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill and Beyond the Bright Sea by Lauren Wolk. I really enjoyed this one and read it all in one sitting.

Mice of the Round Table: Voyage to Avalon by Julie Leung follows Mice of the Round Table: A Tail of Camelot. This middle grade series is based on the stories of Camelot and the Knights of the Round Table, only with mice. Young mouse Calib Christopher has nearly completed his training to become a squire to the Knights of the Round Table when news of a deadly plague comes to the castle. Soon all of Camelot is showing signs of the illness, animals and humans alike. Fun for middle grade readers who aren’t quite ready for The Once and Future King by T.H. White but who are still intrigued by the legend of King Arthur.

Another book for fans of The Girl Who Drank the Moon and The Jumbies by Tracey Baptiste is Goldline by Jimmy Cajoleas. The book is set in woods of the Hinterlands, where Goldeline travels from camp to camp with Gruff and his bandits, getting by on the things they steal from carriages that pass through the woods. But someone is after Goldline, and she has to figure out why.

Another book I loved is Podkin One-Ear by Kieran Larwood. The world building in this one reminds me of a combination of The Lord of the Rings series by J.R.R. Tolkien and Watership Down by Richard Adams. It’s the story of Podkin One-Ear, a rabbit from a family that that owns a magical weapon. When his village gets raided, Podkin and his sister flee to safely, racing to keep the dagger away from getting into the wrong hands. This was a fast-paced read, perfect for readers that love adventure tales.

Brave Red, Smart Frog by Emily Jenkins, illustrated by Rohan Daniel Eason, is a fresh take on old fairy tales like The Frog Prince, Snow White, and Hansel and Gretel. The author’s language is beautiful; Publisher’s Weekly says, “Fine, spare prose distinguishes these shrewd retellings of seven familiar tales…Eason’s drawings, one for each story, conjure an atmosphere of otherworldliness with deep forests and thatched cottages huddled in snow.”

For picture books, La Princesa and the Pea by Susan Middleton Elya and illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal is a bilingual retelling of the classic fairy tale. The artwork is inspired by the culture of Peru, and the bright colors leap from the pages. This was a sweet book and is sure to be a favorite read aloud.

 

And my last book: After the Fall, a picture book by Dan Santat. You’ve probably heard of this one already! This is both a retelling and an epilogue; it tells the story of what happens after Humpty Dumpty makes his big fall. A lovely story of getting back up when you fall down and finding new freedom as you face your fears. Hear Dan talk about his inspiration here. (Spoiler alert: It made me cry.)

 

New Releases for Tuesday, January 16 (all descriptions from Goodreads)

Picture Books
Libba: The Magnificent Musical Life of Elizabeth Cotton by Laura Veirs, illustrated by Tatyana Fazlalizadeh (Chronicle Books)
Elizabeth Cotten was only a little girl when she picked up a guitar for the first time. It wasn’t hers (it was her big brother’s), and it wasn’t strung right for her (she was left-handed). But she flipped that guitar upside down and backwards and taught herself how to play it anyway. By age eleven, she’d written “Freight Train,” one of the most famous folk songs of the twentieth century. And by the end of her life, people everywhere—from the sunny beaches of California to the rolling hills of England—knew her music.

My Pillow Keeps Moving by Laura Gehl, illustrated by Chripher Weyant (Penguin Random House)
A clever pup ends up in a cozy home, and she’ll do anything to stay there. She impersonates everything the lonely homeowner needs–a pillow, a footstool, a jacket. But in the end, being herself works best.

Trailblazer: The Story of Ballerina Raven Wilkinson by Leda Schubert, illustrated by Theodore Taylor III (little bee books)
Raven Wilkinson was born on February 2, 1935, in New York City. From the time she was a little girl, all she wanted to do was dance. On Raven’s ninth birthday, her uncle gifted her with ballet lessons, and she completely fell in love with dance. While she was a student at Columbia University, Raven auditioned for the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo and was finally accepted on her third try, even after being told she couldn’t dance with them because of her skin color.

Fancy Party Gowns: The Story of Fashion Designer Ann Cole Lowe by Deborah Blumenthal, illustrated by Laura Freeman (little bee books)
As soon as Ann Cole Lowe could walk, her momma and grandma taught her to sew. When Ann was 16, her momma died, and Ann continued sewing dresses. It wasn’t easy, especially when she went to design school and had to learn alone, segregated from the rest of the class. But the work she did set her spirit soaring, as evidenced in the clothes she made, including Jackie Kennedy’s wedding dress and Olivia de Havilland’s dress at the Oscars when she won for Best Actress in To Each His Own. Rarely credited, Ann Cole Lowe became “society’s best kept secret.”

Chapter Books
Princess Pulverizer #1: Grilled Cheese and Dragons by Nancy Krulik, illustrated by Ben Balistreri (Penguin Random House)
Princess Serena (or as she prefers, Princess Pulverizer) doesn’t want to be a princess–she wants to be knight! But her father, King Alexander of Empiria, thinks she still has a lot to learn when it comes to exhibiting valiant behavior. So he presents a challenge: the princess must first go on a Quest of Kindness and perform good deeds to prove that she truly deserves to go to knight school.

Middle Grade Books
Ellie Engineer by Jackson Pearce (Bloomsbury)
Ellie is an engineer. With a tool belt strapped over her favorite skirt, she invents and builds amazing creations in her backyard workshop. Together with her best friend Kit, Ellie can make anything. As Kit’s birthday nears, Ellie doesn’t know what gift to make until the girls overhear Kit’s mom talking about her present–the dog Kit always wanted! Will Ellie be able to pull off her biggest project yet, all while keeping a secret from Kit?

Roses and Radicals by Susan Zimet (Penguin Random House)
The United States of America is almost 250 years old, but American women won the right to vote less than a hundred years ago. And when the controversial nineteenth amendment to the U.S. Constitution-the one granting suffrage to women-was finally ratified in 1920, it passed by a mere one-vote margin. The amendment only succeeded because a courageous group of women had been relentlessly demanding the right to vote for more than seventy years.

This week I started reading The Purloining of Prince Oleomargarine by Mark Twain and Philip Stead and illustrated by Erin Stead. I adore Erin Stead’s drawings and wood block prints, most especially the chicken (named Pestilence and Famine, which my kids giggle at whenever it comes up in the book). One of my favorite picture books is Dave the Potter by Laban Carrick Hill, illustrated by Bryan Collier, and I found myself rereading that one this week. My daughter picked up A Papa Like Everyone Else by Sydney Taylor (author of one of favorite books, All-of-a-Kind Family) from her bookshelf, and I’ve been reading over her shoulder on the subway.

I’d love to know what you are reading in this first month of 2018! Find me on Twitter at @KarinaYanGlaser, on Instagram at @KarinaIsReadingAndWriting, or email me at karina@bookriot.com.

See you next week!
Karina

 

Nala wants to be Hachette’s office cat.

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