Category: The Kids Are All Right

Hello readers!

I managed to get to the bookshop this week for the first time in forever and it was quite the (socially-distanced) experience. Honestly, I think for the first few minutes I just had to stand and take it all in. It was lovely. Here’s a video of a tiny reader similarly enjoying their first visit back to a bookstore. Warning: adorable.

Let’s get down to this week’s new releases – and I hope that they make you and your tiny readers very happy.

To Liberty! The Adventures of Thomas-Alexandre Dumas by Catherine Johnson, illustrated by Rachel Sanson

Thomas-Alexandre Dumas lived a life full of stories. He began as a slave on the streets of Port au Prince before ending up as a a general in the French army. This tells the story of his remarkable life – a life which helped inspire his son, Alexandre Dumas, to write The Three Musketeers.

Perfect for children who are gaining confidence in reading on their own, this is a well-told and dynamic biography about a man full of adventure. It also includes a nicely handled afterword about the rest of Thomas-Alexandre’s life.

Walter the Whale Shark by Katrine Crow, illustrated by Hazel Quintanilla

Honestly, I just want to write ‘adorable’ about this one and leave it there, but in case you need more, here it is. Walter the Whale Shark has been counting down the days until school – he can’t wait. But his teeth are small and everyone else’s are so big! How’s he going to fit in? (Or is he going to learn that it’s okay to stand out…?).

Featuring rich artwork from Quintanilla, this is a gorgeous and delightfully quirky celebration of the things that make us all individual.

Kiki’s Delivery Service by Eiko Kadono, translated by Emily Balistrieri

Talking of adorable, here’s the book that inspired the absolutely wonderful Kiki’s Delivery Service. It’s Kiki’s thirteenth birthday and time to follow the tradition of choosing somewhere new to live for a year. Kiki and her cat – Jiji – end up in Koriko and soon realise that their new life isn’t going to be easy. Will she ever be able to call Koriko home?

First published in 1985, this is an absolute classic. It’s funny, wise, and fiercely magical, and this is a much welcome new translation of it. (And once you and your tiny readers have read it, you can try The Worst Witch from Jill Murphy…)

Charles Darwin’s On The Origin of Species by Sabina Radeva

(Backlist bump!)

This specially adapted version of On the Origin of Species is a beautiful, beautiful affair and one to share with your young natural historians. Every inch of this book aches to be read and understood, and writer/illustrator Radeva handles it so well. This is accessible, informative, wonderful and lyrical storytelling – it’s an impressive feat.

The Girl Who Stole An Elephant by Nizrana Farook

(Backlist bump!)

This is such a lot of fun. There’s a heroine who’s also a jewel thief and the very definition of rebellious, alongside a sort-of-borrowed elephant, and a jungle-based battle for survival. If that’s not enough, then there’s revolutionaries, rogues, and leeches – amazing. Farook was born and raised in Sri Lanka and perfectly captures the sights and sounds of the rural landscape – whilst also giving us an adventure of a lifetime.

Okay, that’s all from me this week! But before I go, have you seen that we’re giving away a year of free books? All you have to do is enter here and that sounds like a pretty good deal to me…

I’ll see you in seven days! Between then and now, you can stay in touch with me via social media (let’s fangirl together over Eva Ibbotson), on my website, or over on the biweekly literary fiction podcast Novel Gazing.

Hi Kid Lit Friends!

It’s July! Here in New York City, public swimming pools are closed for the season. This is very sad, so I thought I would talk about all the great books about swimming. Here are some terrific ones:

Jabari Jumps by Gaia Cornwall is one of my absolute favorite picture books. A family goes to the swimming pool, and Jabari is going to jump off the diving board. Except he goes up the ladder, then decides maybe he won’t jump into the pool. But he really wants to, and everyone around him is having fun… so what should he do? Dad, of course, has the answer.

 

Bernard Makes a Splash by Lisa Stickley is another wonderful picture book. Bernard (who is a hound! so cute!) has been the manager of the local swimming pool for a long time. He is super shy but quietly observes other people diving then practices his diving at night when no one else is around. When his pool holds a contest for high-diving hounds from around the world, he hopes that he can work up enough courage to compete.

Wave by Suzy Lee is a lovely wordless picture book about a girl’s day at a beach. Like Jabari Jumps, the story works through feelings of wonder and fear. I love the way the waves and the movements of the girl and how it perfectly captures a summer day at the beach.

For middle grade readers, try The Season of Styx Malone by Kekla Magoon, one of my favorite middle grade books. It is the story of Caleb Franklin and his big brother Bobby Gene. They are excited to have adventures in the woods behind their house, but Caleb dreams of venturing beyond their ordinary small town. When Caleb and Bobby Gene meet new neighbor Styx Malone, Styx promises the brothers that together, the three of them can pull off the Great Escalator Trade–exchanging one small thing for something better until they achieve their wildest dream. But as the trades get bigger, the brothers soon find themselves in over their heads.

And for upper middle grade readers, try Up for Air by Laurie Morrison. This book is about thirteen-year-old Annabelle who struggles in school but dominates in the pool. She’s the fastest girl on the middle school swim team, and when she’s asked to join the high school team over the summer, everything changes. Suddenly, she’s got new friends, and a high school boy starts treating her like she’s somebody special—and Annabelle thinks she’ll finally stand out in a good way. She’ll do anything to fit in and help the team make it to the Labor Day Invitational, even if it means blowing off her old friends. But after a prank goes wrong, Annabelle is abandoned by the older boy and can’t swim. Who is she without the one thing she’s good at?

What are you reading these days? Let me know! Find me on Twitter at @KarinaYanGlaser, on Instagram at @KarinaIsReadingAndWriting, or email me at KarinaBookRiot@gmail.com.

Until next time!
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!*

By now, most kids are done with school and you may be looking for new ways to keep them entertained. Never fear, because we’ve curated a list of some of the best kidlit book deals to be found on the Internet. From picture books to stories about middle school to nonfiction about how to be anti-racist, there’s something for every kid!

These deals were active as of the writing of this newsletter. Get them while they’re hot!

It’s never too early to start talking about anti-racism with your kids! This Book is Anti-Racist by Tiffany Jewell is only $3, and it contains twenty lessons to get you started.

Drum Roll, Please! by Lisa Jenn Bigelow is a stellar story of a girl who gains confidence and a new crush when she picks up drumming at summer camp, and it can be yours for $4.

The Benefits of Being an Octopus by Ann Braden is only $2, and it’s a great award-winning novel about a young girl with lots of responsibilities to learns to speak up for herself.

Front Desk by Kelly Yang is one of my favorite recent middle grade releases! Snag it for $5 so you can read it in time for the sequel, Three Keys, out later this year!

For only $2, pick up this sweet story of animal friends in You Are (Not) Small by Anna Kang and Christopher Weyant

A Good Kind of Trouble by Lisa Moore Ramée explores a seventh-grader’s political awakening through the Black Lives Matter movement, and is only $2.

For only $2, grab My Jasper June by Laurel Snyder, a moving story about the power of friendship.

Get curious with They All Saw a Cat by Brendan Wenzel, a Caldecott finalist that’s only $2!

Pride Month may be over, but it’s always a good time to read George by Alex Gino, and you can get it for $4.

Snag the National Book Award finalist When the Sea Turned Silver by Grace Lin for just $5! It’s the companion to Where the Mountains Meet the Moon.

Happy reading!

Hello readers!

How are you doing? I should have been at my dream conference this week (feminist publishing!) so I am distracting myself with plants and books. I have my eyes on a new edition in the Illustrators series from Abrams – Dick Bruna by Bruce Ingman – but I’m also tempted by everything else in that series! While I work out which one to buy first, here’s your pick of this week’s new releases in the world of children’s literature…

The Amelia Six by Kristin L. Gray

When Amelia Earhart’s legendary flight goggles go missing, it’s down to eleven year old Millie and her band of fellow Amelia-fans to find them and return them to their rightful place. The only problem is that the house is full of suspects, a blizzard’s raging outside, and the clock’s ticking…

I mean, this lovely middle-grade had me at Amelia Earhart, but then there was a mystery, girl power, dastardly doings, a character who collects Nancy Drew, and honestly, what more do you want than that?

Our Favorite Day of the Year by A. E, Ali, illustrated by Rahele Jomepour Bell

Ms. Gupta’s class is sharing their favorite day of the year so that everybody can celebrate them together. Musa’s favorite day is Eid and in celebration, he and his mother share foods with his friends. As the year passes, and other favorite days are shared, all of the students become the best of friends.

A lovely introduction to holidays (including Pi Day, Rosh Hashanah, Christmas and Las Posadas), rich and important cultural traditions, and the power of friendships, this is a beautiful book with lovely endpapers (good endpapers rock!).

Beyond Me by Annie Donwerth-Chikamatsu

Maya lives in a suburb just outside of Tokyo, but on March 11, 2011, a five minute long earthquake hits and everything changes. This is the story of what happened afterwards, and how Maya coped with it.

Based on real world events, this is an eloquent and subtle exploration of grief, and the impact of trauma. It’s told in free verse and narrated by Maya herself, sharing not only her struggles with coming to terms with what’s happened but also how she learns to find strength in the community and friends around her.

No Longer Alone by Joseph Coelho, illustrated by Robyn Wilson-Owen

(Backlist bump!)

Emotions are hard, right? They’re even harder when you feel all alone, just as the little girl at the heart of this story does. But one day when her dad talks with her, she realises that it’s okay to feel the way that she does and that the feelings she has can be felt.

A lyrical, gentle exploration of grief and how to live with big, incomprehensible feelings, this is full of grace. It’s perfect for helping out with those conversations about difficult things, and helping small readers realise that they’re not alone with their feelings.

Specs for Rex by Yasmeen Ismail

(Backlist bump!) Rex has new glasses and he is not a happy lion! He hates them, he doesn’t want to wear them at school, and so the only option he’s got left is to hide them… but it’s not that easy hiding a pair of very big and very round and very red specs!

Funny, charming, and very beautifully put together, this sees Rex figure out that it’s not that bad to be a little bit different from everybody else. It might even result in him finding a new friend…

 

Okay, that’s it from me this week! I’ll see you in seven days with more gorgeous new books for you to fall in love with. Between then and now, you can stay in touch with me via social media (where I will be sharing pictures of new plants), on my website, or over on the biweekly literary fiction podcast Novel Gazing.

Happy reading!

Louise.

Dear Kid Lit Friends,

Okay, we are going to talk about spies today. SPIES!!! There is something about spies that is so compelling, and here are some books about them!

The Eye That Never Sleeps by Marissa Moss and Jeremy Holmes is one of my daughter’s favorite picture books. It’s the true story of the spy that saved Abraham Lincoln’s life! Allan Pinkerton’s life changed when he helped the Chicago Police Department track down a group of counterfeiters. From there, he became the first police detective in Chicago and established the country’s most successful detective agency. He went on to solve more than 300 murders and recover millions of dollars in stolen money. However, his greatest contribution was protecting Abraham Lincoln on the way to his 1861 inauguration. Though assassins attempted to murder Lincoln en route, Pinkerton foiled their plot and brought the president safely to the capital.

Princess in Black by Shannon Hale and Dean Hale, illustrated by LeUyen Pham, is one of my favorite chapter book series ever! Princess Magnolia is having hot chocolate and scones with Duchess Wigtower when . . . Brring! Brring! The monster alarm! A big blue monster is threatening the goats! Stopping monsters is no job for dainty Princess Magnolia. But luckily Princess Magnolia has a secret — she’s also the Princess in Black, and stopping monsters is the perfect job for her!

Mrs. Smith’s Spy School for Girls by Beth McMullen is a terrific middle grade series about Abigail, who is stunned to discover her boarding school is actually a cover for an elite spy ring called The Center, along with being training grounds for future spies. Even more shocking? Abigail’s mother is a top agent for The Center and she has gone MIA, with valuable information that many people would like to have—at any cost. Along with a former nemesis and charming boy from her grade, Abigail goes through a crash course in Spy Training 101, often with hilarious—and sometimes painful—results.

Spy School by Stuart Gibbs is a can’t-stop-reading middle grade series about Ben Ripley. Ben may only be in middle school, but he’s already pegged his dream job: C.I.A. Unfortunately for him, his personality doesn’t exactly scream “secret agent.” In fact, Ben is so awkward, he can barely get to school and back without a mishap. Because of his innate nerdiness, Ben is not surprised when he is recruited for a magnet school with a focus on science—but he’s entirely shocked to discover that the school is actually a front for a junior C.I.A. academy. Could the C.I.A. really want him?

City Spies by James Ponti is a new middle grade series. It begins with Sara Martinez hacking into the New York City foster care system to expose her foster parents as cheats and lawbreakers. However, instead of being hailed as a hero, Sara finds herself facing years in a juvenile detention facility and banned from using computers for the same stretch of time. Enter Mother, a British spy who not only gets Sara released from jail but also offers her a chance to make a home for herself within a secret MI6 agency.

 

BONUS! Three new books that I love!

Women’s Art Work: More Than 30 Female Artists Who Changed the World by Sophia Bennett, illustrated by Manjit Thapp: A great collection of stories of fantastic female artists.

 

 

 

American as Paneer Pie by Supriya Kelkar: A terrific middle grade book about an Indian American girl who navigates prejudice in her home town.

 

 

 

 

Lift by Minh Le, illustrated by Dan Santat: A sweet picture book about an elevator button that transports you to fantastic places.

 

 

 

 

What are you reading these days? Let me know! Find me on Twitter at @KarinaYanGlaser, on Instagram at @KarinaIsReadingAndWriting, or email me at KarinaBookRiot@gmail.com.

Until next time!
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 readers!

How are you this week? I have been taking the time to recharge by spending time with my plants and my books. The therapeutic impact of rearranging shelves cannot be under-estimated. (Yes, I am a librarian, why do you ask?)

Rearranging the books also means that I can buy more. Hurrah! Here’s what I’ve got my eyes on this week..

The Dream Weavers by Reina Luz Alegre

For Zoey, family is everything. As long as they’re all together, she can deal with the grand plans her dad dreams up and his jobs that never quite work out. But  when her Dad goes off to work in NYC – alone – she’s sent along with her brother to live with their Poppy. And the bowling alley that he’s owned forever is in danger of closing…

Zoey’s determined to save the bowling alley and, with her new friends, it looks like she might do it. But then everything turns upside down all over again – and Zoey must fight for her dreams…

Featuring Jersey boardwalks, Cuban-American heritage, friendships formed over bowling, and a heroine that you’d root for forever, this is a lovely debut middle-grade. And look at that fabulous cover!

Ani’s Light by Tanu Shree Singh, illustrated by Sandhya Prabhat

Ani’s mother hasn’t been home for a long while, and he feels like he’s living life under a dark cloud. But when Mama returns, with her hair missing, the light returns and his darkness is chased away.

A soft, quiet exploration of the love between a parent and child and the impact of medical treatment upon that relationship, this will also help children in a similar situation explore their feelings. There’s a note from the author as well with tips on how to help children through such situations.

Nola’s Scribbles Save The Day by Cristina Lalli

Nola has creative block. Her drawings never turn out the way she wants them to, and nobody seems to appreciate what she does. But when she draws a ‘blank’ – and falls into it – she finds that she’s not alone. There’s a whole world of artists with the same problems and it’s down to Nola and her scribbles to save the day!

A lovely and lightly handled debut, this is perfect for young artists who need to know that they’re not alone in their creative struggles. The art is beautiful, using big splashes of colour to indicate when inspiration strikes, and the story is gently told.

Brave New Girl by Catherine Johnson

(Backlist bump!)

Seren Campbell Ali has a lot of big ideas that always seem to end up with her putting her foot in it. It’s not easy being thirteen! But her friend Keith is putting together a film for a national competition – and he want Seren to star in it. Are things going to finally work out for her?

If you’ve never read any Catherine Johnson, now’s the time to do so. She is such a great writer and this is a lovely slice of London in the lead-up to the 2012 Olympics. It’s also perfect for anybody who’s feeling a little over-shadowed in their life and needs reminding that they’re a total star.

Comet In Moominland by Tove Jansson, translated by Elizabeth Portch

(Backlist bump!). I adore the Moomins in so many ways and this is a fabulous introduction to their world. First published in 1945, it sees Moomintroll realise that a comet is due to pass over. He heads off with his friend Sniff to the local observatory to view it, but then they learn that the comet is headed straight for the lovely Moominvalley…

There’s some mild peril here, so bear that in mind if you have impressionable young readers, but it’s set against a backdrop of love, security and safety. There’s also a lot of thrilling adventure, important stops for food, and that delicious surrealism that only Tove Jansson could do.

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Okay, that’s everything for this week! I will return in seven days with more lovely new picks for you from the world of children’s books (and maybe I’ll sneak in a few more backlist bumps). Between then and now, you can stay in touch with me via social media (this week I have been reading Virginia Woolf’s short stories and loving them), on my website, or over on the biweekly literary fiction podcast Novel Gazing.

I also want to let you know that we’re doing a reader survey where you could potentially win an ereader! The survey will only take a few minutes and you can see the questions and giveaway details at bookriot.com/2020survey

Happy reading!

Louise.

Hi Kid Lit Friends!

Since the pandemic, there has been a surge in bike sales. In New York City, with decreased traffic and less public transportation ridership, more people are biking to get from place to place. This makes me so happy (I love doing family bike rides!), so here are some great books about bikes!

For an adorable picture book, look at Bikes for Sale by Carter Higgins, illustrated by Zachariah Ohora. Maurice rides his bike to his shop every day. Lotta rides her bike to collect sticks every day. Both go about their separate routines, unaware of the friendship that awaits them just a few blocks away. But what happens when a branch and a lemon peel get in the way?

 

Bike On, Bear! by Cynthea Liu, illustrated by Kristyna Litten is so adorable. Just look at that cover! In this picture book, Bear can do almost anything. His one-paw pawstand is perfection. He can solve the trickiest of equations. He can even out-build a brigade of beavers. But the one thing Bear can’t do? Ride a bike. Bear tries everything to help him learn: library books, training wheels and super-cheers from his fellow animal friends. But all of those fail to get poor Bear on two wheels.

Rabbit and the Motorbike by Kate Hoefler, illustrated by Sarah Jacoby, is one of my favorite picture books published last year. The illustrations are so dreamy and beautiful. It’s the story about Rabbit, a homebody who lives in a quiet field of wheat he dreams of leaving every night. His world is enlarged by his friend Dog and Dog’s tales of motorbike adventures. But one day, Dog is gone, and with him, go the stories Rabbit loves so much. Dare Rabbit pick up the motorbike and live his own story?

Cycle City by Allison Farrell is a lovely picture book that reminds me of Richard Scarry’s wonderful books. 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. This book also has a fun seek-and-find component.

 

The New Kid by Karen English, illustrated by Laura Freeman, is a sweet chapter book that is a part of the Carver Chronicles series (get them all!). Third-grader Gavin and his friends aren’t sure what to make of the new boy in their class, Khufu. He sure doesn’t look or act like the other kids . . . and they suspect that he stole Gavin’s bike! Karen English has a wonderful way of writing about childhood and the concerns of young people.

 

What are you reading these days? Let me know! Find me on Twitter at @KarinaYanGlaser, on Instagram at @KarinaIsReadingAndWriting, or email me at KarinaBookRiot@gmail.com.

Until next time!
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 readers!

Welcome to your weekly pick of the best new releases in the world of children’s literature. Book release dates are still a bit up in the air at the moment, with a lot of books being pushed back, so that means I get to share with you some more backlist bumps. Hurrah! I’ll include them at the end of the newsletter, and I hope you enjoy (re)discovering some new/old friends.

Antiracist Baby by Ibram X Kendi, illustrations by Ashley Lukashevsky

(I am so ready for this book I cannot tell you). Antiracist Baby provides an easy and accessible route into critical conversations, and does with a lot of care and eloquence. The artwork is bold and bluntly brilliant, and the text is deeply accessible. It’s amazing, I love it.

American Immigration: Our History, Our Stories by Kathleen Krull

The history of American immigration is a history of stories, and this nonfiction text pays tribute to those immigrants by telling their stories. These stories show the progress that has been made, and the progress that is still yet to be made – a potent thing to do in our present day clime. This is a richly detailed volume, full of careful sourcing and detailed timelines, perfect for beginning and supporting conversations in this area.

Bloom by Anne Booth, illustrated by Robyn Wilson-Owen

Anne is one of those authors who writes with such a lot of kindness, so I’m excited to see what she does with Bloom – the story of a beautiful flower and the girl who loves it. She talks to it every morning on the way to school, but when the owner of the flower yells at her, the flower does not open. Frustrated, he asks the girl to talk to it and tell it how much she loves it…

Look Up! by Nathan Bryon, illustrated by Dapo Adeola

(Backlist bump!). Rocket is going to be the greatest astronaut / space traveller / star-catcher that there’s ever been. And when there’s a meteor shower due, she’s determined to watch it. The only problem is that her elder brother Jamal would rather be gaming than taking her to the park. Will Rocket make it in time?

Featuring some lovely family dynamics, a vivid and hilarious protagonist, plus a nice shout to Mae Jemison, this is adorable. Plus you’ve just got enough time to read it before picking up the sequel – Clean Up! – which is out in July.

Another by Christian Robinson

(Backlist bump!) Where to begin with this rather beautiful wordless classic? A girl sets off on an adventure to a strange new world where she meets her doppelgänger and so much more…

This is such a wonderful, brilliant thing. The artwork is fearless and contemporary, paying tribute to the world of modern art whilst carving a space all of its own.

 

Okay, that’s everything for this week! I will return in seven days with more lovely new picks for you from the world of children’s books. Between then and now, you can stay in touch with me via social media (let’s talk about Eloise and Nanny….), on my website, or over on the biweekly literary fiction podcast Novel Gazing.

Happy reading!

Louise.

Hi Kid Lit Friends,

Happy Sunday! I recently had the chance to watch the Jane movie about Jane Goodall with my kids (it’s fantastic), and it got me thinking about women in science. I thought I would round up some great books about it.

Ocean Speaks: How Marie Tharp Revealed the Ocean’s Biggest Secret by Jess Keating, illustrated by Katie Hickey is a wonderful picture book biography. From a young age, Marie Tharp loved watching the world. In the mid-twentieth century, however, women were not welcome in the sciences. But Marie was tenacious and she got a job in a laboratory at Cambridge University, New York. But then she faced another barrier: women were not allowed on the research ships (they were considered bad luck on boats). So instead, Marie stayed back and dove deep into the data her colleagues recorded. She mapped point after point and slowly revealed a deep rift valley in the ocean floor.

Primates: The Fearless Science of Jane Goodall, Dian Fossey, and Birute Galdikas by Jim Ottaviani, illustrated by Maris Wicks is a graphic nonfiction book about three groundbreaking women scientists. It is an accessible, entertaining, and informative look at the field of primatology and at the lives of three of the most remarkable women scientists of the twentieth century.

 

 

Black Women in Science by Kimberly Brown Pellum is a great collection of fifteen women that built a legacy by advancing their STEM fields. The book includes stories by incredible scientists and mathematicians, including Mae Jemison, Annie Easley, Bessie Coleman, Katherine Johnson, Gladys West, Mamie Phipps Clark, and Jane Cooke Wright. These stories celebrate incredible women who had brains and tenacity and did all they could to beat the odds and be the best in their fields.

 

Leaders Like Us: Rebecca Lee Crumpler (August 11, 2020, Discovery Library) by J.P. Miller, illustrated by Markia Jenai, is about the first African-American woman to work as a professional medical doctor. Later, she also provided care for those formerly enslaved through an arrangement with the government. She became the only woman doctor to write a book in the nineteenth century.

 

Rachel Carson and Her Book That Changed the World by Laurie Lawlor, illustrated by Laura Beingessner follows the life of Rachel Carson. Her fascination with the natural world led her to study biology, and pursue a career in science at a time when very few women worked in the field. She went on to be a journalist and pioneering researcher, investigating and exposing the harmful effects of pesticide overuse.

What are you reading these days? Let me know! Find me on Twitter at @KarinaYanGlaser, on Instagram at @KarinaIsReadingAndWriting, or email me at KarinaBookRiot@gmail.com.

Until next time!
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 readers,

Children’s literature is a political thing. It always has been and so, I can begin this week’s newsletter in no better way than by directing you towards my lovely colleague Karina Yan Glaser’s Twitter thread on 100 Must-Read Children’s Books by African-American creators.  This list of resources on how to educate “yourself and those around you” may also prove of use to some of you. Finally, I’d like to take a moment to pay tribute to those of you who are and always have been doing the work. You have my respect, my admiration, and my thanks.

Here’s my pick of this week’s new releases!

Catalyst by Sarah Beth Durst

What else do you call a tiny kitten but Pipsqueak? The only problem is that Pipsqueak didn’t stay small forever – she grew, and grew, until now she’s bigger than a horse  and oh yeah, she can talk as well…

It’s up to Zoe and her best friend Harrison to keep Pipsqueak safe. Can they turn her back to her normal size? Or will that just put them all in greater danger?

A dynamic and rather sweet fantasy perfect for middle grade readers, this teaches us to accept everybody for who they are – whatever shape or size they may be. There’s some nice lessons about growing up in this, and did I mention that bit about the giant talking kitten?

Curse of the Night Witch: Emblem Island by Alex Aster

When you’re born on Emblem Island, you know your fate. Your lifeline shows the course of your life, and your emblem tells you how to spend it. But when Tor Luna’s leadership emblem changes to a death curse – and there’s only a week to go – he must visit the Night Witch and ask for help.

Pulling from Latin American mythology, and inspired by the stories that Aster’s Colombian grandmother told her at bedtime, this rich and pacy opener sets up an intriguing series.

Ladybird Tales of Super Heroes by Sufiya Ahmed, Yvonne Battle-Felton, Sarwat Chadda and Maisie Chan, illustrations by Aviel Basil, Fotini Tikkou, Jia Liu, Louise Warwick, Poonam Mistry, and Victoria Sandøy

(Backlist bump!)

What’s better than one story about mythic and legendary super heroes? Six stories about mythic and legendary super heroes, that’s what. This well put together collection features stories about Hanuma, Demon Fighter; Shahrazad the Storyteller; Inanna in the Underworld; Anansi the Spider-Man; Loki and the Magical Hammer, and the Legend of Hua Mulan. They’re all gorgeously told and perfect for bedtime with your little heroes.

Bold Women In Black History by Vashti Harrison

(Backlist bump!) I have admired Harrison’s work for a long time and this is fabulous. It tells the stories of some amazing women, ranging from singer Shirley Bassey through to nurse Mary Seacole. The artwork is adorable – beautiful, smart and savvy – while the stories are deeply accessible and full of inspiring achievements. It’s a very beautiful thing.

Alright, that’s everything from me this week! I’ll be back in seven days with more new books, I promise. Between then and now, you can stay in touch with me via social media (I would love to hear about what you’re reading), on my website, or over on the biweekly literary fiction podcast Novel Gazing.

Happy reading!

Louise.