Category: The Kids Are All Right

Hi Kid Lit Friends,

With all the terrible news, I thought it would be nice to celebrate some super silly picture books that are guaranteed to lighten the mood and make you laugh. Check these out and let me know what your favorite silly children’s book is.

I Can Be Anything by Shinsuke Yoshitake is hilarious book about a young kid who doesn’t want to go to sleep. While her tired mom folds laundry, the girl forces her mom to guess what she is. Is she a caterpillar? An arrow sign? An upside-down bug? Can you guess what she is? I love Yoshitake’s work and think the humor is perfect.

Everyone’s Awake! by Colin Meloy, illustrated by Shawn Harris, is another funny story about bedtime. When a simple goodnight routine turns marvelously madcap, the situation goes wild just when everyone is supposed to be settling down to sleep. Dad bakes bread, Mom fixes the roof, and Grandma plays cards with a ghost. And between the dog, the cat, Sister, and Brother, there’s at least three different wars being waged!

How to Put an Octopus to Bed by Sherri Duskey Rinker, illustrated by Viviane Schwarz, is yet another bedtime story… but this one features an octopus! It’s time for bed and this little octopus is more than happy to volunteer! He’s all ready to put his parents to bed! Bath time, putting on pajamas, brushing teeth, and tucking everyone in is a whole new challenge when the kid is in charge (and especially when everyone has eight arms!).

I’m a Baked Potato! by Elise Primavera, illustrated by Juana Medina is adorable and super silly. When a baked potato–loving lady adopts a dog, she adores him unconditionally—and given the pup’s small, round frame and warm, brown coat she can’t help but call him “Baked Potato”! But what happens when a dog who thinks he’s a baked potato gets lost? Will he find his lady? And more importantly, will he find himself?

Dandy by Age Dyckman, illustrated by Charles Santoso, is a funny book about a neighborhood that has a common enemy: the dandelion! But when Sweetie falls in love with the beautiful flower, even going so far as to name it Charlotte, her Daddy has to find a way to get rid of the errant dandelion without breaking his little girl’s heart.

 

Around the web…

Middle Grade Books That Help Unpack Complex Conversations, via Book Riot

8 Picture Books About Nature to Bring the Outdoors to You, via Book Riot

 

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

A super silly photo of Nala and Ginger Pye for you today.

*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’s life? I have finally reached the bottom of my TBR pile and am oscillating between happiness and panic. Of course I’m pleased that it’s finally been worked through (and hasn’t fallen in me in my sleep) but I need more books! I’ll be reading the labels on canned food next…

To the books!

Ways To Make Sunshine by Renée Watson

Ryan Hart has a lot on her mind but the one thing she’s good at is making the best of things. She finds the sunshine in everything she does, even when she’s got a lot on her mind–things are financially tight for their family, her brother’s annoying, and life kind of keeps doing the unexpected about her. But Ryan keeps moving on with sunshine, no matter what.

A sparky and bright opener to a new series, this is all about loving your family and friends no matter what. Ryan is a fiercely wonderful lead character and every page of this sings with joy.

Saltwater Secrets by Cindy Callaghan

Half-sisters Stella and Josie live for their annual vacation with their dad. They have a secret place under the boardwalk there where they hide their ‘sister scrapbook’ – each page full of the memories of their summer at the beach.

But this summer is different–their secrets have been discovered, and their beloved boardwalk and the natural world about it is under threat. It’s down to Josie and Stella to save the day…

Perfect for middle-grade readers who want to make a difference this summer, this is an exciting beach read with a thread of mystery and a hint of danger.

Wherever I go by Mary Waggley Copp, illustrated by Munir D. Mohammed

(This actually came out last week, but I’m sneaking a mention for it here.)

Abia has been at the Shimelba Refugee Camp for seven years, four months and sixteen days. Just long enough for her to be a queen. Once her father weaves her a crown from the acacia tree, Abia becomes her reign. Sometimes she’s a noisy queen, sometimes she’s a quiet queen, and sometimes she’s a nervous queen dreaming of forever homes in faraway places…

A wise and respectful celebration of childhood in the most complicated of circumstances, this pairs elegant text with big, wide and honest artwork.

A Different Pond by Bao Phi, illustrated by Thi Bui

(Backlist bump!) A pre-dawn fishing trip sees a father tell his son about the connections between their pond and one from their homeland of Vietnam. Rendered in quietly elegant text and paired with absolutely stunning artwork, A Different Pond is a wonderful, wonderful thing.

 

The First Rule of Punk by Celia C. Pérez

(Backlist bump!) Malú (or María Luisa, if you really want to annoy her) isn’t have a great first day at her new school. She’s upset the Queen Bee, broken the school dress code, and disappointed her mum. But her dad reminds her that the first rule of punk is to be yourself – and so she will. And she’s not going to do this alone…

I miss Rookie quite a bit, and this makes me feel that a little less. It’s a riotous celebration of being yourself, finding your tribe, and standing up for the things you believe in.

Okay! I’m going to leave it there for now but I’ll be back in seven days with more picks. In the meanwhile you can catch up with me on social media (come and tell me what to read next! save me!) on my website, or over on the biweekly literary fiction podcast Novel Gazing.

Have a lovely week!

Louise.

Hi Kid Lit Friends,

There are so many wonderful books about the environment, and reading these books are a perfect way to usher in warmer weather and outdoor activities. Take a look at the books below and let me know what you think!

We Are Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrom, illustrated by Michaela Goade is inspired by the many Indigenous-led movements across North America to protect our water sources and safeguard the Earth’s water from harm and corruption. The gorgeous illustrations perfectly complement the main invitation: to stand up for environmental justice.

A Stone Sat Still by Brendan Wenzel was one of my favorite picture books published in 2019. It is an exploration of perspective, perception, and the passage of time, with an underlying environmental message that is accessible to everyone, no matter what age.

 

Hike by Pete Oswald is a new picture book released in March that begins in the cool and quiet early light of morning. A father and child wake up to go on a hike. They go into the mountains and witness the magic of the wilderness, overcome challenges, and play a small role in the survival of the forest. By the time they return home, they feel alive — and closer than ever — as they document their hike and take their place in family history.

 

Song of the Trees by Mildred D. Taylor is a part of the Logan Family Saga series (most notable being Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry). Song of the Trees is a slim volume about Cassie Logan and her family living through the the depression. But despite the money troubles and the daily challenges of protecting their land and her family, one thing hasn’t changed: the whispering trees outside her window. Cassie’s trees, which have stood for centuries, are a great source of comfort to her. But they are also worth a lot of money. With Cassie’s daddy gone to lay tracks for the railroad, it seems like no one can stop Mr. Andersen from forcing Big Ma to sell their valuable trees. How can Cassie sit by and watch them disappear? This book is best for grades five and up.

I picked up a copy of National Parks of the U.S.A. by Kate Siber, illustrated by Chris Turnham, at one of my local independent bookstores last fall. I was drawn to the beautiful drawings and the details on each spread about various national parks and the specific ecosystem. It’s a beautiful book to explore all the beautiful and unique ecosystems of the United States.

 

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!

Let’s start off this week with news of a fun project. Universal Standard, an inclusive fashion brand, have launched a picture book called What Would Fashion Look Like If It Included All Of Us? It’s fiercely diverse and inclusive, with lovely body-positive artwork (seriously, I almost cried over a few spreads) and an empowering message of inclusion. You can download it here, and 100% of the proceeds go to #SAVEWITHSTORIES. More of this sort of thing please!

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

The Water Bears by Kim Baker

Last year, Newt Gomez survived a bear attack and now he’s found a bear statue that maybe grants wishes. As the wishes come true around him, he becomes increasingly ready to make his own wish – to move to the mainland where his extended family lives, become part of a community where he’s not the only Latinx kid, and to also be free of his bad dreams about the attack. But then, as things so often do, everything changes…

A magical story of recovery and growth in the most unusual of landscapes, this is a coming of age story with a lot of heart.

On These Magic Shores by Yamile Saied Méndez

Minerva Soledad Miranda has responsibilities. She looks after her two sisters while her mom works two jobs – and then, one night, her mom doesn’t come home. It’s up to Minerva to figure out what happened and how to keep her family together and safe. But there’s something magical looking out for them…

Written by an #ownvoices author, this touches on some big issues and does so with a lot of delicacy and magic. Bonus points for that gorgeous cover!

Rick by Alex Gino

Everybody around Rick seems to have figured out who he is, but Rick’s not so sure. But now he’s in middle school and discovering the Rainbow Spectrum club, he might just finally be able to figure himself out and be understood…

A sensitive exploration of how to be yourself in a world that sometimes doesn’t make that easy, and how to deal with unhelpful relationships, Rick is a lovely and important read.

The Pathfinders Society : The Mystery of the Moon Tower by Francesco Sedita and Prescott Seraydarian

I am a sucker for ‘kids who team up to solve a mystery’ stories (blame a lot of Nancy Drew!) and this is amazing. Five kids are thrown together at summer camp, and together they set off to dig into their town’s history – a history that includes a fabled lost treasure…

An adventure packed comic that’s perfect for middle-grade readers, this features code-cracking, mystery-solving and time-travel. What’s not to love?

The Fort by Laura Perdew, illustrated by Adelina Lirius

Two strangers play in the same fort in the woods.. which is either a castle or a ship, depending on who’s in charge! But problems ensue: the prince can’t throw a party when all his invitations turn into treasure maps, and the pirate can’t storm the high seas when her sword turns into a scepter. Can a pirate and a prince learn to share – and what happens when they do?

A celebration of imagination rendered in illustrations that burst with life, this gorgeous picture book sees two adversaries learn the benefits of sharing and teamwork. Two imaginations are a lot more fun than one!

Okay! I’m going to leave it there for now but I’ll be back in seven days with more picks. In the meanwhile you can catch up with me on social media, on my website, or over on the biweekly literary fiction podcast Novel Gazing.

Have a lovely week!

Louise.

Hi Kid Lit Friends,

April is the month to celebrate poetry, and children’s books do a marvelous job bringing poetry to young people. Here are some of my favorite newer releases that have poetry in them. What are your favorite books of poetry?

Follow the Recipe: Poems About Imagination, Celebration, and Cake by Marilyn Singer, illustrated by Marjorie Priceman is a sweet collection of poems that celebrate food! The book has the look of a vintage collector’s compendium that includes pictures, ephemera and annotations to add interest. Even young children are familiar with recipes–a series of steps to help them make something–and the book begins with simple dishes and ideas (such as a recipe for reading a recipe and a recipe for measuring), and then adds more ideas and grows in sophistication until the last recipes broach lofty concepts (such as a recipe for understanding and a recipe for peace).

Another great pick for younger readers is the picture book Whoo-Ku, Haiku: A Great Horned Owl Story by Maria Gianferrari, illustrated by Jonathan Voss. This book is an accessible introduction to poetry for younger readers who will be enthralled by this story of a pair of great horned owlets that peep and squeak in their feathered nest. Mama and Papa hunt for food and fend off predators while the chicks grow strong enough to hop and flap between the branches of their tree, then leap and fly away, ready to explore the wild world around them.

For slightly older readers, Woke: A Young Poet’s Call to Justice by Mahogany L. Browne, illustrated by Theodore Taylor III is a collection of poems by women that reflects the joy and passion in the fight for social justice, tackling topics from discrimination to empathy, and acceptance to speaking out.

 

 

For upper middle grade readers, I have two recommendations. The first is On the Horizon by Lois Lowry, illustrated by Kenard Pak. This collection of poems tell the story of people whose lives were lost or forever altered by the twin tragedies of Pearl Harbor and Hiroshima.  Based on the lives of soldiers at Pearl Harbor and civilians in Hiroshima, On the Horizon contemplates humanity and war through verse that sings with pain, truth, and the importance of bridging cultural divides. Kenard Pak’s stunning illustrations depict real-life people, places, and events, making for an incredibly vivid return to our collective past.

My last recommendation for upper middle grade readers is Dreams from Many Rivers by Margarita Engle, illustrated by Beatriz Gutierrez Hernandez. From Juana Briones and Juan Ponce de León, to eighteenth century slaves and modern-day sixth graders, the many and varied people depicted in this moving narrative speak to the experiences and contributions of Latinos throughout the history of the United States, from the earliest known stories up to present day.

 

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!

I wanted to start off this week by telling you about a free book about the Coronavirus. It’s been produced by the British publisher Nosy Crow and is illustrated by Axel Scheffler – familiar to anybody who’s got a tiny fan of the Gruffalo! Coronavirus: A Book For Children is a great, sensitive and really well-pitched guide to the virus and it’s free. I really recommend it if you need some support for your young readers at this time.

Don’t forget that we’re collating all the COVID-19 news from the literary world. I also enjoyed this round-up of free coloring pages and also the fact that Dolly Parton is sharing bedtime stories (honestly, Dolly Parton is my literary hero).

To the books!

The Cat Man of Aleppo by Irene Latham and Karim Shamsi-Basha, illustrated by Yukio Shimizu

This is the true tail (sorry) of Mohammad Alaa Aljaleel, who set up a cat sanctuary in the middle of the Syrian Civil War. It’s often very difficult to understand events as big and terrifying as war, until you find the stories of the people caught within. And this does that with a lot of care, sensitively balancing the moments of hope against the raw, ragged edge of conflict. A powerful introduction to a complex topic.

Plenty of Hugs by Fran Manushkin, illustrated by Kate Alizadeh

Hugs. Love. Illustrations full of life and heart. Honestly, what more do you need?

(If you do need more: this is the story of two mommies and a day in the life of their family. Told in round, delicious rhyme, we follow them through a day together before it’s time for bath, book and bed. It’s cosy, lovely and a genuine delight).

Daring Darleen: Queen of the Screen by Anne Nesbet

Twelve-year-old Darleen Darling is a star of the silent movie era. And when a publicity stunt goes horribly wrong, it’s up to Darleen to defeat villains both on and off the screen.

You don’t often see books about young film actresses set in 1914, let alone ones that involve kidnappings and Perilous Situations alongside some solid historical research. It’s a treat and perfect for budding film stars.

When Stars Are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed, color by Imman Geddy

Omar and his younger brother Hassan live in Dadaab, a refugee camp in Kenya. Life is hard and the medical care that nonverbal Hassan needs is non-existent. One day Omar gets the chance to change their future – the only problem is that it means leaving Hassan behind, every day.

Told to Jamieson by Omar Mohamed, the Omar at the centre of this true story, When Stars Are Scattered follows the two brothers through fifteen years in the camp. It is a remarkable graphic novel for middle grade readers, and one that celebrates the power of education and family.

Baloney and Friends by Greg Pizzoli

Meet Baloney the pig and his best friend Peanut, the horse. There’s also Bizz the bumblee and Krabbit – the rather grumpy looking chap on the far right hand side of the cover.

An adorable graphic novel for young readers, this sees Baloney go swimming. perform some rather questionable magic and deal with a case of the blues. Charming, fun and really lovely, there’s also tips on how to draw all of the characters. This is perfect for the newly independent reader and also those wanting to step into comics.

Okay. That’s it for this week. I hope you find something of joy here – let me know! I’ll be back next week with more picks, but in the meanwhile you can catch up with me on social media (come and chat with me about endpapers), on my website, or over on the biweekly literary fiction podcast Novel Gazing.

Louise.

Hi Kid Lit Friends,

How is everyone doing this week? I hope this email finds you healthy and safe.

I’ve been asking readers what they’ve been doing while at home. Here are some more responses!

Elisa from Quarantine Storytime says, “I listen to plenty of audiobooks and I’ve been reading to my 3 kids more than I usually get a chance to, which is nice. I also work with children at our public library, so right now I’ve been doing my best to keep giving them content and literacy practice from a distance. So I’ve started a YouTube channel and every day I pick one of our regular kiddos to make a video for that is specifically targeted to their level. I have reading practice with text they can read-along with on the screen, picture book read-alouds and Libby book recommendations for my more fluent readers. I only wish I had a way to get these videos to all of them!”

Beth Schmelzer writes, “So many conferences have closed, but I am impressed  with the generosity of authors,  illustrators and publishers who are sharing read alouds and resources. Kate Messner was the first I shared with friends who have school age children. There are so many I appreciate.”

As Beth said, Kate Messner has a great website with videos from authors and illustrators. Check it out here!

Lisa Christensen, a reader who lives in Logan, Utah, a high mountain town, said that her library mails book requests. She received four books in one package last week. I wish my public library did that for us!

Okay, on to today’s book theme. A reader kindly told me that I mistakenly declared April as Asian Pacific Heritage Month (instead of May, the actual month). I think my mind is scrambled with the disruption in schedules! I’m so sorry about that, but maybe it’s good to share books ahead of Asian Pacific Heritage Month so I’m keeping today’s topic. Today I have five great middle grade books for you.

One of my favorite spring releases is A Wish in the Dark by Christina Soontornvat. This story is set in Chattana, where light is created by one man — the Governor, who appeared after the Great Fire to bring peace and order to the city. For Pong, who was born in Namwon Prison, the magical lights represent freedom, and he dreams of the day he will be able to walk among them. But when Pong escapes from prison, he realizes that the world outside is no fairer than the one behind bars.

Another fantastic new spring release is Prairie Lotus by the legendary Linda Sue Park. Set in American in the 1880s, the story centers around a half-Asian girl, Hanna. When her mother dies, Hanna and her father move to American’s heartland and open a business. Hanna struggles with her new surroundings, which primarily means negotiating the townspeople’s almost unanimous prejudice against Asians.

 

If you’re looking for realistic fiction, check out Stand Up, Yumi Chung! by Jessica Kim. This hilarious book is about Yumi and her love for stand up comedians. While Yumi is enrolled in test-prep tutoring to qualify for a private school scholarship, what she really wants to do is watch her favorite comedians on YouTube. One day after class, Yumi stumbles on an opportunity that will change her life: a comedy camp for kids taught by one of her favorite YouTube stars. The only problem is that the instructor and all the students think she’s a girl named Kay Nakamura–and Yumi doesn’t correct them.

For readers who love fantasy, look for The Dragon Egg Princess by Ellen Oh. This book is set in a kingdom filled with magic, but Jiho has no magic in him. He comes from a long line of forest rangers who protect the Kidahara—an ancient and mysterious wood that is home to powerful supernatural creatures. But since his father walked into the Kidahara and disappeared five years ago, Jiho wants nothing to do with the dangerous forest. Now the forest is in danger from foreign forces that want to destroy it; can Jiho save it before it’s too late?

Once Upon an Eid: Stories of Hope and Joy by 15 Muslim Voices, edited by S.K. Ali and Aisha Saeed (Amulet Books, 5/5/20) is a lovely collection of short stories that showcase the most joyful holiday of the year: Eid! The short, single-syllable word conjures up a variety of feelings and memories for Muslims.Whatever it may be, for those who cherish this day of celebration, the emotional responses may be summed up in another short and sweet word: joy. Read stories by G. Willow Wilson, Hena Khan, Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow, Rukhsana Khan, and many others.

If you love graphic novels, Dragon Hoops by Gene Luen Yang is a must read. In this story, Yang turns the focus on his own life and his job at a high school. The men’s varsity team, the Dragons, is having a phenomenal season that’s been decades in the making. Each victory brings them closer to their ultimate goal: the California State Championships. Once Gene gets to know these young all-stars, he knows he has to follow this epic to its end. What he doesn’t know yet is that this season is not only going to change the Dragons’s lives, but his own life as well.

 

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 doing? I have been working on my TBR pile this week, and it is becoming slightly more manageable. Another couple of weeks and I might actually get to the bottom of it. Fingers crossed!

If you’re looking for COVID-19 news from the literary world, we’ve got you covered. My favourite pick for this week is the news that JK Rowling and her publishers have released a host of free Harry Potter resources. Check out Wizarding World Introduces Harry Potter At Home for more on that.

And now, let’s talk books.

Mary Underwater by Shannon Doleski

Be the hero you’re waiting for.

Inspired by her heroine Joan of Arc (honestly, I love this so much), Mary Murphy decides to go on her own quest and built and then pilot a submarine across the Chesapeake Bay. How’s that for a hook?

A rich story of female empowerment, heroism, and submersibles this is a really strong debut from a new middle-grade author.

How To Solve A Problem : The Rise (And Falls) of a Rock-Climbing Champion by Ashima Shiraishi, illustrated by Yao Xiao

Ashima Shiraishi is one of the world’s youngest and most skilled climbers. For rock climbers, a boulder is known as a “problem” and you figure it out by climbing to the top.

This is a story on how to deal with the problems in your own life – and how to get back up when they knock you down. Told in wise, clean text and paired with bold and vivid artwork this is an absolute treat.

Bedtime Bonnet by Nancy Redd, illustrated by Nneka Myers

“In my family, when the sun goes down, our hair goes up!”

A heartwarming celebration of Black hair traditions, this is a lovely thing. It features a close and multi-generational family, all with their own personal hair routine at night, and pairs this with soft, loving artwork. Perfect for bedtime!

Exquisite: The Poetry and Life of Gwendolyn Brooks by Suzanne Slade, illustrated by Cozbi A. Cabrera

Gwendolyn Brooks (1917-2000) was the first Black writer ever to win the Pulitzer Prize. She wrote about “real life” – bringing everything she lived into her work – and this is a wise, elegant biography of her.

Cabrera’s art is evocative and reverential, embracing the wildness of imagination and Gwendolyn’s power to capture the world around her. A big, important and relevant book.

Into The Tall Grass by Loriel Ryan

Yolanda Rodríguez-O’Connell is the only member of her family to not have magic. And one day when her grandmother, Wela, falls into an unexpected and unexplained sleep, Yolanda must act. If she loses her grandmother, she’s got nothing and nobody left.

Yolanda’s quest sees her discover long-buried secrets, the healing power of the magic all about her, and how a curse might be considered as a gift…

An eloquent magical realism middle grade, this is perfect for anybody who needs a little hope in their world.

Okay! That’s all from me for now. I’ll be back with more new releases next week (what is a week? what is time right now?), but until then you can say hello to me on social media @chaletfan (Come and chat with me about endpapers!) and elsewhere on Book Riot co-hosting the biweekly litfic podcast Novel Gazing.

Louise.

Hi Kid Lit Friends,

We are finally in April! I’ve heard from a few of you about how the stay-at-home orders have affected your family or workplace. Here are some of the great ideas I’ve heard:

From Candice at Deep River Library, a small town public library in Canada that is closed until April 5th: “We are doing what we can to support our community and patrons with curating online info and activities for them on our website, social media pages, and YouTube where we have some story times, book clubs, and archive videos.”

From Jodie Rodriguez at Growing Book by Book: she says she has taken her homeschool book club online since they cannot meet in person. In addition, they are reading more audiobooks and sometimes take a drive in the car to get out of the house and listen to audiobooks. They also continue to do their monthly Family Dinner Book Club, where they read a book together, have a themed menu, talk about the book, and do some type of activity.

How are you incorporating reading and books into your socially distanced, quarantined home? Email me at KarinaBookRiot@gmail.com to let me know. I’ll be collecting responses and sharing them each week.

April is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month in the United States. With the spread of COVID-19, there has also been a huge increase in reports of harassment and even assault in places with large communities of Asian Americans. To counter this, let’s lift up voices in Asian Pacific American communities. Next week I’ll give you some recommendations for new middle grade books by Asian Pacific American authors, but today let’s chat about picture books!

The Many Colors of Harpreet Singh by Supriya Kelkar, illustrated by Alea Marley, is a lovely picture book about emotions and change. Harpreet Singh has a different color for every mood and occasion, from pink for dancing to bhangra beats to red for courage. He especially takes care with his patka—his turban—smoothing it out and making sure it always matches his outfit. But when they move to a snowy city, all he wants is to be invisible. Will he ever feel a happy sunny yellow again?

The Seed of Compassion: Lessons from the Life and Teachings of His Holiness the Dalai Lama by the Dalai Lama, illustrated by Bao Luu, is the first time His Holiness the Dalai Lama has shared about his childhood. Growing up, he was Lhamo Thondup. In a small village in Tibet, his mother was his first great teacher of compassion. In everyday moments from his childhood, young readers begin to see that important lessons are all around us, and that they, too, can grow to truly understand them.

Ohana Means Family by Ilima Loomis, illustrated by Kenard Pak, is a wonderful picture book that gives homage to kalo, a cornerstone of the culture and livelihood of the Hawaiian people. The story depicts kalo’s embodiment of the strong connection between land, water, air, sun, and the people. The words and illustrations come together in a beautiful book that demonstrates how family is connected.

Magic Ramen by Andrea Wang, illustrated by Kana Urbanowicz, is a book I’ve mentioned before, but I thought I would bring it up again because I loved it so much! This book tells the story of when Momofuku Ando spotted the long lines for a simple bowl of ramen following World War II. Every day, Momofuku Ando would retire to his lab–a little shed in his backyard. For years, he’d dreamed about making a new kind of ramen noodle soup that was quick, convenient, and tasty for the hungry people he’d seen in line for a bowl on the black market following World War II. Peace follows from a full stomach, he believed. Day after day, Ando experimented. Night after night, he failed. But Ando kept experimenting.

And finally, Caldecott Honor book A Different Pond by Bao Phi, illustrated by Thi Bui, is one of my favorite picture books. The story begins with a young boy and his father leaving early in the morning to go fishing. What they catch determines whether they will have food for the day. It is a look into the hardships faced by an immigrant family trying to find ways to survive.

 

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,

It’s the last day of March! I know, I can’t quite believe it either. This month has seemed endless. I hope you and your loved ones are doing well in this brave new world we live in, and that these lovely new releases from the world of children’s books bring you joy.

A brief reminder, if you’d like to stay in touch with COVID-19 updates from the bookish world, you can do so through that. I’m very fond of this article of 7 of the best educational comics for homeschooling – if you haven’t yet discovered Hilda, then now’s the time…

So to books!

Two Bicycles In Beijing by Teresa Robson, illustrated by Junyi Wu

Lunzi and Huangche came out of the bicycle factory together, side by side. They watch Beijing from their shop window, until the day when a girl comes in and buys Huangche and rolls him away. With the help of a delivery boy, Lunzi sets out to find her friend…

This is a lyrical, lovely thing, which introduces readers to the sights and sounds of Beijing with the added bonus of some simple Mandarin. It’s very charming and that artwork is lovely.

How to Make Friends with the Sea by Tanya Guerrero

Pablo lives with his mum and the two of them have never stayed in one country for long. Their latest move is to the Philippines where his mum works at a wildlife refuge – and she’s too busy to realise that Pablo might need saving too. His anxieties are overwhelming him, and the last thing he needs is his mum taking in an orphaned girl…

Touching on topics such as selective mutism, friendship, family, and the management of complex anxieties, and doing so with a lot of sensitivity, this is a strong and unusual debut.

What Stars Are Made Of by Sarah Allen

Libby is twelve, and pretty great at science. She was also born with Turner Syndrome and that means she finds some things hard. When she discovers that her big sister Nonny is pregnant, she can’t help but worry. Libby knows all too well that babies aren’t always born healthy – and that Nonny and her husband been struggling with money. So Libby makes a deal with the world. She’ll enter a science competition and if she wins, she’ll give the money to Nonny and her family. And the baby will be perfect.

A sparky scientist, winning first-person narrative, #ownvoices representation, and a celebration of family and love? Sign. Me. Up.

Hound Won’t Go by Lisa Rogers, illustrated by Meg Ishihara

(This cover speaks to me on quite the deep emotional level, let me tell you that). Hound has decided that he’s had enough of his walk. The only problem is that he’s decided this right in the middle of a busy intersection… uh oh! Hound won’t go!

Perfect for anybody who’s ever encountered a dog at their most stubborn, this pairs tight, clean rhymes with vibrant illustrations. It’s a perfect read aloud.

My Mindful Walk with Grandma by Sheri Mabry, illustrated by Wazza Pink

As a young girl walks through the woods with her grandma, she’s more focused on the destination than the journey. But the journey is full of surprises and excitement – and Grandma will help her discover them.

We’re all wrestling with a world that is changing every single second, and so this soft and rich story about appreciating the moment may have some particular resonance right now. It’s a beautiful, beautiful thing.

Okay! That’s all from me for now. I’ll be back with more new releases next week, but until then you can say hello to me on social media @chaletfan (Let’s talk Moomins…) and elsewhere on Book Riot co-hosting the biweekly litfic podcast Novel Gazing.

Take care,

Louise.